Montana 0208 Comprehensive Waiver
The Montana Home and Community-Based Services Waiver (also known as the “0208 Comprehensive Waiver”) for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities is in effect through June 30, 2023. It provides a variety of community-based support services for children, youth and adults, including those diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
Early identification for services is important due to long waitlists for eligible applicants. For example, in September 2018 the waitlist was 1,895 with 70% of that group being children under the age of 19. To get on the waitlist, contact AWARE (http://aware-inc.org/join-our-team/contact-us/) or your regional Developmental Disabilities Program office (https://dphhs.mt.gov/dsd/developmentaldisabilities/developmentaldisabilitiesregionaloffices).
Additional information about the program is available at: http://dphhs.mt.gov/dsd/developmentaldisabilities/DDPmedicaidwaivers
Brandon’s Bill
Effective January 1, 2010 the so-called “Brandon’s Bill” became effective in Montana. “Brandon’s Bill” (2009 Montana Senate Bill #234) requires insurers to cover up to $50,000 annually for a child with autism 8 years of age or younger and $20,000 annually for a child between the ages of 9 and 18.
If you have questions about insurance coverage for autism or Asperger’s, please contact the state insurance commissioner’s office at 444-5239 and ask to speak with a Compliance Specialist.
For more information about Brandon’s Bill, download these documents (MS Word).
- FAQ on Brandon’s Bill (Word)
- Advisory Memo from Montana Commissioner of Insurance explaining the benefits required under Senate Bill 234 (aka “Brandon’s Bill”)
Draft Montana State Autism Plan
As of March 2018, autism treatment services are provided to Medicaid recipients up to age 21. For more information, see the Montana Medicaid State Plan Amendment at: https://www.medicaid.gov/State-resource-center/Medicaid-State-Plan-Amendments/Downloads/MT/MT-17-0014.pdf
Health Insurance Premium Payment Program
The Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program allows Medicaid funds to be used to pay for private health insurance coverage when it is cost effective to do so. For example, this program helps families keep their private insurance when their child is also eligible for Medicaid. For more information, visit: https://dphhs.mt.gov/MontanaHealthcarePrograms/HIPP
Behavior Analyst Licensing Requirements
In early 2018, the Montana Board of Psychologists outlined the licensing requirements for behavior analysts desiring to practice in Montana. The requirements are outlined in this document (PDF): http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/Portals/133/Documents/psy/PSY-BA-APP_License-App-Checklist.pdf?ver=2018-06-18-141446-100
For information on general disability policy in Montana visit:
- The ARC Montana Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/thearcmontana/about/?ref=page_internal
- Montana Disability Voices: https://www.mtdisabilityvoices.org/
- Disability Rights Montana: http://www.disabilityrightsmt.org
- Montana Association for Behavior Analysis: http://mtaba.org/