Montana’s Trusted Medicare Insurance Guide — Serving Clients Nationwide
Your Medicare Coverage — Your Way
Whether you’re in Billings, the Hi-Line, Great Falls, Missoula, Helena, or anywhere across America, we help you compare Medicare plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and prescription drug plans that fit your needs and budget.
At Old Western Insurance, we work with multiple carriers and Medicare coverage options, so you choose how your healthcare is covered — not the insurance companies. We’re proud to help seniors, retirees, and families nationwide find Affordable Medicare Insurance they can trust.
We Believe in Guiding You Through Every Step of Your Medicare Journey
Turning 65 or qualifying due to disability? We help you get set up with Medicare and Medicaid and walk you through all your Medicare coverage options — clearly, simply, and with no pressure.
Decide on the right strategy for you: compare Medicare Advantage plans and the best Medicare Supplement plans in Montana to see which fits your health and budget best.
Fill the gaps with Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), Dental & Vision coverage, Hospital Indemnity, Long-Term Care, and Heart Attack, Stroke, or Cancer payout insurance — so you’re protected from unexpected costs.
Your consultation is always no cost and no obligation — and you’re welcome to bring a spouse or friend for extra confidence.
We take time to understand your health, income, and lifestyle. That’s why we focus on keeping your preferred doctors and prescriptions covered, whether you choose a Montana Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan available nationwide.
Get clear on the pros and cons of each option, so you always end up with reliable, affordable Medicare insurance that fits your life.
-
If you are just turning 65 you will need to sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital) and Medicare Part B (Medical).
If you are low income (Under $2000/mo) you should apply for Medicaid as well to try to get extra cost savings and benefits.
Other People who may qualify for Medicare are those who have received 24 months of disability payments (SSDI) or those with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
MORE INFO AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
-
It’s important to pick the right strategy to avoid paying too much and to make sure you aren’t exposed to any situations you can’t afford.
We understand that for most people it’s a balancing act to pick the right plan at the right cost. The software our agents use takes out the guess work so we can give you realistic healthcare cost estimates.
You can read more about the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement strategies below.
Auxiliary Products that Fill the Gaps of these two strategies are discussed in Step 3.
MORE INFO AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
-
Your base Medicare plan will not cover every situation, but auxiliary products like Prescription Drug Plans, Dental & Vision, Hospital Indemnity, Long Term Care, Heart Attack, Cancer & Stroke Pay Out Insurances can fix much of that.
As your agent we are required to inform you of what your plan doesn’t cover and happy to help you understand how to fill in the gaps in coverage.
It’s better to control your costs than be surprised by them as they happen.
Again we shop multiple plans, carriers, and strategies for you at no cost.
You are not required to purchase additional coverages if you choose not to.
MORE INFO AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
-
You really can just skip to this step if you want by booking your one on one with us.
We are happy to save you the reading and make everything human!
Our owner, Clay Murdock, believes strongly in getting things right for his clients and neighbors. As an insulin dependent diabetic he understands how critical health coverage can be!
More Information at Bottom of Page…
Schedule Your Conversation
We do not charge for our one on one hand-tailored consultations.
Feel free to select a time that you are comfortable will work with your schedule. Due to demand, rescheduling missed appointments is not always available.
Dates in blue are currently available.
We can meet over the phone or in person if you are local.
For other dates or times please call or text: 855-701-7113.
We Pay Attention to Every Detail & Do The Math:
We do an In-Depth Health & Financial Assessment to Hand-Tailor our Recommendations Personally to you!
We prioritize making sure you can keep the doctors you like the best while exploring the right medicare coverage options.
We will make you aware of the Pros & Cons of each plan and strategy, helping you choose the most reliable Medicare insurance.
Our system helps us estimate your annual/monthly cost to get you the best savings based on your medications, doctors, and health needs.
We offer a no-cost annual review with you so you don’t have to worry about yearly changes.
You Work with a Licensed & Experienced Agent Every Time.
