A new report says Michigan’s performance in responding to 988 calls is strong, but it also highlights areas for improvement in financing and accountability.
The report from mental health advocacy group Inseparable says Michigan has a 90% call answer rate for the crisis lifeline.
Krista Hausermann with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says one of the reasons is the earlier implementation of the Michigan Access Crisis Line, or MICAL in 2018, which now handles 988 calls. She commends state lawmakers for funding the system and says additional policies are in the works.
“Michigan is working with Blue Cross Blue Shield as a partner to set up a crisis system,” Hausermann said. “Blue Cross Blue Shield in Michigan offers a crisis benefit, and we are working to align our services to state-funded benefits.”
Another policy goal for Inseparable is system coordination, an area where Hausermann says Michigan excels. It would include a platform that allows providers to see the crisis services available in caller’s local region.
The report suggests a 98-cent surcharge on these calls could generate almost $10 million annually in the state’s funding.
