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HB 5170

Insurance: health insurers; coverage for mental health screenings for new mothers; require. Amends 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.100 - 500.8302) by adding sec. 3406oo.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Abraham Aiyash and 28 co-sponsors

Michigan insurers must cover postpartum mental health screenings for new mothers, per Public Health Code 333.9137; effective only if HB 5169 is enacted.

assigned PA 247'24
#insurance:healthinsurers #mentalhealth:other
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Bill Summary · HB 5170

Summary — HB 5170 (Enrolled as Public Act 247 of 2024)

Status: Enrolled House Bill No. 5170 → Public Act No. 247 (Filed with Secretary of State Jan 21, 2025). Effective date listed: April 2, 2025. The act is tie‑barred to House Bill 5169 (Public Health Code provisions); HB 5170 does not take effect unless HB 5169 is enacted.

Main purpose

Require health insurers that deliver, issue, or renew health insurance policies in Michigan to provide coverage for postpartum mental health screenings as described in section 333.9137 of the Public Health Code. HB 5170 is part of a three‑bill package (HBs 5169–5171) addressing maternal mental health screening, insurer coverage, and Medicaid coverage.

Key provisions

  • Adds section 3406oo to the Insurance Code (1956 PA 218; MCL 500.100 et seq.).
  • Requires insurers that deliver, issue for delivery, or renew health insurance policies in Michigan to cover mental health screenings during the postpartum period “as described in section 9137 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.9137.”
  • The operative scope and timing of covered screenings are defined by the referenced Public Health Code provision (HB 5169), which directs how and when screenings are to be offered and what related resources may be provided.

Related Public Health Code provisions (HB 5169)

  • Under HB 5169, health professionals in pediatric or obstetric/gynecologic settings must offer a mental health screening at a follow‑up appointment or well‑child visit during the postpartum period if the clinician determines screening is appropriate. Other clinicians may also offer screenings at follow‑up visits or until the child is 12 months old.
  • DHHS may develop an official screening tool; clinicians may use evidence‑based screening instruments.
  • If screening indicates need, clinicians may provide DHHS‑developed resources, information on conditions/symptoms, treatment options, and referrals.

Who is affected

  • Health insurers writing in Michigan (private/commercial carriers): required to cover postpartum mental health screenings.
  • Insured individuals who have given birth (postpartum mothers): increased insurance coverage for screenings.
  • Health care providers and DHHS: DHHS may incur costs if it develops a screening tool; providers will implement offering/screening practices per the Public Health Code.
  • Medicaid recipients: separate but related bill (HB 5171) addresses Medicaid coverage of screenings.

Fiscal impact & implementation

  • Fiscal analyses indicate HB 5170 itself carries no direct fiscal impact on state or local government.
  • DHHS may incur costs if it elects to develop/implement a screening tool; local units may face administrative/training costs.
  • Medicaid coverage (HB 5171) estimated potential gross cost in analyses (upper‑bound estimates cited in committee reports), but those costs apply to the Medicaid bill, not HB 5170.

Legislative/procedural timeline (selected)

  • Introduced: Oct 17, 2023 (House)
  • Passed House (with substitute H‑1): June 26, 2024
  • Passed Senate: Dec 19, 2024
  • Approved by Governor / filed with Secretary of State: Jan 21, 2025
  • Assigned Public Act No. 247 of 2024; effective date listed as April 2, 2025 — contingent on enactment of HB 5169.

Notes

  • The insurance coverage mandate references the Public Health Code provision for specifics. The statutory obligation for insurers to cover screenings will only be effective to the extent the underlying Public Health Code requirements (HB 5169) are enacted and operative, per the act’s enacting section.
  • The bills were advanced as a package to expand detection and referral for postpartum mental health conditions (rationale: high incidence of postpartum mood symptoms and gaps in postpartum visit attendance).

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

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