The Commissioner of Securities and Insurance convened the Exchange Stakeholder Involvement Council in October, 2010, to begin drafting legislation Montana would need to build a state-based affordable insurance exchange.

A health insurance exchange is a free, online marketplace where health insurance shoppers can find and compare options on an apples-to-apples basis. The federal health care reform law, known as the Affordable Care Act, provided funding to help states establish exchanges. However, Montana's legislature failed to pass laws allowing for a made-in-Montana exchange, effectively giving the federal government full control over the construction and operation of an exchange for the state.

As the federal government issues guidance and rules for Montana's federally facilitated exchange, the Commissioner's office will continue to solicit feedback and input from stakeholders on the development of Montana's federal health insurance exchange.