Tag: Medicaid

MHA Monday Report March 23, 2026

Monday Report, Member News

Mandatory Overtime, Assisted Outpatient Treatment Legislation Advances

Several key healthcare bills, including mandatory nurse overtime, assisted outpatient treatment, Certificate of Need and site-neutral payment policies, saw action in the legislature during the week of March 16. The Senate Regulatory Affairs …

Michigan Legislature Announces Commitment to Pass the IMLC Before March 28 Deadline

Following negotiations finalized March 19, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) announced plans to pass legislation authorizing Michigan’s continued participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). The MHA thanks state lawmakers for their commitment …

MHA Shares Latest Medicare and Medicaid Enrollment Analysis

The MHA recently updated its analysis of Medicaid and Medicare enrollment based on February 2026 data. The analysis includes program enrollment as a percentage of each county’s total population and the split between fee-for-service and …

The MHA Annual Membership Meeting Offers Learning and Networking

The MHA membership will convene in person for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting June 24-26 on Mackinac Island. The event provides an opportunity to learn, network and celebrate …

Federal Court Pauses Vaccine Policy Changes

A U.S. District Court judge issued a ruling March 16 in American Academy of Pediatrics v. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that places a hold on several changes to federal vaccine policy made over the past …

Health Access & Community Impact Office Hours Highlight 211 Data

The MHA will host the next Health Access & Community Impact Office Hours session on April 29 from noon to 12:45 p.m., featuring Michigan 211. The session, Understanding Regional Needs: A Data Driven Look at Michigan’s …

Applications Open for Governance Fellowship, Current Class Convenes

The MHA is now accepting applications for the Excellence in Governance Fellowship which will be held from October 2026 through June 2027. The comprehensive program is designed to support hospital and health system trustees in strengthening governance …

The State of Healthcare Leadership: Risks, Reality and Readiness

MHA Endorsed Business Partner AMN Healthcare and B.E. Smith recently released the Healthcare Leadership Trends for 2026 Report, based on a national survey of more than 700 healthcare executives across hospitals and health systems. The report …

Hospitals Help Michigan Students Pursue Healthcare Careers

Healthcare remains the state’s largest employer of direct, private-sector jobs. With this in mind, hospitals are finding innovative ways to give Michigan students the opportunity to gain real-world exposure to clinical and non-clinical healthcare roles. …

Keckley Report

Health Literacy: Out of Sight, Out of Mind in the Healthcare Industry

“Of industries monitored in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ industry classifications (NAICS), healthcare is unique: its business model is based on business to business (B2B) transactions between suppliers (drugs, devices, technology, hospitals, ancillary facilities), intermediaries (GPOs, PBMs, insurers, brokers) and retail distributors (physicians, pharmacists, therapists, et al) in which end-users (consumers) have limited influence and unpredictable financial responsibility. The acceptance of low health literacy is institutionalized in state and federal regulatory oversight, labor rules and scope of practice determinations and funding by private investors, public appropriations, employer contributions and out-of-pocket payments by consumers. Its acceptance is inconsistent with aims to make it more accessible, affordable and effective. …

For too long, health literacy has been relegated to discussions among public health officials. Its neglect is harmful to every organization in healthcare and to its long-term sustainability. Boards should weigh in, and policymakers should act. Health literacy can ill-afford being out of sight, out-of mind in the U.S. health system and in the society we serve.”

Paul Keckley, March 15, 2026

MHA Shares Latest Medicare and Medicaid Enrollment Analysis

Member News

The MHA recently updated its analysis of Medicaid and Medicare enrollment based on February 2026 data. The analysis includes program enrollment as a percentage of each county’s total population and the split between fee-for-service and managed care organization. Just over 25% of Michigan’s total population is enrolled in Medicaid and 23% is enrolled in Medicare.

Roughly two-thirds of Michigan’s 2.5 million Medicaid beneficiaries are enrolled in one of nine managed care plans.

Total Medicare enrollment is 2.3 million with 64% of beneficiaries enrolled in a Medicaid Advantage (MA) plan with only three counties having less than 50% of total Medicare enrollment in MA plans. MA enrollment by county ranges from 44% to 79%, with 73 counties having 55% or more of their Medicare population enrolled in an MA plan as highlighted below.

