Breaking News on Primary Care – August 2024

Every summer, Michigan Multipayer Initiatives looks at the proposed Physician Fee Schedule for the upcoming year when it is released by CMS.  We read it with a special eye on the potential impact for primary care and population health.  This year, the most exciting announcement was about three proposed new Advanced Care Management Codes – a groundbreaking move that aligns with the NASEM recommendations on primary care payment reform.  There are also some interesting changes for MSSP ACO, telehealth, and Value Pathway reporting.

New Comparative Table on Collaborative Care (Integrated Behavioral Health) Payer Policies

The hallmark of Collaborative Care (CoCare) is primary care and behavioral health providers collaborating effectively using shared care plans that incorporate patient goals.  In this model, both physical and mental health care is provided at a familiar location is comfortable to patients. The model has a strong research and evidence base and has been shown to improve outcomes for many patients. The latest edition of MMI’s Collaborative Care Comparative Payer Policy table has been updated for 2024 and distinguishes changes from last year’s version in red font. We hope it is useful to you as you work to best meet the needs of the patients that you serve.

What’s In the State of Michigan’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget for MDHHS?

On June 27^th, the legislature passes an $82.5 billion state budget for the 2025 fiscal year. Just over $59 billion will support state government agencies and about $23.4 billion will be directed toward education. Funding for MDHHS reflects priority areas such as expanding behavioral health access, strengthening Medicaid coverage, and supporting improved maternal/infant health, among others. Key MDHHS program allotments, include:

• $161.5 million to establish new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics sites across the state to serve as many as 35,000 additional individuals, providing them with behavioral health services.
• $18.1 million in funding to continue the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program which helps new and expectant mothers receive the care they need and reduce racial disparities in infant and maternal mortality.
• $37 million in new funding for the Family Independence Program, including the first meaningful change to the FIP payment rate since 1990, and expanded supplemental payments to families with young children.
• $40 million for federally qualified health centers and $17.2 million autism Medicaid rate increases.
• $28.7 million to fund a 20-cent an hour raise for direct care workers.
• $2 million to fund sexual assault victim services.
• $7 million to provide vaccinations to young children.
• $5.6 million funding to expand contraceptive coverage and family planning services.
• $20 million to provide new funds to communities that identify innovative approaches to support expectant parents and newborns.
• $1.8 million to ensure children have access to health care through MIChild, saving families $120 a year per child.
• $5 million to help low-income households with pre-weatherization and improve the energy efficiency of their homes, reducing utility bills.
• $7.3 million to ensure individuals experiencing behavioral health crises have access to the Michigan Crisis and Access Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

MSHIELD Job Opportunities

Michigan Social Health Interventions to Eliminate Disparities (MSHIELD) works to promote whole health for all people through data-driven, community-partnered, equity-centered quality improvement. MSHIELD is seeking a Social Drivers of Health Manager to support their community-clinical partnerships for the MSHIELD CQI, particularly for social needs screening and linkage activities. MSHIELD is also seeking a Health Equity Data Analyst to work with various data sources to support equity-focused quality improvement activities. More information, including a comprehensive list of responsibilities and salary range, can be found in the links above. Applications for both positions close on July 16^th.  You can read more about their work at michiganshield.org.