• After legislation to create an exchange failed to pass and legislation prohibiting an exchange was vetoed, the State Auditor confirmed that the state would default to the federal exchange.

• The State Auditor will continue to explore Montana's possible roles in the running of the exchange.

• The federal government will assume full responsibility for running a health insurance exchange in Montana beginning in 2014, unless the state decides to operate either a state-based exchange or state-federal partnership exchange. If Montana opts for a state-based exchange, it must submit an exchange blueprint consisting of a declaration letter signed by the Governor and an application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by December 14, 2012. If, instead, the state opts for a partnership exchange, it must submit a blueprint by February 15, 2013.

For More Information:

• http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/HJ0033.pdf