February 3, 2022
As of January 1, Medical Assistance and other Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) are now reimbursing for time spent counseling patients on immunizations.
Physicians may counsel both in-person and via telehealth for COVID-19 vaccinations and standard vaccines. Physicians billing for vaccine counseling services must have the ability to administer the vaccine for which they are counseling. They cannot bill for vaccine counseling separately if the counseling is a required component of another service provided in the same visit.
This change comes after data showed that Minnesotans covered by Medicaid/MHCPs have had lower COVID-19 vaccination rates during the pandemic. Children, adults younger than 50, members who live outside the Twin Cities metro area and those who identify as Black or Native American have significantly lower vaccination rates.
Click here for the latest statewide COVID-19 vaccination rates for MHCP members. For more details on immunizations and vaccinations click here.
August 28, 2025
The apparent removal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director, Susan Monarez, PhD, after just weeks on the job, further imperils the work of the CDC and the health of Americans. Her removal was followed by the resignations of other senior leaders at the CDC, who have accused HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. of undermining scientific recommendations for vaccines.
August 26, 2025
University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham, MD, will speak at the Empowering Physicians: A Night of Learning & Connection event on Friday, September 26, from 4 to 9 pm, at the historic Hewing Hotel in downtown Minneapolis.
August 26, 2025
America's physicians are seeing a rise in misinformation and disinformation from patients these days, and it’s impacting patient care, according to a new study from the Physicians Foundation.