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Michigan Announces Regional Approach to the Blueprint for Health Innovation

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 21, 2015

LANSING, Mich. – In an effort to better coordinate care, lower costs, and improve the health of Michigan residents, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has chosen to move forward with the Blueprint for Health Innovation through a regional approach.

Michigan has received $70 million in federal funding over the next four years to support innovative health care system enhancements that benefit families from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Michigan’s plan, the Blueprint for Health Innovation, is the final product of the State Innovation Model planning process involving partners in the health care and business communities.

"As we continue to make progress in operationalizing the Blueprint in order to truly affect payment reform and lower costs for our residents, moving forward in a regional manner makes the most sense for Michigan," said Nick Lyon, Director of the MDHHS. "After looking at the current healthcare system, a phased-in regional approach will allow the healthcare community to work with MDHHS to find the best way to implement changes going forward."

MDHHS conducted capacity assessments in the spring and summer of 2015 to determine the best approach for implementing this new plan. Based on the healthcare community’s capacity to implement the Blueprint, a regional approach will be implemented in three phases. Moving forward, MDHHS will continue discussions with healthcare partners to determine the regions and to finalize the project participants.

Michigan’s model recognizes that better health requires a comprehensive approach involving safe and healthy communities, workplaces, homes and lifestyles. The Blueprint for Health Innovation will focus on transforming service delivery and payment models by focusing on patient and family-centered health homes; coordination and accountability of the medical neighborhood; a care-bridge to behavioral health and long-term care; and integration between and among health care and community resources, including the Pathways community hub model.

MDHHS has worked with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on establishing the timeline to begin the implementation of new payment models on October 1, 2016. This date coincides with the beginning of the next contract year with Medicaid health plans.

For more information about the Blueprint for Health Innovation, visit http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,4612,7-132-2945_64491---,00.html.

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