Current and former Medicaid members invited to join statewide advisory committee

NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
************************

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is seeking members for the Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC), a new committee that will allow Michigan Medicaid members to share experiences about services received through Medicaid. The department is forming the BAC in compliance with the CMS Final Rule published May 10, 2024.

“MDHHS is recruiting community members with lived experience to discuss barriers to care for those receiving Medicaid services,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “The BAC will empower its members by providing a forum to openly discuss their experiences receiving Medicaid services. These discussions will be extremely valuable in shaping current and future Medicaid policy.”

MDHHS is seeking approximately 15 members for the BAC, who will be selected based on submitted application responses with the goal of representing diverse communities throughout Michigan. Current and former Medicaid beneficiaries residing in Michigan are eligible, as well as paid or unpaid caregivers of Medicaid beneficiaries. Compensation is available to members for their participation.

BAC members may also participate in quarterly Medical Care Advisory Council (MCAC) meetings. The MCAC committee consists of MDHHS leadership, health professionals serving Medicaid beneficiaries and members of consumer organizations.

Members of the BAC will contribute in the following ways:

• Vote on aspects of the BAC, including its name and bylaws.
• Identify barriers to care that exist for Medicaid members throughout the state.
• Address existing social determinants of health for the people MDHHS serves.
• Listen to and understand experiences shared at BAC meetings, and relay key information to MDHHS leadership at MCAC meetings to influence policies impacting Medicaid members.