Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 26, 2023

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

MDHHS alerts Michiganders about available COVID-19 testing options

LANSING, Mich. – As fall season begins, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) encourages Michiganders to get free COVID-19 at-home tests through the federal government’s COVID-19 tests website and provides additional information about state-specific testing resources.

As of Monday, Sept. 25, all U.S. residents are able to go to COVIDTests.gov to sign up to receive up to four free at-home tests per household delivered via the U.S. Postal Service.

For Michiganders who are thinking about plans for on-site testing, Michigan.gov/COVIDTest remains in place to assist in locating a testing location.

MDHHS also continues to partner with libraries across the state to provide free at-home COVID-19 tests to Michiganders. Click here for a list of participating libraries.

Private health insurers are no longer required to cover at-home COVID-19 tests, however information is available regarding eligibility and options for individuals with private insurance and Medicare. Under federal law, Medicaid and MIChild participants can obtain free at-home and laboratory COVID-19 tests through Sept. 30, 2024. Check with your insurer for the most up-to-date information for your specific plan.

“Testing continues to be a critical tool in managing the spread of COVID-19 and we encourage Michigan families to take advantage of the available free COVID tests to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to our loved ones and neighbors,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “It is important to test for COVID but to also consider other respiratory diseases, like RSV and influenza, as we head into fall and winter when these respiratory diseases spread most easily. Please stay home if you are sick, even if you have a negative COVID test.”

MDHHS encourages Michigan families to have a COVID plan that works for them. This may include keeping a supply of COVID-19 over-the-counter tests and well-fitting masks at home; getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine; and speaking to a health care provider about eligibility for therapeutics that reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 disease for those who test positive.

More information about MDHHS-sponsored testing is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 24, 2023

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

MDHHS releases Tobacco-Free report card for Michigan K-12 schools

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Tobacco Section has released the 2023 Tobacco-Free Report Card: Michigan K-12 Public School Districts, which reports on the current state of tobacco-free policies in public school districts across the state.

“According to the report, nearly one third of Michigan high school students have used e-cigarettes, and 14% report current use,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “More than 80% of youth who have used a tobacco product started with a flavored product. E-cigarettes are detrimental to the health of our young Michigan residents, and these products can be highly addictive and can contain a variety of toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Using these products can permanently damage a developing adolescent brain and tobacco-free policies are an important step to prevent youth vaping and promote youth smoking cessation.”

Of Michigan K-12 public school districts, 87% fell into the strongest category of tobacco-free school policy as of March 2023. This is a 240% increase since 2014 and each policy was categorized based on their comprehensiveness, however, 44% of counties in Michigan still have at least one school district without a comprehensive tobacco-free school policy.

Comprehensive tobacco-free school policies prohibit use of any and all tobacco and non-cessation nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, by everyone at all times on school grounds and at school-sponsored off-grounds events. The report card does not assess whether schools use alternatives to suspension and other evidence-based enforcement models, but it’s important to note that these kinds of programs are an important factor in implementing an effective policy.

Evidence-based enforcement includes tobacco and vaping prevention education and cessation resources and avoiding the use of suspension, exclusion from extracurricular school activities and referrals to law enforcement. Research indicates that punitive measures may actually increase tobacco and e-cigarette use, cause students to distance themselves from their education, exclude students from tobacco/vape-free environments that are safe and adult-supervised and increase early interactions with the criminal justice system.

The MDHHS Tobacco Section is available to provide training and technical assistance to support Michigan schools with tobacco-free school policies and model codes of conduct for incorporating alternatives to suspension. To request assistance, email MDHHS-TobaccoSection@michigan.gov.

MDHHS also offers access to programs that help Michiganders quit tobacco. My Life, My Quit is free and confidential text and online program for youth under 18 years old to quit smoking or vaping. Text “Start My Quit” to 36072 to get started. Adults 18 years an older who need help quitting can contact the MI Tobacco Quitlink at 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) – available 24/7.

Additional tobacco-free school and cessation resources can be found at Michigan.gov/Tobacco.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 22, 2023

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

MDHHS moving forward with MIHealthy Life to provide
improved access to care for Medicaid health plan enrollees
Department rebidding contracts that serve 2.2 million Michiganders 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) today provided new information related to the rebidding of contracts for health plans that provide services to 2.2 million Michiganders receiving coverage through Medicaid and Michigan’s Healthy Michigan Plan.

MDHHS is announcing network requirements and minimum qualifications for bidders in its upcoming request for proposals for the Comprehensive Health Care Program contract for Michigan’s Medicaid health plans.

