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Hoosiers On HIP 2.0 May Now Keep Some Benefits During Transition To Employment

Indiana's Graduate Medical Education Board plans to ask lawmakers for more money following a record number of applications for funding this year to expand or establish physician training programs.
Indiana's Graduate Medical Education Board plans to ask lawmakers for more money following a record number of applications for funding this year to expand or establish physician training programs.

Hoosiers on Indiana’s Medicaid expansion program, HIP 2.0, will now have access to some benefits while they transition to insurance from a new employer.

Approval from the federal government makes the state’s Workforce Bridge program possible.

The new program will allow HIP participants to use up to $1,000 from their health savings – or POWER – accounts for up to one year after they get a new job that comes with health insurance.

Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Jennifer Sullivan says the bridge program helps ensure people have access to health care during the transition to employment, when new benefits often take time to kick in.

“Now more than ever, it is critical that we provide stability and peace of mind for Hoosiers, especially when it comes to matters of their health,” Sullivan says.

No one is losing their coverage through HIP 2.0 during the state’s public health emergency. When that expires – which won’t be until at least July – the workforce bridge program will be immediately available.

Contact reporter Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.