Healthcare (Medicaid)

vetoed · Montana · House Jun 4, 2025

HB 610: Revise preauthorization laws relating to healthcare

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.)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves preauthorization for FDA-approved antipsychotics in mental health care, improving patient access to necessary medications without bureaucratic delays.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 185: Provide for continuous healthy Montana kids plan eligibility for children under 6

HB 185 directs the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to implement continuous eligibility for children under six years old in the Healthy Montana Kids plan. This means eligible children would remain enrolled in the program until their sixth birthday, regardless of changes in family income or other circumstances that might otherwise make them ineligible. DPHHS is required to apply for the necessary federal waivers and state plan amendments by July 1, 2025, and implement the continuous eligibility within six months of federal approval. The bill aims to provide consistent health coverage for young children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures continuous health coverage for children under six without income-based interruptions, expanding access to healthcare services95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Public Health

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 750: Provide for annual increase of Medicaid provider reimbursement rates

HB 750, titled "Provide for annual increase of Medicaid provider reimbursement rates," proposes to annually increase the reimbursement rates for services covered by the Montana Medicaid program. This bill directly affects healthcare providers who offer services to Medicaid recipients in Montana. It mandates that the department responsible for Medicaid annually increase these reimbursement rates by a minimum of 2%.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid provider reimbursement rates by 2% annually, improving provider access and funding for healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 386: Revising laws related to continuous medicaid eligibility

HB 386 directs the Department of Public Health and Human Services to apply for the reinstatement of 12-month continuous Medicaid eligibility for specific groups. This would affect parents, caretaker relatives, and adults covered under Medicaid expansion. The department is required to submit amendments to existing federal waivers by September 30, 2025, to restore this continuous eligibility, which was previously allowed before certain waiver changes in 2021 and 2022. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestores 12-month continuous Medicaid eligibility for parents, caretakers, and expansion adults, ensuring uninterrupted health coverage and access to services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

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signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 601: Create online portal for community assisters related to Medicaid

HB 601 establishes an online portal by May 1, 2026, to assist Medicaid applicants and enrollees. This portal allows designated "community assisters" to help individuals apply for Medicaid coverage and submit required documents. Key functions include enabling assisters to review application status, view department notices, report eligibility changes, and update contact information for their clients. The portal also allows, but does not require, assisters to submit initial applications or redeterminations and upload verification documents. This aims to streamline the application process for individuals seeking Medicaid assistance through community organizations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines Medicaid application process via portal, improving access to healthcare coverage for low-income individuals by facilitating community assister support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 576: Revise funding for medicaid and health and support services to children and to adults who are aged, blind, and disabled

HB 576 revises the funding for Medicaid and health and support services for children and adults who are aged, blind, or disabled. The bill allows a portion of the state's annual tobacco settlement proceeds to be used as matching funds for federal programs, including the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), home visiting services, and specific Medicaid waivers. It also expands the uses of an existing state special revenue account, enabling its funds to similarly provide matching funds for these same services. These changes are designed to help secure federal funding for a range of health and support programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses tobacco settlement proceeds as matching funds for Medicaid/CHIP, directly funding essential health services without new taxes or cuts.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates tobacco settlement funds to expand Medicaid/CHIP funding and health services for vulnerable populations, strengthening coverage and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 334: Providing medicaid expansion to able-bodied adults who comply with community engagement requirements

SB 334 would have expanded Montana Medicaid eligibility to able-bodied adults under 65 with incomes at or below 100% of the federal poverty level, but only if they met community engagement requirements. Key provisions include mandating participation in workforce development programs (like job training in healthcare or cybersecurity) and requiring the state to seek federal waiver approval by December 2025. The bill also included measures like biannual eligibility reviews and lifetime benefit limits for this group. However, the bill died in process on May 23, 2025, after failing to advance beyond committee review.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid eligibility to low-income adults with community engagement requirements, directly advancing health coverage access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 230: Generally revise Medicaid laws

HB 230 proposed to revise Montana's Medicaid laws, directly affecting current and prospective Medicaid clients. The bill aimed to eliminate work requirements and premiums, while establishing 12-month continuous eligibility for certain populations like parents and adults in the expansion program. It also sought to improve customer service by streamlining application processes, enhancing digital communications, and providing a phone hotline. Additionally, the bill intended to establish a Medicaid Client Advisory Board to advise the Department of Public Health and Human Services and repeal the termination date of the Montana Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership Act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates work requirements/premiums, establishes 12-month eligibility, and streamlines access - directly expanding Medicaid coverage and improving patient access per healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 100: Revise funding for assisted living services

SB 100 establishes new rules for Medicaid payments in Montana's assisted living facilities. It requires the state agency to adjust room and board costs annually based on recipients' income (minus a $100 personal needs allowance) and directs the shift of Medicaid-covered assisted living services from the current "Big Sky Waiver" program to the federal "Community First Choice" program by 2026. The bill mandates quarterly reporting on service usage, waitlists, and costs for both programs. It affects Medicaid-eligible seniors receiving assisted living care, ensuring payments align with income and streamlining service delivery under federal Medicaid options.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareShifts Medicaid services to federal Community First Choice program, expanding access to assisted living care while requiring cost transparency and reporting on service usage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 953: Revise medicaid laws related to direct primary care

HB 953 revises Montana's Medicaid laws to allow for the coverage of direct primary care contracts under the state's Medicaid program. This bill directly affects Medicaid enrollees by providing them the option to use these services. It also prohibits the Department of Public Health and Human Services from requiring an enrollee to participate in primary care case management if they opt for a direct primary care contract. The bill provides a definition for "direct primary care contract" and includes an appropriation to support these changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for direct primary care, improving patient access and removing case management requirements per bill text.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Primary Care Public Health