Written & Reviewed by Akash Biswas, MSW | Former Medicaid Caseworker Trainer | Verified against official MDHHS and Medicaid.gov guidelines | Last Updated: March 2026
The CHAMPS payment schedule for 2026 lists every pay date for Michigan Medicaid providers and Home Help caregivers.
Payments follow a weekly cycle for general claims and a monthly cycle for Home Help services.
This guide covers the full FY 2026 pay cycle calendar, Home Help payment dates, submission deadlines, and tips to avoid delays.
Quick Summary
- CHAMPS stands for Community Health Automated Medicaid Processing System — Michigan’s official Medicaid payment platform.
- General Medicaid claims are paid weekly on Thursdays.
- Home Help caregiver payments are issued monthly based on service verification dates.
- The Friday 1:00 PM deadline is critical — late submissions delay payment by one full week.
- Michigan Medicaid professionals received a 2.5% rate increase for 2026.
- Use the Medicaid income limits by state in 2026 guide to check if you or your client qualifies for coverage.
What Is CHAMPS?
CHAMPS is the system Michigan uses to manage all Medicaid payments. It handles provider enrollment, claims, eligibility checks, prior authorizations, and payment processing.
If you are a Medicaid provider or Home Help caregiver in Michigan, CHAMPS is where you submit claims and track your pay.
Who Uses CHAMPS?
Doctors, clinics, hospitals, and Home Help caregivers all use CHAMPS. The system serves anyone who provides services under Michigan Medicaid, the Healthy Michigan Plan, or related programs.
What Does CHAMPS Process?
CHAMPS processes three main things. It handles claims for services already provided. It manages prior authorizations for future care. And it issues payments to providers on a set schedule.
How the CHAMPS Pay Cycle Works in 2026
Michigan’s fiscal year runs from October 2025 through September 2026. The CHAMPS pay cycle calendar covers this full period. There are two main payment tracks — one for general claims and one for Home Help services.
General Claims Pay Cycle
General Medicaid claims follow a weekly Thursday schedule. Providers submit claims through Direct Data Entry (DDE), Electronic Upload (837 files), or FTS Batch. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) then processes claims and issues Remittance Advices (RAs) each Thursday.
Here is an example of how the weekly cycle works:
| Pay Cycle | RA (Payment) Date | DDE Cut-Off | Electronic 837 Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 2 | January 8, 2026 | Dec 29, 2025 (4:00 PM) | Dec 28, 2025 (5:00 PM) |
| Cycle 3 | January 15, 2026 | Jan 7, 2026 (4:00 PM) | Jan 6, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Cycle 4 | January 22, 2026 | Jan 14, 2026 (4:00 PM) | Jan 13, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
This weekly pattern continues through September 2026. Some weeks have early cut-offs due to holidays. Always check the latest CHAMPS Pay Cycle Calendar PDF from MDHHS for updated dates.
Key Submission Rules
MDHHS recommends submitting claims at least 24 hours before the weekly cut-off. All cut-off times are in Eastern Standard Time (EST). Claims submitted within 12 hours of a deadline may be delayed due to heavy system traffic.
Home Help Payment Schedule 2026 (DHS-1356)
The Home Help payment schedule is the most commonly searched part of the CHAMPS calendar.
This schedule tells individual Home Help caregivers exactly when they will be paid. Home Help providers assist Medicaid beneficiaries with daily living tasks in the home.
If you are checking whether your client qualifies for these services, see our guide on Michigan Medicaid eligibility in 2026.
How Home Help Payments Work
Caregivers log tasks daily in CHAMPS using Electronic Service Verification (ESV). They can also batch all entries on the last day of the service month. Paper Service Verification (PSV) forms can be submitted starting the first day of the following month.
The Critical Friday Deadline
This is the most important rule to remember. ESVs not submitted in CHAMPS — or PSVs not received by MDHHS — by 1:00 PM on any Friday will delay your payment by one full additional week.
Example: If you submit your ESV after 1:00 PM on Friday, January 2, 2026, you will be paid on January 16 instead of January 9.
Full 2026 Home Help Payment Dates
Below is the complete Home Help payment schedule for every month of 2026. The table shows the month of service, when to submit your verification, and when to expect your payment.
