SF 974 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Health insurance plans, medical assistance and MinnesotaCare coverage of power standing systems for wheelchairs requirement

This bill requires all health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover power standing systems (devices that allow wheelchair users to stand) without imposing additional costs like deductibles or co-pays. It also mandates that MinnesotaCare and medical assistance programs cover these systems starting in 2026. Insurers must report costs to the Commerce Commissioner, who will reimburse them for coverage expenses not previously provided. The law applies to all health plans offered after January 1, 2026, directly affecting wheelchair users seeking this mobility aid and state-funded health programs.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Last action Mar 10, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 4 edits · Mar 10, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment version, incorporating significant changes to how power standing systems are defined and funded. The definition of a 'power standing system' was expanded to explicitly require medical necessity for daily living or rehabilitation, ensuring coverage is based on clinical need rather than just provider recommendation. Funding provisions were restructured to separate costs for the Department of Commerce and the Department of Human Services, and the timeline for appropriations was adjusted to reflect fiscal year 2027 for the Commerce department while maintaining 2026 funding for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding eligibility was broadened by clarifying that coverage applies to systems deemed medically necessary for activities of daily living or rehabilitation, and the funding scope was expanded to explicitly include administrative costs for the Department of Commerce.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'power standing system' was changed from any system recommended by a provider to any system determined by a provider to be medically necessary for the insured to complete activities of daily living or rehabilitation.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added to ensure medical assistance compliance with federal financial participation rules, specifically preventing reduced access to coverage or lower levels of care for enrollees.

FISCAL

Funding structure was reorganized into three distinct subdivisions: one for the Department of Commerce (defrayal and administrative costs), one for medical assistance, and one for MinnesotaCare, with specific fiscal year allocations and base year adjustments.

New appropriations were added for administrative costs to implement the mandated coverage under the Department of Commerce.

Floor votes

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No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Health and Human Services

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Committee

Referred to Commerce and Consumer Protection

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors