Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policies

Montana does not require insurers to offer Medicare Supplement policies to adults under sixty-five afflicted with disability.

Mini-COBRA Policies (small group)

Montana has no legal provision for continuation coverage after employees leave coverage.

Medicare Savings Program (premium support)

Montana has three Medicare Savings Programs:

Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs): For individuals with a monthly income under $903 and for couples with a monthly income under $1215, the state pays all premiums for Part B and all Co-Pays and Deductibles for Medicare Part A & Part B.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMBs): For individuals with income under $1083 or couples with income under $1457, the state pays premiums for Part B.
Qualified Individuals (QIs): For individuals with income under $1219 or for couples with an income under $1640, the state pays premiums for Part B.

To qualify for any one of these programs, participants must have assets below $6,600 or be part of a couple with assets below $9,910.

High-Risk Pool
The Montana Comprehensive Health Association works as an “insurance of last resort” backstop for Montana residents. The program is available on the basis of HCTC, Medical and HIPAA eligibility.
http://www.nechip.com/

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Montana's SHIP program is administered by the Senior & Long Term Care Division/Aging Services Bureau of the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services. Division staff train and support local SHIP counselors who provide counseling throughout the state, including on Indian Reservations.
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/

State Tax Credits for Health Insurance
Montana offers a nonrefundable tax credit for employers of twenty or fewer employees (each of whom work at least twenty hours a week) who have been in Montana for at least one year. If the employer pays at least fifty percent of each employee’s health insurance premium, they are entitled to a credit equal to $25 a month for each employee (valid for up to ten employees) if the employer pays 100% of an employee’s premium. If the employer pays less than 100%, the credit is equal to a proportionate amount of the premium paid.

Low-Income Subsidy (“extra-help”) for Prescription Drugs
This program is a subsidy for Medicare Part D recipients with resources under $13,070 (or $26,120 for a couple) to receive money towards a Medicare prescription drug plan. The benchmark of support is different depending on which region of the country you live in. In Montana in 2012, the low-income subsidy was $36.02 per month.

If you live in Montana, and you are interested in getting a Medicare Plan, please contact the Medicare experts at eAmeriFamily Insurance. They are industry veterans and will guide you through the process of getting the right Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or MediGap Plan for you.