SF4583

Purpose

• Establish a Physician Health Care Provider Wellness Program to help physicians with career fatigue and work-stress-related wellness.
• The program is run by a statewide association that is tax-exempt under 501(c)(6) and represents physicians and osteopaths from multiple specialties.
• The program is voluntary and separate from rules that monitor impairment.

Main provisions

• Definition of terms:
  • Health care provider: someone licensed or registered by Minnesota to provide health care.
  • Physician Health Care Provider Wellness Program: a program offering evaluation, counseling, or other methods to address career fatigue or work-stress wellness for physicians licensed under chapter 147.
• Scope and administration:
  • The program is administered by a statewide 501(c)(6) association that primarily represents physicians and osteopaths across specialties.
  • The program does not function as impairment monitoring under the existing impairment rules (distinct from impairment procedures).
• Confidentiality:
  • Any participation records in the wellness program are confidential.
  • These records cannot be used in discovery, subpoena, or for reporting to health-related licensing boards or the commissioner, unless the participant voluntarily releases information or the disclosure is required to meet the licensee’s obligation to report certain information under section 147.111.
• Civil liability protection:
  • Individuals, agencies, institutions, facilities, or organizations that contract with or operate the wellness program are immune from civil liability for actions taken in good faith as part of the program.

Significant changes to existing law

• Adds a new framework under Minnesota Statutes §214.41 to create and govern a physician-specific wellness program.
• Establishes confidentiality protections that shield participation records from legal scrutiny, with specific exceptions for voluntary releases or mandated reporting under existing statutes.
• Provides civil liability immunity for entities operating or contracting with the program, as long as actions are in good faith.

Practical implications

• Participation in the wellness program is voluntary and separate from formal impairment monitoring or disciplinary processes.
• Physicians and providers have a confidential access point to address work-related stress and fatigue without automatically triggering licensing or public reporting.
• Organizations that run or support the program gain legal protection from liability when acting in good faith.

Relevant Terms - Physician Health Care Provider Wellness Program - health care provider - evaluation - counseling - career fatigue - work stress - confidentiality - discovery - subpoena - health-related licensing board - commissioner - section 147.111 - impairment - Minnesota Statutes 214.41 - 501(c)(6) - good faith - civil liability immunity - statewide association - physicians - osteopaths - chapter 147