Jane Dotson
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for US citizens aged 65 and over, as well as some individuals with disabilities. In Montana, Medicare beneficiaries can choose to get their coverage through private Medicare Advantage plans or directly from the federal government via Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers that bundle Part A and Part B coverage with additional health and wellness benefits. Original Medicare covers you in every state, as long as you confirm that the doctor or facility is Medicare-approved. Medicare beneficiaries in Montana can also purchase a Medicare Supplement plan to cover expenses that Original Medicare doesn't, such as deductibles and your share of a doctor or hospital bill.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicare Insurance in Montana | Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Original Medicare (Parts A and B), Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) |
| Medicare Advantage Insurance Providers in Montana | Dozens of private insurance companies |
| Medicare Supplement Insurance Providers in Montana | State Farm |
| Medicare Helpline Number | 1-800-633-4227 |
| Medicare TTY Number | 1-877-486-2048 |
| Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Number | 1-800-551-3191 |
| Number of Montana Residents Enrolled in Medicare | 200,000+ |
| Percentage of Montana Residents with Medicare Coverage | 20% |
| Number of Insurers Offering Medigap Policies in Montana (2025) | 33 |
| Number of Stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Plans Available in Montana (2025) | 16 |
| Percentage of Montana Medicare Beneficiaries Enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans | 30% |
| Medigap Premium Range for 65-year-old Montana Residents | $0 to $282 per month |
| Medigap Premium Range for Under 65-year-old Montana Residents | $0 to $811 per month |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Medicare Advantage plans
It's important to note that service areas and costs can differ by plan, and each plan sets its own coverage levels. Additionally, Medicare Advantage plan availability varies depending on the county and your ZIP code. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has a Medicare Star Rating system that rates individual Medicare Advantage plans from one to five stars, with five being the highest. This can help you compare plans, but it's important to consider your own needs and preferences when choosing a plan.
If you're considering enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, it's recommended to review the available plans in your area and compare their costs, coverage levels, and ratings. You can also contact the Montana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free help and in-person assistance in understanding and enrolling in Medicare programs. They can be reached at 1-800-551-3191. Additionally, Medicare has a 24/7 helpline to answer any questions you may have about their plans.
Child Insurance: Utah Medicaid Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Medicare Supplement plans
Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, also known as Medigap, help cover the out-of-pocket expenses that Original Medicare (federal health insurance for seniors) does not. In Montana, Medicare Supplement plans are available through State Farm and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana.
Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are identified by the letters A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Each plan covers different costs that Original Medicare does not. For example, Blue Medicare Supplement Plus plans include coverage for preventive and restorative dental care, as well as routine eye exams with an allowance for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
In Montana, 33 insurers offer Medigap policies, and about 30% of Montana Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. Medigap premiums are significantly more expensive for those under 65, with monthly premiums ranging from $0 to $811 for an enrollee under 65, compared to $0 to $282 for a 65-year-old. However, disabled Medicare beneficiaries have access to the normal Medigap open enrollment period when they turn 65, and they can select from any of the available plans with lower premiums.
If you have Medicare Supplement Insurance in Montana and want to change plans or companies, you can do so, but the new plan or company may not accept you if you have any serious health conditions. The State of Montana operates a free help program, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), to assist Medicare beneficiaries and their families in understanding and enrolling in Medicare programs.
Starbucks Medical Insurance: What Employees Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Medigap plans
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for US citizens aged 65 or older. In Montana, Medicare beneficiaries can choose to receive their coverage through private Medicare Advantage plans or directly from the federal government via Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B). Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers, so plan availability varies from one area to another. As of 2025, about 30% of Montana Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.
Medigap premiums are significantly more expensive for those under 65, as is the case in most states. For example, Medigap Plan A for a 65-year-old Montana resident is priced roughly in the range of $0 to $282 per month by most insurers, whereas the same insurers mostly charge monthly premiums in the range of $0 to $811 for an enrollee who is under 65. However, disabled Medicare beneficiaries have access to the normal Medigap open enrollment period when they turn 65, and they will have access to lower premiums.
