The financial implications of both bills are unknown which is a HUGE problem. Also, does this program become mandatory if people do not want to enroll? Will there be penalties? If the program does not meet the cost saving objective does that mean increased fees and taxes or people being thrown off the system?
What if a selection of a primary clinic occurs and you need a specialist outside of the "network". If you have cancer can you get out of your network over to see specialist within days?
The bills have some positive aspects, however, the uncertain items are just so vague and could create a real problem for our world class health care system.
I can tell you a lot of the requirements in this bill have the potential to put many rural health care providers out of business. It is chalk full regulations and I have questions about our capacity out here. I think many rural health care organizations have not signed off on this bill.
Even the program installed by Republican Mitt Romney is starting to show signs of financial stress and this bill is less "market" based than his.
Follow the link and email you legislators with questions. This is one of the biggest bills out there.
HOUSE FILE: HF 3391
2.19 Subdivision 1. Selection of primary care clinic. Beginning January 1, 2009, the
2.20 commissioner shall encourage state health care program enrollees eligible for services
2.21 under the fee-for-service system to select a primary care clinic or medical group, within 2.22 two months of enrollment. Beginning July 1, 2009, the commissioner shall encourage
2.23 enrollees who have a complex or chronic condition to select a primary care clinic or
2.24 medical group with clinicians who have been certified as health care homes under section 2.25 256B.0751, subdivision 3. The commissioner and county social service agencies shall
2.26 provide enrollees with lists of primary care clinics, medical groups, and clinicians certified 2.27 as health care homes, and shall establish a toll-free number to provide enrollees with
2.28 assistance in choosing a clinic, medical group, or health care home.
2.29 Subd. 2. Initial health assessment. The commissioner shall encourage state health
2.30 care program enrollees eligible for services under the fee-for-service system to obtain an 2.31 initial health assessment at their selected primary care clinic or medical group, within
2.32 one month of selection, in order to identify individuals with complex or chronic health
2.33 conditions, and to identify preventative health care needs.
2.34 Subd. 3. Education and outreach. Beginning January 1, 2009, the commissioner
2.35 shall provide patient education and outreach to state health care program enrollees and
3.1 applicants related to the importance of choosing a primary care clinic or medical group
3.2 and a health care home. Education and outreach must be targeted to underserved or special 3.3 populations. The commissioner shall also develop and implement an outreach program to
3.4 enroll eligible persons in state health care programs, by providing a per enrollee bonus
3.5 to licensed producers under chapter 60K and nonprofit health care or social service
3.6 organizations who provide assistance in enrolling applicants.
3.7 Subd. 4. State health care program. For purposes of this section, "state health
3.8 care program" means the medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, and general assistance
3.9 medical care programs.
3.20 health care homes for state health care program enrollees who have complex or chronic 3.21 health conditions.
