Senate Bill 244 requires health insurance policies in Montana to cover optional behavioral health screenings and assessments at no out-of-pocket cost to the insured. This mandate applies to state employee group benefit plans, individual disability policies, health maintenance organizations, and self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements. The bill emphasizes that the screenings are optional and can be requested at the discretion of the insured. Additionally, it amends existing laws to ensure that these behavioral health services utilize standardized, evidence-based instruments.

The bill makes specific amendments to the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), particularly inserting new language into Section 2-18-704 to ensure coverage for behavioral health screenings and assessments. It also modifies Section 33-35-306 to clarify that self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements are subject to various provisions of the insurance code, while removing references to certain sections. The legislation is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply to policies, certificates, and contracts issued or renewed on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_1(1): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_1(2): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_1(3): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_1(4): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_1(5): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_1: 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(1): 2-18-704, 33-31-111, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(10): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(11): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(12): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(13): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(14): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(15): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(2): 2-18-704, 33-31-111, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(3): 2-18-704, 33-31-111, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(4): 2-18-704, 33-31-111, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(5): 2-18-704, 33-31-111, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(6): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(7): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(8): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_2(9): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_2: 2-18-704, 33-31-111, 33-35-306
SB0244_3(1): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_3(10): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_3(2): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_3(3): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_3(4): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_3(5): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_3(6): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_3(7): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_3(8): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_3(9): 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_3: 2-18-704, 33-35-306
SB0244_X(1): 2-18-704, 33-31-111, 33-35-306
SB0244_X(2): 2-18-704, 33-31-111, 33-35-306
SB0244_X(3): 2-18-704, 33-31-111, 33-35-306
SB0244_X(4): 2-18-704, 33-31-111, 33-35-306
SB0244_X: 2-18-704, 33-31-111, 33-35-306