Updates About Health Insurance

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued additional notice and guidance for Medicaid renewals that are set to begin on July 1.

Following new guidance from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), beneficiaries who received their renewal packets with a deadline of June 30 are encouraged to complete and return the packets by that date. However, MDHHS will not disqualify anyone from coverage for not returning paperwork until the end of July. This change is only for beneficiaries up for renewal in June.

A federal judge has signed an order that preserves full coverage for preventive services in health insurance plans. This includes vital screenings for certain cancers and access to HIV prevention drugs.

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling partially halts a previous ruling made by U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Conner. While the nationwide impact is not immediate, it protects approximately 150 million individuals who rely on preventive care during the ongoing legal proceedings.

The ruling made by O’Conner in March jeopardized free screenings for conditions like depression, diabetes, and heart health, potentially burdening families with increased costs and endangering the health of millions. The agreement recognizes the limitations in shielding parties from penalties if the ruling is overturned, and the government has agreed not to enforce penalties for non-compliance with preventive care recommendations.

The House Health Policy Committee heard testimony on bills that would amend Michigan’s Healthy Michigan program, allowing for more flexibility in the program by removing outdated statutory language that has not resulted in cost savings for the state.

Specifically, the bills would eliminate cost-sharing and healthy behavior requirements for beneficiaries which will allow for Medicaid health plans to be more innovative in creating incentives for beneficiaries to engage in healthy behaviors.

The bills are expected to be voted on in the coming weeks by the House Health Policy Committee.