Montana
Contraceptive Access Laws
Private plans are required to cover an extended supply of contraception.
Montana requires private plans to cover a 12-month supply of contraception at one time.
- To prescribe an extended supply of birth control, write the prescription with the appropriate total quantity (e.g., three packs for three months) and indicate the correct number of refills to cover a full year (typically 11 refills). For a full 12-month supply at once, write for a quantity of 13 packs with zero refills.
- Because not all pharmacists are aware of this policy, let patients know that they can ask to try running it through their insurance, even if the pharmacist initially says it won’t be covered.
Medicaid is not required to cover an extended supply of contraception.
Montana does not require Medicaid plans to cover a 6-month supply (or more) of contraception at one time.
- Medicaid traditionally covers one to three months of contraception at a time. While Medicaid isn’t required to cover a 6-month or 12-month supply at once, it’s still worth writing the prescription for the longest duration appropriate as extended provision of contraception may be available.
- For more information on the states that have enacted policies requiring Medicaid and/or private health insurers to cover an extended supply of contraception, visit Power to Decide’s map.
Private plans are not required to offer additional coverage beyond the federal ACA contraceptive coverage requirement.
Under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) contraceptive coverage mandate, most private plans are required to cover at least one contraceptive in each of the FDA-approved contraceptive method categories for women, as prescribed, without copays or deductibles.
Montana does not reinforce the federal requirement or offer additional contraceptive coverage protections.
- If your patient is having an issue with their contraceptive coverage, you can direct them to the National Women’s Law Center CoverHer resource so they can find out if their insurance company is incorrectly charging them and how to get these services covered.
- For more information on the states that have enacted state laws that require private health insurers to cover the full range of contraceptive methods, without additional cost-sharing, visit Power to Decide’s map.
- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) maintains a comprehensive list of sexual and reproductive health services and contraceptive methods that insurance plans are required to cover without copays or deductibles.
Private plans are not required to cover over-the-counter (OTC) contraception without a prescription.
- Write prescriptions for OTC contraceptive methods so that patients can utilize health insurance benefits whenever possible.
- For more information on the states that require private plans to cover some OTC methods, visit Power to Decide’s map.
Medicaid is not required to cover over-the-counter (OTC) contraception without a prescription.
- Write prescriptions for OTC contraceptive methods so that patients can utilize Medicaid benefits whenever possible.
- For more information on the states where Medicaid is required to cover some OTC contraceptive methods, see KFF’s State Tracker.
Pharmacists can prescribe contraception.
Montana allows pharmacists to enter into collaborative practice agreements (CPAs) with prescribers, which may authorize pharmacists to initiate, modify, or discontinue medication therapy, including contraception.
- To see a map of pharmacies where this service may be available, visit Birth Control Pharmacist.
Abortion Access Laws
Abortion is permitted.
Abortion is permitted in Montana until viability.
- For a list of abortion providers in Montana and surrounding states, visit AbortionFinder.org.
A waiting period is not required for abortion.
Parental notification is required for abortion.
Montana requires a parent or guardian to be notified before a pregnant person under the age of 16 can get an abortion.
- Minors have to provide notice to a parent or guardian about seeking abortion services, but the parent/guardian does not have the legal power to prevent them from accessing services.
- Judicial bypass may be an option if a minor cannot notify or get permission from a parent or legal guardian. Let patients know that help is available via the If/When/How Repro Legal Helpline.
Telehealth is permitted for medication abortion.
Montana permits all virtual telehealth for the provision of medication abortion.
Telehealth is permitted for medication abortion.
Montana Medicaid covers abortion beyond the federal Hyde requirement of cases involving life endangerment, rape, and incest.
- Medicaid can help pay for abortion services. Patients do not need to meet the federal requirements.
- The National Network of Abortion Funds has more information to help patients who are interested in applying for Medicaid.
Shield Laws
Health care provision is not protected by shield laws.
Montana does not have shield laws protecting providers from potential out-of-state investigations and prosecutions, professional discipline from licensing or board entities, civil liability, professional liability insurance, or sharing of medical information/data related to reproductive or gender-affirming care.
- For more information on states with shield laws that protect reproductive and gender-affirming health care, visit UCLA’s State Shield Law Tracker.
