FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• A new medical, ambulance and hospital fee schedule has been adopted as of July 1, 2017. The next update is scheduled for July 2018.  The new Facility Fee Schedule will increase base reimbursement rates to inpatient hospitals by 1% to outpatient hospitals by 2.7% and to ASCs by 3.6%.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Department issued a notice regarding Permanent Total Disability Benefit Cost of Living Increases and Adoption of the State's Average Weekly Wage for Fiscal Year 2018.  Both the cost of living increase and the statewide average weekly wage become effective July 1, 2017.
• The Department has posted a notice of adoption of the Montana Facility Fee Schedule as proposed.  The state held a hearing on May 5, 2017.  Two comments were received.  The state addressed both comments.  The state is adopting the fee schedule as proposed.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Montana has posted their proposed fee schedule effective on July 1, 2017.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS:

• House Bill 449
  An act revising the definition of "wages" in workers' compensation and the small business health insurance purchasing pool; and amending section 39-71-123, MCA. The legislation redefines some of the definitions in the statute.  Specifically, it redefines (c) regarding tips and board, lodging, rent or housing (e).  Effective Date October 1, 2017.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Montana has posted their fee schedule effective on July 1, 2017.
• On May 5, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., the Department of Labor and Industry (department) will hold a public hearing in conference rooms A and B of the Beck Building, 1805 Prospect Avenue, Helena, Montana, to consider the proposed amendment of ARM 29.1433, 24.29.1534, and 24.29.1538 pertaining to workers' compensation facility service rules and rates and conversion factors.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS:

• Senate Bill 275
  The enacted legislation defines the construction industry in the workers’ compensation construction premium credit program.  The legislation amends section 39-71-2211, MCA.  Effective Date: April 13, 2017.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Montana has updated the shoulder injury treatment guideline and adopted new guidelines for cumulative trauma and thoracic outlet syndrome.  The guidelines became effective on December 31, 2016.

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• A new medical and hospital fee schedule has been adopted as of July 1, 2016. The next update is scheduled for July 2017.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• For the third straight year, Montana’s workplace safety has improved and injury and illness rates have declined. The annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses conducted by the Research & Analysis Bureau of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry shows that private industry workplaces in Montana have reported an incidence rate of 4.3 injury and illness cases per hundred full-time workers in 2015.  The 2014 incidence rate was 4.5 cases per hundred full-time workers. The 2013 incidence rate was 4.7 cases per hundred full-time workers.