Copper Country Mental Health Services Opposes Proposed Changes by MDHHS

The CCMHS in Houghton County opposes the proposed change to Medicaid for mental health services by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. During the Houghton County Commission July meeting, Copper Country Mental Health Services Director Mike Bach shared why the local department recently passed a resolution opposing proposed changes by MDHHS. Bach says that as the sys currently works in the public sector of mental health services, a single provider can offer the full experience of services from initial consultation to treatment. The department agrees that state conflict of interest regulations should apply to providers such as Copper Country Mental Health Services.

But their concern is that to meet those Conflict of Interest requirements, they have to dismantle the system. And basically what they are proposing is that by this October; A person would go to one place to get their assessment and treatment planning. And to another place to get their services through the community mental health center. At least certain services. And they see that as a way to follow the Conflict of Interest guidelines. – Mike Bach, Director, Copper Country Mental Health Services

For providers like CCMHS and NorthCare Network Bach says that dismantling the system to build again will not necessarily provide the solution the state department seeks due to constricting factors. Additionally, public providers are held accountable through more rigorous measures than private providers. And there is little room for financial error because the public department receives set funding.

We would say that those concerns have already been addressed, in the agreement that the department submitted to the federal government. And it says things like case managers can’t authorize services. Or a person can’t be related to a person that they are providing services to. We also have arrangements where someone can request someone independent to run their planning. Then we also have a robust grievances, appeals, and recipient rights process. So we are saying that has already been addressed.  – Mike Bach, Director, Copper Country Mental Health Services

A third point made by the Copper Country Mental Health to the State Department notes that the Michigan Mental Health Code requires that public providers act as a sort of one-stop shop for consumers who qualify for programs and services. Added to the lack of other nearby public mental health services providers across the Upper Peninsula, proposed changes would in the end hurt the patients public departments are set up to support. The County Commission will consider adopting a similar resolution to the CCMHS adoption in August while public comment on the changes remains open.