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Why trust this guide?
Our editorial team analyzed 36 nursing homes in MT using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in MT
Avg Overall CMS Rating:2.9/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Montana. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating:3.2/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Montana. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating:2.8/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Montana. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the MT Dept. of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.
The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This TableNH (Nursing Home):
24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs.
SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility):
Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness.
MC (Memory Care):
Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia.
RC (Respite Care):
Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break.
HOS (Hospice Care):
Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
ADC (Adult Day Care):
Daytime supervision, health monitoring, and social activities for seniors who live at home.
PC (Palliative Care):
Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The Montana average is: 47.0% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
$8.6M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$4.5M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
52%*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$9.9M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$5.7M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
57.8%*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$6.1M*Fiscal year ending 08/2021These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$2.8M*Fiscal year ending 08/2021These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
46.3%*Fiscal year ending 08/2021These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
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Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every MT community we track that reports that metric, not just the 36 on this page.
Overview of Skyline Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation
Overlooking Billings, Montana, Skyline Heights Healthcare (Formerly Valley Health Care Center) is an exceptional community that offers comprehensive skilled care services, including long-term care, short-term care, and various recovery therapies. Residents at Skyline Heights Healthcare can enjoy various activities and services designed to enhance their quality of life, including rehabilitation therapies, social services, and personalized care plans. With 24/7 professional support, the community is well-equipped to care for individuals with complex medical conditions or those recovering from surgery, illness, or injury.
Skyline Heights Healthcare strives to provide compassionate, personalized care tailored to each resident’s needs. Their goal is to create a comfortable and healing environment where every individual feels respected and valued. The community offers a range of amenities and programs, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapies, cardiac care, stroke recovery, wound care, and advanced therapy modalities. Additionally, they provide essential services like dental care, dialysis, hospice care, and podiatry services, ensuring comprehensive support for all residents.
Overview of Yellowstone River Nursing and Rehabilitation
Yellowstone River Nursing & Rehabilitation is a senior living community located in Billings, Montana, offering 24/7 skilled care, including long term care, short-term care and various rehab therapies. They provide a range of services to enhance the quality of life for their residents, emphasizing individual wellness and recovery. Seniors at Yellowstone River can enjoy personalized care in a supportive environment designed to meet their specific needs.
Yellowstone River Nursing & Rehabilitation aims to offer comprehensive and compassionate care to their residents. They provide various amenities and programs, including skilled nursing for pain management, medication, and hygiene, as well as rehabilitation therapy with physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Their goal is to help residents regain independence and improve their overall well-being, whether they require long or short-term care.
Overview of Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia
Mount Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia emerges as a distinguished rehabilitation and skilled nursing care leader. Located in Helena, Montana, residents find an environment that embraces transitional and long-term care, fostering a sense of intimacy and comfort within this assisted living community. They are dedicated to enhancing each resident’s well-being and quality of life, and their mission centers on delivering personalized care. This commitment extends to patient-centered rehabilitation, supported by round-the-clock skilled nursing care.
Their dedicated excel at crafting customized treatment plans for every patient and resident, with a keen focus on individual needs and preferences. Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia boasts private and semi-private rooms, an array of activities, and many amenities thoughtfully designed to cater to individual needs. Experience the compassionate care and tailored support that define Mount Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia.
Located in Wibaux, Montana, Wibaux County Nursing Home is a 40-bed skilled nursing facility operated by the County of Wibaux. The newly established community accepts Medicaid and private pay, making it accessible to families with varying coverage options. The facility is in a somewhat walkable area. Some errands within walking distance, though most trips require a vehicle.
At 75% occupancy, the home houses 30 residents. Most stay for an average of 392 days, with a stable population of longer-term residents.
The facility’s nurse staffing averages include 3 hours and 46 minutes per resident daily. Residents are also supported by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse aides, and 24-hour staffing. This provides a consistent presence of care for the residents. The home offers a range of services for a skilled nursing setting, including rehabilitation services and respite care. Residents with specialized needs can access secure memory care, end-of-life, and palliative care programs.
The facility has recently been improved with a remodeled dining room designed to accommodate group activities and larger gatherings. Residents have access to a beauty and barber shop, outdoor spaces including a patio and gazebo, and structured activity programming. Dining options include choices and accommodations for different preferences. Residents can receive medications through the facility’s pharmacy delivery service.
Inspection surveys reviewed operational and safety practices, including equipment handling, staff training, resident supervision protocols, environmental cleanliness, and staffing documentation. These areas continue to be examined during inspections for the facility’s improvement.
Pioneer Care and Rehabilitation is a private-company-operated 87-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Dillon, Montana, in Beaverhead County. The facility offers skilled nursing, memory care, and rehabilitation services. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are welcome. Occupancy stands at 26 percent, well below Montana’s 61.7 percent average indicating broad current availability. 24-hour staffing exists.
CMS grades the facility 1 star, with all four sub-ratings well below Montana’s average. Across 12 complaint-driven inspections since May 2023, the facility averaged 20.3 deficiencies annually, 250 percent above Montana’s 5.8 average. Serious findings include an August 2024 elopement wherein a resident with a known elopement history took a vehicle from the facility parking lot, sustained injury, and was hospitalized; a December 2024 medication error in which failure to crush a resident’s medications as ordered caused aspiration pneumonia and hospitalization; and a May 2025 complaint investigation citing a dual fentanyl patch administration error, failure to report abuse allegations, and a fall resulting in a fractured hip. Nurse hours run 3h 15m per resident daily, 17 percent below Montana’s average, placing the facility 29th of 34 state SNFs. No fines or immediate jeopardy findings noted. As a rural facility in Beaverhead County, it’s among the few skilled nursing options in Dillon.
