Detroit Evening Report: State program aims to improve mental health services for Medicaid, Medicare patients

Michigan is working to streamline behavioral health care for Medicaid and Medicare patients with mental health or substance use disorders. 

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Megan Groen, Michigan’s Medicaid director, says the state received a $7.5 million grant to implement the changes over the next eight years. 

“You know, Medicaid and Medicare populations experience a disproportionately high rate of mental health conditions, substance use disorder or both, and as a result, they’re more likely to experience more health outcomes, such as frequent visits to the emergency department, hospitalization,” she said.

Groen says the CMS model hopes to provide a more personalized integrated care to reduce emergency room visits and improve behavioral and physical health outcomes. 

The department also hopes to address health-related social needs such as housing, food and transportation. 

Other headlines for Monday, Jan. 13, 2024:

• The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is looking for people to join its Social Determinants of Health Hubs Advisory Council. The council is a part of Michigan’s Roadmap to Healthy Communities, which provides recommendations to improve health and well-being. Applications are due by Friday, Jan. 17. Meetings will be held virtually, starting in February 2025 through December.
• Dearborn Heights homes and businesses will be getting new high-tech water meters to replace ones that are over 60 years old, thanks to state and federal grant funding. The replacements will begin this month and take about 24 months to complete.
• Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning residents about possible parking scams around the Detroit Auto Show, taking place now through Jan. 20 at Huntington Place in Detroit.
• The Association of Chinese Americans is hosting a Lunar New Year Community Fair in Detroit from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 2, in Shed 4 of Eastern Market.
• Several Asian American organizations are coming together to host a virtual presentation to prepare immigrants for policy changes proposed by the incoming Trump administration. The Asian Americans Advancing Justice Affiliation will go over potential immigrant policy changes and share key information impacting AAPI communities during a webinar set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.