Healthcare

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 2288: Revise health care laws relating to out-of-network services

This bill prohibits balance billing for out-of-network emergency ambulance services in Montana, requiring insurers to pay providers directly and preventing patients from being charged beyond their in-network cost-sharing amounts. It establishes that ambulance ground transportation must be reimbursed at established local rates or at least 400% of the Medicare rate if no local rate exists, while also limiting out-of-pocket maximums to $100 for these services. The Montana Insurance Department will create a public database of ambulance rates and enforce compliance through rulemaking and potential civil penalties. The law applies to most health insurance plans, including those for state employees and Medicare supplement policies, with self-funded plans able to opt-in by notifying the department.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patients from balance billing and limits out-of-pocket costs for emergency ambulance services, improving patient access and financial protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 20, 2024

LC 1533: Provide for evaluations of defendants in detention centers or state prisons

This bill allows mental fitness examinations for criminal defendants to be conducted at detention centers or state prisons, provided these facilities meet specific health and safety requirements. It requires the Department of Public Health and Human Services to create rules governing how these facilities must handle defendants during evaluations, including provisions for segregation, care, security, and remote examination options. The legislation also amends existing laws to clarify that detention centers must adopt policies permitting these evaluations and establishes guidelines for who pays for the examinations based on who requested them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill improves mental health evaluations for defendants, enhancing due process and protecting civil rights within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes mental fitness examination protocols at detention facilities, improving access to mental health services and protecting patient rights through regulated care standards.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 3821: Revise laws related to child abuse and neglect

This bill amends Montana child abuse and neglect laws to prohibit using a parent's vaccination status or opposition to a child's gender transition as grounds for legal action against the family. It establishes that a child transitioning gender with parental support is considered to be in immediate danger, which would trigger emergency removal procedures. The legislation also strengthens existing protections for children in households where partner or family member assault or strangulation has occurred, requiring agencies to prioritize keeping children with victims rather than removing them from homes where the alleged perpetrator is present.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects parental rights regarding vaccination and gender transition, preventing legal action against families, which supports healthcare access and reduces barriers to care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 1217: Generally revise medicaid laws

This bill revises Montana's Medicaid laws to expand coverage options and improve how the program serves its clients. It directs the Department of Public Health and Human Services to apply for changes that would allow 12 months of continuous Medicaid eligibility for parents, caretaker relatives, and expansion adults without requiring reapplication each year. The legislation also mandates better customer service by enabling online and phone applications, requiring text and email communications, establishing a phone hotline with wait time information, and ensuring digital tools work well on mobile devices. Additionally, the bill creates a Medicaid Client Advisory Board made up of current and former Medicaid recipients and their supporters to provide feedback on program improvements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid coverage, improves eligibility duration, and enhances customer service access for healthcare recipients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 1385: Provide for limitations on collection of medical debt

This bill limits how medical debt can be collected in Montana by banning wage garnishment, prohibiting liens on bank accounts, and requiring a waiting period before extraordinary collection actions like lawsuits or selling debt to third parties. It directly affects patients who owe money for health care services and health care providers who bill for those services. The law also requires patients to receive an advanced notice about potential Medicare coverage issues before receiving certain services and mandates that bills not be sent to collections until insurance appeals are resolved. These measures aim to reduce the financial burden of medical debt while allowing providers to pursue collection through standard means after the specified protections are met.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by limiting aggressive medical debt collection practices, improving access to healthcare services without fear of financial retaliation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 1449: Provide for health care preceptor individual income tax credit

This bill creates a Montana income tax credit for unpaid health care preceptors who supervise students in eligible graduate-level health care training programs. The credit provides up to $1,000 per clinical rotation, with a maximum of $5,000 annually, but only applies to individuals who do not receive any compensation for their preceptor work. Eligible programs include those training nurses, doctors, pharmacists, therapists, and other health professionals, while preceptors must be licensed in Montana and volunteer their time. The bill also establishes administrative rules for verifying clinical hours and adds this new credit to a list of tax credits that must be reviewed by the revenue interim committee every eight years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credit for unpaid health care preceptors, providing financial relief to individuals and supporting health care education programs through tax incentives.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax credit to health care preceptors, supporting healthcare training programs and helping recruit unpaid supervisors for graduate health training.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 26, 2025

LC 2435: Generally revising laws related to dietitians and nutritionists

This bill updates Montana laws governing dietitians and nutritionists by establishing new licensing requirements and criminal background checks for those seeking professional credentials. It defines key terms such as "quality educator" and "impacted school" to clarify which institutions and professionals qualify for state payments and regulatory protections. The legislation also creates exemptions for certain situations, sets requirements for qualified supervisors, and includes transitional provisions for permits and existing licenses. Additionally, it repeals two older sections of the code and amends multiple statutes to align with these new standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes licensing requirements and background checks for dietitians and nutritionists, improving professional standards and patient safety in healthcare services.75% confidence

Tags Licensing

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Nov 18, 2024

LC 443: Establish adjustment to blindness program

This bill establishes a state program within the Department of Public Health and Human Services to assist Montanans under age 55 with severe visual impairments in achieving independent living goals. The program provides services such as mobility training, Braille instruction, assistive technology, peer counseling, and guide or reader services based on individual needs assessments. Eligibility and specific service criteria will be determined through administrative rules, and applicants who disagree with department decisions have the right to request a fair hearing. The program will become effective on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a state program to assist visually impaired individuals with health-related services like mobility training and assistive technology, expanding access to specialized healthcare support.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides assistive technology services to visually impaired individuals, promoting digital equity and accessibility for disabled citizens.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 27, 2025

LC 2794: Reallocate Montana marijuana tax revenue

This bill restructures how Montana allocates marijuana tax revenue, directing funds toward prevention services, law enforcement operations, and local grants rather than general state budgets. It establishes a Marijuana Tax Revenue Accountability Council composed of state agency representatives, behavioral health professionals, and public members to oversee how the money is spent on substance misuse prevention and youth suicide prevention programs. The council will meet quarterly to advise the Department of Public Health and Human Services on grant distributions and prepare an annual impact report, while the state must fund prevention programs through contracts with external service providers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs marijuana tax revenue toward prevention services, law enforcement, and local grants, strengthening state budget allocation for essential public programs.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates marijuana tax revenue to law enforcement operations and prevention services, strengthening criminal justice infrastructure and funding.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs marijuana tax revenue toward prevention services, behavioral health professionals, and youth suicide prevention programs, strengthening public health and mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Drug Policy Public Health

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 1935: Generally revise laws relating to insurance coverage relating to obesity prevention

This bill requires health insurance plans in Montana to cover medically necessary injectable medicines prescribed for adults with prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or obesity, including both on-label and off-label uses. Coverage applies to policies issued, renewed, or modified in the state, though Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans are exempt. To maintain coverage, patients must participate in a lifestyle management plan if their health plan provides advance written notice. The legislation also amends existing state insurance laws regarding group plan membership for retirees, legislators, and judges, allowing them to remain in group plans until Medicare eligibility under certain conditions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands health insurance coverage for obesity-related medications and requires lifestyle management plans, improving patient access to preventive care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Prescription Drugs

Track