About Us

The Health Care & Benefits Division (HCBD) is a division within the Montana Department of Administration. HCBD manages the benefits for the State of Montana Benefit Plan (State Plan), which is self-funded. This is different than traditional insurance that you may have had in the past.

Traditional Insurance

With traditional insurance you pay an insurance company a monthly premium and if you go to the doctor or hospital the insurance company pays some of the cost. The insurance company decides what’s covered and how much you pay out-of-pocket. They also accept financial risk if you have a serious health condition like cancer or a heart attack.

The Self-Funded State Plan

Your State Plan coverage is funded by the State of Montana via the employer contribution and  your bi-weekly or monthly State Plan contributions. The State Plan:

• Provides coverage in accordance with state and federal law
• Sets the monthly rates and out-of-pocket costs
• Carries the liability for all 30,000 members of the State Plan

Our Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) and Vendors

With 30,000 members state-wide, the State Plan needs a little help. That’s why we contract with outside companies to process claims and administer State Plan benefits. We also rely on these administrators and vendors for their expertise and cost saving contracts.

• BlueCross BlueShield Montana (BCBSMT) - Medical Benefits
• VSP Vision Care - Vision Benefits
• Delta Dental - Dental Benefits
• Navitus Health Solutions - Prescription Drug Benefits
• ASIFlex - Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

• Premise Health manages the Montana Health Centers.
• BCBSMT provides fully insured life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance options, as well as long term disability insurance for active employees insurance for active employees
• ComPsych administers the Employee Assistance Program

The Bottom Line

Because it’s your money and taxpayer dollars that fund the State Plan, we all have to work together to be good health care consumers. You can do that by:

• Reading the emails and mail sent home by Health Care & Benefits
• Visiting benefits.mt.gov on a regular basis
• Taking good care of your health by engaging in our Wellness Programs

HCBD Staff

100 N Park Ave Suite 320
PO Box 200130; Helena, MT 59620-0130

benefitsquestions@mt.gov

Phone: (406) 444-7462, (800) 287-8266, or TTY (406) 444-1421

Fax: (406) 444-0080

Telephone numbers listed are direct extensions. If you are calling (800) 287-8266, press 1 then the last four digits of the staff member's number.