Best Cheap Health Insurance in Michigan (2025)
Blue Care Network of Michigan has the best individual health insurance plans in Michigan. The cheapest plan costs $398 per month before discounts.
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Best and cheapest health insurance plans in Michigan
Cheapest health insurance companies in Michigan
Ambetter, Molina, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Care Network of Michigan have the cheapest health insurance plans in MI, with Silver plans starting at $330 per month before discounts, called subsidies.
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Affordable individual health insurance plans in Michigan
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter from Meridian | $330-$503 |
| Molina Healthcare | $343-$447 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $381-$481 |
| Blue Care Network of Michigan | $398-$765 |
Ambetter from Meridian has the cheapest health insurance quotes for most people in Michigan, including those living in Detroit. However, where you live in Michigan will change the cheapest plan option for you. Molina has the most affordable health insurance in Ann Arbor, and UnitedHealthcare has the cheapest quotes in Grand Rapids. University of Michigan Health Plan has the most affordable health insurance in 10% of Michigan counties, mostly in the Eastern and Central parts of the state.
Best health insurance companies in Michigan
Blue Care Network of Michiganhas the best cheap health insurance in Michigan for most people.
Blue Care Network of Michigan stands out for its strong rating of 4 out of 5 stars from HealthCare.gov, which is among the best in the state. This high rating reflects the company's good reputation for service and plan quality.
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Best-rated health insurance companies in Michigan
Company |
Editor rating
|
ACA rating
|
|---|---|---|
| Blue Care Network of Michigan | 4.0 | |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 4.0 | |
| Priority Health | 4.0 | |
| University of Michigan Health Plan | 4.0 | |
| Ambetter from Meridian | 3.0 |
Blue Care Network of Michigan is a different company than Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. However, both companies are part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield network of companies.
However, Blue Care Network of Michigan only sells HMO plans, which restrict you to a network of doctors unless you need emergency medical care. If you want the freedom to choose your own doctor and still have some coverage, consider Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. It's the only company in Michigan to offer more flexible PPO (preferred provider organization) plans on the state health exchange.
Best health insurance plans in MI for flexible coverage: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is the only option for PPO (preferred provider organization) plans in Michigan. These give you the flexibility to visit a specialist without getting a referral first, and you can visit doctors outside your network for a higher cost.
You also don't need to choose a primary care doctor. However, PPOs tend to cost more than HMOs (health maintenance organizations), which are less flexible. Consider a PPO if you want the freedom to choose your doctors more than getting the cheapest quotes on your health insurance.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of MI is the most popular health insurance company in the state. BCBS of MI sells roughly 61% of all private health plans in Michigan. The company has a high-quality rating from HealthCare.gov. BCBS of MI also sells the only health plans in Michigan that let you go outside your network of doctors, called PPO plans.
Blue Cross Blue Shield has the largest network of doctors of any health insurance company nationwide.
However, BCBS of MI is more expensive than many of its competitors. The cheapest BCBS of Michigan individual Silver plan option costs $534 per month on average. That's $204 per month more than the cheapest health insurance in Michigan, the Ambetter from Meridian Clear Silver plan.
How much is health insurance in Michigan?
Health insurance in MI costs an average of $561 per month at full price or $98 per month for people who qualify for discounts based on how much money they make.
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Roughly 90% of Michigan residents who buy health insurance on HealthCare.gov qualify for a discount. One-third of shoppers pay $10 per month or less for health insurance after discounts.
Those who don't qualify for government discounts pay $561 per month for a Silver health plan, on average.
Higher plan tiers have expensive monthly rates, but they cover a large portion of your doctor's bill. Lower plan tiers have cheap rates, but you pay more for medical care.
It's also important to remember that your age has a big impact on how much you pay for insurance. A 40-year-old in Michigan will pay roughly a fifth more for the same Silver health plan as a 21-year-old on average, and a 60-year-old will pay more than double what a 40-year-old pays for the same level of coverage.
Get affordable health insurance plans in Michigan
Michigan residents who qualify for health insurance discounts because of their income pay $98 per month for individual coverage, on average.
About 90% of the people in Michigan who buy health insurance online through HealthCare.gov can get health insurance discounts, called subsidies.
Your household's annual income will determine the size of your discount. The less you earn, the more you save. One-third of Michigan shoppers pay $10 per month or less for health insurance.
To qualify for discounts, you need to earn less than $60,240 per year as a single person or $124,800 for a family of four. You can use subsidies to help pay for any Bronze, Silver or Gold plan you find on HealthCare.gov.
Cheap Michigan health insurance plans by city
Ambetter from Meridian has the cheapest medical insurance quotes in Detroit, at $354 per month for a Silver plan.
UnitedHealthcare has the most affordable Silver health plan in Grand Rapids, at $397 per year.
