HB 574 authorizes the Department of Public Health and Human Services to establish a program for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) by October 1, 2026. These clinics will provide comprehensive behavioral health services, including targeted case management, peer support, and outreach to emergency rooms and law enforcement. The bill also outlines specific requirements for CCBHCs, such as providing urgent care within one business day, offering a sliding fee scale, and not refusing services due to inability to pay. Additionally, it directs the department to establish reimbursement rates, monitor clinic performance, and develop an incentive program for clinics that achieve exceptional outcomes.
HB 806 generally revises the laws governing dietitians and nutritionists in Montana. The bill updates definitions related to the practice of nutrition and dietetics, and establishes new licensure requirements, including mandatory criminal background checks. It also outlines provisions for qualified supervisors, permits, and transitional licensure for these professionals. Additionally, the bill integrates licensed dietitians and nutritionists into the state's "quality educator" payment framework, affecting their recognition in public schools, special education cooperatives, and correctional facilities.
SB 449 generally revises health utilization review laws, affecting health insurance enrollees, health insurance issuers, and healthcare providers. It requires health insurers to honor existing prior authorizations for at least 90 days when an enrollee changes health plans and prevents requiring repeat step therapy protocols if already completed. The bill prohibits prior authorization for certain prescriptions written at discharge from inpatient care for at least three days. Additionally, it generally prevents health insurers from retroactively denying covered services that received prior authorization and mandates that insurers accept and respond electronically to prior authorization requests from healthcare providers.
Senate Bill 191 establishes a new licensing system for residential treatment centers in Montana. It grants the Department of Public Health and Human Services the authority to create administrative rules for these centers, covering areas such as staff qualifications, treatment services, insurance, and background checks. The bill requires these centers to obtain accreditation from an entity approved by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, with provisional licenses available during the accreditation process. Finally, it extends eligibility for appropriate educational opportunities to children placed in these newly defined residential treatment centers.
HJ 35 is a joint resolution from the Montana Legislature urging federal officials to modify current federal land management and wildfire policies. It calls for an aggressive initial attack on wildfires across all federal lands and for federal forest roads to remain open for access and fire suppression. The resolution also recommends that EPA air quality standards include wildfire smoke and that federal "let it burn" policies be reversed, ensuring NEPA processes are followed. Finally, it advocates for increased involvement of state and local governments and stakeholder groups in federal fire management decisions to protect Montana's communities.
HB 454 revises the required frequency of patient visits by a licensed physical therapist when supervising a physical therapy assistant. This bill directly affects licensed physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and the patients they serve. It changes the supervisory requirement, allowing a physical therapist to make an onsite or telehealth visit once for every eight visits made by an assistant, rather than six. Additionally, the time-based supervisory visit is extended from every two weeks to every 30 days, whichever occurs first.
HB 458 revises laws concerning physician assistants and medical malpractice claims. The bill expands the definition of "health care provider" to include physician assistants, affecting their liability in malpractice cases. It also increases the limit on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice claims, raising the initial cap from $250,000 to $300,000. This new limit will then progressively increase each year, reaching $500,000 by 2029 and adjusting annually by 2% thereafter. These changes apply to both future and existing medical malpractice claims.
HB 397 establishes confidentiality standards for mental health digital services. It defines these services as mobile applications or websites that collect, use, or access information related to an individual's mental health or substance use disorder, market themselves as facilitating such services, and use the information for diagnosis, treatment, or management. The bill subjects these services to existing health care information disclosure and confidentiality provisions. It also provides for enforcement and remedies for individuals whose information is disclosed in violation of these standards.
HB 398 revises health insurance laws regarding utilization review, impacting patients and health insurance companies. The bill requires health plans to honor previously approved health care services for at least three months when a patient changes plans, ensuring continuity of care. It mandates that only licensed physicians, specializing in the relevant condition, can make or review decisions to deny or reduce health care services (adverse determinations). Additionally, it clarifies the definition of "adverse determination" and other related terms within insurance law.
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.
