Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother in Montana and need health coverage, start with Medicaid, Healthy Montana Kids, or the Marketplace. Montana Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids can help with doctor visits, pregnancy care, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health care, dental care, and rides to covered medical care when rules are met.
The fastest way to check is to use the DPHHS apply page, then apply through the state application portal if you want Medicaid, Healthy Montana Kids, SNAP, or TANF checked together. If your income is too high for Medicaid, use Cover Montana for free enrollment help with Marketplace plans.
These programs are not only for mothers. A child, pregnant person, father, grandparent caregiver, or other eligible adult can use the same official application paths.
If you need medical help now
- Call 911 or go to an emergency room if there is a serious injury, chest pain, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, labor, danger to yourself or someone else, or another emergency.
- Call or text 988 help if you or your child is in a mental health or suicide crisis. You can also call for support when you are overwhelmed and do not know what to do next.
- If you are pregnant, recently gave birth, or lost coverage, report the change through Medicaid member services so OPA can review pregnancy or postpartum coverage.
- If you are uninsured and need a clinic appointment, use the federal clinic finder. Community health centers use sliding fees and can see people with or without insurance.
Where to start
If you need coverage for yourself
Apply for Montana Medicaid. Adults 19 to 64 may qualify through Medicaid Expansion if income is within the state rules. Starting in July 2026, some expansion adults will have new check-ins and activity rules, so keep your address and phone number current.
If your child needs care
Apply for Healthy Montana Kids or HMK Plus. Children may qualify even when a parent does not. The HMK page explains medical, dental, eyeglasses, and related services.
If you are pregnant
Apply right away and report the pregnancy. Montana provides 12 months of postpartum coverage for eligible Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids members when OPA has the updated information.
If Medicaid says no
Check Marketplace coverage. HealthCare.gov says Medicaid and CHIP can be checked year-round, while Marketplace plans usually need Open Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period.
For a wider Montana benefits starting point, keep the Montana help guide open while you work through health, food, rent, child care, and emergency needs.
Quick reference table
| Need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Health coverage for an adult | Apply for Montana Medicaid or Marketplace help. | Income, household size, immigration status, age, disability, and pregnancy can change the result. |
| Coverage for a child | Apply for HMK or HMK Plus. | A child may qualify even if the parent is over the adult limit. |
| Pregnancy care | Report pregnancy and apply right away. | OPA must have the pregnancy or postpartum update to review extended coverage. |
| Care while uninsured | Call a community health center. | Sliding fees help, but appointments can still fill up fast in rural areas. |
| Ride to a Medicaid visit | Ask for approval before travel. | Transportation is not covered if you skip required prior approval. |
| Food and nutrition during pregnancy | Check WIC and SNAP. | WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid have different rules, so apply for each need. |
Montana Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids
Montana Medicaid and HMK Plus are health coverage programs for eligible low-income Montanans. Healthy Montana Kids is Montana’s CHIP program for children through age 18. Coverage can include medical care, hospital care, prescriptions, preventive care, pregnancy care, mental health care, dental care, eyeglasses for children, and other covered services when medically necessary.
Use ASMOM’s national Medicaid guide for a plain-language overview, but use Montana’s official pages for Montana rules. If you want a broader health-cost overview, ASMOM also has a general healthcare guide.
How to apply
- Apply online if you can. Save your confirmation number and screenshots.
- Call the Montana Public Assistance Helpline at 1-888-706-1535 if you need help, have no internet, or need to report a change.
- Use the OPA offices list if you need a local office, fax number, mailing details, or field office email.
- If you apply through HealthCare.gov, the Marketplace can send Medicaid or CHIP information to the state when the application shows someone may qualify.
Tip
Apply even if you are not sure. The state can check more than one category. Children, pregnancy, disability, age, and household changes can all affect the decision.
