Table of Contents

Medicare Plans by State

STATE -Select-
  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
Page Reviewed / Updated – December 23, 2023

Medicare provides comprehensive health coverage for tens of millions of eligible American seniors nationwide. Original Medicare, the basic federal plan, splits coverage between the inpatient plan, known as Part A, and the outpatient services plan, known as Part B. A prescription drug benefit, known as Part D, is also available for beneficiaries who opt into the plan. Part C, which is more formally known as Medicare Advantage, is not part of Original Medicare but is an alternative way to get benefits.

Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private insurance companies, with much of their cost covered by participants’ own Medicare benefits. By law, Medicare Advantage Plans are required to include all the same coverage as Original Medicare Parts A and B, but they’re not limited just to these benefits. For a single monthly premium, many Part C plans fold together inpatient and outpatient services, plus some prescription drug benefits and even a few extras, such as dental or hearing and vision services.

Enrollment in Medicare Advantage has increased in Montana by nearly 9% from 2022 to 2023. During the same period, national participation in Medicare Advantage went up by just 7%, which suggests more interest in the benefits Part C offers in Montana than is the norm nationwide. Seniors who sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan have a generally wider choice of how their benefits are structured, they may have lower monthly premiums than with original Medicare, and the private insurance company managing their plan for them might offer a more convenient and easily navigated system. 

This guide takes a look at the top Medicare Advantage Plans available in Montana. Unlike the federal Medicare program, Medicare Advantage is issued only within states by authorized providers, so there’s a lot of regional variation in the rules that govern specific plans. The information offered here is meant to help seniors and their families find and apply for the right Medicare plan for them and for their unique situation.

The Top Medicare Advantage Plans in Montana

While enrollment in Medicare Advantage has been going up in Montana, the number of plans available on the market has been going down. In 2022, seven Part C plans were available for older adults in Montana to choose from. By 2023, the total number of providers had dropped to just four. Those four providers still offer a wide range of plan structures, from PPO to HMO and PFFS, each with at least one $0 premium option seniors can choose. The table below lists the top Medicare Advantage providers in Montana, along with enrollment figures, premium costs and consumer star ratings.

Name

Enrollment

Medicare Star Rating

Monthly Cost Range

Plan Types

Humana

42260

4

$0 – $95

PPO, HMO, PFFS

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana

15561

4

$0 – $220

PPO

UnitedHealthcare

4324

3

$0 – $92

PPO, PFFS

PacificSource Medicare

901

3.5

$0 – $33

HMO

How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in Montana

The four main types of Medicare Advantage Plans in Montana are health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO), private fee-for-service (PFFS) and special needs plan (SNP). Each one varies in price and differs when it comes to the referral requirements and the network of physicians that is available to you as an enrollee. An insurer may also offer more than one plan type. 

You can compare and contrast the four plan types below. 

Medicare Advantage Plan Types Graphic

What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in Montana

Medicare Advantage plans cover the same services as Original Medicare, excluding hospice care which remains covered under Medicare Part A. This includes services like preventative screenings, hospital care and durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Medicare Advantage plan providers can also choose to offer additional benefits like dental, vision, hearing aids and prescription drug coverage. These extra benefits vary by plan, so carefully review your plan documents to find out exactly what extra benefits are available to you. 



Coverage Available With Medicare Parts A & B?

Coverage Available With Medicare Advantage?

Preventive Screenings

Yes

Yes

Hospital Care

Yes

Yes

Durable Medical Equipment

Yes

Yes

Prescription Drugs

No

Yes**

Vision Care

No

Yes*

Dental Care

No

Yes*

Hearing Aids

No

Yes*

*Select plans offer this coverage

** Most plans offer this coverage

Eligibility for Medicare Advantage in Montana

In the state of Montana, anyone who’s eligible for Medicare Parts A and B can enroll in Medicare Advantage. However, you’ll need to be enrolled in Original Medicare before you can enroll in Medicare Advantage, 

Some Medicare Advantage plans have additional eligibility requirements. For example, Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNP) are only available to seniors with specific diseases or chronic conditions. 

