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Rural Health Information Hub

Strengthening the Safety Net: Improving Access to High Quality Health Care in Michigan

This funding record is inactive. Please see the program website or contact the program sponsor to determine if this program is currently accepting applications or will open again in the future.

Sponsor
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
Deadlines
Jun 3, 2024
Contact

For program related questions:
safetynet@bcbsm.com
socialmission@bcbsm.com

For questions about online application submission:
grants@benevity.com

Purpose

Strengthening the Safety Net grants provide funding to support clinics providing free medical, dental, and/or mental healthcare for uninsured and underinsured residents of Michigan. Applicants may apply for a grant to support clinic operations or services as a medical home.

Program strategies:

  • Expanding access to medical, dental and behavioral healthcare, pharmaceutical assistance, and specialty care
  • Developing partnerships and referral systems to link patients to health-related social resources
  • Helping patients navigate public and private insurance programs
  • Maintaining a focus on quality standards and on diversity, equity, and inclusion

Program requirements:

  • Support patients impacted by Medicaid redetermination by caring for those who lose coverage and by assisting them with enrollment or re-enrollment in affordable health coverage
  • Expand access to high quality care by participating in the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics or the Free Clinics of Michigan quality standards program or submitting a board-approved quality assurance plan
  • Develop a mechanism for screening and intervening on health-related social needs and continue to develop a network of partners to provide food, housing, employment, and transportation services
  • Work with community health workers, when possible, to improve health outcomes and advance health equity
  • Provide integrated care to the extent possible; refer patients to and accept referrals from nearby emergency rooms, behavioral health providers, and others
Eligibility

Eligibility criteria includes:

  • Be based in Michigan with a mission to serve low-income, uninsured, and underinsured patients
  • Be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization or be a community-based nonprofit organization paired with a 501(c)(3)
  • Provide medical, dental, vision, mental health, pharmacy, or specialty care services to at least 100 patients and all interested adults
  • Provide services at little or no cost to patients
  • Work with volunteer administrators and clinicians
  • Have a physician serving as medical director
  • Be in operation for at least 2 years by October 1, 2024
  • Be in good standing regarding all previous Blue Cross grants, if applicable

Grantees from prior years who meet all eligibility requirements can apply in 2024.

Geographic coverage
Michigan
Amount of funding

Safety net clinics that provide episodic care, are open for limited hours, and treat more than 100 uninsured and underinsured patients annually are eligible to apply for up to $15,000 to support their operations, including clinical and patient navigation services.

Clinics that serve as medical or dental homes and are open for at least 30 hours per week or bill Medicaid are eligible to apply for up to $25,000 to support team-based care including clinical and patient navigation services. Awards at this level require a $10,000 match.

Application process

Links to additional guidance, application instructions, and the online application are available on the program website.

Tagged as
Access · Behavioral health · Benefit enrollment and application · Capital funding · Clinics · Community engagement and volunteerism · Food security and nutrition · Grant writing · Health literacy · Healthcare needs and services · Healthcare quality · Medical homes · Mental health · Oral health · Pharmacy and prescription drugs · Primary care · Specialty care · Substance use and misuse · Technology for health and human services · Uninsured and underinsured · Michigan

Organizations (1)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, view details



For complete information about funding programs, including your application status, please contact funders directly. Summaries are provided for your convenience only. RHIhub does not take part in application processes or monitor application status.