Section 256.9365 Purchase of Continuation Coverage for Aids Patients

MINNESOTA STATUTES AND CODES

Section 256.9365 Purchase of Continuation Coverage for Aids Patients

256.9365 PURCHASE OF CONTINUATION COVERAGE FOR AIDS PATIENTS.

Subdivision 1.Program established.

The commissioner of human services shall establish a program to pay private health plan premiums for persons who have contracted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to enable them to continue coverage under a group or individual health plan. If a person is determined to be eligible under subdivision 2, the commissioner shall pay the portion of the group plan premium for which the individual is responsible, if the individual is responsible for at least 50 percent of the cost of the premium, or pay the individual plan premium. The commissioner shall not pay for that portion of a premium that is attributable to other family members or dependents.

Subd. 2.Eligibility requirements.

To be eligible for the program, an applicant must satisfy the following requirements:

(1) the applicant must provide a physician's statement verifying that the applicant is infected with HIV and is, or within three months is likely to become, too ill to work in the applicant's current employment because of HIV-related disease;

(2) the applicant's monthly gross family income must not exceed 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, after deducting medical expenses and insurance premiums;

(3) the applicant must not own assets with a combined value of more than $25,000; and

(4) if applying for payment of group plan premiums, the applicant must be covered by an employer's or former employer's group insurance plan.

Subd. 3.Cost-effective coverage.

Requirements for the payment of individual plan premiums under subdivision 2, clause (5), must be designed to ensure that the state cost of paying an individual plan premium does not exceed the estimated state cost that would otherwise be incurred in the medical assistance or general assistance medical care program. The commissioner shall purchase the most cost-effective coverage available for eligible individuals.