Montana bill would speed Medicaid settlements for critical access hospitals

The House Human Services Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 732, which would change Montana Medicaid’s cost-settlement practice for critical access hospitals so initial settlements can begin when hospitals file annual cost reports rather than waiting for final federal Medicare audits.

Proponents told the committee the change is aimed at reducing long delays that leave rural hospitals without predictable settlement payments. "The bill would impact approximately 50 critical access hospitals spread throughout Montana," said Duane Pressinger of the Montana Hospital Association. "Currently, Medicaid does not cost settle with critical access hospitals, but waits until after the Medicare audit is completed. This delay is at least 3 years and recently from the pandemic is upwards of 5 to 6 years."

Mont…