Tag: SUD

MHA Monday Report July 14, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

Medical Debt Legislation Introduced, Maternal and Behavioral Health Bills Clear Senate

Legislation addressing medical debt was introduced in the Michigan State Senate June 26. The bipartisan three-bill package, Senate Bills 449, 450 and 451, codify the existence of hospital financial assistance programs, create new …

MHA Service Corporation Highlights Security Technology Solutions and Action Plan Priorities

The MHA Service Corporation board held its final meeting of the 2024-2025 program year focused on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities of protecting access, workforce support, strengthening cybercrime and cybersecurity policy, mental …

CMS Releases Home Health PPS Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a proposed rule updating the home health prospective payment system (PPS) for calendar year 2026. Highlights of the proposed rule include: A 6% …

Deadline Approaching to Qualify for MDHHS Maternal Health Quality Payments

Birthing hospitals pursuing the 2025 Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Maternal Health Quality Payments must meet all requirements by July 31 to receive payments. Eligibility requirements include full participation in the Michigan …

Free Substance Use Disorder Technical Assistance Available

The Michigan Opioid Partnership is offering free, tailored technical assistance to help Michigan hospitals and healthcare providers improve care for patients with substance use disorders, whether they are implementing new protocols or strengthening existing …

Virtual Maternal Health Quality Improvement Courses Available

The Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM) is offering virtual modules to support maternal health quality improvement efforts. All obstetric team members at MI AIM participating birthing hospitals are encouraged to complete …

MHA Shares State Impacts and Insights at Regional 340B Roundtable

MHA staff attended the Regional 340B Roundtable July 8 in Florence, IN to join colleagues from the Indiana Hospital Association, Ohio Hospital Association, Kentucky Hospital Association and endorsed business partner, SunRx, to share best practices for successful 340B administration and …

MHA Releases Executive Summary of Final LARA Rules for Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery

The MHA recently released an executive summary regarding administrative rules finalized by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), updating licensing and practice standards for osteopathic medicine and surgery in Michigan. The rules, …

MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — A Year of Progress and Purpose

With another program year behind us, the MHA Annual Meeting served as a powerful reminder of our shared mission to advance the health and well-being of Michigan’s patients and communities. Despite an evolving political landscape, we’ve made meaningful progress and are moving …

Keckley Report

Special Edition: Lessons from the ACA applicable to the Big Beautiful Bill

“One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) passed both houses of Congress by the thinnest of margins and was signed into law by President Trump last Thursday. It is the most significant legislation for U.S. healthcare since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) signed into law by President Obama March 23, 2010. …

It’s too soon to know what the results will be for OBBBA. Many fear it will cause irreparable damage to the safety net—public health programs, rural and safety net hospitals, nursing homes and others that serve lower-income and disabled populations. Some see it as a necessary reset asserting waste, fraud and abuse in healthcare has been allowed to fester, harming those in bona-fide need and keeping resources in healthcare better used elsewhere.

What’s known for sure is that opinions about the OBBBA will change as it’s implemented over the next four years. How states address work requirements and implementation will be central to its success.  And executive orders, administrative actions, court decisions and market conditions will alter its trajectory—especially economic conditions at home.”

Paul Keckley, July 6, 2025

New to KnowNews to Know

MHA Endorsed Business Partner CorroHealth, is hosting the webinar Price Transparency in 2025: What’s Required, What’s Coming, What to do Now, for MHA members from 2 to 3 p.m. ET July 16.

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage during the weeks of June 30 and July 7 on Medicaid cuts included in the federal budget reconciliation bill. MHA CEO Brian Peters and MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel …

Free Substance Use Disorder Technical Assistance Available

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The Michigan Opioid Partnership (MOP) is offering free, tailored technical assistance to help Michigan hospitals and healthcare providers improve care for patients with substance use disorders, whether they are implementing new protocols or strengthening existing ones.

Technical services include:

  • Peer-to-peer consultation with clinical experts.
  • Guidance on integrating peer recovery coaches.
  • Sample tools, templates and implementation resources.
  • Protocol review and feedback.
  • Flexible staff and residency trainings.

Trainings are flexible and can range from 15 to 60 minutes. The MOP team is available to join existing department or team meetings to provide a brief presentation or arrange a more formal standalone training.

MOP also offers online training videos that count toward the DEA 8-hour requirement on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders.

Members with questions about the Michigan Opioid Partnership and the technical assistance may contact Naomi Rosner at the MHA Keystone Center.

