Last updated: June 21, 2026
Medical information only
This guide gives general information about health coverage and health-cost help in Montana. It is not medical, legal, tax, disability, or government-agency advice. For medical symptoms, treatment choices, pregnancy concerns, disability decisions, or emergencies, contact a qualified provider, clinic, hospital, public agency, or crisis line.
Bottom line
If you are a single mother, single parent, pregnant mother, grandparent caregiver, or low-income family 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 start is the Montana health coverage page. If you also want SNAP, TANF, or other public assistance checked, use the state application portal or call the Public Assistance Helpline at 1-888-706-1535. If your income is too high for Medicaid, Cover Montana can help you compare Marketplace plans and find free enrollment help.
These programs are not only for mothers. Children, pregnant people, fathers, grandparent caregivers, people with disabilities, and other eligible adults can use the same official application paths. For a broader benefits map, keep ASMOM’s Montana help guide open while you work through health, food, housing, and child care needs.
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 crisis help if you or your child is in a mental health, suicide, substance-use, or emotional crisis.
- If you are pregnant, recently gave birth, or lost coverage, report the change through member services so the Office of Public Assistance can review pregnancy or postpartum coverage.
- If you are uninsured and need care soon, use the federal clinic finder. Community health centers can see people with or without insurance and may use sliding fees.
Where to start
Start with the person who needs care most urgently. A child may qualify even if a parent does not. A pregnant person may fit different rules than another adult. A caregiver for a child with a disability may need Medicaid, disability supports, school help, and clinic referrals at the same time.
If you need coverage
Apply for Montana Medicaid. Adults 19 to 64 may qualify through Medicaid Expansion if income and other rules are met.
If your child needs care
Apply for Healthy Montana Kids or HMK Plus. Montana says HMK covers eligible children up to age 19.
If you are pregnant
Apply and report the pregnancy. Montana says eligible postpartum members can get 12 months of continuous coverage.
If Medicaid says no
Ask Cover Montana about Marketplace plans. A Medicaid denial or loss may open a Special Enrollment Period.
For a plain-English national overview, see ASMOM’s Medicaid guide. If pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, or newborn needs are part of the problem, use the pregnancy help guide too.
Quick reference
| Need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Adult health coverage | Apply for Medicaid or Marketplace help. | Income, household size, age, disability, pregnancy, and immigration rules matter. |
| Child coverage | Apply for HMK or HMK Plus. | A child may qualify even when the parent does not. |
| Pregnancy care | Report pregnancy and apply right away. | OPA must have the update to review pregnancy or postpartum coverage. |
| Care while uninsured | Call a community health center. | Sliding fees can help, but appointments may fill fast in rural areas. |
| Ride to care | Ask before the appointment. | Medicaid transportation usually needs approval before travel. |
| Food and nutrition | Check WIC and SNAP. | WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid have different rules. |
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 eligible children up to age 19. The HMK page says covered services can include medical, dental, eyeglasses, and other related services when rules are met.
Montana’s member services page lists standard Medicaid and HMK Plus benefits such as doctor, hospital, and emergency services; maternity and newborn care; mental health and substance-use treatment; prescription drugs; dental care; transportation to appointments; vision care; and other covered services when medically necessary.
How to apply
- Apply online if you can, and save your confirmation number.
- Call 1-888-706-1535 if you need help applying, have no internet, need to report a change, or need a replacement card.
- Use the Public Assistance offices list if you need a local office, fax number, mailing address, or field office email.
- If you apply through HealthCare.gov, the Marketplace can send Medicaid or CHIP information to Montana when someone in the household 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 answer.
Income starting points
Do not use an income table as a final answer. Montana counts income under program rules, and some income may not count. The table below is a starting screen from Montana’s official health coverage apply page, checked on June 21, 2026. The state page labels these as approximate monthly income amounts for 2025, so always confirm through the current application.
| 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, apply anyway. If your income is clearly above Medicaid, ask about Marketplace savings, employer coverage, tribal or IHS care, and sliding-fee clinics.
Pregnancy, postpartum, and family planning
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. OPA must have updated pregnancy or postpartum information to review the extension.
If you do not need full Medicaid but need family planning care, check Montana’s Plan First page. Plan First is limited coverage for family planning services. It is not full health insurance, so ask what it covers before using it for a visit.
WIC can also help during pregnancy and after birth. Montana WIC services can include food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals. For food help in the home, see ASMOM’s Montana food help page.
If you do not qualify for Medicaid
Montana uses HealthCare.gov for Marketplace plans. The Marketplace deadlines page says January 15 is the last day to enroll in or change Marketplace plans for the year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Medicaid and CHIP can be checked any time of year.
