House Bill 881 revises the Medicaid Buy-In Program in Montana to expand eligibility to include children with disabilities, thereby enhancing access to essential medical services. The bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), specifically sections 53-6-113, 53-6-131, and 53-6-195, by inserting the term "buy-in" to clarify the program's focus on both workers and children with disabilities. It establishes that the Department of Public Health and Human Services must not apply financial criteria below $15,000 for resources other than income when determining eligibility for children under 19 years of age. Additionally, the bill allows for the adoption of rules governing eligibility, including financial standards and criteria for income and resources, and specifies that individual retirement accounts created while an individual is eligible for the program will not be counted as resources.

The bill also includes appropriations for the Medicaid Buy-In Program, allocating funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support the implementation of these changes. It emphasizes the importance of continuous eligibility for medical assistance for infants and pregnant women and highlights the need for the department to coordinate with other state and federal programs to promote employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025, ensuring that children with disabilities receive necessary medical, habilitative, and rehabilitative services to prevent or reduce future needs for assistance.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 53-6-113, 53-6-131, 53-6-195
HB0881_1(1): 53-6-113, 53-6-131, 53-6-195
HB0881_1(2): 53-6-113, 53-6-131, 53-6-195
HB0881_1(3): 53-6-113, 53-6-131, 53-6-195
HB0881_1(4): 53-6-113, 53-6-131, 53-6-195
HB0881_1(5): 53-6-113, 53-6-131, 53-6-195
HB0881_1: 53-6-113, 53-6-131, 53-6-195
HB0881_X(1): 53-6-113, 53-6-131, 53-6-195
HB0881_X(2): 53-6-113, 53-6-131, 53-6-195
HB0881_X(3): 53-6-113, 53-6-131, 53-6-195
HB0881_X(4): 53-6-113, 53-6-131, 53-6-195
HB0881_X(5): 53-6-113, 53-6-131, 53-6-195
HB0881_X: 53-6-113, 53-6-131, 53-6-195