Detailed Medicare Set Up: Step By Step Guide
Step 1: Get Set Up
If you already have Medicare A & B (You have the Red, While, Blue MediCARE Card) You can skip ahead and call us or schedule a time to talk. If you are having troubles getting set up with Medicare Parts A & B or Medicaid give us a call at 1-855-701-7113.
MediCARE:
If you are just turning 65*, you will need to sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital) and Medicare Part B (Medical). You can do this through the Social Security Administration (SSA):
Visit www.ssa.gov/medicare
Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) or
In person at your local office
MediCAID:
If your income is low (think under $2,000/month), you may qualify for extra benefits, reduced premiums & copays as well as money for groceries & even utilities.
You should apply for Medicaid to see if you qualify. To get started, contact your state Medicaid office:
Visit www.medicaid.gov
Call Medicaid Helpline at 1-877-267-2323 (TTY: 1-866-226-1819) or
In person at your local office
*Other individuals who may qualify for Medicare include those who:
Have received 24 months of disability payments (SSDI).
Have been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
Have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and meet eligibility requirements.
Step 2: Strategy
Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement?
Feel Free to just book an appointment with us at this point if you don’t want to do all the reading yourself. This information is very general and details will vary by state, zip code, and individual needs & qualifications including the Medicare enrollment process.
This graphic highlights key differences between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans. Get a feel for what you will want to do and we will check the numbers during our call.
Side by Side Comparison Chart:
Step 3: Fill the Gaps
What’s Missing?
You’ll need to supplement your Medicare strategy with the following products to avoid surprises!
Medicare Advantage needs:
Hospital Indemnity
Heart Attack, Cancer, Stroke Payout Insurance
Long Term Care
Medicare Supplement needs:
Prescription Drug Plan/Part D
Dental, Vision, Hearing
Heart Attack, Cancer, Stroke Payout Insurance
Long Term Care
Please note that besides the Prescription Drug Plan the remainder of the products are generally not required to buy, you would just be going without the protection if you don’t.
-
What It Covers: Prescription Drug Plans (Medicare Part D) cover medications that Original Medicare does not, including maintenance drugs for chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol. These plans also offer protections against the high cost of brand-name and specialty drugs.
Why It’s Important: Without Part D, you’ll be responsible for 100% of your prescription drug costs, which can quickly add up for costly or ongoing medications. Additionally, failing to enroll when first eligible can result in lifelong penalties added to your monthly premiums.
-
What It Covers: Dental and vision insurance typically cover services not included in Medicare, such as routine dental cleanings, X-rays, fillings, crowns, dentures, and implants. For vision, these plans cover eye exams, glasses, contact lenses, and sometimes treatments for conditions like glaucoma or cataracts.
Why It’s Important: Without this coverage, you may face significant out-of-pocket costs for essential care. Poor dental and vision health can also lead to more severe issues, like gum disease, infections, or falls due to vision problems, potentially affecting your overall quality of life.
-
Ask me how to get this product with a $60 discount! That means it might not cost you anything!
It could put more money in your pocket monthly!
Dedicated Page: CASH BACK
What It Covers: Hospital indemnity insurance provides cash benefits to help cover the costs of hospital stays that Medicare does not, such as deductibles, copayments, or extended stays. Some plans may also include benefits for skilled nursing facility care, ambulance rides, and prescription cost refunds.
What It Covers: Provides cash benefits to help with hospital stay costs not covered by Medicare, such as deductibles, copayments, and extended stays. Some plans also include coverage for skilled nursing facility care.
Why It’s Important: Without this coverage, out-of-pocket hospital expenses can be overwhelming, especially with Medicare’s deductibles and daily copays. The cash benefit can also be used for other expenses like travel or lodging for family support.
How MAPD Plans Work:
Most MAPD plans charge a daily copayment for the first few days of a hospital stay, such as $300 per day for days 1–5. After that, the plan typically covers the full cost for the remainder of the stay.You can also add it on if you take the Med Sup strategy and will lose income for time in the hospital even if your Med Sup plan pays the hospital charges.
