Ryan White Part B Supplemental - Project Title: 2025 Minnesota Part B Supplemental Application Applicant Organization Name: Minnesota Department of Human Services Address: 540 Cedar St. St. Paul, MN 55101-2208 Project Director Name: M. Thomas Blisset Contact Phone Numbers: (voice) 651-497-2816 (Fax) 651-431-7414 Email Address: Thomas.Blissett@state.mn.us Website Address: mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/adults/health-care/hiv-aids/ List of grant program funds requested: Total:6,000,000.00 The proposed project addresses several key factors. First, the funding available for HIV services in Minnesota has been significantly reduced based on revised rebate forecasting, resulting in cuts to the number of programs funded and the amount available for awards. There will also be a cut of up to $3.5 million to rebate on Medicare clients, as the Part D drug maximum out-of-pocket cost will be capped at $2,000. Second, new HIV diagnoses in Minnesota reached a ten-year high of 324 in 2023 and will equal or surpass this number for 2024 as the state winds down its response to HIV outbreaks centered around injection drug use, encampments, Indigenous communities, and MSM/PWID in Hennepin, Ramsey, and St. Louis counties. These populations also bear a significant proportion of unmet medical and psychosocial needs. Third, core medical services including Health Insurance Premium & Cost Sharing Assistance for Low-Income Individuals; Medical Case Management, including Treatment Adherence Services; Non-Medical Case Management and Food Bank /Home-Delivered Meals will boost healthcare utilization and retention in care among PWH. Finally, Minnesota is facing an increased need to support PWH’s basic needs, specifically Emergency Financial Assistance and ADAP, due to reductions in rebate funding and an increase in eligible consumers since the ending of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) and the state’s implementation of Centralized Eligibility. Under the proposed project, Core Medical Services will work to ensure that all PWH who test positive and are linked to care receive support to stay engaged with care and adherent to treatment. Health Insurance Premium & Cost Sharing Assistance will support continuity of health insurance and/or medical benefits under a health insurance program, including premium payments, copayments, and deductibles. Additionally, client-centered Medical Case Management will link PWH with healthcare, psychosocial, and other services. Non-Medical Case Management will improve access to and retention in medical and supportive services to mitigate and eliminate barriers to HIV care. Food Bank/Home Delivered Meals will deliver actual food items, hot meals, and/or vouchers to purchase food, including essential non-food items such as personal hygiene products, household cleaning supplies, and water filtration/purification systems. Emergency Financial Assistance will assist with PWH’s emergency expenses related to essential utilities, housing, food, and medication. Finally, ADAP funding will support those who are ineligible for this coverage by providing medication coverage, medication cost assistance, and health insurance premium assistance. These activities will sustain Minnesota’s efforts to comprehensively address the needs of its most underserved, HIV-affected communities. While 81 percent of the state’s PWH are linked to care within 30 days of diagnosis, only 80 percent are then retained in care, with demographic disparities mirroring those found in the state’s healthcare coverage data. Eligible individuals will be referred for Part A and Part B services that support entry into both healthcare and the Ryan White service system, including care linkages. Those without sufficient insurance will have access to healthcare and medications until they become eligible for coverage, meaning that despite previously inadequate healthcare coverage, these individuals will receive the medical support and drugs needed to achieve viral suppression at rates higher than the state average.
