The state’s Healthy Michigan Plan (Medicaid expansion) is prepared to begin accepting applications on April 1, ultimately providing healthcare coverage to nearly half a million more Michigan residents.
“SBAM supported Medicaid expansion because it makes good business sense for Michigan’s government, its businesses and most obviously its uninsured – because getting coverage for the uninsured matters to business,” says SBAM President and CEO Rob Fowler. “Before this expansion, Michigan hospitals ended up providing more than $880 million a year in uncompensated care to patients who were unable to pay. These were costs that ended up being shifted to people who have insurance, employers who pay for it for their workers, and taxpayers.”
In the first year, the Healthy Michigan Plan is anticipated to cover 320,000 Michiganders, eventually providing care for 470,000. The plan emphasizes personal responsibility and beneficiaries will be required to share in the costs. There also will be incentives for individuals to take responsibility for their lifestyle choices and to maintain or improve their health.
Applicants for the Healthy Michigan Plan must be between the ages of 19-64, not currently eligible for Medicaid, not eligible for or enrolled in Medicare, and earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level (approximately $16,000 for single person and $33,000 for a family of four).
Health coverage under the Healthy Michigan Plan includes both federally and state mandated Essential Health Benefits such as ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment, prescription drugs, rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices, laboratory services, preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management, pediatric services including oral and vision care, and other medically necessary services as needed.
The Healthy Michigan Plan was signed into law by the governor on Sept. 16, 2013. Beginning April 1, Michigan residents will be able to apply for the Healthy Michigan Plan online, by phone, or in person at their local Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) office to quickly and easily determine if they are eligible.
For more information about the progress of the Healthy Michigan Plan or more details regarding enrollment, visit www.michigan.gov/healthymichiganplan.