The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently announced the 2025 application period for the Michigan State Loan Repayment Program (MSLRP). The program aims to aid in recruiting primary care, dental and mental health providers. MSLRP requires participants to practice full-time in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas at not-for-profit health clinics for at least two years, then provide up to $300,000 to repay educational debt for up to 10 years. The 2025 MSLRP application period opens Feb. 3, 2025 and closes April 30, 2025. Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.
Tag: MDHHS
News to Know – Nov. 18, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the 2025 Medicare Part A and B Premiums and Deductibles, with details available in the CMS Fact Sheet. The Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible will increase to $1,676, up $44 from the current $1,632. Members with questions may contact the Health Finance team at the MHA.- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has increased reimbursement rates for Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT) – Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to improve autism treatment access for Medicaid beneficiaries. Effective Nov. 1, 2024, Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) must reimburse providers for BHT-ABA services at a minimum rate of $16.50 per unit, or $66.00 per hour. This policy is funded by the state general fund, with additional federal matching funds passed to PIHPs through adjusted capitation payments. Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the 2025 Medicare Part A and B Premiums and Deductibles, with details available in the MDHHS Shares 2022 Maternal and Infant Health Statistics
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Section recently led a webinar on 2022 maternal and infant health statistics for the state.
Infant mortality refers to the death of an infant before their first birthday and is usually measured as a rate per 1,000 births. In 2022, the overall infant mortality rate in Michigan was 6.4 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Infant mortality rates during this time showed significant variation by race and ethnicity. In 2022, the infant mortality rate for Black non-Hispanic infants was the highest for all groups and 7.9 deaths more than the next group. This racial disparity has persisted over time, with data from 2013-2021 consistently showing a difference in infant mortality rates between Black and White infants. Below are the infant mortality rates for all racial and ethnic groups.
- Black non-Hispanic: 13.3 deaths per 1,000 live births
- Asian/Pacific Islander Non-Hispanic: 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births
- White non-Hispanic: 4.8 deaths per 1,000 live births
- Hispanic: 4.0 deaths per 1,000 live births
Other data reported on infant mortality included stratification by maternal age and insurance type. Infants born to mothers under 20 years of age had the highest infant mortality rate at 6.1 deaths per 1,000 live births more than the next highest age group. Below are the infant mortality rates by maternal age.
- Less than 20 years of age: 13.0 per 1,000 live births
- Ages 20 – 29: 6.9 deaths per 1,000 live births
- Ages 30 and older: 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births
Infants covered by Medicaid had a 5.3 higher infant mortality rate (9.5 per 1,000 live births) compared to infants with private insurance (4.2).
The data also highlight common causes of infant death in 2022. Perinatal conditions were the leading cause, responsible for 49.5% of infant deaths. Sleep-related causes accounted for 17.2% and congenital anomalies made up 16.8% of infant deaths.
Members with questions may contact Ewa Panetta at the MHA.
Hearings Held on State Legislation Impacting Hospitals
Several bills impacting hospitals were discussed in state committee hearings during the week of Nov. 4.
The Michigan House Health Policy Behavioral Health subcommittee advanced several pieces of legislation to the full Health Policy Committee that intend to increase access to behavioral health services. House Bills (HBs) 5371 and 5372, led by Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township) and Rep. Phil Green (R-Watertown Township) adds Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) to the Social Welfare Act and requires the state to adopt a policy that is in alignment with the federal requirements for CCBHCs. The inclusion of CCBHCs in the Social Welfare Act includes a requirement that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) develop a prospective payment system for funding in compliance with federal payment policies, submit any necessary waivers to implement payments and requires certification of CCBCs that meet federal requirements. The MHA continues to be involved in the development of CCBHC certification and is working closely with the MDHHS to ensure rules and implementation that improve access to additional behavioral health sites of service in Michigan.
The subcommittee also advanced to the full Health Policy Committee HB 5785 (Rep. Brabec). The bill would change the requirements for individuals pursuing a limited license to practice psychology, including increasing the supervised post graduate experience necessary to practice and allowing individuals granted a limited license the ability to practice independently within their scope.
The Senate Labor Committee received testimony on Senate Bills 962 (Sen. Cherry), 975 (Sen. Singh), 976 (Sen. Cherry) and 981 (Sen. Cavanagh), which would modernize the state’s unemployment insurance practices. The legislation makes several changes at the request of the Unemployment Insurance Agency, as well as stakeholders, including the MHA. The changes adopted and discussed include requests from the MHA to address issues identified by hospital employers, concerns identified by employee groups and updates to the state law that address recent court interpretations. The committee did not take a vote on the bills, as a second hearing is anticipated.
