Medicaid Open Enrollment April 1st, 2014

The Healthy Michigan Plan, also referred to as “Medicaid Expansion” kicks off its open  enrollment this April 1st, 2014, allowing those eligible to submit applications, as originally prescribed as part of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA).

This past September 2013 Governor Snyder signed into law a bill creating the Healthy Michigan Plan, which had a start date of early spring 2014, expanding healthcare to an estimated 320,000 Michiganders, eventually providing care to as many as 470,000 residents that meet the criteria, which is highlighted below. The new plan is funded by the federal government through 2017 with the federal government’s share gradually declining to 90 percent, thus placing the remaining funding liability on the state to make up the difference after that point.

The State of Michigan’s Department of Community Health (DCH), who administers Medicaid, is advising individuals to visit their website(see link below) for more information on the new plan and that open enrollment through the Federal Marketplace for Healthcare Coverage is closing on March 31st, 2014.  DCH states if individuals are uncertain if they are eligible for the Healthy Michigan Plan and have not yet enrolled for any healthcare coverage, to please apply through the Marketplace at Healthcare.gov before the March 31st, 2014 deadline.

Eligibility for the Healthy Michigan Plan is established through the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) methodology, managed through the Department of Human Services. All criteria for the MAGI eligibility must be met to be qualified for the Healthy Michigan Plan.

The Healthy Michigan plan provides healthcare to those who:

•    Are age 19-64 years
•    Have income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level under the Modified Adjusted Gross Income methodology
•    Do not qualify for or are not enrolled in Medicare
•    Do not qualify for or are not enrolled in other Medicaid programs
•    Are not pregnant at the time of application
•    Are residents of the State of Michigan

Per the federal ACA requirement, individuals eligible for services under the Healthy Michigan Plan must have access to the following 10 Essential Health Benefits:

•    Ambulatory patient services
•    Emergency services
•    Hospitalization
•    Maternity and newborn care
•    Mental health and substance use disorder treatment 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

The Healthy Michigan Plan will cover other medically necessary services as appropriate.

For More Information: