Governor: Testing, treatment for uninsured Montanans; unemployment streamlined
HELENA, Mont. — In a teleconference with the media Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Steve Bullock announced several new measures the state is taking to stem the spread of coronavirus and alleviate the financial burden on Montanans.
Bullock said state emergency funding will be used to pay for COVID-19 testing and treatment for uninsured Montanans who have a recommendation from a doctor.
According to Bullock, about 8.6% of Montanans are uninsured.
“This is a significant step in containing the spread of coronavirus in our state,” Bullock said. “We know that the lack of health insurance often results in the delay of seeing a doctor or being turned away, which could further fuel this pandemic and put other Montanans at risk.”
According to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, 311 tests have been completed in Montana. Bullock said 204 were being run through the state lab on Tuesday.
Bullock said the state has about 1,500 tests available.
Bullock also announced the state is streamlining the process for unemployment benefits for workers laid off due to COVID-19.
The emergency rules waive the typical one-week waiting period before receiving benefits.
The announcement came after the U.S. Department of Labor approved a request from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry to support workers financially impacted by COVID-19.
“We will continue to do everything we can to support workers and businesses as we begin to fully understand the impacts of COVID-19 in Montana,” Bullock said.
Small businesses impacted by COVID-19 are now eligible to apply for emergency loans through the Small Business Administration.
Bullock requested business assistance through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, and that request was approved.
“Ensuring that small businesses in Montana have access to capital and resources that will allow them to weather temporary closures and bounce back from critical quarantine efforts is paramount to my administration,” Bullock said.
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The following is a press release from the Office of the Governor:
Governor Steve Bullock today announced that uninsured Montanans, who receive a recommendation from a provider, will be eligible to receive coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment.
“This is a significant step in containing the spread of coronavirus in our state. We know that the lack of health insurance often results in the delay of seeing a doctor or being turned away, which could further fuel this pandemic and put other Montanans at risk,” said Governor Bullock. “It’s going to take all of us working together to slow the spread, and that includes looking out for those who don’t have health insurance, particularly those most vulnerable.”
Under the governor’s emergency authority, state funds, with potential for federal funds, will be used to pay for COVID-19 testing for Montanans without health insurance. If confirmed positive for COVID-19, funds will be used to cover treatment costs. Montanans will be required to provide a recommendation from a provider according to current CDC guidance and the state will reimburse them for that provider visit.
Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP recipients are currently eligible for coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment.
The option will be available to uninsured Montanans starting Monday, March 23. To access the new emergency assistance, Montanans should call 406-444-7605 or email HHSPresumptive@mt.gov.
Reducing the number of uninsured Montanans has been a top priority of the Bullock administration. This includes expanding Medicaid, which currently covers 84,000 Montanans. An estimated 8.6% of Montanans are uninsured.
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The following is a press release from the Office of the Governor:
Governor Steve Bullock today announced emergency rules to make unemployment benefits accessible to workers laid off due to COVID-19 and waive the typical one week waiting period before receiving benefits.
“The rules we’ve implemented today will ensure that workers impacted by COVID-19, whether it’s because they’ve been laid off, are quarantined, or need to take care of a family member, can do so without worrying about how they will make ends meet during these difficult times,” Governor Bullock said. “We will continue to do everything we can to support workers and businesses as we begin to fully understand the impacts of COVID-19 in Montana.”
The United States Department of Labor approved a request from the Montana Department of Labor & Industry to support workers financially impacted by COVID-19. The rules filed today with the Secretary of State’s office will go into effect immediately.
The rules allow a claimant directed by their employer to leave work or not report to work due to COVID-19 to qualify as being temporarily laid off by the employer and eligible for benefits. Workers who must quarantine or who need to take care of a family member due to COVID-19 are also considered temporarily laid off and eligible for benefits.
Additionally, the emergency rules allow DLI to waive the one week waiting period before typically receiving benefits to ensure Montanans don’t experience a long gap without a paycheck.
Montana employers will also receive help through these rules. Individual claims will not be chargeable to a specific employer’s account. The rules also include a provision that could extend the time employers have to file wage reports and pay unemployment insurance contributions if the delay is related to COVID-19.
Claimants are responsible for staying in contact with their employer and return to work when they have the opportunity. Claimants are not eligible for benefits if they could work from home but choose not to.
People who think they are eligible for these benefits can apply for benefits online at: montanaworks.gov or contact the Unemployment Insurance Division over the phone at for UI benefits online or over the phone at: (406) 444-2545.
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The following is a press release from the Office of the Governor:
Governor Steve Bullock today announced that small businesses across Montana impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are now eligible to apply for emergency loans through the Small Business Administration.
“We are monitoring the impacts of coronavirus in real time – both from a public health perspective and an economic health perspective,” Governor Bullock said. “Ensuring that small businesses in Montana have access to capital and resources that will allow them to weather temporary closures and bounce back from critical quarantine efforts is paramount to my administration.”
This week, the governor submitted Montana’s request for business assistance through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Access to that program has been approved.
Businesses are now eligible to apply for up to $2 million in 30-year loans with an interest rate of 3.75 percent. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
Businesses may now apply directly to the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program here.
