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Montana Health Insurance Companies
Montana Health Insurance Options
How to Get the Most Savings
Montana Health Insurance FAQS
How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Montana
Montana Health Insurance Companies
There are several companies that offer affordable health insurance in Montana, all offering multiple plans with different levels of coverage and price points, so you have variety to choose from. We’ve highlighted some of the most popular insurance companies in the state to help you get started.
PacificSource
A PPO health insurance provider, PacificSource offers a wide variety of customizable plans and has a sizable network. Dental health insurance plans are also available. PacificSource has been highly rated for its care, which covers everyone of all ages and phases of life.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Montana offers a range of individual and family plans. Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose either a PPO or POS plan, both of which are available with a range of payment options. Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the largest health insurance companies in the nation with branches in many states. When you enroll with them you gain access to their extensive provider network.
BCBSM offers a lot of choice: you can tailor your coverage by picking the deductible and premiums that work for you. All of this is possible through the website’s creative, user-friendly design.
Health Insurance Marketplace in Montana
If you’re looking for health insurance in Montana, the health insurance Marketplace is a great place to start. During the Open Enrollment Period (OEP), you can purchase Marketplace health insurance, which was created by the Affordable Care Act, offers certain consumer protections, guarantees coverage for pre-existing conditions, and includes coverage for what are known as the “10 essential health benefits”:
- Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care)
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)
- Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (including counseling and psychotherapy)
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
- Laboratory services
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage aren’t essential health benefits)
The ACA-compliant plans offered on the Marketplace are divided into different types, known as metal tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These tiers do not signal a difference in quality of care, though. The tiers differ in your out-of-pocket costs versus what your plan covers.
It’s important to remember that the Marketplace only offers the plans of participating providers. So unfortunately, while the Marketplace is a great tool, you may not be able to compare every plan available to you.
Whether you want a Marketplace plan, or a plan from a private insurer, an EZ agent can help. We work with all carriers in your state to compare all options available.
Montana’s Short Term Health Insurance Guidelines
If you’ve missed the health insurance Open Enrollment Period (OEP) or need health insurance for a short amount of time, short-term plans are a great option. It’s important to note, though, that these policies tend to only cover the basics, and you can be denied one of these plans if you have a pre-existing condition.
There are some rules around short-term plans, both at the federal and the state level. Some states choose to have their own guidelines separate from federal guidelines, or to not offer short-term plans at all. On paper, Montana’s guidelines follow federal guidelines: they allow for a 364-day initial plan term, and renewals until you max your plan out at 36 months. But in practice, all of Montana’s short-term plans are purchased and renewed for 6 months at a time.
Montana Health Insurance Options
It can be tricky and time-consuming to compare health insurance options, but you have a number of tools at your disposal to help you.
One option is to speak to your employer about a group health plan. If they offer one, you can enroll and save money, since these plans are often less expensive than private insurance and can cover you and your family. While employers in Montana are not required to offer health insurance to their employees, most do offer health insurance benefits.
You can also look at healthcare programs that are funded by the government to see if you might be eligible. Anyone who is 65 years of age or older, or who has a qualifying disability and is between the ages of 18 and 65, is eligible for low-cost insurance through Medicare. Medicaid is another government program, which is intended for people with lower incomes. If you fulfill the income requirements, you can get coverage for free!
Finally, though, one of the best resources at your fingertips is an insurance agent. EZ agents are skilled and trained to assess every possible plan option for you. We compare plans while taking into account all of your medical and financial needs to ensure you get the right coverage for you.
Get free instant quotes by entering your zip code in the bar below. No hassle. No obligations.
How to Get the Most Savings
The cost of healthcare in Montana is on the lower end of the spectrum. In terms of per capita healthcare spending, your state is ranked 30th out of 50, with an average annual health spending of $9,791 per person. Even though Montana is a relatively affordable place to buy health insurance, there are still many ways to reduce the cost of your health insurance, and your healthcare in general.
If you want to lower your premiums, one of the things you can look at is your health. Health insurance companies assess your risks and take your physical health into account, especially your body mass index (BMI). With 28.8% of adults in Montana considered obese, you might fall into this category; if you do, your insurance may cost more.
Another red flag for insurance companies is smoking and the use of other tobacco products. In Montana, 14.4% of adults smoke; if you’re one of them, you could be spending up to 50% more than nonsmokers do for health insurance. And since smoking can cause so many health problems, you’ll not only save money by quitting but your health will also improve.
With all of that being said, the easiest way to save money is to work with an agent to get health insurance. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by working with an EZ agent. We can save you money by searching for plans that fit your budget, and by finding any applicable local discounts. And there is no fee for our services!
Montana Health Insurance FAQS
Does Montana require you to have health insurance?
While the Affordable Care Act still requires everyone to have health insurance, there is no longer a federal tax penalty for not having coverage. Some states do have tax penalties for not having insurance, but Montana is not one of them.
What is the cheapest health insurance in Montana?
The cheapest health plan will be a Bronze plan, which can start as low as $330 a month. However, health insurance plan prices can vary depending on age, zip code, gender, and other factors.
How much does health insurance cost in Montana?
The average monthly premium for health insurance in Montana is $413, or $4,956 per year, with plans as low as $330 a month to as high as $1,096. But do not let these numbers scare you. More than half of uninsured people in Montana qualify for a $0 bronze plan and don’t even know it.
Which insurance companies offer plans in Montana?
The top 3 insurers in your state are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, Montana Health Cooperative, and PacificSource Health Plan.
How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Montana
Once you’re aware of your options, it’s time to enroll in a plan. There are several methods you can use to do so. You can enroll in your employer’s group plan, if they offer one, or do your own independent search for insurance directly through a carrier. The Health Insurance Marketplace is another option. Montanans can browse and compare plans on the federal exchange, since there is no state-run exchange in Montana.
No matter what type of plan you want, or how you plan on enrolling, EZ agents are available to help. We can guide you through the whole process and address any of your questions. We work with the best insurance companies in the country to give you the affordable coverage you need.
If you still have questions, feel free to give us a call at 877-670-3557. When you call, you will be directly connected to a local insurance agent who can answer all of your questions and help you find the health insurance plan that works best for you.
