FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 11, 2023 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Takes Action to Help Michiganders Save Money, Stay Covered During Medicaid Eligibility Redetermination Process Executive Directive Instructs State of Michigan Departments to Help Michiganders Who May Lose Medicaid Coverage Due to Recent Federal Legislation
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive directive instructing all State of Michigan departments to work together to lower health care costs by helping Michiganders keep Medicaid coverage or find affordable health insurance as Medicaid eligibility renewals begin again this summer. This Directive builds on the work already being done by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) to ensure all affected Michiganders have the information they need to stay covered and save money.
“One of my administration’s top priorities has been ensuring that every Michigander has access to quality, affordable health insurance,” said Governor Whitmer. “As the redetermination process plays out, we will build on efforts by MDHHS and DIFS to help families stay covered and save money. Their proactive efforts have given us a strong foundation, and now every state department has a role to play. Let’s use every resource available to us to make people aware of the reinstated federal Medicaid eligibility requirements and help affected Michiganders maintain access to affordable health care.”
“MDHHS will continue our ongoing proactive efforts to ensure Michigan residents who are eligible for Medicaid coverage remain enrolled. We appreciate the assistance from our partners at other state government departments,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “Providing families with affordable health care coverage is a top priority.”
“DIFS is committed to working with MDHHS and our other state partners to help Michiganders who no longer qualify for Medicaid get the affordable, comprehensive health insurance they need,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “DIFS stands ready to answer questions about purchasing a Marketplace health insurance plan or finding other options, such as employer-sponsored health insurance. Call DIFS at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit Michigan.gov/StayCovered to learn more.”
Nationwide, Medicaid beneficiaries will have to renew their coverage to comply with federal legislation. This may result in thousands of Michiganders transitioning away from Medicaid. In Michigan, annual renewals will begin again in June 2023 and will continue through May 2024. During this period, MDHHS will review the Medicaid eligibility of more than 3.1 million Michiganders, and those who are no longer eligible for benefits must take action to maintain healthcare coverage to protect themselves and their families.
To help Michiganders through this process, actions taken by the state so far include:
Effective immediately, Governor Whitmer’s executive directive instructs all state departments to cooperate with and assist MDHHS and DIFS as required, including working together to distribute information to Michiganders regarding the redetermination process and how to renew eligibility, and sharing necessary data to conduct outreach, subject to all applicable protections.
If you are a Medicaid beneficiary, you should take the following steps to prepare for redetermination:
For more information about Medicaid eligibility renewals, visit Michigan.gov/
To view the full executive directive, click the link below: |
Whitmer Takes Action to Help Michiganders Save Money
