Michigan health insurance questions, answered.
Answers from licensed agents about buying your own coverage in Michigan, organized by topic.
Getting started
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Open enrollment for 2027 runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1; if you enroll December 16 to January 15, coverage starts February 1.
No. Michigan uses the federal Marketplace at HealthCare.gov. Michigan's insurance department also runs the Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program (HICAP) at 877-999-6442 for questions and complaints.
Two things happened at once. Insurers raised individual rates 20.2% on average for 2026, and the extra federal premium help that started in 2021 expired at the end of 2025, so many people now get a smaller tax credit or none at all.
Leaving a job
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No. Michigan has no state continuation law, so if you worked for an employer with fewer than 20 employees you may not be able to stay on the group plan. Some group coverage offers conversion to an individual policy, and you can buy Marketplace plans during a special enrollment period.
It depends on your income and your old plan. COBRA means paying the full group premium, while Marketplace plans may come with a tax credit if your household income is at or below 400% of the poverty level. Compare both before your special enrollment window closes.
You may qualify for the Healthy Michigan Plan if you are 19 to 64 and your income is up to 138% of the poverty level. Medicaid applications are accepted all year, not just during open enrollment.
Early retirement
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Most early retirees use Marketplace plans until 65. Ending employer coverage gives you a special enrollment period, and your premium tax credit depends on your household income, so planning your withdrawals and other income can affect what you pay.
Yes. With the enhanced credits expired, households above 400% of the federal poverty level get no premium tax credit for 2026. For an older Michigan couple or single retiree, crossing that line can more than double the monthly premium.
Starting January 1, 2027, many Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees ages 19 to 64 must meet work or activity rules or qualify for an exemption, such as having a disability or caring for a disabled person. Current members will be checked at renewals on or after March 1, 2027.
Self-employed
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Yes, if your household income for the year is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level and you do not have access to other qualifying coverage. You estimate your income when you apply and reconcile it on your tax return.
No. Michigan does not have its own coverage mandate or tax penalty. Going without coverage still leaves you exposed to large medical bills.
No. Michigan does not run a state premium subsidy program, so the federal premium tax credit is the main help for people buying Marketplace plans.
Short-term plans
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Up to 185 days in any 365-day period from the same insurer, and the plan cannot be renewed. Michigan regulators confirmed this state rule in October 2025 after federal officials stopped enforcing a shorter four-month limit.
Generally no. Short-term plans in Michigan are not bound by ACA rules and usually exclude preexisting conditions. Marketplace plans must cover them.
Yes. At least six insurers were selling short-term plans in Michigan as of March 2026, and their forms and rates are reviewed by the state.
Non-ACA options
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Yes. A 2012 Michigan law says qualifying faith-based sharing ministries are not insurance and are not subject to state insurance laws. That also means there is no guarantee your medical bills will be shared.
No. Federal premium tax credits only apply to Marketplace plans. If you qualify for a sizable credit, a Marketplace plan may cost about the same or less than a non-ACA option.
No. Under Michigan's 2012 law, a qualifying sharing ministry is not treated as an insurance company, so the state's insurance rules and consumer protections for insurance do not apply to it. Read the ministry's guidelines closely, including limits on preexisting conditions.
Insurers
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Seven: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network, Priority Health, Meridian, McLaren Health Plan Community, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan and Oscar. Not every insurer sells in every county.
Both insurers left Michigan's Marketplace after 2025, so you need to choose a plan from a remaining insurer. Molina still offers one off-exchange plan statewide, but it does not qualify for premium tax credits.
According to KFF, the 2026 benchmark Silver plan for a 40-year-old in Michigan averages $523 a month before tax credits. Your actual price depends on age, county, plan and income.
Sources
Reviewed October 2026. Rules and prices change every year; a licensed agent will confirm what applies to you.
- HealthCare.gov: Dates and deadlines
- healthinsurance.org: Michigan health insurance marketplace (updated July 2026)
- KFF: Recent changes to Marketplace premium subsidies
- CHRT: Michigan's Health Insurance Marketplace at an Affordability Crossroads (July 2026)
- healthinsurance.org: Michigan Medicaid
- MDHHS: Medicaid work requirements announcement (July 23, 2026)
- Priority Health: Healthy Michigan Plan work requirements
- KFF: Expanded COBRA continuation coverage for small firm employees
- LegalClarity: How does COBRA insurance work in Michigan
- Michigan DIFS: Short-term limited duration FAQ
- healthinsurance.org: Short-term health insurance in Michigan
- Groom Law Group: Non-enforcement relief for short-term limited duration insurance
- Michigan Public Act 530 of 2012 (Health Care Sharing Ministries Freedom to Share Act)
- Bridge Michigan: Michigan open enrollment, how much health insurance rates are rising
- KFF: Average Marketplace premiums by metal tier (2026)
See what you'd actually pay.
A licensed agent will compare plans from every insurer in your Michigan county, check your subsidy, and walk you through the options. No cost, no obligation.