Healthy Michigan Patients: Complete Your Health Risk Assessment by March 31

Up to 20,000 Michigan residents, including as many as 6,000 in the Kalamazoo area, could lose their Medicaid expansion health insurance coverage if they don’t complete a health risk assessment by the end of March.

“Without immediate action, hundreds of patients in the Kalamazoo area may lose their health insurance coverage under Healthy Michigan,” said Dennis Means, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Family Health Center. “We’re urging patients to check with their healthcare provider immediately and, if necessary, complete their health risk assessment.”

Healthy Michigan is an expansion of Medicaid made possible under the Affordable Care Act. According to Dr. Means, the state program received a federal waiver in 2015 requiring enrollees with incomes of 100 percent to 138 percent of the federal poverty level and not medically frail to participate in at least one “healthy behavior,” such as exercise, a healthy diet or smoking cessation. Without a health risk assessment to confirm it, about 3 percent of the state’s 679,000 enrollees could be forced out of the program.

“We want to make sure our community’s most vulnerable residents who meet Healthy Michigan standards do everything necessary to keep their coverage,” Dr. Means said.

Healthy Michigan patients can complete the health risk assessment with their primary care physician or by making an appointment with Family Health Center. Dr. Means said patients can schedule an appointment by calling (269) 349-2641 or stop by an FHC clinic for a same-day appointment.

On March 20, Dr. Means spoke on WKZO Radio about the health risk assessment. You can listen to his interview here:

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