Home Care in Montana

The average starting cost of home care in Montana is $37 per hour, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. Based on our ranking methodology, the top-rated home care agencies in Montana are SYNERGY HomeCare of Billings, MT, Cornerstone Caregiving - Bozeman, MT or Qualicare Big Sky. Home care can help older adults stay in familiar surroundings while receiving support with daily routines, companionship, and personal care. From Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, Helena, and Kalispell to smaller communities across the state, many families look for reliable caregivers, flexible schedules, and services that fit their loved one’s comfort level.

Home care provides nonmedical support with everyday activities, such as bathing, dressing, preparing meals, light housekeeping, and companionship. This is different from home health care, which includes medical services provided by licensed health professionals. Some companies offer both, but A Place for Mom’s network includes nonmedical home care providers. A Place for Mom partners with 21 home care agencies in Montana to help families compare local options.

Home care in Montana costs $37 per hour, compared with the national rate of $32. ^[01] Rates can vary across the state, with costs in Bozeman generally trending higher than in markets such as Billings and Kalispell. The amount a family pays will also depend on the services their loved one needs, their care schedule, and the agency they choose.

Monthly costs mostly depend on the number of care hours your loved one receives. A lighter schedule may work for companionship, meal prep, errands, or help around the house. A fuller schedule may be needed if your loved one needs daily help with bathing, dressing, mobility, or other personal care. The following costs are estimated based on the average hourly rate in Montana:

• Part-time care (20 hours/week): $3,178 per month
• Full-time care (44 hours/week): $6,991 per month

Several things can affect the cost of home care in Montana, including:

• How much help your loved one needs
• Support for dementia or other specialized needs
• Evening, overnight, weekend, or holiday care
• 24-hour or live-in care
• Caregiver training and experience
• Where your loved one lives in Montana
• Agency minimum hour requirements

Families in Montana often use private funds, public benefits, or a combination of both to pay for nonmedical home care. Depending on eligibility, VA benefits or Montana Medicaid programs such as Community First Choice Services, Personal Care Services, and the Big Sky Waiver may help cover some in-home support.

Private pay options

Many Montana families start with private pay because it gives them more choice over the agency, schedule, and type of support their loved one receives. Common private payment sources include:

• Social Security benefits
• Savings, investments, or pensions
• Proceeds from selling a home, real estate, or personal property
• Long-term care insurance
• Certain kinds of life insurance policies
• Reverse mortgages

Families may use one source of money or pull from several, depending on how often their loved one needs care. For example, long-term care insurance may help with some in-home care costs, and Social Security benefits can be part of a broader monthly care budget.

VA benefits

For veterans and surviving spouses in Montana, benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may help make care at home more affordable. Depending on the program, this support may include assistance with daily activities or additional pension payments that families can use toward care.

Veterans enrolled in VA health care may qualify for in-home and community-based services, including:^[02,03,04]

• Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care, which can help with bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and other daily needs
• Respite Care, which gives family caregivers a short break while their loved one receives care

Eligibility depends on the veteran’s needs, and the availability of services may vary by location. Some veterans may also have a copay.

VA Aid and Attendance provides additional monthly pension payments to eligible veterans and survivors who need help with daily activities or are largely confined to their homes. Families may be able to use these additional funds toward the cost of nonmedical home care.^[05]

Montana families can contact the Montana Veteran Affairs Division for help understanding available benefits and connecting with a local Veteran Service Officer.^[06]

Read more: Home Care Options for Veterans: Eligibility and Services

Montana Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps eligible people pay for health care and long-term services. In Montana, the program is called Montana Medicaid. It may help eligible residents pay for nonmedical support at home through Community First Choice Services, Personal Care Services, and the Big Sky Waiver.