Income starting points
Do not use a table as a final answer. Montana counts income under program rules, and some income may not count. Still, the table below is a useful starting screen from Montana’s health coverage apply page. Check the current page before you make decisions.
| Family size | Adult 19-64 | Child 0-18 | Pregnant woman |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,769/month | $3,471/month | $2,088/month |
| 2 | $2,398/month | $4,707/month | $2,831/month |
| 3 | $3,028/month | $5,942/month | $3,574/month |
| 4 | $3,658/month | $7,178/month | $4,318/month |
| 5 | $4,287/month | $8,413/month | $5,061/month |
| 6 | $4,917/month | $9,648/month | $5,804/month |
If your income is close to the line, still apply. If your income is clearly above Medicaid, ask about Marketplace savings and local clinic sliding fees.
Pregnancy, postpartum, and family planning help
If you are pregnant, apply for coverage and report the pregnancy as soon as you can. Montana says postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids may be eligible for 12 months of continuous coverage, but OPA needs updated pregnancy or postpartum information to make the change.
If you do not need full Medicaid but need birth control or family planning care, check Montana’s Plan First page. Plan First is limited coverage, not full health insurance. Ask what it covers before you rely on it for a visit.
WIC can also help during pregnancy and after birth. For a plain-language overview, use ASMOM’s WIC guide, then use the official Montana WIC page for clinics and program steps.
If you do not qualify for Medicaid
Montana uses HealthCare.gov for Marketplace plans. The Marketplace dates page explains Open Enrollment and Special Enrollment Periods. Medicaid and CHIP can be checked any time of year, but Marketplace plans usually need Open Enrollment or a qualifying life event such as losing coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby.
HealthCare.gov’s Medicaid basics page explains how Medicaid, CHIP, and Marketplace applications connect. Cover Montana can help you compare plans, check savings, and find a local enrollment assister.
Watch out
Do not buy a plan just because it has a low monthly premium. Check doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, deductibles, and whether your child may be better served by HMK or HMK Plus.
Clinics and low-cost care while you wait
If you have no insurance, lost coverage, or are waiting for a decision, call a community health center and ask for a sliding-fee appointment. These clinics can help with primary care, women’s health, dental referrals, behavioral health, and help applying for coverage.
If you are American Indian or Alaska Native, you may also be able to use IHS, Tribal, or Urban Indian health services. The IHS Billings area page lists regional facilities and contacts. Rules can vary by tribe, clinic, Purchased/Referred Care status, and residence, so ask the clinic benefits office before specialty care.
Need broader local help too? ASMOM’s local resources guide explains how to use 211, Community Action, schools, and local nonprofits without treating them as guaranteed aid.
Extra help with health costs
| Help path | What it may help with | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid transportation | Rides, mileage, meals, or lodging for covered medical care when approved first. | Use the transportation page. |
| Adult Medicaid dental | Medically necessary dental services, with an annual treatment cap for many adults. | Check the Dental page. |
| HMK dental | Dental care for children in HMK, with program limits and provider availability rules. | Read the HMK dental page. |
| HIPP | Private insurance premium help when it is cost-effective for Medicaid. | Review the HIPP page. |
| CSHS | Help for eligible children and youth with special health care needs, subject to funding. | Start at the CSHS aid page. |
| WIC | Food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for pregnant women, babies, and young children. | Use Montana WIC. |
For more detail on related needs, see ASMOM pages on Montana transportation, dental help, and Medicaid dental.
Important 2026 Medicaid changes
Montana DPHHS says new federal rules will affect some adults in Medicaid Expansion starting in July 2026. The state’s Medicaid changes page says many adults may have more frequent eligibility checks and community engagement rules, unless an exclusion applies.
DPHHS lists some exclusions, including pregnant people and postpartum individuals up to 12 months, parents or caregivers of children under age 14, certain caregivers of people with disabilities, some American Indian and Alaska Native members, some medically frail people, and other groups. Guidance can change, so read every notice and ask the helpline what applies to your case.
Documents and information checklist
- Names, birth dates, address, phone number, and email for household members.
- Social Security numbers or immigration documents only for people applying.