February enrollment is spread across 45 MA plans with up to 29 plans covering beneficiaries in several Michigan counties, with a minimum of five plans available in each county.

Members with enrollment questions should contact the MHA health finance team.

Hospitals Help: Bronson Healthcare Guides Patients Through Billing, Benefits and Financial Support

Hospitals Help, Member News

Navigating healthcare billing and out-of-pocket costs can be overwhelming. In order to let patients focus on healing, many hospitals are expanding the role of financial counselors, social workers and patient navigators.

For example, financial counselors at Bronson Healthcare meet patients where they are. Financial counselors are available whether a person enters through the emergency room or comes in for scheduled surgery, providing price estimates, financial aid resources and insurance guidance for those who need it.

David Cavataio, director of patient accounting, Bronson Healthcare, oversees a team of 15 financial counselors strategically placed across four locations. Their mission is simple but powerful: catch patients before they fall into financial crisis.

“We’ve tried to build it where no matter where you go, we get you to the right people to help you,” said Cavataio.

The Bronson team doesn’t wait for patients to ask for help. Instead, they use admissions data to anticipate and identify who may qualify for financial assistance or Medicaid coverage. From there, a dedicated team handles upfront estimates and trained call center staff connect patients to resources and support to navigate the billing process.

Patients who receive timely guidance tend to follow treatment plans and maintain long-term relationships with their providers. The challenge? Trust. Many patients are skeptical when counselors first approach them.

“A lot of patients, when they first see our counselors, don’t trust them,” said Cavataio. “But if they see how hard our team works to help them and how we’ll drop everything to get the information they need, help them fill out forms, I think they see that we’re a partner.”

This is also a strategic choice for hospitals. When patients enroll in financial-aid programs, the amount of unpaid medical debt decreases, fewer accounts are sent to collections and administrative costs decline. In 2023 alone, Michigan hospitals paid more than $3.5 billion in uncompensated care.

Efforts to build trust at Bronson are paying off. According to the team, Medicaid applications have jumped 25% this year. Financial assistance applications are up 40%. These statistics represent thousands of Michigan families who can now afford the care they need.

“The call from your financial team was like a beacon in a storm,” said one patient. “I was about to quit my job so I could qualify for state assistance. I was near rock bottom. That changed after five minutes with the team.”

State policymakers are also moving to strengthen these efforts. Initiatives such as the 2024 medical debt-relief program have helped thousands of Michiganders reduce or eliminate existing debt.

“We’re there to help,” said Cavataio. “At Bronson Healthcare, those aren’t empty words; they’re a daily practice that’s keeping Michigan families out of medical debt and healthy, one patient at a time.”

To learn more about Medical Financial Assistance at Bronson Healthcare, visit their website. Members with questions or content ideas for the Hospitals Help series may contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

MDHHS Shares 2026 MICH Requirements Updates

Member News

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently released updated information for calendar year 2026 regarding coverage regions and participating plans for Mi Coordinated Health (MICH).

MICH is the state’s Highly Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, which integrates Medicare and Medicaid benefits under a single managed care plan for eligible beneficiaries.

For 2026, MICH will continue operating in select Medicaid regions with county-level availability changes:

  • The Upper Peninsula Health Plan will not be available in Chippewa, Gogebic or Menominee counties in 2026.
  • In southwest Michigan, Molina will not be available in St. Joseph County. Participating plans in the region will include Aetna, Priority Health, UnitedHealthcare and Wellcare-Meridian.
  • In Wayne County, participating plans will include Aetna, AmeriHealth, HAP CareSource, Priority, Humana, Molina, UnitedHealthcare and Wellcare-Meridian.
  • In Macomb County, participating plans will include Aetna, AmeriHealth, HAP CareSource, Humana, Molina, Priority, UnitedHealthcare and Wellcare-Meridian.

Providers are encouraged to consult the MICH provider contact list for plan-specific contracting information. Beneficiaries seeking to enroll or disenroll must work directly with their assigned health plan or contact 1-800-MEDICARE.

