Minnesota Senate Bill SF2885

Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/14/23
• Refer: 3/14/23

Caption

Temporary funding establishment for settings that receive high-acuity patients discharged from hospitals

Impact

The bill is designed to directly impact the management of high-acuity patients and the financial operations of healthcare settings. By implementing supplemental payments of $150 per day to nursing and assisted living facilities accepting high-acuity hospital discharges, the bill ensures that these facilities can provide necessary care and resources for individuals with complex medical needs. The funding outlined in the bill, amounting to over $140 million for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, is expected to support a range of community-based settings, thereby promoting continuity of care and reducing the strain on hospitals.

Summary

SF2885 establishes temporary funding mechanisms for settings that receive high-acuity patients discharged from hospitals. The bill mandates that the commissioner of human services make payments to hospitals as partial reimbursement for avoidable nonacute patient days. Specifically, starting July 1, 2023, hospitals can receive up to $1,400 per qualifying avoidable patient day, defined as days when high-acuity patients are either boarded in an emergency department or delayed beyond the seventh consecutive day of being eligible for discharge due to a lack of available settings for safe release. This aims to alleviate financial burdens on hospitals dealing with patient overflow and the associated costs of extended stays.

Contention

Notably, while the bill promotes the effective management of healthcare resources, it may incite discussion around the allocation of state funds and the prioritization of services in the healthcare sector. Proponents argue that the financial support helps bridge gaps in care for vulnerable populations, while critics may challenge the efficiency of spending such large sums on hospital reimbursements. Additionally, the classification of 'high-acuity patients' and the criteria for determining avoidable patient days could be points of contention among stakeholders, raising questions about fairness in reimbursements and the overall impact on patient care quality.