HB 590 revises laws related to electronic health records, affecting health carriers, healthcare providers, and patients. It requires health carriers to establish and maintain specific application programming interfaces (APIs) for patient and provider access to health information, adhering to federal standards. Additionally, the bill prohibits healthcare providers from "information blocking" and mandates the disclosure of certain sensitive test results, such as those indicating malignancy or genetic markers, to a patient's electronic health record within 72 hours of finalization.
HB 76 revises laws concerning the Board of Behavioral Health. The bill establishes certification and regulation for "family peer support specialists," individuals who use their personal experience to support parents and caregivers of children with significant physical, developmental, or behavioral health needs. It also adds family peer support to the list of practices regulated by the board and provides a specific licensure exemption for religious officials.
SB 497 establishes laws for professional wellness programs aimed at addressing career fatigue in healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, and dentists. The bill grants civil immunity to members and consultants of these wellness programs for actions performed within their duties. It revises reporting requirements, stating that participation in a wellness program alone does not obligate reporting a healthcare provider to their licensing board, unless there is a good faith determination of incompetence or danger. Additionally, the bill provides an evidentiary privilege, generally protecting the proceedings and records of these programs from discovery in civil actions or admission in licensing actions.
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.
SB 524 revises laws concerning Category D assisted living facilities, which cater to residents who may pose a danger to themselves or others and require assistance with daily living activities. The bill allows these facilities to be independent or co-located with others, limiting them to 15 residents, and clarifies that while not required, prior authorization is needed for any use of seclusion or restraints. It mandates the Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance and a specialized reimbursement model. Additionally, it establishes new processes for diverting individuals from the Montana State Hospital or committing them directly to Category D facilities.
SB 535 revises laws related to experimental treatments, primarily by requiring experimental treatment centers to obtain a license from the state department. These centers must adhere to operational standards and pay licensing fees. The bill also mandates that licensed centers allocate 2% of their net annual profits to support access to experimental treatments for qualifying Montana residents. This allocation can be fulfilled by providing free treatment or contributing to a new Insurance Premium Support Account. This account is established to help fund health insurance premiums for eligible Montana residents who purchase insurance on the federal marketplace and meet specific income criteria.
This bill establishes a state licensure system for doulas, defining them as nonmedical professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. Beginning January 1, 2027, individuals wishing to practice as state-licensed doulas must obtain a license from the Department of Labor and Industry. Licensure requires paying fees, completing specific competencies, and adhering to professional conduct standards. Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide Medicaid coverage for services offered by state-licensed doulas.
SB 503 allows for the use of expired opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, to treat opioid-related drug overdoses. This bill grants partial immunity from liability to school employees, eligible recipients, medical practitioners, and pharmacists who administer or distribute these expired medications in good faith. It amends existing law to explicitly permit schools to stock and use expired opioid antagonists and extends immunity to school personnel, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. The bill's purpose is to broaden access to life-saving opioid antagonist medication by permitting the use of expired doses.
HB 881 proposed to revise the existing Medicaid buy-in program to include children with disabilities. This would expand eligibility for the program, allowing more children with disabilities to access Medicaid services. The bill also included an appropriation and extended rulemaking authority for the relevant department to implement these changes. It aimed to amend specific sections of Montana law concerning Medicaid administration and eligibility requirements.
HB 825 revises laws related to healthcare decision-makers for adult patients. It allows patients to designate a "trusted decisionmaker" to make medical choices on their behalf if they lose the ability to make their own, with healthcare providers required to document this designation. The bill establishes a legal hierarchy for selecting a decision-maker for incapacitated patients, placing the patient-designated trusted decisionmaker high on that list. This ensures a patient's chosen individual has authority to make healthcare decisions if they cannot.
