A Plan For Everyone
Farm Bureau partners with Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Michigan and Priority Health to offer a variety of health insurance products to our members and clients. Many of our Farm Bureau Insurance Agents are specially certified to sell Blue Cross and Priority Health insurance plans, both on and off the Marketplace. If your Farm Bureau Agent doesn’t sell health insurance, we have a team of specialist who can help you. There’s no charge for our services and a Farm Bureau membership is not required.
Coverage Categories
The metal level category you choose determines how you and your plan will share in the cost of your care. No matter what category you choose, you will receive the same level of quality care and save money on your monthly premium based on your income. Our health-certified agents can help you determine if you qualify for these savings.
| Metal Level | Average of what the plan pays | Average of what you pay | Monthly premium costs for the plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 60% | 40% | Lowest |
| Silver | 70% | 30% | Moderate |
| Gold | 80% | 20% | Highest |
What's Covered
Under the Affordable Care Act, every health plan sold on the Marketplace must be certified as a “qualifying health plan” and meet a set of minimum standards. Every qualified individual health plan must follow these standards:
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10 essential benefits outlined in the law, including: maternity care, prescription drugs, preventive care, outpatient care, hospitalization, lab services, emergency services and more.
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The insurance company can’t set a dollar limit on what they spend on essential health benefits for your care during the entire time you’re enrolled in that plan.
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Free preventive care.
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The insurance company cannot refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition.”
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Your health insurance coverage cannot be canceled just because you get sick.
Who's Eligible
To purchase individual health insurance on or off the Marketplace, you must meet these requirements:
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You must be a Michigan resident and live in the state for a minimum of six months each year.
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You must be a U.S. citizen or national (or be lawfully present).
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You can’t be incarcerated.
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You can’t have any other health care coverage.
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You must purchase a policy during the annual Open Enrollment Period, or during a qualifying Special Enrollment Period.
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You can’t have Medicare coverage.
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Children are eligible to remain on your policy until age 26.
A Farm Bureau membership is not required.
When You Can Enroll
The Annual Open Enrollment Period for 2021 is November 1 – December 15. You can also enroll during our COVID-19 special enrollment period, which is open February 15 – August 15.
You may also be eligible to get health insurance at other times:
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If you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a life event, like losing other coverage, getting married, moving, or having a baby.
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If you are denied Medicaid or are no longer eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
If you just need a temporary health insurance plan while you’re between jobs, ask your health-certified Farm Bureau Insurance agent about a short-term policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you apply for coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace, you’ll find out if you qualify for a “premium tax credit” that lowers your premium (the amount you pay each month to your insurance plan). The amount of your premium tax credit depends on your estimated household income. Or you have the option to pay the full monthly premiums and receive the credit at the end of the year when you file your federal income taxes.
If your income changes, or if you add or lose members of your household, your premium tax credit will probably change too. It’s very important to report income and household changes to the Marketplace as soon as possible.
If at the end of the year you made less money than reported, you may be eligible for an additional premium tax credit when you file your federal income tax return. Or, if at the end of the year your income on your tax return is higher than what was used for the application you may owe back some of the premium tax credits you’ve received throughout the year.
If you qualify for premium tax credits, your income may also qualify you for extra savings known as cost-sharing reductions. If it does, you can save money a second way: by paying less out of pocket each time you get medical services. You must be enrolled in the Silver plan category to qualify for extra savings on out-of-pocket costs, but you can use a premium tax credit on any metal category.
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a type of savings account that lets you set aside money on a tax-exempt basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. By using untaxed dollars in an HSA to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and some other expenses, you may be able to lower your overall health care costs.
While you can use the funds in an HSA at any time to pay for qualified medical expenses, you may contribute to an HSA only if you are enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). These medical plans only cover preventive services before you’ve met the deductible.
Ask your health-certified Farm Bureau Insurance agent to tell you which health plans qualify to work with an HSA, and how to set up your HSA account.
Make No Decision Alone
Our health-certified Farm Bureau Insurance Agents have been specially trained, licensed, and federally certified to help you understand the complexities of an individual health insurance plan. They can help you determine if you qualify for financial assistance and enroll in a health insurance plan. There is no charge for our services and no Farm Bureau membership is required, so take advantage of our expertise.
