Benefit Communications

Wayne County employees and retirees are provided with benefit information via email and/or mail. Communication content includes benefit explanation and changes as well as new benefit announcements. Through this source of communication, Benefits Division seeks to:

  • increase understanding of benefits
  • improve satisfaction and employee engagement
  • reduce stress and confusion
  • improve decision-making regarding healthcare

A MESSAGE TO AFFECTED MEMBERS:

University of Michigan’s Michigan Medicine is choosing to remove its Southeast Michigan facilities and physicians from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and BCN networks on July 1, 2026.

BCBSM and BCN have very unfortunate news. Michigan Medicine, who you may know as the University of Michigan hospital system or health system, has notified us that their Southeast Michigan facilities and physicians will no longer accept your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or Blue Care Network commercial health insurance effective July 1, 2026. Medicare Advantage members are not impacted. BCBSM and BCN know this news can be very upsetting to Blue Cross and BCN members who have had trusted and longstanding ties to Michigan Medicine, or who are receiving care within the health system. BCBSM and BCN wants you to understand what is happening and assure you that they are ready to help you.

What's happening

BCBSM and BCN have been negotiating new payment terms with Michigan Medicine for many months, which will dictate how much people and employers with Blue Cross or BCN insurance will pay for services there. After several rounds of negotiations, Michigan Medicine is demanding a 44% increase in payment over the term of a new contract. BCBSM and BCN oppose this because of the negative impact it will have on the affordability of health care and health insurance for families and employers. 

BCBSM and BCN are committed to affordability

Blue Cross and BCN want our members to have access to the excellent care that the talented doctors, nurses and staff of the Michigan Medicine system provide. BCBSM and BCN latest proposal to Michigan Medicine pays more — not less — for services. Blue Cross and BCN continue to work diligently in negotiations to maintain affordable health insurance for our members and access to care at your medical facilities and with your physicians of choice. BCBSM and BCN payment proposals to Michigan Medicine are fair and reasonable, providing increases that account for the incremental costs every business is experiencing, while providing additional payments focused on quality outcomes for patients. BCBSM and BCN remain hopeful that they will successfully negotiate a new payment contract before July 1, 2026. In the meantime, BCBSM and BCN are ready to help you find alternative care providers and plan for your care. 

What facilities are affected?
  • Michigan Medicine University Hospital
  • C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
  • Frankel Cardiovascular Center
  • W.K. Kellogg Eye Center
  • Livonia Center for Specialty Care
  • West Ann Arbor Health Center
  • Ypsilanti Health Center
  • Detroit Riverview Center
  • D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavillion
  • Rogel Cancer Center
  • A. Alfred Taubman Health Care Center
  • Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital
  • Northville Health Center
  • Livonia Health Center
  • Canton Health Center
  • Briarwood Medical Group
  • Chelsea Health Center
  • U-M Addiction Treatment Services

COMMUNICATION:

 

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