Best Cheap Health Insurance in Michigan 2020
For 2020, the average cost of health insurance in Michigan is $416 per month, which is a 3% decrease since the 2018 plan year.
In Michigan, you can find cheap health insurance plans on the state exchange, though your best plan available will depend on the county in which you live and the coverage you choose.
To help you find the best health insurance coverage for you, we evaluated all Silver plans in Michigan and found that the cheapest policy was either the MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 or the Meridian Healthy Silver in the majority of the state. However, the Silver plans offered by Total Health Care USA and Physicians Health were the most affordable in the few counties where they offered coverage, so we recommend comparing rates from insurers before purchasing a policy.
Cheapest health insurance by metal tier
We recommend using these low-cost health insurance policies as a starting point to determine the costs and benefits you can expect from a given metal tier of coverage.
We compared health insurance plans in Michigan by metal tier in order to determine the best cheap policies available for each level of coverage.
The insurers and health plans available will change depending on the county in which you live, so those listed below may not be offered in your region.
| Metal tier | Cheapest plan | Deductible | Maximum out-of-pocket cost | Monthly cost for a 40-year-old |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catastrophic | Blue Cross® Select HMO Value | $8,150 | $8,150 | $201 |
| Bronze | Total Saver Plus | $5,500 | $8,150 | $225 |
| Expanded Bronze | Meridian Healthy Bronze | $8,150 | $8,150 | $221 |
| Silver | Meridian Healthy Silver | $7,500 | $8,150 | $307 |
| Gold | Meridian Base Gold | $3,500 | $6,000 | $336 |
| Platinum | Sparrow PHP Platinum 500 Exclusive | $500 | $3,000 | $544 |
Compare Health Insurance Quotes in Michigan
Higher metal tiers of coverage have lower out-of-pocket costs, meaning you'll pay less in the event you need to use your health insurance, but they also come with more expensive premiums.
In addition to the level of coverage you choose, your age is a significant factor in determining health insurance rates, as premiums get more expensive as you get older. As you can see in the example below, a 40-year-old would pay 53% cheaper rates for health insurance than a 60-year-old.
Finding your best health insurance coverage in Michigan
The best health insurance plan available for you in Michigan will depend upon the county you live, as this determines which plans are offered, as well as your income.
In each county, you'll be able to choose among metal tiers of coverage, which indicate both a plan's monthly premiums and benefits. Generally, higher metal tier plans have more expensive premiums, but out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, copays and coinsurance, are much lower. Lower-metal-tier health plans, on the other hand, have cheaper monthly rates alongside much higher cost sharing features.
So, for instance, if you're young and have had no health issues, your net cost would likely be lower with a Silver or Bronze plan, since you're likely to have fewer medical expenses throughout the year. However, if you became ill and needed to be hospitalized, your total expenses may be higher, as you'd need to cover large out-of-pocket costs before your health insurance would provide coverage.
Gold and Platinum plans: best for high medical costs
Gold and Platinum health plans in have the most expensive monthly premiums, but they also offer the cheapest out-of-pocket expenses, related to deductibles and copays. So, if you have high expected medical expenses, such as costly ongoing prescriptions, a higher metal tier policy may be your best choice for health insurance.
Silver plans: best if you have low income or moderate medical expenses
Silver plans are often the best health insurance option if you're looking for a middle ground to balance affordable premiums and out-of-pocket costs. They also are eligible for cost-sharing subsidies for lower-income households, which can help to make your health coverage more affordable.
Bronze & Catastrophic plans: best for healthy people with emergency savings
Bronze and Catastrophic plans have the cheapest monthly health insurance rates, which make them great choices for young, healthy people with low expected medical costs. We wouldn't recommend these policies unless you have the financial resources to cover the high out-of-pocket expenses in case of an emergency.
Low metal tiers have the highest deductibles, copays and coinsurance, meaning coverage won't be extended until you've covered these costs yourself. Also note that Catastrophic plans aren't available unless you're under the age of 30 or meet certain exemptions, so this option may not be available to you.
Medicaid
Michigan expanded Medicaid for residents under the Affordable Care Act, so depending on your income, you may qualify for Medicaid or a qualified health plan. However, Michigan is different from other states in that, if your household income is greater than the federal poverty level and you enroll for Medicaid, you must contribute 2% of your annual income to a health savings account.
Health insurance rate change in Michigan
Health insurance providers are required to submit any policy premium, deductible and out-of-pocket maximum changes to federal regulators. This occurs on an annual basis and is the reason that you may see a slight uptick in your health insurance costs.
