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Mental Health Framework

Mental Health Framework

UPDATE: Coverage responsibility changes that were previously scheduled to go into effect October 1, 2026, are temporarily delayed, allowing more time for system-wide preparation. Updates will be coming soon to the entire webpage and related documents. 
  • Mental health image

    The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is shifting to a more person-centered approach to serving Michiganders with mental health needs. As part of MIHealthyLife, an initiative that began in 2022 to strengthen the Comprehensive Health Care Program (CHCP), MDHHS is partnering with Medicaid Health Plans (MHPs), Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs), and providers to improve accountability for and coordination of mental health care across the Medicaid program.

    Under the Mental Health Framework (MHF), an enrollee’s level of mental health need, as determined through a State-identified standardized assessment tool, will more clearly determine which plan—the enrollee’s MHP or PIHP—is responsible for their mental health coverage and care. MHPs will also begin covering some additional mental health services for enrollees with lower levels of mental health need, so MHPs are accountable for more of these enrollees’ continuum of care. Beginning in October 2026:

  • MHPs will cover most mental health services for CHCP enrollees with lower levels of mental health need, and
  • PIHPs will cover all mental health services for CHCP enrollees with higher levels of mental health need.

Announcements

  • Assessment Training for Medicaid Health Plan Network Providers: Standardized Assessment training is now available for free for Medicaid Health Plan (MHP) providers and is eligible for CME/CEU credit (details vary between each training):
  • MichiCANS Screener: The MichiCANS Screener training for MHP network providers includes two live training sessions: the Transformational Collaborative Outcomes Management (TCOM) training and the MichiCANS Overview training, both of which are required and must be completed in that order. MHP network providers should use these instructions to register for the MichiCANS training.
  • LOCUS: The LOCUS training is an online, self-paced training, HMP network providers can utilize these instructions to register for the LOCUS training. Please review these technical specifications prior to setting up an account and to troubleshoot issues.

  • Overview of MichiCANS Training Requirements: The MichiCANS trainings for MHP network providers differ from trainings required for providers employed or contracted with a Perpaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP), Community Mental Health Service Provider (CMHSP) or Certified Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC). See here for link for an overview of the difference in trainings.
  • Tools for Assessment Completion:
  • MichiCANS Screener: Please utilize these instructions to obtain access to the MichiCANS tool, housed within Care Connect 360. In order to obtain access, providers must be enrolled in CHAMPS and have fully completed the MichiCANS Screener training.

  • LOCUS: Please see access the MDHHS LOCUS Assessment Page here. The assessment will be submitted directly from this webpage to MDHHS upon completion. Providers must be fully trained as well as have an NPI to be able to login to complete the assessment. Please see these instructions for information on logging into the LOCUS tool.

MDHHS understands that it will take time – over the course of Fiscal Year 2026 – for all eligible providers to be fully trained. Training status over the next year will not impact a provider's ability to provide and be reimbursed for non-assessment mental health services rendered.

MHF Implementation TimelineKey

  • MHF Image

Fiscal Year 2026 Changes

Strengthen Care Coordination

MHPs, PIHPs and Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSPs) will be required to use a standardized process for making referrals for mental health care across MHP and PIHP delivery systems, with implementation phased in during the course of Fiscal Year 2026. 

If you are a mental health provider contracted with an MHP and are not a CMHSP provider, you are not expected to participate in standardized referrals process beginning October 1, 2025.

Standardize Assessments

All qualified mental health providers participating in Michigan’s Medicaid program and contracted with an MHP and/or PIHP will begin using the following State-designated tools to assess level of mental health care needed: the Michigan Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (MichiCANS) Screener for children and youth (under 18) and the Level of Care Utilization System (LOCUS) for adults (18 and older).

For qualified mental health providers who have not already been trained on how to conduct the MichiCANS Screener or LOCUS:

  • MichiCANS Screener: Please utilize these instructions to register for the MichiCANS training.
  • LOCUS: MDHHS will provide a link to the online, self-paced LOCUS training upon launch. If you are a provider in need of LOCUS training, please fill out this form.

Please see the Standardized Assessment Guide for more information.

 

Fiscal Year 2027 Changes

More information forthcoming.