Oscar has the cheapest health insurance in Michigan at $499 monthly, $135 below the statewide average but it offers EPO plans only. Though UnitedHealthcare at $539 and Ambetter at $554 cost $40 to $55 more than Oscar, but they both offer HMO plans.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Michigan: Affordable Plans for 2026
Oscar is the cheapest health insurance in Michigan, with an average monthly rate of $499.
Find out if you’re overpaying for health insurance below.

Updated: July 3, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Oscar, UnitedHealthcare and Ambetter have the cheapest health insurance in Michigan, with average monthly rates ranging from $499 to $554.
Oscar leads on overall average price ($499 monthly) across EPO plans. Ambetter has the lowest rates at each age: $283 for children, $337 for teens, $378 for young adults, $472 for adults and $1,003 for seniors on HMO Silver plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield leads PPO plans at $810 monthly.
Who Has the Cheapest Health Insurance in Michigan?
| Oscar | $499 | $135 | $5,988 | $1,620 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $539 | $95 | $6,468 | $1,140 |
| Ambetter | $554 | $80 | $6,648 | $960 |
| Blue Care Network Of Michigan | $623 | $11 | $7,476 | $132 |
| Mclaren Health Plan Community | $649 | $15 | $7,788 | $180 |
| Priority Health | $716 | $82 | $8,592 | $984 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $748 | $114 | $8,976 | $1,368 |
*Average monthly costs represent the mean of all plan rates for each provider in Michigan, rounded to the nearest dollar. Monthly savings show the cost difference between each provider's average rate and the statewide benchmark.
Michigan's individual marketplace premiums rose 29.2% on average from 2025 to 2026, per our analysis of ACA marketplace premiums. Higher prescription drug costs, rise in enrollee health expenses and the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies at the end of 2025 all lead to this.

Oscar
Cheapest for EPO Coverage
Avg. Monthly Rate
$499Avg. MOOP
$6454Avg. Deductible
$3319
- pros
Ranks first among seven Michigan providers for overall affordability
Gold plan drops your deductible from $3,319 to $1,500 for $11 more per month ($132 annually)
Expanded Bronze coverage starts at $356 monthly, the lowest plan entry point in Michigan
consOnly offers EPO plans with no HMO or PPO options
Provider coverage thins outside Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Ann Arbor
Oscar is EPO health insurance in Michigan for 40-year-olds, with Silver coverage at $499 monthly. Your deductible is $3,319 and your out-of-pocket maximum is $6,454. Its EPO structure gives you direct specialist access without referrals.
Oscar doesn't sell through independent agents, this cuts distribution cost and explains its 21% price advantage over the Michigan statewide average.
We recommend you to choose Oscar if you live in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing or another urban Michigan metro and your current doctors are already in Oscar's EPO network. At $499 monthly for a 40-year-old, it's the cheapest option in the state and its Gold plan at $510 drops your deductible to $1,500 for $11 more per month.
Oscar's EPO network excludes several major Michigan hospital systems outside its core service area. Any established care at an excluded system costs full out-of-network price at every visit. UnitedHealthcare's no-referral Silver plans at $531 to $556 monthly cover a wider geographic footprint and are the stronger alternative for specialist access.
McLaren Health Plan Community at $649 monthly or Ambetter at $554 is the better option for residents outside Oscar's network. Frequent travelers or anyone splitting time between Michigan and another state should also avoid Oscar. Ambetter at $554 and UnitedHealthcare at $539 both cover out-of-state emergency care.

Ambetter
Cheapest for HMO
Avg. Monthly Rate
$554Avg. MOOP
$5,188Avg. Deductible
$3,483
- pros
Lowest rates at every age group, from children ($283) to seniors ($1,003) Clear Silver plan at $464 is the state's most affordable named Silver product Consistent deductible and MOOP across all age groups
consHMO plans only; no out-of-network coverage outside emergencies $3,483 average Silver deductible is the highest among the three cheapest providers
Ambetter is Michigan's cheapest HMO option, with Silver plans averaging $472 monthly for a 40-year-old and the lowest rates across every age group. Its $464 Clear Silver plan is the state's most affordable named Silver product.
A family insuring a child at $283, an adult at $472 and a 60-year-old at $1,003 all reach the same $5,188 MOOP ceiling.
For 40-year-olds comparing Silver plans, Ambetter's total annual worst-case cost is $10,852 versus Oscar's $12,442. That $1,590 gap favors Ambetter for any policyholder who expects to reach their out-of-pocket maximum, even though Oscar carries the lower monthly premium.Ambetter's $3,483 average Silver deductible is $164 higher than Oscar's on the same tier. Enrollees with regular specialist visits or ongoing prescriptions, that deductible gap erases the premium savings before year-end. Oscar at $499 is the stronger option for low-to-moderate health care users in urban Michigan.
