NEWS RELEASE: Genesee Health Plan to help residents understand health care coverage following federal ruling against work requirements

Healthy Michigan Plan work requirements deemed ‘unlawful’ by federal judge, GHP to serve as resource for Genesee County families navigating health care needs

FLINT – Genesee Health Plan (GHP) is offering its expertise and assistance to Genesee County residents navigating health care coverage following the federal court ruling to suspend the Healthy Michigan Plan (Medicaid expansion) work requirements.

“Genesee Health Plan’s priority is to make sure people get the health coverage they need or keep their current health coverage and know how to use it,” said GHP President and CEO Jim Milanowski. “If anyone needs help understanding their health care coverage, or needs assistance applying for or re-enrolling in Healthy Michigan, we encourage them to schedule an appointment at our office so we can help.”

This month a federal judge ruled the Healthy Michigan Plan work requirements as ‘unlawful.’ Due to the ruling, the roughly 10,000 Genesee County residents who receive Healthy Michigan Plan coverage will not be required to report 80 hours of work or other qualifying activities each month.

“We want to make sure families understand any changes to their health care so they can continue to live healthy lives,” said Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich. “Genesee Health Plan is a vital community resource for helping Genesee County families and residents with their health care coverage needs.”

“As a small business owner and farmer, I understand how important it is for families to have health care coverage so employees and their families can stay healthy,” said Rep. Mike Mueller. “Genesee Health Plan is an invaluable community resource for helping Genesee County residents and families navigate health care coverage options.”

This ruling comes after similar Medicaid work requirement laws in Arkansas, Kentucky and New Hampshire had been blocked by federal court rulings. The change took effect immediately. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is notifying individuals with Healthy Michigan Plan coverage of the work requirement change online, by mail, and by phone throughout March 2020.

Individuals who are required to report work activities for other MDHHS programs, such as food or cash assistance, must continue to follow those program reporting requirements. If an individual has questions about their program reporting requirements, they are encouraged to contact their local MDHHS office. Additionally, for all MDHHS programs, an individual must continue to report changes of address, birth of a child, death, marriage or divorce or change in income.

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Genesee Health Plan (GHP) is Genesee County’s plan for better health which began with the vision to have a community where each person has equal and affordable opportunity to live a healthy life. GHP is a nonprofit health care organization that was launched in 2001 to provide health care coverage and life-saving services to the uninsured residents of Genesee County. The plan has provided more than 90,000 county residents with doctor’s visits, cancer screenings, prescription drugs, x-rays and many more life-saving services since 2001. Learn more about GHP at geneseehealthplan.org or call 844.232.7740.