Health insurance in Michigan is regulated by the Department of Labor and Economic Growth. Michigan is also one of a few states that has a Patient Bill of Rights that applies to all health insurance sold in the state.
Dependent Coverage
Health insurance policies issued by a health insurer in Michigan need to provide coverage for newborns and adopted children. Coverage automatically applies for the first 31 days. Children need to be added to a parent's policy for coverage to continue.
Renewability
Health insurers in Michigan cannot cancel or refuse to renew a health insurance policy if an insured does not violate the terms of the policy. This means that an individual who has a health insurance policy and becomes sick is guaranteed to keep her policy. However, if an individual breaks any terms of the contract, such as not paying the premium on time, her policy can be canceled.
Policy Coverage
Michigan law does not obligate health insurance companies to provide an individual a health insurance policy. This means that a health insurer is free to use an individual's current and past health condition to deny coverage.
Pre-Existing Conditions
A health insurance policy provided by an insurer in Michigan has no requirements that are set by state laws. A health insurer is therefore free to set its own policies. This can include choosing what types of pre-existing conditions to cover on an individual policy. An elimination rider can be added to a policy to permanently exclude coverage for a certain condition. Premiums can also be set higher for past as well as current health conditions.
Emergency Room Care
Michigan residents who belong to a Health Maintenance Organization or HMO, such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, are guaranteed emergency room care. The Patient Bill of Rights law in Michigan guarantees emergency room coverage to anyone who belongs to an HMO. Care is covered until a medical condition is stable.
Complaints
Michigan's Patient Bill of Rights law gives individuals more options to expedite a complaint or appeal a denial from an insurer. When an individual files an appeal for coverage denial a final answer is guaranteed within 90 days. If an individual does not agree with an appeal decision he can appeal to the state for a final determination.
Tags: health insurance, health insurance policy, insurance policy, Bill Rights, health insurer, Patient Bill, Patient Bill Rights
