Nursing Homes and Senior Care in Montana

Nursing Homes by City in Montana

The Montana cities with the most CMS-certified nursing homes. All 43 cities are listed below the table. Homes in Montana average 4.0 hours of nursing care per resident per day; the national median is 3.7 hours.

5-Star Nursing Homes in Montana

Homes with CMS's top overall rating, ordered by inspection rating. See all highest-rated nursing homes in Montana.

Assisted Living in Montana

Licensure Bureau, Office of Inspector General, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services licenses assisted living in Montana. License types: Assisted Living Facility, Category A, Assisted Living Facility, Category B, Assisted Living Facility, Category C and Assisted Living Facility, Category D. Use the state's search to check a community's license and inspection history.

• Montana assisted living facility search
• Montana assisted living rules
• Montana assisted living licensing (Licensure Bureau, Office of Inspector General, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services)

Memory Care Rules in Montana

Montana's term is "Assisted Living Facility, Category C (residents with severe cognitive impairment)", a separate license or certification. Facilities must give families a written disclosure of their dementia care services.

• A category C resident has a severe cognitive impairment that renders the resident incapable of expressing needs or of making basic care decisions, and may be at risk for leaving the facility without regard for personal safety (MCA 50-5-226(4)).
• A single facility meeting category A requirements may additionally be licensed to provide category C services with the approval of the department (MCA 50-5-227(4)(a)).
• Category C facilities must meet ARM 37.106.2801 through 37.106.2885 and ARM 37.106.2891 through 37.106.2898 (ARM 37.106.2803).
• The administrator must have three or more years of experience in geriatrics or caring for disabled residents in a licensed facility, or an equivalent combination of education and training; at least eight of the 16 hours of annual continuing education must pertain to caring for persons with severe cognitive impairments (ARM 37.106.2891).
• Direct care staff must receive additional documented training in the unit's care philosophy, care for residents unable to perform activities of daily living, minimizing challenging behavior (wandering; hallucinations, illusions and delusions; impairment of senses), therapeutic programming, resident dignity and choice, safety risks, medication side effects, and bowel and bladder behaviors (ARM 37.106.2892).
• Staff must remain awake, fully dressed and available in the facility or on the unit at all times (ARM 37.106.2892(2)).
• Within 21 days of admission, a written health care plan must address memory, judgement, ability to care for oneself, problem solving, mood and character changes, behavioral patterns, wandering and dietary needs (ARM 37.106.2895).
• Before admission, the facility must inform the resident's legal representative in writing of its philosophy and mission for residents with severe cognitive impairment, move-in, transfer and discharge criteria, assessment and care planning processes, staff training, physical environment and design features, frequency and type of activities, expected family involvement and support programs, and any additional costs or fees (ARM 37.106.2896).
• If a secured distinct part or locked unit is designated for residents with severe cognitive impairment, the facility must staff the unit with direct care staff at all times residents are present and provide a separate dining area and a common day or activities area, each at 30 square feet per resident (ARM 37.106.2898).

• Montana memory care rules

Medicaid Long-Term Care in Montana

Montana's Medicaid program is Montana Medicaid. For nursing home Medicaid (2026), the state lists an income limit of Otherwise eligible institutionalized individuals and spouses are income-eligible for nursing home coverage so long as their monthly nursing home costs equal or exceed their monthly income (ABD 013, effective 07/01/2026). and an asset limit of Aged, blind and disabled programs (categorically needy and medically needy): Individual $2,000; Couple $3,000 (effective July 1, 2001, CMA 001 Table of Standards). Residents keep a personal needs allowance of $50 personal needs allowance (ABD 805-2 Post Eligibility Treatment of Income, effective 07/01/2026).

• Big Sky Waiver Program: in-home care, adult day, assisted living and respite. Recipient must be financially eligible for Medicaid and meet the minimum level of care requirements for nursing facility placement. Currently, there are waiting lists for the Big Sky Waiver Program. Referrals go to Mountain Pacific Quality Health at 1-800-219-7035.
• Community First Choice Services and Personal Care Services (CFCS/PCS): in-home care. Must have a health condition that limits activities of daily living, participate in screening and be eligible for Medicaid; CFCS also requires a nursing home level of care.

• Montana Medicaid nursing facility coverage
• Montana Medicaid long-term care limits

Nursing Home Inspections and Complaints in Montana

Certification Bureau, Office of Inspector General, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services inspects nursing homes in Montana for CMS. To file a complaint, call (406) 444-2099 or use the state's complaint page.

• Montana nursing home inspection lookup
• File a nursing home complaint in Montana

Montana Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The Montana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a free, confidential advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. Ombudsmen help with complaints, residents' rights and problems with care. Call (800) 332-2272.

• Contact the Montana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Aging Services and Caregiver Support in Montana

Aging Services Bureau, Senior and Long Term Care Division, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (designated State Unit on Aging) runs Montana's aging services, delivered through local Area Agencies on Aging. Family caregivers can get help through Montana Lifespan Respite Coalition. Adult day services are licensed or certified by Licensure Bureau, Office of Inspector General, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

• Montana aging services: Aging Services Bureau, Senior and Long Term Care Division, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (designated State Unit on Aging)
• Area Agencies on Aging in Montana
• Caregiver support in Montana: Montana Lifespan Respite Coalition
• Montana adult day services

Guides for Your Next Step

See how to choose a nursing home, what memory care is, how Medicaid pays for nursing home care and what Medicare covers. For local help, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

Frequently Asked Questions