Care Coordination/Care Management in Michigan
In order to enhance the quality of care provided to its residents, the state of Michigan has created incentives to reward Medicaid beneficiaries who practice positive health behaviors. The law also includes several pay for performance initiatives for Medicaid contracting health maintenance organization.1 Michigan has several laws that promote patient management of care. State law has established an Office of Health and Medical Affairs to promote informed decision making, by publishing data regarding health policy, health status and health needs.2 Michigan law requires the Commissioner of the Insurance Department to produce a consumer’s guide to health insurance organizations that includes information such as, national accreditation or status of accreditation and quality of care for each insurance company.3 State law also mandates health facilities or health care centers to post information on patients’ rights and responsibilities in a public place informing patients of their right to refuse treatments and to receive information on their condition, recovery, and treatment.4 Physicians are also required to provide patients information regarding their treatment, and in certain cases, on alternate treatment options if the patients are found to have advanced illnesses.5 The Department of Community Health must come up with a standardized written summary of the information that physicians are required to provide to patients with advanced illnesses.6 In addition, Michigan law provides patients the opportunity to designate a patient advocate to make health care decisions on behalf of the patient.7
The state also has specific informed consent laws for treatment purposes. For example, Michigan requires physicians to obtain a patient’s informed consent before administering an HIV test. The informed consent must contain specific information outlined by the Department of Community Health, and must be noted in the patient’s medical record.8 Physicians must also comply with strict informed consent laws before performing an abortion,9 and performing genetic tests.10 The state also authorizes minors to provide informed consent to substance abuse treatment, even without parental consent.11
In an effort to coordinate care, Michigan has passed the Prudent Purchaser Act, which allows health care organizations and providers to enter into agreements in order to control costs, utilization, and quality.12 In addition, the state has enhanced its efforts to manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes. Michigan requires all health care corporations in the state to develop a diabetes prevention program to be used by providers to discuss prevention and treatment options with patients.13
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