BEFORE THE Department of Public

health and human services of the

STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 37.86.5102 and 37.86.5112 and the repeal of ARM 37.86.5201, 37.86.5202, 37.86.5204, 37.86.5205, and 37.86.5206 pertaining to passport to health program updates and the repeal of health improvement program rules

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NOTICE OF AMENDMENT AND REPEAL

 

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

1. On February 9, 2018, the Department of Public Health and Human Services published MAR Notice No. 37-833 pertaining to the public hearing on the proposed amendment and repeal of the above-stated rules at page 268 of the 2018 Montana Administrative Register, Issue Number 3.

 

2. The department has amended and repealed the above-stated rules as proposed.

 

3. The department has thoroughly considered the comments and testimony received. A summary of the comments received and the department's responses are as follows:

 

COMMENT #1: A commenter expressed support for the department’s proposal to add children in foster care to the Passport program.

 

RESPONSE #1: The department thanks the commenter for their support.

 

COMMENT #2: A commenter requested that the department include children and provide flexibility for providers to add adults who would benefit from care coordination based on need, condition, and services to be accessed.

 

RESPONSE #2: The proposed amendments to the Primary Care Case Management (PCCM) reimbursement does not restrict Passport eligible members from receiving care coordination and referrals or change any of the requirements of the program. The department feels the proposed amendments will encourage care coordination for the Medicaid populations who could benefit the most while providing access to a health home for healthier populations.

 

COMMENT #3: A comment was received opposing the per member per month rate reduction for members who are not categorically eligible for aged, blind, disabled and medically frail Medicaid as it would de-incentivize providers from seeing Medicaid members.

 

RESPONSE #3: The department must implement cuts to remain with the budget appropriated in the 2017 Special Legislative Session. The department acknowledges that some providers may choose to no longer be Passport providers; however, this rate change does not affect the reimbursement that providers receive for providing covered services to Medicaid members. The Passport to Health per-member per-month reimbursement is in addition to the fee-for-service reimbursement that providers receive and the department is continuing to reimburse providers for providing Medicaid members access to a health home.

 

            4. These rule amendments and repeals are effective April 1, 2018.

 

 

/s/ Brenda Elias                                            /s/ Sheila Hogan                                         

Brenda Elias, Attorney                                Sheila Hogan, Director

Rule Reviewer                                             Public Health and Human Services

 

           

Certified to the Secretary of State March 20, 2018.