Open Enrollment Begins with Strong Options for Health Insurance Shoppers

Michigan has the fourth largest number of issuers offering plans on Healthcare.gov in the country.

Media Contact: Andrea Miller
Media: 517-284-8668
Consumer Hotline: 877-999-6442
Facebook: /MIDIFS Twitter: @MIDIFS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2019

(LANSING) Open enrollment for the Michigan Health Insurance Marketplace begins November 1, 2019 with a deadline of December 15, 2019. The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is encouraging consumers interested in purchasing health insurance to sign into Healthcare.gov to shop for 2020 plans. The good news is Michigan consumers have some of the largest number of companies to choose from among all Healthcare.gov states, and rates have either dropped for many plans or risen only modestly. Help is available at DIFS to help consumers be better informed of their options.

“Consumers in search of insurance options have a significant number of plans through Michigan’s Health Insurance Marketplace to meet the needs of their families,” said DIFS Director Anita G. Fox. “DIFS is available to assist consumers in making these selections.”

The DIFS Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program’s (HICAP) website, www.michigan.gov/HICAP, contains information on the Marketplace and the Affordable Care Act. Consumers who wish to speak to someone about their questions or concerns can call 877-999-6442.

Depending on income, income tax credits are available for plans on the marketplace. The credits can be used to lower premiums immediately. Those consumers who chose a Silver plan may also qualify for reduced deductibles and copays.

“Michiganders can shop on Healthcare.gov, without obligation, to price plans and see what tax and other savings may help make coverage more affordable,” added Fox.

Healthcare.gov does not require consumers to fill out an application to receive a personalized estimate. During Open Enrollment, consumers may purchase health insurance through the marketplace, a licensed insurance agent, an assister or navigator, or directly from a health insurance company.

DIFS recently completed the review of health insurance rate change requests for the individual and small group markets. The average changes a consumer will see is a decrease of 2.5% in the individual market and an increase of 3.8% in the small group market.

The final approved Rate Change Request Charts are available online.

There are nine insurance companies in the Michigan market, with some counties having up to 80 plans available to consumers. Since 2017, Michigan has had the largest number of companies per county among all Healthcare.gov states. Over 96% of current enrollees have 3 or more companies available.

The current list of insurers offering plans on the Marketplace are:

• Blue Care Network
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
• McLaren Health Plan Community
• Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, Inc.
• Molina Healthcare of Michigan
• Oscar Insurance Company
• Physicians Health Plan
• Priority Health
• Total Health Care USA

For more information about DIFS or the services provided, visit the DIFS website at www.michigan.gov/DIFS, follow them on Twitter or “Like” them on Facebook.

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