Cheapest individual health insurance by MI county
County | Cheapest Silver plan | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|
| Alcona | Blue Care Network of Michigan Preferred Silver Saver | $519 |
| Alger | Blue Care Network of Michigan Preferred Silver Saver | $641 |
| Allegan | Ambetter from Meridian Clear Silver | $397 |
| Alpena | Blue Care Network of Michigan Preferred Silver Saver | $519 |
| Antrim | Blue Care Network of Michigan Preferred Silver Saver | $476 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
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Ambetter from Meridian has the cheapest rates for more than half of the population of Michigan. Ambetter has the most affordable medical insurance for three of the largest counties in Michigan: Wayne, Macomb and Oakland.
Blue Care Network of Michigan has the cheapest health insurance in Michigan for about 10% of the state's population and about half of Michigan's counties, mostly in the northern and western parts of the state. That makes Blue Care the most affordable option for many rural Michigan residents.
Best health insurance plans by level of coverage
Silver health plans offer the best combination of cheap rates and affordable costs when you visit the doctor.
It's important to remember that the best plan tier for you will depend on your medical needs and whether you qualify for discounts because of your income.
Gold plans: Best if you have ongoing or expensive medical needs
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
Gold plans cost $608 per month in Michigan, on average.
That's $47 per month more than an average Silver plan.
A Gold plan makes sense if you think you'll have to spend a lot of money on medical care in the coming year. That's because you'll typically have a lower deductible, and lower copays and coinsurance.
Silver plans: Best for most people
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
In Michigan, Silver health plans cost $561 per month on average with no discounts.
Silver plans offer a middle ground with moderate monthly rates and affordable costs that you're responsible for paying when you visit the doctor.
Average deductible by plan tier in Michigan
- Catastrophic: $9,200
- Bronze: $7,521
- Silver: $4,609
- Gold: $1,279
With a Silver health plan, you'll typically pay higher costs for most types of medical care. On average, you'll pay thousands of dollars more before your coverage starts with a Silver plan than you would with a Gold plan in Michigan.
Bronze plans: Best for affordable coverage
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
Michigan residents pay $417 per month for Bronze plans on average.
That is a savings of $144 per month compared to an average Silver health plan.
A Bronze plan may be a good option if you're in good health and rarely visit the doctor. However, you'll pay more when you visit the doctor with a Bronze plan. In Michigan, Bronze health plans have deductibles that are $2,912 higher than those of Silver plans, on average.
Catastrophic plans: Best to prevent financial disaster
Catastrophic plans cost an average of $351 per month in Michigan.
You can only buy a Catastrophic health plan if you're under 30 years old or you qualify for a special hardship exemption.
Consider a Catastrophic plan if you only need protection for expensive emergencies and you have a large amount of money in your savings account.
Catastrophic plans have lower rates than Bronze plans. However, you'll have to pay $9,200 before your coverage begins for most medical care. It's important to remember that you can't qualify for subsidies with a Catastrophic plan.
Catastrophic plans are rarely worth it if you earn a low income and qualify for discounts.
Best health insurance for Michigan residents who earn low incomes
Michigan residents who struggle to afford medical insurance should consider Medicaid or a Silver health plan with discounts and cost-sharing reductions (CSRs).
Depending on your income, you may qualify for heavily discounted or free health insurance from the government.
Silver plans: Best if you earn a low income but can't get Medicaid
| Silver plans will pay 73% to 94% of your medical costs if you have a low income. |
You can qualify for extra financial help from the government called cost-sharing reductions with a Silver health plan. Other plan tiers don't have this option.
To get cost-sharing reductions in Michigan, you need to earn less than roughly $38,000 per year as an individual or $78,000 per year as a family of four.
Cost-sharing reductions help you pay for the costs you're responsible for when you visit the doctor, such as medical costs before you reach your deductible, copay and coinsurance.
Medicaid: Free health insurance for Michigan residents
Medicaid is free government health insurance for people who earn a low income.
Medicaid is the best health insurance option if you qualify. In Michigan, you can go on Medicaid if you make about $21,000 per year or less as a single person or $44,000 per year or less for a family of four. Pregnant women can qualify for Medicaid with an income of about $30,000 or less, and children younger than 18 are eligible if they earn less than $32,000 per year.
Are health insurance rates going up in Michigan?
Health insurance rates rose by 9% on average in Michigan from 2024 to 2025. However, some plan tiers saw much larger increases than others. For example, Silver health plans got 13% more expensive, on average, while Gold plans only increased by 6%. Medical insurance rates are projected to increase in 2026.
Catastrophic
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $295 | - |
| 2023 | $309 | 5% |
| 2024 | $328 | 6% |
| 2025 | $351 | 7% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Catastrophic
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $295 | - |
| 2023 | $309 | 5% |
| 2024 | $328 | 6% |
| 2025 | $351 | 7% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Bronze
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $324 | - |
| 2023 | $329 | 2% |
| 2024 | $382 | 16% |
| 2025 | $417 | 9% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Silver
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $410 | - |
| 2023 | $435 | 6% |
| 2024 | $497 | 14% |
| 2025 | $561 | 13% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $500 | - |
| 2023 | $492 | -2% |
| 2024 | $571 | 16% |
| 2025 | $608 | 6% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
It's important to compare health insurance quotes every year. The cheapest health insurance in Michigan this year won't necessarily be the best choice next year.
