What Are the Medicare Advantage Plans in Michigan?

Michigan residents might also know Medicare Advantage plans as Medicare Part C. Medicare Advantage plans provide an alternative to Original Medicare, as these plans offer both hospital insurance provided by Medicare Part A and/or medical/doctor’s office insurance from Medicare Part B. These plans are sold by private insurance companies, approved by Medicare, offer at least the same level of coverage as Original Medicare and often include additional benefits.

Am I Eligible for a Medicare Advantage Plan in Michigan?

Michigan residents will be eligible for Medicare Advantage plans as long as they are already eligible for Medicare Parts A and B and also live in an area where Medicare Advantage plans are sold. Copayments, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on the plan you choose.

Michigan residents cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan at the same time. A Medicare Supplement Insurance plan (Medigap) assists with covering some of the gaps in coverage including copayment, coinsurance and deductibles that aren’t covered by Medicare Parts A and B.

Are Prescription Drugs Covered by Medicare Advantage Plans in Michigan?

Any resident of Michigan looking for prescription drug coverage should consider a Medicare Advantage plan, as a Medicare Prescription Drug plan may be included in some Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage plans that also include prescription drug coverage are known as Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans.

Michigan Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment Period

Enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan is open during specified enrollment periods. Medicare enrollment in Michigan opens for residents prior to turning age 65 or earlier for those younger with certain conditions. The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) runs for seven months.

IEP begins three months before turning age 65, including the birthday month, and ends three months after the birthday month. It is also the time allotted for enrollment in Medicare Parts A, B, C and D. For example, if you’re a Michigan resident with a June birthday, your IEP runs from March through September.

You may also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which occurs annually each fall. Medicare’s AEP runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. The key dates for AEP are as follows:

Oct. 15 – Annual Enrollment Period Begins

Dec. 7 – Annual Enrollment Period Ends

Jan. 1 – First Date Coverage can start

During the Annual Enrollment every year, Michigan residents can:

Switch from Medicare Parts A and B (Original Medicare) to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan
Change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another
Switch from one Prescription Drug (Part D) plan to another
Add a Prescription Drug (Part D) plan if you didn’t enroll when first eligible for Medicare

In addition to AEP, Michigan residents who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can make a one-time plan change during the Open Enrollment (OEP) period, which occurs each year from January 1 through March 31. There are also Medicare Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) you may be able to enroll in Medicare or make changes to your existing Medicare Advantage coverage because of certain events and life changes, such as moving or losing employer coverage.