<div class="xtend">
         <div class="xtend_ce"><a id="pl.1.1"></a><var>1.1</var>A bill for an act<br />
            		
         </div><a id="pl.1.2"></a><var>1.2</var>relating to education finance; making the K-12 special education third-party <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>billing process more cost effective;amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>125A.21, subdivision 2; Laws 2009, chapter 79, article 5, section 60.<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.0.1.0"></a><a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 125A.21, subdivision 2, is amended to <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 2. <b>Third party reimbursement.</b> (a) Beginning July 1, 2000, districts shall <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>seek reimbursement from insurers and similar third parties for the cost of services <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>provided by the district whenever the services provided by the district are otherwise <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>covered by the child's health coverage. Districts shall request, but may not require, the <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>child's family to provide information about the child's health coverage when a child with a <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>disability begins to receive services from the district of a type that may be reimbursable, <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>and shall request, but may not require, updated information after that as needed.<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>(b) For children enrolled in medical assistance under chapter 256B or MinnesotaCare <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>under chapter 256L who have no other health coverage, a district shall provide an initial <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>written notice to the enrolled child's parent or legal representative of its intent to seek <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>reimbursement from medical assistance or MinnesotaCare for the individual education <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>plan health-related services provided by the district. The notice shall include:<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>(1) the right of the parent or legal representative to request a copy of all records <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>concerning individual education plan health-related services disclosed by the district to <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>any third party; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.23"></a><var>1.23</var>(2) the right of the parent or legal representative to withdraw consent for disclosure <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.24"></a><var>1.24</var>of a child's records at any time without consequence, including consent that was initially <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>given as part of the application process for MinnesotaCare or medical assistance under <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>section 256B.0625, subdivision 26.<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>(c) The district shall give the parent or legal representative annual written notice of:<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>(1) the district's intent to seek reimbursement from medical assistance or <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>MinnesotaCare for individual education plan health-related services provided by the <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>district;<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>(2) the right of the parent or legal representative to request a copy of all records <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>concerning individual education plan health-related services disclosed by the district to <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>any third party; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>(3) the right of the parent or legal representative to withdraw consent for disclosure <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>of a child's records at any time without consequence, including consent that was initially <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>given as part of the application process for MinnesotaCare or medical assistance under <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>section 256B.0625, subdivision 26.<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>The written notice shall be provided as part of the written notice required by Code of <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>Federal Regulations, title 34, section 
         <statute_ref>300.504</statute_ref>.  <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var>(d) In order to access the private health care coverage of a child who is covered by <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.17"></a><var>2.17</var>private health care coverage in whole or in part, a district must:<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.18"></a><var>2.18</var>(1) obtain annual written informed consent from the parent or legal representative, in <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.19"></a><var>2.19</var>compliance with subdivision 5; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.20"></a><var>2.20</var>(2) inform the parent or legal representative that a refusal to permit the district <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.21"></a><var>2.21</var>or state Medicaid agency to access their private health care coverage does not relieve <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.22"></a><var>2.22</var>the district of its responsibility to provide all services necessary to provide free and <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.23"></a><var>2.23</var>appropriate public education at no cost to the parent or legal representative.<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.24"></a><var>2.24</var>(e) If the commissioner of human services obtains federal approval to exempt <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.25"></a><var>2.25</var>covered individual education plan health-related services from the requirement that private <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.26"></a><var>2.26</var>health care coverage refuse payment before medical assistance may be billed, paragraphs <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.27"></a><var>2.27</var>(b), (c), and (d) shall also apply to students with a combination of private health care <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.28"></a><var>2.28</var>coverage and health care coverage through medical assistance or MinnesotaCare.<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.29"></a><var>2.29</var>(f) In the event that Congress or any federal agency or the Minnesota legislature <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.30"></a><var>2.30</var>or any state agency establishes lifetime limits, limits for any health care services, <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.31"></a><var>2.31</var>cost-sharing provisions, or otherwise provides that individual education plan health-related <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.32"></a><var>2.32</var>services impact benefits for persons enrolled in medical assistance or MinnesotaCare, the <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.33"></a><var>2.33</var>amendments to this subdivision adopted in 2002 are repealed on the effective date of any <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.34"></a><var>2.34</var>federal or state law or regulation that imposes the limits. In that event, districts must <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.35"></a><var>2.35</var>obtain informed consent consistent with this subdivision as it existed prior to the 2002 <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.36"></a><var>2.36</var>amendments and subdivision 5, before seeking reimbursement for children enrolled in <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.1"></a><var>3.1</var>medical assistance under chapter 256B or MinnesotaCare under chapter 256L who have <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.2"></a><var>3.2</var>no other health care coverage.<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.3"></a><var>3.3</var><b>EFFECTIVE DATE.</b>This section is effective the day following final enactment.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.0.2.0"></a><a id="pl.3.4"></a><var>3.4</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 2. Laws 2009, chapter 79, article 5, section 60, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.5"></a><var>3.5</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256L.05, is amended by adding a <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.6"></a><var>3.6</var>subdivision to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.7"></a><var>3.7</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 1c. <b>Open enrollment and streamlined application and enrollment </b><br />
