MN SF3365

Authorizes the commissioner of health to establish a state necessary provider program designating rural nonprofit or public hospitals as necessary providers with benefits and flexibility available to critical access hospitals under the Medicare rural hospital flexibility program.

Hospitals qualify as necessary providers if they are more than 20 miles from the nearest hospital, the sole hospital in their county, located in a county with a designated medically underserved area or health professional shortage area, or located in a county contiguous to such designated areas.

Amends Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 144.1483, to add the necessary provider program as clause (10) while maintaining existing rural health initiatives including coordination of health care services, personnel recruitment, training programs, and emergency medical services planning.

State shall pay all costs associated with providing necessary provider hospitals with benefits and flexibility under the Medicare rural hospital flexibility program.

Appropriates unspecified amount from the general fund in fiscal year 2019 to the commissioner of health for necessary provider program costs, effective July 1, 2018.