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 in Michigan in 2025
Here’s what you could be paying out-of-pocket without ACA insurance.
Hospital services
- Emergency room visit: Depending on the severity of the condition, the average ER visit in Michigan without hospital admission costs $1,150–$2,0001.
If you end up being admitted, the cost can rise to $10,000-$30,0002. - Hospital stay (per day): The average cost per inpatient day in Michigan is approximately $2,800–$3,500, not including procedures or specialist fees3.
- Average hospital stay length: A typical hospital stay lasts 4.5 days, bringing the total to $12,600–$15,750 or more3, not including procedures or specialist fees.
- Hospital stay with common procedure and specialist fees: The average cost per inpatient day can rise to $5,500–$8,000 or more (or $24,750-$36,000 for 4.5 days), depending on:
- Type of procedure (e.g., surgery, imaging, diagnostics)
- Use of anesthesia or operating room
- Specialist consultations (e.g., cardiology, orthopedics)
- Medications and post-op care2
- Surgery costs can vary widely depending on several factors, but for example, a 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 insurance2.
- Ambulance ride: A single ambulance ride can cost $500–$1,2001.
Office services
- An adult preventive care exam typically costs between $150-$300. If additional services are included - such as bloodwork or immunizations - the total can rise to $400-$600 or more4.
- A well-child exam for an 18-month old typically costs between $180-$300. When you include recommended vaccines at this age - adding $200-$500 - the total cost for the full preventive visit can range from $380-$8005.
- A mammogram, or breast cancer screening, can cost $2554.
- A colonoscopy, or colon cancer screening, can cost $1,4444.
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 affordable
- 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. All MyPriority® plans come with 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 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.