The Bronze trade-off, in Michigan numbers
| County (city) | Bronze plans, 2026 | Median Bronze deductible | Highest Bronze deductible | Lowest Bronze premium, age 40 (before tax credits) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent | 26 | $7,500 | $10,600 | $356.39 |
| Wayne | 24 | $8,250 | $10,600 | $348.64 |
| Ingham | 16 | $8,500 | $10,600 | $416.21 |
| Kalamazoo | 23 | $8,250 | $10,600 | $422.01 |
Source: CMS Qualified Health Plan Landscape, individual market medical, plan year 2026 (Kent = Grand Rapids, Wayne = Detroit, Ingham = Lansing). Bronze includes Expanded Bronze. Individual deductibles; premiums are monthly and before premium tax credits. 2027 plan data isn’t in the public files yet, and Michigan insurers have requested 2027 individual rate changes of 11.1% to 25.5% (as filed with DIFS, subject to approval).
What a Bronze plan pays before the deductible
- Preventive care (annual checkup, many screenings and vaccines) from in-network providers is covered at no cost under federal rules (HealthCare.gov).
- Some Bronze plans cover a few primary care or telehealth visits before the deductible. Check the plan’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage.
- Everything else (the sinus infection, the kid’s ear infection, the rash, the refill visit) is usually paid by you, at the plan’s negotiated rate, until you meet the deductible.
The two-layer approach
Layer 1: the plan
A Marketplace plan protects you from the bills that can wreck a budget: hospital stays, surgery, cancer treatment, a serious accident. Tax credits can cut the premium a lot, depending on income.
Layer 2: everyday care
A flat-fee membership handles the questions and visits that come up all year. Amaze is about $49 a month for one person or about $59 for a family, with unlimited visits and no copays, by text or phone.
Amaze works alongside your health plan and the doctor you love. Its clinicians can treat common problems, prescribe when appropriate, help you find more affordable medications, and help you decide when it’s smarter to use your plan, cash, or an HSA.
HSA owners: what changed for 2026
As of Jan 1, 2026, Bronze and catastrophic plans count as HSA-compatible, and telehealth before the deductible is permanently allowed (IRS, Notice 2026-05). That makes a Bronze plan plus an HSA more attractive for many Michiganders. Ask your tax advisor whether a specific membership fee can be paid from an HSA before you count on it.
When Bronze is not the right layer 1
Bronze isn’t for everyone. If you expect regular specialist care, ongoing expensive prescriptions, a planned surgery or a pregnancy, a Silver or Gold plan with a lower deductible may cost less over the year. If your income is modest, Silver plans can come with extra savings on deductibles and copays that Bronze plans don’t get. A licensed advisor can run the comparison for your ZIP code, income and doctors.