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Assisted Living in Montana

Overview of assisted living in Montana

In Montana, assisted living communities provide long-term housing and care for generally active seniors. The median cost of assisted living in Montana is around $5,000 per month or $60,000 annually, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data from its brand partners in the state. With Big Sky Country’s diverse landscapes, plentiful outdoor activities, and rural lifestyle, Montana’s assisted living communities can be a great fit for seniors looking for a convenient and relaxed pace of life.

Cost of assisted living in Montana

The median monthly cost of assisted living in Montana is around $5,000, according to A Place for Mom’s internal data from its brand partners. This figure is about on par with the national median monthly cost of assisted living across the country at $4,807.

When looking at the cost of senior living, it’s a good idea to look at median costs instead of average costs. This is because median costs normally aren’t influenced by extreme values, such as luxury communities with tons of amenities or simple, budget-friendly communities. That said, prices vary in Montana, with the lower 10th percentile monthly cost landing at approximately $3,100, while the 90th percentile monthly cost is around $7,500 per month.

The cost of assisted living varies depending on many factors. Typically, pricing also takes into account the level of care required by a resident. Other factors may include the following:

  • A community’s location
  • Size of rooms
  • Floor plans
  • Services provided by the community
  • A community’s amenities

Assisted living communities in Montana tend to cost more in larger towns, such as Billings or Helena, than in smaller cities and surrounding rural areas. It may feel like sticker shock when looking at the prices of assisted living in Montana. But while these costs may seem expensive, some Montanans may qualify for Medicaid or Medicare to help pay for assisted living. These programs can reduce the cost of assisted living by covering some qualified care services for eligible participants.

Compare costs of Montana vs. the national average

Average monthly costs

Montana

$3,929/mo

US National average

$4,583/mo

Compare costs of assisted living vs. nearby states

Average monthly costs

Montana

$3,929/mo

Idaho

$3,891/mo

Wyoming

$3,941/mo

Utah

$3,733/mo

North Dakota

$3,839/mo

Compare costs of assisted living in Montana vs. nearby cities

Average monthly costs

Montana

$3,929/mo

Billings, MT

$4,486/mo

Helena, MT

$3,288/mo

Missoula, MT

$3,914/mo

Compare costs of assisted living vs. other senior care types in Montana

Average monthly costs

Paying for assisted living in Montana

It’s vital to plan ahead and be prepared for assisted living costs. Your loved one may be able to use both private and public pay options to cover long-term assisted living costs. In the sections below, you’ll learn about the different ways seniors typically pay for assisted living costs in Montana. You can discover even more about payment options for assisted living by visiting our complete guide to paying for long-term care.

Many seniors begin by using private pay options to cover the expenses of assisted living in Montana.

Your loved one can free up money to pay for assisted living by selling their home in Montana. Selling a house

As a homeowner in Montana, a senior may be able to access equity through a reserve mortgage to pay for assisted living. Reverse mortgage

Ask your loved one if they have a health savings account (HSA), because it may cover the cost of certain medically necessary care services in an assisted living community in Montana. Health savings accounts (HSAs)

Does your loved one have a life insurance policy? If so, there are ways for them to leverage it to cover their assisted living expenses in Montana. Life insurance

For Montana’s seniors, a long-term care insurance policy can potentially pay for at least some of their assisted living costs. Long-term care insurance

Social Security benefits may help Montana’s older adults cover their monthly assisted living costs. Social Security benefits for assisted living

It can be complicated and time consuming to navigate through VA resources. Many veterans, veteran spouses, surviving spouses, and other military-connected individuals don’t know that they may be eligible for generous VA benefits, which may help cover the cost of assisted living in Montana.

For Montana’s veteran families, it’s helpful to seek benefits counseling to learn more about what may be available to your loved one. Montana’s Department of Military Affairs supports veterans, surviving spouses, and their families through the Veteran’s Affairs Division. This government organization offers benefits counseling and general support to anyone wanting to learn more about VA benefits for Montana’s seniors. Notably, Montana also offers a crisis text line available 24/7 to assist veterans or family members who are experiencing a mental health crisis. You can access the crisis line by texting “MT” to 741-741.

The division has an administrative office conveniently located on Fort Harrison, the home of Montana National Guard’s Joint Forces Headquarters. The office is also located near the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center.

Montana has several U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs locations, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) locations, and other veteran service organizations (VSOs). In Montana, these local organizations can provide veterans and their families with benefit support and application information. They can also help your loved one file or appeal benefit claims.

