Great Lakes Wire

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has announced the selection of nine health plans to implement a new benefit program, MI Coordinated Health, starting January 1, 2026. This initiative aims to serve individuals enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid across select counties initially, with plans for statewide expansion by 2027. The program is set to replace the existing MI Health Link program, which concludes on December 31, 2025.

Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS Director, stated that the department "remains committed to an improved health care experience for low-income seniors and people with disabilities who are both Medicare and Medicaid enrollees." She added that "MI Coordinated Health emphasizes comprehensive care coordination for all members, including home- and community-based services and nursing-facility care for qualified enrollees."

The contracts awarded to the selected health plans span seven years and include options for three additional one-year extensions. The awards were distributed based on Michigan's 10 Prosperity Regions, with particular focus on individual counties within the Detroit Metro Prosperity Region.

For the initial launch in 2026, regions included are:

- Region 1: Upper Peninsula Prosperity Alliance - Upper Peninsula Health Plan, LLC.

- Region 8: Southwest Prosperity Region - Aetna Better Health of Michigan Inc., Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, Inc., Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Inc.

- Region 10: Detroit Metro Prosperity Region (Macomb) - Aetna Better Health of Michigan Inc., HAP CareSource; Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Inc.

- Region 10: Detroit Metro Prosperity Region (Wayne) - Aetna Better Health of Michigan Inc., AmeriHealth Michigan, Inc., HAP CareSource; Humana Medical Plan of Michigan, Inc.; Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, Inc.; Molina Healthcare of Michigan; Priority Health Choice; UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.

By January 1, 2027, additional regions will be integrated into the program:

- Regions covering Northwest to Southeast areas including providers such as Meridian Health Plan of Michigan Inc., Molina Healthcare of Michigan Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan among others.

MI Coordinated Health was developed through insights from the MI Health Link program alongside feedback collected since 2022 from various stakeholders including beneficiaries and healthcare providers. The program is guided by five key pillars: fostering integration and continuity; reducing racial disparities; improving care delivery; promoting self-determination; and building a culture of quality.

Further information about this initiative can be accessed on the MDHHS website or through resources available at Michigan.gov/Medicaid.