Agreement Extends Healthy Indiana Plan
The state has secured a waiver with the federal government to continue the Healthy Indiana Plan through the end of 2014. Governor Mike Pence says HIP will retain health savings accounts and additional tools have been provided to allow the state to manage enrollment. September 3, 2013
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS—Governor Mike Pence announced today that the administration has negotiated an agreement with the federal government to continue the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) through December 31, 2014.
“Securing a waiver to continue the Healthy Indiana Plan is a victory for Hoosiers enrolled in this innovative program and will ensure that Indiana remains at the forefront of consumer-driven healthcare in the United States,” said Governor Pence.
Under the one-year Medicaid waiver, HIP will retain its consumer-driven model and health savings accounts. In addition, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provided the state with additional tools to manage enrollment so Indiana can maintain the program’s fiscal sustainability.
“The Healthy Indiana Plan has a proven track record of success, and we are pleased to continue the program,” said Debra Minott, Secretary of Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. “Consumer-driven health care helps lower costs over time and provides people with quality care, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Health and Human Services on the future of the Healthy Indiana Plan.”
The Healthy Indiana Plan began in 2008 under a five-year waiver from the federal government. It is the nation’s first consumer-directed plan for Medicaid recipients. Since passage of the Affordable Care Act, Indiana has sought to continue the program and better understand its future through a series of discussions and waiver requests with CMS, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
A copy of the letter from CMS to Secretary Minott granting the waiver, the waiver list and the special terms and conditions of the waiver can be found at www.in.gov/fssa/hip/2429.htm.Source: Office of the Indiana Governor