Michigan
Michigan had an estimated population of 9,895,622 in 2013, based on data from Trust for America’s Health. One year earlier, the percentage of state residents without health-related insurance coverage equaled 10.9%. This placed Michigan at the 9th spot among states with the least uninsured population involving all age groups.
Senior citizens comprised four out of five fatalities from cardiovascular disease among Michigan residents, which totaled to nearly 30,000 in 2012. In that year, 740 adults ages 65 years and above died from falls. People in long-term care settings exercise precaution for avoiding falls and similar accidents.
Cancer and other serious ailments can be managed better through long-term care. From 2007 to 2011, prostate cancer affected around 162 per 100,000 men in Michigan. Around 121 per 100,000 women had breast cancer in the same time period.
The Trust for America’s Health adds that Michigan may have 190,000 projected new cases of Alzheimer’s among senior citizens in 2025.
Cost of Care
Below are the average daily cost* of long-term care services in Michigan.
| City | Nursing Facility1 | Assisted Living1 | Adult Day Care2 | Home Health Aide3 |
| Ann Arbor | $314 | $145 | $158 | $126 |
| Detroit | $221 | N/A | $84 | $120 |
| Grand Rapids | $282 | $108 | $120 | $132 |
| Lansing | $245 | $110 | $77 | $114 |
Notes:
*Costs are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
1Daily average for a private room.
2Based on five days of care per week.
3Based on six hours of care per day, five days per week.
Insurance Options
Transamerica began to market its newer TransCare III long-term care insurance policy to individuals in Michigan on September 10, 2013. TransCare III features an increased daily benefit amount, improvements in waiting period and couples discount, and several riders that can help policyholders.
On the other hand, MedAmerica’s changes to its FlexCare LTCI product meant that policyholders could not pay premiums through credit card until further notice. FlexCare also had revisions to its marital and preferred health discounts on October 28, 2013. The insurance carrier adhered to state-by-state regulations in enacting the discount changes.
Michigan started implementing legal requirements to LTCI policies in the state market in 1990. These policies must cover extensive nursing facility services, home care, and the needs of memory care recipients. Michigan’s LTCI policies are also renewable and provide a full refund option within the first 30 days of purchase.
Insurers that offer LTCI in the state include American General Life, Berkshire Life, Continental General, Genworth, Great American Life, John Hancock, Massachusetts Mutual, New York Life, Physicians Mutual, Riversource Life, and State Farm.
State Long-Term Care Programs
Michigan residents can get assistance for paying long-term care services, such as home health care and therapy, through the Medicare health program. They can reduce their expenses even further through the state’s Medicare Savings Program. In fact, the program helps beneficiaries save more than $1,100 on Medicare Part B premiums annually.
While many states started their Medicaid expansion on January 1, 2014, Michigan began its own expansion for adult residents with limited income on April 1, 2014. Also known as the Healthy Michigan Plan, this initiative can insure an estimated 320,000 individuals in the first year of implementation. The federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM) will supervise the distribution of Medicaid coverage in the state.
In Michigan, the Aid and Attendance Care Benefit can help veterans, their spouses, or surviving spouses in sustaining the necessary custodial care services. Michigan also has a growing Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). The Residential Services Program promotes home and community-based care, while the Out-of Home Respite Care Program allows caregivers to rest or manage other businesses.
More Resources
To get more specific information regarding long-term care services and insurance options in Michigan, please check the following websites:
Office of Services to the Aging
Gives resource links for seniors and family caregivers, along with senior living news.
Department of Community Health
Offers a brochure that introduces long-term care settings.
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