Montana State Auditor's Office
The Montana State Auditor's Office is responsible for regulating all types of insurance sold in the state of Montana -- including health insurance policies.
If you are looking for health insurance coverage, the State Auditor's Office can help you find an insurance agent or insurance company that is licensed to do business in Montana. You can contact them at the phone number listed below, or conduct your own search online.
If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint with the State Auditor's Office. You can find a complaint form online or call the State Auditor's Hotline at 800-332-6148.
Montana State Auditor's Office
840 Helena Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Phone: 800-332-6148
http://sao.mt.gov/consumers/index.asp
U.S. Department of Labor
If you get your insurance through your job, your plan is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). They make and enforce the rules that your employer must follow when offering health insurance coverage to employees -- for example, your employer cannot single out an individual employee to exclude her from the plan because she (or one of her dependents) has a costly illness. Also, if there are 20 or more employees at your job, you should be offered COBRA continuation coverage when you leave your job. The EBSA works to make sure that all of this happens and your rights are protected.
If you have concerns about your employer's practices in administering your job-based health coverage -- for example, if you think you should have been offered COBRA continuation coverage, but were not, or if you feel that you were wrongly terminated from your health plan -- contact your regional EBSA office.
U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
Kansas City Regional Office
2300 Main Street, Suite 1100
Kansas City, MO 64108
Steve Eischen - Director
Phone: 816-285-1800
Fax: 816-285-1888
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/
Buying Individual Policies in Montana
As a general rule, insurers in Montana are allowed to reject your application for coverage based on your health status. However, you may qualify for coverage as a "HIPAA-eligible" individual if you:
- had at least 18 months of continuous creditable coverage, the last day of which was under a group plan AND
- you have exhausted all COBRA continuation coverage which was available to you.
People who are HIPAA-eligible are guaranteed the right to buy insurance through the Montana Comprehensive Health Association (described below). If you are not sure whether you are a HIPAA-eligible individual, your insurance agent or the State Auditor's Office can help you find out.
Montana Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA)
MCHA offers coverage to individuals who are unable to purchase an individual health insurance policy because they have pre-existing health conditions. It also covers "HIPAA-eligible" individuals as described above. The MCHA webpage has information on their eligibility requirements, as well as benefits available. More information is available from the State Auditor's Office.
Montana Comprehensive Health Association
State Auditor's Office
840 Helena Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Phone: 1-800-332-6148
http://sao.mt.gov/other/mcha.asp
CHIP - the Montana State Children's Health Insurance Program
CHIP provides health insurance coverage for children under age 19 whose family meets certain income requirements.
CHIP
Department of Public Health & Human Services
P.O. Box 202951
Helena, MT 59620-2951
Phone: 1-877-KidsNow (1-877-543-7669)
Fax: 1-877-418-4533
http://chip.mt.gov/index.shtml
Montana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
SHIP provides free one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries with questions about any aspect of Medicare, including the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, or Medigap coverage.
SHIP
Area Agencies on Aging
Phone: 1-800-551-3191
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/sltc/services/aging/ship.shtml
Montana Medicaid
Medicaid is a government program designed to help the poor and indigent obtain health care services. Pregnant women and children under age 19 who meet certain income requirements may be eligible for Medicaid coverage, along with aged, blind, and disabled individuals. For more information about Montana Medicaid, contact the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services at the number listed below.
Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services
Cogswell Building
1400 Broadway
P.O. Box 202951
Helena, MT 59260-2951
Phone:1-800-362-8312
http://medicaidprovider.hhs.mt.gov/clientpages/clientindex.shtml
