WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HF 3789

Health plans required to cover pap tests and subsequent diagnostic services, commissioner of commerce required to defray the cost of coverage of pap tests and subsequent diagnostic services, related language modified, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Julie Greene and 1 co-sponsor

The bill requires health plans to cover Pap tests and related diagnostics, with the state defraying the costs through the Commissioner of Commerce.

Author added Pursell
#appropriations #healthandhealthdepartment #insurance-health
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 3789

Summary of HF 3789 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Purpose and intent

HF 3789 aims to ensure that health plans cover Pap tests (Pap smears) and related diagnostic services, and to allocate state funds to defray the cost of coverage for these services. The bill also makes related language changes and includes a targeted appropriation to support the coverage requirements. The overarching goal is to improve access to cervical cancer screening and follow-up care by reducing financial barriers for patients.

Key provisions

  • Coverage mandate for Pap tests and diagnostic services

    • Health plans would be required to cover Pap tests.
    • The coverage extends to subsequent diagnostic services that may be necessary following an abnormal Pap test result (e.g., diagnostic procedures to investigate abnormal findings).

  • Cost defrayment by the commissioner of commerce

    • The Commissioner of Commerce would be responsible for defraying (covering or subsidizing) the cost of the mandated coverage for Pap tests and the subsequent diagnostic services.
    • This indicates a state-funded mechanism intended to ensure that coverage is affordable or fully covered for consumers, potentially reducing out-of-pocket costs.

  • Related language modifications

    • The bill includes revisions to existing statutory language related to health plan coverage and cost-sharing to align with the new coverage requirement and funding mechanism.

  • ** appropriation**

    • The bill specifies money appropriated to implement and support the coverage requirements and related administrative provisions.
    • The exact amount is not provided in the summary, but the act includes a funding component to support implementation, enforcement, and the subsidy/defrayment program through the Commissioner of Commerce.

Affected entities

  • Health plans and insurers

    • Plans operating in Minnesota would be obligated to cover Pap tests and the associated diagnostic follow-up services as required by the bill.

  • Individuals enrolled in health plans

    • Members seeking Pap testing and any necessary subsequent diagnostics could face reduced or eliminated cost-sharing, depending on the funding and implementation details.

  • Minnesota Department and Commissioner of Commerce

    • The Department of Commerce would oversee the defrayment program and ensure compliance with the new coverage requirements.
    • Administrative responsibilities would include distributing funds and possibly monitoring utilization and payer compliance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced and referred
    • HF 3789 was introduced and referred on February 26, 2026, to the Commerce Finance and Policy committee.

  • Author and sponsors

    • Primary author: Kristi Pursell (with Co-sponsors Julie Greene and Kristi Pursell as noted in the action history).
    • Additional sponsor: Julie Greene (co-sponsor).

  • Action history milestones

    • March 12, 2026: Author added Pursell (likely clarifying authorship or sponsorship roles).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Access and affordability

    • By requiring coverage and subsidizing costs through the Commissioner of Commerce, the bill could reduce financial barriers to Pap testing and follow-up diagnostics, potentially increasing screening rates and early detection of cervical abnormalities.

  • Payer impact

    • Health plans could experience changes in benefit design, with potential adjustments to premiums indirectly reflecting the new coverage and administration costs.

  • Administrative workload

    • Implementation would require establishing or updating administrative processes for the defrayment program, including eligibility, fund disbursement, and compliance monitoring.

  • Budgetary implications

    • The appropriated funds would determine the scale and duration of the defrayment program; the bill would need to specify funding levels and sunset or renewal provisions to maintain program viability.

This summary provides a high-level view based on the bill’s title and available action history. For a complete understanding, the bill’s full text, fiscal note, and any committee amendments should be reviewed.

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

Sign in to ask a question.