Michigan free family planning program reaches 20K in 1st year, health dept. says

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After launching its “Plan First!” program just over a year ago, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the program has provided family planning services to nearly 20,000 residents.

In order to apply for coverage, Michigan residents must complete a Medicaid application through the MI Bridges portal or by submitting a paper form .

More information on Plan First! benefits and services are available at Michigan.gov/PlanFirst .

“In Michigan, we continue to do all we can to protect and expand access to reproductive freedom,” MDHHS director Elizabeth Hertel said in a statement. “All families should have the resources they need to decide when and if they want to start a family and access to other important health care services including birth control, cancer screenings and STI testing. Plan First! was an important step in our efforts to increase access to health care coverage and eligible individuals are urged to apply for coverage to ensure access to reproductive health care.”

The program is a limited Medicaid benefit which covers family planning services for individuals who do not qualify for traditional Medicaid. It covers U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved contraceptive products and natural family planning methods, as well as pregnancy testing and counseling, sexually transmitted infection services, some cancer screenings, voluntary sterilization procedures and follow-up care, HIV post-exposure prophylaxis and pre-exposure prophylaxis, vaccines and other preconception health services.

Plan First! coverage is available to individuals of any age or gender who are not pregnant at the time of application, are U.S. citizens or qualified immigrants, are Michigan residents and are not covered by another Medicaid benefit. Applicants must also meet income eligibility requirements, with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

All enrollees in the program have free choice for family planning providers and can access services from any qualified Medicaid-enrolled provider, including Title X family planning clinics, local health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Tribal Health Centers and primary care or obstetrical providers. Additionally, individuals who qualify for Plan First! can also enroll in coverage on the Health Care Marketplace .

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