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An alternative to Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans can be beneficial to many. Let SelectQuote help you figure out if a Medicare Advantage plan would be a good fit for you. It’s free and there’s no obligation to enroll.
Medicare Advantage Plans in Montana: 2026 Coverage
If you are a Medicare beneficiary in Montana, understanding your Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) options for 2026 is key to managing your healthcare coverage needs and budget. Comparing local plan types can help you find a plan that covers your preferred doctors and prescription drug needs.
Montana Medicare Advantage Plan Key Takeaways
Total Enrollees: There are currently 266,218 residents in Montana enrolled in a Medicare plan.
Average Premium: The average monthly Medicare Advantage plan premium in Montana for 2026 is $17.67.
$0 Premium Access: In 2026, 97.25% of Medicare beneficiaries in Montana will have access to a Medicare Advantage plan with a $0 monthly premium.
Upcoming Medicaid Changes: By July 2026, Montana will implement strict Medicaid work requirements for younger dual-eligibles (under 65 with disabilities) ahead of the 2027 national rollout, which may alter eligibility for certain Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs).
What is a Medicare Advantage plan in Montana?
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer an alternative to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). These plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare and must provide the same coverage as Parts A and B, but may include additional routine benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and wellness programs, as well as prescription drug coverage.
If you want help understanding Medicare plan options in Montana, you can also explore local resources through the Montana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Common MT Plan Types (HMO vs. PPO vs. HMO-POS)
Medicare Advantage plans in Montana may be structured differently by carrier and county. The most common plan types include:
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Budget-friendly plans that typically require you to use in-network providers. These plans often have lower monthly premiums and predictable out-of-pocket costs, but limited flexibility outside the network.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): More flexible plans that allow you to see out-of-network providers, usually at a higher cost. PPOs are often chosen by beneficiaries seeking broader access to specialists or providers across Montana.
HMO-POS (Point of Service): Some Montana carriers, including regional options such as PacificSource Health Plans, offer HMO-POS plans. These plans combine lower-cost HMO-style networks with limited out-of-network access. They may also feature lower maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits compared to broader PPO designs, depending on the plan.
Plan availability, including HMO, PPO, and HMO-POS options, varies by county in Montana and is determined by your specific ZIP code.
Popular Medicare Advantage Carriers Available in Montana
Montana Medicare Advantage plans are offered by a mix of national and regional insurance carriers. Availability can vary by county, so the plans you see in Billings may differ from those available in Missoula, Great Falls, or rural areas of the state.
Some of the most common Medicare Advantage plan carriers in Montana include:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana
PacificSource Health Plans
CMS Star Ratings
Medicare Advantage plans are evaluated annually by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) using a 5-star rating system. These ratings measure plan quality based on factors such as member experience, customer service, preventive care, and chronic condition management.
Higher-rated plans may indicate better overall performance, but plan availability and ratings can vary significantly by location and carrier network within Montana. Beneficiaries should compare both cost and CMS Star Ratings when selecting a plan in their local area.
Plan Availability by Top Montana Counties
Medicare Advantage plan availability in Montana varies significantly by geography. Because plans are offered at the county level, carrier participation, monthly premiums, provider networks, and additional benefits (such as dental, vision, hearing, and fitness programs) can vary widely by ZIP code.
That means a beneficiary in Billings may see different plan options than someone in Bozeman, Missoula, or Kalispell—even within the same carrier.
Here’s a look at some of Montana’s most populated counties and their Medicare Advantage plan access.
Yellowstone County (Billings): As Montana’s most populous county, Yellowstone typically has some of the broadest Medicare Advantage plan availability, with multiple carriers competing in a larger healthcare market.
Missoula County: Home to a major regional healthcare hub, Missoula County often offers a range of plan types, including HMO and PPO options, though availability still depends on specific ZIP code networks.
Gallatin County (Bozeman): One of Montana’s fastest-growing areas, Gallatin County has expanding plan participation and increasing interest from carriers due to population growth and healthcare demand.
Flathead County (Kalispell): In northwest Montana, Flathead County tends to have limited network density compared to urban centers, which can affect premium levels and available plan extras.
Because Medicare Advantage plans in Montana are highly localized, comparing options at the county and ZIP code levels is essential for understanding your true coverage, costs, and provider access.
Disclaimer: Medicare Advantage plan availability, premiums, and provider networks in Montana vary by county and ZIP code. County-level descriptions are based on general Medicare market trends, population distribution, and typical rural vs. urban plan availability patterns. Actual plan options and benefits are determined by each insurance carrier and may change annually.
How New 2026 Medicaid Work Requirements Impact Montanans Under 65
If you are under 65, receive Medicare due to a qualifying disability, and rely on Medicaid for extra financial support (dual-eligible), recent state policy changes could directly affect your healthcare options.
While a broader federal mandate requires 42 states to enforce Medicaid work rules by January 2027, Montana implemented these requirements early on July 1, 2026. To help beneficiaries adjust, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) established a temporary grace period. However, enforcement and potential loss of coverage for non-compliance begin in October 2026.
Under Montana’s updated guidelines:
Who it Affects: Non-exempt adults ages 19–64 enrolled in Medicaid.
