Health Insurance Costs In Montana Set To Surge Next Year

Montanans Face Rising Costs On All Fronts

Treasure State residents have been feeling the financial walls starting to close in on them due to property tax increases across the state and the rising cost of everyday goods.

Now it's only going to get worse, as health insurance here in Montana could end up costing you an extra 30% or more starting next year.

Insurance Companies Request Major Rate Hikes

According to the Montana Free Press, health insurance providers under the Big Sky have requested a double-digit increase to begin in 2026.

Those who purchase their health insurance from the federal Marketplace are the ones who will be affected by this increase.

Mountain Health Cooperative has proposed a 25% increase, but the largest increase request is from the biggest insurance provider in the state.

Why Health Insurance Is Getting More Expensive

Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Montana's largest insurer, has asked for a rate increase of 28%, but certain plans could push that increase up to 33%.

One of the biggest reasons for the increase, not just in Montana but in every state across America, is due to the fact that pandemic-era tax credits, which made plans affordable for millions, are set to expire next year.

Those subsidies were cancelled after the Big Beautiful Bill was passed in July, and now that could increase consumer insurance costs across the board by 75%, according to analysis by Peterson-KFF.

Olivia Riutta, the director of population health at the Montana Primary Care Association, advised the Montana Free Press that all Montanans using the federal Marketplace should update their applications and explore all available options to find plans that meet their needs and budgets.