Members with questions on state legislation can reach out to Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.
Obtaining Beyfortus through the Vaccines for Children Program
Vaccination remains a key strategy to mitigate the impact of adverse health outcomes on patients and hospital operations during the 2024-2025 respiratory season. The MHA urges all birthing hospitals to become Vaccines for Children (VFC) specialty providers to offer Beyfortus and expand access to eligible patients ahead of the upcoming respiratory season.
Beyfortus was approved by the FDA in July 2023 for preventing RSV lower respiratory tract disease in infants. Hospitals can acquire Beyfortus through direct/private purchase or through the VFC program. However, doses obtained through the VFC program can only be administered to patients who are eligible for the VFC program.
Birthing hospitals must become a VFC enrolled provider to order Beyfortus through the program. While there are three different types of VFC participation, only two allow for administration of Beyfortus:
- VFC Provider (providing all ACIP recommended vaccines)
- VFC Specialty Provider (providing Hepatitis B & Beyfortus only)
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control are encouraging all birthing hospitals to become a VFC Specialty Provider to protect Michigan infants against Hepatitis B and RSV. The process to become a VFC Specialty Provider differs slightly, depending on if a hospital is participating with the VFC as a Universal Hepatitis B Provider or not at all.
The steps in the graphic below outline how birthing hospitals can become a VFC Specialty Provider:
1 – MDHHS has created a Beyfortus Eligibility Tool to help birthing facilities with this process. Use of the tool is optional, however if it is used, it should be noted in the Eligibility Screening Plan in step two.
2 – Facilities should complete the Eligibility Screening Plan and submit it to the local health department.
Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA. Questions related to VFC program enrollment can be directed to the MDHHS Division of Immunizations.
Fall MI AIM Regional Training Events
The Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM) is offering training events across Michigan for inpatient maternal healthcare providers. The events, scheduled from late October to November, will focus on using quality improvement techniques for MI AIM safety bundle implementation.
The in-person events are free of charge, open to nurses, physicians and hospital maternal health teams. The trainings will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include breakfast and lunch. Time for discussion and collaboration among regional hospital teams will be provided. An overview agenda is available for attendees to view prior to the event.
MI AIM Regional Training Dates
- West Michigan – Grand Rapids, Tuesday, Oct. 22
- Northern Michigan – Gaylord, Tuesday, Oct. 29
- Upper Peninsula – Marquette, Thursday, Nov. 7
- Southwest Michigan – Kalamazoo, Wednesday, Nov. 13
- Mid-Michigan – Saginaw, Tuesday, Nov. 19
For questions, please reach out to Dominique Abram and Meagan Chuey from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Division of Maternal & Infant Health. Members may also reach out to the MHA Keystone Center for assistance.
MHA Monday Report Sept. 23, 2024
McLaren Port Huron Nurse Receives MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award
McLaren Port Huron Nurse Receives MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! AwardThe MHA Keystone Center celebrated Melissa Burgess, RN at McLaren Port Huron Hospital as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient in September. The quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! …
Final Rules Strengthen Access to Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder Benefits
The United States Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury issued a set of final rules Sept. 9 on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. The rulings …
Upcoming MDHHS Maternal Health Offerings
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division of Maternal and Infant Health is partnering with the Michigan Perinatal Quality Collaborative yo offer its Statewide Maternal and Infant Health Data Meeting from 4 to 6 …
Latest AHA Trustee Insights Explores AI in Healthcare, Workplace Equity and Community Partnerships
The September edition of Trustee Insights, a monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), outlines how artificial intelligence (AI) will change healthcare operations and how trustees can provide meaningful leadership and guidance. The issue …
Keckley Report
The Four Core Beliefs of Hospital-Employed Physicians
“In my report June 10, I wrote: “The major sources of physician discontent are administrative hassles and unwelcome clinical oversight that create dissonance. They conflict with a false sense of autonomy that the majority of physicians imagined when choosing medicine. Cuts to reimbursement, participation in alternative payment models and medical inflation are manifestations of a system in which ‘suits’ are intruders who make rules, exact handsome salaries, generate corporate profits and distance physicians from patient care purposely… “
This assessment remains true today. Discontent among physicians is palpable and it’s magnified by a growing sense of financial despair among many clinicians. And it poses a unique challenge to hospitals that now employ more than half of America’s physician workforce. …
The core beliefs held by employed physicians about their hospitals may not be fair, objective or accurate, but they’re no less deeply felt and impactful. Hospital boards and C suite leaders would be well-served to refresh plans accordingly.”
