All Roll Calls
Yes: 710 • No: 33
MontanaSB 44669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET
Revise laws related to healthcare utilization review
Sponsored By: Vince Ricci (Republican)
Became Law
Health Care ServicesHealthInsurance
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Fewer prior authorizations for prescriptions
The law puts strict limits on drug prior authorization by insurers. No prior authorization is allowed for long-acting injectable antipsychotics or for FDA-approved addiction medicines within labeled doses. After six months on the same non-controlled generic at the same amount, plans cannot add new prior authorization. Plans cannot require prior authorization only for dose changes within FDA-approved or usual clinical ranges, or repeat approval for the same dose after a prior OK for therapeutic duplication. Any prior-authorization denial must be issued by a physician with a matching specialty.
Montana doctors review denials and grievances
The law requires Montana-licensed physicians to handle denials and grievances in utilization review. The doctor must have a specialty that matches your condition and work under the review group’s Montana-licensed medical director. Grievance reviewers must have experience treating the condition, cannot have made the earlier denial, and cannot have a financial stake. These physician-review rules are void if House Bill 398 is also law.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Vince Ricci
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/30/2025
Do Adopt
Yes: 100 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/30/2025
Do Adopt
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/29/2025
Do Adopt
Yes: 48 • No: 1
Senate vote • 4/29/2025
Do Adopt
Yes: 96 • No: 2
Senate vote • 4/14/2025
Do Not Concur
Yes: 33 • No: 16
Senate vote • 4/11/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/11/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 46 • No: 3
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
AMD-SB0446.001.001 Ricci D/PASS
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
Do Pass As Amended
Yes: 43 • No: 7
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Take SB 446 from Comm-Ricci
Yes: 46 • No: 4
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/16/2025SenateSigned by Governor
5/13/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
5/6/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/6/2025HouseSigned by President
5/6/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
5/2/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
5/1/2025Senate3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted
4/30/2025Senate3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted
4/30/2025House2nd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted
4/29/2025House2nd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted
4/29/2025SenateFree Conference Committee Report Received
4/28/2025SenateFree Conference Committee Report Received
4/28/2025HouseHearing
4/25/2025SenateFree Conference Committee Appointed
4/25/2025HouseFree Conference Committee Appointed
4/18/2025Senate2nd Reading House Amendments Not Concurred
4/14/2025SenateReturned to Senate with Amendments
4/11/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/11/2025House2nd Reading Concurred
4/11/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/9/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/9/2025HouseHearing
4/8/2025HouseFirst Reading
3/17/2025HouseReferred to Committee
3/17/2025House
Bill Text
As Amended (Version 4)
5/1/2025
Enrolled
5/1/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
4/9/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
3/5/2025
Introduced
2/24/2025