December 2025 Services (Paid in Early 2026)
| ESV/PSV Submitted | Estimated Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Jan 1–2 | January 9, 2026 |
| Jan 3–9 | January 16, 2026 |
| Jan 10–16 | January 23, 2026 |
| Jan 17–23 | January 30, 2026 |
| Jan 24–30 | February 6, 2026 |
| Jan 31 | February 13, 2026 |
January 2026 Services
| ESV/PSV Submitted | Estimated Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Feb 1–6 | February 13, 2026 |
| Feb 7–13 | February 20, 2026 |
| Feb 14–20 | February 27, 2026 |
| Feb 21–27 | March 6, 2026 |
| Feb 28 | March 13, 2026 |
February 2026 Services
| ESV/PSV Submitted | Estimated Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Mar 1–6 | March 13, 2026 |
| Mar 7–13 | March 20, 2026 |
| Mar 14–20 | March 27, 2026 |
| Mar 21–27 | April 3, 2026 |
| Mar 28–31 | April 10, 2026 |
March 2026 Services
| ESV/PSV Submitted | Estimated Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Apr 1–3 | April 10, 2026 |
| Apr 4–10 | April 17, 2026 |
| Apr 11–17 | April 24, 2026 |
| Apr 18–24 | May 1, 2026 |
| Apr 25–30 | May 8, 2026 |
April 2026 Services
| ESV/PSV Submitted | Estimated Payment Date |
|---|---|
| May 1 | May 8, 2026 |
| May 2–8 | May 15, 2026 |
| May 9–15 | May 22, 2026 |
| May 16–22 | May 29, 2026 |
| May 23–29 | June 5, 2026 |
| May 30–31 | June 12, 2026 |
May 2026 Services
| ESV/PSV Submitted | Estimated Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Jun 1–5 | June 12, 2026 |
| Jun 6–12 | June 22, 2026 |
| Jun 13–19 | June 26, 2026 |
| Jun 20–26 | July 6, 2026 |
| Jun 27–30 | July 10, 2026 |
June 2026 Services
| ESV/PSV Submitted | Estimated Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Jul 1–3 | July 10, 2026 |
| Jul 4–10 | July 17, 2026 |
| Jul 11–17 | July 24, 2026 |
| Jul 18–24 | July 31, 2026 |
| Jul 25–31 | August 7, 2026 |
July 2026 Services
| ESV/PSV Submitted | Estimated Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Aug 1–7 | August 14, 2026 |
| Aug 8–14 | August 21, 2026 |
| Aug 15–21 | August 28, 2026 |
| Aug 22–28 | September 4, 2026 |
| Aug 29–31 | September 11, 2026 |
August 2026 Services
| ESV/PSV Submitted | Estimated Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Sep 1–4 | September 11, 2026 |
| Sep 5–11 | September 18, 2026 |
| Sep 12–18 | September 25, 2026 |
| Sep 19–22 | September 29, 2026 |
| Sep 23–30 | October 9, 2026 |
September 2026 Services
| ESV/PSV Submitted | Estimated Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Oct 1–2 | October 9, 2026 |
| Oct 3–9 | October 16, 2026 |
| Oct 10–16 | October 23, 2026 |
| Oct 17–23 | October 30, 2026 |
| Oct 24–30 | November 6, 2026 |
| Oct 31 | November 13, 2026 |
October 2026 Services
| ESV/PSV Submitted | Estimated Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Nov 1–6 | November 13, 2026 |
| Nov 7–13 | November 20, 2026 |
| Nov 14–18 | November 25, 2026 |
| Nov 19–27 | December 4, 2026 |
| Nov 28–30 | December 11, 2026 |
November 2026 Services
| ESV/PSV Submitted | Estimated Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Dec 1–4 | December 11, 2026 |
| Dec 5–11 | December 18, 2026 |
| Dec 12–16 | December 23, 2026 |
| Dec 17–21 | December 30, 2026 |
| Dec 22–31 | January 8, 2027 |
December 2026 Services
| ESV/PSV Submitted | Estimated Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2027 | January 8, 2027 |
What Does Michigan Medicaid Cover?
Michigan Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan cover a wide range of health services. Understanding your coverage helps you know what to bill through CHAMPS. For a full breakdown of current reimbursement rates, see our Medicaid Fee Schedule 2026 resource.
