MI Coordinated Health (MICH): Michigan's 2026 Dual Plan

On January 1, 2026, Michigan replaced the MI Health Link dual-eligible demonstration with MI Coordinated Health (MICH). MICH is a Highly-Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (HIDE SNP) under the federal Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) framework. It combines Medicare, full Medicaid, and long-term services and supports into one plan, with one health insurance card and a single care coordinator.1

If you are a Michigan resident age 21 or older with both Medicare and full-benefit Medicaid, MICH lets you run both programs through one plan instead of two. This guide explains who qualifies, which counties are covered in 2026, which plans are contracted, what it costs, and how to enroll.

What Is MI Coordinated Health?

MI Coordinated Health (MICH) integrates Medicare Parts A, B, and D, full Michigan Medicaid (including long-term services and supports), prescription drugs, and care coordination into a single plan operated by one of nine contracted health plans. Members use one health insurance card and are assigned one care coordinator across both programs.1

MICH is a Highly-Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (HIDE SNP), a higher-integration form of D-SNP that also takes on Medicaid long-term services and supports. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authorized this transition under the federal rule (CMS 4192-F) that lets state Medicare-Medicaid Plans like MI Health Link convert into integrated D-SNPs.1

What Happened to MI Health Link

MI Health Link ended December 31, 2025. It was Michigan's CMS-approved Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) demonstration. MI Health Link enrollees were transitioned to MI Coordinated Health on January 1, 2026, or to another Medicare plan if they chose.1

MICH is not a simple rebrand. It is a structurally different program under the federal D-SNP framework rather than the older demonstration framework. What stays the same: integrated Medicare and Medicaid, no co-pays or deductibles for in-network services, a dedicated care coordinator, and one health insurance card. What is different: seven-year contracts with three one-year optional extensions, a phased county footprint starting with 10 counties plus most of the Upper Peninsula and expanding statewide in 2027, and a new set of plan options.1

Who Qualifies for MICH

MICH serves full-benefit dual eligibles. To qualify, you must:1

• Be age 21 or older.
• Be enrolled in both Medicare and full-benefit Michigan Medicaid (not only a Medicare Savings Program).
• Live in a MICH-available county in 2026 (listed below).
• Not currently be enrolled in hospice care.

MICH is voluntary. Eligible duals can choose MICH, a standard D-SNP, Medicare Advantage with separate Medicaid, or Original Medicare plus Medicaid. There is no requirement to join MICH.

Which Counties Are Covered in 2026

For 2026, MICH is available in 10 named Lower Peninsula counties plus most of the Upper Peninsula, with statewide expansion planned for 2027.1

Upper Peninsula: any Upper Peninsula county except Chippewa, Gogebic, and Menominee.

Region 8 (Southwest Michigan):

• Barry
• Berrien
• Branch
• Calhoun
• Cass
• Kalamazoo
• St. Joseph
• Van Buren

Region 10 (Detroit metro east):

• Macomb County
• Wayne County

If you live outside these areas, MICH is not available to you in 2026. You can enroll in a standard D-SNP until the 2027 statewide rollout reaches your county.

The Nine Contracted Plans

MDHHS awarded seven-year MICH contracts, with three one-year optional extensions, to nine health plans:1

1. Aetna Better Health of Michigan
2. AmeriHealth Michigan
3. HAP CareSource
4. Humana Medical Plan of Michigan
5. Meridian Health Plan of Michigan (Wellcare-Meridian)
6. Molina Healthcare of Michigan
7. Priority Health Choice
8. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Michigan
9. Upper Peninsula Health Plan (Upper Peninsula only)

Not every plan serves every region:1

• Upper Peninsula (Region 1): Upper Peninsula Health Plan.
• Region 8 (Southwest): Aetna, Wellcare-Meridian, Molina (not available in St. Joseph County in 2026), Priority Health, and UnitedHealthcare.
• Region 10 (Macomb and Wayne): Aetna, AmeriHealth, HAP CareSource, Humana, Molina, Priority Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Wellcare-Meridian.

