SF4969

Purpose

• To require greater transparency in the state budget forecast by detailing the expected costs of all medical assistance (Medicaid) services and by identifying which services are mandatory under federal law.

Main Provisions

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

How It Would Work

• The forecast of state revenues and expenditures would explicitly list the anticipated costs of every medical assistance covered service.
• A joint effort between the commissioner of management and budget and the commissioner of human services would ensure the data is accurate and comprehensive.
• The accompanying report would clearly mark federal-mandated benefits and provide legislators with a line-by-line view of service-level costs.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates Subd.5.Medical assistance detailed costs within the forecast framework of 16A.103.
• Establishes a formal requirement to report, in conjunction with the forecast, which services are mandatory benefits under federal law and regulations.
• Enhances transparency and legislative oversight of Medicaid/medical assistance spending in the state forecast.

Terminology and Key Concepts (see "Relevant Terms" for quick reference)

• Medical assistance (Medicaid)
• forecast of state revenues and expenditures
• forecasted costs of each covered service
• covered service
• mandatory benefits under federal law and regulations
• federal law and regulations
• commissioner of management and budget
• commissioner of human services
• Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 16A.103
• Subd.5.Medical assistance detailed costs

Relevant Terms - Medical assistance - Medicaid - forecast of state revenues and expenditures - forecasted costs - covered service - mandatory benefits - federal law and regulations - commissioner of management and budget - commissioner of human services - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 16A.103 - Subd.5.Medical assistance detailed costs