Medicare Advantage Plans in Billings, MT

Residents of Billings and surrounding Yellowstone County have access to a diverse selection of Medicare Advantage plans that combine Parts A and B of Original Medicare with additional coverage, such as prescription drug benefits.

Key Takeaways

• Total Plans: Beneficiaries in Yellowstone County can choose from over 20 unique Medicare Advantage options (part of 37 total Medicare plans available in the county, including stand-alone drug and special needs plans).¹

• Average Premiums: While local monthly plan costs average roughly $10 to $15 per month, many $0-premium Medicare Advantage plans are available to eligible residents.¹

• Carrier Variety: Options include top regional and national insurance carriers such as Humana, PacificSource Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, and UnitedHealthcare.

What is a Medicare Advantage plan in Billings? 

Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, offer an alternative to Original Medicare. These plans are legally required to provide the same coverage as Original Medicare, but may include additional routine benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing coverage. 

Because Medicare Advantage plans operate through managed care networks (typically HMOs or PPOs), securing coverage in Billings depends on network design. Unlike Original Medicare, which allows you to visit any provider that accepts Medicare nationwide, a Medicare Advantage plan requires you to receive care from its network of contracted doctors and facilities.

When choosing a plan in Yellowstone County, you must confirm that your essential local medical providers are classified as in-network:

• Billings Clinic: As Montana’s largest independent healthcare system, it provides comprehensive primary, specialty, and acute care.

• Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital: A key regional anchor featuring a designated Level I Trauma Center.

• RiverStone Health: An important local community health center offering accessible primary, dental, and preventive care services.

If a plan does not include these primary regional health systems in its network, going out-of-network for non-emergency care may result in significantly higher out-of-pocket expenses or a complete lack of coverage.

HMO vs. PPO Plans in Yellowstone County

Choosing between a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) comes down to balancing monthly costs against network flexibility—a decision closely tied to how you navigate healthcare in Billings and surrounding rural areas.

• HMO and HMO-POS Plans (e.g., PacificSource MyCare Choice): These plans often feature lower monthly premiums (frequently starting at $0 or low cost) and structured care coordination. However, they require adherence to local networks—such as the Billings Clinic system—and may require referrals from a primary care physician or prior authorizations before seeing specialists.

• PPO Plans (e.g., HumanaChoice PPO): PPO options may be better suited for Montanans living in rural communities outside the immediate Billings metro area, as well as for those who travel out of state. These plans offer greater flexibility to see out-of-network specialists without requiring referrals, though covered services received out-of-network generally incur higher copays or coinsurance.

Comparing Medicare Advantage Plan Costs and Benefits in MT

To understand the total costs associated with a Medicare Advantage plan, you need to look beyond the monthly premium. In Billings and Yellowstone County, Medicare Advantage plans are structured to bundle Original Medicare costs with additional coverages, but out-of-pocket costs still apply. 

Average Costs and Monthly Premiums

In Yellowstone County, Medicare Advantage plan monthly premiums average $10 to $15 across all available offerings, with many insurers offering $0-premium plan options.¹ However, a plan's monthly premium is only one aspect of overall plan costs:

• Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limits (MOOP): Every Medicare Advantage plan sets an annual cap on covered in-network medical expenses. Once you reach this limit through copays and coinsurance, the plan pays 100% of covered medical costs for the rest of the year.

• Deductibles and Copays: While premiums may be $0, plans typically charge set copayments for primary care visits, specialist consultations, and emergency care until your annual out-of-pocket maximum is met.

Note: Even if you select a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan in Billings, you must continue paying your standard Medicare Part B monthly premium ($202.90/month in 2026). This Part B premium is generally deducted directly from your monthly Social Security benefit check.

Additional Benefits Driving Enrollment

A major reason beneficiaries in Montana may choose Medicare Advantage plans over Original Medicare is the inclusion of additional benefits that Original Medicare does not cover. Local plan options may feature:

• Routine Dental Care: Coverage for cleanings, exams, X-rays, and allowances toward comprehensive procedures like crowns or dentures.

• Vision and Eyewear Allowances: Free annual eye exams plus yearly stipends for prescription glasses or contact lenses.

• Hearing Services: Coverage for diagnostic hearing evaluations and co-pays or stipends for hearing aids.

• Transportation Assistance: Non-emergency medical transportation benefits offering rides to local appointments at facilities like Billings Clinic, St. Vincent Regional Hospital, or community clinics.

• Fitness and Wellness Programs: Memberships to local gyms or national senior fitness networks (such as SilverSneakers).

Medicare Enrollment Periods

Billings beneficiaries can enroll in or switch Medicare Advantage plans coverage during specific windows:

• Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): A seven-month window surrounding your 65th birthday (three months before, the month of, and three months after).

• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): Runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Changes made during AEP take effect on January 1.

• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): Runs from January 1 to March 31. If you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different MA plan or drop back to Original Medicare during this period.

• Special Enrollment Periods (SEP): Available year-round when qualifying life events occur, such as moving in or out of Yellowstone County or losing employer coverage.

Medigap and Part D Options in Yellowstone County

While we can help you check your enrollment eligibility and compare Medicare Advantage plans that may be available in Billings, we also may be able to help you find and compare available Medicare Supplement plans and Medicare Prescription Drug plans (Part D).

Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap plans, help cover gaps in coverage from Medicare Part A and Part B, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. In most states, there are ten Medicare Supplement plans to choose from, and all policies have been standardized, meaning there’s no difference in the benefits offered between Medicare Supplement insurers.

Medicare Prescription Drug plans, also known as Medicare Part D, help cover the cost of both generic and brand-name medications. If you are already enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), enrolling in a prescription drug plan will give you broader healthcare coverage and may even save you money. A Medicare Part D plan can be purchased as a standalone plan to supplement Original Medicare or to accompany a Medicare Supplement plan.

See if You’re Eligible to Compare Medicare Advantage Plans in Billings with The Medicare Helpline

Navigating the complexities of Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans can be confusing, but we can help make it simple. If you’re new to Original Medicare, on Medicare but recently moved, or lost your health insurance, click the “Get a Free Quote” button below to see if you qualify for a free, no-obligation Medicare Advantage plan review with a licensed insurance agent for available plan options in Billings.