LANSING – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched the Medicaid Management Information System, the nation’s first completely automated real-time and cloud-enabled system. The program includes a partnership with the state of Illinois.

“This is an innovative approach,” Gov. Rick Snyder stated in a recent press release issued by the MDHHS, “allowing us to more efficiently share information and resources in real time, helping residents get the health care they need.”

The MDHHS worked with the state of Illinois, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget and Client Network Services Inc. (CNSI), a domain company based out of Rockville, Maryland, to create the system. According to the company’s website, CNSI “focuses on the development of the latest technologies and processes.”

The cloud platform designed by CNSI allows for provider collaboration through an online system that maximizes efficiencies for the state’s Medicaid systems, the release stated. The system adheres to the latest standards of data security, ensuring the integrity of the state’s health care data, according to the DHHS release.

“Moving to the cloud allows us to better serve our residents and improve health care delivery, all while reducing costs,” said MDHHS Director Mick Lyon. “This unique initiative enhances our ability to maintain Medicaid systems, meet state and federal guidelines, and work with partners such as Illinois to create a multistate platform that meets the specific needs of our residents.”

However, when it comes to cloud services, many people are concerned with risk to data from hackers. So the question becomes one of security for such a system as the one launched by the state.

Terry Meyers, owner of Meyers Computer Services of Hancock, said this type of system is very secure.

“It’s a basically a virtual private networking,” Meyers said. “It locks down communication between the user and the server. Nothing is ever infallible, but basically, that’s the safest you’re going to get. It changes http to https.”

However, Meyers was cautious with a reminder.

“If hackers want to get in, they’re going to get in,” he said. “It happens every day, but they’re not going to put something up with a lot of holes in it.”