Minnesota Senate Bill SF506

Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/23
• Refer: 1/23/23

Caption

Health insurance claims assessment establishment

Impact

The passage of SF506 is expected to have significant implications for the way health care funding is managed in Minnesota. Revenue generated from this assessment will be allocated for the administration of health care programs like MinnesotaCare and medical assistance. By administering assessments based on actual claims, the bill aims to ensure that health insurance providers contribute fairly to the funding of health services that they benefit from. This could adjust the financial landscape for both providers and users of healthcare services in the state.

Summary

SF506 establishes a health insurance claims assessment in Minnesota, mandating a two percent assessment on paid claims made by health plan companies and third-party administrators. This legislation aims to create a revenue stream directed towards the health care access fund, which supports state health care programs. The bill defines 'claims-related expenses' and specifies what types of claims are included under the assessment. These provisions seek to streamline how health insurance providers contribute to the state's health care financing mechanism based on their claims activity.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support from some legislators for its projected benefits in health care funding, it also raises concerns among certain stakeholders. Opponents argue that the assessment could increase the operational costs for health plan companies and, subsequently, the premiums paid by consumers. There is ongoing debate regarding whether the additional financial burden on health plan providers will lead to unintended consequences, such as higher costs for patients or reduced accessibility to services as companies adjust their coverage strategies.