Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 7, 2023

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@michigan.gov

MDHHS expands Medicaid coverage starting January 1
to include community health worker services
Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance chosen to facilitate
provider qualification assessment, certification and registry

LANSING, Mich. – To help promote preventive care and address health disparities, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has expanded Medicaid coverage for Michigan beneficiaries to include community health worker (CHW) services. This new benefit goes into effect Jan. 1, 2024.

CHWs are trained public health professionals and trusted members of the community whose goal is to address social determinants of health and serve as links between residents and the health and social resources needed to improve well-being. CHW services focus on preventing disease, disability and other chronic health conditions or their progression, and promoting physical and mental health. The expanded Medicaid coverage includes health system navigation and resource coordination, health promotion and education and screening and assessment.

“This coverage is another step towards addressing health disparities, improving health outcomes and promoting preventive care within Michigan communities,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “By integrating community health workers, MDHHS is working to enhance the overall well-being of Medicaid beneficiaries and promote a more holistic approach to health care.”

The new CHW services coverage is complementary to existing Medicaid strategies that already incorporate CHWs, including targeted case management, health homes models and Medicaid Health Plan contract requirements.

To support the implementation of this policy, MDHHS selected Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance through a competitive bid process to facilitate provider qualification assessment, certification and the development of a registry of certified providers. This registry will ensure Medicaid beneficiaries have access to qualified CHWs to deliver covered services.

For more information, about CHW coverage or other Medicaid policies, visit 2023 Medicaid Policy Bulletins (michigan.gov).

To sign up for Medicaid or to check available benefits, visit Michigan.gov/MIBridges.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 4, 2023

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS recognizes National Influenza Vaccination Week Dec. 4-8

Michigan residents urged to get flu vaccine

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is recognizing National Influenza Vaccination Week this week and reminding Michigan residents that it’s not too late to get flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. All three of these vaccines can help protect against respiratory illnesses and can be given at the same time.

“Vaccines against respiratory illnesses are the best way to protect yourself and your families against the anticipated surge of these illnesses over winter months,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “It is not too late to get vaccinated this season — please get your flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines (if eligible) today to prevent yourself from the potentially severe consequences of influenza and other respiratory illnesses this holiday season and to help prevent further burden on our health care system.”

While it is ideal to get a flu vaccine before flu starts spreading in your community (usually in October each year), getting vaccinated is beneficial anytime flu viruses are circulating. Respiratory virus activity is beginning to increase nationally, which is why getting vaccinated now can still provide protection. Flu activity usually peaks in February, but significant flu activity can continue into May.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual influenza vaccination for all persons ages 6 months and older with rare exceptions. According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, as of Nov. 18, approximately 2.2 million people in Michigan have received their flu vaccine for the 2023-2024 flu season, which is 55% towards the state’s goal of reaching 4 million doses of flu vaccine administered this season.

For people younger than 65 years, CDC recommends any flu vaccine available during the 2023-2024 flu season. Options for this age group include inactivated flu vaccine, recombinant flu vaccine or live-attenuated flu vaccine for those ages 2-49.

Vaccination is particularly important for individuals at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, including young children, adults ages 65 years and older, people with certain chronic medical conditions and pregnant persons. Some children ages 6 months through 8 years will need two doses of flu vaccine this season to be fully protected. Individuals should speak with their health care provider to determine which vaccine is best for them.

It takes about two weeks after the vaccine is administered before the body builds up enough immunity to protect from severe illness from the flu. Michiganders should get their vaccine now to protect themselves before flu activity peaks in Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) also reminds Michiganders that flu shots are an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act and are covered with no out-of-pocket costs by most health plans in Michigan.

“As the weather gets colder and Michiganders spend more time inside, getting a flu shot can help keep you and your family healthy without missing time from work or school,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “Most health plans cover flu shots at no cost, so I urge you to get your vaccine and to make sure that your kids and other family members are also protected.”

Michiganders with questions about their health insurance can contact DIFS at 877-999-6442 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance.

Flu vaccines are widely available now at local health departments, physician offices and pharmacies around the state. Find a location near you using the Vaccine Finder. Visit Michigan.gov/flu for more information or visit IVaccinate.org to find answers to vaccine questions.

Visit Michigan.gov/CovidFluRSV and Michigan.gov/flufocus for updates on flu and respiratory illnesses in Michigan.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 29, 2023

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@michigan.gov

Over 168,000 Michiganders were renewed for Medicaid in October
Events with The Salvation Army helped 1,500 Michiganders maintain coverage

LANSING, Mich. – Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced it has renewed Medicaid or Healthy Michigan plan coverage for 168,088 people whose eligibility was up for redetermination in October.

Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries must renew their coverage over the next year to comply with federal legislation that requires states to resume the redetermination of Medicaid eligibility. Annual renewals were paused for three years during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Michigan annual renewals are being staggered to take place monthly through May 2024.

Medicaid renewal events hosted in partnership with The Salvation Army Great Lakes Harbor Light System have assisted Medicaid beneficiaries going through the redetermination process. Recent events helped 1,500 Medicaid beneficiaries in Southeast Michigan with the renewal process.

