BOZEMAN — Montanans can open a Medical Care Savings Account or make deposits into existing MSAs before Dec. 31 to reduce their state income taxes for 2023, according to Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension family economics specialist.

MSA account holders may deposit up to $4,500 to use for eligible medical and long-term health care expenses. The Montana Legislature has extended the Montana Medical Care Savings Account Act into 2024.

A person with taxable income over $19,800 could save approximately $304 in state income taxes by opening an MSA and depositing up to $4,500 for tax year 2023, Goetting said. Interest earned on the MSA is not subject to Montana income tax, and the balance at the end of the year rolls over for future use.

Goetting added that an MSA can be passed to others when an account owner dies. By placing a payable-on-death designation on the account, individuals can leave those funds for spouses, children or grandchildren to use for medical expenses. MSAs are not subject to inheritance or federal estate tax if an individual’s estate is valued at less than $12.92 million in 2023.

If a person dies without designating a payable on death, or POD, beneficiary, the money in an MSA will pass to heirs designated in a written will, Goetting said.

“If you do not have a written will, the MSA passes by Montana law to your heirs with priority given to a spouse,” Goetting added. “Either way, you create a legacy. If you do not have beneficiaries, you could name your favorite nonprofit as the POD beneficiary.” 

The amount used to reduce income tax for Montana residents is the total amount deposited in an MSA during the tax year, not the amount withdrawn for eligible medical care expenses between January and December. 

Eligible expenses include any items accepted by the IRS, including medical insurance premiums, prescription drugs, medical and dental services, nursing home care, eyeglasses, crutches and transportation for medical care. IRS Publication 502 provides a detailed list of eligible expenses and can be found at irs.gov/publications/p502. 

All resident taxpayers 18 and older are eligible to set up an MSA with a financial institution even if they have a similar plan, like a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account or a Federal Health Savings Account, provided by their employers. A taxpayer is not required to be covered by a high-deductible health insurance plan to be eligible for the MSA.

A written guide, “Montana Medical Care Savings Accounts (MSAs) for the 2022-2023 Tax Year,” is available at store.msuextension.org/publications/FamilyFinancialManagement/MT199817HR.pdf. Paper copies are available from county or reservation Extension offices.

The Downtown Bozeman Association, Sweet Pea Festival, and First Interstate Bank invite you to register for the 43rd annual Christmas Stroll Gingerbread House Contest, brought to you in part by the American Legion Post #14.
 
Registration for the Gingerbread House Contest is live and can be accessed on our website along with contest rules. Community members of all ages are invited to participate in this festive and free Christmas Stroll tradition!
 
The Gingerbread House Contest registration closes on Friday, November 24th at 5 PM; entries must be delivered on Friday, December 1st between 2-6 PM to Sweet Pea Festival volunteers on the second floor of American Legion located at 225 E. Main Street in Bozeman (entrance can be found East of main entrance; elevator access through the American Legion).

 
Three winners will be chosen from each of the 5 divisions:
 
• Children: 6 and under
• Children: 7-12
• Teens: 13-17
• Adults: 18 and over
• Professional Baker/Pastry Chef
 
In addition to the five categories, one “People’s Choice” award will be chosen by stroll attendees. “People’s Choice” ballots will be available at the door during Christmas Stroll for $1. All donations will go towards the Sweet Pea Festival.
 
Gingerbread houses are to be constructed prior to the event and will be on display at the American Legion’s Second Floor Event Space (225 E Main, Second Floor) Saturday, December 2nd from 2:30-7:30 PM. Winners will receive a ribbon for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place as well as a prize package including Downtown Dollars, Sweet Pea Festival Day passes, and other great prizes! Winners will be notified by the phone number or email address provided on the registration form. 

Entries must be picked up on Sunday, December 3rd between 12-4 PM.
 
For more information, please visit www.downtownbozeman.org/gingerbread.
 

BOZEMAN — Bozeman has taken another step towards managing their water supply and demand. Last night, Bozeman City Commission adopted the 2023 Water Conservation Plan, a tool that will serve as a roadmap for the water conservation program through 2040.
 
