This bill, HB 881, revises the Medicaid Buy-In Program in Montana to include children with disabilities, thereby expanding eligibility and access to essential medical services. Key amendments include the insertion of the term "buy-in" throughout the legislation, clarifying the program's focus on both workers and children with disabilities. The bill mandates that the Department of Public Health and Human Services adopt rules governing eligibility criteria, ensuring that financial resource standards are not set below $15,000 for children under 19 and $30,000 for couples. This provision aims to protect the financial interests of families with disabled children while emphasizing the importance of medically necessary services.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a Medicaid buy-in program specifically for children under 19 who meet certain criteria and outlines premium requirements for families, capping them at 5% of family income for those below 200% of the federal poverty level and 7.5% for those above. It allocates funds for the Medicaid buy-in program for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and underscores the importance of supporting employment for individuals with disabilities. The effective date for the implementation of this act is set for July 1, 2025, ensuring that children with physical or developmental disabilities receive necessary medical, habilitative, and rehabilitative services at an early age.

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