State Overview: Minnesota

Prior authorization requirements are up to the discretion of the state Medicaid program or insurance company.

Minnesota credentials one type of addiction counselor. A Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors requires a bachelor's degree, 270 hours of relevant education courses and 880 hours of experience. Minn. Stat. §148F and Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy

A licensed professional counselor may implement professional counseling treatment interventions including evaluation, treatment planning, assessment and referral, and they may also provide direct counseling services to individuals, groups, and families. Diagnostic ability is not outlined in statute. Minn. Stat. §148B.50

The standards for the certification of peer recovery specialists, including experience, training, and supervision requirements, are developed and administered by a third-party, non-profit certification provider.

Full independent practice and prescriptive authority.

NM practice means the management, diagnosis, and treatment of women's primary health care including pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum period, care of the newborn, family planning, partner care management relating to sexual health, and gynecological care of women across the life span. The NM shall consult with, collaborate with or refer to other health care providers as warranted by the needs of the patient.

A NM may independently prescribe prescription drugs, devices and Schedule II-V controlled substances. Minn. Stat. §148.235(7a)

Transition to independent practice and prescribing period required.

An NP must practice for at least 2,080 hours within the context of a collaborative agreement with a physician before full independent practice and prescriptive authority can be granted. Minn. Stat. §148.211

An NP may prescribe prescription drugs, devices and Schedule II-V controlled substances. Minn. Stat. §148.235(7a)

NPs are authorized to sign POLST forms. Minn. Stat. §145C.03

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. The practice of an NP includes functioning as a primary care provider, direct care provider, case manager, consultant, educator and researcher. Minn. Stat. §148.171(13)

Optometrists may only examine, diagnose and treat conditions of the visual system. Minn. Stat. §148.56 (7)(b)(2)

Optometrists may use injections to counter anaphylactic reactions as well as the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. Minn. Stat. §148.56 (7)(b)(1) and Minnesota Health Care Program Provider Manual.

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule IV-V controlled substances. Minn. Stat. §148.56 (7)

Dental hygienists who are employed or retained by a health care facility, program or nonprofit organization to perform dental hygiene services may perform those services without the patient being first seen by a dentist if the dental hygienist meets certain experience requirements and enters into a written collaborative agreement with a dentist. Minn. Stat. §150A.10(1a)

Dental therapists must have a written collaborative management agreement with a dentist. Statute outlines what must be included in the agreement including practice settings and any limitations on services. Dental therapists may prescribe analgesics, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics if outlined in the written practice agreement. Minn. Stat. §150A.105

Minnesota allows for the practice of teledentistry. Medicaid allows for reimbursement for teledentistry services through live video and store-and-forward modalities. Reimbursement for teledentistry is the same as face-to-face encounters. Minnesota Health Care Programs, Provider Manual, Dental Services

Pharmacists may administer influenza vaccines and vaccines approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration related to COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 to all eligible individuals 6 years of age and older and all other vaccines to patients 13 years of age and older by written protocol with a physician, a physician assistant or an advanced practice registered nurse.

The protocol must include:

1. Name, dose and route of each vaccine that may be given.
2. Patient population for whom the vaccine may be given.
3. Contraindications and precautions to the vaccine.
4. Procedure for handling an adverse reaction.
5. Name, signature, address and phone number of the physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse.
6. Date and time period for which the protocol is valid.

Pharmacists must successfully complete a program approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education specifically for the administration of immunizations or a program approved by the board and reports the administration of the immunization to the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection. (Minn. Stat. § 151.01 Subd. 27)

Minnesota does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

A pharmacist may prescribe self-administered hormonal contraceptives. A pharmacist must follow a protocol that requires patients to complete a self-screening tool to identify patient risk factors and the pharmacist must review the screening tool with the patient. The protocol also outlines situations when the pharmacist must refer a patient to the patient's primary care provider or to a nearby clinic or hospital. The patient must be 18 years of age or older or if the patient is under the age of 18, the patient has previously been prescribed a self-administered hormonal contraceptive by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse.

A pharmacist must complete a training program on prescribing self-administered hormonal contraceptives and complete continuing education requirements. A pharmacist must provide counseling to the patient on the use of self-administered hormonal contraceptives and provide the patient with a fact sheet. Minn. Stat. §151.37 Subd. 14.

A pharmacist may prescribe nicotine replacement medications. Before a pharmacist may prescribe nicotine replacement medications they must successfully complete a training program specifically developed for prescribing nicotine replacement medications and complete continuing education requirements. A pharmacist shall provide counseling to the patient on the use of the nicotine replacement medication and provide the patient with a fact sheet on nicotine replacement medications. Minn. Stat. §151.37 Subd. 15

Collaboration allowed with a physician for practice and prescriptive authority.

PAs shall practice medicine only under an established practice agreement. A PA's scope of practice includes: (1) services within the training and experience of the PA; (2) patient services customary to the practice of the PA and the practice agreement; and (3) services within the parameters of the laws, rules and standards of the facilities in which the PA practices. Minn. Stat. §147A.09

"Collaborating physician" means a Minnesota licensed physician who oversees the performance, practice, and activities of a PA under a collaborative agreement. Minn. Stat. §147A.01

A PA is authorized to: (1) diagnose, prescribe and institute therapy or referrals of patients to health care agencies and providers; (2) prescribe, procure, sign for, record, administer and dispense over-the-counter drugs, legend drugs and controlled substances, including sample drugs; and (3) plan and initiate a therapeutic regimen that includes ordering and prescribing durable medical devices and equipment, nutrition, diagnostic services and supportive services including but not limited to home health care, hospice, physical therapy and occupational therapy. Minn. Stat. §147A.185

Minnesota does not currently have any provisions related to the number of PAs a physician can supervise or collaborate with.

Minnesota does not currently have any provisions related to chart review or co-signatures.

Statute allows adaptable proximity.

The collaborating physician is not required to be physically present so long as the collaborating physician and PA are or can be easily in contact with each other by radio, telephone or other telecommunication device. Minn. Stat. §147A.02(c)

The practice agreement outlines the duties and responsibilities of the PA as assigned by the physician. The services must be within the training and experience of the PA. Minn. Stat. §147A.09