“This plan is truly forward-thinking and ensures that the city implements cost-effective program measures,” Jessica Ahlstrom, Water Conservation Program Manager explained. “Bozeman is drought-prone and located in a closed basin that poses a challenging legal framework to developing new water supplies, making conservation a key component of the city’s water resource management strategy. Existing program efforts have been successful in reducing water use, thanks to community members doing their part to conserve. Because of these improvements in water conservation, we have been able to see stable levels of water usage, despite having more residents move here.”

 
The Plan includes a water demand analysis, an evaluation of the existing water conservation program as well as additional program measures for future implementation and an implementation plan and schedule. The Plan recommends seven new measures be implemented in addition to existing ones, including a landscape ordinance that requires new development to install landscape features that reduce water use. That ordinance is set to be reviewed by the Commission in the coming months.

 
In 2013, the City Commission adopted an Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP), which identifies water supply and use policies and practices for future consideration and recommends that water conservation be a cornerstone of Bozeman’s water resource management. Specifically, the IWRP recommends that water conservation measures reduce the projected water supply/demand gap by fifty percent by the year 2062. 

 
The City has implemented numerous water conservation education and incentive-based initiatives, including education campaigns, four indoor rebates, six outdoor rebates, free product giveaways, free sprinkler system assessments, free commercial site assessments, five drought-tolerant demonstration gardens, a free customer water use portal, free publications, and community event participation in which over 9,000 people have been reached.

 
Some of the major regulatory measures that have passed include drought management plans, water conservation-based rates and drought rates, and permanent time of day and day of week outdoor watering restrictions.
 
More information on water conservation, including a link to the full Plan, is available at www.bozemanwater.com.

For medical practices, maximizing revenue realization requires effective management of the entire billing lifecycle. From patient intake to claim submission to reimbursement, inefficiencies at any step can impact the bottom line. Historically, medical billing relied on manual processes and spreadsheets. Today, purpose-built software offers a more modern approach with potential advantages in productivity, compliance, data access and analytics. 

Claim Preparation and Submission

Traditional billing manually creates claims by entering details from patient and EHR systems. This leads to errors from repetitive data entry, taking significant time to reconcile. Software like ClaimGenix imports details electronically to auto-populate accurate claims faster. Tools also verify completeness against payers’ published requirements to reduce rejections.

Tracking and Follow Up

Following up on pending, rejected or denied claims is challenging with traditional notes and tickler systems. Software centralizes claims data for easy status tracking. Users get notifications when actions are required to work claims. Reporting details areas needing follow up like pending statuses and common denial reasons.

Code and Charge Entry

Choosing billing codes and charge amounts correctly is imperative yet complex. Traditional billing references printed code books and fee schedules. Software integrated with EHR systems pulls in approved codes and charges to remove manual searching and pricing. Tools like ClaimGenix also recommend codes and bundles based on payer rules to maximize reimbursement.

Reporting and Analytics

Limited reporting in traditional billing hinders data-driven insights. Software produces detailed reports on denial trends, payer performance, unpaid claims, and other key metrics. Dashboards highlight areas needing attention. Data analytics uncover new opportunities to drive revenue.

Audit Protection

Manual billing workflows and spreadsheets pose compliance risks during audits. Software provides detailed tracking on claims handling with audit trails showing edits, users, and timestamps. Reports demonstrate billing activities follow published rules and internal protocols.

Administrative Overhead

Traditional billing requires significant administrative tasks like copying and filing claims. Software eliminates paper-based processes for direct electronic submission. Patients can also access portals to reduce overhead on eligibility checks and collections.

Scalability and Cost

Adding billing staff is expensive with traditional methods. Software offers economy of scale, allowing a few experts to manage higher volumes. Automation handles repetitive tasks to reduce labor needs. Cloud deployment lowers IT infrastructure costs.

Patient Payments

Collecting patient payments is disconnected from hospital billing. Integrated solutions like ClaimGenix centralize receivables data to facilitate both self-pay collection and balance recovery following insurance payments. Patients can pay online through payment portals.

Conclusion

In today’s complex, fast-changing billing environment, outdated manual processes expose providers to lost revenue and compliance risks. Purpose-built software brings accuracy, efficiency, data access, scalability and automation that transforms billing. While traditional methods sufficed in the past, integrated solutions are needed to maximize revenue in the modern healthcare landscape.

