HIDE SNP Michigan Coordinated Health

Michigan Changed How It Manages Dual-Eligible Care in 2026

On January 1, 2026, Michigan transitioned its MI Health Link program — the integrated care system for people enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid — to a new model called MI Coordinated Health (MICH). The new program operates as a Highly Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, or HIDE SNP.

If your parent receives both Medicare and Medicaid benefits, this change affects how their hospital discharge, rehab placement, home care, and long-term care services are coordinated and paid for.

What Actually Changed

MI Health Link combined Medicare and Medicaid services under a single managed care plan in selected Michigan regions. MICH continues that integration but restructures it under concurrent 1915(b) and 1915(c) waiver authorities, with approved HIDE SNPs managing a unified capitated contract that covers physical health, behavioral health, and home- and community-based long-term supports.

The practical difference for families: MICH brings a broad range of physical health, behavioral health, pharmacy, home- and community-based services, and nursing-home care into one program. Ask the plan which services, network rules, and authorizations apply to your parent's discharge.

Where MICH Is Available

The program launched in January 2026 in selective pilot regions, including Wayne County, Macomb County, southwest Michigan, and the Upper Peninsula. Statewide expansion is scheduled for January 2027.

If your parent is dual-eligible and lives outside a MICH pilot region, they are still managed under the existing separate Medicare and Medicaid structures until expansion reaches their area.

Tier 1 vs. Tier 2: Why It Matters for Discharge

MICH uses two capitation tiers that determine how services are paid for:

Tier 1 — Nursing Facility Residents. Applies to individuals currently residing in a nursing home.

Tier 2 — Community-Based Waiver Recipients. Applies to individuals receiving home- and community-based long-term care services under the 1915(c) waiver component.

When a hospital is planning your parent's discharge, ask the MICH plan how it will coordinate the applicable post-acute services, clinical assessment, network arrangements, and any needed durable medical equipment.

What Dual-Eligible Families Need to Do

Check whether your parent is enrolled. If your parent is in a MICH service area and was previously enrolled in MI Health Link, check the transition notice or plan card to see whether they moved into MICH. Contact Michigan Enrolls at 1-800-975-7630 to verify enrollment and plan assignment.

Understand the network restrictions. Like any managed care plan, MICH requires your parent to use in-network providers for most services. If your parent has established relationships with physicians or home care agencies that are not in the MICH plan's network, those relationships may need to change or require out-of-network authorization.

Coordinate with the plan during discharge. If your parent is hospitalized, contact the MICH plan's care coordinator directly — do not rely solely on the hospital's discharge planner. Early engagement helps confirm coverage, network, and authorization requirements.

The Hospital-to-Home in Michigan guide includes a section on navigating the dual-eligible landscape, with guidance on MICH enrollment, the Tier 1/Tier 2 distinction, and how to work with the plan's care coordinator during a hospital crisis.

See more Michigan guides →