Michigan's Medicaid expansion doubles access to primary care

When Michigan elected to expand its Medicaid coverage, the state customized its program to emphasize primary care and preventive health services. Studies are showing the approach is paying off for patients.

The Healthy Michigan Plan, which now covers residents in households with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty line, has helped enrollees find a regular source of care other than a hospital emergency department, improved access to and use of preventive services such as cancer screenings, and reduced forgoing needed care because of cost.

“This adds to the evidence that Medicaid expansion improves access to care and the impact of Medicaid expansion on access to preventive and primary care services is something we should take note of,” said Susan Goold, MD, adding that patients get more “health for the buck” when they get primary care.