Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

What Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services does

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is Montana's largest executive branch agency, employing approximately 3,000 staff across 90+ buildings and serving over 200,000 Montanans annually through an integrated portfolio of health coverage, nutrition assistance, cash assistance, behavioral health, child welfare, disability, and senior services programs. Organized into 12 divisions across four core practices (Human Services, Medicaid and Health Services, Public Health and Community Affairs, and Health Care Facilities), the agency administers Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, WIC, vocational rehabilitation, and other federal-state programs, while also operating nine state-run healthcare facilities including Montana State Hospital, mental health nursing centers, and three veterans homes. Distribution is delivered through 19 public assistance field offices, 32 child welfare offices, an online application portal (apply.mt.gov), a 1-888-706-1535 helpline, and formal partnerships with Montana's eight federally recognized tribal governments, county health departments, Montana 2-1-1, 988 crisis call centers, and rural hospitals.

The agency's underlying technology footprint is managed by the Technology Services Division, which operates over 185 critical systems and applications, supports 3,200+ personal computers and mobile devices, and provides 24/7/365 IT support under CIO Carrie Albro (formerly of FICO, RightNow Technologies, AOL, IBM Global Services, and PwC). The agency publishes interactive data dashboards across program areas, provides online application self-service, and operates the Montana Accessible Communications (MTAC) program — providing TTY, CapTel, Voice Carry-Over, Speech-to-Speech, and Video Relay services through a third-party Hamilton Relay partnership.

DPHHS is funded through a combination of Montana state general fund appropriations, federal Medicaid matching funds (including the $233 million Rural Health Transformation Program award with potential to reach $1.2 billion over five years), federal block grants (Mental Health Block Grants, Social Services Block Grants), and a $300 million state legislative investment in behavioral health reform. Services are provided at no cost to eligible Montana residents based on income, family size, disability status, and other criteria. The agency is governed by Director Charlie Brereton (appointed June 2022) and is accountable to Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana State Legislature.

Name

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Legal name

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Website

https://dphhs.mt.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1887

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is Montana's largest executive branch agency, administering Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, behavioral health, child welfare, and senior services to over 200,000 residents through 19 field offices, 9 state-run facilities, and partnerships with tribal governments statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Health and Human Services

NAICS

Administration of Public Health Programs (92312), Health Care and Social Assistance (62), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial/Regional Health Departments (HLAJAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

State/Provincial Health Department & Public Health Administration (BPAIABAH), State/Provincial Human Services & Benefits Administration (Welfare, Disability, Child & Family) (BPAIABAI), Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage) (BPAIAKAH), Government Public Health Grantmaking & Program Offices (HLAJALAA)

Keywords

• Public health services
• Medicaid health coverage
• Behavioral health treatment
• Child welfare services
• Disability employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Helena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices27 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. State General Fund Appropriations: Primary funding from Montana State Legislature appropriations for operations and programs.
2. Federal Medicaid Matching Funds: Federal reimbursement through Montana Medicaid program for eligible services including hospital care, physician services, long-term care, and behavioral health services. The state received over $233 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding.
3. Federal Grants: Various federal grants including Mental Health Block Grants, Social Services Block Grants, and targeted program funding from federal agencies like HHS.
4. Cost-based Reimbursement (CCBHC): Sustainable, cost-based reimbursement funding model for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics under the Medicaid Demonstration Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DPHHS is Montana's largest executive branch agency, delivering public health and human services through 12 divisions organized into four core practices: Human Services, Medicaid and Health Services, Public Health and Community Affairs, and Health Care Facilities. The agency administers Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, vocational rehabilitation, behavioral health, child welfare, senior and long-term care, and operates 9 state-run healthcare facilities for eligible Montana residents.

Product overview

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is Montana's largest executive branch agency, organized into 12 divisions across four core practices: Human Services, Medicaid and Health Services, Public Health and Community Affairs, and Health Care Facilities. The agency's product portfolio centers on government assistance programs including health coverage (Montana Medicaid, Healthy Montana Kids), nutrition assistance (SNAP, TANF, WIC), disability and employment services (Vocational Rehabilitation, Disability Determination Services), mental health and substance use services, senior and long-term care, child and family services, and state-run healthcare facilities. Additionally, the Montana Relay and Montana Accessible Communications programs provide telecommunications accessibility services for residents with hearing or speech disabilities. The agency also operates a Technology Services Division managing over 185 critical systems supporting these programs across more than 90 buildings statewide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Montana Medicaid State-administered Medicaid program providing health coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities in Montana, including hospital care, physician services, prescription drugs, mental health services, and long-term care.
• Healthy Montana Kids (HMK) Comprehensive health coverage program for Montana children and pregnant women who do not qualify for Medicaid, administered through the Health Resources Division.
• Healthy Montana Kids Plus Premium-free health coverage for children and young adults in Montana who meet eligibility requirements.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Federal nutrition program providing monthly benefits to help low-income households purchase food at authorized retail food stores.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Cash assistance program providing financial support to eligible families with dependent children to meet basic needs and achieve self-sufficiency.
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Special supplemental nutrition program providing nutritious foods, nutrition education, and healthcare referrals to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age five.
• Child Support Services Program establishing and enforcing child and medical support orders, helping parents establish paternity, and ensuring children receive necessary financial support.
• Child and Adult Care Food Program Federal program providing reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to participating child care centers, family day care homes, and adult day care centers.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Employment services helping people with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and retain employment through individualized assessment, training, job placement, and assistive technology.
• Disability Determination Services State office determining medical eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income benefits using federal criteria.
• Montana Accessible Communications (MTAC) Program providing no-cost assistive telecommunications equipment and relay services to Montanans with hearing or speech disabilities, including TTY, captioned telephones, and video relay services.
• Montana Relay Statewide telecommunications relay service enabling people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities to communicate via standard telephone lines through various relay modalities including TTY, Voice Carry-Over, Speech-to-Speech, and Video Relay Service.
• Children's Mental Health Services Behavioral health services for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances, providing community-based mental health treatment and support.
• Mental Health Block Grants Federal funding supporting community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances.
• Montanans with Disabilities Program Services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities, including residential services, day programs, and family support through the Developmental Disabilities Program and DDP Medicaid Waiver.
• Senior and Long Term Care Services Comprehensive services for Montanans aged 60 and older and individuals with disabilities, including in-home assistance, nutrition services, Alzheimer's support, legal aid, and nursing facility care.
• State-Run Healthcare Facilities Nine state-operated healthcare facilities including Montana State Hospital (psychiatric care), Montana Mental Health Nursing Care Center, Montana Chemical Dependency Center, Intensive Behavior Center, and three Veterans Homes serving Montanans requiring specialized residential care.
• Office of Inspector General Regulatory oversight ensuring healthcare, residential, and youth care facilities comply with state and federal standards through certification, licensing, quality-control reviews, and fraud detection.