You can only enroll in Medicare Advantage during specific enrollment periods. It’s important to keep these in mind when considering Medicare Advantage because you can’t enroll or change plans once the enrollment period is over. Medicare Advantage enrollment periods include:

  • Initial Coverage Election Period: This is the initial 7-month period, coinciding with one’s 65th birthday, during which everyone is eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
  • Annual Election Period (AEP): Also referred to as the Open Enrollment Period, this the time of year when anyone over 65 can enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time or change to a new plan.
  • Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: During this period, those who are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can switch to a different plan or switch back to Original Medicare.

Start Date

End Date

Initial Coverage Election
Period

3 Months Before One’s
65th Birth Month

3 Months After One’s
65th Birth Month

Annual Election Period
(AEP)

October 15th

December 7th

Medicare Advantage Open
Enrollment Period

January 1st

March 31st

Additionally, Medicare Advantage plan participants can change their plan outside of these enrollment periods under certain qualifying circumstances, such as moving to a new state.

How to Find & Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan in Montana

Navigating the many intricacies of Medicare Advantage plan types, insurers, and the specific plan options available by region can be a difficult and time-consuming task. Below are several resources we’ve created to help you through the process.

First is a downloadable PDF that you can use as a guide to help you compare plans as you research. Finally, we have listed a number of organizations that you can contact with experts that will help you determine whether Medicare Advantage is right for you and what plans you should consider.

Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan



State-Wide Medicare Advantage Resources

Area Agencies on Aging

Overseen by Montana’s Aging Services Bureau, the state’s 10 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) offer a diverse mix of resources to seniors. These agencies are located statewide and serve senior Montanans in their local communities. Accessible rides, delivered home meals, health and wellness initiatives and senior center amenities are just a few programs managed by AAAs statewide. These agencies also serve as coordinating hubs for several of the state’s Medicare assistance programs. In-person and remote counseling is available through Montana AAA locations, and seniors who want to learn more about the various Medicare assistance programs can call the program’s central contact number. The agencies are run by a combination of private, public and nonprofit organizations, and Medicare assistance is offered for free to anyone who qualifies. 

Contact Info

Seniors can call the statewide helpline at 1-800-551-3191 to be connected to their local agency.  A complete list of Montana AAA with addresses and phone numbers is available here

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State Health Insurance Assistance Program

Montana’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is an independent service that offers counseling and advice to Medicare beneficiaries or their families and caregivers. The services available through Montana’s SHIP are completely free and facilitated by the state’s many Area Agencies on Aging. SHIP guides Montana seniors through every phase of the Medicare program, from plan choice to enrollment and management. Counseling sessions are available in-person or over the phone. This program is funded by the state’s Administration on Community Living without any money from the insurance industry, so the advice offered is objective and unbiased. Seniors who contact SHIP are paired with a dedicated counselor who has been specially trained to understand the ins and outs of Medicare eligibility, plan choices and benefits. SHIP counselors can also help with long-term care planning and educate seniors on how to avoid Medicare fraud, abuse and waste. 

Contact Info

Seniors can call SHIP’s main contact center at 1-800-551-3191 to set up a telephone counseling session or arrange an in-person meeting with their local AAA. 

Montana Senior Medicare Patrol 

Montana Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is a volunteer-based organization in which seniors help other seniors become educated Medicare consumers. This program focuses on helping seniors spot errors in their medical bills, instances of Medicare fraud and other forms of abuse. Through extensive community outreach, including community presentations and one-on-one sessions, SMP volunteers teach their peers how to compare Medicare Summary Notices with other medical bills to identify irregularities. If seniors notice discrepancies or suspect any form of Medicare fraud, SMP can help correct the problem or make a referral to the appropriate authorities. This peer-to-peer service is free of charge and open to any Montanans who receive Medicare benefits, as well as those who will qualify in the near future. SMP services are available statewide, and there are active volunteers in 44 counties. 

