All Roll Calls
Yes: 271 • No: 21
MontanaHB 39869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
Generally revise insurance laws related to prior authorization of chronic conditions
Sponsored By: Jonathan Karlen (Democrat)
Became Law
Health Care ServicesInsuranceProfessions and Occupations GenerallyRevenue, State
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Longer approvals for chronic care
Beginning January 1, 2026, prior authorization approvals last longer. Standard approvals are valid for at least 6 months from when your provider gets them. Approvals for treatment of a chronic condition last 12 months. A chronic condition lasts 1 year or more and needs ongoing care or limits daily activities. Shorter times apply only if you lose coverage or if FDA or other safety guidance requires it.
Keep approvals when you change plans
Beginning January 1, 2026, your prior approval can follow you when plans change. If you switch plans, the new insurer must honor your prior approval for at least the first 3 months. This applies only if the service is covered and you or your provider send the paperwork. If you move to another product from the same insurer, it must keep honoring the approval for covered services. If approval rules change later, your existing approval stays until the authorization ends or your plan year ends, whichever is sooner. During the 3-month period, the plan’s reviewer may run its own review and issue its own decision.
Qualified clinicians must make denials
Beginning January 1, 2026, only qualified clinicians can make or review adverse decisions. If a doctor requested care, a doctor must make any adverse decision. Otherwise, the reviewer must be a licensed clinician in the same profession, or a physician. Grievances are reviewed only by a physician with the right specialty. All adverse decisions happen under a licensed physician medical director.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jonathan Karlen
Democrat • House
Cosponsors
Willis Curdy
Democrat • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/10/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 47 • No: 1
House vote • 4/9/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 44 • No: 3
House vote • 3/20/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 90 • No: 8
House vote • 3/19/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 90 • No: 9
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/5/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/1/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
4/22/2025HouseSigned by President
4/22/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/18/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/11/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/10/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/10/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
4/9/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
3/28/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
3/28/2025SenateHearing
3/24/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/21/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
3/20/2025House3rd Reading Passed
3/20/2025House2nd Reading Passed
3/19/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed as Amended
2/27/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended
2/27/2025HouseHearing
2/20/2025HouseFiscal Note Printed
2/12/2025HouseFiscal Note Signed
2/11/2025HouseFiscal Note Received
2/11/2025HouseRereferred to Committee
2/10/2025HouseHearing Canceled
2/7/2025HouseHearing
2/6/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/15/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
2/27/2025
Introduced
2/5/2025