Proposed Medicaid reform would allow integrated physical, mental health care

This article originally appeared in Crain’s Detroit Business. To read the entire exclusive piece, click here. 

The Michigan legislature is currently considering legislation (Senate Bill 597 & 598) to reform Medicaid that would finally integrate care and provide choice to consumers.

Roughly one in five people in our state have a mental health illness. According to national studies, seven out of 10 adults with a behavioral health disorder reported having at least one chronic health condition. The time to integrate physical and mental health care services for Michigan’s Medicaid population is long overdue.

Employers have been at the forefront of customizing their insurance policies with the help of managed care plans to meet the healthcare needs and demands of their employees. Employers want to be one step ahead and employees want one-stop shopping for both their physical and mental wellness.

We must work together to create a better mental health network that gives consumers choice to select plans and providers that cover both their physical and mental health needs. Doing so will expand access across county lines to valuable mental health services.

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