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Flathead County health department approved DPHHS MOU to provide free rapid STD testing and 340B pharmacy access
Summary
County health officials gained approval to sign an MOU with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide free rapid HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C testing and to be designated a 340B pharmacy site, significantly lowering pharmaceutical costs for clinic patients.
The Flathead County Health Department received commissioner approval to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Montana DPHHS to provide free rapid HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C testing using state‑supplied tests and baseline reimbursement for additional services. Mandy Fleming of the health department described the MOU and said it also designates the county clinic as a contracted 340B pharmacy site, which reduces drug costs for the clinic and patients.
Fleming gave a concrete cost example: "So for example, a dose of bicillin, to treat syphilis would cost us around 400. But being a 340B pharmacy site, it costs us a little under a dollar." Commissioners asked no substantive follow‑up and moved to sign the MOU; the motion carried by voice vote.
The agreement also authorizes DPHHS to provide state supplies for rapid testing and baseline reimbursement for additional testing services. Health staff said the program will allow the clinic to expand access to testing and reduce treatment costs for patients who need medications covered by 340B pricing.
Next steps: the health department will finalize the MOU signature process and incorporate provisioning and billing processes for the 340B designation.