To confirm which plans serve your specific county, call MICHIGAN ENROLLS at 1-800-975-7630.2

What MICH Covers

MICH covers all Medicare benefits and most Medicaid benefits, including long-term services and supports, in one plan.1

Medicare Benefits (Parts A, B, and D)

• Hospital inpatient and outpatient care
• Doctor visits and specialist care
• Lab and X-ray
• Skilled nursing facility care (post-acute)
• Medicare home health
• Durable medical equipment
• All Part D prescription drugs

Medicaid Benefits

• Full Medicaid state-plan services
• Long-term services and supports, including nursing facility care when needed
• Dental, vision, and hearing
• Non-emergency medical transportation
• Pharmacy coverage for drugs Part D excludes

Care Coordination

• A dedicated care coordinator assigned to every member
• Integrated care planning across Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term services and supports
• Transition coordination between settings (home, hospital, skilled nursing facility)

Each MICH plan also publishes its own value-added benefits, such as over-the-counter allowances, non-medical transportation, and fitness memberships. These vary plan to plan, so compare them before you enroll.

What MICH Does Not Cover (Carve-Outs)

MICH covers all Medicare and most Medicaid benefits but excludes certain behavioral health services and some community transition services, which continue through Michigan's existing systems.1

1. Behavioral health and substance use disorder services are administered by Michigan's regional Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) through county Community Mental Health Services Programs. A MICH plan coordinates with the PIHP, but the PIHP remains the contractor for these services.
2. Some community transition services sit outside MICH as well. If you also receive MI Choice Waiver services, your MICH care coordinator coordinates with the regional Waiver Agency that delivers them.1

What MICH Costs

For most members, MICH has no co-pays or deductibles for in-network services. Two specifics matter:1

• No co-pays or deductibles for in-network services, except in some instances for Medicare Part D drugs.
• Part D prescription drug costs follow Extra Help (the Medicare Low-Income Subsidy, or LIS) rules, which most full-benefit duals qualify for at the lowest level.
• PEME and PPA still apply. Members who have Pre-Eligibility Medical Expenses (PEME) or a Patient Pay Amount (PPA) are still required to pay those expenses when enrolled in MICH.1

If you enter a nursing facility on Medicaid, Michigan's standard post-eligibility patient-pay rules apply: you contribute your income toward the cost of care above a protected personal allowance, which in 2026 is $60 per month for a resident expected to be in long-term care for the full month ($90 per month for a veteran receiving an Improved Pension).3

How Enrollment Works

MICH is voluntary opt-in. There is no limited enrollment period; under the federal Integrated Care Special Enrollment Period (effective January 1, 2025), full-benefit dual eligibles may elect an integrated D-SNP in any month. The process:1

MI Coordinated Health vs. Standard D-SNPs

A Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) is the more common pathway for duals nationally. MI Coordinated Health is a HIDE SNP, the higher-integration variety of D-SNP that also takes on Medicaid long-term services and supports. The practical differences:1

For most duals in a MICH-available county, MICH reduces administrative friction because one plan and one care coordinator span both programs.

Common Misconceptions

"I have to enroll in MICH because my MI Health Link is ending." Not exactly. MI Health Link members were transitioned to MICH unless they chose otherwise, but you have the right to pick another plan, including a standard D-SNP, Medicare Advantage with separate Medicaid, or Original Medicare plus Medicaid.

"MICH covers my behavioral health." It does not. Certain behavioral health services are carved out to the regional PIHP, not the MICH plan. MICH coordinates with the PIHP but does not contract for those services directly.1

"MI Choice and MICH are the same." They are not. MI Choice is a Medicaid home- and community-based services waiver for adults who meet a nursing-facility level of care. MICH is a D-SNP that integrates Medicare and Medicaid. A person can be on both: MICH for acute Medicare and Medicaid care, MI Choice for home- and community-based long-term services.

"MICH is only for seniors." It is for full-benefit duals age 21 or older. Many MICH members are under 65, including people with disabilities who are dual-eligible.

"I have to switch doctors if I enroll in MICH." Only if your current doctors are not in your MICH plan's network. Check each plan's provider directory before enrolling; MICHIGAN ENROLLS or MMAP can help you compare networks across plans.

Where to Get Free Help

Two free, neutral Michigan resources help full-benefit duals compare and enroll in a MICH plan:2

Related Terms

• Managed Care Organization (MCO): MICH plans are a specialized form of MCO.
• HCBS waiver: MI Choice is an HCBS waiver that coordinates alongside MICH.
• Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC): required for long-term services and supports, including MI Choice.

Learn More

Find personalized help comparing MI Coordinated Health plans at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.