Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2024

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

MDHHS hotline for migrant and seasonal farmworkers provides bilingual information about influenza A (H5N1) in three languages

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services farmworker hotline for seasonal farmworkers, 833-SIAYUDA (833-742-9832), is expanding to include resources and services that assist farmworkers impacted by influenza A (H5N1).

The MDHHS Farmworker Outreach Services Division launched the toll-free SIAYUDA hotline number in February 2023 to provide information and other service referrals in a farmworker’s primary language. Two-thirds of Michigan’s seasonal farmworker population speak only Spanish. The hotline provides English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole translation.

Michigan previously reported two human cases of influenza A (H5N1) in dairy farmworkers, and MDHHS is reminding Michigan residents about the bilingual SIAYUDA hotline that continues to provide prompts and culturally appropriate education to keep Michiganders healthy and safe.

“Immediate bilingual services like translations of safety, well-being and emergency press releases and more are available to seasonal farmworkers through the MDHHS Farmworker Hotline,” said Elizabeth Hertel, director. “MDHHS is proactively providing resources about health topics like influenza A (H5N1) for seasonal farmworkers in Michigan to ensure the health of all residents.”

A translation service is also available for farmworker calls in languages other than English and Spanish. MDHHS contracts with translation service industry professionals to provide quality health care to Michigan residents.

MDHHS continues to provide bilingual residents with tools to prevent disease, improve health outcomes and increase well-being.

For more information visit:

• Michigan.gov/farmworkeroutreachservices.
• Michigan.gov/help4migrants.
• Michigan.gov/SIAYUDA.
• Michigan.gov/InfluenzaA.
• Michigan.gov/birdflu.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

More than 2.6 million Michigan residents enrolled
in Medicaid following year-long redetermination process
Nearly 142,000 beneficiaries renew coverage in May;
1.8 million renewed their coverage during the past year

LANSING, Mich. – As the year-long post-pandemic Medicaid redetermination process draws to a close, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced it renewed Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan coverage for an additional 141,992 people whose eligibility was up for renewal in May. More than 1.8 million beneficiaries have renewed their insurance coverage during the process, bringing the total Medicaid enrollment to 2.6 million.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people continued to receive Medicaid without having to renew annually under the Families First Coronavirus Act. The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 ended the pause on annual redeterminations. Michigan reinstated the renewal process beginning in May 2023. The renewal process will continue annually going forward.

“More than 2.6 million people currently have health care coverage through Medicaid or the Healthy Michigan Plan,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “This was the largest renewal process our state has ever conducted, with 1.8 million beneficiaries renewing their coverage during the past year. MDHHS employed numerous successful strategies to help ensure those families continued to have health care coverage.”

Strategies making the renewal process easier and that reduced the number of residents at risk of losing coverage have been approved through June 2025 by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These include: 

• Renewing Medicaid eligibility for people receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program without conducting separate income determinations.
• Reinstating eligibility for people who were disenrolled for procedural reasons and are subsequently redetermined to be eligible for Medicaid during a 90-day reconsideration period.
• Providing beneficiaries an extra month to submit paperwork to avoid loss of health care coverage.
• Renewing Medicaid eligibility based on a simplified asset verification process.
• Continuing robust beneficiary outreach via phone, text and email.

These tactics resulted in:

• Thirty percent of beneficiaries disenrolled being reinstated during the 90-day reconsideration period.
• One in 4 individuals who lost Medicaid coverage have other comprehensive health care coverage today.

The latest data on Medicaid renewals can be found on MDHHS’ online dashboard. The dashboard, which is updated monthly, shows that 1,842,038 million people have been renewed to date. The department is awaiting completed enrollment forms from another 94,723 people who were up for renewal in May and have until the end of June to return paperwork. 

There were 12,402 people disenrolled in May because they were no longer eligible and 1,954 whose eligibility was not renewed for procedural reasons, such as not providing verification documents like a driver’s license, pay stubs and bank statements. MDHHS advises all Medicaid enrollees to check their renewal month and renew online at Michigan.gov/MIBridges.