Starting Monday, Oct. 30, regular public office hours at the Gallatin County Motor Vehicle offices in Bozeman and Belgrade will be reinstated.  

The Gallatin County Motor Vehicle Department is responsible for titling, registration and collection of fees associated with motor vehicles in the county.  

Starting next week, public office hours will return to 8 AM to 5 PM at the Bozeman office (Gallatin County Courthouse, 311 W. Main St.) and 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Belgrade office (312 W. Main St., suite B-8). Both are open Mondays through Fridays except for legal holidays.  

Both offices have had temporarily reduced public hours since June due to short staffing. While the Motor Vehicle Department is still down two full-time positions, additional employees have been brought on board to ease the workload. And the county continues to recruit for those vacant positions.  

We also recently launched online titling and registration services, which are available for dealership purchases to save customers a trip to our offices. Those services can be found on our website.   

We greatly appreciate the public’s patience during these last few months. Long wait times in our lobbies are frustrating, but we’ve been working tirelessly to hire and train new staff and add more online services to better serve all our customers.  

For information on job openings in the Motor Vehicle Department, and all other county departments, please visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gallatinmt. There you can see detailed job descriptions and apply today! 

And a friendly reminder that we do not provide driver’s licenses – those are handled by the state in a separate office. 

There are several unique chicken jerky flavors available in the market today. The best thing about these unique flavors is that you will always find something that suits your taste. Also, they allow you to unleash your inner foodie.

Continue reading to learn more about these chicken-based jerky:

Why Chicken Jerky?

Chicken jerky is one of the best snacks available in the market today. It is because this chicken jerky is:

• Nutritious and wholesome.
• Packed with amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and proteins, ensuring a wide range of health benefits.
• Convenient and does not require refrigeration.Portable, making it one of the best on-the-go snacks.
• Has a long shelf life.
• Has a low spoilage risk.
• The best snack alternative for individuals looking forward to reducing their carb intake.

Health benefits of chicken jerky

Chicken jerky is incredibly popular in the market. Their popularity arises because they have several health benefits. These healthy jerky benefits include the following:

• They have high protein levels. Proteins are one of the most essential nutrients for human beings. They help repair and build tissues, maintain a healthy immune system, and support muscle growth. In addition, the high protein levels allow a quick recovery from exercises and ensure one grows stronger in time.
• They are rich in essential nutrients. Chicken provides an incredible source of essential oils, such as selenium, niacin, vitamin B6, and phosphorus. These essential nutrients are vital in several body functions. For example, they provide immune and metabolism support.
• They are low-fat foods. Chicken has a naturally low-fat content. This low-fat content is essential as it helps individuals to manage their body weight.
• They are gluten-free. Chicken is naturally gluten-free. Therefore, the chicken jerky will make the perfect snack for gluten-sensitive individuals. 

Traditional chicken jerky flavors

Traditional chicken jerky flavors often comprise a mixture of slightly sweet, smoky, and savory profiles. Here is a list of some of these traditional flavors:

• Barbecue flavor. The barbecue flavor is savory, spicy, and sweet. This flavor is perfect for any occasion.
• Peppered flavor. The peppered flavor often comprises black pepper seasoning. This black pepper adds a slightly spicy and bold flavor to the jerky.
• Original flavor. The original flavor comprises blended pepper, salt, and other spices seasoning. It facilitates one of the most natural jerky flavors.
• Teriyaki flavor. This flavor promotes a savory and sweet taste. It comprises mirin, sugar, soy sauce, and various seasonings.
• Smoked flavor. This flavor is prepared using a smoking process. 

Exploring Unique Chicken Jerky Flavors

Apart from the traditional flavors, there are a variety of unique jerky flavors that you can try. These unique chicken-based jerky flavors include the following:

Classic Chicken Jerky Flavors

The classic jerky is incredibly popular. It uniquely balances sweet, savory, and slightly peppery elements. This jerky flavor caters to a wide range of taste preferences and includes the following flavors:

• Honey-glazed
• Lemon-pepper
• SpicySesame-ginger
• SpicyGarlic parmesan
• Soy ginger

Exotic Chicken Jerky Flavors

Exotic chicken jerky flavors are perfect for anyone with adventurous taste buds. They often feature a unique combination of ingredients, seasonings, and spices. Thus, some of the unique exotic flavors include the following:

