Michigan residents are protected under a number of health insurance laws.
As of fall of 2010, residents of Michigan were not legally obligated to seek health insurance coverage. However, with the nationwide Affordable Care Act of 2010, all United States residents will be required to get health insurance by the year 2014. This act, along with legislation from the state of Michigan itself, also protects the rights of the insured through various health insurance laws that providers must follow.
Dependents
Before the passage of this Act, dependent children in Michigan were often excluded from parents' health insurance once they reached age 23 or once they graduated from college. Now, insurance providers are legally obligated to cover dependents until they are 26 years of age, provided they are unable to receive adequate coverage elsewhere. This could benefit up to 32,800 young adults in the state.
Loss of Coverage
There are now restrictions in Michigan that prevent insurance companies from dropping customers in many circumstances. If the insured gets injured or sick, an insurance company may no longer cancel the policy without another legitimate reason. An unintentional mistake on an application is not a legitimate reason. Additionally, health insurance companies may no longer impose limits on how much coverage an insured person may receive in a lifetime.
Required Coverage
There are certain instances where Michigan residents must be covered under policies. Health insurance companies must cover the cost of preventative health procedures like mammograms without charging a copay. Health insurers also may never discriminate against children who have preexisting medical conditions.
Right to Information
Michigan introduced a Patient's Bill of Rights in 2009 that reinforced many of the health insurance laws guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act. It also guarantees that any insured person has access to his medical history and insurance plan information. Physicians' credentials and information regarding ways to appeal insurance company decisions must also be procured upon request. In addition, insurance companies may no longer prevent doctors from informing patients about all treatment options available.
Right to Timely Decisions
Another health insurance law guaranteed in Michigan includes the right to timely decisions. Specifically, insurance companies must make a final decision and inform the insured within 90 days for most claims. For life-threatening illnesses, a decision must be made within 72 hours. And, if the insured is unsatisfied with the ruling of an insurance company, the ruling may be appealed directly to the state of Michigan.
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