The Behavioral and Physical Health and Aging Services Administration (BPHASA) combines Michigan's Medicaid office, services for aging adults and community-based services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, serious mental illness, and substance use disorders under one umbrella within MDHHS. BPHASA is also the designated State Unit on Aging. The new structure integrates MDHHS teams that focus on aging and long-term care issues and allows BPHASA to develop innovative policies that benefit our state and its residents. The restructure also builds upon the administration's existing efforts to deliver services to adults with mild to moderate mental illness.
Photo of five seniors smiling after a workout.BPHASA reflects the MDHHS values of human dignity, opportunity, perseverance, ease and equity, and supports the intentions of older adults who prefer to age in place - defined by the CDC as "the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably." It will allow for more in-depth analysis of MDHHS' work and impact and expand capacity across programs and services. BPHASA provides alignment with long-term care support and services to community-based services through the federal Older Americans Act; Behavioral Health HCBS Waivers, the MI Choice Waiver Program that allows eligible aging adults to receive Medicaid-covered services like those provided by nursing homes, but can stay in their own home or another residential setting; the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) that provides Medicaid and Medicare funding for frail, elderly people who meet the criteria for long-term care; and the Home Help program that provides personal care services to individuals who need hands-on assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and assistance with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs).