Montana

Montana credentials one type of addiction counselor. A Licensed Addiction Counselor requires, at minimum, an associate degree, 300 hours of relevant education courses and 1,000 hours of supervised practice. Mont. Code Ann. §37-35 and Montana Board of Behavioral Health

Licensed clinical professional counselors conduct assessments and diagnoses for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives. They may also plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans that use treatment interventions to facilitate human development and to identify and remediate mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and associated distresses that interfere with mental health. Mont. Code Ann. §37-23-102(3)

As of August 2018, 22 NPs in Montana have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. Consistent with their prescriptive authority and with proper training or experience an NP in Montana may obtain a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products. Mont. Admin. Rules §24-159.1463 and Mont. Admin. Rules §24-159-1464

As of August 2018, 7 PAs in Montana have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. A PA in Montana may prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances as determined by a supervising physician. With proper training or appropriate experience a PA in Montana can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. Mont. Code Ann. §37-20-404

The certification requirements for behavioral health peer support specialists were recently proposed by the state’s Board of Behavioral Health. The proposed certification standards include minimum qualifications, training, continuing education, and employment requirements. MCA 37-38-202

NPs are authorized to sign POLST forms. Mont. Admin. Code §37.10.101

An NP practice means the independent and/or collaborative management of primary and/or acute health care of individuals, families and communities across settings. Mont. Admin. Rules §24.159.1470

Full independent prescriptive authority. Drugs, devices and Schedules III-V controlled substances may be prescribed. Schedule II controlled substances may be phoned into a pharmacist in an emergency situation. Mont. Admin. Rules §24-159.1463 and Mont. Admin. Rules §24-159-1464

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. NP practice means the independent and/or collaborative management of primary and/or acute health care of individuals, families and communities across settings. The NP is certified in acute or primary care and in the population focus of adult/geriatric, pediatric, neonatal, family/individual health across the life span, women’s/gender-related, and/or psychiatric/mental health. Mont. Admin. Rules §24.159.1470

Optometrists may only perform procedures related to foreign body removal and the examination, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye. Additional allowable procedures may be authorized by statute and/or rule. Mont. Code Ann. §37-10-101 and Mont. Admin. Rules §24.168.421

Optometrists may administer all pharmaceutical agents for the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, including epinephrine auto-injections to counter anaphylaxis. Mont. Code Ann. §37-10-101

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and also Schedule II hydrocodone or hydrocodone combination medications. Mont. Code Ann. §37-10-101 and Mont. Code Ann. §37-10-304

A dental hygienist may obtain a limited access permit under public health supervision in a variety of settings. The dental hygienist may provide services without the authorization of a dentist provided they follow protocols established by the board and refers any patients needing further dental treatment and must meet experience requirements. Mont. Code Ann. §37-4-405

Dental health aide therapists assist with dental education and primary or preventive dental care in a practice setting operated by the Indian health service or a tribal health program. Mont. Code Ann. §53-6-101

Montana allows for private payer reimbursement of dental services provided through telehealth. Mont. Code Ann. §33-22-138 and Mont. Code Ann. §37-4

Montana has not enacted legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the federal PREP Act does allow pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine through the duration of the public health emergency.

Montana does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

Montana does not allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

Montana does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.

Supervision requirements are defined in statute. Requirements include types of supervision, amount of and purpose of face-to-face meetings with the PA, among others. Mont. Admin. Rules §24.156.1622

The PA’s prescriptive authority is determined by the supervising physician. This authority granted by the physician may include Schedules II-V drugs. Mont. Code Ann. §37-20-404

The scope of practice is determined between the PA and the physician, and they must develop a written agreement delineating the PA’s scope of practice. Mont. Code Ann. §37-20-301(2)