The Requirement: You must complete and report at least 80 hours per month of qualifying activities—such as employment, job training, education, or community service.
Exemptions: Younger dual-eligible beneficiaries who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or who meet state "medically frail" criteria, can secure an exemption. However, documentation must be verified through the state.
Maintaining active Medicaid status is a mandatory requirement to stay enrolled in a Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). D-SNPs offer tailored care coordination, $0 or low cost sharing, and additional allowances. If you fail to meet or document the 80-hour requirement and lose your Medicaid eligibility, you will automatically lose qualification for your D-SNP. Your Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy for prescription drugs) level may also be reduced or eliminated, increasing your out-of-pocket medication costs.
For official state guidelines and exemption details, visit the Montana DPHHS Changes to Medicaid page.
The SelectQuote Solution: Protecting Your Coverage
Losing Medicaid eligibility qualifies as a life change that triggers a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This allows you to switch to a standard Medicare Advantage plan or adjust your health coverage outside the annual enrollment window.
If your Medicaid status changes or is at risk, a SelectQuote licensed insurance agent can help you:
Audit Your Plan: Review your current status to see if you qualify for a medical exemption under Montana DPHHS rules.
Find Alternative Coverage: Quickly compare standard Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans in your Montana ZIP code to ensure you maintain doctor access and prescription drug coverage without interruption.
2026 Medicare Enrollment Periods
Understanding Medicare enrollment periods is essential for Montana beneficiaries who want to enroll in, switch, or update their Medicare Advantage coverage. Missing these key dates can limit your ability to make changes until the next enrollment window.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 to December 7. During the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), Montana residents can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan. Any changes take effect on January 1 of the following year.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 to March 31. If you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare once during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP): Qualifying Life Events. Montana beneficiaries may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if they experience certain life changes, including:
Moving to a new county in Montana that offers different plan options
Losing employer or union health coverage
Becoming newly eligible for Medicaid or other assistance programs
Moving into or out of a skilled nursing facility or long-term care setting
Other qualifying changes in residence or eligibility status
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular Medicare Advantage plan in Montana?
There is no single “most popular” Medicare Advantage plan in Montana because availability and enrollment vary by ZIP code, health needs, and provider networks. However, plans from major carriers such as Humana, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, and PacificSource Health Plans are available in various regions across the state. The right plan for your needs depends on your doctors, prescriptions, and local network access.
How much does Medicare Advantage cost in Montana?
The average monthly Medicare Advantage plan premium in Montana for 2026 is $17.67. While plans with a low to $0 premium may be available, beneficiaries who enroll in a Montana Medicare Advantage plan will still need to pay their Medicare Part B premium ($202.90 in 2026). Some Medicaid recipients may have their Medicare Part B premium paid for by the state, depending on their eligibility and level of assistance.
Can I switch my Medicare Advantage plan mid-year in Montana?
In most cases, you cannot switch Medicare Advantage plans mid-year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Common qualifying events include moving out of your plan’s service area within Montana or losing employer-sponsored coverage. Otherwise, you can make changes during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31).
How do the new Medicaid work requirements impact Montanans under 65?
While a federal mandate requires 42 states to enforce Medicaid work rules by January 2027, Montana implemented its requirements early, on July 1, 2026, with enforcement and potential disenrollment for noncompliance beginning in October 2026, after a temporary grace period. Under these updated rules, non-exempt Medicaid expansion beneficiaries ages 19 to 64 must log at least 80 hours per month of qualifying activities—such as work, job training, school, or community service—or document a valid exemption, such as SSDI/SSI enrollment or "medically frail" status. This rule puts younger dual-eligible beneficiaries (under 65 with qualifying disabilities) at risk of losing Medicaid if they fail to meet or report these requirements, which automatically revokes their eligibility for Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) and can reduce their Extra Help prescription drug subsidies. However, losing Medicaid triggers a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Impacted beneficiaries can work with a SelectQuote licensed insurance agent to quickly and easily explore other Medicare Advantage plan options.
Compare Medicare Supplement Plans in Montana
Some Montana beneficiaries prefer the flexibility of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) paired with a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan rather than a Medicare Advantage plan. Medigap coverage helps pay for out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, and allows you to see any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare—without network restrictions.
If you’re comparing coverage options, you can explore more about Medicare Supplement plans in Montana to understand how they differ from Medicare Advantage plans. Remember that you cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. You must choose one or the other.
Why choose SelectQuote?
With more than 40 years of experience, SelectQuote helps Medicare beneficiaries compare plans from a wide range of nationally recognized insurance carriers in just minutes. Instead of researching multiple companies on your own, you can quickly review plan options side-by-side with an unbiased licensed insurance agent to find coverage that fits your doctors, prescriptions, and budget.
SelectQuote is trusted by millions of Medicare beneficiaries nationwide and is known for:
Strong customer satisfaction ratings on Trustpilot
Positive localized reviews from Medicare shoppers across the U.S.
Accreditation and recognition through the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
No matter where you live in Montana, SelectQuote makes it easier to compare Medicare Advantage plan options so you can choose coverage with confidence.
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