fssa

Eliza Brader was informed her coverage would end on May 1, 2025 unless she submitted additional documentation within a certain window. Brader's coverage through the Healthy Indiana Plan, or HIP, ended despite meeting the deadline. She said the local FSSA office told her there was a delay due to a paperwork backlog and staffing issues.

'Or I die': HIP member says she lost coverage due to FSSA backlog — despite meeting deadlines

Abigail Ruhman

Eliza Brader was informed her Healthy Indiana Plan coverage would end on May 1, 2025 unless she submitted additional documentation. Brader's coverage ended despite meeting the deadline.

FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob said the state will end up paying those companies more than $300 million over budget this year. Roob said he never would have pursued a program like this because it doesn’t make sense for the population it serves.

FSSA leader says he 'never' would have pursued Pathways, program more than $300 million over budget

Abigail Ruhman

The top official at the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration said the state’s new long-term care program for Medicaid members over 60 hasn’t met expectations.

Christine Davis and her husband, Luke Davis, said Tala Beth was expressive and full of personality. They said she loved music, the TV show “Cocomelon,” toys that make loud noises and “the chaos of day care.”

As FSSA solicits feedback, family says attendant care played critical role in their child's care

Abigail Ruhman

FSSA has started to solicit feedback on the topic of the first of three reports it's required to present: the agency's definition of "extraordinary care."

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration said if the system finds someone with matching information, it confirms they’re on the waitlist and displays the contact information on file. Anyone who wants to update their information can click on the "help desk" or email link on the screen and provide the appropriate information.

FSSA launches new verification resource for people on Medicaid waiver waitlists

Abigail Ruhman

The portal is designed to serve people waiting for services through three of Indiana’s Medicaid waivers: the Pathways waiver, the Family Supports waiver, and the Health and Wellness Waiver.

An advocate said consistent communication with the state is especially important with the recent change to a 180 day timeline for service plans and assessments.

Indiana Medicaid waiver invitations hit capacity, more than 10,000 still on waitlists

Abigail Ruhman

An advocate said consistent communication with the state is especially important with the recent change to a 180 day timeline for service plans and assessments.

Senate Bill 2 reintroduces Indiana's previously halted work requirements and limits enrollment to 500,000 people — with some flexibility based on federal Medicaid policy. That’s nearly 200,000 people less than current enrollment.

Indiana Senate passes Medicaid, HIP overhaul despite concerns about access, coverage

Abigail Ruhman

The Senate approved legislation that would make several significant changes to the Healthy Indiana Plan, or HIP.

The state introduced a new curriculum earlier this year that is aligned with national standards. Indiana also started to allow family members of people with substance use disorders to become certified peer support professionals.

FSSA adjusts proposed changes to ABA therapy Medicaid coverage, introduces coverage tiers

Abigail Ruhman

FSSA said it no longer plans to apply the lifetime limit retroactively — meaning that everyone’s three-year limit will begin on April 1, when the rule officially goes into effect.

FSSA said this change “seeks to streamline the invitation process to reduce delays in receiving services.” There are still more than 10,500 people waiting for services through both Medicaid waivers as of February.

FSSA establishes new deadlines for Hoosiers invited off Medicaid waiver waitlists

Abigail Ruhman

People who are waiting for home- and community-based health services through Medicaid waivers will now be required to meet a deadline once they are invited off Indiana’s waitlist.

The amended bill would require Indiana to include how it plans to define “extraordinary care” in its report to the advisory council — including the state’s method for determining whether someone requires extraordinary care.

One year later, lawmakers return to FSSA transparency language on attendant care

Abigail Ruhman

The bill would require FSSA to produce a report highlighting any information related to the Structured Family Caregiving program or possible reimbursement for family caregivers providing attendant care — which were both affected by FSSA’s response to the forecasting error.

The Family and Social Services Administration has received criticism from advocates, families and lawmakers. However, the future of the Medicaid waiver waitlist doesn’t just involve the agency — it may come down to what state lawmakers choose to do this legislative session.

Indiana ended Medicaid waiver waitlists before. As thousands wait, could it do it again?

Abigail Ruhman

The Family and Social Services Administration has received criticism from advocates, families and lawmakers. However, the future of the Medicaid waiver waitlist doesn’t just involve the agency — it may come down to what state lawmakers choose to do this legislative session.