Contact Info

Montana SMP is headquartered at the Missoula Aging Service Center. Seniors can get more information by contacting the program’s manager Renee Labrie-Shanks at 1-406-728-7682 or by email at [email protected]. Seniors can also get information about how to connect with SMP volunteers in their area by calling the Montana AAA hotline at 1-800-551-3191.

Email
Commissioner of Securities and Insurance

The Office of the Montana State Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) is the watchdog agency that helps securities and insurance consumers within the state. This agency conducts examinations of the insurance marketplace, issues forms, responds to policyholder inquiries and reviews rates of insurance products that enter or change in the state. CSI also offers a deep knowledge base regarding the legalities of Medicare and other insurance within Montana. The office produced a free guide for seniors, which offers helpful tips on getting approved for Medicare, working past the age of 65 and obtaining supplemental coverage. CSI can also help seniors file insurance complaints and fraud reports and help them find legal support specializing in insurance and securities. 

Contact Info

Seniors can contact CSI by visiting their office at  840 Helena Avenue in Helena during regular business hours. Many CSI services, including forms, complaint submissions and information, are available at the office’s website. General information is available by calling 1-800-332-6148 or 1-406-444-2040.

Local Medicare Advantage Resources

Missoula Aging Services

Missoula Aging Services is the leading senior advocacy resource in Missoula and Ravalli Counties. Serving as the state’s Area VII AAA, this resource promotes senior independence and well-being through a range of services, including meals on wheels, social programming, nutrition programming and respite care for caregivers. Missoula Aging Services is the home base of the Senior Medicare Patrol and also offers classes and workshops for community members who are new to Medicare. A resource center within this organization coordinates referrals and information about health care services. Staff at the resource center helped area seniors save a combined $531,285 in Medicare prescription drug plans, homeowner/renter tax credits and Medicare savings accounts in 2019. This robust resource center has an operating budget of over $4 million and a staff of 56 staff members dedicated to senior advocacy. 

Contact Info

For more information about Missoula Aging Services seniors can call 1-406-728-7682 during normal business hours. They can also stop by the facility, which is located at 337 Stephens Avenue in Missoula.

Adult Resource Alliance of Yellowstone County

The Adult Resource Alliance of Yellowstone County (formerly the Yellowstone County Council on Aging) has been serving seniors in Billings and the surrounding areas since 1975. This facility’s goal is to help Montana’s senior population stay active, independent and informed with a range of services, such as transportation, senior meals and social programming. While the Alliance’s stated mission is to serve Yellowstone County residents over 60, family members and caretakers may also benefit from the facility’s resource center. Medicare counseling services are available free of charge through the resource center, and the staff is trained to help with affordable housing, long-term support and financial assistance. Specialized support is available for seniors who are about to turn 65 and are considering their many options with Medicare. 

Contact Info

With locations in Billings and Billings Heights, Adult Resource Alliance of Yellowstone County offers a flexible schedule for in-person counseling. Appointments can be made by calling 1-406-794-0083, and general information is available at 1-406-259-9666. Staff can also answer questions via email at [email protected].

Email
Bozeman Senior Center

The Bozeman Senior Center is a nonprofit organization focusing on support services for adults over 50 in southwest Montana. The Center has locations in Manhattan, Three Forks and Yellowstone. The senior center offers information about Medicare through the resources portal on its website. There, visitors can find a mix of helpful articles about health care and financial planning, as well as links to various state and local agencies on aging and health. 

Contact Info

The Bozeman Senior Center’s main location at 807 North Tracy Avenue is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, seniors can call 1-406-586-2421 during business hours or email [email protected].

Email
Belmont Senior Center

The Belmont Senior Center in Butte offers counseling through Montana’s SHIP program with a focus on Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. General counseling and advice about Medicare are also available with help from the facility’s senior care advocates and case managers. The Belmont Senior Center focuses on helping seniors stay fit and find the right insurance plan. Health screenings are offered regularly at the center and free transportation is available to off-site medical appointments. 

Contact Info

For more information about the Belmont Senior Center, seniors can call 1-406-723-7773 or email [email protected]. They can also stop by the facility, which is located at 615 East Mercury Street, during normal business hours.

Email