You've heard it in the news that health insurance prices could skyrocket soon, but if you buy your own health insurance, you’ve probably felt the punch in the gut already. Premiums shooting up. Headlines warning about federal assistance drying up. Politicians bickering while the enrollment clock ticks down.
For seniors who’ve spent a lifetime learning how to stretch a dollar, this year feels different.
It feels personal.
And here’s the part no one likes to admit out loud: many older adults are quietly wondering, “Maybe I should just go without insurance next year.”
But experts at the University of Michigan Health say that is the most dangerous decision you can make — financially and physically.
Before you talk yourself into taking that risk, take a breath. This year is confusing, yes. But going uninsured is the one choice guaranteed to make everything worse.
“Being uninsured is hazardous to your health”
That’s not an opinion — that’s a fact backed by years of research.
“Being uninsured is hazardous to your physical and mental health — and could dramatically impact your financial health,” says A. Mark Fendrick, M.D., director of the University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design and a professor at the U-M Medical School.
One fall.
One infection.
One unexpected surgery.
That’s all it takes to turn “I’ll just risk it” into thousands of dollars in medical debt… at an age when recovery is slower and income is harder to replace.
Fendrick says: don’t make that mistake. Explore every option first — and there are still options.
Seniors aren’t just confused — they’re scared
Alena Hill, who leads the Michigan Medicine Patient Financial Counseling team, says the worry pouring in from older adults this year is unlike anything she’s seen since the ACA began.
“People are afraid they won’t be able to afford anything,” she says.
“People are afraid of choosing the wrong plan.”
“People are afraid of losing help they counted on.”
Hill’s team helps anyone in Michigan (even if they’re not U-M patients).
877-326-9155 or PFC-Counselors@med.umich.edu, weekdays 8–4.
Outside Michigan? Use the Find Local Help tool on Healthcare.gov and look for “assisters” — they’re unbiased and not paid by insurers.
What matters most for seniors this year
1. December 15 is your real deadline. Don’t miss it.
To start coverage January 1, you must choose and pay by Dec. 15.
Miss that, and you’ll spend January uninsured.
And with federal assistance still undecided, you may have to choose between:
• enrolling now for peace of mind, or
• waiting for Congress to act and starting coverage Feb. 1.
Neither option is perfect — but being uninsured is the worst one.
2. Don’t auto-renew. It could cost you.
Networks change. Prices jump. Medications move off covered lists.
A gold plan may even cost less than a silver one this year.
Hill warns: look at total cost — premiums, deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance — and check your doctors and prescriptions.
3. Income thresholds will hit seniors hard.
All federal help ends at 400% of the federal poverty level.
Even one extra dollar of income can mean losing hundreds of dollars a month in subsidies.
If you’re near that line, get guidance.
It could change everything.
4. Medicaid isn’t changing yet — but keep your address updated.
If you qualify, changes to verification rules aren’t taking effect immediately.
But you need correct contact information on file, or you’ll miss notices.
Children may still qualify for programs like MIChild up to 217% of poverty.
5. Older adults face the steepest price hikes.
Insurers can charge more with age — and they do.
If you’re in your 50s or early 60s, you could see the biggest jump.
That’s exactly why comparing plans is essential.
6. High-deductible plans require an HSA.
If you choose Bronze or Catastrophic coverage, open a Health Savings Account to buffer your deductible.
7. Immigrant eligibility rules have changed.
Some individuals, including DACA recipients, may no longer qualify for marketplace plans. Local clinics can help fill the gap.
The bottom line
This year’s health insurance landscape is unsettled, messy, and emotionally draining.
But experts at the University of Michigan Health are clear: Don’t go uninsured if you can avoid it. And don’t make decisions without guidance.
A few hours spent comparing plans — with someone who knows the rules — could save you thousands and spare you from a crisis no senior deserves.
This article offers general information only and is not a substitute for personalized medical, legal, or financial advice.
