Montana Nursing Homes: Violations, Fines and Worst Records

Nursing staff turnover in Montana reached 54.8% over one year, the fifth highest rate in the country and above the national average of 45.8%. The source is the federal nursing home data released by CMS, the federal Medicare agency, covering all 61 licensed nursing homes in Montana. Across the past three inspection cycles, 134 citations went to those facilities when inspectors found actual resident harm or immediate danger. Per home, that serious citation rate puts Montana 10th highest in the nation.

During those three inspection cycles, accident hazards and supervision drew 92 citations from state inspectors. Among those accident citations, 34 involved harm to residents or immediate danger, more than for any other rule cited in the state. Counting from September 2023, CMS has fined 42 of the state's nursing homes $3,392,214 in federal penalties. A $250,357 penalty issued in January 2025 to Skyline Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation in Billings was the largest single federal fine in Montana.

State licensing records for Montana long-term care facilities are available to families through the Bounds Public Facility Search and Recent Surveys portal. The Recent Surveys view shows each state inspection's type and exit date, along with core and non-core deficiency counts. Medicare's Care Compare hosts the Form CMS-2567, the statement of deficiencies, for every Montana facility; once called Nursing Home Compare, this federal search site carries inspectors' full narrative notes.

Complaint investigations make up 35.5% of the citation total recorded for nursing homes across the state. Anyone may report unsafe care by phone at 1-800-762-4618, or with the online certification complaint form, to the Quality Assurance Division at Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). For everyday care disputes, the Montana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in the Senior and Long Term Care Division, Office on Aging takes calls from residents and families at (800) 332-2272. Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation can also be reported to Montana Adult Protective Services at 1-844-277-9300.