Nursing Homes in Montana

Based on population data, Montana is home to the sixth-oldest state population in the nation. It’s home to 228,718 seniors citizens who represent about 20% of the state’s 1,068,778 residents. An aging population means there’s increasing demand for skilled nursing facilities, home health providers and other forms of long-term care. Montana currently has 70 licensed nursing homes that accommodate more than 3,776 residents at any given time.

Skilled nursing facilities provide intermediate to advanced medical care to individuals who are recovering from surgeries or medical events or are coping with multiple medical conditions. In Montana, these facilities typically charge $7,665 for a semiprivate room and $8,273 for a private room, which is slightly less than the national average.

This guide explores the cost of nursing homes in Montana as well as possible alternatives. It also takes a look at Medicaid long-term care benefits, financial assistance programs, nonprofit resources and state regulations that govern skilled nursing facilities. These materials are designed to help you make an informed decision regarding your current or future needs.

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Montana

According to Genworth Financial’s Cost of Care Survey for 2020, a semiprivate room in a Montana nursing home costs $7,665 per month, which is $91 less than the U.S. median of $7,756. Montana performs favorably when compared to most neighboring states, excluding South Dakota where average rates are about $650 lower. Seniors in Wyoming pay almost $600 more per month of care, and rates are approximately $1,000 higher in Idaho, coming in at $8,669. With an average cost of $12,167 per month, nursing homes in North Dakota are 58% more expensive, which equates to a monthly price difference of $4,502.

Nursing homes in Montana’s largest cities typically charge anywhere from $7,756 to $9,429 per month. Rates are on par with the U.S. average in Billings at $7,756. Great Falls is moderately more expensive at $9,125, which is almost 20% more than the state median, and at $9,429, rates in Missoula exceed the state median by $1,764, or 23%. Rapid City, South Dakota, is one of the most affordable metropolitan areas in the Northern Plains at $7,452. Nursing home rates in other major cities, including Casper, Idaho Falls and Bismarck, exceed the state median by $791 to $2,981.

With an average monthly cost of $7,665, skilled nursing is the most expensive form of long-term care in Montana by a significant margin. In-home care provided by homemakers or home health aides costs $5,138, or $2,527 less per month. Assisted living is more affordable still at $4,213, which represents an estimated monthly savings of $3,452. Adult day care costs about half as much as assisted living at $2,115. However, the services that these community-based facilities provide are minimal, especially when compared to nursing homes.

Does Medicaid Cover Nursing Home Care in Montana?

In Montana, people aged 65 and older make up 19.3% of the population, and on average, about 7,800 of these seniors are enrolled in Medicaid every month. Many of these older adults are on Medicaid because they require care in a nursing home. Using both state and federal funding, Montana Medicaid covers the cost of room and board in these facilities, including a private room when deemed medically necessary. Medicaid covers many care services within these communities, including activities programs, local transportation, light housekeeping and social programs. Medicaid can also cover the cost of skilled nursing services in community settings. Seniors account for 5% of total Medicaid enrollment in the state.

There are 71 licensed nursing facilities in Montana with a total bed capacity of 6,274. The state determines the number of beds, including swing beds, needed every year in its Long-Term Care Facilities Plan. The trend in Montana is moving away from nursing facilities and into aging in place, and Medicaid helps pay for this transition through the Big Sky Waiver. In addition to skilled nursing, the waiver covers a wide range of supportive services, therapies, modifications and case management services. 

Medicaid Eligibility in Montana

Seniors in Montana who require a nursing home level of care and earn less than what that care costs are eligible for Medicaid coverage. There are also financial limits on the assets you can hold, excluding your home and vehicle. A single applicant can’t have more than $2,000 in assets, and a couple can’t have more than $4,000. When only one person in a married couple is applying, the asset limit is $137,400.

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Montana

In addition to the financial requirements, the Medicaid applicant must need the level of care offered by licensed nursing facilities in the state. This is determined by a care assessment performed by Mountain Pacific Quality Health (MPQH). Your loved one must also:  

• Be a resident of Montana
• Be a U.S. citizen or documented resident
• Be aged 65 or older 

How To Apply for Medicaid in Montana

You can apply for Montana Medicaid by visiting https://apply.mt.gov. You’re required to create an account. If you prefer to apply over the phone, you may call (888) 706-1535. You can also visit your local benefits field office and speak with a Medicaid representative in person. 

Information You Will Need

Before you begin the Medicaid application process, make sure you have the following information available:

• Social Security number
• Proof of Montana residency
• Proof of age, such as a birth certificate
• Financial information, such as bank account and investment statements 
• Insurance information, including policy numbers and benefit amounts
• Property deeds
• Financial information for other household members

Additional Medicaid Support & Resources in Montana

Montana seniors who need help applying for Medicaid or with their existing benefits can contact the following organizations for assistance. These resources are funded by the state and federal government, and they’re free at the point of service.

Does Medicare Cover Nursing Home Care in Montana?

Medicare provides limited coverage for short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility following a hospital stay, but seniors must meet a number of specific requirements. This benefit is available to beneficiaries who have been hospitalized for at least three days, excluding the date of discharge, so it’s most valuable for those who are recovering from an injury, illness or surgery.

Once seniors meet the hospitalization requirement, Medicare will pay for up to 100 days of skilled nursing per benefit period. The first 20 days are covered in full. Starting on day 21, beneficiaries must pay a daily coinsurance rate. After day 100, seniors are responsible for the entire cost.

What Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare covers a number of specific services, including:

• Meals
• A semiprivate room
• Medications
• Skilled nursing
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Audiologist care
• Medical supplies
• Medical social services
• Nutritional counseling
• Ambulance transportation

What Isn’t Covered by Medicare?

Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care that addresses seniors’ day-to-day needs. This includes help with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and using medical equipment.

For more information about Medicare and when it covers Nursing Home Care, read our Guide to Nursing Homes.

Medicare Support & Resources in Montana

The following resources can help you resolve many issues related to Medicare, including problems you may have with a provider or answers to questions about coverage options. The services listed are provided free of charge. 

Other Financial Assistance Options for Nursing Home Care in Montana

While Medicaid and Medicare are two of the most common programs used to pay for Nursing Home Care, there are other financial assistance options available, depending on your unique situation.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Montana

Seniors who need help beyond the scope of Medicare and Medicaid may find some of the following free and low-cost resources helpful. Many of these organizations rely on volunteers and funding from the government. 

COVID-19 Rules for Nursing Homes in Montana

The following information is based on research done on several government websites, including dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth. These rules apply to Independent Living Communities and other types of senior living facilities. We’ve most recently updated this data on 2/8/2022, but since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving pandemic, contact your local senior living facility or Area Agency on Aging for more specific and up-to-date information.

Visitation Policies

Outings & Social Activities

COVID-19 Safety Measures for Staff and Residents

Nursing Home Laws and Regulations in Montana