Minnesota House Bill HF346

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/25
• Refer: 2/13/25

Caption

Health plan company required to provide the same reimbursement rates for all providers.

Summary

HF346 would require health plan companies to pay the same reimbursement rate for a covered service when that service is provided by a licensed and certified advanced practice registered nurse practitioner or a licensed physician assistant as they would pay a licensed physician. The bill applies only when the enrollee chooses one of those providers for a covered service, and it is limited to services covered under the health plan. The proposed new law would be added to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 62Q, and would take effect January 1, 2025, applying to covered services delivered on or after that date. In practical terms, it creates a reimbursement parity requirement for certain non-physician clinicians, potentially affecting how health plans structure payment policies and how providers are compensated for comparable services.

Impact

HF346 would amend Minnesota health insurance law by adding a new section to chapter 62Q requiring payment parity for covered services furnished by advanced practice registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants. It would directly affect health plan companies, who would need to reimburse those providers at physician-equivalent rates for the same service when the enrollee selects them, and could influence provider contracting, claims processing, and reimbursement schedules beginning January 1, 2025.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a health care fairness and provider reimbursement issue, with no recorded committee testimony or votes showing broader debate. The bill was introduced and referred to the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee, suggesting it was still in the early stages of consideration. Overall sentiment cannot be measured from the available record, but the bill’s sponsor list and straightforward language suggest an intent to support non-physician providers rather than to create a controversial policy change.

Contention

The main policy issue is whether health plans should be required to pay advanced practice registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants the same rate as physicians for the same covered service. Supporters would likely view the bill as promoting reimbursement equity and recognizing comparable services by different licensed providers, while opponents may argue it could increase health plan costs, reduce pricing flexibility, or blur distinctions in provider training and scope. No committee transcript or vote record is available here, so there is no documented public disagreement in the provided materials.