MHA in the News
MHA in the NewsThe MHA received media coverage the week of Sept. 16 regarding Michigan healthcare careers and what’s next for digital health. Second Wave Michigan published a story Sept. 17 on healthcare careers and the existing healthcare …
Upcoming MDHHS Maternal Health Offerings
MDHHS to Host Statewide Maternal and Infant Health Data Meeting – Oct. 28
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division of Maternal and Infant Health is partnering with the Michigan Perinatal Quality Collaborative (MI PQC) to offer its Statewide Maternal and Infant Health Data Meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 28. The event will showcase maternal and infant health data across the state and regionally.
Members interested in attending the event can register online.
MDHHS Invites Community-Based Organizations to Apply for Maternal Mortality Surveillance Grant – Oct. 7 Deadline
The MDHHS is offering funding support to a select number of projects focused on improving maternal health, with an emphasis on pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and postpartum care. Community-based organizations are encouraged to apply for funding by Oct. 7.
Members interested in learning more about the funding opportunity can download the informational flyer or review the online application.
MDHHS Issues Final Maternal Infant Health Services Policy
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a final Medicaid Policy Bulletin Sept. 9 to expand coverage for Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP) services.
The final policy was issued in response to Section 1302 of the MDHHS FY 2025 budget appropriations (Public Act 121 of 2024), which directed MDHHS to expand coverage of MIHP services. MIHP services are preventive health services that aim to reduce infant mortality and morbidity rates, while promoting healthy pregnancies and healthy infant development.
Expanded coverage includes reimbursement for additional home visits, enhanced care coordination services and discharge visits. The enhanced care management services will allow providers to assist families with stable housing, employment, parenting support and mental health challenges.
The reimbursement rates for the additional MHIP services covered are as follows:
- Additional home visits have a payment rate of $92.09.
- Complex home visits with additional face-to-face time have a payment rate of $138.14.
- Enhanced care coordination has a rate of $77.06.
- Discharge visits have a payment rate of $108.89.
The policy will go into effect Oct. 1, 2024. Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.
MHA Monday Report Sept. 9, 2024
MHA Updates Medicaid and Medicare Enrollment Analysis
The MHA updated its analysis of Medicaid and Medicare enrollment to reflect July 2024 data. The analysis now includes program enrollment as a percentage of each county’s total population and the split between fee-for-service and …
Oct 10 Webinar to Explore Health Equity Regulatory Requirements
The MHA and the MHA Keystone Center is hosting an educational webinar from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Oct 10 about the current and future state of regulatory and accrediting health equity requirements from the Centers …
Deadline Extended for Michigan Reconnect Scholarship Program
The Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential extended its deadline to enroll in the Michigan Reconnect scholarship program. Those interested now have until Dec. 31, 2024 to apply. Michigan Reconnect is a program …
Learn More About Munson Healthcare’s Ask-A-Nurse ProgramThe MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast focused on Munson Healthcare’s innovative Ask-A-Nurse program. The free, 24/7 call center is staffed year-round by registered nurses and offers easy access to health-related …
MHA CEO Report — Site-Neutral Payment Policies: The Latest Threat to Patient Access
MHA CEO Report — Site-Neutral Payment Policies: The Latest Threat to Patient AccessOperating a hospital has never been more challenging than it is today. At the most fundamental level, hospitals are small towns that operate 24/7, year-round, built around expert clinicians, as well as a wide variety …
Keckley Report
The Four Questions Healthcare Boards must Answer
“In 63 days, Americans will know the composition of the 119th Congress and the new occupants of the White House and 11 Governor’s mansions. We’ll learn results of referenda in 10 states about abortion rights (AZ, CO, FL, MD, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, SD) and see how insurance coverage for infertility (IVF therapy) fares as Californians vote on SB 729. But what we will not learn is the future of the U.S. health system at a critical time of uncertainty. …
For Boards of U.S. healthcare organizations, the imperative for transformational change is urgent: the future of the U.S. system is not a repeat of its past. But most Boards fail to analyze the future and construct future-state scenarios systematically. Lessons from other industries are instructive. …
Until and unless healthcare leaders recognize the imperative for transformational change, the system will calcify its victim-mindset and each sector will fend for itself with diminishing results. No sector—hospitals, insurers, drug companies, physicians—has all the answers and every sector faces enormous headwinds. Perhaps it’s time for a cross-sector coalition to step up with transformational change as the goal and the public’s well-being the moral compass.”
MHA in the News
Becker’s Hospital Review published an article Sept. 3 that provides responses from 87 healthcare executives sharing their ideas on ways to boost the patient experience. MHA CEO Brian Peters provided a response, mentioning the MHA …