SF974

SF974 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Health insurance plans, medical assistance and MinnesotaCare coverage of power standing systems for wheelchairs requirement

AI Generated Summary

The legislative bill S.F. No. 974 requires all health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover power standing systems for wheelchairs. These systems must be recommended by a licensed provider within the state. The bill specifies that health plans cannot impose any additional costs (like deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance) or restrictions (like utilization review, referral requirements, or delay periods) on this coverage beyond what is generally applied to other medical coverages.

Additionally, health plans are allowed to limit the provision of a new power standing system to once every five years. Furthermore, the bill discusses financial aspects wherein the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce is responsible for reimbursing health insurance companies for the costs incurred due to this new requirement, provided that these costs are not covered under existing policies as of January 1, 2025.

Lastly, the bill allocates the necessary funds each fiscal year to cover these reimbursements, ensuring that the financial burden of this mandate does not fall solely on the health insurance companies.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file
1st Engrossment PDF file
1st Engrossment PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 02, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
February 02, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Commerce and Consumer Protection
February 05, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Author added
February 09, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Author added
March 09, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to	Health and Human Services

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusion of power standing systems for wheelchairs as a covered benefit under medical assistance."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill proposes amendments to Minnesota Statutes section 256B.0625 with the inclusion of additional benefits related to power standing systems for wheelchairs in Minnesota's medical assistance programs.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "256B.0625"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references section 62M.02 in defining utilization review protocols within health plans.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies that utilization review limitations specific to power standing systems cannot differ from general utilization review practices."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "62M.02"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Federal regulation referenced for reimbursement process to health plan companies covering power standing systems.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies compliance with federal standards for evaluating and reimbursing health plan coverage not previously provided."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "Code of Federal Regulations title 45, section 155.170"
  }
]