Best Health Insurance in Montana (2026)

Key Takeaways

Mountain Health Co-Op offers the best PPO plans in Montana, while Blue Cross Blue Shield has the best POS plans and PacificSource has the best EPO plans.

Mountain Health Co-Op offers the cheapest health insurance in Montana while maintaining competitive deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.

Compare quotes from multiple insurers, review coverage limits and deductibles, and verify your doctors accept the plan before enrolling.

Best Health Insurance Companies in Montana

Blue Cross Blue Shield is the best health insurance company in Montana for POS plans, though they also offer competitive PPO plans in the state. Mountain Health Co-Op and PacificSource round out the top providers in the state.


Blue Cross Blue Shield	$663	$5,160	$2,568	5.0	Blue Focus Silver Pos℠ 206
Mountain Health Co-op	$593	$5,800	$5,800	5.0	Rocky Mountain Silver
PacificSource	$754	$5,729	$2,668	5.0	Core Silver 5000

*Our picks reflect the best companies for 40-year-olds seeking Silver-tier plans. Rates vary by age and coverage level.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$663
Average MOOP
$5,160
Average Deductible
$2,568

pros
- Offers both POS and PPO network options
- Low $813 deductibles on Gold plans
- HSA-eligible Bronze and Expanded Bronze plans
cons
- PPO plans have higher premiums than POS or EPO
- High $7,950 deductibles on Bronze level plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield provides Montana residents with both POS and PPO plan options across all metal tiers. POS plans deliver competitive pricing, with Gold featuring low $813 deductibles at $676 per month and Silver costing $663 per month with moderate $2,568 deductibles. Bronze POS plans start at $419 with HSA eligibility.

PPO options add nationwide out-of-network access but increase premiums $126-$162 monthly compared to POS equivalents. Gold POS pairs minimal deductibles with $6,400 out-of-pocket maximums. BCBS's dual network structure lets Montanans balance provider flexibility against costs, with POS offering the strongest value across all coverage tiers.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Montana health insurance plans for 2026:
Data filtered by:
Metal Level
Bronze
Plan Type
POS
Blue Focus Bronze Pos℠ 705 $419 POS Bronze $7,950 $7,950 Yes


Blue Focus Bronze Pos℠ 705	$419	POS	Bronze	$7,950	$7,950	Yes

Mountain Health CO-OP

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$593
Average MOOP
$5,800
Average Deductible
$5,800

pros
- Lowest premiums in the state
- PPO network structure offers broader provider choice
- Low $1,416 deductibles available on non-HSA Gold plan
cons
- Expanded Bronze deductibles reach $6,775 to $9,000
Mountain Health Co-Op offers PPO policies from Catastrophic through Gold tiers in Montana. Catastrophic coverage costs $325 monthly but requires a $10,600 deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Gold plans run $669-$753, with the lower option including $4,000 deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums plus HSA eligibility. Silver plans cost $593-$662 with moderate cost-sharing. Expanded Bronze costs $520-$521.

As a nonprofit cooperative, Mountain Health Co-op puts members ahead of shareholders while delivering PPO flexibility at rates near or below state averages. Best for Montana residents who want community-owned healthcare with nationwide out-of-network access.
Mountain Health Co-Op health insurance plans in Montana:
Data filtered by:
Metal Level
Catastrophic
Peak Ppo Catastrophic $325 PPO Catastrophic $10,600 $10,600 Yes


Peak Ppo Catastrophic	$325	PPO	Catastrophic	$10,600	$10,600	Yes

PacificSource Health Plans

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$754
Average MOOP
$5,729
Average Deductible
$2,668

pros
- EPO network allows specialist visits without referrals
- Gold plans feature low $1,313 deductibles
- HSA-eligible Bronze and Expanded Bronze options
cons
- Silver costs more than Gold at $754 vs. $744 monthly
- Bronze plans carry high $7,950 deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums
PacificSource brings Northwest regional coverage to Montana through EPO networks. Bronze plans start at $495 monthly, while Silver costs $754. Gold runs $744 with $1,313 deductibles and $5,888 out-of-pocket maximums. Silver carries a moderate $2,668 deductible at $754. Expanded Bronze costs $542 with HSA eligibility and $5,925 deductibles. The EPO structure lets you see specialists without referrals but requires in-network care. Best for Montana residents who want flexibility beyond HMO restrictions without paying PPO premiums.
PacificSource health insurance plans in Montana:
Data filtered by:
Metal Level
Bronze
Core Bronze Hsa 10600 $495 EPO Bronze $7,950 $7,950 Yes


Core Bronze Hsa 10600	$495	EPO	Bronze	$7,950	$7,950	Yes

Best Health Insurance in Montana by Category

The best health insurance in Montana varies by age and plan structure, making it important to compare options by category rather than focusing on a single provider. Based on Silver-tier plans, these insurers offer the best value within each age group and network type, highlighting the most competitive choices for Montana residents:

By Age:

