HF 690 Summary

• Amends Minnesota Statutes section 256B.0625, subdivision 17, to modify medical assistance coverage and reimbursement rates for nonemergency medical transportation services.

• Establishes seven covered transportation modes: client reimbursement ($0.22/mile), volunteer transport (up to 100% IRS business rate), unassisted transport (standard fare or $11 base/$1.30 mile), assisted transport ($13 base/$1.30 mile), lift-equipped/ramp transport ($18 base/$1.55 mile), protected transport ($75 base/$2.40 mile), and stretcher transport ($60 base/$2.40 mile plus $9/trip for additional attendant if medically necessary).

• Provides increased reimbursement rates for rural and super rural areas, with base rates at 111.3% in super rural areas and mileage rates at 125% for trips of 50 miles or less and 112.5% for trips over 50 miles in rural/super rural areas.

• Requires payments based on client's assessed transportation mode, not the vehicle type used, and exempts all transportation modes from certain cost-containment rules.

• Changes rural mileage rate thresholds from "17 miles or less" and "between 18 and greater than 50 miles" to "50 miles or less" and "greater than 50 miles," expanding the higher reimbursement range.