Families should return renewal paperwork 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. 

Those who no longer qualify will receive additional information about other affordable health coverage options available, including on HealthCare.gov. Affected Michiganders can shop for and enroll in comprehensive health insurance as they transition away from Medicaid. Many can purchase a plan for less than $10 per month. 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: June 6, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

New drug showing up in illicit drug supply,
resulting in overdose deaths across Michigan

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is warning Michigan residents about medetomidine, a new drug identified in overdose deaths.  

Medetomidine is a veterinary tranquilizer, similar to xylazine, that can cause adverse effects including slowed heart rate, low blood pressure and decreases in brain and spinal cord activity. It is not approved for use in people. 

According to data provided by the Swift Toxicology of Opioid Related Mortalities (STORM) project at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, since March, three overdose deaths have identified medetomidine during postmortem toxicology testing. The deaths occurred in Ingham, Berrien and Wayne counties. In addition to medetomidine, testing also identified fentanyl and other potent manufactured drugs. 

MDHHS is particularly concerned about this drug for the following reasons: 

• Medetomidine can cause central nervous system depression and death.
• Like xylazine, medetomidine is not reversed by medications such as naloxone or Narcan.
• Unlike xylazine, testing strips are not yet available to detect this particular drug.

“Medetomidine is considered more potent than xylazine and we want to make sure Michigan residents are aware of this new and dangerous drug showing up in overdose deaths in our state,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Even though naloxone doesn’t directly reverse the effects of medetomidine or xylazine, these tranquilizers are usually found in combination with opioid drugs like fentanyl, that can be reversed. For this reason, we continue to urge individuals who use drugs and their loved ones to carry naloxone to prevent overdose.” 

MDHHS is urging local substance use disorder organizations, health care providers and harm reduction agencies to take the following actions: 

• Raise awareness and promote harm reduction practices – medetomidine like xylazine may be increasingly found in the illicit drug supply. Layer harm reduction strategies to lessen the risk of overdose: take it slow, use less, carry naloxone, do not use alone, monitor breathing, etc. 
• As with xylazine, give rescue breaths in case of respiratory depression.
  • “To give rescue breaths to adults, make sure the person’s airway is clear; place one hand on the person’s chin, tilt the head back, and pinch the nose closed. Place your mouth over the person’s mouth to make a seal and give two slow breaths. Watch for the person’s chest (but not the stomach) to rise and follow up with one breath every 5 seconds” (What You Should Know About Xylazine | Drug Overdose | CDC Injury Center).
• Distribute naloxone as well as fentanyl and xylazine test strips – Organizations can request free naloxone from MDHHS to increase capacity. Connect individuals with more ways to access naloxone: order online at nextdistro.org/Michigan and have it delivered at no cost; get it at a pharmacy (Naloxone Standing Order, no prescription required); or contact a Syringe Service Program for naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, sterile needles, testing for HIV and Hepatitis C and other life-saving resources.  
• Explore the Substance Use Vulnerability Index on the MDHHS dashboard to start conversations around gaps and barriers that may exist in your community.  

MDHHS will continue monitoring STORM and other rapid data sources and will share information as it becomes available. Agencies aware of any medetomidine-involved overdoses or exposures since January 2024 are asked to share this information at MDHHS-MODASurveillance@Michigan.gov. 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-2412-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS seeking proposals to improve integrated care
for beneficiaries enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is seeking proposals to transition the MI Health Link demonstration program into a permanent Highly Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, a specific type of Medicare Advantage plan designed to meet the needs of those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

In 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it was partnering with Michigan to test a new model for providing individuals who have both Medicare and Medicaid with a more coordinated, person-centered care experience. In May 2022, CMS finalized requirements for the state to transition its model program into a permanent integrated plan.

“This proposal has been developed with robust feedback from community providers and beneficiaries along with lessons learned from the MI Health Link program,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “MDHHS remains committed to an improved care experience for low-income seniors and people with disabilities who are both Medicare and Medicaid enrollees.”

