CMS approves waiver to extend Healthy Michigan Plan

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has approved a waiver to continue the Healthy Michigan Plan, which provides health coverage to nearly 600,000 residents with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level, Gov. Rick Snyder announced yesterday. The program launched in April 2014 and was set to expire in April 2016 if a waiver was not approved by the end of this year. “The Healthy Michigan Plan has allowed more than a half million people in Michigan who were previously uninsured to access the care they need in the right place, at the right time and at an affordable price,” said Michigan Health & Hospital Association CEO Brian Peters. “We look forward to the continuation of the Healthy Michigan Plan as we work to improve the health and well-being of all Michigan residents.” Effective in April 2018 under the waiver, program participants with incomes above 100% of the poverty level will have to work with their physicians to adopt healthy behaviors.