MN SF34

Hospitals must test patients for COVID-19 using RT-PCR testing before discharge to long-term care facilities.

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 after fever and respiratory symptom resolution or a negative RT-PCR test.

Hospitals may discharge COVID-19 positive patients to dedicated separate units or buildings within long-term care facilities if staff in those units only care for COVID-positive residents.

Health plans, medical assistance programs, and MinnesotaCare must reimburse hospitals for extended stays resulting from compliance with discharge requirements, with reimbursement covering additional costs beyond standard payments.

The Commissioner of Human Services must reimburse hospitals for extended stays of uninsured patients, with an appropriation from the coronavirus relief federal fund for fiscal year 2021 designated for this purpose.

The requirements expire 60 days after the end of the declared COVID-19 peacetime emergency.