Is the cost of insurance worth it?
If you're living in Michigan and considering skipping health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it's important to understand the real financial risks. Medical emergencies can happen unexpectedly, and without coverage, even a single hospital visit can lead to crippling debt. Learn about the high cost of going uninsured in Michigan.
Average medical costs
Here’s an average of what you could be paying out-of-pocket without ACA insurance.
Hospital services
- Ambulance ride: $500–$1,200.1
- Emergency room visit: $1,150–$2,0001, depending on the severity of the condition. If you end up being admitted, the cost can rise to $10,000-$30,000.2
- Hospital stay (per day): $2,800–$3,500 per inpatient day, not including procedures or specialist fees. A typical hospital stay is 4.5 days.3 The cost will vary based on the use of anesthesia, specialist consultations, medications, post-op care, imaging and diagnostics.
- Routine inpatient procedure - such as an appendectomy or gallbladder removal - typically involves a 3 to 5-day hospital stay and can cost between $20,000 and $40,000 without insurance.2
Office services
- An adult preventive care exam: $150-$300. If bloodwork or immunizations are included, the total can increase to $400–$600 or more.4
- A well-child exam for an 18-month old $180-$300. Adding recommended vaccines ($200-$500) brings the total to $380-$800.5
- A mammogram, or breast cancer screening: $255.4
- A colonoscopy, or colon cancer screening: $1,444.4
Hidden costs of being uninsured
Without ACA coverage, you may also face:
- Full-price billing with no negotiated rates
- No access to free preventive care, leading to higher long-term costs
- Limited access to specialists or follow-up care
- Medical debt that can affect your credit score and financial stability
Why ACA insurance matters
ACA plans offer:
- Subsidies based on income, making coverage more accessible
- Financial protection, unlike health cost-sharing programs
- Free preventive care, including exams, vaccines, screenings for breast, cervical and colon cancer and more
- 10 Essential Health Benefits, including hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, prescription drug coverage, mental health care and more
- Reduced out-of-pocket risk with caps on out-of-pocket costs
- Protection from surprise billing
- Improved health outcomes with MyPriority® chronic condition management
Michigan-specific resources
- Shop and enroll in a Michigan ACA plan through healthcare.gov or Priority Health. We'll check to see if you qualify for a subsidy.
- MIBridges – Apply for Michigan Medicaid, food assistance and other state assistance
Final thoughts
Going without ACA insurance in Michigan may seem like a way to save money, but the financial risk is far greater. A single ER visit or hospital stay can cost thousands of dollars, while ACA plans offer affordable protection and peace of mind.