•Sriracha
• Mango habanero
• Curry
• Pineapple jalapeno
• Maple bourbon
• Wasabi soy

Fusion Chicken Jerky Flavors
As the name suggests, the fusion flavors come from a blend of different culinary traditions and cuisines. The result of this fusion is an innovative and unique flavor that leads to a novel snacking experience. Some examples of these flavors that you may find in the market are:

• Mango chili lime
• Korean BBQ
• Thai curry
• Hawaiian luau
• Chimichurri lime
• Sweet chili basil

Gourmet Chicken Jerky Flavors
The gourmet chicken-based jerky flavors cater to individuals with sophisticated tastes. They feature unique combinations and high-quality ingredients that guarantee a premium snacking experience. Some of the most unique gourmet jerky flavors include the following:

• Balsamic glaze
• Truffle infused
• Fig and prosciutto
• Ginger soy glaze
• Parmesan garlic
• Smoked paprika

Homemade Chicken Jerky Flavors
The best thing about homemade chicken jerky is that you make it in the comfort of your own home. Also, you get to use the locally available ingredients. One vital thing that you should note as you make your homemade chicken jerky is that you can experiment with a wide range of flavors. These flavors may include:

• Lemon herb
• Tandoori masala
• Classic teriyaki
• Soy ginger
• Honey mustard
• Spicy mango

In Conclusion

The healthy jerky benefits are one of the most attractive features of chicken jerky. The benefits arise because chicken-based jerky has several nutritional values. A significant part of this nutritional value is that it has a high protein concentration level. The high protein concentration level facilitates a healthy immune system.

ENNIS – A hunter killed a grizzly bear Saturday during a close encounter in the Gravelly Range.

The hunter was reportedly charged by the bear before shooting and killing the bear at close range in self-defense. The hunter was not injured.

Staff from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks visited the scene the next day and confirmed the bear mortality. The bear was an adult female grizzly with no known conflict history. The bear was in good body condition and appeared to be digging a den near where the encounter took place.

This incident is still under investigation by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Be bear aware

Montana is bear country. Grizzly bear populations continue to become denser and more widespread in Montana, increasing the likelihood that residents and recreationists will encounter them in more places each year.

This time of year is when bears are active for longer periods as they prepare for hibernation. This period overlaps with hunting season and other fall recreation activities. Hunters should be aware that bears will remain active throughout the general season.

Avoiding conflicts with bears is easier than dealing with conflicts. Here are some precautions to help residents, recreationists and people who work outdoors avoid negative bear encounters:

• Carry bear spray and practice to be prepared to use it immediately.
• Make noise to alert bears to your presence and travel in groups.
• Stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears.
• Follow food storage orders from the applicable land management agency.
• Keep garbage, bird feeders, pet food and other attractants put away in a secure building. Keep garbage in a secure building until the day it is collected. Certified bear-resistant garbage containers are available in many areas.
• Never feed wildlife. Bears that become food conditioned lose their natural foraging behavior and pose threats to human safety. It is illegal to feed bears in Montana.
• If you are attacked by a bear and you are without a deterrent or the deterrent hasn’t worked, stay face down on the ground, protecting your face and neck with your arms. Stay still until you’re certain the bear has moved away.

People who hunt in places that have or may have grizzly bears—which includes areas of Montana west of Billings—should take special precautions:

• Carry bear spray and practice to be prepared to use it immediately.
• Look for bear sign and be cautious around creeks and areas with limited visibility.
• Hunt with a group of people. Making localized noise can help alert bears to your presence.
• Be aware that elk calls and cover scents can attract bears.
• Bring the equipment and people needed to help field dress game and remove the meat from the kill site as soon as possible.
• If you need to leave part of the meat in the field during retrieval, hang it at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 150 yards from the gut pile. Leave it where it can be observed from a distance of at least 200 yards.
• Upon your return, observe the meat with binoculars. If it has been disturbed or if a bear is in the area, leave and call FWP.

Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Management authority for grizzlies rests with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, working closely in Montana with FWP, the Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, Wildlife Services, and Native American tribes. This collaboration happens through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.

For more information and resources on bear safety, visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware.