Public feedback sought on financing of Michigan's efforts to better coordinate physical, mental health services

LANSING, Mich. – The public can provide feedback beginning today on draft financing models for the statewide effort to improve coordination of physical and behavioral health services.
 
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has posted on its website a survey that gives stakeholders a chance to play a role in determining financing for the initiative, which is known as Section 298.

The discussion on financing models is part of the next phase of the Section 298 discussion.

MDHHS collaborated with the 298 Facilitation Workgroup to develop the models, which are based upon 42 proposals the department received from a wide variety of stakeholders. MDHHS and the workgroup developed six categories of financing models and one category of non-financing models, which are listed below:

—Statewide Behavioral Health Managed Care Organization*
—Medicaid Health Plan or Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan Payer Integration
—Community Mental Health Service Programs (Provider) Capitation*
—Modified Managed Care Approaches*
—Current Financing Structure Enhancement*
—Local/Regional Integration Arrangements*
—Non-Financing Models

The 298 Facilitation Workgroup will be evaluating the five proposals that are marked with an asterisk.

The public input process for the financing models begins today and ends Feb. 28. MDHHS has established the following opportunities to gather public comments on the financing models:

Stakeholders may complete an online survey to gather input on the draft financing models. A link to the survey is on the Section 298 stakeholder workgroup webpage.

MDHHS will also host a public forum to gather comments from 9 a.m.-noon on Feb. 24. The forum will be held at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. Individuals can RSVP to attend the public forum by through a link on the Section 298 stakeholder workgroup webpage.

MDHHS and the 298 Facilitation Workgroup will use public comments to refine and improve the draft financing models. The revised financing models will be incorporated into the Section 298 Final Report, which must be submitted to the Legislature by March 15.

For more information about the draft financing models or the Section 298 Initiative, visit www.michigan.gov/stakeholder298 or send an email to MDHHS-298@michigan.gov.