How do I apply for a Strengthening the Safety Net grant?

Who is this for?

Michigan Health Insurance – Customer Service – How To

Michigan clinics that provide free medical, dental or mental health care to uninsured and underinsured residents.

A nurse takes a woman's blood pressure

Because Blue Cross believes that health care and healthy communities go together, we give a hand to free health clinics in Michigan. 

Our Strengthening the Safety Net grants help clinics reach low-income residents who might not get care otherwise. If you’d like to apply for a grant, here’s the information you need.

Grant eligibility and categories

In addition to providing medical or dental care, Strengthening the Safety Net grantees are expected to reach out to local emergency rooms to help reduce unnecessary emergency room use. They also help address mental health and substance use, food access and more. Details are included in the Request for Applications.

Your clinic is eligible to apply if it:

  • Provides medical, dental, vision, mental health, pharmacy or specialty care services to all interested adults 
  • Provides services at little or no cost to patients 
  • Works with volunteer administrators and clinicians 
  • Has a physician serving as medical director 

You can apply for one of the following:

  • Clinic Operations: Clinics that provide episodic care and serve more than 100 uninsured or underinsured patients annually may apply for up to $15,000 for operations.
  • Medical Homes: Clinics that serve as health care or dental homes and are open for at least 30 hours per week or bill Medicaid are eligible for up to $25,000 to support team-based care. Awards at this level require a $10,000 match.

Final award amounts will be based on the number of applications received, the scope of applications submitted, and the amount of funding available.

How to apply

Please review the Request for Applications, frequently asked questions, and conditions of grant and then click on the button below to complete the online application.  Be sure to have the required attachments ready to upload into the application. They are listed in the Request for Applications.

Completed applications are due by June 2, 2023.

If you have any questions, please email us at safetynet@bcbsm.com.