Cover Montana can help you compare plans, check savings, and find a local enrollment assister. Its coverage help page says loss of Medicaid or Healthy Montana Kids can trigger a Special Enrollment Period, and many SEPs have short deadlines. Do not wait if you receive a denial or closure notice.
Watch out
Do not pick a plan only because the monthly premium looks low. Check doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, deductibles, copays, mental health care, pregnancy care, 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, behavioral health, referrals, prescriptions, 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.
If health costs are part of a bigger crisis, use ASMOM’s Montana emergency help page for food, rent, utility, shelter, and local referrals.
Extra help with health costs
| Help path | What it may help with | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid rides | Transportation, mileage, meals, or lodging for covered care when approved first. | Use the transportation page. |
| Adult dental | Medically necessary dental and denturist services, with limits for many adults. | Check the dental page. |
| Children’s dental | Dental care for children, with provider and program rules. | Ask HMK or a Medicaid dental provider. |
| Plan First | Limited family planning services for eligible people. | Use Plan First. |
| CSHS | Help for some children and youth with special health care needs. | Start at CSHS assistance. |
| WIC | Food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals. | Use Montana WIC. |
For related next steps, see ASMOM’s Montana transportation, dental help, and special-needs help guides.
Important 2026 Medicaid changes
Montana DPHHS says new federal rules beginning in July 2026 will change how some adults apply for and keep Medicaid coverage. The state Medicaid changes page says the changes mostly affect adults covered through Medicaid Expansion.
Many expansion adults may have more frequent eligibility checks and community engagement rules. DPHHS says adults age 19 to 64 must complete 80 hours each month of approved activities unless an exclusion applies. Listed exclusions include people who are pregnant or postpartum up to 12 months, caregivers for children under age 14 or people with disabilities, some American Indian and Alaska Native members, former foster youth under 26, people meeting SNAP or TANF work rules, and others.
Read every notice. Keep your address, phone number, and email current. If you think an exclusion applies, ask how to report it and what proof is needed.
Documents and information checklist
You do not need every paper before you ask for help, but a folder can prevent delays. For a wider list, use ASMOM’s documents checklist.
| What to gather | Why it matters | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Household details | Used to decide who is applying and household size. | Names, birth dates, address, phone, email. |
| Identity numbers | Needed only for people applying. | Social Security numbers or immigration documents. |
| Income proof | Used to decide Medicaid, HMK, and Marketplace help. | Pay stubs, employer letters, benefit letters, self-employment records. |
| Current coverage | Helps avoid gaps and wrong plan choices. | Employer insurance, COBRA, Medicare, another plan. |
| Pregnancy or birth update | Needed for pregnancy or postpartum review. | Due date, birth date, pregnancy statement, postpartum update. |
| Medical bills | May help if asking about past coverage or clinic aid. | Bills from recent months, collection letters, payment plans. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not reporting pregnancy, birth, income, address, or household changes.
- Ignoring notices because the envelope looks routine.
- Missing a Marketplace deadline after a Medicaid denial or closure.
- Paying for medical travel before getting transportation approval.
- Assuming your dentist, therapist, or specialist takes your plan without checking.
- Using unofficial eligibility calculators as final decisions.
- Not asking about appeal rights when a denial looks wrong.
What to do if denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
If your application is delayed, call the Public Assistance Helpline and ask what is missing, what address is on the case, and when a notice was sent. If you applied through HealthCare.gov, ask whether the application was transferred to Montana and whether the state needs more proof.
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, disability information, and address. Montana’s Medicaid changes page says adverse-action notices include appeal instructions, and formal appeals go through the Office of Administrative Hearings.
If you lose Medicaid or HMK, call Cover Montana quickly because a Special Enrollment Period may be time-limited. While you wait, use clinics, local health departments, 211, and hospital financial assistance offices for urgent needs. If a denial, delay, or closure is part of a wider benefits problem, use ASMOM’s benefits problem guide.
If disability is part of your case, also check ASMOM’s SSI and SSDI guide. If health costs are crowding out rent, food, or child care, review Montana child care and Montana housing next.
Phone scripts
Calling OPA
“Hi, I applied for Medicaid or Healthy Montana Kids on [date]. My name is [name], and my case number is [number if I have it]. Can you tell me what is missing, what address you have, 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 my case 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 can you help me apply 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. Si le niegan cobertura, pida la carta por escrito y pregunte por sus derechos de apelación.
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 says eligible postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids can receive 12 months of continuous coverage. 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, disability information, 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 June 21, 2026, next review September 21, 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.