Big Sky Waiver Program: Montana Medicaid Resource Providing Long-Term Services and Support for Seniors
Legacy Navigation is a team of Certified Medicaid Planners™ offering Big Sky Waiver Program application assistance for Montana residents aged 65 and over. Our experts are specially trained in Medicaid programs and understand the nuance it takes to qualify and apply for them—all at a fraction of the cost of an Elder Care Attorney.
Big Sky Waiver Program: Montana Enhanced Program Overview
- 1915(c) HCBS Medicaid Waiver
- Statewide Medicaid program for elderly or disabled Montana residents.
- Provides access to and assists with long-term services while offering support to enable individuals to maintain their way of life and receive their required level of care.
- Recipients can choose to live in their own home, a loved one’s home, or a residential facility such as assisted living or memory care.
Benefits of Montana's Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver
Benefits of Montana’s Big Sky Waiver Program include:
- Skilled nursing
- Companion services
- Home meal delivery services
- Home safety and accessibility services
- Adult daycare
- Laundry services
- Personal emergency response services
- Home chore services
- Care services in residential facility
*Not a complete list
Eligibility Requirements for Montana’s Big Sky Waiver Program
Montana’s Big Sky Waiver Program requires participants to meet certain financial requirements.
If your income or financial holdings exceed the limits outlined by Medicaid but you can’t afford the cost of care for yourself or a loved one, we can share some Medicaid planning strategies that may help.
2026 Income Limits
- Single applicant: $994/mo
- Married (both applying): $1,988/mo
- Married (one spouse applying): $994/mo
- A married applicant may be eligible to allocate a portion of their income to their non-applicant spouse as a Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance.
2026 Asset Limits
- Individual applicant: $2,000
- Married spouses (both applying): $2,000
- If only one spouse is applying, the assets of both spouses are limited because Medicaid considers assets to be jointly owned*
Functional Need Requirement
- To qualify for the Montana Big Sky Waiver Program, participants must require a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC).
- An in-person or over-the-phone interview is required to establish functional need
- As a Clinical Care Team, Legacy Navigation can prepare you for what this assessment will look like and help you understand the types of questions you will be asked.
Additional Information About Montana Medicaid Income Eligibility Guidelines
Countable Income
- Employment wages
- Alimony payments
- Pension payments
- Social Security Disability Income
- Social Security Income
- IRA withdrawals
- Stock dividends
Non-Countable Income
- VA Aid & Attendance and Housebound Pensions
- Holocaust restitution payments
Additional Information About Montana Medicaid Asset Eligibility Guidelines
Countable Assets
- Cash
- Cryptocurrency
- Stocks
- Social Security Disability Income
- Bonds
- Investments
- Bank Accounts
- Real estate (other than primary home)
- Promissory notes
- IRAs/401Ks
Non-Countable Assets
- Personal belongings
- Household furnishings
- One automobile
- Burial spaces for applicant and immediate family
- Prepaid irrevocable funeral agreements
When You’re Over the Limits for the Big Sky Waiver Program: Montana Eligibility Options
Medically Needy Pathway
Montana’s Spend Down Program.
- “Spend down” monthly income on medical expenses by paying for private health insurance and medicare care not covered by Medicaid.
- The amount is determined by the difference between one’s monthly income and Montana’s medically needy income limit (MNIL).
- In 2026, the MNIL is $525/month for both single and married applicants.
Asset Spend Down
Seniors who have countable assets over Montana’s Medicaid asset limit can “spend down” excess assets on non-countable ones:
- Safety and accessibility modifications to the home
- Prepaying funeral and burial expenses
- Paying off any existing debt
Certified Medicaid Planning™ Services
Medicaid planning professionals can help you organize your finances and identify strategies to help you become Medicaid-eligible.
At Legacy Navigation, we take a holistic approach to Medicaid planning and develop a customized plan that fits your unique situation.
How Seniors Can Apply for the Big Sky Waiver Program in Montana
Determine Eligibility
Seniors looking for Medicaid services to supplement the cost of their long-term care needs must meet specific Montana Medicaid eligibility requirements, including:
- Income limits
- Asset limits
- Functional need requirements
Gather All Supporting Documents
You will be asked to verify information about your household, including your income and assets. It’s important to have all of this documentation prepared before you apply to avoid any delays. It’s also important that all of your information and documentation is correct so your application won’t be denied based on a procedural error.
Apply
There are various ways seniors can complete the Medicaid application:
- Online
- Over the phone
- In-person
Applying for the Big Sky Waiver Program on Your Own
- Check Medicaid’s eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.
- Devote weeks of your time to gathering the required supporting documentation and completing the lengthy application process.
- Wait up to three months, sometimes longer, for your application to be processed.
- Navigate a multitude of networks of service and care providers on your own to find and establish the best long-term care solutions covered by the Big Sky Waiver Program.
Applying for the Big Sky Waiver Program With Help From Legacy Navigation
- The Legacy Navigation team evaluates your unique situation, reviews your finances, and creates a customized Medicaid plan to help you qualify for Montana’s Big Sky Waiver Program.
- We act as your Authorized Representative to ensure all supporting documentation has been gathered and then complete the Big Sky Waiver Program application on your behalf.
- For most clients, we can accelerate the application review process to ensure you are qualified and can receive benefits sooner.
- We have an established network of partners in the senior care community and can provide referrals to help you gain the benefits you qualify for as a Montana Big Sky Waiver Program participant.
Montana Big Sky Waiver Program Assistance: Client and Community Partner Testimonials
FAQs About Montana’s Big Sky Waiver Program
Are there ways to qualify for the Big Sky Waiver Program in Montana if I exceed the eligibility limits?
Yes. You may still be able to qualify for the Big Sky Waiver Program in Montana even if you exceed the standard eligibility limits. The Legacy Navigation team can help you explore options such as ‘spending down’ any excess assets or accessing the medical need avenue to reduce your income and meet eligibility requirements.
If I qualify for the Big Sky Waiver Program, does that mean I’ll receive my benefits immediately?
The approval process for Montana’s Big Sky Waiver Program can take several weeks to several months. This varies according to the:
- Complexity of your case
- Completeness of your documentation
- Availability of services in your area
Legacy Navigation can help ensure you receive your benefits as soon as possible.
Can I qualify for the Big Sky Waiver Program in Montana if I own my home?
Yes. Your primary home is typically not considered a countable asset for Medicaid eligibility. If you are married, and only you or your spouse are applying for the Big Sky Waiver Program and require a care facility, the non-applicant spouse may continue to reside in your primary residence.
Is there anyone I can talk to for help with the application process for Montana’s Big Sky Waiver Program?
Yes. The Certified Medicaid Planning™ team at Legacy Navigation can bear the burden of completing the Big Sky Waiver Program application on your behalf. Medicaid rules and regulations are often confusing to understand, and many applicants are denied the first time they apply for Medicaid assistance.