Quantifiable outcome

• Historic $300 million behavioral health investment secured from Montana Legislature for system overhaul
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2026Federal agency providing approximately $233 million (potentially up to $1.2 billion over five years) for Montana's Rural Health Transformation Program. CMS certification is required for Montana State Hospital to regain federal standing. CMS also oversees Medicaid work requirements implementation.
• Montana's Eight Federally Recognized Tribal GovernmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPHHS maintains formal government-to-government relationships with Montana's eight federally recognized tribal governments through the Office of American Indian Health (OAIH). The agency conducts formal consultations on policy implications and leads partnerships for culturally grounded health services. Tribal Relations Manager Heidi DeRoche oversees these partnerships addressing health disparities in Native American communities.
• Behavioral Health System for Future Generations CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe commission secured a $300 million generational investment for Montana's behavioral health reform and recommended establishing Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics offering mental health and substance use treatment regardless of patients' age, residence, or ability to pay.
• Montana State University (MSU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSU hosted the first stakeholder advisory committee meeting for the Rural Health Transformation Program with over 600 attendees, serving as a venue for the first of five core initiative working groups focused on workforce development.
• Certified Community Behavioral Health ClinicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFederally designated clinics receiving cost-based reimbursement through the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program to provide comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment regardless of patients' ability to pay.
• Montana 2-1-1majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStatewide information and referral service connecting Montana citizens with health and human service resources. Part of a national network with rigorous AIRS accreditation. Operated by four nonprofits covering different regions of Montana.
• Local Health DepartmentsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with county and tribal health departments statewide to deliver public health services including immunizations, disease surveillance, health education, and emergency preparedness.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Crisis CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalls to 988 in Montana are routed to three independent crisis call centers: Voices of Hope in Great Falls, The Help Center in Bozeman, and Western Montana Mental Health Lifeline Call Center in Missoula, providing 24/7 mental health crisis support.
• Rural HospitalsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMontana's Rural Health Transformation Program involves rural hospitals including Big Sandy Medical Center (25-bed facility serving town of nearly 800 residents), which may need to reduce services or convert to Rural Emergency Hospital status to qualify for funding.
• Hamilton RelaymajorTechnology or IntegrationThird-party relay service provider enabling Montana Relay services including Traditional Relay Service (TTY), Captioned Telephone (CapTel), Voice Carry-Over, Speech-to-Speech, and Remote Conference Captioning.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wyoming Department of Health: Wyoming's state-level public health and human services agency. Highly comparable as a neighboring rural, low-population state HHS agency administering Medicaid, behavioral health, child welfare, and public health programs with similar geographic challenges.
• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare: Idaho's integrated state HHS agency combining health and human services in one department. Directly comparable structure to DPHHS, serving a similarly rural, low-population western state with Medicaid, behavioral health, and child welfare programs.
• North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services: North Dakota's integrated HHS agency formed by merging health and human services. Closely comparable in structure (integrated HHS model), population size, rural geography, and service mix (Medicaid, behavioral health, disability, public health).
• South Dakota Department of Social Services: South Dakota's state agency administering Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, child welfare, and behavioral health. Comparable as a small-population rural plains state with similar program portfolio and federal funding reliance.
• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services: Nebraska's integrated state HHS agency. Directly comparable in delivering an integrated health and human services portfolio (Medicaid, behavioral health, child and family services, public health) to a rural, low-population state.
• Utah Department of Health and Human Services: Utah's integrated HHS agency (formed by merging health and human services in 2022). Directly comparable integrated model, with similar Medicaid, behavioral health, and child welfare program structure, though serving a larger and more urban state.

Regional players

• Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing: Colorado's state Medicaid and public health coverage agency. Comparable as a peer HHS-adjacent agency in a neighboring western state, focused on Medicaid administration, though Colorado has a much larger urban population and separate Public Health & Environment department.
• Oregon Health Authority: Oregon's state Medicaid and public health agency. Comparable in administering Medicaid, behavioral health, and public health programs, though Oregon operates a more progressive Medicaid model (CCOs) and serves a larger population with different political dynamics.
• Nevada Department of Health and Human Services: Nevada's integrated state HHS agency. Comparable in structure and function, administering Medicaid, behavioral health, child welfare, and public health in a western US state with significant rural/frontier areas like Montana.
• Washington State Health Care Authority: Washington's state Medicaid and public employee health benefits agency. Comparable in Medicaid administration and behavioral health purchasing role, though serving a much larger, more urban population and operating Apple Health (a more progressive Medicaid expansion).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DPHHSMT
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MontanaDPHHS
• Facebookfacebook.com/MTDPHHS

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services