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Annual (12-Month) Health Insurance in Michigan: What It Is and What to Watch For (2027)
People searching for "annual medical insurance" or "insurance for one year" usually want one of two things: a plan that covers them for a full year without surprises, or a plan that covers them for just part of one. Those are very different products.
ACA marketplace plans are annual by design
Every plan on HealthCare.gov runs on a calendar plan year, January 1 to December 31. Your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum reset each January, and you re-shop every fall. In Michigan, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs on HealthCare.gov from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Pick a plan by December 15, 2026 if you want coverage to start January 1, 2027; plans picked after that start later.
Outside open enrollment you can only join with a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, getting married or having a baby, and you generally have 60 days from the event to enroll.
Private plans: enroll any month
Outside the marketplace, private shared-network plans are sold in Michigan on leased PPO networks (Cigna, Aetna and PHCS PPO). They're medically underwritten, so they ask health questions and price on age and health instead of income, but you can enroll any month and coverage starts on the 1st. They're commonly sold as 12-month plans with a monthly premium. The trade-off is underwriting: the plan can ask about your health history and price or decline based on it. See what you have to disclose.
Short-term plans are a different thing
Short-term medical plans are built for gaps, such as between jobs. They aren't ACA plans, they can deny or limit coverage for pre-existing conditions, and they often skip benefits like maternity or mental health. Federal rules on how long they can last have changed several times in recent years, and states set their own limits, so confirm what's allowed in Michigan with Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) before you buy. We compare them in private health insurance vs. ACA.
How to pick between them
| If you... | Look first at |
|---|---|
| Want full-year coverage and it's open enrollment | Marketplace (check for a tax credit) |
| Missed open enrollment, no life event | Private plan, or wait for the next window |
| Are between jobs for a few months | Marketplace special enrollment, COBRA, or a short-term plan |
| Have health conditions | Marketplace (no health questions) |
Michigan expanded Medicaid, so adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level (about $22,025 a year for one person) can generally qualify for the Healthy Michigan Plan (Medicaid).
Not sure where you land? Check your options and we'll show the real choices side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a one-year health insurance plan anytime?
Marketplace plans only during open enrollment or after a qualifying life event. Private plans can usually be started in any month.
Is short-term insurance the same as annual coverage?
No. Short-term plans cover a limited period, aren't ACA plans and can exclude pre-existing conditions. Annual marketplace plans cover a full plan year.
When does 2027 open enrollment end in Michigan?
In Michigan, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs on HealthCare.gov from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Pick a plan by December 15, 2026 if you want coverage to start January 1, 2027; plans picked after that start later.