Table of Contents

Medicare Plans by State

STATE -Select-
  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
Page Reviewed / Updated – December 24, 2023

Private Medicare Advantage Plans, also known as Medicare Part C, serve as an alternative to federally administered Original Medicare, offering the same services under Parts A and B while excluding hospice care. It’s worth noting that Medicare Advantage enrollees can still access hospice care through regular Medicare. Additionally, Part C covers other conditions and services unrelated to terminal illness.

Medicare Advantage Plans often go beyond Original Medicare by including dental, vision care, nutrition programs, and transportation for medical appointments. Prescription medication provisions are also common. However, Medicare Advantage typically mandates the use of a network of approved physicians, requiring approvals and referrals for services, in contrast to the wider choice of providers available in regular Medicare.

A primary advantage of Medicare Advantage is that seniors only need to pay one monthly premium for a bundled package of benefits as opposed to Original Medicare, where enrollees must pay separately for the different parts. Private companies can also set their own yearly out-of-pocket limits, deductibles and co-pay amounts. In some cases, individuals may be able to join a group plan through their employer or union. This arrangement can sometimes result in zero payable monthly premiums.

In Michigan, seniors aged 65 and older account for roughly 18.7% of the state’s population of around 10 million. In 2022, the state had some 2.1 million individuals who qualified for Medicare, 53% of whom had enrolled in Part C plans. In 2023, the number of Medicare-eligible residents had risen 2.4% to almost 2.2 million. Of these, 1.25 million signed up for Medicare Advantage. From 2022 to 2023, the percentage of people enrolled in Part C rose by 6.9%, with 57% of all qualifying individuals opting for Medicare Advantage over Original Medicare. For comparison, 51% of Medicare-eligible individuals nationwide have Medicare Advantage. Therefore, the take-up of Part C is a little higher in Michigan than in the rest of the country.

Gain insights into Medicare Advantage in Michigan and its operations through this guide. It outlines the top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in the state, along with eligibility requirements and statewide resources.

The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in Michigan

Michigan seniors can choose between many Medicare Advantage providers. Furthermore, most insurers offer a range of policies to suit diverse needs and budgets. The following table shows the total number of enrollees, combined across each provider’s plans, for the 15 most popular Part C companies in Michigan. Prices are shown as a range because of varying coverage options. Figures are current as of July 2023. Further details are available at the federal Medicare website, Medicare.gov.

Name

Enrollment

Medicare Star Rating

Monthly Cost Range

Plan Types

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

452883

4.5

$0 – $284

PPO

Priority Health Medicare

228355

4.5

$0 – $223

PPO, HMO

Humana

175661

3.5

$0 – $99

PPO, HMO, PFFS

Blue Care Network

97857

4.5

$0 – $263

HMO

Aetna Medicare

90985

2.5

$0 – $27

PPO, HMO

HAP Senior Plus

70416

4.5

$0 – $190

HMO

UnitedHealthcare

17256

4.5

$0 – $197

PPO, HMO

Molina Healthcare of Michigan

14684

3

$0 – $0

HMO

HAP Senior Plus (PPO)

11219

4

$0 – $180

PPO

Wellcare

9710

N/A

$0 – $33

PPO

How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in Michigan

Before comparing Medicare Advantage plans in Michigan, seniors should understand how these plans work. In Michigan, most Medicare Advantage providers offer one or more plans, including Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO), Preferred Providers Organizations (PPO), Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) and Special Needs Plans (SNPs). Each plan has its own unique policies and regulations regarding factors, such as in-network and out-of-network providers, deductibles, copays and referrals. Some plans may also require seniors to select a primary care provider and seek prior authorization before some medical procedures. The following information provides more details about the most common plan options in Michigan.

Medicare Advantage Plan Types Graphic

What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in Michigan

Medicare Advantage plans in Michigan must provide at least the same level of services available through Medicare Parts A and B, including doctor visits, lab tests and screenings, X-rays and emergency and hospital care. Many Medicare Advantage providers offer additional benefits, including prescription drug coverage, vision and dental care, hearing aids and wellness programs, such as gym memberships. Original Medicare always provides hospice care, even if the senior enrolls in a Medicare Advantage plan.



Coverage Available With Medicare Parts A & B?

Coverage Available With Medicare Advantage?

Preventive Screenings

Yes

Yes

Hospital Care

Yes

Yes

Durable Medical Equipment

Yes

Yes

Prescription Drugs

No

Yes**

Vision Care

No

Yes*

Dental Care

No

Yes*

Hearing Aids

No

Yes*

*Select plans offer this coverage

** Most plans offer this coverage

Eligibility for Medicare Advantage in Michigan

Seniors living in Michigan who are aged 65 or older and are currently enrolled in Original Medicare or are eligible for Original Medicare may be able to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. The senior must also be a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident, currently live within the plan’s service area and meet all other plan requirements. It’s also important to note that seniors can only enroll in Medicare Advantage or switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage during the annual open enrollment or election period or immediately following a qualifying life event. See the table below to determine when the open enrollment or election period for Medicare Advantage begins and ends in the state of Michigan.

