Michigan Health Insurance

How healthy is living in Michigan?

Michigan's health to #31 of the 50 states, according to the 2008 ranking of the healthiest states by the United Health Foundation.

The good news:

• Michigan's best ranking was again in the category ranking its percentage of occupational fatalities (3.8 per 100,000 workers).
• The prevalence of smoking in the state has decreased from 26.1 percent ot 20.4 percent of the population over the past five years.
• Over the past 10 years, the state has done a better job of immunizing its children, as the percentage immunized rose from 26.7 percent to 76.8 percent receiving complete immunizations.

The bad news:

• Michigan dropped two spots – to #43 – in the category measuring binge drinking.
• The state saw an increase from 15.8 to 19.1 percent of the population of children identified as being in poverty.

The state's best and worst category rankings:

• Occupational fatalities – #9
• Public health funding – #39
• Cardiovascular deaths – #41
• Prevalence of obesity – #41
• Prevalence of binge drinking – #43

See the United Health Foundation's latest findings on Michigan.

Does Michigan have a risk pool for the uninsurable?

No, Michigan does not offer its own risk pool for its citizens who are medically uninsurable.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Starting in 2010, Michigan will offer health coverage to residents through the federally established temporary high-risk pool program. To find out more about Michigan's participation, click here.

Risk pools are state-sponsored programs to help people with a history of medical problems in their family to purchase coverage. These pools are for people who can afford to buy health insurance, but are not able to get underwritten in the private market because of a pre-existing health condition. These programs can vary significantly from state to state in price, benefits and number of people served. Often insurance companies doing business in the state are required to contribute to the pool to keep it in the black. In the best cases, they allow people to be able to switch jobs or become self-employed without the fear of losing their health insurance coverage. Read more about risk pools here.

Cover The Uninsured's guide on finding health insurance in Michigan

Cover The Uninsured is a national effort to highlight the fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance and to demand solutions from our nation's leaders. Read more information on its efforts. It is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

• Cover The Uninsured's facts on the uninsured in Michigan and all other states.
• Its guide on how to find health insurance in Michigan.
• Materiales En Español – Guías para encontrar cobertura de seguro de salud.

Georgetown University's Guide to Health Insurance in Michigan

Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute has researched and written state-by-state guides for finding and keeping health insurance. It updates these guides as federal and state policies change. A number of non-profit organizations help fund its research. Learn more about the Health Policy Institute.

Review Georgetown's guide for Michigan.

USNews health insurance rankings for Michigan

US News does an annual ranking of what it considers the best health insurance plans in each state. Visit its reports on various health insurance or medical insurance plans being offered in Michigan.

Official State Goverment Sites with Michigan Health Insurance Information

How to Get the Most Out of Your Health Coverage – Should you have questions, or need additional information, the staff of the Office of Financial and Insurance Services is available to provide assistance.

Information on HMOs in Michigan – from Michigan's Department of Labor and Health

PDF guide to Discount Health Insurance Plans – Michigan's Office of Financial and Insurance Services.

MIChild – a health insurance program for uninsured children of Michigan's working families. MIChild services are provided by many HMOs and other health care plans throughout Michigan.

Michigan's Patient Bill of Rights – knowing your rights and how to exercise them is the first step toward being a better consumer in today's health insurance market.