33-30-1002. Disability coverage of services received in state institutions -- coverage of persons eligible for public medical assistance. (1) From and after February 14, 1973, it shall be unlawful for any health service corporation issuing membership contracts in Montana to exclude from coverage in a membership contract services rendered the insured while a resident in a Montana state institution, provided the services to the insured would be covered by the membership contract if rendered to him outside a Montana state institution.
     (2) A membership contract is considered issued in Montana if the insured purchasing the membership contract is, at the time of such purchase, residing in the state of Montana.
     (3) If the exclusion prohibited by this section should appear in a membership contract issued in Montana after February 14, 1973, the provision is void and the membership contract will be considered to cover services rendered the insured in a Montana state institution if the services would have been covered if rendered to an insured outside of a Montana state institution.
     (4) Payment for services rendered in a Montana state institution shall be to the same extent and at the same rates, according to the provisions of the membership contract, which would be paid for the services if rendered outside a Montana state institution.
     (5) No membership contract issued by a health service corporation on or after July 1, 1979, may deny or reduce benefits to any member on the ground that the person insured is eligible for or receiving public medical assistance provided under Title 53, chapter 2.

     History: En. Secs. 1, 2, 3, 4, Ch. 50, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 40-4035(part), 40-4036, 40-4037, 40-4038; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 169, L. 1979.