Updates About Press Releases

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that it plans to transition providers to an Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system in 2024. The implementation of Michigan’s EVV system is in accordance with the 21st Century Cures Act, requiring all states to implement an EVV system for Medicaid-funded personal care and home health care services.

The EVV system would validate in-home visits for Medicaid recipients on the location, date, time, and type of care they are receiving. This information would improve the management and oversight of services and ensure that beneficiaries are receiving proper care. Personal care and home health providers can use this free and multilingual state-run EVV system or an alternate EVV system of their choosing if it directly integrates with the state system.

On April 1, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced the start of dental benefit enhancements for adult Medicaid beneficiaries. These enhancements serve to improve access to dental services and improve health outcomes as many additional services will now be covered for adults 21 and over. The services covered include:

• X-rays
• Teeth cleanings
• Fillings
• Extractions
• Dentures
• Deep teeth cleanings
• Sealants
• Root canals
• Crowns
• Care to keep your gums healthy

Not only is MDHHS expanding access to services for Medicaid beneficiaries, but MDHHS is also increasing reimbursement rates for dental providers. The new rates allow providers to be paid at 100% of the Average Commercial Rate, which aims to increase the number of treated Medicaid beneficiaries.

On November 2, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that emergency responders will now be permitted to carry emergency contraception and sexually transmitted infection treatment (post-exposure prophylaxis). These new protocols serve as another measure to improve Michigan’s sexual assault response to ensure survivors have access to appropriate medical care.

The Quality Assurance Task Force recently voted unanimously to approve new Medical Control Authority protocols proposed by the Whitmer Administration for critical follow-up care for sexual assault patients. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also adopted the new protocols, advocating for more prevention and response tactics.

MDHHS will be providing training to all EMS agencies to better aid survivors. The protocols align with research that indicates there has been an increase in sexual assault survivors seeking medical care. Additionally, emergency department visits for sexual assault have been 15 times higher in the past decade.

This development comes after Governor Whitmer signed an executive directive 2022-05, for all state departments to identify opportunities to increase protections for reproductive healthcare.