Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan advocates for Medicaid funding support in 2024

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan made a strong case for the importance of Medicaid funding during a recent Michigan House Appropriations meeting. Chris Craft, the director of government relations for Blue Cross, and Todd Anderson, market president for Blue Cross Complete, presented their support for the 2024 appropriation aimed at ensuring actuarial soundness for Michigan health plans.

Anderson highlighted the significant growth of Blue Cross Complete, which has expanded from 88,000 members in 2015 to nearly 300,000 today, including approximately 120,000 children. He emphasized the competitive landscape of Medicaid plans in Michigan, noting that there are eight plans in the Lower Peninsula and one in the Upper Peninsula, all striving to deliver value to their members.

A key point of the presentation was the allocation of funds, with 93% of Blue Cross Complete's expenditures last year directed towards healthcare providers, including doctors, hospitals, and pharmaceutical costs. Anderson also pointed out the organization's achievement of a perfect score on the MDH Apple ratings, which assess the quality of health plans.

The discussion underscored the critical role of Medicaid in providing access to quality healthcare for Michigan residents, with both Craft and Anderson expressing a commitment to partnering with the state to improve health outcomes. The proposed appropriation is seen as vital for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of Medicaid services in Michigan.