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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 18 2025

Contact: Jon Ebelt, Communications Director, DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov

DPHHS Issues HELP Demonstration Waiver Application for Public Comment

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) today released its proposed 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver application for public review and comment before submitting it to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The waiver is aimed at fulfilling legislative requirements and the Gianforte administration’s goals to reduce government dependency and boost self-sufficiency for able-bodied Montanans enrolled in Medicaid expansion. The application will also align Montana’s Medicaid expansion program with recently enacted federal requirements for community engagement and cost sharing under HR 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Through its application to CMS, DPHHS is seeking a five-year approval of the Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership (HELP) Demonstration Waiver and plans to implement it upon securing federal approval.

Members of the public are invited to review and comment on the draft waiver during a formal 30-day comment period that runs from July 18, 2025, to August 18, 2025. The draft waiver and associated public notice are available on the DPHHS HELP webpage, help.mt.gov.

DPHHS welcomes public comment and will host several public meetings to engage Montanans:

July 29 (Virtual): Tribal Consultation from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. MDT. Click here to register for the meeting.
July 31 (Hybrid): Public meeting from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. MDT at the DPHHS Cogswell Building (1400 East Broadway St., Helena). Click here to register for the meeting.
August 1 (Virtual): Public meeting from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. MDT, accessible virtually only. Click here to register for the meeting.

Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact Carla Rime at (406) 444-2584 or crime2@mt.gov.

Written comments may be submitted via email to dphhscomments@mt.gov with "HELP Demonstration Waiver" in the subject line, or by mail to: Department of Public Health and Human Services, Director’s Office, Re: HELP Waiver, P.O. Box 4210, Helena, MT 59604-4210.

Comments received after August 18 may not be considered prior to submission to CMS. For more information, contact Carla Rime at (406) 444-2584 or crime2@mt.gov.