As a joint state and federal program, Montana Medicaid provides health care insurance to low-income Montanans. This program may also cover long-term care costs associated with assisted living for eligible individuals, such as:

  • Medications
  • Doctor visits
  • Certain care services
  • Medical supplies
  • Rehabilitative therapies
  • Personal care
  • Chore assistance and activities

Montana’s seniors can apply online for various Medicaid programs, like SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, and Health Coverage Assistance through the Montana Medicaid application portal.

Montana Medicaid offers home- and community-based waiver programs, so a senior can receive care in the setting of their choice. The waiver expands what Medicaid pays for to cover costs associated with assisted living. These programs can enable participants to receive Medicaid-covered care services in their home or assisted living community.

If your loved one in Montana is considered aged, blind, or disabled, and eligible for Medicaid, there may be a specific Montana Medicaid waiver to help cover expenses associated with assisted living. Limited information is available online about these waivers. To learn more about what these waivers cover and how to apply, call the State of Montana’s Adult Mental Health, Prevention, and Grant Funded Programs at 1-406-444-3964. Seniors can also reach out to the Montana long-term care ombudsman program for more information.

The federal health care program Medicare covers certain health care costs for qualified individuals 65 or older. Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t cover room and board costs for assisted living. However, it can pay necessary medical care expenses, as determined by a doctor and the Medicare program.

To access free and confidential Medicare benefit counseling, Montana seniors can contact the State of Montana’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program. For further assistance with assisted living resources, elder Montanans can reach out to the Montana long-term care ombudsman program for additional support.

Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Montana

18
18 Photos available

Westpark Village

2351 Solomon Avenue, Billings, MT 59102
9.3
Review Score
19 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

It was a good solution for us and we would recommend it. We chose it because of availability to meet my dad's need at the time he needed a place.

Get Pricing
11
11 Photos available
13
13 Floor plans available

The Springs at Bozeman

2632 Catron St, Bozeman, MT 59718
9.1
Review Score
11 reviews
QC - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The Springs is amazing! My grandmother lives in the independent side so that's what I can speak more too. She was very resistant to move in when she was no longer able to live at home but within a few...

Get Pricing
7
7 Photos available

The Grandview at Benefis

3015 18th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT 59405
9.0
Review Score
7 reviews
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My mom was briefly a resident at The Grandview at Benefis and everything was great for her there. She wasn't there long enough to get to try much of the food or to be involved in the activities. The...

Get Pricing

Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Billings

See top facilities
18
18 Photos available

Westpark Village

2351 Solomon Avenue, Billings, MT 59102
9.3
Review Score
19 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

It was a good solution for us and we would recommend it. We chose it because of availability to meet my dad's need at the time he needed a place.

Get Pricing
23
23 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

Canyon Creek

1785 Majestic Lane, Billings, MT 59102
8.9
Review Score
19 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Steven Adams - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I placed Mom there about a year ago. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. If she couldn't be home with me I'm glad she was there. The entire staff is amazing! The care, love and respect that...

Get Pricing
11
11 Photos available
8
8 Floor plans available

MorningStar of Billings

4001 Bell Avenue, Billings, MT 59106
8.6
Review Score
12 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

We brought in Hospice to increase his care. He has dementia and does not attend many activities. We are fortunate to be able to afford the cost. That being said it is a nice safe place for him. We have had...

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Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Great Falls

See top facilities
7
7 Photos available

The Grandview at Benefis

3015 18th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT 59405
9.0
Review Score
7 reviews
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My mom was briefly a resident at The Grandview at Benefis and everything was great for her there. She wasn't there long enough to get to try much of the food or to be involved in the activities. The...

Get Pricing
5
5 Photos available

The Lodge

1801 9th Street South, Great Falls, MT 59405
8.0
Review Score
5 reviews
- I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My Grandma likes it here and we are more than happy with the staff. All of the staff members have a smile on their face and always seem so pleasant. We’ve never had any trouble finding someone to help us....

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20
20 Photos available

Rainbow Retirement and Assisted Living

20 3rd Street N, Great Falls, MT 59401
7.5
Review Score
4 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Sheryl L Geyer - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I placed my mother in law at the Rainbow Senior Living and she loved it. The administration helped fill out all her proper paperwork to help set her up with medications, and medicaid. The meals provided...

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Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Kalispell

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5
5 Photos available

The Springs at Whitefish

1001 River Lakes Pkwy, Whitefish, MT 59937
8.0
Review Score
5 reviews
Guy F - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My friend was not probably the easiest resident, but they did an amazing job with him. When I was there and saw how they interacted with him and the other residents, they never lost temper or got snippy with...

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11
11 Photos available

Prestige Assisted Living at Kalispell

125 Glenwood Dr, Kalispell, MT 59901
7.5
Review Score
11 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Our loved ones care was great while he was there. WE were very happy with everything and everyone. They were always great to work with and provided good care to the very end.