 

MDHHS Offers Loan Repayment to Expand Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Member News

To help close critical gaps in opioid addiction treatment across Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is offering student loan repayment to eligible healthcare providers who begin or expand opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment programs.

The Michigan Opioid Treatment Access Loan Repayment Program provides between $15,000 and $30,000 in student loan repayment to physicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and substance use disorder counselors. To qualify, providers must offer new or expanded OUD treatment services in the state.

Michigan continues to face a serious gap in access to substance use treatment. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 1.3 million residents need treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) but aren’t receiving it. A recent needs assessment from MDHHS identified workforce shortages, largely driven by educational barriers and high certification costs as a key factor. Michigan currently ranks 40th in the nation for the number of SUD counselors per adult with the disorder. The loan repayment initiative is supported by the Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund, which was created using settlement funds from the nation’s three largest pharmaceutical distributors and opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson. To date, the program has helped 138 providers repay more than $2.5 million in student loan debt.

Applications for the current cycle are due by Monday, May 19. Providers interested in applying or learning more about eligibility may visit the MIOTA webpage for application materials and additional information.

Members with questions may contact Lenise Freeman at the MHA.

HHS Renews Ongoing Opioid Crisis PHE

Member News

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced March 18 the renewal of the public health emergency (PHE) declaration addressing the ongoing opioid crisis. This extension, which lasts for 90 days, allows continued federal coordination efforts and preserves essential flexibilities to facilitate key actions in combating the opioid overdose crisis. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to treating the crisis as a national security emergency.

The public health emergency declaration, initially made under the Trump administration in 2017, provides HHS with special authorities, enabling expedited treatment projects, voluntary information collections and research support for opioid use disorder treatments. These actions ensure efficient multi-sector collaboration to save lives.

Opioids, particularly fentanyl, continue to claim approximately 150 lives each day in the U.S., despite a 25.5% drop in overdose deaths. Opioid overdoses remain the number one cause of death among those aged 18-44. The continuation of the public health emergency supports ongoing efforts to combat substance use, prevent overdose fatalities and provide crucial assistance to individuals in recovery from substance use disorders.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 17, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

Earned Sick Time Act & Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Advance in Senate

Two key pieces of legislation related to the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact advanced in the Michigan State during the week of Feb. 10. The Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee narrowly voted Feb. 12 to move …

MDHHS SUD Mapping Tool Added to MI Bridges

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently introduced a new substance use disorder (SUD) mapping tool in 2024. The tool is now featured on MI Bridges, a platform that allows Michigan residents to …

Registration Now Open for Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium

MHA Events

Registration is now open for the highly anticipated re-designed MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium, scheduled for April 28 – 29, 2025 at the Kellogg Conference Center & Hotel, East Lansing. Keynote speaker, Gerald B. Hickson, MD, will explore building …

Accommodations Deadline Approaching for MHA Human Resources Conference

MHA Events

The Feb. 21 accommodations deadline is approaching for the highly anticipated 2025 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 25, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza, Lansing. After a day of networking and peer-to-peer collaboration, attendees will hear …

Healthcare Finance Trends for 2025

MHA Endorsed Business Partner CommerceHealthcare® recently released its 2025 Healthcare Trends Report, a comprehensive analysis of critical themes shaping the healthcare industry. This in-depth report was developed in collaboration with business line leaders, customers and …

Keckley Report

Healthcare is a Prime Target for DOGE: How to Prepare

“Last week, the reality of change in the U.S. political landscape became real, especially for the health industry. …

The Trump-Musk predisposition toward the U.S. health system is negative: it is viewed as wasteful, self-serving and ripe for Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts and disruption. It favors private solutions over public programs, and relishes favorable attention and punishing critics. And it shares its views of the health system with the majority of Americans:

Per Jarrard’s’ The State of Play: Healthcare in 2025 released last week, the public is not a fan of the system despite its penchant for calling itself “the world’s best.” In its survey of 1000 adults, 57% believe the system needs complete/significant re-design vs. 10% who think it’s OK as is and 34% who think minor improvements might be useful.

And per Gallup’s post-election poll in December, the public’s discontent is rooted in one issue: affordability. It’s a particularly thorny for hospitals, drug companies, insurers, physicians and other insiders who acknowledge the issue but rank it among others.

