BCBSM vs Medicaid (MI)

Hi all,

I’m in a common and frustrating position revolving around paying for health insurance. Here is my situation.

I work part-time and go to school part-time, so I don’t qualify for full-time benefits for work or any equivalent part-time healthcare offers in Michigan So that’s the first part.

I gross about $600 a month working and my healthcare premium is $650 a month alone for BCBSM HMO Gold plan. It just is not feasible to pay that much for healthcare anymore- especially, out of pocket in full.

What I do have is Medicaid and CarePayment accounts that help me cover the costs and pay down medical debt in a reasonable time frame. I need some coverage because I have a mental health condition and commonly use: medications, psychiatry, therapy, and labs.

I am wondering if I can get by just with MI Medicaid. Is that risky since Medicaid has very low reimbursement rates? Or is it reasonable to go with Medicaid and just try to be frugal medically?

What I want to avoid is going for routine procedures and leaving with a $1200 bill, AND paying $650 a month only to use it half hazardously.

Thanks.