Breaking Behavioral
Health Barriers
Every Michigander Deserves Access to Quality Behavioral Health Care When & Where They Need It.
Demand for services continues to grow, while a workforce shortage, unnecessary barriers, and inadequate resources limit providers' ability to meet that need.
In the face of a growing mental health crisis, our shared commitment to improving health outcomes, reducing unnecessary healthcare costs, and ensuring transparency in government actions has never been more critical. Community-based care is essential for individuals with behavioral health conditions because it shifts the locus of care from hospitals and jails back to the community and ensures that all people have access to interconnected services that promise better behavioral health outcomes for all Michiganders. Let's work together to create a more efficient, equitable, and accessible behavioral health system in Michigan.
MI Care Council By the Numbers
Michiganders Served
Behavioral Health Workforce Members
Non MDHHS Funding
Total Annual Revenue
Volunteer Board Members
Michigan Counties Served
OUR VISION
Expanding Access to Behavioral Health for All
Expand CCBHCs and Include Nonprofits
Michigan must unlock the potential of nonprofit providers by expanding the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) model to ensure comprehensive, high-quality behavioral health services are available across the state. Nonprofits have the infrastructure and expertise to provide care but are often not included in critical opportunities. This must change.
• Qualify every provider that meets CCBHC requirements and implement alternative methods for providers that don't.
• Protect specialty services, like substance use disorder care, and ensure client choice in service providers.
• Establish a fair, transparent system for setting reimbursement rates that promotes service quality and sustainability.
Ensure Transparency and Safeguards in Behavioral Health Funding
PIHPs and CMHSPs face potential conflicts of interest as funders and service providers. This dual role can hinder transparency, fair competition, and resource allocation. The system must prioritize independent oversight, ensure safeguards are in place to prevent biased decisions, and ensure all providers operate on a level playing field.
• Place safeguards to ensure transparency, including separation of roles between funders and service providers, with clear service delivery and accountability guidelines.
• Establish a fair dispute resolution mechanism that provides an impartial process for addressing conflicts, prevents retaliation, and ensures providers have a voice.
Address Administrative Burdens and Streamline Systems
Michigan's mental health providers are drowning in paperwork and red tape, leaving them little time for direct patient care. Simplifying these processes will allow providers to focus on what matters most: their patients.
• Revise Medicaid billing guidelines to reduce paperwork.
• Implement a universal audit and training system to streamline administrative requirements.
• Ensure consistent documentation standards across all services.
Ensure Fair Rates and Funding to Attract Skilled Providers
The current rate-setting process must account for the true costs of delivering quality care.
• Michigan must set market-reflective rates that allow providers to invest in infrastructure and attract skilled professionals.
• Standardize rates to ensure consistency and fairness across the state.
• Increase Medicaid reimbursement rates to close workforce gaps and improve access to care.
Stabilize and Grow Michigan's Mental Health Workforce
To meet the growing demand for services, we need a strong, consistent pipeline of mental health professionals. The state must invest in workforce development to stabilize this critical sector.
• Eliminate administrative burdens to make the field more attractive and reduce clinician burnout.
• Develop peer support specialist training programs and provide stipends for interns in marginalized and rural areas.
• Increase reimbursement rates and add value-based bonus payments to reward quality care and incentivize providers.
TOGETHER
Expanding Access to Behavioral Health for All
Together, we can transform Michigan's behavioral health landscape into one that is more equitable, accessible, and effective for all.
By integrating comprehensive care for our most vulnerable communities, enhancing the quality and accessibility of services, and fostering fair support for community-based providers, we can ensure that every Michigander has access to the care they need, where they need it.
Our commitment to protecting consumer choice, optimizing public funds for the greatest community benefit, and driving comprehensive reform based on evidence-based models marks a clear path forward. Solving the mental health crisis demands system-wide change, breaking the cycle of unmet needs to transition from crisis to routine care.
More people are getting care, but we need more resources to get more people care. Let's work collectively to create a vibrant behavioral health ecosystem by removing the barriers.