The community fits residents seeking skilled nursing or memory care in rural southwestern Montana. Its geographic access to long-term care options is limited.
Located on East Broadway Street in Helena, Montana, Cooney Healthcare and Rehabilitation is a nursing home that has served the community for 5 years. The single-story facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several options to cover short-term rehabilitation and ongoing skilled nursing care. The 90-bed home has an occupancy rate of 81%.
Residents stay an average of 94 days, which is a combination of post-acute rehabilitation and longer-term skilled nursing care. Daily nurse staffing averages 2 hours and 24 minutes per resident. This includes 51 minutes of registered nurse care, 1 hour and 26 minutes of care from nurse aides, and 25 minutes of care provided by licensed practical or vocational nurses.
The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 37, making it somewhat walkable. Most errands require a vehicle, but a few nearby services are within walking distance. The location is best for families who drive and prefer a quieter residential area over a busier urban setting.
Overview of Mount Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia
Helena sits at the center of Montana’s government and economy, and Mount Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia occupies a highly walkable stretch of that city, carrying a Walk Score of 94. Most daily errands do not require a car. The 108-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility has been open about two years. Providence St. Patrick Hospital and St. Peter’s Hospital sit nearby, giving residents ready access to acute care when needed.
Two tracks run through the building: transitional care for residents working back toward independence, and long-term nursing care for those who need it indefinitely. Staffing runs around the clock, with reported nursing care averaging just over three hours per resident each day, spread across registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides. An on-site rehabilitation gym supports the physical and occupational therapy that short-term residents typically need after surgery, illness, or injury.
Rooms are available in private and semi-private layouts. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are all accepted, which opens multiple routes to covering the cost of a stay, whether brief or extended. That combination, skilled nursing paired with active rehabilitation and broad payment coverage, points to a facility built for residents moving between hospital discharge and either home or longer-term nursing care, all within a compact, walkable corner of Helena.
Located in Missoula, Montana, Hillside Health & Rehabilitation is a renowned assisted living community specializing in short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. This community offers a comprehensive range of services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy treatments. Their expert team of professionals is committed to helping seniors regain their strength and vitality.
At Hillside Health & Rehabilitation, residents with cognitive impairments are provided with specialized memory care programs making sure that individuals with memory impairments can lead dignified and fulfilling lives. The community also offers end-of-life care services in collaboration with reputable hospice agencies, ensuring that residents and their families receive compassionate care during challenging times. With licensed nurses and assistants available around the clock, seniors requiring long-term care can have their needs met promptly and efficiently. Hillside Health & Rehabilitation features a well-appointed facility with 95 beds and participates in Medicare and Medicaid programs, offering flexible payment options for eligible individuals. Situated in a vibrant neighborhood, Hillside Health & Rehabilitation offers easy access to a wide range of amenities, including retail shops, restaurants, cafes, parks, and theaters. In case of emergencies, residents can quickly receive medical attention from the nearby Community Medical Center.
Ashland, Montana sits in rural Rosebud County, and Heritage Living Center has served the area as a 40-bed nursing home administered by Sable Kerzmann. Reaching it means planning for a drive. The neighborhood carries a Walk Score of 3, placing it firmly in car-dependent territory, with few errands possible on foot.
Care here runs on two tracks; the first being short-term rehabilitation, which supports residents recovering from surgery, illness, or injury, while a second long-term rehab option exists for those whose needs extend further. Respite care gives families a break option, and staffing runs around the clock. Daily routines include communal dining, salon services, and an outdoor courtyard, with a regular slate of organized activities rounding out the calendar.
Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services, Quality Assurance Division oversees inspections statewide, and for Heritage Living Center those reviews have centered on emergency preparedness and staffing credentials, the kind of operational areas regulators commonly examine at nursing homes across the state.
For families weighing options in a rural stretch of southeastern Montana, Heritage Living Center offers structured rehabilitation and nursing care close to the Northern Cheyenne community, built for residents who need real clinical support rather than a lighter-touch living arrangement.
The Village Health & Rehabilitation in Missoula is a 193-bed nursing home offering a full care continuum: nursing home, memory care, respite, and skilled nursing services. Situated at 2651 South Avenue West, it caters to residents needing various levels of nursing and rehabilitative support, including those with memory impairment who benefit from its specialized memory care unit.
Clinically, the home maintains a robust staffing structure. Registered nurses average 1 hour 2 minutes of care per resident daily, supported by nurse aides providing 2 hours 40 minutes per resident day. Licensed practical nurses contribute an additional 14 minutes. This combination mirrors a substantial investment in hands-on daily care and clinical oversight. The community extends this staffing through evenings and weekends, with registered nurse coverage of 46 minutes per resident on weekend days. Physical therapy services support occupants in post-acute recovery and mobility maintenance. The somewhat walkable neighborhood bears a Walk Score of 49, meaning transportation is required for most trips, while some errands can be done on foot. For families traveling to visit, this accessibility profile represents a modest local context. As a large-scale facility, The Village Health & Rehabilitation can support an array of resident needs in one community, decreasing the need for transfers as care requirements evolve.
It’s encouraged that prospective families tour the facility to see how its scale and staffing model match their loved one’s care priorities.
Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports.
How we're paid:If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Montana
What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Montana?
Assisted living in Montana is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.
Does Montana Medicaid cover nursing home care?
Yes — Montana Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.
What is nursing home care?
Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.
How many nursing homes are listed on this page?
This page features 36 nursing homes in Montana. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
How do I choose the right nursing home in Montana?
Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Montana, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.
What should I look for when visiting nursing homes in Montana?
Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.
If you move into a community through us, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never changes your cost or which options we recommend. Learn more
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