MN HF127

Hospitals must test all patients for COVID-19 using an RT-PCR test prior to discharge to a long-term care facility.

Hospitals are prohibited from discharging COVID-19 positive patients to long-term care facilities until the patient is no longer infectious, defined as either 72 hours symptom-free without fever-reducing medication or a negative RT-PCR test.

Exception allows discharge of COVID-19 positive patients to separate dedicated units within long-term care facilities if staff only serve that isolated unit.

Health plans, medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, and the commissioner of human services must reimburse hospitals for additional costs incurred during extended stays caused by compliance with discharge requirements.

An amount sufficient to reimburse hospitals for uninsured patients is appropriated from the coronavirus relief federal fund for fiscal years 2020 and 2021, and the provision expires 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 peacetime emergency.