“We want to provide Michiganders served by Medicaid health plans with a more equitable, coordinated and person-centered system of care,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Through this rebid process, MDHHS seeks to provide improved affordable health care coverage for Michiganders served by Medicaid health plans.”

The contract is being rebid during fiscal year 2024, which begins Oct. 1, with new contracts beginning in fiscal year 2025. The rebid is part of MIHealthyLife, an initiative to strengthen Medicaid services informed by input from nearly 10,000 enrollees and family members, health care providers, health plans and other community partners.

Consistent with federal standards and input from MIHealthyLife stakeholders, the rebid will include updates to Michigan’s Medicaid Health Plan network adequacy and timely access standards, which can be found at Michigan.gov/MDHHS/MIHealthyLife.

When determining whether these standards are met, MDHHS will only consider providers with whom bidders have executed contracts at the time of bid submission. MDHHS is releasing its updates to Comprehensive Health Care Program network adequacy and timely access standards in advance of the rebid to provide time for potential bidders to review their provider networks and execute provider contracts necessary to meet the new standards.

MDHHS’s new Medicaid Health plan network adequacy and timely access standards can be found at Michigan.gov/MDHHS/MIHealthyLife, along with mandatory minimum requirements Medicaid Health Plans must meet in order to qualify for review under the rebid.

In addition, the request for proposals will incorporate several Comprehensive Health Care Program changes intended to advance the MIHealthyLife pillars. These include:

• A commitment to health equity demonstrated by plans achieving the NCQA’s Health Equity Accreditation, beginning the process no later than Oct. 1, 2024.
• A strong emphasis on addressing social determinants of health demonstrated by investment and engagement with community-based organizations.
• Efforts to increase childhood vaccination rates, including increasing provider participation in the Vaccines for Children Program.
• Adoption over time of a more person-centered approach to mental health care coverage.

The Medicaid Health Plan request for proposals will be posted to the SIGMA system in Fall 2023, with responses due in January 2024. New contracts resulting from this rebid are scheduled to begin on Oct. 1, 2024. MDHHS reserves the right to change mandatory minimum requirements, dates or any other information deemed necessary.

Go to Michigan.gov/MDHHS/MIHealthyLife for more information. Questions about MIHealthyLife can be sent to mdhhs-mihealthylife@michigan.gov. Procurement-related questions can be sent to [email protected].  

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 21, 2023

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

MDHHS renews its partnership to continue providing GetSetUp virtual classes to empower older adults across Michigan

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and GetSetUp, an online learning and discovery platform designed specifically for older adults, has expanded its partnership for the third year in a row to combat social isolation and to keep older adults mentally, physically and socially active by providing Michigan residents age 50 and older an additional 500,000 free virtual classes across a range of topics.

MDHHS began partnering with GetSetUp in October 2020 to engage older residents through classes on various topics, and the overall number of classes attended since 2020 recently exceeded 1 million for the state. Programming may be accessed anywhere via smartphones, tablets or computers. For those seeking to learn more about how to use devices to access the resources, GetSetUp offers a selection of classes on topics about how to use smartphones and tablets, as well as how to use popular software programs and apps.

“By making programs like GetSetUp available for all residents at no cost, we are making meaningful progress in helping them live happy, healthy and engaged lives,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “The classes have had a positive impact on hundreds of residents who now have valuable resources to combat social isolation and access new knowledge, significantly improving their quality of life.”

GetSetUp has helped reduced isolation and loneliness by making its services available to the 2.4 million older adults in Michigan:

• 108,000 older adults used GetSetUp in the first year.
• There are nearly 268,000 users as of June 30, 2023.
• Individuals have participated in over 3,400 virtual classes and discussions on topics like healthy aging, fitness, photography, technology and mental health.

Michigan residents over age 50 can access the easy-to-use GetSetUp learning platform and participate free of charge in friendly, peer-led classes. Plus, they can join classes to learn about health, wellness and fitness, explore hobbies and much more.

“Our ongoing partnership with Michigan demonstrates the transformational impact that can be achieved when organizations come together to address social challenges with accessible, tech-enabled solutions,” said Lawrence Kosick, president and co-founder of GetSetUp.”This is just the beginning, and GetSetUp eagerly looks forward to our new Veterans classes developed with MDHHS to empower an even broader range of older Michigan residents in the years ahead.”

Learn more about GetSetUp’s partnership with MDHHS by exploring classes that help empower older adults to learn, connect and thrive at Getsetup.io/partner/Michigan.

