The Southwest Michigan Association of Health Underwriters was formed May 1, 1986 and met with the West Michigan Association of Health Underwriters.  On May 12, 1993, a group of interested members from the Kalamazoo area met and decided to form a separate chapter in the Kalamazoo area and named it Kalamazoo Regional Association of Health Underwriters (KRAHU).

The new Association was formed for the purpose of providing a forum for those persons in the Kalamazoo region who receive all or part of their income from sales or service of health insurance. The purpose is to promote client education, agent education, provide opportunity to network with other agents and carriers and to learn about new and innovative products.  The chapter provides updates on legislative issues and is a voice to the legislature regarding the health insurance industry.

In October of 1996, the chapter agreed to change the chapter name back to Southwest Michigan Association of Health Underwriters (SMAHU) serving members in Kalamazoo, Portage, Battle Creek, and the rest of Southwest Michigan. The mission has stayed the same over the years including giving charitable contributions to local organizations, Kairos House, Toys for Tots and the Health Clinic that helps the uninsured as well as being involved in community endeavors.

SMAHU is associated with the Michigan Association of Health Underwriters (MAHU), and is a local chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), now with 20,000 members worldwide.