Updates About Public Health

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Office of Equity and Minority Health (OEMH) works to ensure health equity and eliminate health disparities among Michigan’s racial and ethnic populations. Racial and ethnic groups such as African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Arab and Chaldean Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics/Latinos disproportionately face negative health outcomes.

OEMH is working to eliminate health disparities and increase access to quality affordable health care for Michigan’s racial and ethnic populations. With April being Minority Health Month, the office will be launching a series of conversations as well as sponsoring social media and community events in an effort to gather statewide feedback on Race and Ethnicity Data Collection Standards and learn how to best represent racial and ethnic populations in MDHHS’ data collection, analysis, and dissemination efforts.

The Michigan Medicaid Program is working to implement a policy incorporating Community Health Worker (CHW) services as a benefit for Medicaid beneficiaries. In order to expand Medicaid coverage while also expanding reimbursement for CHW’s, these services are recognized as a fee-for-service benefit. CHW services allow Medicaid beneficiaries to have better access to health care services that are culturally responsive and equitable.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral and Physical Health and Aging Services Administration (MDHHS BPHASA) is encouraging residents and Medicaid beneficiaries to provide recommendations. This is being done through a series of recorded policy initiative updates.

This series, called the Policy Primer Series, consists of four total videos, launching weekly from April 17 to May 8. The videos will discuss Managed Care Organization versus Community Provider Distinction, Provider Qualifications, and Covered Services and Reimbursement.

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.