Montana Medicaid & HIPP
The Curry Health Center will never turn a student away, we’re here to help.
However, we are not a Montana Medicaid Passport Provider (expected Fall 2026), which means:
- Montana Medicaid will not cover or reimburse for services you receive at Curry Health Center.
- Any charges from Curry Health Center will be billed to the Patient Portal, and you are responsible for paying them.
Students on Montana Medicaid: Although we are not yet a Montana Medicaid Passport Provider, we strongly encourage you to upload your Montana Medicaid insurance card to the Patient Portal. If you are granted access to the Sliding Fee Scale, this will help us verify your eligibility and ensure we already have your insurance information on file when we begin accepting Medicaid.
Already on Montana Medicaid?
If you're enrolled in Montana Medicaid when you register for classes, you’re not required to purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) because you meet the Montana University System's health insurance requirement. However, we strongly encourage you to apply for the HIPP program (see below) to obtain additional health insurance coverage.
Out-of-State Medicaid
- Meets Montana University System's health insurance requirement
- Only covers emergencies in Montana (42 CFR § 431.52)
- Does not cover routine care (Curry Health Center or local clinics)
- Requires SHIP or another plan to receive routine care
Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program
What is the HIPP Program?
The Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program uses Montana Medicaid funds to help pay for third-party health insurance plans, such as the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), when it is determined to be cost effective.
Being approved for HIPP does not replace Montana Medicaid. Instead, it provides additional health coverage. This extra coverage can give students access to more health care options while also helping save taxpayer dollars.
Important: The HIPP Program is not affiliated with the Montana University System. The timeline for HIPP application approvals is determined by Montana Medicaid.
Who Should Apply?
Students who are enrolled in Montana Medicaid, and are enrolled in (or eligible for) the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
Application Requirements
To apply for the HIPP Program, students must complete the form linked under ‘How to Apply,’ which includes uploading the official HIPP application, a Release of Information (ROI) form, and additional supporting documentation (if necessary).
Complete and upload the HIPP application form. You must download the PDF, fill out the fields, save the form, then upload to the application linked below.
Since Curry Health Center does not bill Montana Medicaid, an ROI form is required if you have paid for visits here. This allows Curry Health Center to share billing statements with Montana Medicaid for your HIPP application.
-
Supporting Documentation (if applicable)
You may be required to upload additional documentation depending on your situation:
New Medicaid Coverage or Out-of-Pocket Payments
If you have been covered by Montana Medicaid for less than 13 months, or if you paid out of pocket for health services, please upload documentation such as:
- Receipts, or
- Claims summaries from previous insurance coverage
If Montana Medicaid/HIPP paid for your Student Health Insurance Plan last semester, you must:
- Log in to your Blue Cross Blue Shield portal, and
- Download a Claims Summary for that semester (starting from the first day of coverage), and
- Upload it with your application
Reapplication Requirement
Students enrolled in HIPP must reapply every semester.
Even if HIPP purchased SHIP for you in a previous semester, a new application and updated documents are required for continued coverage.
How to Apply
Complete the online HIPP application and upload all required documents here.
Questions?
For questions about the program, please contact the HIPP Program directly at 1-800-694-3084 or email HHSHIPPProgram@mt.gov.
For questions about the application, eligibility, and SHIP, please contact studentinsurance@mso.umt.edu.
Questions?
Contact Dawn Camara-Clark, Student Insurance Advocate, at studentinsurance@mso.umt.edu or call 406-243-2844.