https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2026/08/11/mdhhs-seeks-to-partner-with-local-governments-on-projects-designed-to-address-substance-use-disorder

https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/opioidsettlements/opioid-settlement-matching-initiative

MDHHS seeks to partner with local governments on projects designed to address substance use disorder
By Lana Stebbins - August 11, 2026

Coordinating investments strengthens impact, extends reach of opioid settlement dollars

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has launched a new initiative inviting local governments receiving opioid settlement dollars to propose joint projects to address substance use disorder (SUD) prevention, reduce overdose risk, expand treatment access and support long-term recovery. The initiative encourages governments to identify opportunities for coordinated investment with MDHHS to strengthen community impact and extend the reach of opioid state and local settlement dollars.

“Michigan continues to be a leader in addressing substance use disorder, with the state’s overdose death rate declining by 47% since 2021,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive and chair of the Michigan Opioids Task Force. “Public health officials, state agencies and community partners have been working tirelessly to reverse overdose trends. By pooling our resources and working together, we will be able to save even more lives.”

Michigan is slated to receive more than $1.8 billion from national opioid settlements by 2040, with half being distributed to the State of Michigan and the other half being distributed directly to local governments across the state. Because both levels of government are leveraging these resources to address the same gaps and priorities in responding to substance use, partnering allows for more impactful and sustainable solutions.

“Michigan communities know where local and regional gaps exist and what solutions are needed,” said Thomas Stallworth, MDHHS senior advisor, member of the Michigan Opioid Task Force and leader in Michigan’s response to the opioid crisis. “This initiative is about building on those insights and working together on projects that help both state and local governments move closer to shared goals, whether its preventing addiction, reducing the number of fatal overdoses or creating community supports that help people sustain recovery.”

Through this initiative, local governments may propose collaborative projects that align with Michigan’s statewide overdose strategy and are allowable under national opioid settlement agreements. These include efforts to expand prevention programming for youth, strengthen harm reduction services, build the SUD workforce capacity, improve treatment access and support recovery housing or peer-based services.

“Michigan's counties are leading intentional and community-driven efforts to address the drug overdose crisis, and they understand the unique needs of their residents,” said Amy Dolinky, director of opioid services, Michigan Association of Counties. “This initiative creates an opportunity to maximize the impact of settlement funds and build solutions that are more coordinated, sustainable and responsive to local needs.”

In the first few years of settlement spending, state-local partnerships have naturally emerged, Stallworth said, and this initiative seeks to build on these types of projects and continue to improve coordination on future investments. Examples include:

• William Schma House: A 48-unit permanent supportive recovery housing development in Kalamazoo, designed to provide stable, affordable housing combined with wraparound recovery services to help individuals sustain recovery. This project is slated to begin construction soon and is supported by settlement funds from the state, Kalamazoo County and other partners.
• Harm reduction services: Many cities and counties have leveraged funds to support harm reduction service delivery in their communities. In addition to funding many of these local organizations, MDHHS has leveraged its settlement allocation to make it easy and free for these organizations to order naloxone and other supplies through a statewide portal.
• Technical assistance: Between 2023 and 2025, MDHHS funded a collaborative consisting of Michigan State University, Wayne State University and the University of Michigan to provide technical assistance to counties. This included completing dozens of county needs assessments to inform local planning and spending efforts, hosting several webinars on topics related to settlements and strategic SUD response and evaluation planning. Starting this year, the Michigan Association of Counties received state funding to expand their technical assistance services directly supporting counties with planning and spending their settlement funds.

Today's MDHHS email.

All Providers,

MDHHS is currently experiencing a higher-than-normal volume of claim suspends. We are diligently working to process the claims and ask providers to allow additional time for the claims to be adjudicated. 

To determine why a claim has suspended review the CARC and RARC codes appended to the suspended TCN.

Providers with additional questions should contact Provider Support at 1-800-292-2550 or by email at ProviderSupport@Michigan.gov  

An entire section of the MDHHS website is devoted to Doing Business with MDHHS. From the Billing and Reimbursement file:

"The former MDCH explanation codes are obsolete and are not used for claim adjudication within CHAMPS. Providers must instead refer to the HIPAA compliant Claim Adjustment Reason Codes (CARC) and Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC) available through the CHAMPS claim inquiry process or included with the remittance advice. Please visit the Washington Publishing Company website for a complete listing and description of the HIPAA CARC and RARC codes at www.wpc-edi.com/codes."