About GetSetUp 

GetSetUp is an online community of older adults who want to learn, connect with others and unlock new life experiences. GetSetUp partners with entities such as state and local government agencies, health providers and community organizations to offer live programming taught by peers who are experts in their field, social hours hosted by community members and special events with speakers who directly address areas of interest to older adults. Classes are taught in English, Spanish, Hindi and Mandarin by older adults on a highly interactive, custom-built video platform where participants can connect during and in between classes. With a mission to combat social isolation and empower older adults to learn, connect and thrive, GetSetUp provides accessible and engaging educational experiences that enrich the lives of individuals across the United States. The company’s investors are specialists in the education and AgeTech sectors, including Primetime Partners, ReThink Education and Cowboy Ventures. To learn more, visit Getsetup.io.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 11, 2023

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

Michigan releases 2023 Eat Safe Fish Guides to help residents learn about and plan for local fish consumption

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has released the 2023 update to its Eat Safe Fish Guides, which provide guidelines for eating locally caught fish.

Guidelines are based on levels of chemicals found in the portions of fish that people eat – typically the filets. Test results from the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories are used to determine what is safe for people to eat over the long term.

“There are many health benefits to eating fish and the Eat Safe Fish Guides help individuals choose the fish that are best for them and their families,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive.

Chemicals in fish are a worldwide issue. The chemicals most commonly found in fish are mercury and PCBs. Additional chemicals, such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have also been found in fish, resulting in Eat Safe Fish guidelines for fish from certain Michigan water bodies. Like mercury, PFOS cannot be removed by trimming away the fat on the fish because the chemical is stored in the filet. By using the Eat Safe Fish Guide, Michigan fish consumers can be confident they are making informed choices about eating the fish they catch from their local lake or river.

The 2023 Eat Safe Fish guidelines include several new recommendations originally announced in January 2023 for certain locally caught smelt. The new smelt guidelines are based on elevated levels of PFOS found in the smelt.

The new Eat Safe Fish consumption guidelines for smelt are as follows:

• Lake Huron: 6 servings per year.
• Lake Michigan: 1 serving per month.
• Portage Lake in Houghton County: 1 serving per month.
• Gull Lake in Kalamazoo County: 2 servings per month.
• Higgins Lake in Roscommon County: 4 servings per month.

MDHHS previously issued a guideline for smelt from Lake Superior in May 2022, recommending that no one eat more than 1 serving per month of smelt from Lake Superior, due to elevated levels of PFOS. That guideline will remain in effect.

Originally issued in August of 2018, the ‘Do Not Eat’ fish advisory remains in effect for a large stretch of the Huron River due to elevated PFOS levels in fish. That advisory begins downstream from where the river crosses N. Wixom Road in Oakland County to where the river crosses  I-275 in Wayne County and includes the following waterbodies: Norton Creek (Oakland County), Hubbell Pond also known as Mill Pond (Oakland County), Kent Lake (Oakland County), Ore Lake (Livingston County), Strawberry & Zukey Lakes (Livingston County), Gallagher Lake (Livingston County), Loon Lake (Livingston County), Whitewood Lakes (Livingston County), Base Line & Portage Lakes (Livingston/Washtenaw County line), Barton Pond (Washtenaw County), Geddes Pond (Washtenaw County), Argo Pond (Washtenaw County), Ford Lake (Washtenaw County) and Belleville Lake (Wayne County).

In addition to updating the Eat Safe Fish Guide with new guidelines, the program regularly reviews the science behind its guidelines. This review ensures that Eat Safe Fish guidelines are based on the best available science to be health protective for people who eat fish caught in Michigan.

Unlike the Department of Natural Resource’s Michigan Fishing Guide, the MDHHS Eat Safe Fish guidelines are not laws or regulations, and no one is required to follow them. Instead, the guides are a free resource for those who would like information about which fish, and how much of those fish, are healthy to eat from various bodies of water across the state.

MDHHS also produces the Buy Safe Fish Guide to help residents choose seafood from local grocery stores, fish markets and restaurants that is lower in mercury. The Eat Safe Fish Guides and Buy Safe Fish Guide are available online at Michigan.gov/EatSafeFish.

For more information on how to buy, eat or prepare safe fish, or to get the 2023 Eat Safe Fish Guide for your region, visit Michigan.gov/EatSafeFish and click on Find Your Area or call the MDHHS Division of Environmental Health at 800-648-6942.