Montana Hospital Association

We’re continuing our coverage about health care options for seniors. MTPR health care reporter Aaron Bolton is back to talk more about Medicare Advantage, Medicare plans run by private insurance companies.

Medicare open enrollment has begun, and Montana medical providers want seniors to understand the tradeoffs that come with Medicare Advantage plans run by private insurance companies.

Hospitals in Montana are grappling with a nationwide shortage of IV fluids. Hospitals are conserving supplies so they can continue to treat patients.

More than 250 Montana health care providers have signed a letter in support of protecting abortion access in the upcoming election.

The White House says rural hospitals could soon get some help with cybersecurity. Federal officials struck a deal with Google and Microsoft to offer free and discounted services.

A bill introduced in the Montana Legislature would allow employees for health care facilities and insurance companies to abstain from participating in cases they morally object to. Opponents worry it will lead to discrimination.

Gov. Greg Gianforte is urging unvaccinated health care workers to consider using religious and medical exemptions ahead of an upcoming federal vaccine mandate deadline. Gianforte says health care workers should evaluate all their options.

COVID cases over the past week have more than doubled and the number of new cases added each day is growing. Hospitalizations in recent weeks have dropped coming off the state’s recent wave fueled by the Delta variant.

As COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide decline, at least one hospital has moved away from rationing care. But many large hospitals are still struggling with patient loads and staffing.

“Everybody is hard-up for concentrators. We have never run into this kind of shortage. We’ve been sending people home with these oxygen concentrators in record numbers and it’s stressed our supply.”