Legislation marks Vaupel’s final bill signing 

A bill introduced by state Rep. Hank Vaupel, chair of the House Health Policy Committee, creating a uniform Community Mental Health Services credentialing process, was signed into law today.  

Credentialing is the process of obtaining, verifying and assessing the qualifications of a practitioner to provide services for a Community Mental Health organization. 

The need for uniform credentialing was recognized by the bi-partisan House C.A.R.E.S. Task Force, which identified it as a way to improve the process for providers and make it easier to accept Medicaid patients. Vaupel, who co-chaired the task force, said his legislation is the first step in overhauling universal credentialing for Medicaid by starting with a smaller subset of mental health services. 

“Uniform credentialing is a more direct and efficient way of operating that ultimately better serves Michiganders in need of mental health care,” said Vaupel, of Fowlerville. “If a provider receives credentialing for one behavioral Medicaid health plan, they should not have to go through a similar process with additional health plans.” 

The legislation marks Vaupel’s last piece of legislation to pass the House, as his final term as state representative comes to a close on Dec. 31. 

In addition to being signed by the governor, his plan, House Bill 5178, received overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.