         		<a id="pl.3.8"></a><var>3.8</var><b>process.</b> (a) The commissioner and local agencies working in partnership must develop a <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.9"></a><var>3.9</var>streamlined and efficient application and enrollment process for medical assistance and <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.10"></a><var>3.10</var>MinnesotaCare enrollees that meets the criteria specified in this subdivision.<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.11"></a><var>3.11</var>(b) The commissioners of human services and education shall provide <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.12"></a><var>3.12</var>recommendations to the legislature by January 15, 2010, on the creation of an open <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.13"></a><var>3.13</var>enrollment process for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare that is coordinated with <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.14"></a><var>3.14</var>the public education system. The recommendations must:<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.15"></a><var>3.15</var>(1) be developed in consultation with medical assistance and MinnesotaCare <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.16"></a><var>3.16</var>enrollees and representatives from organizations that advocate on behalf of children and <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.17"></a><var>3.17</var>families, low-income persons and minority populations, counties, school administrators <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.18"></a><var>3.18</var>and nurses, health plans, and health care providers;<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.19"></a><var>3.19</var>(2) be based on enrollment and renewal procedures best practices, including express <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.20"></a><var>3.20</var>lane eligibility as required under subdivision 1d;<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.21"></a><var>3.21</var>(3) simplify the enrollment and renewal processes wherever possible; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.22"></a><var>3.22</var>(4) establish a process:<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.23"></a><var>3.23</var>(i) to disseminate information on medical assistance and MinnesotaCare to all <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.24"></a><var>3.24</var>children in the public education system, including prekindergarten programs; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.25"></a><var>3.25</var>(ii) for the commissioner of human services to enroll children and other household <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.26"></a><var>3.26</var>members who are eligible.<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.27"></a><var>3.27</var>The commissioner of human services in coordination with the commissioner of <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.28"></a><var>3.28</var>education shall implement an open enrollment process by August 1, 2010, to be effective <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.29"></a><var>3.29</var>beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.30"></a><var>3.30</var>(c) The commissioner and local agencies shall develop an online application process <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.31"></a><var>3.31</var>for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare.<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.32"></a><var>3.32</var>(d) The commissioner shall develop an application that is easily understandable <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.33"></a><var>3.33</var>and does not exceed four pages in length.<br />
         		<a id="pl.4.1"></a><var>4.1</var>(e) The commissioner of human services shall present to the legislature, by January <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.2"></a><var>4.2</var>15, 2010, an implementation plan for the open enrollment period and online application <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.3"></a><var>4.3</var>process.<br />
         		<a id="pl.4.4"></a><var>4.4</var>(f) As part of the process of developing the new application materials, the <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.5"></a><var>4.5</var>commissioner of human services shall include on the enrollment forms an authorization <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.6"></a><var>4.6</var>for consent to each provider of medical services to the parents' child or children to release <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.7"></a><var>4.7</var>to the commissioner of human services medical or other information in the possession of <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.8"></a><var>4.8</var>the provider necessary for the provider to be reimbursed by MinnesotaCare or medical <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.9"></a><var>4.9</var>assistance.<br />
         		<a id="pl.4.10"></a><var>4.10</var><b>EFFECTIVE DATE.</b>This section is effective July 1, 2010, or upon federal <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.11"></a><var>4.11</var>approval, which must be requested by the commissioner, whichever is later.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.0.3.0"></a><a id="pl.4.12"></a><var>4.12</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 3. <b>THIRD-PARTY  BILLING.</b><br />
         		<a id="pl.4.13"></a><var>4.13</var>The commissioner of human services must summarize and document the prior <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.14"></a><var>4.14</var>efforts of school districts to secure reimbursement from legally liable third parties and <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.15"></a><var>4.15</var>request permission to allow school districts to bill Medicaid only without first billing <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.16"></a><var>4.16</var>private payers for children with both private and public coverage based on documentation <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.17"></a><var>4.17</var>that demonstrates that private payers do not reimburse for individual education plan <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.18"></a><var>4.18</var>health-related services from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to allow the <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.19"></a><var>4.19</var>cost-effective billing of medical assistance for covered services that are not reimbursed by <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.20"></a><var>4.20</var>other legally liable third parties.<br />
         		<a id="pl.4.21"></a><var>4.21</var><b>EFFECTIVE DATE.</b>This section is effective the day following final enactment.<br />
         		
      </div>