Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 8, 2025

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

Prescription drugs covered by Medicaid plans topic of October 20 meeting 

LANSING, Mich. – The public is invited to attend a virtual meeting hosted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Monday, Oct. 20, about the list of prescription drugs covered under Michigan’s Medicaid health plans known as the Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide an annual forum for the public, partners and interested parties to comment on the prescription list. This forum is in addition to the quarterly written public comment periods.

The annual Michigan Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary stakeholder meeting will be held virtually via Zoom using the password SLVU14. Participants may also access the meeting by phone by dialing 408-961-3928 and entering access code 351013. Attendees are asked to RSVP by emailing KrepsD@michigan.gov by Wednesday, Oct. 15.

MDHHS created the common formulary in 2016 to streamline drug coverage policies for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries and providers. The common formulary is required in state law and in the Medicaid health plan contract to ensure that prescription drugs are common across all contracted plans.

Medicaid health plans may be less restrictive – but not more restrictive – than the coverage in the common formulary for products not on the Michigan Preferred Drug List, which is a subset of the drugs listed on the common formulary.

As of Oct. 1, 2020, the common formulary coverage for products began aligning with the Michigan Preferred Drug List – including any prior authorization and step therapy requirements.

Find more information about the common formulary including the list of covered prescription drugs at Michigan.gov/MCOpharmacy.

If you need special services including ASL interpreters, written information in other formats or language translation services, email krepsd@michigan.gov no later than 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10, to allow sufficient time to set up arrangements.

Those unable to attend can submit questions or comments to the Common Formulary mailbox at MDHHSCommonFormulary@michigan.gov no later than Wednesday, Oct.15.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 7, 2025

CONTACT: Laina Stebbins, 517-241-2112, StebbinsL@michigan.gov

MDHHS warns of smoking and vaping fire risks
as part of Fire Prevention Month

LANSING, Mich. – In recognition of October as Fire Prevention Month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Smoke-Free Housing Initiative is raising awareness about the critical role that smoking and vaping play in fire risks, in addition to the serious health issues they can cause.

Smoking remains the leading cause of fatal fires in Michigan, accounting for 48% in 2024 and 25% of all fire deaths so far in 2025. Of these, 11% are linked to smoking while on medical oxygen. These fires often start when smoking materials, like cigarettes or hot ashes, are left unattended or are not properly discarded, potentially causing furniture, bedding or trash to catch fire.

Fire Prevention Month coincides with the National Fire Prevention Association’s Fire Prevention Week that starts Sunday, Oct. 5. This year’s theme focuses on lithium-ion batteries, which are used to power e-cigarettes and vapes. Lithium-ion batteries can overheat, catch fire or even explode if damaged or misused.

“Creating smoke-free and vape-free environments is not only a public health priority — it’s critical for fire safety,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “By increasing access to smoke-free housing and supporting Michigan residents who want to quit smoking or vaping, we can save lives and reduce fire-related deaths, injuries and property damage.”

The benefits of smoke-free housing include:

• Reduction in fire risk from smoking materials and e-cigarette lithium-ion batteries.
• Protection for residents from the harms of secondhand smoke and aerosol exposure.
• Lower cleaning and maintenance costs for homeowners and rental property managers.

Free smoke-free housing technical assistance and resources are available to support residents, property managers, public health partners and fire departments at Michigan.gov/SmokeFreeHousing. To learn safety tips to reduce the risk of house fires, visit MI Prevention.

Free tobacco and nicotine quit support is available through the National Cancer Institute’s Smoking Quitline at 1–877–44U–QUIT (1–877–448–7848).

For more tobacco information and resources, visit Michigan.gov/Tobacco.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 9, 2025

CONTACT: Laina Stebbins, 517-241-2112, StebbinsL@michigan.gov

MDHHS honors those in recovery from
substance use disorder during Recovery Month

LANSING, Mich. – Each September, Recovery Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the courage of individuals living in recovery and to raise awareness that treatment works and recovery is possible. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is committed to building a framework of recovery-oriented care across the state, with investments in prevention, treatment, harm reduction and long-term supports to help more Michigan residents achieve and sustain recovery. 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared September as Recovery Month in Michigan.

“Recovery Month is an opportunity to honor the strength of Michiganders in recovery and to recognize that substance use disorder is a treatable condition,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “With the right supports, recovery is possible for anyone. MDHHS is committed to ensuring residents have access to the resources they need to begin and sustain that journey.” 

Michigan is making the following investments and policy changes to better support long-term recovery: 

• In partnership with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, the state has provided $2.5 million in opioid settlement dollars through grants to agencies to expand recovery housing capacity.  
• Through the Michigan Recovery Friendly Workplace program, 32 employers across the state have completed the training process to become a recovery friendly workplace.
• Supported transportation to critical services and supports for individuals in recovery through 28 treatment and recovery organizations, with more than 20,000 rides given in FY2024, and to date in FY2025 more than 25,000 rides supported.
• Supported 22 recovery community organizations and recovery community centers, with approximately $3 million going toward better supporting individuals in recovery in their communities through peer recovery coaching, recovery events and substance-free activities.
• Launched the Recovery Incentives Pilot for Medicaid eligible beneficiaries, with more than 100 individuals invested in improving their recovery outcomes through this evidence-based intervention that provides incentives to people with an opioid or stimulant use disorder for achieving treatment milestones.
• Invested $28 million in harm reduction programs to provide naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips. Nearly 1.5 million naloxone kits have been distributed with more than 34,000 uses reported.
• Removed the prior authorization to prescribe medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) for Medicaid beneficiaries, allowing for a 20% increase in the last five years for the number MOUDs prescribed by primary care physicians.
• Launched three mobile medication units to reach individuals with an opioid use disorder who were otherwise unable to participate in treatment services.
• Through a partnership with the Michigan Department of Corrections and MDHHS, more than 4,500 individuals on probation have received recovery supports through recovery coaches working within probation offices so far in FY2025.

More information about Michigan’s efforts to address substance use disorder and available recovery supports is available at Michigan.gov/SUD.