PHP Rebrands to University of Michigan Health Plan
Physicians Health Plan (PHP), the health plan that administers Michigan Care and Michigan Care Advantage, is now called University of Michigan Health Plan (UM Health Plan). The reason for this rebrand was to more closely align with its majority owner, Michigan Medicine. Web pages and print materials will refer to Physicians Health Plan/University of Michigan Health Plan and PHP/UM Health Plan throughout Open Enrollment 2025 to allow users to get used to the change.
About U-M Health Plans
The University of Michigan offers a choice of health plans as part of a high-quality benefits package that helps you stay well and protect yourself and your family.
Eligible employees and retirees can select from the following:
- Michigan Care (eligibility is limited to those who live in the service area)
- U-M Premier Care (service area restrictions)
- Community Blue PPO
- Comprehensive Major Medical
- Consumer-Directed Health Plan
GradCare is offered for benefits-eligible graduate students only.
Medicare Advantage Plans are offered to benefit-eligible retirees and survivors.
Prescription drug coverage is included when you enroll in any U-M plan.
Important Information For Retirees Enrolled in Medicare
- You may receive materials associated with your health insurance offered through the University of Michigan. For Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the information is related to Medicare Plus Blue Group PPO. For Blue Care Network, the information is related to Blue Care Network Advantage. This information is valid for your review.
- If you have questions regarding the printed directory from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) or Blue Care Network (BCN) see the Network section of the Frequently Asked Questions page
- If you have received two different Id Cards from Blue Care Network (BCN) or you have a dependent that hasn't received their ID cards see the Medicare Advantage Implementation section of the Frequently Asked Question page
- You may receive materials associated with your health insurance offered through the University of Michigan. For Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the information is related to Medicare Plus Blue Group PPO. For Blue Care Network, the information is related to Blue Care Network Advantage. This information is valid for your review.
Choosing a Plan
Find the health plan that offers the most advantages to you and your family and then use it wisely. Before choosing a plan, consider all the costs involved (including both premiums and out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, coinsurance, and copays), access to doctors and hospitals, and your anticipated health and financial needs over the next year. Please note that there is no out-of-pocket cost to you for preventive care under any U-M health plan. Members enrolled in a managed care plan must choose a primary care physician (PCP) when joining.
Health Plan Coverage Comparison
For a detailed comparison, use the Health Plan Coverage Comparison tool, or view the Health Plan Coverage Comparison Chart (PDF):
Health Plan Video
To help you better understand your U-M health plan choices, view a brief video.
If you are a benefit-eligible graduate student, including Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Graduate Student Staff Assistant (GSSA), Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA), benefit-eligible fellowship holder, or medical school student, please visit GradCare to learn about your university health plan option. If you are U-M student and not eligible for GradCare, you may be eligible to enroll in the domestic student health insurance plan.
| Type of Expense | Consumer-Directed Health (BCBSM) | Comprehensive Major Medical (BCBSM) | Michigan Care (PHP/UM Health Plan) | U-M Premier Care (BCN) | Community Blue PPO (BCBSM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Lower | Lower | Moderate | Moderate | Higher |
| Individual deductible | $1,650 | $500 | None | None* | None |
| Family deductible | $3,300 | $1,000 | None | None* | None |
| Office visit copay | Deductible and coinsurance apply | Deductible and coinsurance apply | $25 | $25 | $25 |
| Specialist visit copay | Deductible and coinsurance apply | Deductible and coinsurance apply | $30 | $30 | $30 |
| Coinsurance | 10% after deductible | 20% after deductible | $0 | $0 | 50% if out of network |
*No deductible in U-M Premier Care Network 1. $2,000 individual/$4,000 family deductible in Network 2.
| Plan Feature | Consumer-Directed Health (BCBSM) | Comprehensive Major Medical (BCBSM) | Michigan Care (PHP)/University of Michigan Health Plan (UM Health Plan) | U-M Premier Care (BCN) | Community Blue PPO (BCBSM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| You must select a primary care physician | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| You can visit any doctor | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| You need a referral to visit a specialist | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| You can use out-of-network providers | Yes | Yes, but will pay more | No | No | Yes, but will pay more |
| You are required to live in a particular service area | No | No | Yes, check your eligibility | Yes* | No |
| Coverage is available for dependents who live in a different location | Yes | Yes | Yes, with approval from PHP | Yes, with approval from BCN | Yes |
*U-M Premier Care Provider Network 1 service area: Genesee, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties, and portions of Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Monroe and St. Clair counties.
Health Plan Definitions
- Coinsurance
- Coinsurance refers to your share of the cost of a covered health care service, calculated as a percent of the allowed amount for the service (for example, 20%). You pay coinsurance in addition to any deductible you owe for your plan. The health plan pays the rest of the allowed amount.
- Copay
- A copay is a fixed dollar amount (for example, $25) you pay for a covered health care service, such as an office visit, at the time you receive the service. The amount can vary by the type of service.
- Deductible
- Your deductible is the amount you owe for health care services before your health plan begins to pay. For example, if your deductible is $500, your plan won’t pay anything until you have paid $500 out-of-pocket for covered health care services subject to the deductible. The deductible may not apply to all services.
- Premium
- The premium is the amount that must be paid for your health plan. You pay a portion of the monthly health plan premium through automatic payroll deductions.
- Preventive Care Services
- Under the Affordable Care Act, all U-M health plans cover a set of preventive services — like blood pressure screening and cholesterol screening — at no cost to you. These services are free only when delivered by a doctor or other provider in your plan’s network. There are three sets of preventive health services: for all adults, for women, and for children. For more information, visit HealthCare.gov.
View a glossary of commonly used health coverage and medical terms.
Health Plan ID Cards
When you enroll in a U-M Health Plan, the health plan company will mail an ID card to your current address on file. You will also receive a separate ID card from Magellan Rx/Prime Therapeutics for prescription drug coverage. If you do not receive your ID card within 4-6 weeks after enrollment, call the health plan company directly to request a card. If you enrolled in a U-M health plan and need health care services before receiving your ID card, call the health plan company directly and ask about the reimbursement procedure. Until you receive your card, you may need to pay for services in full and then file for reimbursement from your health plan company.
Pair Your Health Plan with a Flexible Spending Account
You may want to consider a pre-tax health care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to complement your health plan, particularly if you choose an option with higher out-of-pocket expenses.
Health Coverage while Traveling Abroad
Faculty and staff traveling on international university-related business are automatically covered at no cost by travel abroad health insurance. Learn more about your coverage during international business travel.
Coverage for Services Related to Infertility
All U-M health plans cover services related to infertility. Some services will only be covered if provided by the Michigan Medicine Center for Reproductive Services. The U-M Prescription Drug Plan, which covers outpatient prescription drugs for all members enrolled in U-M health plans, provides coverage for self-administered infertility medications within limits specified by the plan. Learn more about coverage for services and prescriptions related to infertility.
Transgender Community
All U-M health plans cover medically necessary gender-affirming services for members with gender dysphoria. The university’s coverage of gender-affirming services follows the health plan's medical policy, which incorporates standards of care defined by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and other professional organizations. As standards change over time, the health plan may re-evaluate coverage and medical necessity criteria, as needed.
The Benefits Office has designated a specific staff member who is a member of the LGBT Ally Program, and is knowledgeable about and sensitive to the unique benefit-related issues that transgender members of our community may encounter. Members with questions about benefit issues related to transgender status are encouraged to contact Brian Vasher at [email protected].