Why is health insurance expensive in MI for 2026?
Michigan health insurance companies would like to increase prices by around 17% for 2026.
That's significantly more than last year's increase of 9%. Two of the biggest reasons given by health insurance companies for these proposed rate hikes include higher prescription drug prices and more doctor visits by enrollees.
Other factors driving up the cost of health insurance in Michigan are expiring tax credits, higher health care costs and inflation.
How to save money on medical insurance in 2026
- High-deductible health plans (HDHPs) typically have cheaper quotes than regular insurance plans.
- If you have an HDHP, open a health savings account (HSA) for significant tax benefits.
- Compare quotes to save on your monthly rate without sacrificing coverage or service quality.
- If you earn a low income, you may be eligible for free government health insurance, called Medicaid.
ACA essential health benefits
In Michigan, Obamacare plans bought through HealthCare.gov are required by law to cover 10 essential benefits regardless of the plan tier you choose.
- Outpatient care
- Emergency services
- Hospital care
- Care for pregnant women and newborns
- Services for mental health and substance use disorders
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitation services and devices
- Laboratory services
- Preventive, wellness and ongoing disease services
- Coverage for babies (pediatrics)
In addition, companies can't deny you coverage or charge you higher rates based on your health. All plans also have maximum annual limits on how much you'll spend for medical care, called out-of-pocket maximums.
Cost of Michigan health insurance by family size
How much you pay for health insurance will depend on the size of your family.
You'll pay an average of $336 per month for every child under 15 that you add to your plan. In Michigan, a family of four with two 40-year-old adults and two children under 15 will pay $1,793 per month before discounts for a Silver health plan.
Family size | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Individual | $561 |
| Individual and child | $896 |
| Couple, age 40 | $1,122 |
| Family of three | $1,457 |
| Family of four | $1,793 |
Averages based on a Silver plan for 40-year-old adults and children who are under age 15.
Short-term health insurance plans in Michigan
In January 2025, the Trump administration rolled back a rule that limits the length of short-term health policies to three months. Although there isn't a public timeline for when this change will happen, you may be able to get short-term health insurance in Michigan for up to 185 days sometime in the coming year.
You can buy short-term health insurance at any time of the year, not just open enrollment. In addition, these plans tend to cost less than regular health insurance. But they typically offer worse coverage than marketplace plans.
Pros of short-term health insurance plans in MI
Cons of short-term health insurance plans in MI
Frequently asked questions
Is $200 a month expensive for health insurance in Michigan?
No, $200 per month for medical insurance in Michigan is much cheaper than the state average for all plan tiers. Keep in mind, you can get even more affordable quotes by taking advantage of discounts, called subsidies.
What is the most affordable health insurance in Michigan?
Ambetter from Meridian has the cheapest Silver medical insurance for most Michigan residents, including those in the Detroit area. However, Molina offers the most affordable quotes in Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor.
What is the average monthly cost of health insurance in Michigan?
You'll pay $561 per month before discounts for health insurance in Michigan, on average. Keep in mind that 90% of Michigan residents who buy health insurance on HealthCare.gov qualify for discounts. Those who qualify for discounts pay $98 on average, and roughly one-third of shoppers eligible for discounts pay $10 or less per month.
How do I get health insurance in Michigan?
If you don't have workplace coverage, the best way to get medical insurance in Michigan is by shopping through the state health exchange. Michigan's health marketplace lets you easily compare quotes and find out what discounts you're eligible for.
What is the best health insurance in Michigan?
Blue Care Network of Michigan offers the best health insurance in Michigan because of its good customer service reputation and affordable quotes. If you want more flexibility when it comes to choosing your doctor, consider getting a PPO plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Despite their similar names, Blue Care Network of Michigan and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan are two different companies.
How do I get free health insurance in Michigan?
In Michigan, you may qualify for free government health insurance, called Medicaid, if you make around $21,000 per year ($44,000 for a family of four) or less. If you earn a low income but don't qualify for Medicaid, you may qualify for financial assistance from the government, called subsidies and cost-sharing reductions (CSRs).
Methodology
Michigan health insurance rate data for 2025 is from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website. ValuePenguin used the CMS public use files (PUFs) in calculations to average rates across a variety of factors such as plan tier, county and family size. Plans and insurance companies for which county-level data was included in the CMS Crosswalk file were used in our reporting. Those excluded from these files were not included in our analysis.
Rates are based on a 40-year-old with a Silver plan, unless otherwise noted. Other sources include S&P Global Capital IQ, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the Michigan Department of Insurance. Information relating to rising health care costs came from The Detroit News and KFF.
Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He's also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Flood insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Auto and motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- The Miami Herald
- Money.com
- MSN
- Nasdaq
- The Sacramento Bee
- Yahoo! Finance
Education
- BA, University of Washington
- Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego
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.
