Bill > HB386

This bill directs the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to apply for a Medicaid Section 1115 waiver to reinstate 12-month continuous eligibility for two specific Medicaid coverage groups: parents and caretaker relatives, and adults eligible under Medicaid expansion. A Section 1115 waiver is a special permission from the federal government that allows states to modify their Medicaid program in experimental ways. Previously, these groups had 12-month continuous eligibility (meaning their Medicaid coverage would remain stable for a full year), but this was removed in waiver amendments in 2021 and 2022. The bill requires the department to submit the waiver application no later than September 30, 2025, specifically targeting the "additional services and populations" waiver and the "health and economic livelihood partnership" waiver. The bill has an immediate effective date, meaning it goes into effect as soon as it is passed and approved, with the goal of helping these Medicaid-eligible populations maintain more stable health coverage.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2530