Enrollment for Flint Medicaid waiver launches today; MDHHS reminds residents of the availability of additional case management services

For Immediate Release: May 9, 2016

LANSING, Mich. – Today, many Flint residents who were served by the city’s water system within the past two years can begin enrolling for health coverage including case management services. Coverage is now available to children under 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.

“Thanks to this waiver, comprehensive health benefits are now available to approximately 15,000 more residents who were served by the Flint water system,” said Nick Lyon, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). “It’s important that residents are aware of the supports offered through this coverage, including case managers that can connect residents to health care resources in the community.” 

In addition to Medicaid, Healthy Michigan Plan or MIChild, Flint residents can get targeted case management services. Targeted case management services connect residents with medical, educational, social and other services they may need.  A case manager meets with residents face-to-face to create a plan of care, help individuals get needed services offered in the community, and can also help with transportation to services.

Enrollment begins today, but coverage is retroactive three months prior to enrollment into Medicaid – 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.

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 today, 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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