Assisted Living in Missoula, MT

Assisted Living Costs in Missoula

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, Missoula offers the most expensive assisted living care in the state of Montana. In this city, seniors pay a monthly average of $4,738 for assisted living care. This is significantly more expensive than the Montana average of $3,919 per month. Other major metropolitan areas in Montana, such as Great Falls ($3,350) and Billings ($3,970), offer care that is more affordable than Missoula. This city’s care is also much pricier than the national average of $4,000 per month.

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Missoula: $4,738
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $3,919
• Billings: $3,970
• Great Falls: $3,350

Care Cost Comparison

In Missoula, as in the rest of Montana, the cost of senior care will vary based on the type of care a senior needs. The most expensive care option in Missoula is nursing home care, which costs over $4,000 more per month than assisted living. Adult day health care, the most affordable option in the city, is approximately half the price of assisted living care. In-home senior care options, such as homemaker services and home health aides, cost about the same as assisted living care; however, seniors who opt for these in-home options should remember the additional costs associated with staying at home, such as utilities and home maintenance. 

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $4,738
• Homemaker services: $4,719
• Home health aide: $4,719
• Adult day health: $2,552
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $8,821

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Missoula

Medicaid in Montana

Medicaid is a government-run program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income people, including seniors, pregnant women and people with disabilities. Each state operates its own Medicaid program, so the benefits available to participants will vary depending on where they live.

Montana Medicaid, the state’s Medicaid program, covers an assortment of benefits, such as doctor visits, home health services, mental health treatment, rehabilitative services and hospital and emergency services. Participants in Montana Medicaid may be required to pay a co-payment, depending on the services they are receiving and their annual household income.

Seniors who live in Missoula may be eligible for coverage through Montana Medicaid if they meet certain requirements. They must be 65 years of age or older, have a need for health care and have a low income. For single seniors, the Medicaid income limit is $12,140 per year before taxes. For couples, the limit is $16,460. To apply for Montana Medicaid, seniors can complete an online application. They can also apply over the phone by calling (800) 318-2596. 

Seniors who do not meet these income standards may still be able to qualify for Medicaid through the Medically Needy program. Participants in this program may have an obligation to spend down their income to the Medically Needy net income level. For single seniors and couples, this is $525 per month. Seniors can meet their spend down obligation by paying their medical bills, paying their surplus income to the state or through a combination of these methods.

The Montana Big Sky Waiver program is a Medicaid waiver that may help seniors pay for assisted living care. This program is offered to seniors who have a medical need for nursing facility placement but who would prefer to live at home or in an assisted living facility.

While this waiver program does not pay for room and board costs, it may pay for some of the services provided in assisted living facilities. The services covered by this waiver program include adult residential living, homemaker services, personal assistance, private duty nursing and specially trained attendants. This program is not an entitlement, and there is a waiting list before seniors can receive services.

Seniors must be financially eligible for Medicaid coverage to participate in this waiver program. They must also have one or more unmet medical needs that cannot be resolved without receiving Big Sky services. Seniors can find out if they are eligible for this program by visiting their local Office of Public Assistance.

In Missoula, this office is located at:
2677 Palmer, Suite 100
Missoula MT 59808

Seniors who have questions about the program can call the Montana Public Assistance Helpline at (888) 706-1535.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Optional State Supplement

Seniors who receive federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments and reside in assisted living facilities may be eligible to receive additional funding from the state of Montana. This funding, known as the optional state supplement (OSS), provides an additional monthly payment on top of the senior’s regular SSI payments. Single seniors can receive up to $94 per month from OSS, while couples may receive as much as $193 per month.

To be eligible for OSS, seniors must live in an assisted living facility and be SSI-eligible. Seniors are eligible for SSI if they are 65 years of age or older and have limited income and resources. A senior’s SSI benefit is determined by deducting their countable income from the federal benefit rate ($750), so seniors must have an income below this rate to receive benefits. Single seniors can have up to $2,000 in resources, while the limit for couples is $3,000.

To apply for SSI benefits or learn more about OSS, seniors can visit their local Social Security office. They can also call (800) 772-1213 to make an appointment to apply for benefits. This appointment can occur in person or over the phone.

Veterans Affairs Aid and Assistance

Eligible veterans and surviving spouses may be able to receive monthly assistance through the Veterans Affairs Aid and Assistance program. This program provides an increased monthly pension amount to seniors who are already receiving a VA pension. Seniors can use this funding to help pay for the costs of room and board in assisted living communities.

To receive this increased pension benefit, seniors must be eligible for a VA pension. They must also require assistance with some activities of daily living, be bedridden, live in a nursing home or be legally blind. Seniors can apply for this benefit by visiting their local VA benefits office. They may also submit a written request to the Pension Management Center at the address below:

St. Paul VA Regional Office
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention:  St. Paul Pension Center
P.O. BOX 5365 
Janesville, WI  53547-5365
Fax: (844) 655-1604

Seniors who have questions about this program can call (844) 698-2311 to speak to a Department of Veterans Affairs representative.

Assisted Living Resources in Missoula

Social Security

Seniors can visit their local Social Security office to learn more about the benefits and services they may be eligible for. They can also apply in-person for benefits or check the status of their application.

Missoula Social Security Office 
3701 American Way, Missoula, MT 59808
(866) 931-9029

Area Agency on Aging

Seniors can visit their local AAA to receive information, resources and support. Resource specialists help seniors understand the programs and services available to them, including Medicaid, Medicare and long-term care. Seniors can receive referrals to over 550 community resources through the AAA.

Missoula Aging Services 
337 Stephens Ave, Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-7682

Senior Centers

Missoula seniors can visit the city’s senior center for daily activities and socialization opportunities. The center’s activities include yoga classes, board games, crafting groups, bus trips and daily lunches.

Missoula Senior Center 
705 S Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 543-7154

Veterans Affairs

The Missoula area offers several veterans resources for seniors. Veterans who require medical treatment can visit one of the city’s two VA clinics. They can also visit the closest VA hospital, which is located in Fort Harrison.

Missoula Vet Center 
910 Brooks St, Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 721-4918

David J Thatcher VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic 
2687 Palmer St, Ste C, Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 493-3700

Fort Harrison VA Medical Center 
3687 Veterans Dr, Fort Harrison, MT 59636
(877) 468-8387

Fort Harrison Regional Benefits Office 
3633 Veterans Dr, Fort Harrison, MT 59636
(844) 698-2311