Teens (18): Mountain Health Co-Op PPO ($473 monthly), Blue Cross Blue Shield POS ($474), PacificSource EPO ($538)
Young adults (26): Mountain Health Co-Op PPO ($530 monthly), Blue Cross Blue Shield POS ($531), PacificSource EPO ($604)
Adults (40): Mountain Health Co-Op PPO ($662 monthly), Blue Cross Blue Shield POS ($663), PacificSource EPO ($754)
Seniors (60): Mountain Health Co-Op PPO ($1,405 monthly), Blue Cross Blue Shield POS ($1,408), PacificSource EPO ($1,600)

By Network Type (40-year-olds):

PPO: Mountain Health is the best option for PPO plans at $662 monthly
POS: Blue Cross Blue Shield leads the POS market with a $663 average monthly premium
EPO: PacificSource is the best EPO provider in the state at an average of $754 monthly

Compare Montana Health Insurance Providers

Health insurance costs vary between providers and metal tiers in Montana. The comparison table below breaks down plans by age, plan type, coverage level and HSA eligibility to help you find suitable options.

Data filtered by:


PacificSource	$754	EPO	Silver	$5,729	$2,668	40	No
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$663	POS	Silver	$5,160	$2,568	40	No
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$825	PPO	Silver	$5,367	$2,168	40	No
Mountain Health Co-op	$662	PPO	Silver	$6,886	$4,683	40	No

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in Montana

Finding the right health insurance in Montana involves comparing your specific coverage needs, researching insurer reputations and exploring available enrollment options.

1
Assess your health care needs
Review your current medications, planned procedures and how often you visit doctors to determine which coverage level makes sense. Past medical expenses help predict future costs and guide your deductible choice.
2
Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Request rates from at least three Montana health insurance companies to spot price differences and coverage variations.
3
Check provider networks
Verify your preferred doctors, specialists and hospitals accept plans you're considering. Out-of-network care costs more and may require full payment upfront.
4
Review out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles
Higher deductibles lower monthly premiums but increase upfront costs when you need care. Your MOOP caps annual expenses, limiting your total costs.
5
Evaluate plan types
HMOs, PPOs, EPOs and POS plans each offer different trade-offs. HMOs require referrals but cost less, while PPOs offer flexibility to see specialists without approval at higher premiums. EPOs and POS plans fall between these options.
6
Explore federal programs
Subsidies and Medicare plans make health insurance more affordable. If you have a low income, a qualifying disability or are 65 or older, explore Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement options.

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Montana?

Montana health insurance costs vary by plan type, metal tier, age and location. POS plans offer the most affordable coverage, with Bronze plans averaging $419 monthly and Gold averaging $676. EPO plans range from $495 monthly for Bronze to $744 for Gold. PPO plans start at $532 for Expanded Bronze plans and increase to $720 for Gold plans.


PPO	No Data	532	655	720
POS	$419	468	663	676
EPO	$495	542	754	744

*Rates are averages for 40-year-olds in Montana. Your rates will vary based on your age and location.

Best Health Insurance in Montana: Bottom Line

Blue Cross Blue Shield, Mountain Health Co-Op and PacificSource are the best health insurance companies in Montana today. The right plan for you depends on your age, budget, health needs and preferred network type. Getting quotes from multiple insurers helps you compare premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums before you enroll.

Best Montana Health Insurance: FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions about the best health insurance in Montana:

Is health insurance required in Montana?

No, Montana doesn't require residents to have health insurance. The state has no individual mandate or tax penalty for being uninsured. While exemptions for financial hardship and religious beliefs exist in other states with mandates, they don't apply here. Montana residents can still access federal subsidies through the health insurance marketplace.

When is open enrollment in Montana?

Montana's open enrollment period for 2026 health coverage begins November 1, 2025, and ends January 31, 2026. You need to select your plan by December 31, 2025, to have coverage start January 1, 2026.

Can you get free health insurance in Montana?

Yes, Montana residents can access free health insurance through Medicaid if they meet income requirements. Many others qualify for premium subsidies through the federal marketplace that reduce monthly costs or eliminate them entirely for eligible households.

Our Review Methodology

Our ranking system evaluates health insurance plans based on three key cost factors: monthly premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits.

Scoring methodology:

Monthly premium (60%): Plans with the cheapest average monthly costs receive top ratings.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) score (20%): MOOP is the most you'll pay for covered services in a year, not including premiums. Insurers with lower MOOP limits earn better scores.
Deductible (20%): Your deductible is the amount you pay for covered services before insurance starts paying. Plans with lower deductibles score higher.

We standardized all scores within each plan category. The best-performing Silver-tier HMO plan receives a 5.0 rating, with other plans scored relative to this benchmark.

MoneyGeek examined all 2026 health insurance options available to Montana residents ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Premium costs reflect 40-year-old rates unless stated otherwise. Our analysis covers Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum metal tiers.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

Read Full Bio »

Best Health Insurance in Montana (2026)

Best Health Insurance Companies in Montana

Best Health Insurance in Montana by Category

Compare Montana Health Insurance Providers

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in Montana

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Montana?

Best Health Insurance in Montana: Bottom Line

Best Montana Health Insurance: FAQ

Is health insurance required in Montana?

When is open enrollment in Montana?

Can you get free health insurance in Montana?

Our Review Methodology

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