MedicaidAdministrativeMedium impact
MMP 26-25: Revision to Home Help Comprehensive Assessment Policy
Michigan Medicaid - MDHHS·MI · Geriatrics·Medical Policy
Effective date
Aug 1, 2026
We identified it
Jul 2, 2026
Summary
Michigan Medicaid is replacing in-person home comprehensive assessments with phone interviews for Home Help clients transferring to new counties, but only when the client changes providers or household composition changes affecting IADL proration. Home Help payments cannot be authorized until the phone interview is completed. This streamlines the assessment process while maintaining eligibility controls.
Action Required
By July 31, 2026: Billing and Home Help authorization teams must update internal procedures and case management systems to reflect the new phone interview requirement replacing in-person assessments. Specifically: (1) Remove requirement for in-person home visits when clients transfer counties; (2) Implement conditional logic—phone interview with assigned MDHHS ASW is required ONLY if provider changes OR household composition changes affecting IADL proration; (3) Update authorization workflows to confirm phone interview completion BEFORE authorizing Home Help payments in the new county; (4) Train front-office and billing staff on the two triggering conditions; (5) Update claim submission templates and provider communications. Failure to implement this change may result in improper claim denials or authorization delays after August 1, 2026. Verify with MDHHS Provider Support (800-292-2550 for Typical Providers; 800-979-4662 for Atypical Providers) if clarification is needed on IADL proration changes.