HB 544 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Generally revise health insurance laws relating to health utilization review

HB 544 revises health insurance laws, affecting health insurance issuers, covered individuals, and state employees/retirees. It prohibits health insurance issuers from retroactively denying coverage for services that received prior approval, with exceptions for fraud or misrepresentation. The bill also allows biologic therapies to be prescribed to minors under 18, even if FDA-approved only for adults, provided the treatment is medically necessary and supported by peer-reviewed medical literature. Furthermore, it amends provisions for state insurance contracts, detailing conditions under which certain state employees, retirees, and their families, as well as legislators and judges, can continue membership in state group health plans.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 18, 2025 Signed May 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0544_1(4).pdf HB0544_X.pdf · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was finalized and enrolled for passage, removing draft markings and adding an 'Enrolled Bill' header. Substantively, it prohibits health insurers from retroactively denying coverage for approved services, establishes rules for prescribing biologic therapies to minors under 18, and amends existing Montana Code provisions regarding mandatory insurance benefits for retirees, survivors, and state legislators.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on health insurance regulations, but the final version confirms the text is ready for official enactment.
TECHNICAL

Removed draft indicators (e.g., 'HB 544.1') and replaced them with the final 'HB 544' and 'Enrolled Bill' status to indicate the bill is ready for signing.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new provision prohibiting health insurers from rescinding approval for covered services once the service has been provided, with specific exceptions for fraud or loss of coverage.

Amended Section 2-18-704 of the Montana Code to clarify mandatory insurance provisions for retirees, surviving spouses, children, and state legislators.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific rules allowing biologic therapies to be prescribed for minors under 18 even if the treatment is not FDA-approved for that age group, provided there is medical evidence of safety and efficacy.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 10, 2025 · House Mar 4, 2025

How they voted

480
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 50
Apr 10, 2025
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican32
30 Yea 2
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
40
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 1, 2025
Signed into law
(H) Signed by Governor
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (48-0-2)
senate
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
upper
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
upper
Mar 4, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (88-11-1)
house
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ed Buttrey
Ed Buttrey
RRepublican
MT
21