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How To Find the Best Health Insurance in Michigan

author-photoWritten by Preston Micalizio
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Preston Micalizio

Preston Micalizio writes insurance content for SmartFinancial. He brings three years of professional experience writing ...

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editor-photoEdited by Dan Marticio
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Dan Marticio

Dan Marticio is the content manager at SmartFinancial and has written 150+ articles across multiple insurance verticals....

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Updated September 16, 2024

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You’ll want to shop around to find the ideal health insurance option in Michigan, comparing multiple insurance carriers to get the best rate for your needs. There’s no tax penalty if you go without health insurance in the Great Lakes State, but if you get unexpectedly sick or suffer a costly injury, having coverage can help protect you from severe medical debt.

Keep reading to learn more about Michigan health insurance, the most affordable plans, the health insurance cost in some of the state’s largest cities and what types of health care options are available.

Key Takeaways

  • The average monthly cost of a benchmark Marketplace health plan is $381 in Michigan.
  • Michigan doesn’t levy any penalties or fines for not having health insurance coverage.
  • Ambetter offers the cheapest rates in Michigan for silver plans, but cheaper rates may be available from other carriers depending on where you live.
  • Open enrollment in Michigan lasts from November 1st to January 15th, but any plan changes must be locked in before December 15th if you want coverage to start on January 1st.
  • The Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP) offers free or low-cost coverage for low-income residents of the state, with other programs covering children 18 and under and pregnant women over the income threshold for HMP.

On This Page

Expand Table of Contents

Is Health Insurance Required in Michigan?

American taxpayers are legally required to have health insurance that covers a minimum amount of benefits. However, as of tax year 2018, there are no longer federal tax penalties for people who don't enroll in a coverage plan.[1] Not having health insurance does carry fines in some states, but Michigan doesn’t levy fines or taxes for not enrolling in a plan.[2]

While this lack of penalties means that health insurance is effectively optional across Michigan, you'll likely be left responsible for paying your medical bills out of pocket if you don't have coverage.

Michigan Health Insurance Rankings

The Commonwealth Fund ranked Michigan 27 out of 51 in an analysis that took a holistic look at the health care systems in each U.S. state and Washington, D.C. Michigan notably ranked eleventh in terms of access and affordability for health care but 38th, the state’s lowest score, in avoidable hospital use and cost. When considering all metrics, the state ranked third among five Great Lake states, including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.[3]

Below is an overview of Michigan’s national rank in each of the dimensions analyzed by the Commonwealth Fund:[3]

Dimension

National Rank

Reproductive & Women’s Health

26

Access & Affordability

11

Prevention & Treatment

20

Avoidable Hospital Use & Cost

38

Healthy Lives

34

Income Disparity

31

Racial & Ethnic Health Equity

20

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Michigan?

MI Monthly Premium for Lowest-Cost Plan by Metal Tier

Marketplace benchmark plans in Michigan cost $381 per month on average, slightly less expensive than the nationwide average of $477 per month. On average, Michigan residents pay a monthly premium of $294 for the lowest-cost bronze plan available in the state, $374 for the lowest-cost silver plan and $417 for the lowest-cost gold plan.[4]

Average Cost Benchmark Premium by State

Cheapest Health Insurance Options in Michigan

Michigan residents generally find the bronze level of health insurance plans through the Marketplace the cheapest, typically featuring higher deductibles, copays and coinsurance in exchange for lower monthly premiums. However, depending on your health care needs, you might want to look into a more advanced plan. For example, if you have a chronic illness that requires you to go to the doctor regularly, such as diabetes management, you might benefit from a plan that has a higher monthly premium but lowers your out-of-pocket costs.

health insurance tiers

Health maintenance organization (HMO) plans are often less expensive than plans from preferred provider organizations (PPO) but might not offer the same level of benefits. For example, if you choose an HMO plan, you might need a referral from your primary care doctor to see an expert and may be more limited in your network regarding non-emergency care.

What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Michigan by City?

Below, we’ll review the median monthly rates across all metal tiers for individual health insurance plans for 30-year-olds making $40,000 per year in five major cities in Michigan before considering premium tax credits.[5]

City, Zip Code

Quote

Detroit, 48228

$331.68

Grand Rapids, 49508

$401.20

Warren, 48091

$329.89

Lansing, 48310

$408.26

Ann Arbor, 48103

$367.14

MI Median Monthly Rates in Major Cities

Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Michigan?

