Insurance Questions? We Have Straight Answers.

The Healthy Michigan Plan is Michigan's Medicaid expansion program. It covers adults ages 19-64 with household incomes up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level - the exact income cutoff is updated each year, so check the current figures at michigan.gov or with an advisor. A large number of Michiganders are enrolled. The plan includes a health risk assessment that, when completed, can reduce member copays. Great Lakes Coverage screens Michigan residents for Healthy Michigan eligibility before recommending marketplace plans - if you qualify, it's often your best option.

It depends on your county and your providers. BCBS Michigan offers coverage in every Michigan county (it's a legal obligation) and has the broadest hospital network statewide - including Henry Ford, DMC, McLaren, U-M Health, and Munson. Priority Health, headquartered in Grand Rapids, has the strongest West Michigan network and is tightly integrated with Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum/Beaumont). If you live in West Michigan and use Corewell providers, Priority Health is often the better fit. If you live anywhere in the UP or want maximum network flexibility, BCBS Michigan is typically the safer pick.

Yes. Michigan expanded Medicaid in April 2014 under the Healthy Michigan Plan. The expansion covers adults 19-64 earning up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level who don't qualify for traditional Medicaid. Michigan's expansion uses a member-incentive system: completing a health risk assessment and engaging in healthy behaviors can reduce your monthly cost-sharing. A substantial number of Michigan residents are currently enrolled.

MIChild is Michigan's version of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It covers uninsured children under 19 in families earning up to 217% of the Federal Poverty Level - the exact income cutoff is updated annually, so verify current figures with MI Bridges or an advisor. MIChild has historically used a low flat monthly premium per family (not per child) and includes medical, dental, vision, and mental health coverage. You can apply through MI Bridges (michigan.gov/mibridges) or - easier - let a Great Lakes Coverage advisor handle the application and coordinate it with your adult marketplace plan.

Upper Peninsula residents typically see fewer carrier choices than the rest of Michigan. BCBS Michigan maintains coverage across UP counties, and UP Health System (Marquette area) and Aspirus (Ironwood/western UP) are among the primary hospital systems in the region. We generally recommend prioritizing plans with strong telehealth coverage, since specialist access can be limited and travel distances are often significant. Our advisors work with UP residents regularly - call before assuming your options are limited to a single carrier.

Michigan auto and manufacturing workers typically have a few options after a layoff: (1) COBRA continuation of your employer plan, which generally costs more than what you paid as an employee since you take on the full premium plus an admin fee; (2) ACA marketplace plans through HealthCare.gov, where premium tax credits can meaningfully lower the monthly cost depending on your household income; or (3) the Healthy Michigan Plan if your household income drops below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level. The layoff triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. Great Lakes Coverage will walk through the COBRA vs. ACA math with you for free so you can see the actual numbers for your situation.

Often, but it depends on the plan. U-M Health is in-network with many BCBS Michigan plans, several Priority Health plans (especially in Washtenaw and surrounding counties, including Ann Arbor), and select HAP plans. Some narrow-network marketplace plans exclude U-M Health to lower premiums. Before you enroll, our advisors help verify U-M Health network status - including specific physicians and Michigan Medicine specialty clinics - so you're not surprised at the appointment desk.