Subdivision 1. Establishment. The commissioner of health shall establish an information clearinghouse within the Department of Health to facilitate the ability of consumers, employers, providers, health plan companies, and others to obtain information on health reform activities in Minnesota. The commissioner shall make available through the clearinghouse updates on federal and state health reform activities, including information developed or collected by the Department of Health on cost containment or other research initiatives, the development of voluntary purchasing pools, action plans submitted by health plan companies, reports or recommendations of the Health Technology Advisory Committee and other entities on technology assessments, and reports or recommendations from other formal committees applicable to health reform activities. The clearinghouse shall also refer requestors to sources of further information or assistance. The clearinghouse is subject to chapter 13.
Subd. 2. Information on health plan companies. The information clearinghouse shall provide information on all health plan companies operating in a specific geographic area to consumers and purchasers who request it.
Subd. 3. Consumer information. (a) The information clearinghouse or another entity designated by the commissioner shall provide consumer information to health plan company enrollees to:
(1) assist enrollees in understanding their rights;
(2) explain and assist in the use of all available complaint systems, including internal complaint systems within health carriers, community integrated service networks, and the Departments of Health and Commerce;
(3) provide information on coverage options in each region of the state;
(4) provide information on the availability of purchasing pools and enrollee subsidies; and
(5) help consumers use the health care system to obtain coverage.
(b) The information clearinghouse or other entity designated by the commissioner for the purposes of this subdivision shall not:
(1) provide legal services to consumers;
(2) represent a consumer or enrollee; or
(3) serve as an advocate for consumers in disputes with health plan companies.
(c) Nothing in this subdivision shall interfere with the ombudsman program established under section 256B.6903 or other existing ombudsman programs.
Subd. 4. Coordination. To the extent possible, the commissioner shall coordinate the activities of the clearinghouse with the activities of the Minnesota Health Data Institute.
1995 c 234 art 5 s 5; 1997 c 225 art 2 s 62; 1999 c 245 art 2 s 7; 2009 c 173 art 3 s 1; 2022 c 98 art 2 s 1
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 59A - 79A — Insurance
Chapter 62J — Health Care Cost Containment
Section 62J.016 — Goals Of Restructuring.
Section 62J.017 — Implementation Timetable.
Section 62J.04 — Monitoring The Rate Of Growth Of Health Care Spending.
Section 62J.041 — Interim Health Plan Company Cost Containment Goals.
Section 62J.052 — Provider Cost Disclosure.
Section 62J.06 — Immunity From Liability.
Section 62J.156 — Closed Committee Hearings.
Section 62J.17 — Expenditure Reporting.
Section 62J.212 — Public Health Goals.
Section 62J.22 — Participation Of Federal Programs.
Section 62J.23 — Provider Conflicts Of Interest.
Section 62J.25 — Mandatory Medicare Assignment.
Section 62J.26 — Evaluation Of Proposed Health Coverage Mandates.
Section 62J.2930 — Information Clearinghouse.
Section 62J.301 — Research And Data Initiatives.
Section 62J.311 — Analysis And Use Of Data.
Section 62J.321 — Data Collection And Processing Procedures.
Section 62J.38 — Cost Containment Data From Group Purchasers.
Section 62J.40 — Cost Containment Data From State Agencies And Other Governmental Units.
Section 62J.42 — Quality, Utilization, And Outcome Data.
Section 62J.431 — Evidence-based Health Care Guidelines.
Section 62J.46 — Monitoring And Reports.
Section 62J.48 — Criteria For Ambulance Services Reimbursement.
Section 62J.49 — Ambulance Services Financial Data.
Section 62J.495 — Electronic Health Record Technology.
Section 62J.496 — Electronic Health Record System Revolving Account And Loan Program.
Section 62J.497 — Electronic Prescription Drug Program.
Section 62J.498 — Health Information Exchange.
Section 62J.4981 — Certificate Of Authority To Provide Health Information Exchange Services.
Section 62J.4982 — Enforcement Authority; Compliance.
Section 62J.50 — Citation And Purpose.
Section 62J.52 — Establishment Of Uniform Billing Forms.
Section 62J.53 — Acceptance Of Uniform Billing Forms By Group Purchasers.
Section 62J.535 — Uniform Billing Requirements For Claim Transactions.
Section 62J.536 — Uniform Electronic Transactions And Implementation Guide Standards.
Section 62J.54 — Identification And Implementation Of Unique Identifiers.
Section 62J.55 — Privacy Of Unique Identifiers.
Section 62J.56 — Implementation Of Electronic Data Interchange Standards.
Section 62J.57 — Minnesota Center For Health Care Electronic Data Interchange.
Section 62J.581 — Standards For Minnesota Uniform Health Care Reimbursement Documents.
Section 62J.60 — Minnesota Uniform Health Care Identification Card.
Section 62J.61 — Rulemaking; Implementation.
Section 62J.62 — Electronic Billing Assistance.
Section 62J.63 — Center For Health Care Purchasing Improvement.
Section 62J.692 — Medical Education.
Section 62J.701 — Governmental Programs.
Section 62J.71 — Prohibited Provider Contracts.
Section 62J.72 — Disclosure Of Health Care Provider Information.
Section 62J.73 — Prohibition On Exclusive Arrangements.
Section 62J.76 — Nonpreemption.
Section 62J.81 — Disclosure Of Payments For Health Care Services.
Section 62J.812 — Primary Care Price Transparency.
Section 62J.82 — Hospital Information Reporting Disclosure.
Section 62J.823 — Hospital Pricing Transparency.
Section 62J.824 — Facility Fee Disclosure.