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 – September 19, 2022

Also known as Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage combines all the benefits of Medicare Parts A and B into a single plan provided by a private insurer. Medicare Advantage plans can offer additional benefits like annual dental cleanings, vision check-ups, telehealth and senior wellness programs, but they must provide the same coverage as Original Medicare as a baseline. This includes covering services such as:

  • Hospital stays
  • Lab tests
  • Home health care
  • Ambulance services
  • Durable medical equipment (DME)

Most Advantage Plans also include prescription drug coverage , so there’s no need for Medicare Part D supplements in most cases. You’ll be responsible for paying both your Medicare Part B premium and the premium of your Advantage plan unless you choose a zero-premium plan. In Montana, all eligible Medicare beneficiaries have access to a zero-premium plan. 

Medicare Advantage plans have grown in popularity nationwide, with more than 4 in 10 Medicare beneficiaries choosing Advantage plans in 2021. In addition, 24 states have enrollment percentages higher than 40%. Despite the growing popularity of Medicare Advantage plans, they haven’t yet outranked Original Medicare for Montana’s seniors. In fact, only 22% of Medicare beneficiaries in Montana are enrolled in Advantage plans. This is a little more than half of the national average, which is around 42%. 

If you or a loved one are considering a Medicare Advantage plan in Montana, this guide can help you understand exactly what plans are available, what they cover and how much they cost. It also features an easy-to-follow overview of Advantage plan enrollment periods and information you can use to find the right plan for your needs.

The Top Medicare Advantage Plans in Montana

About 1 in 5 people in Montana are age 65 or older, and these residents have their pick of many highly rated plan options and providers. The table below lists the top Medicare Advantage Plans in Montana in terms of enrollment. For each plan, the Medicare Star Rating, average monthly cost and plan type are included as well. Because many insurance companies offer multiple Medicare Advantage plans, average monthly costs are presented as a range rather than a set number. 

Note that all plan information below is accurate as of May 2022, but some figures may have changed since publication. You can always go to Medicare.gov to find the most up-to-date information about Medicare Advantage plans in your area. 

Name

Total Enrollment

Star Rating

Min Cost

Max Cost

Plan Types

Humana

40,099

4

$0

$96

HMO, PPO, PFFS

Blue Cross and Blue Shield

14,964

4

$0

$222

PPO

UnitedHealthcare

3,588

3.5

$0

$74

PPO, PFFS

Aetna Medicare

1,054

0

$0

$0

PPO

PacificSource Medicare

831

3.5

$0

$34

HMO, PPO

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

198

0

$0

$0

PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

64

0

$0

$0

PPO

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

Visit Website
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