Get Pricing
8
8 Photos available

Timber Creek Village Assisted Living of Columbia Falls

375 Meadow Lake Blvd, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Timber Creek Village was an amazing discovery for our family and we have been very pleased with the hospitality and care provided. It is a new assisted living community that is only two years old and it has...

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Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Bozeman

See top facilities
11
11 Photos available
13
13 Floor plans available

The Springs at Bozeman

2632 Catron St, Bozeman, MT 59718
9.1
Review Score
11 reviews
QC - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The Springs is amazing! My grandmother lives in the independent side so that's what I can speak more too. She was very resistant to move in when she was no longer able to live at home but within a few...

Get Pricing
10
10 Photos available
1
1 Floor plans available

Brookdale Springmeadows

3175 Graf Street, Bozeman, MT 59715
8.9
Review Score
26 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
JK - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Would absolutely recommend to others. Administrators are good to work with and staff is very good with patients.Very good facility, very good, warm, responsive staff.

Get Pricing
23
23 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available

Spring Creek Inn

1641 Hunter's Way, Bozeman, MT 59718
8.5
Review Score
20 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My loved one is currently a resident at Spring Creek Inn and everything about her experience has been great so far. The staff and care services are great. The friendliness, cleanliness and activities are...

Get Pricing

Assisted living requirements and regulations in Montana

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) provides licensure and oversight for assisted living in Montana. Facilities typically have to meet state requirements outlined in Montana’s Assisted Living Rules and Regulations to be licensed in this state. DPHHS typically conducts inspections of assisted living facilities. You may be able to learn more about a specific community’s inspection report by contacting the Inspector General at 1-406-444-4120.

In Montana, these regulations outline the rights of residents of assisted living communities. These rights, as outlined in the document above, include but are not limited to the following:

  • The right of the resident to execute a living will or advance health care directive
  • The right of the resident to make decisions regarding their medical treatment
  • The right of the resident to be presented with a copy of the Montana Long-Term Care Residents’ Bill of Rights

These same regulations outline who qualifies to work at an assisted living facility and how they should be trained. As per the regulations, staff generally must meet the following requirements:

  • Complete appropriate new employee orientation and training related to their job.
  • Submit to a name-based or other background check.
  • Have an understanding of basic first aid.

If you’re looking for specific qualifications in your loved one’s caregivers, you should ask prospective communities what type of certifications staff members hold and how they train their staff on an ongoing basis.

State licensing in Montana

We developed a system to rate each state on how easy — or difficult — it is to find important assisted living records and reports, and we compiled tips to help you in your search.

States with the most transparent records allow you to look up important information about each assisted living facility online, including inspections, complaints, survey results, violations, capacity, and whether the facility accepts Medicaid.

Access to Montana assisted living records: High

Public access to assisted living records and reports for the state of Montana is high. A key finding that informed this rating is that Montana recently updated their state database to include detailed information about adult care providers.

How to look up Montana assisted living licenses and records

  • You can visit the U.S. Administration on Aging’s Eldercare Locator to locate the appropriate long-term-care ombudsman in your area. The long-term care ombudsman can often provide specific information and records on local assisted living communities.
  • If you need to make a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to get records, consider browsing the state-by-state resources from the National Freedom of Information Coalition (FOIC), which includes sample state-specific FOIA letters.

How we arrived at our Montana rating

We developed a standard methodology for state data collection and evaluation, and we based our rating primarily on the objective, state-specific accessibility criteria outlined in these questions:

  1. Are licensed assisted living communities listed online in any form? Yes
  2. If Yes to #1, is the information updated frequently? Yes
  3. If Yes to #1, is the list of licensed communities searchable? Yes
  4. Does the state post inspections, complaints, survey results, or violations online? N/A
  5. If Yes to #4, is the information updated frequently? (within 90 days) No or N/A
  6. If Yes to #2 and #4, is the enforcement information included in the same place as licensed communities? No or N/A
  7. If Yes to #4 and No to #6, are violations and inspections searchable at all? No
  8. Is information about special licensing for care shown? Yes
  9. Is capacity shown? Yes
  10. Are payment types shown (e.g., Medicaid, private pay)? No
  11. Is the administrator/contact name shown? Yes
  12. Can the state fine a facility? No
  13. What is the frequency of inspections? Every 12 months
  14. Does the website include pricing of facilities? No

Top cities in Montana for assisted living

8.6
Bozeman, MT
9 facilities
8.2
Great Falls, MT
14 facilities
7.5
Kalispell, MT
8 facilities
7.0
Billings, MT
22 facilities
6.8
Missoula, MT
10 facilities
Helena, MT
8 facilities

Find assisted living in other states

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.