MN HF3288

Creates a new certification for "Emergency Medical Technician-Community EMT" (EMT-CE) for currently certified EMTs with two years of full-time service who complete an approved training program with clinical experience supervised by an EMS medical director or equivalent healthcare provider.

Limits EMT-CE practice to caring for patients during the 72-hour period following hospital discharge, operating under protocols established by an EMS medical director and following patient care plans developed by the patient's physician or advanced practice provider in coordination with the EMS medical director.

Requires the commissioner of human services to determine specific community EMT services and payment rates for coverage under medical assistance by January 15, 2015, in consultation with EMS providers, health care systems, and public health agencies; services cannot be covered until further legislative action is taken.

Authorizes community EMT services to include interventions preventing ambulance transportation or emergency department use, such as minor medical procedures, assessments, care coordination, patient education, and chronic disease monitoring, with consideration for reducing hospital admissions and improving rural access to care.

Requires the commissioner to evaluate the effect of medical assistance and MinnesotaCare coverage of community paramedic services on cost and quality of care by December 1, 2014, and mandates enrolled providers to submit utilization, cost, and quality data to support this evaluation.