Bill > HB473

This bill allows the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to automatically adopt and update Medicare fee schedules issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) without going through the standard, time-consuming administrative rulemaking process. Specifically, the bill amends several sections of Montana law to create an exception to typical rulemaking procedures for Medicare fee schedules, enabling the department to incorporate changes and updates from CMS quickly and efficiently. The bill provides that when the department establishes reimbursement rates for medical services, it may adopt CMS fee schedules by rule, and these schedules will automatically incorporate any changes or updates made by CMS during the year without requiring the department to go through the full rulemaking process each time. This approach will help ensure that the state's Medicare reimbursement rates remain current and aligned with federal guidelines, potentially reducing administrative burden and delays in updating fee schedules. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and approval.