As the correlation between physical and behavioral health is becoming increasingly more recognized, policymakers and stakeholders are interested in addressing the health disparities of the Michigan population. Research continues to exemplify that those living with co-occurring physical and behavioral health conditions have higher health care costs while not experiencing better health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exemplified the need for improvement in mental health services, empowering states to modernize current systems to address the co-occurrence of behavioral and physical health issues. Integrating physical and behavioral health care services at all levels of service delivery continues to be of interest to policymakers as a way to address the fragmentation of care that the population faces. As co-occurring behavioral and physical health conditions are becoming more prevalent among Medicaid beneficiaries, policymakers, and healthcare advocates are looking for alternative measures to address the needs of this population. Michigan's current system is siloed regarding coordinating and providing services for Medicaid beneficiaries requiring physical and specialty behavioral health services. Although innovative ways to address this problem continue to emerge throughout the United States, past efforts to financially integrate physical and behavioral health services among Michigan's Medicaid population have failed to move into law. A singular statewide strategy to integrate care has yet to be enacted. This policy analysis aims to assess current Michigan legislative action related to integrating physical and behavioral health care services, compare current legislation to other states' policies, and make recommendations on policy options after thoroughly disseminating information collected and presented. Michigan currently maintains the "status quo" regarding how Medicaid beneficiaries receive their bifurcated physical and mental health services. It may be of interest to policymakers to take a more gradual and incremental approach, collaborating with all stakeholders involved in a system change, to progress closer to the financial integration of physical and behavioral health services with the goals of improving health outcomes, lowering health care costs, and reducing fragmentation of care. The co-occurrence of behavioral and physical health conditions, associated with higher health care costs and lower health outcomes, remains a significant issue for Michigan's population. Integrating physical and behavioral health care services can help reduce the fragmentation of care that this population is facing and improve health outcomes. As past efforts to integrate physical and behavioral health care at the financial level have yet to move past the planning process, it is proposed that policymakers use the lessons learned from previous efforts. It is recommended that a more gradual and incremental approach is taken to progress towards the financial integration of physical and behavioral health care services at this time. Collaboration among all identified stakeholders involved in this system change will be essential to implementing a comprehensive, integrated care system in Michigan.
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