Michigan Medicaid: Healthy Michigan Plan, eligibility, and how to apply

Last verified: June 2026

Michigan Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan

Michigan operates two connected programs. Michigan Medicaid is the base program covering children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. The Healthy Michigan Plan is the state's Medicaid expansion program for adults ages 19–64 who earn up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level — which, with the standard 5% income disregard, works out to an effective eligibility ceiling of 138% FPL. Both programs are administered by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS).

The Healthy Michigan Plan launched April 1, 2014, making Michigan a full Medicaid expansion state under the Affordable Care Act. As of early 2026, approximately 2.8 million Michiganders are enrolled in Michigan Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan combined, per CMS enrollment data.

MAGI-based programs — the Healthy Michigan Plan, children's Medicaid, and coverage for pregnant women — have no asset test. Savings, a vehicle, and home equity do not count against eligibility. Seniors and people with disabilities applying for nursing facility or waiver services have separate income and asset limits.

How Michigan delivers care: regional managed care plans

Michigan Medicaid delivers services through regional managed care health plans rather than fee-for-service billing. The plans available to an enrollee depend on their county of residence — Michigan's 83 counties are divided into service regions, each with a set of competing plans. Enrollees choose from plans available in their area at the time of enrollment.

Plans that serve large portions of the state include Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Blue Cross Complete of Michigan, HAP Midwest Health Plan, Meridian Health Plan, McLaren Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Not every plan operates in every county, so the options available in rural Michigan differ from those in Wayne or Oakland County.

When a plan is selected, the enrollee's primary care provider must be in that plan's network. Switching plans is allowed during annual open enrollment periods or when a qualifying life event occurs. MDHHS's plan comparison tool helps applicants see which plans are available in their county.

Michigan's unique health account requirement

Most states run their Medicaid expansion programs with identical rules across all enrollees. Michigan does not. Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees whose household income exceeds 100% FPL are required to complete an annual Healthy Behavior Assessment (a health risk survey) and make small contributions to a "MI Health Account" — a health savings account maintained by MDHHS on the enrollee's behalf.

This feature is specific to Michigan. It was included in the enabling legislation when the Healthy Michigan Plan was created and approved by CMS as a waiver condition. The account balance can be used toward out-of-pocket costs. Failure to complete the annual assessment does not cause loss of coverage — it results in slightly higher cost sharing when using services.

Enrollees at or below 100% FPL are not subject to the health account contribution requirement. They still receive Healthy Michigan Plan coverage without any cost-sharing obligation beyond the assessment.

How MDHHS processes Michigan Medicaid applications

Applications are submitted through MI Bridges at newmibridges.michigan.gov or at one of MDHHS's 80-plus service offices across Michigan's 83 counties. MDHHS workers review applications and issue eligibility decisions. Federal law under 42 CFR 435.912 requires most decisions within 45 days of application; applications based on disability may take up to 90 days.

If approved, coverage is generally effective the first day of the month in which the application was submitted — not the approval date. That retroactive start date matters for medical bills incurred during the processing window.

Michigan Medicaid eligibility at a glance

Source: MDHHS; HHS 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Healthy Michigan Plan uses 133% FPL + 5% income disregard = effective 138% FPL ceiling.

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