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 (roughly $20,000 for a single adult, $41,400 for a family of four in 2025). Over 700,000 Michiganders are enrolled. The plan includes an innovative health risk assessment that, when completed, reduces member copays. Great Lakes Coverage screens every Michigan resident for Healthy Michigan eligibility before recommending marketplace plans — if you qualify, it's almost always 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% FPL who don't qualify for traditional Medicaid. Michigan's expansion is uniquely structured with a member-incentive system: completing a health risk assessment and engaging in healthy behaviors reduces your monthly cost-sharing. Over 700,000 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 — roughly $67,500 for a family of four in 2025. MIChild has a flat $10/month 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.

UP residents face the most limited carrier choices in Michigan. BCBS Michigan is the only carrier with a guaranteed presence in every UP county. UP Health System (Marquette area) and Aspirus (Ironwood/western UP) are the primary hospital systems. We strongly recommend prioritizing plans with strong telehealth coverage because specialist access is limited and travel distances are significant. Our advisors specialize in UP plan navigation — call us before assuming your options are limited to one carrier.

Michigan auto workers (Ford, GM, Stellantis, and Tier-1 suppliers) typically have three options after a layoff: (1) COBRA continuation of your employer plan — full premium plus 2% admin fee, usually $1,500–$3,000/month for family coverage; (2) ACA marketplace plans through HealthCare.gov with premium tax credits — often $200–$600/month for family coverage at typical UAW transition incomes; or (3) Healthy Michigan Plan if your household income drops below 133% FPL. The layoff triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. Great Lakes Coverage runs the COBRA vs. ACA math for free — the marketplace usually wins by thousands per year.

Yes, but plan-by-plan. U-M Health is in-network with most BCBS Michigan plans, several Priority Health plans (especially in Washtenaw and surrounding counties), and select HAP plans. Some narrow-network marketplace plans exclude U-M Health to lower premiums. Before you enroll, our advisors verify U-M Health network status — including specific physicians and Michigan Medicine specialty clinics — so you're never surprised at the appointment desk.