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/providers/providers/billingreimbursement/explanation-codes

They may also remember the 2025 legislative hearings on Michigan's failures in Child Protective Services (CPS).
https://mihealthfreedom.org/community/michigan-bill-action/house-subcommittee-hears-about-abuse-failures-in-the-state-child-welfare-system/#post-1729

The latest wrinkle: the State of Michigan declares everything is all better now. The MDHHS press release was Friday, July 31, 2026.
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2026/07/31/mdhhs-achieves-core-pillar-in-latest-misep-report



MDHHS achieves core pillar in latest MISEP report by improving rate of permanency for children in foster care

Long-standing pillar now eligible to exit court jurisdiction

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that it has achieved one of the core pillars of the Modified Implementation, Sustainability and Exit Plan (MISEP) related to child permanency. The MISEP report published today documents improved permanency for children who entered foster care by addressing barriers many parents face as they work their way toward family reunification.

“The safety, stability and well-being of the children in our care remains a top priority,” said Amy Epkey, MDHHS acting director. “Children thrive when they have consistent, caring adults in their lives. Permanency provides more than just placement — it provides a foundation of trust and support.”

In the last monitoring report, which provides an update on improvements the department continues to make to Michigan’s child welfare system, the court’s monitors documents MDHHS’s strategic plan to address identified barriers with a focus on ensuring adequate services, collaborative relationships with judicial partners and family engagement. The plan included:

Parental engagement: Early engagement with parents and caregivers, staff training on engagement services, reduced time to transition to unsupervised parenting time, and expanded options for parenting time through off-site parenting locations and additional hours.

Housing: The provision of funds to assist with housing and rent costs, connecting with community-based housing support, and referrals to MDHHS family resource specialists.

Mental health services: Active efforts to assist parents in obtaining services, ongoing meetings with Community Mental Health (CMH) on identified cases to streamline the referral process and involving clinical review teams.

Substance use: Early engagement of parents and referrals for intervention services, partnering with local CMH to streamline the referral process for treatment and referrals to community-based programs.

Based on this strategic plan and the improved permanency outcomes it generated, the department achieved the permanency commitment, which will be dismissed from court oversight.

Other key areas of progress noted as part of the latest MISEP reporting period of Jan. 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025, include:

Placing siblings together: During the reporting period, 84% of siblings who entered foster care placement at or near the same time were placed together, unless specified exceptions were met.

Sibling visitation: During the reporting period, 89.9% of children who had siblings in custody had at least monthly visits with their siblings who were placed elsewhere in foster care, exceeding the performance standard of 85%.

Medical and mental health examinations for children: During the reporting period, 85.2% of children had an initial medical and mental health examination within 30 days of the child’s entry into foster care, meeting the MISEP goal in this area.

About MISEP:

Federal court monitors have been tracking progress since a 2008 settlement agreement following a 2006 lawsuit filed against the former Michigan Department of Human Services by Children’s Rights. In 2019, the court approved the MISEP.

In January 2024, many requirements in the settlement agreement were eliminated with a stipulated order signed by Judge Nancy G. Edmunds because of the significant and sustained progress made by MDHHS in numerous areas.

In June 2026, the MDHHS filed a motion to terminate the MISEP, reflecting its belief that the department has made sustained progress and built durable systems to protect Michigan children.

To view the latest MISEP report, visit Michigan.gov/ChildWelfareAgreement.

# # #

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2026/07/27/fy27-budget

MDHHS FY27 budget expands behavioral health capacity, provides critical resources to implement federally mandated changes to Medicaid and SNAP, connects families to services and resources
By Lynn Sutfin - July 27, 2026

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) FY 2027 budget of more than $30.7 billion continues the critical work of protecting the health, safety and prosperity of Michigan families.

“This balanced, bipartisan budget helps ensure MDHHS can continue delivering critical services and supports that Michigan’s residents rely on every day,” said Amy Epkey, MDHHS acting director. “We remain committed to keeping kids safe and families together, reducing gun violence, ensuring access to SNAP, protecting Medicaid and continuing our progress in building access to behavioral health care, while maintaining a fiscally responsible budget. We appreciate the work of Governor Whitmer and the legislature in making these crucial investments.”

