WeVote
Log In

Bill

NA

Bill

HB 5171

Human services: medical services; coverage for mental health screenings during postpartum period; require. Amends sec. 109 of 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.109).

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Noah Arbit and 18 co-sponsors

Medicaid must cover postpartum mental health screenings, with private insurers required to cover them, expanding screening at followups and well-child visits.

assigned PA 248'24
#humanservices:medicalservices #mentalhealth:other
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5171

Summary — HB 5171 (Public Act 248 of 2024)

Status: Enacted (Act No. 248, Public Acts of 2024). Approved by Governor Jan 21, 2025; effective April 2, 2025. (References and related bills: HBs 5169 and 5170 — tie‑barred package addressing postpartum mental health screenings and coverage.)

Purpose

To require that mental health screenings during the postpartum period be included among medical services covered under Michigan’s Social Welfare Act (Medicaid), by adding a cross-reference to the new postpartum screening provisions in the Public Health Code (MCL 333.9137).

Key provisions

  • HB 5171 amends section 109 of the Social Welfare Act (MCL 400.109) to list “mental health screenings during the postpartum period as described in section 9137 of the Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.9137” as a covered medical service for eligible individuals.
  • HB 5171 is part of a three‑bill package:
    • HB 5169 (Public Health Code) requires health professionals in pediatric and obstetric/gynecologic settings to offer postpartum mental health screenings at follow‑up or well‑child visits when the provider determines screening is appropriate; allows DHHS to develop a screening tool or providers to use evidence‑based tools; permits providers to offer DHHS‑developed resources, educational materials, treatment options, referrals, and other supports. (Provisions in HB 5169 were to apply beginning Jan 1, 2026.)
    • HB 5170 requires private health insurers to cover the postpartum mental health screenings described in HB 5169.
  • “Health professional” is defined consistent with licensure/authorization under Article 15 (occupations) of the Public Health Code.
  • DHHS may develop and distribute screening tools and resource materials; providers may use evidence‑based screening instruments.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Medicaid‑eligible individuals who have recently given birth (postpartum mothers).
  • Providers: Pediatricians, obstetricians/gynecologists, other licensed health professionals who may be asked to offer screenings or use the DHHS tool.
  • Payers: Michigan Medicaid program (DHHS) — required to cover screenings; private health insurers (per HB 5170) — required to provide coverage.
  • State agencies: DHHS may incur costs to develop, implement, and maintain screening tools and resource materials; local units may face training or administrative costs.

Fiscal impact and assumptions

  • DHHS: Potential (indeterminate) cost if DHHS develops/implements a screening tool; otherwise minimal.
  • Medicaid: Multiple nonpartisan estimates provided:
    • Upper‑bound FY 2025–26 impact estimated at about $4.2 million Gross ($1.5 million GF/GP) using Michigan Medicaid fee schedule comparators (CPT 90791).
    • Alternative estimates (House Fiscal Agency) using median national reimbursements and historic Medicaid birth counts produce lower annual estimates (for example, roughly $2.3M Gross / ~$789K GF/GP under one set of assumptions).
  • Cost estimates depend on assumptions about: number of postpartum women screened (Medicaid‑financed births ~36,000–39,500 depending on data year), reimbursement per encounter, and whether screenings are billed at psychiatric diagnostic evaluation rates or lower reimbursement codes. FMAP ~65.3% used in calculations.

Timeline / Implementation notes

  • HB 5171 (Social Welfare Act amendment) was enacted as PA 248 of 2024 and took effect April 2, 2025.
  • The substantive screening and offer requirements set out in HB 5169 were slated in committee language to apply beginning January 1, 2026; providers should consult DHHS guidance for the effective implementation timeline and any DHHS‑issued screening tools or protocols.
  • HB 5170 (insurance coverage requirement) is tie‑barred to HB 5169; the three bills operate together to (1) require offering screenings, (2) require insurer coverage, and (3) require Medicaid coverage.

Practical effect

The law ensures postpartum mental health screenings are an explicitly covered Medicaid service and, together with companion bills, seeks to increase detection and referral for postpartum depression, anxiety, and related conditions by creating screening opportunities at well‑child and postpartum follow‑up visits and by encouraging standardized tools and provider resources.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.