Michigan | Winter | 2009 | Health Plan Analysis

Economic turmoil is nothing new in Michigan, where the auto industry's woes continue to get worse, and job losses and layoffs continue to shrink the healthcare market. Against that backdrop, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has begun to raise rates and lay off employees, competitors are tweaking their product designs for individual plans, and introducing new products to the market.

HealthLeaders-InterStudy looks at the likelihood of healthcare regulatory reforms in the Michigan legislature in the aftermath of the Blue Plan's failed push for small-group reforms.

Michigan plans also are taking varying approaches to specialty drugs in order to control their costs.

And as more Michigan employers shed defined-benefit plans for retirees, HAP is enriching its wellness and complimentary medicine benefits to win membership in Medicare Advantage.