The department’s FY27 budget investments include:

The FY27 budget builds on last year’s budget, which protected $2.7 billion of core Medicaid services statewide. This fiscal year’s budget includes $168.6 million to prepare the state to meet new federal requirements that make it harder to access food and health care, and continues to fund initiatives to protect access to health care and ensure the sustainability of Medicaid including:

• $94.3 million in increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) administrative cost-sharing from 50% to 75%.
• $54.3 million to support changes to Medicaid and SNAP to comply with federal H.R. 1 requirements.
• $20 million in FY26 supplemental funding for grants to community-based organizations to help individuals secure eligibility for Medicaid and SNAP.
• $33.8 million to begin operating the new Southeast Michigan State Psychiatric Hospital, bringing an estimated 72 new beds (35 adult beds and 37 pediatric beds) online during the first phase of expanded operations this fiscal year.
• $750,000 to help families navigate services and support available to individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. These services connect thousands of children and families to diagnostic and intervention services and vital safety net programs.
• $2.5 million to implement recommendations made by the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force last year, including waiting periods and background checks for all firearm purchases, banning untraceable “ghost guns,” strengthening school and community safety, stronger safe storage polices and prohibiting assault weapons.
• $4 million to establish and support the Home Help Caregiver Council. The council will directly support home help services by strengthening caregiver skills, achieving quality services for participants and improving individual home help caregiver retention through improved job satisfaction leading to better service and health outcomes for more than 60,000 residents receiving Medicaid-funded home help services.
• $351.8 million in FY26 supplemental funding to support minimum wage increases and paid sick leave for direct care workers while maintaining the existing $3.40 per hour wage add-on for services provided to Medicaid recipients.
• $70.5 million for substance use disorder prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery services through the Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund. These investments are part of a statewide strategy designed to save lives and reduce overdose deaths.
• $31.5 million to increase reimbursement for ground emergency medical transportation services provided by public entities.
• $13.5 million for targeted Medicaid enhancements for nursing home capital reimbursement rates, portable x-ray services and private duty nursing services.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2026/07/17/rht-chronic-disease

MDHHS seeks applications for the Rural Health Transformation Program Chronic Disease Collaborative Care Fund
By Laina Stebbins - July 17, 2026

• Strengthening partnerships that support rural health transformation.
• Expanding and stabilizing the workforce needed to sustain community wellness.
• Advancing interoperability so providers can share information and coordinate care effectively.
• Developing models that bring essential services closer to where people live.

All Providers,

Effective January 1, 2027, the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel is deleting the global maternity care CPT codes representative of antepartum, labor and delivery, and postpartum care services (e.g., 59400, 59510, 59620) and transitioning to the reporting of separate CPT codes for services rendered.

The AMA clarified during a June 2026 webinar that current correct coding guidelines require providers to report global codes for routine maternity care services, in most instances, through December 31, 2026. MDHHS will transition to the reporting of separate CPT codes, including the use of evaluation and management (E/M) codes for routine antepartum and postpartum care, for all dates of service occurring on and after January 1, 2027.

A policy bulletin will be published for public comment in September reflecting coding updates for routine maternity care services furnished on and after January 1, 2027. For routine maternity care services provided on and before December 31, 2026, providers are required to adhere to current Medicaid policy as outlined within the MDHHS Medicaid Provider Manual.

Following the money:

1. The AMA gained monopoly power over CPT Codes used for insurance billing. It has a continuous process to update codes, and publishes new manuals every January. With sole publishing rights, AMA sets rates for its many CPT coding products at will. The AMA Store is cagey about posting prices. However, current AI estimates run to $137 for one manual.
2. Michigan requires Medicaid providers to use CPT Codes.
3. This complicates care immeasurably. Remember that time is money; and in healthcare, time is health; as you dip into Michigan's 2,678-page Medicaid Provider Manual for your light reading fix this weekend.
   https://www.mdch.state.mi.us/dch-medicaid/manuals/MedicaidProviderManual.pdf
4. MDHHS educates clinicians on using CPT Codes, thereby promoting this AMA product.

Big picture: CPT is only one of the big three coding systems required in US healthcare.

1. US HHS requires Medicaid providers to use the ICD-10. (ICD-11 is a big global goal with 17,000 more codes. It launched in 2022. So far, we in the US are not requiring it.)
2. ICD coding feeds into an individual Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF) Score for everyone in the Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) system.
3. CMS requires HCPCS Level II coding for supplies, medical equipment, injected or IV drugs, and ambulance services. (HCPCS stands for Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System.)

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2026/07/04/mdhhs-makes-recommendations-on-preventing-foodborne-illness-amid-growing-cyclosporiasis-outbreak

https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/about/index.html

MDHHS makes recommendations on preventing foodborne illness amid growing cyclosporiasis outbreak
By Erin Stover - July 04, 2026

As cyclosporiasis cases continue to rise, with the largest increase occurring in Southeast Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is providing additional recommendations to help prevent foodborne illness related to fresh produce. As of July 4, 2026, no specific produce grower/supplier, or specific produce type has been identified as the source of the outbreak.

