Montana

Montana Commissioner uncovers $23M fraud targeting Tribal communities

Published

2 days ago

January 26, 2026

Montana Commissioner uncovers M fraud targeting Tribal communities

HELENA, Mont. — Montana State Auditor and Insurance Commissioner James Brown announced his office has uncovered a multi-million-dollar health care fraud scheme that targeted vulnerable members of Montana’s tribal communities, saving a state insurer and its customers more than $23.3 million.

Brown said the scheme involved recruiters who lured Native Americans from Montana reservations to so-called treatment centers in California by offering free, luxury rehabilitation. Victims were asked to sign paperwork for federally subsidized Affordable Care Act policies before being flown out of state, sometimes within the same day.

Instead of receiving mental health or addiction treatment, the individuals found themselves in overcrowded homes with little to no care. Some were left on the streets after a few weeks, while the fraudulent clinics billed insurance companies up to $9,000 per day per person, Brown said.

“We discovered a fraud scheme that involved fraudulently billing our insurance companies and their customers about $23.3 million in unsupported and unjustified bills,” Brown told NBC Montana. “We were able to expose the scheme, stop the demands for payment, and save Montanans millions of dollars as well as protect the quality of healthcare in our state.”

The Commissioner’s Office began investigating the fraud in early 2025 after PacificSource Health Plans, a nonprofit insurer providing Affordable Care Act coverage in Montana, reported suspicious claims. Investigators found at least 200 suspected fraudulent enrollments linked to California treatment facilities, with total claims of up to $50 million.

Under the ACA, Native Americans can enroll in marketplace plans at any time, which made it possible for out-of-state scammers to exploit same-day enrollments. Brown described the conduct as a form of human trafficking, saying participants were coerced into signing policies and transported across state lines for fake treatment.

“What was happening is that our citizens would be shipped down to California or to Arizona. No treatment would actually be provided,” Brown said. “Then the insurance companies that run the Obamacare plans would then be charged for the services that were never provided.”

Brown credited the quick cooperation of PacificSource in halting the billing and preventing further fraud. He said PacificSource contacted his office quickly and they worked closely with federal law enforcement and tribal leaders to stop the scheme.

The investigation, which began within weeks of Brown taking office, continues to probe other insurers in Montana that may have been targeted. Brown said additional rescissions could raise total savings to $50 million.

“What’s so outrageous about this scheme is that these fraudsters are not just stealing money,” Brown said. “They’re exploiting people with addiction, coercing them into bogus treatment. They’re engaging in human trafficking. They’re abandoning them far from home. They’re targeting our tribal communities for profit. This is really the most reprehensible kind of corruption if you prey on our Native American families in this state.”

Brown’s office has referred parts of the case to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for potential criminal prosecution.

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Montana

FWP publishes 2026 hunting regulations

Published

10 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Press Room

The 2026 “deer, elk, antelope” and “moose, sheep, goat, bison” hunting regulations are available from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. As with every year, there are changes hunters should know.

Highlights include some boundary changes to several hunting districts, adjustments to tags offered, an application process for unlimited bighorn sheep licenses, and changes to the limit on the number of licenses non-resident deer hunters can purchase.

FWP reminds hunters to brush up on those regulations and make sure you know what steps you need to take ahead of licenses and applications opening.

“Familiarize yourself,” said FWP communication and education program manager Vivaca Crowser. “You may see no changes in your hunting district that you had to, or you may see some, so it’s a good time to remember that those changes happen. They happen more in depth every other year; this is one of those years.”

More information about the changes and how to find the new regulations can be found here.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 27, 2026

Published

22 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Jan. 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Jan. 27 drawing

04-20-38-56-66, Mega Ball: 05

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 27 drawing

01-10-32-37-48, Lucky Ball: 09

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 27 drawing

09-21-27-28, Bonus: 06

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Montana

Montana app development teams from Code Girls United win Congressional App Challenge

Published

1 day ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

Montana app development teams from Code Girls United win Congressional App Challenge

KALISPELL, Mont. — Two app development teams from Code Girls United won the Congressional App Challenge in both Montana districts.

A team with Lily Kirkaldie, Charlie Kotthoff, and Danica Sabo from Great Falls won with their app ‘Cursive Create’.

The app helps teach cursive writing, which the team said is important since cursive is no longer taught in schools.

Three senior students from Browning High School, Aiyahna Green, Kalani Sun Rhodes, and Keesha Guerrero-Gobert, won with their app ‘Sspomo’.

This app provides awareness and resources for people facing mental health challenges, and was inspired by the Blackfeet tribe.

“They were really thoughtful about their community and what was affecting the people that they knew on the reservation, and what they could actually do to help them,” said Code Girls United CEO Marianne Smith.

“What they were seeing in the community was depression and other mental health issues, so they specifically wanted to create an app that would be able to help people that were in that same situation,” said Smith.

Both teams will travel to Washington D.C. for the National Science Fair’s ‘House of Code’, where they will showcase their apps in the U.S. Capitol.

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The event is scheduled for April 21 and 22.

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