Tag: Peer Recovery Coach

MHA Monday Report June 9, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

Violence Against Healthcare Workers Legislation Introduced

Legislation to address violence against healthcare workers was introduced June 3 in the Michigan House of Representatives. A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced House Bills 4532 – 4535 to address violence against healthcare workers …

MHA Provides Powerful Testimony on Federal Threats to Medicaid

The Senate Health Policy Committee held a nearly two-hour hearing June 4 on federal threats to Medicaid. The Senate Health Policy Committee heard from several healthcare stakeholders and members of the Protect MI Care Coalition …

MHA Testifies on Next of Kin Bills, Healthcare Legislation Advances

The MHA provided testimony to the House Judiciary Committee in support of next of kin care bills and healthcare legislation advanced during the week of June 2. House Bills 4418 – 4419, introduced by …

MHA Awards Peer Recovery Coach Grants

The MHA has granted funding to seven institutions to support the development or expansion of hospital-based peer recovery coach (PRC) programs. The funding will support the addition of 18 new hospital-based PRCs and expand treatment options for …

MDHHS Releases ALS Administrative Rules

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently introduced a new administrative rule requiring the reporting of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis cases across the state. The rule took effect May 15, making Michigan the …

Prioritizing a Culture of Safety — For Everyone in Healthcare

The MHA proudly affirms our commitment to the safety and well-being of our patients AND healthcare workers. Which is why we are diligently working to address the alarming rise in violence against healthcare workers and continue to advocate for …

MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — Addressing Food and Housing Insecurity

I recently had the privilege of joining leaders from across the state to discuss the most pressing issues for Michiganders at the annual Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference. Because our member hospitals and health systems are not only critical providers of care, but also major economic drivers, …

Keckley Report

Is the Public Losing Confidence in Hospitals?

“On May 24, the House of Representatives passed One Big Budget Bill that now heads to the Senate for its version this week. The stakes for hospitals are high as the House version includes $700 billion (10-year) Medicaid cuts that adversely impact lower and working-class households and most hospitals. …

These findings suggest the public holds a somewhat negative view of hospitals, especially among younger adults. The majority of U.S. adults think hospitals are not addressing community needs adequately and spending too much on executive pay. But they think hospitals are ‘less quilty’ of making ‘too much money’ than insurers.

Is the public losing confidence in its hospitals? Yes, but more for some than others, and responding requires more than better marketing.”

Paul Keckley, June 2, 2025

New to KnowNews to Know

In the latest episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, Lauren LaPine, senior director of legislative & public policy, MHA, joined to provide insight on how Michigan continues to experience issues with timely access to behavioral health services.

MHA Awards Peer Recovery Coach Grants

Member News

The MHA has granted funding to seven institutions to support development or expansion of hospital-based peer recovery coach (PRC) programs. The funding will support the addition of 18 new hospital-based PRCs and expand treatment options for patients with a substance use disorder (SUD).

The MHA recently issued a request for proposals for a competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities aimed at developing or expanding hospital-based peer recovery coach programs. Funding for this effort was made available by the Michigan Legislature as part of the state fiscal year 2025 budget to expand access to hospital-based PRC services.

The MHA received nine applications from organizations in seven distinct regions of the state, encompassing many innovative approaches to provide high-quality care for individuals experiencing substance use disorders.

These seven organizations, which were granted funding, are as follows:

The MHA appreciates the time and effort that went into developing applications and looks forward to partnering to expand access to SUD services across the state.

Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.

RFP Available for Hospital-Based Peer Recovery Coach Services

Member News

The MHA is issuing a request for proposal (RFP) for a $2.5 million competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities to expand access to hospital-based peer recovery coach (PRC) services. The funding was appropriated by the Michigan Legislature as part of the state fiscal year 2025 budget to prepare hospitals for implementation of PRC billing to Medicaid in FY 2026.

The grant program will award funds to entities across the state of Michigan who wish to develop, or expand, hospital-based peer recovery coach programs. All facilities are eligible to apply, regardless of whether they currently employ peer recovery coaches or not.

Further information about the RFP application process, as well as templates, are available on the MHA Behavioral Health webpage.

The MHA will accept online applications through May 9, 2025. All applications will be blindly reviewed and scored to determine funding allocations. No email or hard copy applications will be accepted.

Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.

MHA Offers Webinar on Creating Peer Recovery Coach Programs

Member News

The MHA will host the webinar Building Effective Peer Recovery Coach Programs in Hospitals Feb. 12 from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. to help hospitals create hospital-based peer recovery coach (PRC) programs, providing background information and insights from hospitals currently doing the work.

