HF4909

Purpose

This bill would require Minnesota’s budget forecast to include more detailed information about Medical Assistance (Medicaid) costs. Specifically, it aims to make the forecast show how much each covered service under Medical Assistance is expected to cost, and to ensure lawmakers receive a follow-up report identifying which of those services are mandatory benefits under federal law.

Main Provisions

• Adds a new subdivision (Subd. 5) to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 16A.103.
• In the forecast of state revenues and expenditures (as described in the existing subdivision 1), the commissioner must include forecasted costs of each covered service provided under Medical Assistance.
• When delivering the forecast, the commissioner must, in consultation with the commissioner of human services, submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over medical assistance. This report must:
  • Include the forecasted costs for each covered service (as described above).
  • Identify which covered services are mandatory benefits under federal law and regulations.

What This Bill Seeks to Accomplish

• Increase transparency by breaking out Medical Assistance costs by individual services in the state forecast.
• Help lawmakers distinguish between services that are federally required versus optional in the program.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates new Subd. 5 (Medical assistance detailed costs) within 16A.103.
• Establishes a requirement for a service-specific cost forecast for Medical Assistance and a paired federal-mandate identification report delivered with the forecast.

Implementation Considerations

• The forecast will now include detailed costs for each covered Medical Assistance service.
• A secondary report will be provided to legislative leaders, outlining which services are mandatory benefits under federal law and regulations.

Relevant Terms - Medical Assistance - Medicaid - forecast of state revenues and expenditures - forecasted costs - covered service - each covered service - mandatory benefits - federal law and regulations - commissioner of management and budget - commissioner of human services - report to chairs and ranking minority members - legislative committees with jurisdiction over medical assistance - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 16A.103 - subdivision 1 - subdivision 5 (new)