Ambetter is HMO-only, so out-of-network care isn't covered outside emergencies. If your preferred hospital or specialist isn't in Ambetter's Michigan network, Blue Cross Blue Shield at $748 monthly is the alternative with broader network access. McLaren Health Plan Community at $649 covers rural central or northern Michigan residents, through its 14-hospital system.

UnitedHealthcare
Cheapest for Wide Provider Network Coverage
Avg. Monthly Rate
$539Avg. MOOP
$5,657Avg. Deductible
$3,100
- pros
Silver Advantage plan carries Michigan's lowest Silver HMO deductible under $540 at $1,821
Leads Michigan's Bronze tier at $404 monthly for 40-year-olds
Dental and vision add-ons available on Silver plans at $549 to $556 monthly
cons$40 more per month than Oscar on average rates ($539 vs $499)
Higher monthly rates than Ambetter across every age group
UnitedHealthcare's five Silver HMO options for 40-year-olds range from $531 to $556 monthly. The Silver Advantage plan at $538 monthly carries a $1,821 deductible, the lowest of any Silver HMO in Michigan under $540.
Choose UnitedHealthcare if you live outside Detroit, Grand Rapids or Lansing and your providers aren't in Oscar's EPO network.The Silver Advantage plan at $538 monthly is the right choice for anyone expecting at least one specialist visit per year and wanting the lowest deductible in this price range.
If you live inside Oscar's EPO network and your priority is the lowest monthly bill, Oscar is the stronger choice. Both plans share the same no-referral structure, so the extra $40 doesn't buy a materially different experience.
If your priority is the lowest monthly cost and you can absorb a $3,483 deductible, Ambetter is the right choice. UnitedHealthcare's Silver Advantage is the stronger option for anyone who expects to reach their deductible.
UnitedHealthcare's HMO plans cover emergency care out of state but not routine out-of-state visits. Anyone splitting time between Michigan and another state who needs non-emergency care in both places should compare Blue Cross Blue Shield's PPO at $748 monthly. The extra $209 per month pays for a $748 PPO that includes routine out-of-state care, not just emergencies.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Michigan by Metal Level?
In our Michigan rate data, the Catastrophic tier is the only level where the cheapest plan carries a higher deductible than the tier above it. Blue Care Network's Catastrophic at $420 is $16 per month more than UnitedHealthcare's Bronze at $404 and comes with a $2,650 higher deductible.
Expanded Bronze | Oscar | $372 | $4,464 | $7,313 | $4,575 |
Bronze | UnitedHealthcare | $404 | $4,854 | $7,950 | $7,950 |
Catastrophic | Blue Care Network Of Michigan | $420 | $5,037 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
Silver | Ambetter | $472 | $5,667 | $5,188 | $3,483 |
Gold | Oscar | $510 | $6,119 | $6,300 | $1,500 |
Cheap Michigan Health Insurance: Personalized Picks
Browse Michigan health insurance options by selecting age group, coverage type and benefit level to locate rates for your situation.
| Ambetter | Clear Silver | $464 | HMO | Silver | $4,250 | $4,250 | 40 | No |
| Ambetter | Standard Silver | $468 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Ambetter | Standard Silver + Vision + Adult Dental | $485 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Blue Care Network Of Michigan | Blue Cross® Local Hmo Silver Saver | $505 | HMO | Silver | $4,621 | $3,229 | 40 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | Uhc Silver Value (No Referrals) | $531 | HMO | Silver | $5,936 | $2,243 | 40 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | Uhc Silver Standard (No Referrals) | $534 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | Uhc Silver Advantage (No Referrals) | $538 | HMO | Silver | $6,271 | $1,821 | 40 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | Uhc Silver Value+ (Dental + Vision, No Referrals) | $549 | HMO | Silver | $5,936 | $2,243 | 40 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | Uhc Silver Advantage+ (Dental + Vision, No Referrals) | $556 | HMO | Silver | $6,271 | $1,821 | 40 | No |
| Priority Health | Mypriority Balanced Silver Southeast Michigan Network | $562 | HMO | Silver | $5,343 | $2,036 | 40 | No |
How to Get Cheap Health Insurance in Michigan
To get affordable health insurance in Michigan, apply for the Healthy Michigan Plan if you earn under 133% of the federal poverty level, compare subsidized Silver plans against Bronze options and choose HMO networks that reduce premiums. The federal HealthCare.gov marketplace serves Michigan residents with premium tax credits that lower costs for most households.
- 1Look Beyond Bronze Plans
Oscar's Gold plan is $11 more per month than Silver but cuts your deductible by $1,819. That extra $11 adds up to $132 per year. A single specialist visit usually costs more than $132, so Gold saves money for a 40-year-old who uses their plan at all.
