Nearly 250,000 people in Montana are signed up for Medicare
[1]
.

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older. Medicare Advantage is a bundled alternative to Medicare sold by private insurance companies. It offers all the same benefits and usually some extras, such as cost savings on dental and vision coverage.

Medicare Advantage plans offer more benefits than Original Medicare, and they can be cheaper than paying for Medicare and a Medicare Supplement plan. However, they have less flexibility since you’ll need to get care from within the plan’s network of providers. Weigh your options to determine which plan best suits your needs.

» MORE: Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: Which should I choose?

What to know about Medicare in Montana
About 1 in 5 people in Montana are 65 and older, and there is a variety of Medicare Advantage plans in the state
[2]
.

The average monthly premium in 2023 for a Medicare Advantage plan in Montana is $23.06. (It was $29.28 in 2022.)

There are 26 Medicare Advantage plans available in Montana in 2023. (There were 24 plans in 2022.)

All Medicare-eligible people in Montana have access to a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage companies in Montana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana.

Humana.

Lasso Healthcare.

PacificSource Medicare.

UnitedHealthcare.

Top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in Montana
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, awards every Medicare Advantage plan a star rating on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being a top-rated plan. Below are companies with at least one plan that received top marks in Montana for the 2023 plan year
[3]
. (Get more information about Medicare star ratings.)

4.5-star plans
There are no companies in Montana with plans rated 5 stars in 2023. The company below offers plans in Montana that are rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by the CMS:

Humana.

4-star plans
The companies below offer plans in Montana that are rated 4 stars out of 5 by the CMS:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana.

Humana.

UnitedHealthcare.

» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
Medicare resources in Montana
Montana State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP: Offers free counseling for people with Medicare, their families or caregivers.

Montana State Auditor: Provides information and advocates for Montanans on retirement insurance.

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services: Shares information on various health and assistance topics.

Find the right Medicare Advantage plan
It’s important to do your research before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan for yourself. Here are some questions to consider asking:

What are the plan’s costs? Do you understand what the plan’s premium, deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance will be? Can you afford them?

Is your doctor in-network? If you have a preferred medical provider or providers, make sure they participate in the plan’s network.

Are your prescriptions covered? If you’re on medication, it’s crucial to understand how the plan covers it. What tier are your prescription drugs on, and are there any coverage rules that apply to them?

Is there dental coverage? Does the plan offer routine coverage for vision, dental and hearing needs?

Are there extras? Does the plan offer any extra benefits, such as fitness memberships, transportation benefits or meal delivery?

Medicare Advantage companies
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Advantage companies. These insurance companies offer plans in most states. The plans you can choose from will depend on your ZIP code and county.

AARP Medicare Advantage plans.

Aetna Medicare Advantage plans.

Anthem Medicare Advantage plans.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans.

Cigna Medicare Advantage plans.

Humana Medicare Advantage plans.

Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plans.

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans.

Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans.

If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).