For help with nonmedical care at home, Montana has a few Medicaid options that may apply. Community First Choice Services and Personal Care Services provide long-term support for people whose health conditions make everyday activities difficult. To qualify, a person must be eligible for Montana Medicaid and complete a screening. Community First Choice Services also requires a nursing home level of care, meaning the person’s needs are significant enough that they might otherwise require care in a nursing facility.^[07]

Depending on the person’s approved care plan, Community First Choice Services and Personal Care Services may help with:^[10]

• Bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting
• Eating and meal preparation
• Mobility and approved exercises
• Escort to medical appointments
• Limited grocery shopping, housekeeping, and laundry

Community First Choice Services may also provide additional supports, such as community integration, personal emergency response systems, and removal of yard hazards that prevent safe access to the home.^[10]

Montana’s Big Sky Waiver is another option for people whose needs are significant enough that they could otherwise qualify for nursing facility care but want to remain at home or in the community. To qualify, a person must meet Montana Medicaid’s financial and level-of-care requirements and have a need that can be addressed through waiver services. The program currently has a waiting list.^[11]

Big Sky Waiver services that may help someone remain at home include:^[11]

• Homemaker services
• Personal assistance
• Respite care
• Transportation
• Environmental adaptations
• Personal emergency response systems

Some Big Sky Waiver participants may be able to receive approved in-home services from a family member or spouse. The caregiver must meet program requirements and be employed through a provider agency or an approved self-directed arrangement.^[12]

Read more: Medicaid Home Health Care and Nonmedical Home Care: Your Questions, Answered

Medicare

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for adults 65 and older and certain younger people with disabilities. It may cover limited nonmedical assistance, such as help with bathing, dressing, or toileting, when the person is also receiving qualifying skilled nursing or therapy through Medicare’s home health benefit. However, Medicare generally doesn’t cover ongoing personal care, companionship, meal preparation, or housekeeping when those are the only services your loved one needs.^[13]

Read more: Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care?

Montana doesn’t license private-pay nonmedical home care agencies, sometimes called personal care agencies. Providers that receive Montana Medicaid reimbursement must follow separate program requirements, while home health agencies that provide medical services are licensed by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). Because A Place for Mom’s network consists of nonmedical home care providers, the information below focuses on the rules that apply to those agencies.

Does Montana require home care agencies to have a license?

Montana does not require private-pay nonmedical home care agencies to be licensed through the state’s home health agency process. However, home health agencies that provide skilled medical services must be licensed through DPHHS.^[14]

Does Montana conduct inspections of home care agencies?

No. Montana doesn’t conduct licensing inspections of private-pay nonmedical home care agencies because these providers aren’t licensed by the state. Home health agencies that provide skilled medical services are licensed and inspected through DPHHS, but those requirements don’t apply to private-pay nonmedical home care agencies.^[14]

What are hiring practices for home care agencies in Montana?

Montana doesn’t license private-pay nonmedical home care agencies or set statewide training requirements for the caregivers they employ. Because screening, onboarding, and training practices may vary by provider, families should ask each agency how it evaluates caregivers before they begin working with clients.

Different requirements apply to personal care attendants employed by agencies that receive Montana Medicaid reimbursement. These attendants must complete 16 hours of training, demonstrate competency in 10 areas, and receive eight hours of continuing education each year. The initial training must be provided by a licensed nurse and include a competency evaluation.^[15]

When comparing private-pay agencies, ask about background checks, reference checks, caregiver training, supervision, and how the agency handles complaints, missed visits, or requests for a different caregiver.

Choosing a home care agency in Montana is easier when you know what to ask before services begin. The right agency should be clear about what kind of care it provides, how caregivers are screened, and how your loved one’s care plan will be managed. Here are some important things to consider during your search:

• Review caregiver training. Ask what training caregivers complete before providing care and whether they receive ongoing education.
• Read reviews and testimonials. Look for patterns in feedback about reliability, communication, compassion, and caregiver consistency.
• Request clear pricing information. Ask about hourly rates, weekly minimums, weekend rates, holiday rates, overnight care, cancellation fees, and any extra charges.
• Confirm available services. Make sure the agency can help with your loved one’s needs, such as companionship, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, transportation, or dementia support.
• Ask how care is supervised. Find out who updates the care plan, how often supervisors check in, and whom your family should contact if something changes.
• Meet potential caregivers. A good personality fit can help your loved one feel more comfortable accepting help at home.

A Place for Mom helps families compare home care agencies and find providers that match their loved one’s care needs, budget, and preferences. In states that require nonmedical home care licensing, A Place for Mom verifies licensing twice per year for agencies in its network.

Read more: How to Choose a Home Care Agency