Bill > SB522

This bill aims to address waiting lists in Montana's Medicaid program by requiring the state's health department to actively work on reducing or eliminating service waiting lists. Specifically, the bill mandates that the department implement various administrative, programmatic, and funding initiatives to address waiting lists, which are defined as lists of Medicaid-eligible individuals who cannot receive a needed service within 90 days due to funding, provider availability, or other supply issues. These initiatives may include applying for Medicaid waivers, recalculating reimbursement rates, and providing additional rates for services with waiting lists. The bill prioritizes reducing waiting lists for specific service categories, including senior and long-term care, behavioral health, dental services, family education and support services, and home-based and community-based services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Additionally, the department is required to submit an annual report to the legislature detailing each waiting list's size, current reduction efforts, and projected elimination timeline. By mandating these actions, the bill seeks to improve access to critical healthcare services for Medicaid recipients in Montana.