Skip to main content

Supporting Michiganders in Maintaining Medicaid Coverage

In compliance with federal legislation, Medicaid beneficiaries will have to renew their coverage, which may result in thousands of Michiganders transitioning away from and losing Medicaid. We’re sharing what Michigan philanthropy should know and actions the state is taking to support affected Michiganders.

Image
A family sitting together

In compliance with federal legislation, Medicaid beneficiaries will have to renew their coverage, which may result in thousands of Michiganders transitioning away from and losing Medicaid.

Starting next month, Michigan will resume Medicaid eligibility redeterminations to comply with the federal legislation. The emergency Medicaid coverage protection that was extended during the COVID-19 pandemic expired earlier this year.

According to the state, Michigan’s Medicaid caseload grew by more than 700,000 people during the public health emergency. Now more than 3 million Michigan Medicaid beneficiaries will have to prove they are eligible for benefits extended since 2020. 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive directive last week instructing all State of Michigan departments to work together to lower health care costs by helping Michiganders keep Medicaid coverage or find affordable health insurance as Medicaid eligibility renewals begin again this summer.

This builds on the work already being done by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) to ensure all affected Michiganders have the information they need to stay covered and save money. 

“One of my administration’s top priorities has been ensuring that every Michigander has access to quality, affordable health insurance. As the redetermination process plays out, we will build on efforts by MDHHS and DIFS to help families stay covered and save money. Their proactive efforts have given us a strong foundation, and now every state department has a role to play. Let's use every resource available to us to make people aware of the reinstated federal Medicaid eligibility requirements and help affected Michiganders maintain access to affordable health care,” Whitmer said. 

Whitmer’s executive directive instructs all state departments to cooperate with and assist MDHHS and DIFS as required, including working together to distribute information to Michiganders regarding the redetermination process and how to renew eligibility and sharing necessary data to conduct outreach.

Want more?

Read the full press release.

X