-
What It Covers: These policies provide a lump-sum cash payout upon diagnosis of a critical illness like a heart attack, cancer, or stroke. The funds can be used for any purpose, such as covering treatment costs, household expenses, or lost income.
Why It’s Important: Without this coverage, the financial burden of a serious diagnosis can be overwhelming, especially with Medicare's out-of-pocket costs for extended treatments like chemotherapy, rehabilitation, or specialized care. These policies provide financial peace of mind during a challenging time.
-
What It Covers: Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of extended care services that Medicare and most health insurance plans do not, including assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and eating. It also covers care provided in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or in your own home.
Why It’s Important: Without long-term care insurance, these services can be prohibitively expensive, usually depleting your savings and assets like vehicles and homes.
The average cost of a private room in a nursing home can exceed $100,000 annually. Having this coverage ensures financial protection and access to quality care when you need it most, allowing you and your family peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Medicare Advantage Plans, also known as Part C, are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They provide all Part A and Part B benefits and often include additional services like prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and hearing care.
In contrast, Original Medicare is a federal program that offers Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Medical) coverage but typically doesn't include these extra benefits.
-
To be eligible for a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B, reside in the plan's service area, and sign up at the right time of the year or with a special enrollment period (SEP).
-
Many Medicare Advantage Plans provide extra benefits not covered by Original Medicare, such as fitness programs, routine vision and dental services, and hearing aids. These additional services can enhance your healthcare coverage and overall well-being.
Additional benefits exist for those on certain levels of Medicaid, like grocery benefits, help with utilities, lower copays (Or no copays), and other savings and increases in dental, vision, hearing, and transportation benefit amounts.
-
Enrollment in a Medicare Advantage Plan can be done during specific periods, such as the Initial Enrollment Period when you first become eligible for Medicare, the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7, or during Special Enrollment Periods triggered by certain life events.
You can get set up and have us as your life long agent by using the links on this page to schedule an appointment.
-
Auxiliary products are supplemental insurance plans designed to fill coverage gaps in your primary Medicare plan. These can include Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), Dental and Vision insurance, Hospital Indemnity plans, Long-Term Care insurance, and policies that provide payouts for critical illnesses like heart attack, stroke, or cancer. These products help manage out-of-pocket expenses and provide comprehensive coverage tailored to your needs otherwise not coered by MAPD or Medi-Gap Plans.
-
No, it's not permissible to have both a Medicare Advantage Plan and a Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policy simultaneously. Medigap policies are designed to work with Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage Plans. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you cannot use a Medigap policy to cover costs like copayments, deductibles, or premiums.
-
Most Medicare Advantage Plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D). However, it's essential to confirm that the specific plan you're considering offers this benefit, as some plans may not include drug coverage. Review the plan's formulary to ensure your medications are covered or call us and we will look it up! 1-855-701-7113.
-
While many Medicare Advantage Plans have low or even $0 monthly premiums, you are still responsible for paying your Part B premium. Which is $185 in 2025 unless you’re on the right level of Medicaid.
Additionally, there may be copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket costs, which can vary by plan. Each plan sets its own cost structure, so it's crucial to review the details to understand your financial responsibilities.
-
A Medicare Supplement Plan, or Medigap, is a type of insurance sold by private companies to help cover the "gaps" in Original Medicare. (OM = Part A + Part B) These gaps include out-of-pocket costs such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medigap policies are standardized and labeled A through N, offering varying levels of coverage depending on the plan.
-
Medigap policies do not cover services like prescription drugs (Part D), long-term care, dental, vision, or hearing aids. You would need separate plans to cover these additional healthcare services. Medigap is designed to supplement Original Medicare only, not replace it or really add additional benefits.
-
Medicare Advantage (MAPD) Enrollment Periods
Medicare Advantage Plans (MAPD) follow strict enrollment periods:
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) – When you first become eligible for Medicare (turning 65 or qualifying due to disability).
Starts 3 months before, includes the month of, and lasts 3 months after your Medicare Part B effective date.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) – October 15 – December 7 each year.
You can enroll, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan.
