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Michigan · Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare and Medicaid in Michigan

Michigan replaced MI Health Link with MI Coordinated Health in 2026. Here is who it serves, where it operates, and what MDHHS has said about 2027.

Last updated October 23, 2026 · 7 min read

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By Alexander James, Licensed Independent Insurance Agent · NPN 19291077

Part of our guide to Medicare and Medicaid together. For general Medicare help in Michigan, see Medicare in Michigan.

Michigan at a glance

  • Medicaid is run by

    Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

  • Current state programs

    MI Coordinated Health; MI Choice waiver

  • Published Medicaid figures

    2 figures below, each with the date it applies

  • Federal change, January 1, 2027

    One D-SNP per area for full-benefit duals, generally, where a company also offers a Medicaid plan

Sources: the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) (linked below) and 42 CFR 422.514.

Michigan's Medicaid program for people with Medicare

Medicaid in Michigan is run by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The state decides who qualifies for Medicaid; a Medicare plan or an agent cannot.

MI Coordinated Health
Michigan's HIDE SNP program for full-benefit duals, which replaced MI Health Link on January 1, 2026.
MI Choice waiver
Michigan's Medicaid program for home- and community-based long-term care.

MI Coordinated Health in 2026

MI Health Link ended December 31, 2025. MDHHS says its members moved to MI Coordinated Health automatically, with no break in coverage, when the new HIDE SNP program began January 1, 2026.

According to MDHHS's eligibility manual, the 2026 service area is:

  • The Upper Peninsula, except Chippewa, Gogebic and Menominee counties
  • Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties
  • Macomb County
  • Wayne County

Who can join

MDHHS lists these requirements: age 21 or older; Medicare Parts A, B and D; and full Medicaid, including people in nursing facilities and people eligible for a home- and community-based waiver. People in hospice or a state veterans home are not eligible. Specialty behavioral health services stay with Michigan's regional prepaid plans rather than moving into MI Coordinated Health.

What MDHHS has said about 2027

In a November 26, 2025 bulletin, MDHHS said that on January 1, 2027 the program is expected to extend to the entire state, contingent upon budget approval. Its draft 2027 waiver application, dated July 2026, still lists only the four 2026 areas. Treat statewide availability in 2027 as planned, not confirmed, and check with MDHHS.

If you have QMB, SLMB or QI only

MDHHS says the partial-benefit groups (QMB, SLMB, QI, ALMB and QDWI) are not eligible for MI Coordinated Health. Ask MDHHS or a licensed agent which Medicare plan types are open to you.

Michigan Medicaid figures, as the state publishes them

Michigan publishes these rules and figures. Michigan also has a Medicaid deductible (formerly called a spend-down), and an asset test applies to its Medicare Savings Program.

Michigan: published Medicaid figures, with the date each applies

  • SSI payment level (monthly)

    Amount
    $994 individual, $1,491 couple federal, plus a state supplement of $14 / $21
    As of
    2026

  • Nursing-home and waiver income for MI Coordinated Health members

    Amount
    gross income up to 300% of the SSI federal benefit rate
    As of
    2026

Your own eligibility depends on your full situation and is decided by the state. Federal figures that apply in every state are in our guides to the Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help and Medicaid long-term care.

What works the same in every state

Some rules are federal. Medicare pays first and Medicaid pays last. Since 2025, people with Medicaid or Extra Help have a once-a-month option to change drug coverage, and full-benefit duals have a once-a-month option to join an integrated plan that matches their Medicaid plan. Starting January 1, 2027, federal rules generally limit companies to one D-SNP per area for full-benefit duals where they also offer a Medicaid plan. Our guide to integrated D-SNPs explains each step, and Will I lose my Medicaid if I join a D-SNP? covers what changes when you join one.

Who pays first when you have Medicare and full Medicaid

  1. Step 1

    You get a Medicare-covered service

    A doctor visit, a hospital stay or a prescription that Medicare covers.

  2. Step 2

    Medicare pays first

    Through Original Medicare or your Medicare plan. Your prescription drugs are covered by a Medicare drug plan, not by Medicaid.

  3. Step 3

    Medicaid pays last

    After Medicare and any other health insurance you have. Medicaid can also cover some services Medicare does not, depending on your state.

Source: Medicare.gov, “Medicaid” (people who have both Medicare and full-benefit Medicaid).

Before you change anything

FAQ

Medicare and Medicaid questions from Michigan

Sources

Each page was read on October 23, 2026.

Guides for other states

Continue learning

Related reading

Questions about Medicare and Medicaid in Michigan?

A licensed agent can explain how the plans they offer in your area work with your Medicaid and check your doctors first. No pressure, and no obligation to enroll.

Talk with a licensed agent Schedule a consultation

Or call (954) 601-3544.

Educational content. Insurance products are subject to underwriting; rates and availability vary by health, age, state, and carrier. Licensed Insurance Advisor | NPN: 19291077 | Licensed in 25+ states.