House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to enhance customer service for Medicaid clients in Montana by implementing several key changes to the application and renewal processes. The bill mandates that the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) accept applications and renewals online and via phone, as well as allow electronic document submissions. It also requires the department to communicate with clients through text messaging and email, provide an expected wait time and callback option for hotline callers, and ensure that all written notices and forms are in plain language and translated into the state's five most commonly spoken languages. Additionally, the bill sets a target for ex parte renewal rates and requires quarterly reporting to the legislature on various metrics related to Medicaid client service.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for the reopening of public assistance offices by June 30, 2026, with specific criteria for determining their locations based on call volume, accessibility, and disenrollment rates. The existing law in Section 53-2-301 is amended to reflect these changes, including the removal of language regarding conditions for combining counties into administrative units. The bill also appropriates $3 million from the general fund for the implementation of these measures over the biennium beginning July 1, 2025. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve the efficiency and accessibility of Medicaid services for Montanans.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 53-2-301
HB0510_1(1): 53-2-301
HB0510_1(2): 53-2-301
HB0510_1(3): 53-2-301
HB0510_1: 53-2-301