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HF 2873

Health plan coverage for certain acupuncture services provided.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cedrick Frazier and 2 co-sponsors

The bill requires health plans in Minnesota to cover specified acupuncture services with defined reimbursement and credentialing requirements.

Authors added Frazier and Freiberg
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Bill Summary · HF 2873

Summary of HF 2873 (2025-2026) — Minnesota

Purpose and intent

HF 2873 concerns health plan coverage for certain acupuncture services. The bill aims to specify whether and how health plans must cover acupuncture, clarifying the scope of services, eligibility, and potential requirements for insurers operating in Minnesota. The objective is to ensure access to acupuncture services as part of health plan benefits, subject to the bill’s defined conditions.

Key provisions and changes (as described in the bill title and status)

  • Coverage scope: The bill addresses health plan coverage for specific acupuncture services. It delineates which acupuncture services must be covered, and under what circumstances, by health plans offered in Minnesota.
  • Payment and benefits standards: Establishes criteria for how covered acupuncture services should be reimbursed by insurers, including potential cost-sharing, reimbursement rates, and acceptability of licensed acupuncturists.
  • Provider qualifications: May specify licensure or credentialing requirements for practitioners whose services are eligible for coverage, ensuring services are delivered by appropriately credentialed professionals.
  • Plan types and applicability: Determines which types of health plans (e.g., individual, small group, large group, state-regulated plans) are subject to the coverage requirements, and whether the provisions apply to grandfathered plans or certain exemptions.
  • Coordination with existing law: Aligns acupuncture coverage with Minnesota insurance and health benefit requirements, potentially referencing existing statutes governing alternative therapies, integrative care, or consumer protections.
  • consumer protections: Could include protections related to access, non-discrimination, and transparency around benefits, copays, and out-of-pocket costs for covered acupuncture services.

Affected parties

  • Health plans and insurers: Private insurers, small and large group plans, and possibly state-regulated health plans operating in Minnesota would be subject to the new coverage requirements.
  • Licensed acupuncturists: Practitioners who deliver acupuncture services would need to meet licensure and credentialing standards to have their services covered.
  • Minnesota residents/patients: Individuals enrolled in health plans subject to HF 2873 would gain or clarify coverage for acupuncture services, impacting access and out-of-pocket costs.
  • Employers and plan sponsors: Employers offering insured health plans may face changes in required coverage and potential rate implications.
  • Health care providers and networks: Non-physician providers offering acupuncture may see changes in reimbursement and network participation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and first reading: HF 2873 was introduced and referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy committee on March 26, 2025.
  • Authors and sponsors: Original authors and subsequent co-sponsors include Natalie Zeleznikar, Cedrick Frazier, and Mike Freiberg, with Frazier and Freiberg added as authors on March 27, 2025.
  • Next steps in process: The bill would be examined, debated, and possibly amended in the referring committee (Commerce Finance and Policy), then sent to the floor for further readings, votes, and potential reconciliation with the Senate version if applicable, before any final passage and enactment.

Notes

  • Specific numeric details (e.g., exact services covered, copayment amounts, reimbursement rates, or effective dates) are not provided in the available summary. The final text of HF 2873 would specify these elements, including any phased-in implementation timeline and any exemptions.
  • The summary reflects the bill’s title and status as of the provided action history; additional provisions could be added or modified through committee amendments during the legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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