BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OF THE

STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 37.81.304 pertaining to the Big Sky Rx benefit

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT

 

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

            1.  On January 14, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., the Department of Public Health and Human Services will hold a public hearing via remote conferencing to consider the proposed amendment of the above-stated rule. Because there currently exists a state of emergency in Montana due to the public health crisis caused by the coronavirus, there will be no in-person hearing. Interested parties may access the remote conferencing platform in the following ways: 

            (a) Join Zoom Meeting at: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/99704211217; meeting ID:  997 0421 1217; or

            (b) Dial by telephone +1 646 558 8656; meeting ID:  997 0421 1217. Find your local number:  https://mt-gov.zoom.us/u/agGwhPn7o.

 

2. The Department of Public Health and Human Services will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this rulemaking process or need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require an accommodation, contact the Department of Public Health and Human Services no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 8, 2021, to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact Heidi Clark, Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 4210, Helena, Montana, 59604-4210; telephone (406) 444-4094; fax (406) 444-9744; or e-mail [email protected].

 

3. The rule as proposed to be amended provides as follows, new matter underlined, deleted matter interlined:

 

            37.81.304 AMOUNT OF THE BIG SKY RX BENEFIT (1) An applicant eligible for the Big Sky Rx PDP premium assistance may receive a benefit not to exceed $35.40 $38.00 per month. The benefit amount will not exceed $35.40 $38.00 regardless of the cost of the premium for the PDP the individual chooses.

            (a) If a portion of the applicant's PDP premium is paid through the Extra Help Program, the Big Sky Rx Program will pay the applicant's portion of the PDP premium up to $35.40 $38.00 per month.

            (b) remains the same.

            (c) All expenditures are contingent on legislative appropriation. The amount of the monthly benefit, $35.40 $38.00, extends the Social Security Extra Help benefit amount to Montana residents with income up to 200% FPL. The department's total expenditure for the program will be based on appropriation and the number of enrolled applicants.

 

AUTH: 53-2-201, 53-6-1004, MCA

IMP: 53-2-201, 53-6-1001, 53-6-1004, 53-6-1005, MCA

 

            4. STATEMENT OF REASONABLE NECESSITY

 

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (department) is proposing an amendment to ARM 37.81.304 pertaining to the Big Sky Rx benefit.

 

The Big Sky Rx program contributes to the cost of an eligible Montana resident's premium payment in a federally approved Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). This rule proposal, if adopted, will increase the maximum amount that Big Sky Rx will contribute to pay the eligible enrollee's monthly premium for a PDP program from $35.40 per month to $38.00 per month. The department is proposing this change in order to match the federally established Low Income Subsidy (LIS) monthly benefit benchmark. Since the inception of Big Sky Rx, the benefit has mirrored the LIS premium benchmark to ensure a reasonable and prudent monthly benefit for enrolled members.

 

Fiscal Impact

 

This rule proposal will affect 1,580 Montanans, who will see an increase in the amount of monetary assistance from Big Sky Rx for their monthly PDP premium. This rule proposal will increase state special fund spending by $4,108 per month or $49,296 on an annual basis.

 

The department intends to apply these changes retroactively to January 1, 2021. A retroactive application of this proposed rule amendment does not result in a negative impact to any affected party.

 

            5. Concerned persons may submit their data, views, or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing. Written data, views, or arguments may also be submitted to: Heidi Clark, Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 4210, Helena, Montana, 59604-4210; fax (406) 444-9744; or e-mail [email protected], and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., January 21, 2021.

 

6. The Office of Legal Affairs, Department of Public Health and Human Services, has been designated to preside over and conduct this hearing.

 

7. The department maintains a list of interested persons who wish to receive notices of rulemaking actions proposed by this agency.  Persons who wish to have their name added to the list shall make a written request that includes the name, e-mail, and mailing address of the person to receive notices and specifies for which program the person wishes to receive notices. Notices will be sent by e-mail unless a mailing preference is noted in the request. Such written request may be mailed or delivered to the contact person in 5 above or may be made by completing a request form at any rules hearing held by the department.

 

8. The bill sponsor contact requirements of 2-4-302, MCA, do not apply.

 

9. With regard to the requirements of 2-4-111, MCA, the department has determined that the amendment of the above-referenced rule will not significantly and directly impact small businesses.

 

10. Section 53-6-196, MCA, requires that the department, when adopting by rule proposed changes in the delivery of services funded with Medicaid monies, make a determination of whether the principal reasons and rationale for the rule can be assessed by performance-based measures and, if the requirement is applicable, the method of such measurement. The statute provides that the requirement is not applicable if the rule is for the implementation of rate increases or of federal law.

 

The department has determined that the proposed program changes presented in this notice are not appropriate for performance-based measurement and therefore are not subject to the performance-based measures requirement of 53-6-196, MCA.

 

 

 

/s/ Brenda K. Elias                                       /s/ Erica Johnston                                       

Brenda K. Elias                                            Erica Johnston, Interim Director

Rule Reviewer                                              Public Health and Human Services

 

 

Certified to the Secretary of State December 15, 2020.