Ambetter offers the most affordable health insurance plans in Michigan in the silver tiers. Depending on where you live, some plans may be cheaper, such as Molina offering the cheapest plans in Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. Below is an overview of Michigan health insurers with an average monthly premium below $500 for 40-year-olds buying silver plans.[6]

Health Insurance Company

Average Premium

Ambetter

$318

Molina

$336

Blue Care of Michigan

$360

Priority Health

$361

UnitedHealthcare

$367

Oscar

$381

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

$495

When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Michigan?

Michigan residents can apply for health insurance through their Marketplace website during the standard open enrollment period from November 1 to January 15.[7] However, any changes to your enrolled health insurance plan must be made by December 16 to receive that coverage by January 1 of the following year.[8]

A special enrollment period can be triggered after a qualifying life event, allowing you to enroll outside the standard open enrollment period. These events include moving, getting married, becoming a parent or losing your health insurance through your job. You typically have 60 days before or after most events to sign up for health insurance.[9]

What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Michigan?

Some of the major types of health insurance you can purchase in Michigan include the following:

How To Get Health Insurance in Michigan?

To get enough health insurance quotes to compare options, you’ll want to shop between three to five different insurance carriers. Gathering these quotes one at a time can become tedious, but you can speed up the process by utilizing an insurance marketplace like SmartFinacial.

After answering a few questions, we can connect you with one of our agents who can help you find affordable health insurance coverage that best suits your needs. Click here to get a free Michigan health insurance plan quote today!

Get a Free Quote for Michigan Health Insurance Today!

FAQs

Is health insurance expensive in Michigan?

Health insurance Marketplace plans in Michigan are much lower than the national average, with benchmark plans costing $96 less monthly in 2024.[4]

Is Medicare available in Michigan?

Yes, you can enroll in Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans in Michigan if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Have health insurance rates gone up in Michigan?

Yes, the average benchmark premium in Michigan increased by $41 between 2022 and 2024.[4]

What happens if I don’t sign up for health insurance in Michigan?

In Michigan, you won’t be fined for not having health insurance – however, you will be left responsible for covering your medical costs entirely out of pocket. Additionally, you won’t be able to purchase a marketplace plan until the open enrollment period begins unless you qualify for a special enrollment period (November 1 to January 15).[7]

Is there access to free health care in Michigan?

The Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP), a Medicaid program, provides free or low-cost coverage for the state's low-income residents.[10] Other financial assistance alternatives include MIChild, which insures children up to age 18, and the Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP), which is offered to pregnant women.[11]

Sources

  1. HealthCare.gov. “Exemptions from the Fee for Not Having Coverage.” Accessed Sept. 13, 2024.
  2. KFF. “I’m Uninsured. Am I Required To Get Health Insurance?” Accessed Sept. 13, 2024.
  3. Commonwealth Fund. “2023 Scorecard on State Health System Performance: Michigan,” Page 1. Accessed Sept. 13, 2024.
  4. KFF. “Average Marketplace Premiums by Metal Tier, 2018-2024.” Accessed Sept. 13, 2024.
  5. HealthCare.gov. “Health Insurance Plans & Prices.” Accessed Sept. 13, 2024.
  6. ValuePenguin. “Best Cheap Health Insurance in Michigan.” Accessed Sept. 13, 2024.
  7. Michigan Disability Benefits 101. “How Health Benefits Work: Individual Coverage on HealthCare.gov.” Accessed Sept. 13, 2024.
  8. HealthCare.gov. “When Can You Get Health Insurance?” Accessed Sept. 13, 2024.
  9. HealthCare.gov. “Special Enrollment Period (SEP).” Accessed Sept. 13, 2024.
  10. Healthy Michigan Plan. “Who Is Eligible.” Accessed Sept. 13, 2024.
  11. Priority Health. “Michigan Medicaid Guide.” Accessed Sept. 13, 2024.
About the Author
Preston Micalizio
Preston Micalizio
Health Insurance Expert

Preston Micalizio writes insurance content for SmartFinancial. He brings three years of professional experience writing in various industries, from higher education to e-commerce. He strives to engage with the audience, provide accurate reporting and make complex subjects easily digestible.

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