Indiana Medicaid Renewals and Redeterminations: Coverage changes
Beginning in 2023, Medicaid coverage in Indiana is no longer automatically renewing for all enrollees like it was during the COVID-19 pandemic. Things are returning to normal, and that could affect your health coverage with Indiana Medicaid, including the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). We can help you understand how to stay covered.
Potential changes to your Indiana Medicaid coverage in 2023
Until recently, Medicaid coverage in Indiana continued, without eligibility checks, due to the COVID-19 federal public health emergency (PHE).
Now, states have been told to return to normal eligibility review processes. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is resuming regular eligibility review actions for Medicaid. That includes for the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
How complete a renewal to keep your Medicaid coverage in Indiana
- Verify your contact information – Go to FSSABenefits.IN.gov and check that the contact information listed for you in the FSSA Benefits Portal is correct. You can also call 800-403-0864 if you need help.
- Keep an eye on your mailbox – If you are covered by Indiana Medicaid (including the Health Indiana Plan), you may need to fill out a redetermination (renewal) form. This will help the state determine whether you are still eligible for Medicaid.
- Respond to notices regarding your coverage – If you receive a notice, read it carefully to understand potential changes to your health coverage. Respond right away to any requests for information from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). You should keep any notices you receive from the FSSA.
- Appeal the decision, if necessary – If you no longer qualify for Medicaid coverage, you will be mailed a final notice from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). If you believe you are still eligible, you can appeal to try to keep health coverage. You can also reapply for Medicaid at any time.
(NOTE: The unwinding of continuous Medicaid coverage does not impact the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), although the additional pandemic-related SNAP benefits ended in February. And the scheduled end of the federal public health emergency on May 11, 2023, will affect SNAP eligibility for some people. Watch for letters and notices from your state to stay up-to-date on what you need to know about SNAP.)
No longer eligible to renew Medicaid in Indiana? You have options for health insurance in IN.
Get coverage through your job
If you decide to enroll in employer-sponsored coverage through your employer, or that of a spouse or parent, you’ll have a special enrollment window. The window typically lasts for 60 days when you lose Medicaid coverage.
Get an ACA Marketplace plan
You will qualify for a special enrollment period in the federally facilitated Marketplace if you lose Medicaid coverage. That means you can apply for coverage immediately and do not have to wait for the annual enrollment window. Even if you no longer qualify for Medicaid, you may qualify for financial help to lower the cost of Marketplace health insurance.
See if you qualify for financial help
If coverage through your job is unaffordable, you may be eligible for financial help if you choose an ACA Marketplace plan instead of an employer-sponsored plan.
See if you qualify for Medicare
You may qualify for Medicare, a federal health insurance program, if you are 65 or older. People younger than 65 may qualify if diagnosed with a permanent disability, including end-stage renal disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). A special enrollment period is available to help you transition to Medicare when your Medicaid ends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Indiana Medicaid redeterminations and renewals
When might I lose Medicaid coverage?
Medicaid renewals in Indiana will be conducted over a 12-month period that continues through the spring of 2024. Some people will not receive their renewal packet until later in that window, and their coverage will remain in place until their renewal is completed.
Indiana must conduct eligibility redeterminations for all Medicaid enrollees over the course of a 12-month period. So regardless of which program you’re enrolled in, your eligibility will be checked.
How can I check eligibility for Indiana Medicaid or the Healthy Indiana Plan?
The state of Indiana has an eligibility guide that covers basic eligibility rules for programs including:
- Traditional Medicaid or Hoosier Care Connect
- Healthy Indiana Plan
- Hoosier Healthwise (children and people who are pregnant)
(Note: If you’re enrolled in the Healthy Indiana Plan, CHIP, or M.E.D. Works, you have not had to make POWER account contributions or premium payments during the pandemic. But those are expected to be collected again starting in the summer of 2023).
Louise Norris is an individual health insurance broker who has been writing about health insurance and health reform since 2006. She has written dozens of opinions and educational pieces about the Affordable Care Act for healthinsurance.org.
