State veterans homes pursuing Medicare, Medicaid certification

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency would receive $70 million to support the Michigan Veteran Health System under Gov. Rick Snyder’s fiscal year 2017 budget recommendations, which were announced Wednesday.

The recommendation includes $8 million for MVHS to pursue federal certification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – a move that is critical to the long-term financial stability of Michigan’s veterans homes.

“This funding will help ensure our veterans receive quality care while aligning Michigan with best practices in the veteran health care field,” Snyder said. “More than 600 men and woman live in these facilities, and this step will allow the Michigan Veteran Health System to provide improved and necessary care for veterans of today and tomorrow.”

CMS certification would allow MVHS to collect additional federal funding available to Medicare- and Medicaid-eligible residents whose cost of care is not fully covered by VA per diem rates.