Medicare plays a key role in providing health and financial security to beneficiaries residing in Montana. With more than 234,800 Montana beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, we’ll cover some very important information below about Medicare in Montana. We want to help you better understand your options and make the decision-process as seamless as possible once you’re ready to enroll in Medicare or discover different coverage options.
Montana Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
For more information on how you can save money on your out-of-pocket costs with a Part C, Part D, or Medigap plan, please click the plans below to learn more. Licensed agents can also answer any of your questions and help you find a plan that fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget by clicking here.
Montana Medicare Enrollments
Original Medicare Plans (Part A and B)
Medicare Advantage & Other Health Plans
Stand-alone Medicare Part D (Drug Plans)
Total Medicare Beneficiaries in Montana
Who Qualifies for Medicare in Montana?
Medicare covers most Montana residents who are 65 or older, and it also covers disabled Montana residents. In general, Medicare enrollment in Montana works the same way as it does in the rest of the country. If you qualify for Original Medicare, also known as Part A and Part B, it will help cover 80% of your health care costs.
When you’re first eligible for Medicare, you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B. If you’re eligible for Medicare when you turn 65, you can sign up during the 7-month period that:
- Begins 3 months before the month you turn 65
- Includes the month you turn 65
- Ends 3 months after the month you turn 65
In most cases, if you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible, you’ll have to pay a late enrollment penalty. You’ll be responsible for paying this penalty for as long as you have Part B, and you could have a gap in your health coverage.
Once you reach Medicare eligibility, you can begin choosing additional coverage options to help pay for the remaining 20% of your medical expenses through Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medigap, and/or a Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan.
Local Medicare Health Plan Resources in Montana
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs): Montana’s Area Agencies on Aging are public or private non-profit agencies, designated by the Aging Services Bureau, to address the needs and concerns of older Montanans at the local level. Every Area Agency on Aging is required to have an advisory council, comprised primarily of older persons, to review and comment on all programs affecting the elderly at the community level. More than 100 advisory council members work in partnership with Montana’s Area Agencies on Aging.
Contact: 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.Montana’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): SHIP provides no-cost health-benefits counseling and advocacy service for Medicare beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. Its mission is to educate, advocate for, counsel, and empower people to make informed benefit decisions. SHIP is an independent, objective, and confidential assistance program funded by The Administration on Community Living and is not affiliated with the insurance industry. This program is administered by the Montana Office on Aging and is operated through the Area Agencies on Aging.
Contact: Call 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 (SMP): SMP is a volunteer-based organization in which seniors help other seniors become educated Medicare consumers. SMP can help you understand and organize your medical bills and Medicare Summary Notices (MSN); help check for and correct billing errors; in cases of potential fraud, contact and refer to the appropriate agency to investigate the issue, and provide education about managing Medicare bills and protecting yourself.
Contact: Call the program’s manager Renee Labrie-Shanks at 1-406-728-7682 or by email at rlabrie@missoulaagingservices.org. You can also get information about how to connect with SMP volunteers in your area by calling the Montana AAA hotline at 1-800-551-3191.Office of the Montana State Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI): CSI is the state government regulator of the insurance and securities industries and advocate for the citizens of Montana. The Office of the Montana State Auditor, CSI is a criminal justice agency that protects Montana’s consumers by ensuring fairness, transparency, and access for Montanans in two of Montana’s largest industries — securities and insurance. CSI can help seniors file insurance complaints and fraud reports, as well as help them find legal support specializing in insurance and securities.
Contact: Call 1-800-332-6148 or 1-406-444-2040Missoula Aging Services is the leading senior advocacy resource in Missoula and Ravalli Counties. It is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the independence, dignity, and health of older adults and those who care for them. is available for seniors who are about to turn 65 and are considering their many options with Medicare.
Contact: Call 1-406-794-0083, 1-406-259-9666, or email info@allianceyc.org.The Bozeman Senior Center is a nonprofit organization focusing on support services for adults over 50 in southwest Montana.
Contact: 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, call 1-406-586-2421 during business hours or email info@bozemanseniorcenter.org.
The licensed agents that are partnered with Timefor65 can help you compare the availability, benefits, and costs of Medicare plans in your specific region of Montana. Our process makes it easier for you to access your Medicare eligibility in Montana so that you receive personalized, affordable, and easy-to-use coverage options and solutions. Fill out the form or give us a call at (866) 327‑0148 anytime to get a free quote or to ask any questions.