Best Health Insurance Montana

Finding reliable health insurance in Big Sky Country doesn’t mean you have to pay big prices. Benzinga has made your search for quality health insurance Montana even easier with our comprehensive review. Our list of best companies in Montana offers a wide variety of coverage types. 

Best Health Insurance Providers in Montana

Choosing the best health insurance company in Montana means having a clear idea of what you need coverage for and approximately how much you can afford to pay each month for premiums as well as what you feel is a reasonable deductible. 

1. UnitedHealthcare

It’s hard to beat United Healthcare for its large network of participating providers as well as its ease of use — it’s one of the biggest health insurance companies in the nation. United Healthcare offers several different types of affordable plans so it’s a solid choice for comprehensive coverage as well as prescription drugs, dental coverage and vision coverage.

Dental, vision and prescription drug coverage can be added to your plan, which makes it reliable for individuals as well as for families who look for affordable health insurance.

2. Cigna

Cigna made our list not just for its large network and comprehensive coverage, but also for its added benefits. Plans are available that cost you nothing for preventive care, such as vaccines and immunizations for children.

You’ll also get $0 telehealth consultations if you need to see a doctor if your doctor’s office is closed or you’re too sick to leave your home. Be sure to check out Cigna’s extensive healthy rewards program which helps you maintain healthy habits like eating right and exercising regularly. 

3. PacificSource 

PacificSource is a PPO health insurance company that has received good ratings from the National Commission of Quality Assurance (NCQA). The NCQA independently reviews health insurance plans in Montana to evaluate the quality of care that patients receive.

PacificSource was rated well for the quality of care and ease of use getting treatment and care. In addition, the company also offers a wide range of customizable plans and a large network. PacificSource also offers dental health insurance plans. It’s particularly notable for its preventive care services and its after-care services for newborns and mothers all the way up to seniors.

You can be assured that PacificSource can give you the care you need and deserve. 

4. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana

The oldest, independent and locally-owned health insurance company in Montana, Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) of Montana offers a variety of individual and family plans to fit your needs.

You’ll find dozens of options to choose from and you can customize your coverage by selecting the right deductible and premium rates, view coinsurance and copay details and more. You can do all of this from its innovative, easy-to-use website.

Both PPO and POS plans are available with varying degrees of payments available, depending on your needs and budget. 

5. Assurant Health

Assurant Health provides health access plans and pays cash benefits when you receive medical treatment. Supplemental insurance is also available to help provide coverage in case of unexpected illness or injury.

Assurant Health’s network is not as expansive as UnitedHealth or Blue Cross Blue Shield, but it does include a variety of doctors, hospitals and specialists throughout Montana.

Assurant Health is also rated highly for its financial stability and its ability to pay and process claims quickly and efficiently — a definite bonus when you need care in a timely manner. 

What is Health Insurance? 

Health insurance is a contractual agreement between you and your insurance provider to help pay for medical costs and expenses. This can be coverage you buy privately, through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace (Montana relies on the federal exchange) or group coverage offered by your employer. Generally, you'll look at the following factors to determine the best plan for you:

• Premium: You pay this fee to the insurance company every month to keep your policy in force and active. 
• Deductible: Your deductible is what you pay before your insurance kicks in. Some health insurance plans have no deductible at all, but you’ll pay higher premiums or you may have higher coinsurance.
• Copay: This is a small amount of money paid to your doctor or for your prescriptions. It is usually around $30–$45 for a doctor or specialist visit and doesn’t count toward your deductible. 
• Coinsurance: This is a percentage that’s shared between you and the insurance company. Common coinsurance amounts are 80/20 and 70/30, where the insurance company pays 80% or 70% and you pay 20% or 30%, respectively. 

How to Get Health Insurance in Montana

Have you just settled down in the Treasure State and want to know how to get health insurance? We’ll tackle several different ways to get insurance coverage. Health insurance covers treatment for injuries and illnesses and can also help you manage chronic conditions. You can get health insurance through your employer, through the Marketplace or through an individual insurance plan, such as the ones profiled here. 

Key Open Enrollment Dates

• Open enrollment has typically been from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15.
• Some states have longer enrollment periods.
• The Department of Health and Human Services has proposed extending open enrollment to end Jan. 15 

Average Cost of Health Insurance in Montana

The average Montanan pays around $8,220 per year for insurance. Depending on your current health situation, you may pay more or less for health insurance based on the following factors:

• Body mass index (BMI): A high BMI can be a precursor to other diseases, including chronic health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. 
• Tobacco use: Smokers pay more for health insurance than their non-smoking counterparts. A little over 17% of people in Montana smoke. 
• Age: Older people tend to have more health conditions, so if you’re 50 or older, you’ll likely pay more for your health insurance compared to someone who is younger than 50.

You can’t change your age but you can exercise and eat plenty of veggies. You can also stop smoking to avoid long-term conditions that could jeopardize your health. In addition, you should be aware that there are certain hereditary issues that you my encounter. Knowing that diseases run in your family is a good thing for you to understand going forward.

Types of Health Coverage

There are several different types of health insurance coverage. The most common coverages include:

• Health maintenance organizations (HMOs): HMOs offer some of the best cost savings and require you to complete very little paperwork. In order to keep these costs low, you are part of a predetermined network of providers. You have a primary care physician who is responsible for the majority of your care. If you need to see a specialist, your physician must refer you. The specialist must also be part of the HMO network for the HMO to cover the cost. 
• Preferred provider organizations (PPOs): PPOs are also made up of predefined networks — but these networks typically tend to be larger and have more participating providers. This means you have more freedom and flexibility to choose your own doctors and hospitals and you don’t need a referral to see a specialist. You’ll pay more if you see a doctor outside of the network, and if you choose to do so, you’ll need to file a claim with the PPO to be reimbursed for some of the cost. 
• Point of service (POS) plan: A POS plan gives you the greatest amount of freedom to choose the doctor and hospital you want. You pay the bill at the time of service and then file a claim with the provider to be reimbursed according to the details of your coverage. 

What Does Health Insurance Cover?

Every insurance plan is different and offers different amounts of coverage accordingly. But generally speaking, your insurance should cover some or all of the following:

• Ambulance services
• Laboratory services
• Mental health care
• Wellness checks
• Pediatric care
• Emergency services
• Hospitalization
• Newborn and maternity care
• Prescription drugs 
• Rehabilitative services 

What Does Health Insurance Not Cover? 

Health insurance covers many procedures and treatments but there are always some exceptions to what’s covered. The following are generally not covered by health insurance companies:

• Elective or cosmetic procedures
• LASIK
• Alternative therapies
• Dental, vision and hearing
• Long-term nursing home care 
• Infertility treatments

Get Affordable Health Insurance in Big Sky Country

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the various health insurance options to choose from. Fortunately, getting a no-obligation online quote for free from these top health insurance providers in Montana is easy and hassle-free. A few clicks can get you a customized rate and details about a plan that’s a perfect fit for your needs and your family’s needs.

We recommend getting quotes from each of the companies profiled here to give you the widest range of health care options to choose from so that you can make a confident decision. 

Frequently Asked Questions