What is the Michigan Medigap Subsidy?

Who is this for?

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If you currently have a Michigan Medigap Subsidy, this tells you more about the program.

In November 2022 the Health Endowment Fund announced that the Michigan Medigap Subsidy program would end effective January 2023.

The Michigan Medigap Subsidy program had a fund of $120 million to help qualified Michigan seniors and persons with disabilities pay for Medigap (also known as Medicare Supplement) policies. Participating Medicare beneficiaries qualified for the subsidy based on their income, age and whether they had a disability. The program was designed to end when the fund was depleted, which will happen in January 2023.

If you participated in the program, you should have received a letter in November 2022 from the Michigan Medigap Subsidy about the program closure. If you have questions about this letter or the subsidy ending, please contact Michigan Medigap Subsidy at 1-866-824-9772 (TTY: 1-866-824-7002) through January 31, 2023.

If you’ve been receiving the subsidy, you’ll stay enrolled in your plan and will see a higher premium, without the subsidy, in your February bill.

If you participated in the program, the program paid part of your premium directly to your Medicare Supplement insurer. You paid the rest. Because the program is ending, the bill received in December 2022 will be the final bill that has the subsidy included, for the January 2023 premium.

Your next bill, received in January, will show your adjusted premium amount. If you were eligible for the program, you will pay more in January to keep your coverage for February.

As long as you continue to pay your premium, you’ll stay in your current plan and continue to enjoy the same quality coverage and outstanding service that you’ve come to know with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

We are here for you.

We understand the announcement of the subsidy ending could have a direct impact on your budget and lifestyle. We value you as a member and are here to ensure you have the coverage that best fits your needs.            

For questions about your plan or other options with Blue Cross, call the number on the back of your card.  TTY users call 711.  A customer service representative is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.

Important information about your plan

The Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copays listed are based on the 2023 numbers approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. You can go to any hospital, doctor or other health care provider in the U.S. or its territories that accepts medicare. You don't have to use our network. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan administers Blue Cross medicare Supplement plans. Where you live, your age, gender and whether you use nicotine products (including e-cigarettes, vaping, and nicotine patches or gum) may affect what you pay for your plan. Your health status may also affect what you pay. This is a solicitation of insurance. We may contact you about buying insurance. Blue Cross Medicare Supplement plans aren't connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. 

If you're currently enrolled in Plan A or Plan C, you can stay with your plan as long as you pay your premium. You may enroll in Plan C if you've lost coverage under a group policy after becoming eligible for Medicare. You're also eligible if you had Plan C, then enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, and now would like to return to Plan C. You can do this as long as it's within the first 12 months of your Medicare Advantage plan. You're automatically eligible for Plan A if you're 65 or older. If you're under age 65, you are eligible for Plan A if you've lost coverage under a group policy after becoming eligible for Medicare. You can also enroll if you had Plan A, then enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, and now would like to return to Plan A. You can do this as long as it's within the first 12 months of your Medicare Advantage plan. You'll need to meet these requirements to apply for these plans.