Traditional health care practices covered under medical assistance.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger and 4 co-sponsors

Expands Minnesota Medical Assistance to cover traditional health care practices, enabling culturally rooted healing and payment to qualified traditional healers, boosting access.

Author added Stephenson

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HF 1878 — Traditional health care practices covered under medical assistance

Overview

HF 1878 proposes to expand Minnesota Medical Assistance (MA) to cover traditional health care practices. The bill’s title indicates an intention to recognize and reimburse non-conventional or culturally traditional healing modalities within the MA program. The text of the bill is not provided here, so the specific definitions, scope, and any conditions would be set forth in the enacted language.

Purpose and intent

Expand MA coverage to include traditional health care practices, in addition to standard medical services currently covered.

Promote access to culturally appropriate care and reduce barriers for communities that rely on traditional healing modalities.

Key provisions and potential details (subject to bill text)

Because the full text is not provided, the following are potential areas the bill would address, based on the title and common MA coverage practices:
- Eligible practices: Definition of which traditional health care practices would be covered (e.g., culturally specific healing rites, traditional medicine, spiritual healing, or alternative modalities recognized by communities or tribes).
- Qualified providers: Criteria for who can deliver covered services (e.g., licensed traditional practitioners, recognized healers, or practitioners affiliated with tribal health programs).
- Authorization and scope: Standards for when and how traditional practices can be prescribed or approved for MA enrollees, including any limits or prerequisites.
- Reimbursement: Payment rates, billing codes, and parity with other MA-covered services; whether patient cost-sharing would apply.
- Oversight and quality: Requirements for credentialing, cultural competency, and quality assurance; mechanisms for monitoring utilization and outcomes.
- Tribal and cultural considerations: Coordination with tribal nations and tribal health programs; alignment with federal tribal health authorities where applicable.
- Data and reporting: Provisions for data collection on utilization, disparities, and program impact.
- Implementation timeline: Any phased rollout or rulemaking schedule to operationalize coverage.

Who would be affected

Minnesota MA enrollees seeking traditional health care practices.

Traditional practitioners and recognized healers who may provide covered services under MA.

MA program administrators, managed care organizations, and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (or the relevant health department administering MA) responsible for implementing coverage and reimbursement.

Tribal nations and communities with established traditional healing practices.

Procedural and timeline context

Introduced: March 5, 2025; referred to Health Finance and Policy.

Legislative actions to date:

March 5, 2025: Introduction and first reading; referred to Health Finance and Policy.
March 6, 2025: Author added Reyer.
March 20, 2025: Author added Hemmingsen-Jaeger.
March 27, 2025: Author added Stephenson.

Related bill: SF 2117 is the companion bill in the Senate.

Next steps

Review the full bill text for precise definitions, coverage details, cost implications, and implementation language.

Monitor fiscal notes, committee hearings, and potential amendments as HF 1878 advances.

Consider alignment with tribal health initiatives and federal Medicaid/MA guidance on culturally based care.