Home › Blog › Can I Get Health Insurance Without a Job in Michigan? (2027)
Can I Get Health Insurance Without a Job in Michigan? (2027)
Yes. Millions of people buy their own coverage, and if your income is low or irregular you may pay less than you would at a job. The right path depends on three things: your income, whether you just lost coverage, and your health.
1. Medicaid (lowest income)
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). Starting January 1, 2027, most expansion adults ages 19 to 64 have to show 80 hours a month of work, school, job training or community service (or equivalent income) to keep Medicaid, unless they qualify for an exemption such as caring for a young child, a disability, or pregnancy.
Medicaid enrollment is open all year, so there's no deadline.
2. The marketplace (most people without a job)
Marketplace plans through HealthCare.gov accept everyone regardless of health, and the premium tax credit is based on your expected income for the coverage year, not last year's. If you're between jobs, starting a business, or living on savings, your 2027 income estimate may be low enough for a large credit. For 2027 coverage the credit is available between 100% and 400% of the poverty level ($15,960 to $63,840 for one person; $33,000 to $132,000 for a family of four).
One warning: if your income ends up higher than you estimated, starting with 2026 coverage there's no cap on how much of the advance credit you repay at tax time. Estimate honestly and update your application if things change.
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 that window you need a qualifying life event, and losing job-based coverage counts: you get 60 days from the loss.
3. COBRA (keep your old plan)
If you left a job with 20+ employees, you can usually keep the same plan for up to 18 months under COBRA. You'll pay the full premium plus up to 2%, which often means $700 to $2,500+ a month. We compare COBRA and the alternatives in what happens to your health insurance if you lose your job.
4. A spouse's or parent's plan
Losing your job is a qualifying event to join a spouse's employer plan, usually within 30 days. If you're under 26, a parent's plan works too.
5. Private plans
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. For healthy people whose income is too high for a meaningful credit, these can cost less than full-price marketplace plans.
Which one fits?
| Your situation | Usually best |
|---|---|
| Very low or no income | the Healthy Michigan Plan (Medicaid) (if eligible), otherwise the marketplace |
| Moderate income, any health | Marketplace with a tax credit |
| Mid-treatment, need the same doctors right now | COBRA, short term |
| Higher income, healthy | Compare private plans and full-price marketplace plans |
| Serious ongoing condition, no subsidy | Marketplace (no health questions) |
Check your options and we'll run both markets for your ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get health insurance if I'm unemployed?
Yes. Depending on income you may qualify for Medicaid or a marketplace plan with a large tax credit, and losing job-based coverage gives you a 60-day special enrollment period.
Does unemployment income count for the marketplace?
Yes. Unemployment benefits count as income when you estimate your household income for the premium tax credit.
Can I buy health insurance outside open enrollment without a job?
On the marketplace you need a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage. Medicaid enrolls year-round, and private underwritten plans accept applications any month.