Additional Resources

MDHHS has made several resources available for providers and beneficiaries, including:

Members with any questions may contact Lenise Freeman at the MHA

State Legislative Weekly Recap: Executive Budget Recommendations, Nurse Mandatory Overtime Testimony

Member News

The House and Senate Appropriations Committee held a joint hearing for Gov. Whitmer’s executive budget recommendation for fiscal year (FY) 2027, and the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee heard testimony on nurse mandatory overtime legislation during the week of Feb. 9.

State Budget Director Jen Flood presented Feb. 11 Gov. Whitmer’s executive budget recommendation, which includes full funding for Medicaid and hospitals. The recommendation totals $88.1 billion, including $13.6 billion from the state general fund. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services budget accounts for $41 billion of total state spending.

The budget responds to federal changes following the passage of H.R. 1 last year. The proposal recommends hiring 589 new full-time employees to implement Medicaid work requirements. The state estimates 200,000 Michiganders could lose Medicaid coverage in FY 27 due to work requirements and redeterminations.

The proposal also calls for $804.4 million in new revenue from taxes and assessments that would be deposited into the Medicaid Benefits Trust Fund for Medicaid programs and services, including:

  • $327 million from new taxes on tobacco and vape products.
  • $282 million from a new digital advertising tax.
  • $195.4 million from online gambling and casino taxes.

Outside of healthcare, the budget calls for new investments in programs such as third grade reading and property tax credits for seniors.

MHA CEO Brian Peters released a media statement that reiterates the importance of the governor and legislative leaders passing a budget that protects Medicaid and hospitals. The association will work closely with legislative leadership moving forward to ensure MHA priorities are fully funded.

The Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bills 296 and 297, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) and Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), which would prohibit mandatory hospital overtime in certain circumstances. The bills would establish arbitrary one-size-fits-all staffing requirements that may limit patient-focused clinical decision-making, and individual team-based approaches should be prioritized. The MHA does not support legislation that curtails hospital leaders’ decision-making authority and instead supports empowering local healthcare professionals to make decisions that best serve patients and reflect clinical expertise. The MHA will continue to monitor the legislation and work with lawmakers and healthcare stakeholders to ensure that care teams have the tools they need and that Michiganders maintain access to timely, high-quality care.

Members with questions may contact the MHA advocacy team.

Michigan Health & Hospital Association Reacts to Executive Budget Recommendations

Member News, Top Issues - Healthcare, News Releases

The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

While we are still reviewing the proposed executive budget, we are encouraged to hear that access to affordable healthcare is a top priority for Gov. Whitmer. We look forward to working alongside the governor and legislative leaders to ensure the 2027 budget mirrors the commitment they made in last year’s budget to fully fund Medicaid. Because of their actions, 1 in 4 Michiganders kept their health insurance through Medicaid, while many others maintained access to important healthcare services with state funding, such as the rural access pool and obstetrical stabilization fund.

MHA Releases FAQ on Rural Health Transformation Program Funding

Member News, Rural Health Updates

The MHA recently released a new frequently asked questions (FAQ) document to help members better understand allowable uses, limitations and compliance requirements related to Michigan’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).

The FAQ clarifies that RHTP funding is temporary and intended to support specific care transformation activities. Funds cannot be used to cover routine operating costs, financial losses or to replace existing funding. Repayment may be required if funds are used for purposes not approved or if required documentation and reporting are not completed.

The document also addresses common questions raised by hospitals, including the use of RHTP funds for provider payments, health information technology investments, electronic medical record upgrades and limited facility improvements. In all cases, expenses must be directly connected to transformation activities approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Additional RHTP information and resources are available on the MHA’s Rural Health Transformation Program webpage. The MHA will continue to update both the FAQ and the webpage as more guidance becomes available from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and CMS.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine-Ray at the MHA.

MHA Shares Recent Medicare and Medicaid Enrollment Analysis

Member News

The MHA recently updated its analysis of Medicaid and Medicare enrollment based on December 2025 data. The analysis includes program enrollment as a percentage of each county’s total population and the split between fee-for-service and managed care organization. Just over 25% of Michigan’s total population is enrolled in Medicaid and 23% is enrolled in Medicare.