“MDHHS is working to preserve health benefits for all qualifying residents and will continue to use every option available to achieve that outcome,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “We want to be sure that as many Michiganders as possible can continue to receive Medicaid coverage and appreciate the partnership of The Salvation Army and others in this effort.”

The latest data on Medicaid renewals can be found on MDHHS’ online dashboard.

The dashboard – which is updated monthly – shows that 804,613 people have been renewed to date. The department is awaiting completed enrollment forms from another 85,795 people who were up for renewal in October and have until the end of November to return their paperwork. 

There were 13,618 people who were disenrolled in October because they were no longer eligible and 2,806 whose eligibility was not renewed for procedural reasons – such as not providing requested verification documents like driver’s license, pay stubs and bank statements. MDHHS can reinstate eligibility back to the termination date for people who were disenrolled based on a procedural reason and are subsequently found to be eligible for Medicaid during a 90-day reconsideration period. 

Additional MDHHS efforts to help Michiganders keep their coverage are possible as a result of the federal government releasing new flexibilities and strategies to state officials to lessen the impact of the resumption of Medicaid renewals.

This includes:

• Extending the renewal date to May 2024 for beneficiaries undergoing life-saving treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy infusions or dialysis.
• Allowing managed care plans to assist enrollees they serve in completing and submitting Medicaid renewal forms.
• Sharing lists with managed care organizations of their enrollees who are due for renewal or have not responded to provide additional outreach to those beneficiaries.
• Reinstating eligibility back to the termination date for people who were disenrolled based on a procedural reason – such as not returning reenrollment forms on time – and are subsequently found to be eligible for Medicaid during a 90-day reconsideration period. 
• Providing beneficiaries an extra month to submit paperwork to help avoid loss of health care coverage.

MDHHS advises all Medicaid enrollees to check their renewal month and renew online at Michigan.gov/MIBridges. MDHHS will send monthly renewal notices four months before a beneficiary’s renewal date and follow up with text messages, phone calls, and emails during their renewal month.

Updated data on September renewals that were extended through October are also available on the online dashboard.

MDHHS advises families to return any renewal paperwork from the department even if they believe they are no longer eligible for Medicaid. Some members of a household can obtain health care coverage even when others are not eligible. For example, a child may be eligible for MiChild, even if their parent is not eligible for other Medicaid programs. Or some Michiganders may have income that is over the income limit for one program and still be able to obtain health care benefits through another program.

MDHHS will assess a household’s eligibility for all Medicaid programs – not just for the programs in which someone is currently enrolled, and also for each family member in the household.

Michiganders who no longer qualify for Medicaid will receive additional information about other affordable health coverage options available, including on HealthCare.gov. Affected Michiganders will be able to shop for and enroll in comprehensive health insurance as they transition away from Medicaid, and many Michiganders can purchase a plan for less than $10 per month.

Michigan Medicaid beneficiaries can learn more, including what they need to do to prepare for renewals, on the Medicaid Benefit Changes website.  

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 21, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, WheatonB@michigan.gov

Adoptive families from across Michigan recognized for providing loving homes to children during Adoption Day and Month
Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids area homes among those being honored

LANSING, Mich. – As the state celebrates Adoption Day today, and Adoption Month during November, families from across the state are being recognized by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange as Outstanding Adoptive Families.

Included are Robert and Stephanie Wilson of Oakland County – who became legal guardians for four young siblings in foster care – and Marc and Nicole Olger of Kent County, who intended to foster two special half siblings with special needs until they could return home but stepped up when they needed a permanent home.

“Adoption Day and Adoption Month are times for all of us to think about and recognize the many loving families who step up to provide permanent homes for children who need them,” said Director Elizabeth Hertel of MDHHS, which oversees the state’s child welfare system. “As MDHHS director, it’s an honor to have the chance to visit with families who give children an opportunity to realize their dreams.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed Nov. 21 Adoption Day and November Adoption Month. More information about adoptive families who are being recognized this month can be found at www.mare.org/MI-Adoption-Day.

“My mom and dad were foster parents for 35 years,” Stephanie Wilson said, estimating that they provided loving temporary homes to more than 100 children. “Robert wanted to do it, and my parents did it, and we both felt the best way to share our love was to become foster parents, so we decided to move forward with fostering.”

The Wilsons, who live in Auburn Hills, ended up adopting sisters Kataleiha, now 9, and Kavin, 8, and became legal guardians of their brothers, Robert, now 17, and Syncere, 15. “They’re truly great kids,” Stephanie said.

She said her husband serves as a positive Black role model for the four siblings, who are also African-American. “I believe a lot of times, no matter what the race is, (children in foster care) don’t have that positive role model, male or female, that looks like them,” Stephanie said. “So when they see someone who looks like them, they can see it happen – that they can be successful and they can have their own house and own family.”