- Recent pay stubs, employer letters, benefit letters, child support received, unemployment, or self-employment records.
- Current health insurance details, including employer coverage, COBRA, Medicare, or another plan.
- Pregnancy or postpartum information if this applies.
- Medical bills from recent months if you need to ask about past medical coverage.
- Proof of Montana address if the office asks for it.
Need a broader paperwork list for several programs? Use ASMOM’s documents checklist.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not reporting pregnancy, birth, income, address, or household changes.
- Ignoring mailed notices because the envelope looks routine.
- Paying for medical travel before getting transportation approval.
- Assuming your dentist, therapist, or specialist takes your plan without checking.
- Missing Marketplace deadlines after a Medicaid denial or loss of coverage.
- Using unofficial eligibility calculators as if they are final decisions.
What to do if denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
If your application is delayed, Montana’s health coverage FAQ says enrollment may take about 15 business days in the state system after a Marketplace transfer, but can take up to 45 days during busy periods. If it has been about six weeks and you have no notice, call the Public Assistance Helpline.
If you are denied, ask for the written denial and appeal rights. Check whether the decision used the right household size, income, pregnancy status, child information, and address. You can also ask Cover Montana to review Marketplace options if the denial means Medicaid is not available.
While you wait, look for care through community health centers, call 211 for local help, and check related ASMOM pages on Montana emergency help, Montana food help, Montana child care, Montana baby gear, and Montana housing help if health costs are part of a bigger crisis.
Phone scripts
Calling OPA about an application
“Hi, I applied for Medicaid or Healthy Montana Kids on [date]. My name is [name], and my case number is [number if you have it]. Can you tell me if anything is missing, what address you have for me, and when I should expect a notice?”
Reporting pregnancy or birth
“I need to report a pregnancy, birth, or postpartum change on my Medicaid or HMK case. What proof do you need, how should I send it, and will this be reviewed for 12 months of postpartum coverage?”
Calling for a ride
“I have a Medicaid-covered appointment on [date] at [clinic]. I need transportation approval before I travel. What information do you need, and how will I know the trip is approved?”
Calling a clinic uninsured
“I do not have insurance right now, or my application is pending. Do you offer sliding-fee appointments? What should I bring for income proof, and do you have help applying for Medicaid or Marketplace coverage?”
Resumen en español
Si vive en Montana y necesita seguro médico, empiece con Medicaid, Healthy Montana Kids o el Mercado de seguros. Puede solicitar ayuda por internet, por teléfono o con una oficina local. Si está embarazada o acaba de tener un bebé, reporte el cambio a OPA para que revisen su cobertura. Si no tiene seguro y necesita atención, llame a una clínica comunitaria y pregunte por tarifas según sus ingresos. Si recibe una carta de Medicaid, léala pronto y responda antes de la fecha límite.
FAQ
Can single mothers in Montana get Medicaid?
Yes, some can. Eligibility depends on income, household size, age, pregnancy, disability, immigration status, and other rules. The best way to know is to apply through Montana or HealthCare.gov.
Can my child qualify if I do not?
Yes. Children often have higher income limits through Healthy Montana Kids or HMK Plus. Apply for your child even if you think your own income is too high for adult Medicaid.
Does Montana Medicaid cover pregnancy after birth?
Montana provides 12 months of postpartum coverage for eligible Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids members. You should report pregnancy, birth, or postpartum changes to OPA right away.
Does Medicaid pay for rides to appointments?
Montana Medicaid may help with transportation for covered medical care, but approval is usually needed before travel. Call the transportation center before the appointment.
What if I am denied Medicaid?
Ask for the written denial and appeal information. Check for mistakes in income, household size, pregnancy status, and address. Then ask Cover Montana about Marketplace coverage if Medicaid is not available.
Where can I get care while uninsured?
Call a community health center and ask about sliding-fee care. Hospitals can treat emergencies, but a community clinic is often a better starting point for routine care, prescriptions, and follow-up visits.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.