Coverage starts January 1 of the following year.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) – January 1 – March 31.
If you're already enrolled in an MAPD plan, you can switch to a different MAPD plan or return to Original Medicare (and get a Part D plan if needed).
You cannot switch from Original Medicare to MAPD during this OEP period.
Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) – Based on qualifying events like:
Moving outside your plan’s service area.
Losing employer coverage.
Gaining Medicaid eligibility or Extra Help.
Enrolling in a 5-star rated plan (one-time switch allowed per year).
Dual Eligible Beneficiaries who are already enrolled in a MA plan can switch once every quarter from January to September.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Enrollment Periods
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans have different rules than MAPD plans:
Medigap Open Enrollment Period – Starts the first month you are both:
65 or older
Enrolled in Medicare Part B
Lasts for 6 months
During this period, you have guaranteed issue rights (no health questions, no denials).
Guaranteed Issue Rights (Outside Open Enrollment) – You may qualify for a Medigap plan without medical underwriting if you:
Lose employer or union coverage.
Leave a Medicare Advantage plan within the first 12 months (Trial Right).
Your Medigap insurer goes bankrupt or misleads you.
Applying Outside of These Periods –
You can apply for a Medigap plan any time of the year, but medical underwriting may apply.
If you have pre-existing conditions, insurers can deny coverage or charge higher premiums unless you have a guaranteed issue right.
-
The Food Benefit Card is available to people on certain levels of Medicaid who are also eligible for Medicare Advantage Plans.
Some Plans for Chronic health issues like Diabetes and Heart Issues also may qualify if those plans are available in your area.
Get on our calendar or call us and we will help you look up what you qualify for. 1-855-701-7113.
The Food Benefit Card can pay for things like Groceries, Utilities, Transportation to Medical Appointments, Pet Supplies, OTC items, and more!
The OTC card (Over The Counter) is available on most but not all MAPD plans. It pays for things like vitamins, over the counter medicines, band-aids, and other health supplies a doctor would tell you to get but not write a prescription for you.
We can help you check if your current plan has the highest Food Benefit or OTC benefit. The amounts change ever year so contact us to make sure!
Final Step:
Schedule Your Conversation
You’ve explored the options and learned what’s possible—now it’s time to take the final step toward peace of mind. Schedule your conversation with one of our licensed agents today!
We’ll answer your questions, tailor recommendations to your needs, and help you make confident, informed decisions about your coverage.
Don’t wait—click below to secure your free appointment and take control of your healthcare future!
In Summary
You’ve explored your options—now find the plan that fits. Schedule a no-cost consultation to compare Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage, and prescription drug coverage in Billings, MT and across Montana.
We’ll guide you through the Medicare enrollment process so choosing coverage feels simple and stress-free.
Don’t wait—book your free appointment today and see why so many families and retirees trust Old Western Insurance for affordable, dependable Medicare insurance.
We’ve helped hundreds of seniors and families in Billings, Lockwood, The Heights, Roundup, Hardin, Chinook, Havre, and Glasgow and all over find the best Medicare Supplement plans in Montana—and we serve clients nationwide. We also work with people nationwide in about 20 other states too!
From Medicare Advantage to Part D prescription drug plans, we make comparing options easy and personal.
Call Clay Murdock today to get friendly, local support from Montana’s trusted Medicare insurance experts.
Who you know matters?
Testimonials
Brenda M. -Malta, MT
“Clay helped reduce the cost of my health insurance $1600 per month last night! I did not have an attentive agent before working with him!”
Lane L. -Kalispell, MT
“Thank you again for what you have done for me. The $137/mo. I get from United Health Care for health items has really come in handy during my current health issue, been dealing with the flu since Saturday. I have used it for OTC items to help heal. Items that I could not afford otherwise. and the zero medication co-pays have also been important.”
DeMeris M. -Isabel, SD
“I’m so glad Clay helped me figure out what was going on with my insurance. Medicaid kept asking me for paperwork and they kicked me off my plan and I was paying way too much on Original Medicare! The new plan with Aetna paid $24,000 for my hospital stay.”