Covered Services Include
- Doctor visits and hospital stays
- Prescription drugs
- Mental health and substance use treatment
- Dental care (limited for adults, comprehensive for children)
- Vision and hearing services
- Home Help and personal care services
- Lab tests and X-rays
- Durable medical equipment
2026 Rate Update
Michigan Medicaid professional fee schedules received a 2.5% rate increase for 2026. You can view real-time rates using the CHAMPS “Medicaid Code and Rate Reference” tool on the MDHHS website.
How to Avoid Payment Delays
Late or missing payments are stressful. Here are the most common reasons for delays and how to prevent them.
Submit Early
Never wait until the last minute. MDHHS recommends submitting claims at least 24 hours before the cut-off. System traffic spikes near deadlines.
Watch the Friday 1:00 PM Deadline
For Home Help providers, this deadline is non-negotiable. Missing it by even a few minutes pushes your payment out by a full week.
Enroll in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Paper checks take longer to arrive. EFT deposits your payment directly into your bank account. MDHHS strongly encourages all providers to sign up.
Double-Check Your ESV Entries
Errors in your Electronic Service Verification can delay processing. Make sure dates, hours, and task codes are correct before you submit.
What Happens After You Submit a Claim?
Once you submit your claim or service verification in CHAMPS, the system processes it during the next pay cycle. Here is what to expect.
Processing Timeline
General claims are processed weekly. Home Help claims are processed based on the monthly schedule above. You will receive a Remittance Advice (RA) showing your payment details.
If Your Claim Is Denied
Check your RA for denial codes. Common issues include missing prior authorization, incorrect billing codes, or eligibility problems. You can correct and resubmit most denied claims.
Contact MDHHS for Help
If you have questions about a payment, call 800-979-4662 or email ProviderSupport@michigan.gov. You can also visit www.michigan.gov/homehelp for Home Help-specific support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the CHAMPS payment schedule for 2026?
A: The CHAMPS payment schedule for 2026 lists all pay dates for Michigan Medicaid providers. General claims are paid weekly on Thursdays. Home Help caregivers are paid monthly based on when they submit their service verification. The full schedule runs from October 2025 through September 2026.
Q: When do Home Help providers get paid in Michigan?
A: Home Help providers get paid based on when they submit their Electronic Service Verification (ESV) or Paper Service Verification (PSV). Payments are issued on specific dates each month. The DHS-1356 form lists every pay date for FY 2026.
Q: What happens if I miss the Friday 1:00 PM deadline?
A: If your ESV or PSV is not submitted by 1:00 PM on any Friday, your payment will be delayed by one full additional week. For example, a late submission on Friday, January 2 means you get paid January 16 instead of January 9.
Q: How do I sign up for direct deposit through CHAMPS?
A: Contact MDHHS Provider Support at 800-979-4662 or email ProviderSupport@michigan.gov to enroll in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Direct deposit is faster and more reliable than paper checks. MDHHS strongly recommends EFT for all providers.
Q: Did Michigan Medicaid rates change for 2026?
A: Yes. Michigan Medicaid professional fee schedules received a 2.5% rate increase for 2026. You can view current rates in the CHAMPS “Medicaid Code and Rate Reference” tool on the MDHHS website. This rate change does not affect the payment schedule dates.
Q: Where can I download the official CHAMPS payment schedule?
A: Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs and go to Medicaid Provider Assets. The general CHAMPS Pay Cycle Calendar and the Home Help Payment Schedule (DHS-1356) are both available as downloadable PDFs. Always check for the latest version, as dates may change.
Sources & Disclaimer
Last Updated: March 2026
Sources:
- Home Help Payment Schedule 2026 (DHS-1356): michigan.gov/mdhhs → Medicaid Provider Assets → Home Help Assets
- CHAMPS Pay Cycle Calendar FY 2026: michigan.gov/mdhhs → Medicaid Provider Assets
- MDHHS Home Help Provider Information: www.michigan.gov/homehelp
Disclaimer: CheckMedicaid.com is not affiliated with any government agency. This content is for educational purposes only. For official eligibility and payment information, contact your state Medicaid office or visit Medicaid.gov. Always verify the latest schedules directly on michigan.gov/mdhhs, as cut-off dates are subject to change without notice.
