New Medicaid Requirements: Standardized Assessments & Referral Process for Mental Health Providers
Beginning October 1, 2025, all qualified mental health providers participating in Michigan’s Medicaid program and contracted with Medicaid Health Plans (MHPs) and/or Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) will need to incorporate into their practice:
- Use of standardized tools to assess the level of mental health need of Comprehensive Health Care Program (CHCP) enrollees seeking mental health services.
- MichiCANS Screener for children and youth (under 21)
- LOCUS tool for adults (21 and older)
- A standardized referral process for mental health services, including the use of a new referral platform.
Training for Standardized Assessments
Training on both tools will be free and is required for staff who complete the assessments, as well as their supervisors.
- LOCUS: Training will be online and self-paced. MDHHS will share the training link when available.
- MichiCANS: Providers must complete the TCOM Training before registering for the Overview Training. Registration instructions are available here.
Beginning in October 2026, MHPs will begin covering additional mental health services for enrollees with lower levels of mental health need. Providers of these services should prepare to contract with MHPs and PIHPs for coverage effective October 1, 2026.
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Contact your Yeo & Yeo advisor with questions or for help navigating these changes.