Enrollment begins May 9 for additional Medicaid services for Flint residents

For Immediate Release: May 4, 2016

LANSING, Mich. – Many Flint residents who were served by the city’s water system within the past two years can begin enrolling for additional health coverage beginning May 9, 2016.

“The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is pleased to announce that enrollment in the Flint Medicaid program will begin May 9 for children and pregnant woman up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level who were also served by the Flint water system,” said Nick Lyon, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). “Thanks to the work of the legislature, our federal partners, and our department employees, eligible residents will have greater access to comprehensive health resources.”  

This additional health coverage through Medicaid is available under a federal waiver approved March 3 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Michigan applied for the waiver to help ensure that Flint residents get the medical services they need as a result of the city’s water emergency.

Coverage is now available to children up to age 21 and pregnant women who were served by the Flint water system since April 2014, and who have income levels up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level.

Although enrollment begins May 9, coverage is retroactive three months prior to enrollment into Medicaid – but no earlier than March 1, 2016. Approximately 15,000 additional children and pregnant women will be eligible for Medicaid coverage, and roughly 30,000 current Medicaid beneficiaries in the area will be eligible for expanded services under this waiver. Those eligible for this coverage will not have to pay premiums, contributions or co-pays.

Later this year, Michigan will allow those residents with incomes greater than 400 percent of the federal poverty level to purchase Medicaid health coverage.

As part of the coverage, residents also will be eligible for targeted case management services designed to support those exposed to lead through the water system. Targeted case management services will include help for residents to gain access to needed medical, social, educational and other services.

Residents who already are covered by Medicaid will be notified of the additional services in a letter from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Beginning May 9, other eligible residents not already on Medicaid can apply online at www.michigan.gov/mibridges. They also can apply by calling the Michigan Health Care Helpline at 1-855-789-5610 (TTY 866-501-5656 for persons with hearing and speech disabilities).

For more information about Flint-related water issues, visit www.michigan.gov/flintwater.

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