Michigan agents can still arrange a nationwide PPO through me, regardless of what the marketplace charges for its PPO plans. Here's how real estate professionals around Grand Traverse can choose coverage when most of their sales happen during a short, busy season.
Hi, I'm Sam Jaber. I help Michigan real estate agents find health insurance by phone, and I'm licensed as a broker in 36 states.
Think about a Traverse City agent who handles properties throughout Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. Her listings range from waterfront cottages and downtown condos to farmhouses on the peninsula. Much of her business happens between May and October, when buyers arrive from Detroit, Chicago and Indianapolis. Once Thanksgiving passes, showings become less frequent, and by February she's concentrating mainly on finding future clients. She earns commissions when properties close, but her brokerage doesn't offer health benefits. She purchases her coverage through HealthCare.gov, where northern Michigan shoppers can find a PPO, although it carries a higher premium.
For 2026, Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties have 42 individual medical plans offered by four insurers. Those include 33 HMOs and 9 PPOs. At age 40, before subsidies, the least expensive silver PPO costs 35% more than the least expensive silver HMO. That price gap is actually typical for Michigan. Across the state's 83 counties, the median difference between those same plan categories is also 35%.
You have another option besides the marketplace. I can arrange a private nationwide PPO in Michigan, with premiums determined through medical underwriting and a provider network extending far outside the state. If you're healthy and would otherwise pay full marketplace premiums, it's worth comparing that private coverage before making a decision.
Your marketplace tax credit is based on household income during the coverage year, with eligibility extending to four times the federal poverty level. For real estate agents, begin with gross commissions and account for brokerage splits, desk fees, franchise fees, MLS dues, professional membership costs, marketing, staging and travel between Suttons Bay and Kingsley. For lower-income households, Michigan expanded Medicaid through the Healthy Michigan Plan, which covers qualifying adults up to 138% of the poverty level.
In northern Michigan, much of the year's commission income arrives during summer. Estimate your earnings using the entire year's expected closings, then revisit that estimate once the busy season ends.
Enroll through HealthCare.gov if you want to use the premium tax credit, because it isn't available elsewhere. Remember that the credit is calculated from a benchmark silver plan. Selecting a PPO doesn't increase your credit, which means the additional 35% in premium comes directly from your pocket.
Paying that difference can still be worthwhile. If the PPO includes your Traverse City physicians and you regularly travel downstate or beyond Michigan, its out-of-network benefits may justify the extra premium, especially with a tax credit. On the other hand, if an HMO covers your doctors and you spend most of your time nearby, choosing that HMO can leave more money in your budget.
Next step: Tell me which doctors you see and what you netted last year. I'll compare the HMOs and PPO available in your county, including the premiums after your tax credit.
Once your income exceeds the tax credit range, you're responsible for the entire marketplace premium. Those premiums also increased considerably: KFF reports that Michigan's benchmark silver premium for a 40-year-old climbed 29.5% from 2025 to 2026. At those full prices, many agents in good health find private coverage more appealing.
Applying for private coverage involves answering questions about your medical history. The carrier may approve your application, reject it, or approve it with one particular condition excluded. Healthy applicants often find that the premium is below the marketplace's unsubsidized price. The nationwide provider network can also be useful if you spend Michigan winters somewhere warmer. Since benefits differ among plans, I'll review the details with you before you make your choice.
Next step: Give me a call, and I'll compare a nationwide PPO quote with the full marketplace premiums available in Grand Traverse County.
Not every selling season goes according to plan. Transactions fall through, rates increase, and buyers postpone decisions. If those changes bring your realistic annual income estimate close to the poverty threshold, look into Healthy Michigan before enrolling elsewhere. Adults with income up to 138% of that threshold may qualify.
Next step: Call me before renewing after a slower year. We'll review your household income and figure out which side of the eligibility threshold you're likely to fall on.
The enrollment window for 2027 coverage begins November 1, 2026 and closes January 15, 2027. Enroll no later than December 15 to have coverage start January 1.
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
Yes. Grand Traverse County offers nine marketplace PPOs. The least expensive silver PPO has a premium 35% higher than the least expensive silver HMO.
No. Your tax credit generally remains the same dollar amount regardless of the plan you choose, leaving you responsible for the PPO's higher premium.
Yes. If you're healthy, I can arrange a private nationwide PPO for you anywhere in Michigan.
Yes. The Healthy Michigan Plan provides Medicaid coverage, with KFF reporting an adult income limit of 138% of the federal poverty level.
Share your county, everyone who needs insurance, and an estimate of last year's commissions after brokerage splits and expenses. I'll compare the marketplace HMOs, marketplace PPO and private nationwide PPO to see which coverage makes sense for your household.
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