Healthcare Assistance for Single Mothers in Michigan

Where to start

Pick the door that matches the problem hurting your family right now. You can come back for the other steps after the urgent health need is safer.

For broader coverage background, see ASMOM’s Medicaid and CHIP guide.

Quick reference table

Michigan Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan

Michigan’s health programs are run mainly through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. MDHHS says most health programs have an income test, some have an asset test, and rules can vary by program. Apply through MI Bridges if you are unsure which category fits.

The Healthy Michigan Plan is Michigan’s Medicaid expansion program for many adults ages 19 to 64. The state lists basic rules: Michigan residency, not pregnant at the time of application, not enrolled in Medicare, not eligible for another Medicaid category, and income at or below the state’s limit under MAGI rules.

Adult Medicaid may also be available for parents or caretaker relatives, people who are aged, blind, or disabled, people receiving SSI, and families in other eligibility categories. If your income is over a certain limit, some Medicaid categories may use a deductible, sometimes called spend-down, where medical expenses can affect eligibility.

Children’s Medicaid, Healthy Kids, and MIChild

Apply for your children even if your own adult Medicaid case is uncertain. Michigan’s health coverage page says U-19 Medicaid is for low-income children under 19 and has no monthly premium. It provides a comprehensive package that can include vision, dental, and mental health services.

MIChild is for some uninsured children under 19 in working families with income above the U-19 Medicaid limit. Michigan says MIChild has a higher income limit than U-19 Medicaid and the child must be enrolled in a MIChild health and dental plan to receive services.

If your child needs dental care, ask whether the child is enrolled in Healthy Kids Dental or which dental plan is assigned. ASMOM’s Michigan dental help page can help you prepare questions for a dentist or plan.

If your child has a disability, developmental delay, chronic condition, or school-related health need, also review ASMOM’s disability help guide.

Pregnancy and postpartum coverage

If you are pregnant, apply through MI Bridges as soon as you can. Tell the application and your MDHHS worker that you are pregnant. Michigan lists pregnancy Medicaid categories and MOMS, a program for pregnant or recently pregnant women who are eligible for Emergency Services Only Medicaid. MOMS covers outpatient prenatal services and pregnancy-related postpartum services for two months after pregnancy ends, while Emergency Services Only Medicaid covers labor and delivery.

Michigan also provides 12 months of continuous postpartum Medicaid coverage for eligible postpartum members. The Healthy Moms page says this extension continues regardless of changes in circumstances such as income.

The Maternal Infant Health Program serves pregnant people enrolled in, or eligible for, Medicaid and infants under 12 months enrolled in, or eligible for, Medicaid. MIHP can connect families with visits, care coordination, and support during pregnancy and the baby’s first year.

Michigan Medicaid also covers doula care. The state’s doula family page says eligible pregnant people with Medicaid can receive doula visits during pregnancy and up to one year after delivery. You can search the doula registry for a doula in Michigan.

For related baby and food help, use ASMOM’s pregnancy help, Michigan WIC help, and Michigan SNAP help guides.

WIC and nutrition care

WIC is not health insurance, but it is often one of the most useful health-related supports for pregnant women, postpartum mothers, breastfeeding parents, infants, and children under 5. Michigan WIC can help with healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals.

Michigan’s 2025-2026 WIC chart listed monthly gross income limits of $2,413 for a household of one, $3,261 for two, $4,109 for three, and $4,957 for four through June 30, 2026. New WIC charts typically update for the next program year, so check Michigan WIC again if you apply after June 2026.

Receiving Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF may also qualify you as income-eligible for WIC. If you do not qualify through another program, WIC uses gross household income before taxes and deductions. If you are pregnant, include the number of infants you are expecting when the clinic counts family size.

Other health paths to know

Plan First family planning

Plan First is limited Medicaid coverage for family planning. It may cover birth control, family-planning office visits, pregnancy testing and counseling, STI testing and treatment, some lab tests, and related services. It is not full Medicaid and is not minimum essential coverage.

Plan First can be useful if you do not qualify for full Medicaid. But do not confuse it with full coverage. You may still need Marketplace coverage, employer coverage, a clinic plan, or another health program for regular doctor visits, emergency care, or hospital care.

Children’s Special Health Care Services

CSHCS helps children and some adults with special health care needs. MDHHS says the program is for children and some adults with special health care needs and their families. If your child has a chronic condition, call the CSHCS Family Phone Line at 1-800-359-3722 or contact your local health department’s CSHCS office.

Breast and cervical cancer screening

The BC3NP program helps eligible low-income women get breast and cervical cancer screening and follow-up care. The state says BC3NP does not pay for cancer treatment itself, but some people diagnosed through the program may qualify for a special Medicaid program that covers treatment.

Mental health and substance use care

For crisis support, call or text 988. For ongoing care, start with your Medicaid health plan, a community mental health program, a clinic, or 211. If domestic violence, stalking, or safety is part of the crisis, ASMOM’s Michigan safety help guide may help you find safer next steps.

If you do not qualify for Medicaid

You may still have ways to get care. If your income is over Medicaid limits, check HealthCare.gov. The federal Marketplace usually has open enrollment that ends January 15 for the plan year. Outside open enrollment, you generally need a Special Enrollment Period, such as losing Medicaid, moving, getting married, having a baby, or losing job coverage.

Community health centers can help with primary care, prenatal care, mental health, dental referrals, prescriptions, and chronic-condition care. Many use a sliding fee scale. Search by ZIP code with the HRSA clinic locator. Also ask hospitals about financial assistance before you ignore a bill.

If you need local help with rent, food, utilities, or transportation while you wait for coverage, use ASMOM’s Michigan emergency help, Michigan housing help, and Michigan child care pages.

Rides to medical care

If you have Medicaid and no reliable way to get to covered medical care, ask about non-emergency medical transportation. If you are in a Medicaid health plan, call the plan first. Michigan policy says Medicaid health plans must cover non-emergency medical transportation for plan members for Medicaid-covered services.

If you are in fee-for-service Medicaid, ask MDHHS how to request a ride or mileage reimbursement. The state’s NEMT page lists reimbursement information, but approval rules and plan rules matter. ASMOM’s Michigan transportation page may help with backup ride options.

Documents and information checklist

Do not wait to apply just because you are missing one paper. Apply first, then upload or turn in what MDHHS asks for. Keep screenshots, confirmation numbers, and copies of every notice. ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you build a folder.

If you are denied, delayed, billed, or overwhelmed

Start with the notice. It should say why the action happened and what deadline you have to respond or appeal. You can contact MDHHS beneficiary support for Medicaid questions, plan problems, mihealth card issues, complaints, and hearing information.

If you need help organizing a denial, closure, appeal, or missing proof problem, use ASMOM’s benefits problem guide. If the issue may need legal guidance, use Michigan legal help.