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.
April 9, 2026
An amended piece of legislation that would exempt buprenorphine from prior authorization (PA) was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on April 9.
April 9, 2026
On April 9, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard a bill that would require coverage for psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) services under Medical Assistance.
April 9, 2026
On April 9, the House Taxes Committee heard legislation focused on supporting the financial stability and ongoing operations of Hennepin Healthcare.