April 19, 2006

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) today released its 2006 version of “A Guide to Michigan Medicaid Health Plans - Quality Check-Up” to provide information regarding quality of care in the state’s Medicaid program.

“I am pleased that we can offer this guide in support of quality care in Michigan,” said Janet Olszewski, MDCH Director. “This guide also supports MDCH’s initiatives to provide consumers, policymakers, and other stakeholders with information about the quality of care and service provided to Medicaid managed care enrollees.”

The guide was developed by MDCH in collaboration with Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG), a national quality improvement organization. Data from 15 contracted health plans was used, including five major categories of comparative information and accreditation.

The categories included are:

Doctor Communication and Service-Adult and child survey scores on how well doctors communicate, the help and services offered by office staff, and the ratings of personal doctors and medical specialists.

Getting Care-This ranking was based on ability to get needed care, receiving care quickly, and access to the primary care physician.

Keeping Kids Healthy-Includes child and adolescent immunization status and well child visits.

Taking Care of Women-Includes five female-specific clinical measures, such as prenatal care and breast cancer screening.

Living with Illness-This ranking demonstrates care provided to people with chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure, asthma, and diabetes.

This comparison Guide of all Medicaid health plans can be used by beneficiaries to help them choose a health plan in their county that will best meet their needs.

As in previous years, county-specific information based on the guide is distributed to new Medicaid enrollees by MI Enrolls.

The guide is available for viewing on the MDCH website by going to www.michigan.gov./mdch, clicking on Health Care Coverage, then Medicaid, and then scrolling down to 2006 Health Plans Quality Check-Up.

For more information, please call Michigan ENROLLS at 1-888-ENROLLS (1-888-367-6557).