  • Initial Coverage Election Period: This is the initial 7-month period, coinciding with one’s 65th birthday, during which everyone is eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
  • Annual Election Period (AEP): Also referred to as the Open Enrollment Period, this the time of year when anyone over 65 can enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time or change to a new plan.
  • Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: During this period, those who are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can switch to a different plan or switch back to Original Medicare.

Start Date

End Date

Initial Coverage Election
Period

3 Months Before One’s
65th Birth Month

3 Months After One’s
65th Birth Month

Annual Election Period
(AEP)

October 15th

December 7th

Medicare Advantage Open
Enrollment Period

January 1st

March 31st

Additionally, Medicare Advantage plan participants can change their plan outside of these enrollment periods under certain qualifying circumstances, such as moving to a new state. Individuals younger than 65 with certain disabilities may also be eligible for Medicare Advantage.

How to Find & Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan in Michigan

Navigating the many intricacies of Medicare Advantage plan types, insurers, and the specific plan options available by region can be a difficult and time-consuming task. Below are several resources we’ve created to help you through the process.

First is a downloadable PDF that you can use as a guide to help you compare plans as you research. Finally, we have listed a number of organizations that you can contact with experts that will help you determine whether Medicare Advantage is right for you and what plans you should consider.

Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan



State-Wide Medicare Advantage Resources

Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program

The Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) provides education and counseling to help empower older adults and people with disabilities so that they can make informed health insurance decisions. Counselors are available to help seniors navigate health care options through a range of services, including reviewing insurance needs, enrolling in programs and explaining health plans. Combined, this helps seniors find a plan that provides the best coverage for their situation. MMAP counselors can also identify Medicare fraud and abuse and help seniors make relevant reports. The service is free for Michigan residents, and family members who live out-of-state can also contact counselors.

Contact Info

MMAP counsellors can be contacted at 800-803-7174. Alternatively, regional contact information can be found on the MMAP website.

Visit Website
Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program

The Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program (HICAP) offers free help to Michigan residents who need assistance with their health insurance. Seniors can receive assistance with finding a health care plan, switching plans and filing complaints. Additional information is available on the HICAP website, including information about health insurance for people with Medicare, long-term care insurance and Medicare supplements.  

Contact Info

Seniors with questions about their health insurance can contact HICAP at 877-999-6442 or via email at [email protected].  

Email
Elder Law of Michigan

Elder Law of Michigan (ELM) is a nonprofit organization created to promote and protect the rights, economic stability and health of older adults. ELM provides education, advocacy and professional services. It runs Michigan’s Coordinated Access to Food for the Elderly (MiCAFE), which assists seniors to apply for a range of government benefits, including Medicare. ELM can also provide eligibility information for a range of health care programs including Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Program and Medicare Extra Help Part D.

Contact Info

Seniors can call 877-664-2233 to find their nearest MiCAFE Network site for assistance with applications. For other services and information about advocacy, ELM can be reached at 866-400-9164.

Local Medicare Advantage Resources

The Senior Alliance

The Senior Alliance is a local Area Agency on Aging for southern and western Wayne County. It provides a range of services for older adults in the area, including the Information and Assistance Call Center. This free service connects seniors with Information Services Specialists who can provide answers to questions on a range of topics, including Medicare and Medicaid. Specialists assess the needs of callers and provide accurate information, as well as referrals to programs and services available in The Senior Alliance service area.

Contact Info

Information Services Specialists can be reached by calling 800-815-1112. The service is available Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 Kalamazoo County Older Adult Services Division

The Kalamazoo County Older Adult Services Division is the Area Agency on Aging for Kalamazoo County. The agency offers programming that helps older adults access services and provides support, advocacy and more. The Information & Assistance program has clinical social workers available to provide free, unbiased assistance to seniors and their caregivers. These social workers can evaluate needs, provide options for support and assist in navigating care and benefit programs. The program also has up-to-date information on health insurance programs such as Medicare, and can refer seniors to other resources.

Contact Info

Seniors can reach social workers with the Information & Assistance program by calling 269-373-5173. The agency can also be contacted via its website.

Visit Website
 Valley Area Agency on Aging

The Valley Area Agency on Aging provides advocacy, action and information about the care of the elderly in Genesee, Lapeer and Shiawassee counties. Its Information & Assistance program makes certified resource specialists available to provide information about resources in the area. The service is available to older adults aged 60 and over, persons with disabilities and family caregivers, and it is free of charge. Information is available on a range of different topics, including Medicare and Medicaid. A listing of resources, information and tip sheets can be mailed to callers. The Valley Area Agency on Aging is HIPAA compliant, so any information provided is confidential.

Contact Info

The Valley AAA’s Information & Assistance program can be reached at 810-239-7671. People can also make a referral by filling out the form on the program’s website.

Visit Website