In Michigan, the number of reported cases has risen to 572 as of Saturday, July 4, up from 170 on Tuesday, June 30. Cases remain the highest in Monroe, Lenawee, Washtenaw, Wayne, Shiawassee, Jackson, Oakland and Livingston counties. MDHHS is working with local health departments and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and will update information as it becomes available.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite. People can become infected by consuming food or water that contains the parasite. Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes frequent, watery and explosive diarrhea. The time between being exposed and becoming sick is usually about one week but can range from two days to two weeks or more. Untreated, the illness may last from a few days to more than a month. Symptoms may go away and then return.

Cyclosporiasis is not usually life-threatening, but dehydration from frequent bouts of diarrhea can cause severe illness, particularly among younger or older people and those who have weakened immune systems.

Previous outbreaks

• Bagged salad mixes and kits (pre-cut lettuce blends with romaine, iceberg, red cabbage, carrots)
• Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves)
• Fresh basil
• Raspberries
• Snow peas
• Green onions (scallions)

• Lettuce/leafy greens: buy whole heads of lettuce (rather than prewashed, bagged lettuce or salad mixes), throw away the outer 2–3 layers of leaves and wash the inner leaves under running water. For leafy greens that can be cooked, cooking is the safest option.
• Cilantro, basil: Wash thoroughly under running water, separating the leaves. Safest when cooked.
• Green onions: Trim the root end and remove the outer layer, wash thoroughly under running water. Safest when cooked.
• Raspberries: Their bumpy surface makes them especially hard to clean; the parasite can hide in the tiny crevices. Safest when cooked (pies, jams etc.). Consider frozen raspberries as an alternative (freezing may reduce but does not guarantee elimination of the parasite).
• Snow peas: Wash under running water and rub the surface. Safest when cooked.

• Cook when you can. Heating food to 158°F (70°C) or higher kills Cyclospora.
• Wash all fresh produce under clean running water, even if you plan to peel it.

• Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing food.
• Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
• Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
• Wash and sanitize utensils and surfaces before and after handling food. Wash and sanitize display cases and refrigerators where fresh produce is stored.
• Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces and utensils used to prepare, serve or store fresh produce.
• Refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible.

If you do become ill

People experiencing gastrointestinal illness, such as sudden and ongoing diarrhea, are encouraged to contact their health care provider and reach out to their local health department. Cyclosporiasis is treated with antibiotics along with rest and drinking plenty of fluids to maintain hydration.

Additional information is available at About Cyclosporiasis | Cyclosporiasis | CDC.

https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2026/06/22/whitmer-announces-acting-mdhhs-director-staff-promotions

Gov. Whitmer Announces Acting MDHHS Director & Staff Promotions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 22, 2026
Contact: press@michigan.gov

Governor thanks Director Hertel for leading MDHHS as she moves to a new chapter in her career

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Amy Epkey will serve as acting director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The governor also announced additional promotions and hires within the executive office.

“Today, I am proud to announce several talented public servants stepping into new roles to help our administration keep delivering for the people of Michigan," said Governor Whitmer. "Amy Epkey brings decades of experience in state government and a proven record of leadership, and I am confident she will continue the important work of the Department of Health and Human Services. I also want to thank Director Hertel for her dedicated service to our state. Under her leadership, MDHHS helped Michigan navigate unprecedented challenges, expanded access to health care, strengthened behavioral health services, and improved outcomes for families across our state. I am grateful for her partnership and wish her continued success in her next chapter.”

Amy Epkey, Acting Director of MDHHS

Amy Epkey will serve as the acting director of MDHHS beginning July 1. Epkey previously held the senior deputy director position for the Financial Operations Administration at MDHHS, where she oversaw the department's budget, contracts and grants, finance and accounting, audit functions and information technology financial support services. Responsible for overseeing the department’s nearly $40 billion budget, Epkey has played a key role in negotiating with the Legislature on the passage of four bipartisan balanced budgets, developing and leading the implementation of strategic priorities, and ensuring alignment across all levels of the department.

Epkey has held numerous roles across departments in state government. She served as senior deputy director for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), where she oversaw the department’s annual budget, helped develop and implement EGLE’s strategic plan, coordinated its training and outreach efforts and legal services and testified before the state Legislature on priority issues, among other duties. She also worked for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, where she eventually served simultaneously as policy advisor to the department director and the department’s budget officer.

