HB 585 would have revised Montana's Medicaid reimbursement rates for physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists. It set a 2026 Medicaid payment rate of $39.56 per service unit and required annual rate increases tied to the medical care component of the U.S. Consumer Price Index. This directly affected these healthcare providers who bill Medicaid for services, ensuring their payments adjusted with inflation. The bill was introduced in 2025 but was vetoed by the governor and later failed to override in the legislature.
SB 422 requires Montana health insurers to cover FDA-approved drugs for advanced or metastatic cancer without forcing patients to first fail other treatments. It prohibits insurers from demanding that patients prove they've tried and failed alternative drugs before approving coverage for new treatments that align with national cancer guidelines. This directly affects patients diagnosed with advanced or metastatic cancer in Montana, ensuring faster access to potentially life-saving medications without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. The law applies only to drugs approved by the FDA and consistent with evidence-based cancer treatment protocols.
SB 537 revises Montana's marijuana tax revenue distribution, directing funds from the marijuana state special revenue account to new and existing state accounts. It requires transferring excess funds annually to specific accounts, including 12% to the HEART account for addiction treatment and mental health programs, 20% to wildlife habitat projects, and 14% to behavioral health initiatives. The bill also allocates funds for law enforcement canine training, sexual assault evidence kits, and homeless shelter support, while modifying existing transfer rules for agencies like the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. These changes apply to all state agencies receiving marijuana tax revenue under Montana law.
SB 72 creates a "presumptive eligibility" process for Montana Medicaid, allowing people with physical disabilities or who are elderly to immediately access home and community-based services like personal care, meal delivery, medical equipment, and emergency response systems while awaiting full Medicaid approval. It requires a screening process by trained staff (including tribal entities, hospitals, or aging agencies) to verify income, residency, and need, with applicants having 30 days to apply for ongoing Medicaid coverage. The program aims to prevent hospitalizations or institutional care by providing temporary coverage during the application period, ending after 30 days or when full eligibility is determined. The bill requires state approval from CMS before implementation and was vetoed by the governor in May 2025, with a legislative override attempt failing.
SB 394 would have expanded Montana's workers' compensation system to cover posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for eligible first responders. It defines "first responder" to include firefighters, law enforcement officers, detention center/prison staff, and emergency care providers, requiring a diagnosis per the latest DSM-5 manual that links PTSD directly to work duties. The bill amended existing laws to allow PTSD claims under workers' compensation, subject to standard procedural requirements. However, this bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 9, 2025, so it did not become law.
HB 610 would have removed a requirement for prior approval (preauthorization) under Montana's Medicaid program for specific FDA-approved antipsychotic drugs. These drugs must be recognized in the latest DSM-5 as effective for certain mental health conditions. The bill would have directly affected Medicaid patients needing these medications and their healthcare providers, who would no longer need to seek pre-approval for covered antipsychotics. The law would have applied to claims for services provided after its effective date. (Note: The bill was vetoed by the governor and the veto override failed, so this policy change did not take effect.)
SB 164 amends Montana's endangering the welfare of children law to prohibit specific medical treatments for children under 16. The bill bans surgical procedures, puberty blockers, and hormone therapies (like estrogen or testosterone) when used to alter a child's appearance or affirm a gender identity inconsistent with their biological sex. Violating this prohibition is classified as a felony, carrying up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, with harsher penalties if the child suffers serious injury. The law would take effect on January 1, 2026, directly affecting medical providers, caregivers, and children under 16 who might receive these treatments.
HB 558 establishes the Montana Nurse Corps Act, enabling licensed nurses to provide home health care visits to specific patient groups at a fixed $10 fee per visit. It directly affects eligible patients (those enrolled in Medicare/Medicaid or with family income under 400% of the federal poverty level) and participating nurses who join the program. Key provisions include limiting nurse charges to $10 per visit for eligible patients, shielding nurses from liability for ordinary negligence (except gross negligence), and requiring patient notice of this liability protection. The bill also outlines nurse eligibility requirements and program oversight by the state nursing board.
HB 929 proposes to revise laws related to chiropractic practitioners in Montana. The bill would establish an optional license endorsement allowing chiropractors who meet specific requirements to prescribe a limited formulary of noncontrolled, nonscheduled drugs. These drugs include items like over-the-counter analgesics, prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants, intended for musculoskeletal treatment and pain. The Board of Chiropractors would be responsible for establishing the educational qualifications, application procedures, and prescribing protocols for this endorsement, for which a fee may be assessed.
HB 377 revises Montana law to ensure parents generally have access to their minor child's health care records. It requires health providers to give parents access to a child's health information within 3 days of a request (or provide contact details for the records' location), with exceptions for court-limited parental rights, child abuse investigations, or government guardianship. The bill also clarifies that minors who can consent to certain care (like mental health services) have exclusive control over information related to that specific care, removing a minor's ability to enforce privacy violations by non-HIPAA-covered providers. This primarily affects parents, minors seeking care without parental consent, and health care providers managing minors' records.
