Children · MIChild · Child-only plans
Health insurance for kids in Michigan
Kids can be covered by Medicaid or MIChild, on a parent’s plan, or on a child-only Marketplace plan, sometimes even when the parents have other coverage. Here’s how to choose.
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- MIChild up to 212% FPL
- Apply any time
- Child-only plans in all 83 counties
Find coverage for my kids
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Michigan children’s coverage at a glance
- Medicaid for children: income up to 195% of the poverty level for babies under 1, and 160% for ages 1 to 18.[1]
- MIChild: birth to 19, up to 212% of the poverty level (about $57,918 a year for a household of 3, our calculation from the 2026 guidelines; MDHHS decides).[1,5,2] Covered services include doctor visits, dental, vision, prescriptions and mental health care.[2]
- A parent’s plan: children can stay on a parent’s plan until 26; on a Marketplace plan, through December 31 of the year they turn 26.[6] See turning 26.
Child-only Marketplace prices (2026, one child, monthly)
| County | Lowest Bronze, age 0–14 | Benchmark Silver, age 0–14 | Benchmark Silver, age 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne | $208.69 | $303.96 | $362.77 |
| Oakland | $206.65 | $303.60 | $362.33 |
| Macomb | $206.65 | $303.60 | $362.33 |
| Kent | $213.33 | $282.22 | $336.81 |
| Genesee | $228.02 | $232.27 | $277.21 |
| Washtenaw | $252.21 | $292.69 | $349.32 |
| Ottawa | $213.33 | $282.22 | $336.81 |
| Ingham | $249.14 | $268.30 | $320.21 |
| Kalamazoo | $252.61 | $269.31 | $321.41 |
| Saginaw | $239.97 | $378.67 | $451.93 |
| Marquette | $316.15 | $544.73 | $650.12 |
CMS plan year 2026 file, child premium scenarios, before tax credits. Statewide, the lowest child (0–14) Bronze premium ranged from $206.65 in Macomb County to $316.15 in Alger County. “Lowest Bronze” includes Expanded Bronze.[4]
Good to know
- If your children are eligible for CHIP, they won’t get savings on a Marketplace plan, and CHIP will probably cost less.[3]
- A new baby, adoption or foster placement opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period, with coverage back to the event date.[7]
- Parent has an unaffordable job-based family offer? The 2022 family glitch fix may let the children qualify for a tax credit.[8] See family glitch fix, single parents and family coverage.
Sources
- Michigan DHHS, Bridges Eligibility Manual BEM 211, MAGI Related Groups (income limits; BPB 2026-013, May 1, 2026). https://mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov/olmweb/exf/BP/Public/BEM/211.pdf
- Michigan DHHS, MIChild Program General Information. https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/healthcare/childrenteens/michild/qanda/michild-program-general-information
- HealthCare.gov, The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/childrens-health-insurance-program/
- CMS, QHP Landscape Individual Market Medical file, plan year 2026 (HealthCare.gov states), Michigan rows. https://data.healthcare.gov/datafile/py2026/individual_market_medical.zip
- HHS ASPE, 2026 Poverty Guidelines (used for 2027 coverage). https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines
- HealthCare.gov, Health insurance coverage for children and young adults under 26. https://www.healthcare.gov/young-adults/children-under-26/
- HealthCare.gov, Special Enrollment Periods. https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/
- Federal Register, Affordability of Employer Coverage for Family Members of Employees, final rule, Oct. 13, 2022 (effective Dec. 12, 2022). https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/10/13/2022-22184/affordability-of-employer-coverage-for-family-members-of-employees
Checked October 16, 2026. 2027 Marketplace plans and final 2027 rates aren’t published yet; we’ll update this page when they are.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for MIChild in Michigan?
Children under 19 who live in Michigan, have no other comprehensive health insurance and meet the income limit, which is 212% of the federal poverty level per MDHHS policy.
Get my options or call 616-808-9426.
Can I buy a health plan just for my child?
Yes. In 2026, all 116 Michigan Marketplace plans allowed child-only enrollment. Marketplace enrollment needs Open Enrollment or a qualifying life event; Medicaid and CHIP accept applications any time.
Get my options or call 616-808-9426.
When can I apply for MIChild or children's Medicaid?
Any time of year. If you qualify, coverage can start right away.
Get my options or call 616-808-9426.
Will you sell my information?
No. We do not sell your information. Nexus uses it to answer your request and shares it only as our Privacy Policy explains, for example with your insurance carrier when you enroll, or with service providers that help us run our website.
Get my options or call 616-808-9426.