A bi-weekly newsletter from your physician organization to keep you informed of today's healthcare news

Health insurance premiums continue to rise, placing increasing pressure on our practices, employees, and patients. Small businesses often lack the purchasing power of larger employers and have limited options for obtaining affordable coverage.

Senate Bill 1011 would help address this problem by allowing small businesses to join together through association health plans and pool their purchasing power. By giving smaller employers, the ability to negotiate coverage as a larger group, the bill can increase competition, reduce administrative costs, and create more affordable health insurance options. Learn more about this bill.

This is an important step toward making healthcare coverage more affordable for Michigan businesses and their employees.

Please take a few minutes to contact the Michigan legislators listed below who are members of the Michigan Insurance Committee - ask them to support Senate Bill 1011. Let them know that rising insurance premiums are making it increasingly difficult for businesses to provide affordable coverage and that Michigan needs solutions that increase competition and lower costs. For more impact, share how your practice and staff may be impacted by this bill.

Rep. Mike Harris, District-52: MikeHarris@house.mi.gov

Rep. Mark Tisdel, District-55: MarkTisdel@house.mi.gov

Rep. Brenda Carter, District-53: BrendaCarter@house.mi.gov

Rep. Sarah Lightner, District-45: SarahLightner@house.mi.gov

Rep. Bryan Posthumus, District-90: BryanPosthumus@house.mi.gov

Rep. Joseph A. Aragona, District-60: JosephAragona@house.mi.gov

Rep. Jerry Neyer, District-92: JerryNeyer@house.mi.gov

Rep. Bill Schuette, District-95: BillSchuette@house.mi.gov

Rep. Joe Tate, District-9: JoeTate@house.mi.gov

Rep. John Fitzgerald, District-83: JohnFitzgerald@house.mi.gov

Rep. Karen Whitsett, District-4: KarenWhitsett@house.mi.gov

On August 10, The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) transitioned the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) to MCIR powered by STC|ONE, a modernized immunization information system designed to improve usability, performance, and future system capabilities.

What Physician Offices Need to Know

• MCIR is now operating on the new STC|ONE platform.
• Healthcare users, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, medical assistants, and other immunization program staff, were required to complete assigned training prior to accessing the new system. Users who have not completed required training may experience delays in system access. Here is a link to learning site: https://michiganlms.stchealth.us/
• The MiImms Portal is no longer available or supported. Patients seeking official immunization records should contact their healthcare provider, local health department, or submit the State of Michigan immunization record request form as directed by MDHHS.
• Organizations using HL7 interfaces should be aware that the HL7 Transfer Report and HL7 Viewer available in legacy MCIR are no longer available in STC|ONE. MDHHS has provided alternative reporting and reconciliation methods to support verification of vaccine data transfers.
• MCIR integration vendor, STChealth, is working directly with all EMRs/EHRs to ensure the existing bi-directional connection continues without interruption. If you have questions, you should reach out to your EMR/EHR contacts or email TPA at info@tpadocs.com.

Recommended Actions

1. Ensure all staff who access MCIR have completed required training and have received access to the STC|ONE platform.
2. Review updated workflows for immunization reporting, reconciliation, and patient record retrieval.
3. Share patient-facing information regarding the discontinuation of the MiImms Portal and available options for obtaining immunization records.
4. Continue monitoring MCIR communications and updates for additional guidance, resources, and future enhancements.

For questions regarding the transition:

General MCIR Support

Phone: 517-246-0880

Email: mcirhelpdesk@stchome.com

Fax: 517-763-0370



Training and Education Support

Email: MDHHS-MCIRTraining@michigan.gov

For the latest modernization updates and resources, visit the MCIR Modernization webpage.

Michigan Institute for Care Management and Transformation (MICMT) is hosting a complimentary webinar to help providers create engaging conversations with patients regarding vaccinations.

Building Confidence in Vaccine Decision-Making: Facts, Trends, and Crucial Conversations

Sept. 29, 2026; 11:30am-1pm

Register here.

About the webinar:

Designed to support informed decision-making, this session covers current data regarding vaccine-preventable illnesses, the impact of vaccination on individual and community health, and common myths surrounding vaccines. The webinar also includes practical guidance and case-based examples intended to help medical assistants and clinical staff engage in patient-centered vaccine-related conversations with patients and caregivers.

Presenter:

Dr. Nada Farhat, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, Pharmacist Clinical Lead

Michigan Institute for Care Management and Transformation (MICMT)

Individuals without accounts will need to create one to be able to register. If individuals know they do not have an account, they should go to this link first. 

Epic faces FTC antitrust probe, Becker's Health IT

Journal retracts COVID study that falsely reported excessive deaths, BMJ Journal

Hospitals on hook for joint replacements, Axios

Meta heads to court in a landmark trial about kids and social media addiction, NPR

Federal Medicaid cuts could make healthcare harder to access for Michigan patients, ABC Ch. 13

5 questions parents may have after Trump's latest vaccine move, NPR

Childhood vaccine exemptions for personal or religious reasons hit new record, NBC News

Hospitals Say They Found a Tool To Help Reduce Childbirth Risks: Wristbands, Kaiser Health News

Michigan advocates speak out against “devastating” federal healthcare funding cuts, Michigan Public NPR