✯ Legal and Other Updates ✯

Dear MMHCA Members and All Michigan LPCs,

✯ Legal Update ✯

We finally get to say the words many of you have been waiting for… 

It’s done.

The legal disputes over MMHCA’s leadership have been resolved. Judge Sullivan of the Wayne County Court has confirmed that the undersigned are the official Board of MMHCA. Once the organization's materials have been transferred, the matter is concluded, and we can now turn our full attention to serving you and advancing our profession.

We are deeply grateful for your patience and support during these past two years. This has been a challenging period, and we know it has tested the trust of many. Our commitment moving forward is to transparency, accountability, and rebuilding MMHCA as a trusted and unified voice for Michigan’s Licensed Professional Counselors.

Looking ahead, we are excited to focus on the work that truly matters; addressing issues like the Counseling Compact, insurance claw-backs, and the Michigan Mental Health Framework. These are critical challenges for our profession, and we want you with us as we take them on.

For those who wish to review the court rulings that brought this dispute to a close, you can find them here:  https://www.mmhcanow.org/election-court-orders

We invite you to rejoin and re-engage with MMHCA as we begin this new chapter together. Please take a moment to visit https://mmhcanow.org to renew or start your membership. Your support is essential to our mission of empowering counselors to make a difference in the lives of Michiganders.

✯ MMHCA Member Benefits ✯

Members are offered 3 free consultation groups each month. Member dues are used to fund two lobbyists from Acuitas. MMHCA is the only organization in Michigan that funds lobbyists for LPCs. We have teamed up with NASW to work to limit clawbacks in Michigan (currently clawbacks can happen for an unlimited number of years in MI - our goal is to limit it to one year or less). We helped found a coalition of professional organizations with NASW and more. We welcome you to join MMHCA at MMHCANOW.org

✯ Medicaid ✯

There are some significant changes happening with Medicaid. Starting 10/1/25 any clients who have Medicaid health insurance will be required to be assessed with either the MichiCANS (for people up to 21 years old) or the LOCUS (for people 21 years old and older.) MDHHS is currently offering training for the MichiCANS. 

Starting 10/1/26 it is our understanding that if a client who has Medicaid health insurance scores a certain score or above on either of these two assessments, the client will then have to be referred to a CMH.

Please go the the following website to learn more and to register for the MichiCANS training:   https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/mihealthylife/mental-health-framework       

If you have questions about the new Mental Health Framework please email MDHHS at MDHHS-MentalHlthFramework@michigan.gov

Meridian Medicaid - out of network

Effective September 1, 2025, Meridian will implement a prior authorization requirement for services received from out-of-network Behavioral Health (BH) providers. 

Please note - this requirement does not apply to emergency room care, urgent care, or services provided at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), or Tribal Health Centers (THCs).

You can view the full update on Meridian's website here: Prior Authorization for Out of Network Behavioral Health Services

✯ Counseling Compact Survey Results ✯

On June 23, 2025 we sent a survey to over 12,000 Counselors licensed in Michigan. We received completed surveys from 581 Counselors regarding the Counseling Compact; the results reveal strong but divided opinions. Approximately 61% of respondents support adopting the Compact (46.2% strongly in favor, 14.7% somewhat in favor), while about 31% oppose it (15.2% strongly against, 15.6% somewhat against), with 8.3% remaining unsure. These results are statistically accurate within +/- 4%.

Responses also included 658 open-ended comments. Among those comments the primary motivations for supporting the Compact center on professional practice expansion (43%), client continuity of care (29%), improved client access to services (15%) and career mobility/career advancement (5%). 

Written comments opposing the Compact focused heavily on market disruption and competitive threats. The largest category of opposition (54% of anti-Compact comments) expressed fears about corporate dominance by companies like BetterHelp and Headway, potentially overwhelming independent practitioners. Other significant concerns included general implementation worries (22%), unknown factors (14%), and lower reimbursement rates (11%).

Our analysis suggests addressing both the desire for professional flexibility, client welfare and expanded access and the concerns about corporate influence may be important for successful implementation.

The Counseling Compact legislation has been introduced into the Health Policy Committee of the House. On 8/27/25 the committee will vote to advance the legislation.

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In Service,

MMHCA’s Volunteer Board of Directors

Christopher DeBoer, President

Krystin Sankey, Treasurer

Carol Berger, Secretary

Members at Large:

Dr. Stephanie Burns

Dr. Joy Creel

David Flowers

Dr. Katherine James

Dr. Larry Pfaff

Lauri Rowe

Amy Szaraz

Dr. Elizabeth Teklinski

Steve Wheeler

Links you may find useful:

Our website MMHCANOW.org

Counseling Compact Website

MMHCA’s LinkedIn group

MMHCA's YouTube channel

MMHCA's FaceBook page. Please follow us!