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Bill Summary · LC 1382

Legislative Bill Summary: LC 1382 — Provide for continuous Healthy Montana Kids plan eligibility for children under 6

Overview

LC 1382 proposes to establish continuous eligibility for the Healthy Montana Kids (HMK) program for children under the age of six. The bill aims to reduce gaps in health coverage foryoung children by preventing disenrollment or interruptions caused by short-term changes in circumstances, such as fluctuations in family income or other eligibility triggers.

  • Bill number: LC 1382
  • Title: Provide for continuous healthy Montana kids plan eligibility for children under 6
  • Introduced: November 14, 2024
  • Status: LC Draft Delivered to Requester (as of January 13, 2025)
  • Classification/Subject: Health care for minors; state finance and appropriations; health policy

Purpose and Intent

  • Ensure uninterrupted health coverage for children under 6 enrolled in HMK by implementing continuous eligibility.
  • Minimize churn and gaps in coverage that can occur with periodic income-based renewal cycles or temporary eligibility fluctuations.
  • Align HMK eligibility practices with the policy goal of maintaining preventive and ongoing health care access for young children.

Key Provisions (as suggested by the title and subject)

  • Establish continuous eligibility for HMK specifically for children under age 6.
  • Require state Medicaid/CHIP administration to implement processes that sustain eligibility for the targeted age group, potentially reducing or eliminating eligibility interruptions due to short-term income changes or administrative triggers.
  • Provide a framework for how renewals, redeterminations, or eligibility reviews would operate under continuous eligibility (e.g., longer renewal intervals, automatic continuation absent a change in circumstance).
  • Potentially necessitate amendments to the state plan or waivers to accommodate continuous eligibility and to comply with federal Medicaid/CHIP requirements.

Note: The exact statutory language, definitions, transition rules, and any associated administrative details will be determined in the drafted text. The above highlights reflect the bill’s stated purpose based on the title and subject matter.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Primary beneficiaries: Children under 6 currently enrolled in the HMK program and their families.
  • HMK/Medicaid program administrators: Responsible for implementing continuous eligibility policies, renewals, and any required IT/system changes.
  • Healthcare providers: May experience improved continuity of care due to fewer coverage gaps.
  • State finances: Potential changes in state and federal funding obligations depending on how continuous eligibility is implemented (e.g., administrative costs, federal matching).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: November 14, 2024.
  • Drafting process timeline shows ongoing development through December 2024, with “Draft Delivered to Requester” dated January 13, 2025, indicating the bill text has been prepared for review.
  • Current status suggests the bill remains in the drafting/approval phase and has not yet moved to committee hearings or floor debate.
  • To become law, would need passage through the legislature and approval/signature by the appropriate executive authority, following the normal legislative timeline for Montana (subject to session timing).

Additional Context

  • The bill’s subject area touches federal government program alignment (Medicaid/CHIP), health care for minors, and state finance/appropriations. If enacted, the state would likely pursue any necessary administrative changes and federal approvals or waivers to support continuous eligibility.
  • Fiscal notes and implementation details would be developed during the drafting process and subsequent committee reviews.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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