- 2Assess Your Medical Spending
Review last year's health care spending. If you only visited the doctor twice and didn't need prescriptions, a high-deductible plan saves money. For example, if you spent $500 last year on two routine doctor visits and one urgent care trip, a Bronze plan with a $6,000 deductible saves you $150 monthly over a Gold plan based on that usage profile.
- 3Review HMO Options
HMO plans cost less than PPO options in Michigan. Ambetter's average HMO Silver rate is $472 monthly versus Blue Cross Blue Shield's PPO Silver at $810.
Both are Silver plans, so that $338 monthly gap is entirely about plan type. Out-of-network care isn't covered under HMO plans, which limits options outside major Michigan metros.
- 4Verify Subsidy Eligibility
Michigan uses the federal HealthCare.gov marketplace for 2026 enrollment, where subsidies make coverage affordable for most households. Adults earning up to 133% of the federal poverty level, about $21,226 for a single person in 2026, qualify for the Healthy Michigan Plan.
More than eight in ten Michigan marketplace enrollees for 2026 qualified for advance premium tax credits, per CMS enrollment data, with an average subsidy of $536 monthly.
- 5Time Your Purchase Right
Open enrollment for 2027 coverage is from November 1 to December 15, 2026, shorter than prior years because of a federal rule change. All plans selected during this window take effect January 1, 2027. Michigan residents enroll through HealthCare.gov.
Missing the December 15 deadline locks you out until next November unless you have a qualifying life event: job loss, marriage, birth or loss of other coverage. A 40-year-old who goes uninsured for six months absorbs full out-of-pocket medical risk during that gap.
Affordable Health Insurance in Michigan: FAQ
We answer common questions about health insurance in Michigan:
How do I get cheap health insurance in Michigan?
Oscar, UnitedHealthcare and Ambetter are Michigan's three cheapest providers, they range from $499 to $554 monthly for a 40-year-old. Silver-tier plans qualify for cost-sharing reductions if your income falls between 100% and 250% of the federal poverty level, which can reduce your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum below listed rates.
The 2027 open enrollment window is from November 1 to December 15, 2026. Missing that deadline means waiting until November 2027 unless you have a qualifying life event.
How much does health insurance cost in Michigan?
Health insurance in Michigan costs an average of $651 monthly ($7,814 annually) across all plan types, ages and metal levels. For 40-year-olds, the statewide benchmark is $634 monthly, rates range from $207 to $2,114 depending on your age, coverage tier and plan type.
Does Michigan require health insurance?
Michigan doesn't require health insurance. The federal individual mandate penalty ended in 2019, so there are no tax penalties for going uninsured. Coverage limits your out-of-pocket medical costs and covers preventive care and treatment.
Can I get health insurance for $100 a month?
You can't get $100 monthly plans in Michigan without subsidies. Expanded Bronze starts at $372 for 40-year-olds and $337 for teens. Premium tax credits can drop your cost to $0. Check the Health Insurance Marketplace as income and household size affect your subsidy amount.
Can I Get Health Insurance in Michigan Outside Open Enrollment?
Yes, but only with a qualifying life event. Losing job-based coverage, marriage, child birth or moving to Michigan all qualify you for a special enrollment period giving you 60 days to enroll through HealthCare.gov. Without a qualifying event, you must wait for open enrollment from November 1 to December 15, 2026.
What is the cheapest health insurance for a family in Michigan?
Silver-tier plans start at $1,510 per month for a family of four in Michigan. Bronze-tier plans start at $1,110. These are unsubsidized premiums, so your costs may be lower based on your income and household size. Low-income families in Michigan also qualify for the Healthy Michigan Plan, MIChild or Healthy Kids.
Our Methodology
MoneyGeek analyzed all plan types across seven providers on Michigan's HealthCare.gov marketplace for 2026. Rate data comes from federal CMS marketplace files for the 2026 plan year.
Research Approach
We collected premium data for five ages: 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. These ages show how rates change from young adult coverage through near-Medicare eligibility and shows the full cost range Michigan residents pay at different life stages.
Why We Focus on 40-Year-Olds
Our primary affordability rankings use 40-year-old rates because this age sits at the midpoint of the working-age population in Michigan. Using one consistent age removes variables and provides clear comparisons across providers without age distorting the results.
Age-Specific Rankings
We also ranked insurers separately at each age bracket. A provider that's cheapest for young adults might not be most affordable for someone near 60, so these age-specific rankings help you find the best rate for your life stage.
All data comes from federal sources and covers metal tiers and plan types available to Michigan residents through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he produces original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.
Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.
Mark holds a B.A. from Boston College and an M.A. in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University. He started his career in financial risk management at State Street and is also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov. "Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed July 9, 2026.
- Michigan.gov. "Health Insurance." Accessed July 9, 2026.