The impact of the Trump-Musk predisposition toward U.S. healthcare and its actions 20 days into its oversight is widespread uncertainty. …”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 10, 2025

News to Know

  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner CorroHealth and the American Hospital Association will host the webinar Strategies to Strengthen Hospital Financial Health Amid Payer Pressures 2 p.m. ET Feb. 20 to share proven strategies and real world insights into combating payer denial tactics and how to protect hospitals.
  • In order to continue sharing with key stakeholders the important impact hospitals make to their communities, the MHA invites members to share examples of strong community impact programming through a brief survey.
  • MHA offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 17 in observance of President’s Day.

MDHHS SUD Mapping Tool Added to MI Bridges

Member News

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently introduced a new substance use disorder (SUD) mapping tool in 2024. The tool is now featured on MI Bridges, a platform that allows Michigan residents to apply for assistance and manage their benefits, to help individuals seeking SUD treatment services.

The mapping tool helps users locate treatment and recovery centers licensed by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs through a geographic search. Users can search ZIP code, city or county and filter providers based on the type of treatment they need – such as inpatient, outpatient or medication-assisted treatment. Additionally, the tool indicates whether a provider accepts Medicaid, making it easier for users to find appropriate care. Since its release, the tool gained significant traction, with over 6,700 views from 3,369 individuals.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

MDHHS Introduces SUD Program Enhancements and New Mapping Tool

Member News

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently developed improvements to current substance use disorder (SUD) programs and a new SUD mapping tool to identify SUD treatment service locations throughout the state, with the goal to increase SUD treatment access for Michigan residents.

The new SUD mapping tool allows users to search for SUD treatment and recovery facilities by ZIP code, city or county. The tool outlines each location’s services, specifying if treatment is inpatient or outpatient, whether medication-assisted treatment is available and if Medicaid is accepted.

Improvements to Health Home services for SUD have also been implemented. Opioid Health Homes have been changed to SUD Health Homes to broaden access. MDHHS also added the Alcohol Use Disorder and Stimulant Use Disorder as diagnoses to broaden service eligibility.

MDHHS released a proposed policy Nov. 19 to increase the payment rate for the administration of methadone to at least $19.00 per unit, as well as increase access to related services for Medicaid beneficiaries. The funds to support this increase come from the state general fund that is federally matched.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

Final Rules Strengthen Access to Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder Benefits

Member News

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 (MHPAEA) of 2008.

The rulings aim to promote equitable access to mental health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) benefits and reduce barriers to accessing these services. They also reinforce the requirement that mental health and SUD benefits be on par with medical and surgical benefits (M/S).

If a health plan provides benefits for a mental health condition or SUD, it must provide meaningful benefits for that condition or disorder in every classification for which meaningful M/S benefits are offered. The rulings also restrict self-funded, non-federal governmental plans from opting out of providing mental health/SUD benefits. Additionally, it provides concrete factors used to determine out-of-network reimbursement rates.

The final rules also provide protection from non-quantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) on mental health and substance use disorder benefits. NQTLs are conditions that restrict the scope of benefits, such as prior authorization requirements. The rulings prohibit insurance plans from using biased information when applying NQTLs. Issuers must also collect and assess data on the NQTLs they place and adapt accordingly if the data shows they are negatively impacting access to MH/SUD services compared to M/S benefits.

The final rules apply to:

  • Group health insurance coverage beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2025. The meaningful benefits standard, the prohibition on discriminatory factors and evidentiary standards, the relevant data evaluation requirements and the related requirements in the provisions for comparative analyses will apply beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2026.
  • Health insurance issuers offering individual health insurance coverage for policy years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2026.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine 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. 

National Rural Health Association Funding Opportunities Available

Member News

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) recently announced two new funding opportunities to support initiatives that will improve healthcare access in rural communities.

The Rural Utilities Service, a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), will accept applications for the USDA Rural eConnectivty Program starting March 22 until April 22. This program offers loans and grants to support the construction, improvement or acquisition of facilities and equipment that are necessary to expand broadband internet service in rural areas. Funding opportunities for eligible applicants will vary based on the needs of each Proposed Funded Service Area.

Additionally, the HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response (RCORP) Funding Program is currently accepting applications through May 6 to expand access to treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) in rural communities. Throughout this four-year project, grantees are eligible to receive up to $750,000 per year. Funding is intended to support the establishment or expansion of the SUD workforce, collaboration with social services for long term recovery support, and sustainability of programming beyond the grant period. Public, private, non-profit, for-profit groups, tribal government, educational institutions and faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a part of a network involving at least four entities, with at least two located in HRSA-designated rural service areas.

Eligible MHA members are encouraged to consider applying for these funding opportunities to expand and enhance healthcare services in rural communities.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.