In 2020, health insurance costs increased the most for Platinum plans — rising in cost by 12% since 2018. Additionally, Silver metal tier policies decreased in cost by $29 during the two-year timespan.
| Metal tier | 2018 premium | 2020 premium | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catastrophic | $269 | $277 | 2.86% |
| Bronze | $332 | $338 | 1.81% |
| Expanded Bronze | $343 | $332 | -3.29% |
| Silver | $481 | $452 | -5.93% |
| Gold | $541 | $550 | 1.60% |
| Platinum | $532 | $596 | 12.05% |
Short-term health insurance in Michigan
You can purchase short-term health insurance in Michigan, but policies are restricted when compared to the federal guidelines for these types of plans. If you have a short-term plan, coverage would only be provided for up to six months, and renewals would be prohibited.
Although short-term plans provide a variety of coverage benefits, they do not cover some of the essential benefits including maternity, mental health and prescription drugs. Before purchasing a short-term health plan, you should make sure the policy is appropriate for your needs.
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Best cheap health insurance companies in Michigan
For those looking to compare policies, there are currently nine health insurance companies on the Michigan state exchange:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mutual Insurance Co.
- Priority Health
- McLaren Health Plan Community
- Blue Care Network of Michigan
- Meridian Health Plan of Michigan Inc.
- Physicians Health Plan
- Total Health Care USA Inc.
- Molina Healthcare of Michigan Inc.
- Oscar Insurance Co.
Not all of these insurers are available in every region — only Blue Care Network of Michigan and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan offer health insurance in every county in the state.
If they offer coverage in your county, we recommend starting your search with Total Health Care USA and Physicians Health.
If you live in a county where these insurers aren't available, the best cheap health insurance plan will likely be offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, McLaren or Meridian. These companies offered the cheapest Silver health insurance plans in the majority of Michigan.
Cheapest health insurance plan by county
The county where you live in Michigan will determine the health insurance companies and plans available. To help you find your best health plan, we compared rates from every policy in the state to determine the cheapest Silver policy in each county.
Your actual cost of health insurance will vary depending on your age and family size, but we recommend using this as a starting point to determine the most affordable health coverage near you.
| County | Cheapest plan | Age 40 | Couple, age 40 | Couple, age 40, plus child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcona | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $390 | $779 | $1,012 |
| Alger | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $552 | $1,104 | $1,435 |
| Allegan | Meridian Healthy Silver | $424 | $848 | $1,102 |
| Alpena | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $390 | $779 | $1,012 |
| Antrim | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $368 | $735 | $955 |
| Arenac | McLaren Silver Exchange | $391 | $783 | $1,017 |
| Baraga | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $552 | $1,104 | $1,435 |
| Barry | Meridian Healthy Silver | $424 | $848 | $1,102 |
| Bay | McLaren Silver Exchange | $391 | $783 | $1,017 |
| Benzie | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $368 | $735 | $955 |
| Berrien | Meridian Healthy Silver | $399 | $797 | $1,036 |
| Branch | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $458 | $915 | $1,189 |
| Calhoun | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 - Bronson Healthcare Partners | $412 | $824 | $1,070 |
| Cass | Meridian Healthy Silver | $399 | $797 | $1,036 |
| Charlevoix | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $368 | $735 | $955 |
| Cheboygan | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $390 | $779 | $1,012 |
| Chippewa | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $422 | $844 | $1,097 |
| Clare | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $420 | $840 | $1,091 |
| Clinton | Sparrow PHP Silver 7000 Exclusive | $366 | $733 | $952 |
| Crawford | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $390 | $779 | $1,012 |
| Delta | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $552 | $1,104 | $1,435 |
| Dickinson | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $552 | $1,104 | $1,435 |
| Eaton | Sparrow PHP Silver 7000 Exclusive | $366 | $733 | $952 |
| Emmet | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $368 | $735 | $955 |
| Genesee | Meridian Healthy Silver | $307 | $614 | $798 |
| Gladwin | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $420 | $840 | $1,091 |
| Gogebic | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $552 | $1,104 | $1,435 |
| Grand Traverse | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $368 | $735 | $955 |
| Gratiot | McLaren Silver Exchange | $391 | $783 | $1,017 |
| Hillsdale | McLaren Silver Exchange | $390 | $780 | $1,013 |
| Houghton | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $552 | $1,104 | $1,435 |
| Huron | McLaren Silver Exchange | $405 | $811 | $1,054 |
| Ingham | Sparrow PHP Silver 7000 Exclusive | $366 | $733 | $952 |