Medigap insurers in Montana can choose to use attained-age rating (rates increase as an enrollee gets older), issue-age rating (rates are based on the age the person was when they enrolled), or community rating (rates do not vary based on age). Of the 26 insurers that submitted information to the Montana Insurance Commissioner for publication in the state’s 2022-23 Medigap rate guide, only one uses community rating, and the rest use attained-age rating.
If you have questions about Medigap plans in Montana, you can contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which offers free, trained, in-person assistance throughout the state to help Medicare beneficiaries and their families understand and enroll in Medicare programs.
Workers' Comp Insurance: Applying in North Carolina
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Medicare Part A and Part B
Medicare Part A is insurance for hospitalisation, home or skilled nursing, and hospice. Most people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A. If you are not working, you should enrol in Part A three months before your 65th birthday, during your birthday month, or up to three months after your birthday.
Medicare Part B is medical insurance for provider and outpatient services. If you are not working, you should enrol in Part B during the same period as Part A. If you are still working after the age of 65, consult your benefits administrator to determine if your employer health plan requires you to enrol in Part B. You may be able to delay enrolling without penalty until you retire.
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers that bundle Part A and Part B coverage with additional health and wellness benefits. Many of these plans also include prescription drug coverage, as well as vision, dental, and hearing services. Medicare Advantage plans are available in Montana, with about 30% of Montana Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in one.
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, is available in Montana through private insurers. These plans help cover extra out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare. Medigap premiums are significantly more expensive for those under 65.
Understanding PPO and HSA: Medical Insurance Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Medicare eligibility
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for seniors aged 65 or above. In Montana, Medicare beneficiaries can choose to receive their coverage through private Medicare Advantage plans or directly from the federal government via Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B). Medicare Part A covers hospital services, while Medicare Part B covers outpatient or provider services.
In most cases, Medicare eligibility starts when a person turns 65. However, Medicare also provides coverage for disabled Americans under 65 who have been receiving disability benefits for 24 months or have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In Montana, about 9% of Medicare beneficiaries are under 65.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible for Medicare, you can visit the Medicare.gov website to find out. Additionally, the State of Montana operates a free help program called the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to assist Medicare beneficiaries and their families in understanding and enrolling in Medicare programs. SHIP offers trained, in-person assistance throughout Montana, and you can call 1-800-551-3191 or visit their website for more information.
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, is also available in Montana through private insurers. These plans help cover expenses that Original Medicare does not, such as deductibles and your share of doctor or hospital bills. Medigap premiums are significantly more expensive for those under 65, with rates varying based on the age of the enrollee. Medicare Advantage plans, on the other hand, do not have higher premiums for those under 65.
It is important to note that Medicare Supplement Insurance policies are not connected with or endorsed by the US Government or the Federal Medicare program. Renewal premiums may increase periodically, and policy coverages, exclusions, and limitations may vary by state.
Choosing the Right Medical Insurance Plan: Key Considerations
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for Americans aged 65 and older and some individuals with disabilities.
Medicare beneficiaries in Montana can choose to get their coverage through private Medicare Advantage plans or directly from the federal government via Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers that bundle Part A and Part B coverage with additional health and wellness benefits.
Original Medicare is provided by the federal government and covers hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B). Medicare Advantage blends Medicare benefits with private health insurance and usually includes prescription drug coverage (Part D) and other benefits like dental and vision.
The standard monthly premium for Part B in 2025 is estimated to be $185, but your premium may be higher based on your income. Medicare Advantage plans vary in cost depending on the plan and your location. Medigap premiums are significantly more expensive for those under 65.
The State of Montana operates a free help program called the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to assist Medicare beneficiaries and their families. You can call 1-800-551-3191 or visit the SHIP website for more information.
