1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; modifying medical assistance coverage to 
1.3 	include consultations with psychologists; increasing the medical assistance 
1.4 	reimbursement rate for critical access mental health services;amending 
1.5 	Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 256B.0625, subdivision 48; 256B.763.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0625, subdivision 48, is amended to 
1.8 	read:
1.9 		Subd. 48.Psychiatric or psychological consultation to primary care 
1.10 	practitioners. Effective January 1, 2006, Medical assistance covers consultation provided 
1.11 	by a psychiatrist or psychologist via telephone, e-mail, facsimile, or other means of 
1.12 	communication to primary care practitioners, including pediatricians. The need for 
1.13 	consultation and the receipt of the consultation must be documented in the patient record 
1.14 	maintained by the primary care practitioner. If the patient consents, and subject to federal 
1.15 	limitations and data privacy provisions, the consultation may be provided without the 
1.16 	patient present.

1.17 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.763, is amended to read:
1.18 	256B.763 CRITICAL ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH RATE INCREASE.
1.19 	(a) For services defined in paragraph (b) and rendered on or after July 1, 2007, 
1.20 	payment rates shall be increased by 23.7 percent over the rates in effect on January 1, 
1.21 	2006, for:
1.22 	(1) psychiatrists, psychologists, and advanced practice registered nurses with a 
1.23 	psychiatric specialty;
2.1 	(2) community mental health centers under section 256B.0625, subdivision 5; and
2.2 	(3) mental health clinics and centers certified under Minnesota Rules, parts 
2.3 	9520.0750 to 9520.0870, or hospital outpatient psychiatric departments that are designated 
2.4 	as essential community providers under section 62Q.19.
2.5 	(b) This increase applies to group skills training when provided as a component of 
2.6 	children's therapeutic services and support, psychotherapy, medication management, 
2.7 	evaluation and management, diagnostic assessment, explanation of findings, psychological 
2.8 	testing, neuropsychological services, direction of behavioral aides, and inpatient 
2.9 	consultation.
2.10 	(c) This increase does not apply to rates that are governed by section 256B.0625, 
2.11 	subdivision 30, or 256B.761, paragraph (b), other cost-based rates, rates that are 
2.12 	negotiated with the county, rates that are established by the federal government, or rates 
2.13 	that increased between January 1, 2004, and January 1, 2005.
2.14 	(d) The commissioner shall adjust rates paid to prepaid health plans under contract 
2.15 	with the commissioner to reflect the rate increases provided in paragraph (a). The prepaid 
2.16 	health plan must pass this rate increase to the providers identified in paragraph (a).