How to Find Affordable Health Insurance in Montana

We’ll explore the most common ways to find affordable health insurance in Montana, including:

• Shopping the Health Insurance Marketplace

• Montana Medicaid

• Healthy Montana Kids

• Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance

• Medicare

CHP’s Resource Coordinators Can Help You Navigate Health Insurance in Montana
Finding and selecting affordable health insurance can be confusing, especially if you’re new to the process. If you’re in Gallatin or Park County, CHP’s resource coordinators are trained to help you understand your options.

You don’t need to be a CHP patient to take advantage of this service. Reach out to your local CHP clinic and ask for a resource coordinator.

5 Ways to Find Affordable Health Insurance in Montana

Shop the Health Insurance Marketplace

The Health Insurance Marketplace at Healthcare.gov is a good place to start when you’re looking for affordable health insurance in Montana. Open enrollment starts November 1, which means you can apply, renew, or change your plan until January 15. Depending on your income, you may qualify for a tax credit that could lower your monthly payment.

How to apply:

• Apply online at Healthcare.gov

• Apply over the phone with the Cover Montana Helpline at 1-844-682-6837

• Community Health Partners staff can assist with applications for health insurance coverage or get you more information when you need it

Reach out to a CHP clinic for more on this affordable health insurance option in Montana.

See if you qualify for Montana Medicaid

Montana Medicaid is a healthcare benefit for eligible low-income Montanans. You might qualify if you:

• Are a Montana resident

• Your income is below the given threshold for your household size

You can apply online or easily check your eligibility with the Montana Department of Health and Human Services to find out more.

Check out Healthy Montana Kids

Healthy Montana Kids is another affordable health insurance option available to low-income Montanans. This children’s health insurance plan covers eligible children up to age 19. It also includes coverage for postpartum parents. To be eligible, you must be:

• 18 years of age and under OR a primary caregiver for a child 18 years of age and under

• A citizen, national, or a non-citizen legally admitted into the United States

• Uninsured and ineligible for Medicaid

• Have income below a certain threshold for your household size

You can check if you meet the income criteria on the Benefits.gov website. If you or your family members qualify, apply online.

Find out if employer-sponsored insurance is an option

You might not need to work full time with one employer to qualify for health insurance benefits. These companies are known for offering health insurance for part-time workers:

• Starbucks

• Costco

• Staples

• Lowes

Even if your current employer doesn’t offer full health benefits, they may be able to offer a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) or an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA), meaning you can get a reimbursement to find your own health insurance plan through the marketplace or another provider in your area. Ask your HR department or your supervisor if this is an option for you.

Look into Medicare eligibility if you’re over 65

Montanans over the age of 65 might be able to qualify for affordable coverage through Medicare. This federal health insurance for seniors covers medical care like:

• Inpatient hospital care

• Doctors’ services and tests

• Preventive services

Medicare won’t cover things like deductibles, dental care, routine physicals, eye exams, hearing aids, or long-term care. The Montana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free health benefits counseling for Medicare beneficiaries (and their families and caregivers). This can help you find out what additional coverage you may need to purchase, like a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage, to cover those aspects of care.

If you apply for benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, you’re automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital care and nursing facilities). If that doesn’t apply to you, or you’re ready to enroll in Medicare Part B (preventative care and other medical services), you can sign up online.

If you have questions about what services your insurance will cover, or how to apply for affordable health insurance in Montana, CHP can help. Get in touch with a clinic in Bozeman, Belgrade, or Livingston to set up an appointment.