Need help enrolling? There are enrollment assisters across Montana who can help answer questions about coverage option – find help now.
The Health Insurance Marketplace is open through May 15, 2021.
Coverage for COVID 19 testing and treatment for the uninsured: Uninsured Montanans who receive a recommendation from a provider will be eligible to receive coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment. To access the new emergency assistance, Montanans should call 406-444-7605 or email HHSPresumptive@mt.gov. However, if you are uninsured, check out your options below to get enrolled in comprehensive coverage.
Option #1: Montana Medicaid
Folks who are eligible, can enroll in Medicaid at any time. Medicaid is public health insurance coverage with a comprehensive set of benefits and low premiums. Medicaid determinations are based on your monthly income and may be an option for some who are losing employment or hours at work. You must be a Montana resident between ages 19 and 64, not Medicare eligible, and you meet the monthly income guidelines.
How to enroll in Medicaid:
Online: The best way to enroll in Medicaid while social distancing is to enroll online. You can go to www.apply.mt.gov and start the application. You can also apply for Medicaid through the Healthcare.gov website and click on “see if you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.” Your information is then sent directly to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).
Over the phone:
You can call the Health Insurance Marketplace call center at 1-800-318-2596 and they can walk you through the Medicaid application over the phone. Montana Navigator can also answer questions and help you apply over the phone. Their number is: (406) 430-0005 or 1-877-568-6284.
Need help enrolling? There are enrollment assisters across Montana who can help answer questions about Medicaid and the Marketplace. With just your zip code you can find someone who can answer your questions and help you enroll – find help now.
Option #2: Marketplace Coverage with a Special Enrollment Period
What are Special Enrollment Periods?
Open Enrollment is the time each year (fall) where anyone can shop on the Health Insurance Marketplace (Healthcare.gov) for health coverage plans. If you missed Open Enrollment, you may still be able to enroll through the Marketplace if you experience certain qualifying life events. When you experience one of these events, it triggers a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) which allows you to use the Marketplace to get or change your coverage between regular Open Enrollment Periods.
What is a Qualifying Life Event?
If any of the following happened to your household in the last 60 days, you may qualify for an SEP.
Loss of qualifying health coverage:
– Lose employer based coverage (including losing coverage from a spouse)
– Lose coverage from your parents when you turn 26
Change in household size:
– Getting married; having a baby, adopting a child or having a child placed with you for foster care; getting divorced and losing health coverage; or a death resulting in loss of coverage
Changes in residence or income:
– Changing your primary place of living: Into a new zip code; From abroad; To and from school; To and from seasonal work
– Change in income
Change in status:
– Gaining citizenship or lawful presence in the US
– Being released from incarceration
Members of Federally Recognized Tribes qualify for Special Enrollment
Periods and can get covered throughout the year. Learn more about health coverage options for Native Americans living in Montana.
If you aren’t sure you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, this tool will help you figure it out.
How to enroll in Marketplace coverage with an SEP?
Online: The best way to enroll and limit while social distancing is to enroll online. Go to Healthcare.gov website and click on “see if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.” This will work for all SEPs, including those for members of Federally Recognized Tribes.
Over the phone:
You can call the Health Insurance Marketplace call center at 1-800-318-2596 and they can walk you through the Marketplace application over the phone. Montana Navigator can also answer questions and help you apply over the phone. Their number is: (406) 430-0005 or 1-877-568-6284.