| Ionia | Sparrow PHP Silver 7000 Exclusive | $366 | $733 | $952 |
| Iosco | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $390 | $779 | $1,012 |
| Iron | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $552 | $1,104 | $1,435 |
| Isabella | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $420 | $840 | $1,091 |
| Jackson | Meridian Healthy Silver | $418 | $836 | $1,086 |
| Kalamazoo | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 - Bronson Healthcare Partners | $412 | $824 | $1,070 |
| Kalkaska | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $368 | $735 | $955 |
| Kent | Constant Care Silver 2 | $320 | $640 | $831 |
| Keweenaw | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $552 | $1,104 | $1,435 |
| Lake | Meridian Healthy Silver | $336 | $672 | $873 |
| Lapeer | Meridian Healthy Silver | $307 | $614 | $798 |
| Leelanau | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $368 | $735 | $955 |
| Lenawee | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $444 | $887 | $1,152 |
| Livingston | Constant Care Silver 2 | $320 | $641 | $833 |
| Luce | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $552 | $1,104 | $1,435 |
| Mackinac | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $422 | $844 | $1,097 |
| Macomb | Meridian Healthy Silver | $308 | $615 | $800 |
| Manistee | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $368 | $735 | $955 |
| Marquette | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $552 | $1,104 | $1,435 |
| Mason | Meridian Healthy Silver | $336 | $672 | $873 |
| Mecosta | Meridian Healthy Silver | $336 | $672 | $873 |
| Menominee | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $552 | $1,104 | $1,435 |
| Midland | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $420 | $840 | $1,091 |
| Missaukee | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $368 | $735 | $955 |
| Monroe | Meridian Healthy Silver | $308 | $615 | $800 |
| Montcalm | Meridian Healthy Silver | $336 | $672 | $873 |
| Montmorency | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $390 | $779 | $1,012 |
| Muskegon | Oscar Classic Silver Next | $330 | $660 | $857 |
| Newaygo | Meridian Healthy Silver | $336 | $672 | $873 |
| Oakland | Meridian Healthy Silver | $308 | $635 | $800 |
| Oceana | Meridian Healthy Silver | $336 | $000 | $873 |
| Ogemaw | Meridian Healthy Silver | $372 | $000 | $966 |
| Ontonagon | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $552 | $000 | $1,435 |
| Osceola | Meridian Healthy Silver | $336 | $000 | $873 |
| Oscoda | Meridian Healthy Silver | $372 | $000 | $966 |
| Otsego | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $390 | $000 | $1,012 |
| Ottawa | Meridian Healthy Silver | $336 | $000 | $873 |
| Presque Isle | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $390 | $000 | $1,012 |
| Roscommon | Meridian Healthy Silver | $372 | $000 | $966 |
| Saginaw | McLaren Silver Exchange | $391 | $000 | $1,017 |
| Saint Clair | McLaren Silver Exchange | $402 | $000 | $1,045 |
| Saint Joseph | Meridian Healthy Silver | $399 | $000 | $1,036 |
| Sanilac | Meridian Healthy Silver | $401 | $000 | $1,042 |
| Schoolcraft | Blue Cross® Preferred HMO Silver Saver | $552 | $000 | $1,435 |
| Shiawassee | Sparrow PHP Silver 7000 Exclusive | $366 | $000 | $952 |
| Tuscola | McLaren Silver Exchange | $405 | $000 | $1,054 |
| Van Buren | Meridian Healthy Silver | $399 | $000 | $1,036 |
| Washtenaw | Constant Care Silver 2 | $320 | $000 | $833 |
| Wayne | Meridian Healthy Silver | $308 | $000 | $800 |
| Wexford | MyPriority HMO Silver 3200 | $368 | $000 | $955 |
Average cost of health insurance by family size in Michigan
Larger families in Michigan will pay higher premiums for health insurance as more people are added to the policy. The cost of adding another family member to your health coverage will depend on their age.
Children under the age of 15 are charged a flat rate, while older children and your spouse will be charged a rate that increases each year as they age.
So, for instance, if you and your spouse were covered by a Silver plan and wanted to add coverage for your new child, your monthly premium would increase by approximately $271—the average cost to add health insurance for a child in Michigan.
On the other hand, if you've just gotten married and want to add your 40-year-old spouse to your policy, your premiums would double — increasing by $453 per month — assuming you're the same age.
| Family size | Average monthly cost of health plan |
|---|---|
| Individual + child | $723 |
| Couple age 40 | $905 |
| Family of three (adult couple and a child) | $1,176 |
| Family of four (adult couple and two children) | $1,447 |
| Family of five (adult couple and three children) | $1,718 |
Methodology
Health insurance rates, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums in this report were compiled from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services government website. Using Public Use Files (PUF), ValuePenguin calculated average values by county, metal tier and family size to better understand the health insurance marketplace in Michigan.
Sterling Price is a research analyst at ValuePenguin specializing in health and life insurance. He graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelors degree in Finance and Accounting and has previous experience as a licensed life insurance representative.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.