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
48–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 50
Apr 10, 2025
D
Democratic18
100% Yea
R
Republican32
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
Ed Buttrey
RRepublican
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