Recognizing the growing need for substance use disorder (SUD) services and the invaluable role peer recovery coaches have in supporting patients through their recovery journey, the webinar aims to aid hospital leaders and clinical teams understand the role of PRCs as part of a comprehensive SUD care team.

The webinar will explore the critical role of PRCs in the hospital setting, focusing on how improving care for patients with SUDs. Hospital staff, administrators and healthcare leaders will learn about the value of integrating PRCs into their teams, how to start and scale a PRC program and funding mechanisms available to support this work.

Participants will hear from Henry Ford Health and Munson Healthcare about their programs, with the opportunity to ask questions about program design or implementation. This webinar will offer practical insights into overcoming challenges, building collaborative teams and creating effective PRC models in their own organizations.

Registration is free and open to MHA members. Members working closely with patients who have a SUD, manage emergency department operations or a clinical practice, or support patient’s needs at the time of discharge are encouraged to register.

Members with questions about the event should contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.

 

Expanding Peer Recovery Coach Services to Improve Patient Outcomes

Member News, MHA Rounds

The fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget includes critical funding to support the work of peer recovery coaches (PRCs) in Michigan hospitals. Kelsey Ostergren, director of health policy initiatives, MHA, and Michelle Norcross, senior director of safety & quality, MHA Keystone Center, share the impact these resources have on patients and communities. 

What is a peer recovery coach, and what role do they play in improving patient outcomes?

Ostergren: Peer recovery coaches (PRCs) are individuals who combine lived experience with technical knowledge to assist individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery. In addition to offering patients lifesaving support and resources, PRCs provide an individualized approach to long-term management of SUD.

Peer recovery coaches play a unique role in the hospital setting, engaging with individuals during a time when peer-support is vital. PRCs not only serve as a mentor and role model in recovery, but remove barriers to care by connecting individuals to resources and community.

There is mounting evidence to support the role of PRCs in the recovery process including increased patient retention in treatment programs, sustained reduction in substance use, increased access to social support, decrease criminal justice involvement and decreased use of emergency department services.

Norcross: The MHA and MHA Keystone Center convened member hospitals using PRCs to better understand how these services have been operationalized and what impact they have on Michigan patients. In these discussions, we learned:

  • Hospitals who offer PRC services indicate 87% – 89% of eligible patients accept PRC support and share strong positive feedback about the experience.
  • Patients who work with PRCs are less likely to be readmitted within 30 days compared to their peers who are eligible but don’t accept PRC services.
  • Hospitals with a fully integrated PRC model engage more than 1,000 patients per year across the ED and inpatient settings.
  • PRCs connect 65% – 75% of patients with outpatient treatment and support services upon discharge. This is in stark contrast to a 2022 study revealing that only 11% of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) patients presenting to the ED were referred for outpatient treatment.

By expanding the use of PRC-delivered support services, Michigan hospitals can improve health outcomes and sustain recovery for at-risk patients and communities.

What is the biggest barrier when it comes to supporting peer recovery services in hospitals?

Ostergren: Many hospitals participating in the MHA Keystone Center Emergency Department Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (ED MOUD) program have highlighted the importance of peer recovery coaches for connecting SUD patients to treatment. Unfortunately, one of the most significant barriers is that these services cannot be reimbursed. Hospitals who want to offer PRCs are often required to fill these roles using temporary funding (i.e. grant dollars) or by contracting community mental health (CMH) agencies. While CMH resources have been critical, hospitals and health systems offer a unique touchpoint for patients with SUD.

How has collaboration helped secure critical funding to maintain PRC services in hospitals?

Ostergren: Beyond the work of the MHA and MHA Keystone Center teams, there have been numerous partnerships that were instrumental in advocating for funding to support PRCs in our hospitals and health systems. Our members participating in the ED MOUD program and those that employ PRCs were critical when it came to understanding this care model and identifying ways to support it. Additional stakeholders who provided insight, direction, guidance and support, include:

  • The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM)
  • Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS)
  • Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI)
  • Face Addiction Now (FAN, formerly Families Against Narcotics)
  • Michigan Association of Counties (MAC)
  • Opioid Advisory Committee (OAC)
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Where can Michigan hospitals interested in learning more about peer recovery services and reimbursement opportunities go to learn more?

Norcross: The MHA Keystone Center is partnering with CFSEM to offer two virtual learning collaboratives in September for hospitals interested in learning more about peer recovery services and reimbursement. Members will have the opportunity to learn from and engage with peers who have successfully implemented peer recovery services.

Upcoming Peer Recovery Learning Collaboratives:

Register for peer recovery learning collaboratives here.