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.
October 8, 2026
On September 29, a Hennepin County jury issued an $84 million malpractice verdict against Fairview Health Services, in a case involving a patient who died of complications following an exercise-induced heart attack.
October 8, 2026
A group of fifth-grade students from Lincoln Elementary School in St. Cloud got a firsthand look at the world of medicine on October 5, during a special Mini Medical School Day hosted by the University of Minnesota Medical School CentraCare Regional Campus St. Cloud.
October 8, 2026
On October 7, the MMA released an updated version of its “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) Resource Guide for Physicians.”