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 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 244 requires all health insurance plans sold in Montana to cover behavioral health screenings and assessments at no cost to the insured. This applies to state employee health plans, disability insurance, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and self-funded workplace plans. Screenings must use standardized, evidence-based tools, but are optional - insured individuals must actively request them. The bill amends Montana insurance codes to include these coverage requirements, ensuring people can access mental health screenings without out-of-pocket costs when they choose to participate.
HB 832 creates a Montana state grant program to fund training for healthcare providers in nonmedication therapies for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program, administered by the Department of Labor and Industry, awards grants to entities developing 2-year projects that train licensed providers (including Veterans Affairs-certified professionals) in these therapies, develop treatment protocols, and engage in community planning. It appropriates $600,000 from the state general fund for the 2025-2027 biennium as a one-time allocation, requiring grantees to report outcomes like providers trained, patients served, and treatment impact by 2026. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
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 62 would end Montana's Medicaid expansion program for able-bodied adults by prohibiting new enrollments after August 31, 2025, while requiring the Department of Public Health and Human Services to seek a federal waiver to maintain funding for current participants. The bill directly affects individuals enrolled in Montana's Medicaid expansion program who are able-bodied adults, preventing them from joining after the 2025 deadline. Key mechanisms include a strict enrollment cutoff date, a requirement for the department to apply for federal funding continuity, and authorization to implement program integrity measures like biannual eligibility reviews. The bill does not change coverage for individuals with specific health needs or those already enrolled continuously before September 1, 2025.
SB 216 creates Montana's Physicians' Workforce Investment Act, establishing a task force to administer grants for health sector facilities (like hospitals) to launch or expand residency and fellowship programs. The grant program provides up to $2 million per facility to support new graduate medical education programs, requiring applicants to submit accreditation plans, 2-year financial projections, and 5-year sustainability strategies. This directly affects Montana hospitals seeking to train medical graduates (those with medical degrees but without residency completion) and aims to address physician shortages by increasing training opportunities. The task force must report annually on grant usage, program locations, specialty fields, and accreditation status to the legislature.
SB 295 would restore Montana injured workers' right to choose their own treating physician for initial treatment and ongoing care under workers' compensation, without being forced to use a managed care organization (MCO) or preferred provider organization (PPO) without consent. The bill requires insurers to allow workers to select a physician from a designated list for initial treatment and to change physicians with the insurer's approval (with mediation available if approval is denied). It also mandates that insurers provide individual written notice (not workplace postings) before referring workers to an MCO or PPO. This directly affects injured workers seeking medical treatment for work-related injuries in Montana, giving them more control over their healthcare decisions.
SB 563 would create a temporary "provisional resident license" for recent medical school graduates in Montana who have passed initial licensing exams but haven't yet secured a residency position. This license allows them to provide supervised patient care under a licensed physician's direct oversight through a formal collaborative agreement, with a maximum duration of two years total. The bill directly affects new physicians seeking their first clinical roles while awaiting residency placements. It amends Montana's medical licensing laws to establish specific qualifications, fees, and supervision requirements for this temporary license.
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.
