Committee hears bipartisan push to make collaborative-care a Medicaid benefit

Lawmakers heard bipartisan testimony April 9 on a bill to make the collaborative-care model a reimbursable Medicaid benefit, with advocates saying the team-based approach improves outcomes, shortens wait times and can be cost-saving.

Senator Baldwin, sponsor of the measure, said collaborative care embeds behavioral-health care in primary care and is evidence-based: covered by Medicare and offered in 38 states, according to materials in the committee packet. The sponsor also described an amendment clarifying that collaborative-care services are exempt from new cost-sharing rules; the committee approved that A2 amendment by voice vote.

Frank Jack Quinn, a collaborative-care program manager, summarized randomized controlled-trial evidence that collaborative care improves outcomes and reduces total costs; he said Minnesota has the clinical expertise but needs payment alignment to scale the model.

Cassandra Sanna Hanson, behavioral-health access manager at CentraCare, described how collaborative care helps rural clinics keep patients connected to care and avoid emergency-department visits; she cited HRSA workforce projections showing psychiatrist shortfalls in parts of Minnesota.

A retired psychiatrist, Michael Triangle, described clinical examples of patients helped by collaborative care and reiterated workforce concerns. Members asked about fiscal impacts; sponsors said they have requested expedited fiscal notes.

Next steps: A2 was adopted and the bill was laid over pending fiscal analysis and further committee work.