Dual Eligibles - Why can't Michigan be more like Ohio?

Ohio, along with at least 25 other states including Michigan, has developed a plan to coordinate care for people who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Michigan's plan has not yet been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), but CMS has approved Ohio's plan. Michigan's draft plan so far covers all populations in the state, including people with developmental disabilities, and is more ambitious and radical in its approach. The final plan will be reviewed by the Michigan legislature before it is submitted to CMS.

Ohio, wisely, I think, has limited its plan for Dual Eligibles geographically to 29 of its 88 counties. It will not include people residing in Intermediate Care Facilities for the Intellectually Disabled (ICFs/ID) or people who receive services through a Medicaid waiver (such as Michigan's Habilitation Supports Waiver for people with DD). Anyone will be able to leave the program at any time.

This information comes from the Capitol Insider, 12/17/12, a publication of the National Arc:

Medicaid – News for individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid in Ohio

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) negotiated the third Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ohio to test a new model for providing person-centered, coordinated care to individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (dually eligible). Ohio’s demonstration will cover individuals who are dually eligible in 29 counties and will begin in September 2013. Over 100,000 dually eligible individuals will be eligible to receive their health care and long term services through managed care. Individuals with developmental disabilities, who reside in intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICFs/ID) or receive services through a Medicaid waiver, will not be eligible for the program. The companies chosen by Ohio to manage the program are Molina Healthcare, Aetna, UnitedHealthGroup, the Buckeye Community Health Plan run by Centene, and an alliance between Humana and CareSource, a non-profit health plan. People will be able to leave the program at any time or choose another plan. Ohio follows Massachusetts and Washington in negotiating MOUs with CMS.

Here is more information on Dual Eligibles in Michigan.