Epkey has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University.

After leading the department since 2021, Director Hertel has announced her last day at MDHHS will be June 30. Under Director Hertel’s leadership, the department has built out the community behavioral health continuum of care and designed two state-of-the-art state psychiatric hospitals, launched the Keep Kids Safe Action Agenda and redesigned the way children’s services are delivered through the CSA teaming model, implemented substance use disorder programming which lowered the overdose death rate by 47 percent since 2021, protected residents access to Medicaid and SNAP, created scholarships and stipends to build the health care workforce, and recorded Michigan’s lowest infant mortality rate in its history in 2025.

Karen Kudelko, Director of Federal Affairs

Karen Kudelko will serve as director of federal affairs for Governor Whitmer, leading the administration's engagement with federal agencies, Congress, and key national stakeholders. She previously served as senior deputy director of federal affairs, overseeing issues including energy, environment, Great Lakes, defense, homeland security, and judiciary matters.

She was previously a communications officer on issues of children and families, science, and local giving with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation in Los Altos, California. Prior to that, she served as senior counsel and policy advisor to the late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings and the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, covering criminal justice, civil rights, voting rights, and immigration. Karen started her career in policy as an associate at the DC law firm Squire Patton Boggs, LLP. A Michigan native, she spent her first year as a lawyer in Michigan's Thumb area, serving survivors of domestic violence in civil matters with Lakeshore Legal Aid.

Karen holds a Juris Doctorate from Yale University and completed her undergrad at Brown University.

Kristina Pinault, Communications Senior Advisor

Kristina Pinault has been promoted to communications senior advisor. She first joined the Executive Office of the Governor in 2025 as communications research director. Before working in the governor’s office, Kristina worked at an accountability watchdog group and in the United States Senate. Kristina is a graduate of Catholic University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics with minors in Spanish, Philosophy, Theology, and Latin American Studies.

Kylie Spagnuolo, Policy Analyst

Kylie Spagnuolo has been promoted to policy analyst. She previously served in the policy assistant and correspondence assistant roles in the Executive Office of the Governor. Before that, Kylie worked as the operations manager and then a legislative advisor for Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a dual degree in Political Science and International Studies.

Andrew Yaklin, Office and Correspondence Assistant

Andrew Yaklin joined the Constituent Services division as an Office and Correspondence Assistant. Before joining the Executive Office of Governor Whitmer, he served as an Organizer for the Michigan Democratic Party, a Junior Legislative Aide for State Senator Kevin Hertel, and as a contractor for the Michigan Vital Records Office. Andrew attended Grand Valley State University, working to receive a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Government.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2026/06/08/eat-safe

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/topics/eatsafefish/find-your-area

Michigan releases 2026 Eat Safe Fish Guides about local fish consumption
June 08, 2026

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has released the 2026 Eat Safe Fish Guides to help Michigan residents choose fish that are best for them and their families to eat.

The Eat Safe Fish Guides provide consumption guidelines for eating locally caught fish. Guidelines are based on levels of chemicals found in the portions of fish people eat, typically the filets. Test results from the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories are used to determine what can be safe for people to eat over the long term.

“There are many health benefits to eating fish and the Eat Safe Fish Guides provide consumption recommendations based on the levels of certain chemicals found in fish in waterbodies across the state,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Michigan families can use these guidelines to help make healthy choices about the fish they eat.”

In total, the guides provide consumption guidelines for 696 Michigan waterbodies. This year, there were 59 guidelines that were relaxed and 65 that became more protective than previous years.

MDHHS Eat Safe Fish Guides are not laws or regulations. They provide free guidance to help people choose fish that are safe to eat and less likely to affect their health due to harmful chemicals. The Eat Safe Fish Guides use lab test results to provide specific fish and waterbody consumption guidelines in an easy-to-use format. The guidelines are set to be protective of all individuals, including children, pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with health issues including cancer and diabetes.

MDHHS also produces the Buy Safe Fish Guide to help residents choose seafood lower in mercury from local grocery stores, fish markets and restaurants. The Eat Safe Fish Guides and Buy Safe Fish Guide are available at Michigan.gov/EatSafeFish.

For more information on how to buy, eat or prepare safe fish, or to get the 2026 Eat Safe Fish Guide for your region, visit Michigan.gov/EatSafeFish and select Find Your Area or call the MDHHS Environmental Health Bureau at 800-648-6942.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2026/06/01/medicare-fraud-prevention-week-highlights-need-to-combat-fraud-and-abuse