Personal · Health
Health, disability and long-term care insurance for Michigan individuals and families
Medical bills, a lost paycheck and the cost of long-term care can each upend a household's finances. We help Michigan individuals and families choose health coverage and add disability and long-term care insurance where they fit.
Talk to an AdvisorHow do I choose a health insurance plan for myself or my family?
Start with the doctors and hospitals you want to keep, the prescriptions you take, and how much you could pay out of pocket in a bad year. Then compare plan types, networks, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, not just the monthly premium. Individual and family plans are generally bought during an annual open enrollment period, or during a special enrollment period after a qualifying life event such as losing employer coverage.
What we review with you before you choose a plan:
- Whether your current doctors, specialists and preferred hospitals are in the plan’s network.
- How your prescriptions are covered.
- The deductible, copays and out-of-pocket maximum for each person and for the family.
- Whether you are likely to need care outside Michigan or away from home.
What is the difference between an HMO and a PPO?
An HMO (health maintenance organization) is usually the less expensive option. You choose a primary care physician, need a referral to see a specialist, and have no coverage outside the HMO network except for emergency care. A PPO (preferred provider organization) costs more but gives you more choice: you can see in-network providers without referrals and still have coverage, at a higher out-of-pocket cost, when you go out of network.
| Feature | HMO | PPO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Normally the least expensive option | More expensive |
| Primary care physician | Required | Not usually required |
| Specialist visits | Referral from your primary care physician required | No referral needed in network |
| Out-of-network care | Not covered, except emergency care | Covered at a higher out-of-pocket cost |
Other plan designs, such as EPOs and high-deductible plans, combine these features in different ways. We compare the options available to you side by side.
What is the difference between short-term and long-term disability insurance?
Disability insurance replaces part of your income when illness or injury keeps you from working. Short-term disability can start soon after a disability begins, sometimes from the first day, and pays for a limited benefit period measured in months. Long-term disability starts after a longer waiting period and can pay for years, or until a set retirement age. Both pay a percentage of your income, up to a monthly maximum.
- Short-term disability helps if you don’t have enough savings to cover your living expenses for the next few months.
- Long-term disability protects against a serious illness or injury that keeps you out of work for years.
- Key choices include the waiting period before benefits start, the benefit period, and the percentage of income replaced.
What does long-term care insurance cover?
Long-term care insurance pays for skilled or non-skilled care when you can no longer manage daily activities on your own. Depending on the policy, it can cover in-home care, assisted living, nursing home care, adult day care and hospice care. It eases the financial burden on the person who needs care and on the family members who would otherwise pay for it or provide it themselves.
The main choices when you design a policy:
- Benefit period. How long benefits last, from a few years up to lifetime, depending on the policy.
- Waiting period. How many days of care you pay for before benefits begin.
- Settings covered. Which kinds of care and facilities the policy pays for.
Why work with an independent agency for health insurance?
An independent agency can compare health, disability and long-term care options from more than one insurer and explain how each plan’s network, cost sharing and benefits would work for your household. We help you look past the premium to what a plan pays when you actually need care, and we coordinate your health coverage with your life, auto and other personal insurance.
- Life Insurance — Protect the people who depend on your income
- Michigan Auto Insurance — Your health plan affects which PIP medical level makes sense
Related: Life Insurance · Auto · Michigan Personal Insurance · About Conner Insurance Group
This page is educational and does not alter any policy. Plan availability, enrollment periods and benefits are determined by the insurer and the actual plan documents.