Roughly two-thirds of Michigan’s 2.5 million Medicaid beneficiaries are enrolled in one of nine managed care plans.

Total Medicare enrollment is 2.3 million, with 63% of beneficiaries enrolled in a Medicaid Advantage (MA) plan and only two counties having less than 50% of total Medicare enrollment in MA plans. MA enrollment by county ranges from 47% to 79%, with 71 counties having 55% or more of their Medicare population enrolled in an MA plan, as highlighted below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

December enrollment is spread across 45 MA plans, with up to 29 covering beneficiaries in several Michigan counties and a minimum of five plans available in each county.

Members with enrollment questions should contact the MHA health finance team.

MHA Monday Report Jan. 12, 2026

Member News, Monday Report

MHA Healthcare Leadership Academy Applications Due Feb. 6

The enrollment deadline for the MHA Healthcare Leadership Academy is Feb. 6. The cohort meets Feb. 25-27 and May 7-8 at the MHA headquarters in Okemos. HCLA, in partnership with Executive Core, has been …

MHA Joins Coalition Letter Opposing Federal Redefinition of Professional Degrees

The MHA joined a statewide coalition in signing a letter to Michigan’s congressional delegation expressing concern about a proposed federal change that would remove several health professions, including nursing and behavioral health fields, from the …

Webinar to Highlight Effective Cyber Incident Response

MHA Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce|Q is hosting the webinar Proactive Cyber Risk Measures from 11 a.m. to noon ET on Jan. 29. The session will feature speakers from Trinity Health, the Michigan State Cyber …

MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — 2026, A Pivotal Year for Healthcare

As we look toward the year ahead, one thing is clear: healthcare will remain at the forefront of public debate. We’ve seen time and again how healthcare delivery is shaped by policy decisions. …

Keckley Report

Healthcare 2026: Three Realities

“Congress returns to DC this week to debate the merits of extending the advanced premium tax credits that enable coverage for 4 million in a climate of high anxiety about U.S. intervention in Venezuela and heightened tension with Russia and China.

Each sector in healthcare—hospitals, physician services, long-term care, insurers, life science manufacturers, enablers and advisors—is vulnerable. None welcomes unflattering attention and all spend heavily on messaging and advocacy to protect themselves.  All recognize the elephant in the room—large employers that have patiently funded the system’s profitability and value protective regulation that limit disruption. And in all, implementation of AI solutions that lower operating costs and streamline performance is THE immediate priority.

The realities of 2026 for healthcare are foreboding: business as usual is not an option.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 4, 2026

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage during the week of Jan. 5, covering the increasing rate of flu-related hospitalizations in Michigan. Both Bridge and Michigan Public published stories during the week based on interviews with Jim …

MHA CEO Report — Streamlining Medicaid Work Requirements

Member News, MHA Rounds
MHA Rounds image of Brian Peters

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller

MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersAs states work toward establishing Medicaid work requirements that are a core element of H.R. 1, it’s more important than ever that we reduce the administrative burden associated with verification for beneficiaries. Medicaid work requirements aim to advance accountability, but if not implemented correctly, they can increase costs for everyone and remove safety nets for those who need it most.

When reporting systems are confusing or overly complex, individuals that satisfy the requirements can still lose coverage simply because they can’t navigate the paperwork. When qualified individuals go without coverage, they tend to delay seeking care until a problem has worsened unnecessarily; at the same time, hospitals end up managing more uncompensated care. And when more people go uninsured, healthcare costs rise, affecting affordability for everyone.

The solution lies in intentional implementation. Michigan can successfully streamline the verification process by automating data sharing across agencies, offering multiple reporting options and communicating requirements clearly. In short, we need to follow the lead of some of the most successful and innovative companies in the private sector, such as Amazon and Uber, and make this process as user-friendly as possible.

By focusing on efficiency and simplicity, Michigan can protect taxpayer dollars, support employment and keep healthcare more affordable with an effective Medicaid work requirement program. The MHA is committed to working closely with all parties toward this goal.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.