Updates About Public Health

Beginning January 1st, 2024, MDHHS will be implementing changes to the Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP) that affect cost-sharing and healthy behaviors for beneficiaries.

Enrolled individuals will not face care disruptions or benefit reductions due to these updates. Alterations to the plan include revised copayment obligations for beneficiaries aged 21 and older, where copayments may now be required at the point of service instead of through the MI Health Account. Exceptions for copayments related to chronic conditions and exemptions for medically frail individuals will be discontinued.

While encouraging healthy behaviors remains a focus, requirements for annual Health Risk Assessments and specific activities via the MI Health Account will no longer be mandatory or incentivized. MDHHS plans to collaborate with Medicaid Health Plans to introduce financial incentives for enrollees displaying improved health outcomes, adopting healthy behaviors, or completing screenings or procedures that contribute to better health.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is recommending that Michigan residents get three respiratory virus vaccinations: flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

Because of the high rates of spreading during this time of year, MDHHS is encouraging residents to protect themselves, especially for children, older adults, and immunocompromised people. Getting the vaccines helps protect those from influenza in one’s communities and helps prevent spread. The three vaccines can be taken at the same time and is often covered by insurance.

Governor Whitmer, Elizabeth Hertel, and other state officials attended an open house on June 5 to celebrate the completion of the new Caro Psychiatric Hospital.

This $85 million Caro Psychiatric Hospital is replacing the current Caro Center, which opened in 1914 as the Caro Farm Colony for Epileptics, and was the only residential treatment facility in the state of Michigan for individuals with seizure disorders until 1997.

The facility will house 100 inpatient beds and the facility is expected to offer more options for Michigan families in need of behavioral health care services. Caro will now be one of five residential psychiatric hospitals in the state.