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) is managing the request for proposal (RFP) process on behalf of MDHHS. The Highly Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans RFP is posted on SIGMA Vendor-Self Service system online. To bid on proposals, all vendors must first be registered with SIGMA Vendor Self-Service. Registration is free, and information on how to register and obtain an account to bid on open solicitations is available online: DTMB – How to Register as a Vendor.

Proposals should focus on the following pillars:

• Fostering integration and continuity of care.
• Reducing racial disparities.
• Improving care delivery.
• Promoting patient autonomy and choice of health care and services.
• Building a culture of quality.

Interested bidders are encouraged to refer to the proposal instructions for additional information regarding questions, submittal, and deadlines. Responses from bidders are due Thursday, Aug. 1. Bidders may submit written questions about the RFP through the SIGMA system by Thursday, June 20. MDHHS will post answers to bidder questions on the system by Friday, June 28.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS approves eight PIHPs to expand substance
use treatment with Recovery Incentives Pilot
Program supported through opioid settlement dollars

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) approved eight pre-paid inpatient health plans (PIHPs) to participate in the Recovery Incentives Pilot. This pilot, supported by $6 million in opioid settlement funds over the next three years, will expand access to evidence-based treatment for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees who are living with certain substance use disorders (SUDs).  

MDHHS, participating PIHPs and providers will collaborate to deliver an evidence-based treatment that provides motivational incentives, such as gift cards, to people living with an SUD who achieve their treatment goals. Medicaid beneficiaries with a diagnosis of stimulant use disorder, opioid use disorder, or both, will be eligible to participate in the pilot.  

“This marks a significant milestone in our goal to make available an effective and evidence-based treatment option for beneficiaries living with substance use disorders,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We are excited to work with our PIHP partners who will play a key role in the pilot, including establishing and overseeing a network of providers who will administer this program.” 

By establishing this program as a covered benefit on a pilot basis for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees, MDHHS believes it can improve outcomes and support individuals in making behavior changes that drive recovery. The Recovery Incentives Pilot is one of several projects addressing SUD needs through opioid settlement dollars. 

Michigan is slated to receive nearly $1.6 billion from national opioid settlements by 2040, with half being distributed to the State of Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund and the other half being distributed directly to county, city and township governments. 

“By providing immediate rewards to individuals who meet their treatment goals, this pilot helps tip decision-making toward abstinence,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive and Michigan Opioids Task Force co-chair. “These incentives include gift cards to purchase certain items, such as food and gas, and will increase each week a participant does not use stimulants or opioids.” 

MDHHS is offering the pilot for two years beginning Oct. 1. PIHPs will establish and oversee a network of providers to deliver the Recovery Incentives Pilot within their region and be responsible for administration and oversight activities including reporting, monitoring and quality improvement. Participating PIHPs were selected based on responses to a non-competitive request for applications. 

The list of PIHPs participating in the Recovery Incentives Pilot are as follows:  

• NorthCare Network, Region 1 
• Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health, Region 4
• Mid-State Health Network, Region 5
• Community Mental Health Partnership of Southeast Michigan, Region 6
• Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, Region 7
• Oakland Community Health Network, Region 8
• Macomb County Community Mental Health, Region 9
• Region 10 PIHP, Region 10 

“The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network is thrilled to participate in the Recovery Incentives Pilot to provide this treatment option across our provider network to meet the needs of Medicaid beneficiaries,” said Eric Doeh, president and CEO of DWIHN. “Expanding availability and use of recovery incentives aligns with DWIHN’s vision and long history of delivering evidence-based substance use disorder services that make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. We look forward to implementing the pilot and continuing to serve the people of Michigan.”  

“Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health is proud to partner with MDHHS to expand access to effective treatment options for people living with substance use disorders,” said Bradley Casemore, CEO, SWMBH. “We look forward to implementing the pilot and improving access to treatment backed by decades of research to support individuals in southwest Michigan communities in their recovery.”  

Visit the RI Pilot website for more information. For questions regarding the pilot, contact MDHHS-RecoveryIncentives@michigan.gov.