1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to health insurance; requiring health plans to develop a maternal mental
1.3 health program;amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 62A.0411, by adding
1.4 a subdivision; 256B.69, by adding a subdivision; 256L.12, by adding a subdivision.
1.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 62A.0411, is amended by adding a subdivision
1.7 to read:
1.8 Subd. 3a.Maternal mental health program required. (a) A health plan must include
1.9 a maternal mental health program.
1.10 (b) The maternal mental health program must:
1.11 (1) ensure comprehensive and effective care for pregnant and postpartum individuals;
1.12 (2) encourage providers to perform maternal mental health screenings during the perinatal
1.13 period based on recommendations published by the American College of Obstetricians and
1.14 Gynecologists;
1.15 (3) reimburse health care professionals for all services provided under this subdivision,
1.16 including but not limited to conducting screenings, diagnosing conditions, and coordinating
1.17 treatment, in an amount that equals at least the provider's cost to perform the service; and
1.18 (4) provide health care professionals with resources and referrals to trained perinatal
1.19 mental health providers, including but not limited to behavioral health specialists and support
1.20 networks, as needed to ensure timely and effective care.
1.21 (c) A health plan is prohibited from intentionally or unreasonably delaying a referral to
1.22 a qualified behavioral health care professional when the referral is clinically indicated.
2.1 Clinical indication includes but is not limited to a positive result on a test for a mental health
2.2 condition administered by a health care professional or an enrollee reporting suicidal ideation
2.3 during the perinatal period.
2.4 EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026, and applies to all policies,
2.5 plans, certificates, and contracts offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.
2.6 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.69, is amended by adding a subdivision to
2.7 read:
2.8 Subd. 38.Maternal mental health program required. Managed care plans and
2.9 county-based purchasing plans subject to this section must include the maternal mental
2.10 health program required under section 62A.0411.
2.11 EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective on January 1, 2026, or upon federal
2.12 approval, whichever is later. The commissioner of human services must notify the revisor
2.13 of statutes when federal approval is obtained.
2.14 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256L.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to
2.15 read:
2.16 Subd. 12.Maternal mental health program required. Managed care plans and
2.17 county-based purchasing plans subject to this section must include the maternal mental
2.18 health program required under section 62A.0411.
2.19 EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective on January 1, 2026, or upon federal
2.20 approval, whichever is later. The commissioner of human services must notify the revisor
2.21 of statutes when federal approval is obtained.