Marc and Nicole Olger, of the Grand Rapids area, wanted to be foster parents and didn’t plan to adopt. But they couldn’t say no when two-half siblings they were fostering ended up needing permanent homes.   Both Bella, now 5, and Tyler, now 2, have special medical needs, so Nicole’s training as a nurse has come in handy.   When Bella came into care at 6 months old she couldn’t roll over, verbalize or sit. “Bella has made leaps and bounds since coming into care,” Nicole said. “She is a miracle. We didn’t know if she’d ever walk or talk. She had to be taught how to do everything by several amazing specialists. Now she walks, she runs, she makes us laugh every day.

“Ty’s smile and silly attitude bring our family so much happiness,” she said. “His medical needs can be hard at times but the joy he brings into our lives makes it easy to forget the hard stuff. He truly is resilient with everything he has been through.”

Nicole would offer this advice to anyone interested in fostering or adopting: “Go into it with an open mind, but a caring heart. There have been a lot of challenges and unforeseen bumps in our journey. You have to be able to be able to be flexible to the different challenges that arise. It’s very emotional and hard but also very rewarding. At the end of the day, it’s about the kids and they are worth it and truly bring so much more joy to our life.” 

Approximately 10,000 children are in foster care in Michigan, including approximately 250 children who are still awaiting a forever family through adoption. The number of children in foster care is down from nearly 14,000 in 2018 as MDHHS has focused on keeping families together, reunifying children safely with their families, and finding adoptive homes more quickly when safe reunification is not possible. More than 1,600 children were adopted from Michigan’s child welfare system from October 2022 through September 2023.

Courts statewide, in partnership with MDHHS, are holding special Adoption Month ceremonies in November at which children officially become permanent members of their new forever families. That includes an adoption event hosted by the Michigan Supreme Court today. Anyone interested in adopting from foster care can contact the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange at 800-589-6273, or see biographies and photos of children available for adoption at www.mare.org. Adoptive homes for teens are especially needed.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 20, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, WheatonB@michigan.gov

MDHHS announces key staffing changes and reorganization to further commitment to children, youth and families 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced several staffing changes and a departmental reorganization designed to improve collaboration, provide an increased focus on key service areas and increase administrative efficiencies.

“MDHHS continually looks for opportunities to refine and enhance our delivery of services to improve the health, safety, and prosperity of Michigan residents,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “I am excited to continue working with our outstanding leadership team as we deliver health and opportunity to all Michigan residents, reduce intergenerational poverty and promote health equity.”

David Knezek, Chief Operating Officer

David Knezek, chief deputy director of administration, has been promoted to serve as the chief operating officer.

He will oversee the department’s Economic Stability Administration and its 96 district and county offices across Michigan, Financial Operations Administration and the department’s $35 billion budget, Communications Administration, Strategic Integration Administration, and Office of Legislative Affairs.

Knezek came to MDHHS in 2021. Prior to joining the department, he was the director of legislative affairs at the Michigan Department of Attorney General and a member of the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan State Senate.

Emily Skrzypczak, Chief of Staff

Emily Skrzypczak, senior advisor to the chief deputy director of administration, has been promoted to chief of staff. She will oversee Tribal Government Services and Policy, report directly to the MDHHS director, and provide support to the chief operating officer. Skrzypczak came to the department in 2019 as the director of Legislative Affairs. Prior to joining the department, she worked for the Michigan League for Public Policy and Michigan House of Representatives.

Lewis Roubal, Senior Advisor of Human Services

Lewis Roubal, chief deputy director for opportunity, has announced his retirement from MDHHS in February 2024 after 23 years of service. He previously served in a variety of roles within the department, beginning his career as a frontline caseworker and holding a variety of leadership roles including Mecosta/Osceola County director and Business Service Center 2 director.

“Lew has played a key role in Michigan’s efforts to provide greater access to benefits, such as food assistance, and sought innovative ways to improve human services program delivery throughout his career,” Hertel said. “His experience, leadership and passion for helping children and families will be greatly missed. I wish him well in his upcoming retirement.”

Roubal will remain with MDHHS as senior advisor of human services until his retirement.

Laura Blodgett, Senior Deputy Director of Communications

Laura Blodgett, director of external relations and communications, has been promoted to senior deputy director of the Communications Administration. She will oversee the Office of Communications, as well as the Bureau of Community Engagement and Workforce Transformation.

Blodgett came to MDHHS in 2021. Prior to joining the department, she provided strategic communications to Trinity Health Michigan, and served as a contributing writer for publications including The Detroit News and Crain’s Detroit Business.

Children’s Services Administration

Effective immediately, the Children’s Services Administration has been elevated within the department to report directly to Hertel. Previously, the administration reported to Roubal. As the department moves forward with its Keep Kids Safe Action Agenda, the reorganization is designed to increase executive engagement and oversight at the highest level of the department.

“Working in collaboration with Children’s Services Administration Senior Deputy Director Demetrius Starling, MDHHS has begun to reform the way we think about and engage on matters of child safety and family well-being. I’m eager to continue this work in close collaboration with the passionate and dedicated Children’s Services Administration staff that work around the clock to keep kids safe and enable them to live healthy, happy lives,” Hertel said.