Healthy Indiana Plan now available to 350,000 uninsured low-income residents

“We were willing to negotiate on details, and to the federal government’s credit, they were willing to negotiate with us,” said Jerome Adams, Indiana state health commissioner.

Eligibility for HIP 2.0 has expanded to Hoosiers ages 19 to 64 with annual incomes under 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Annually, this amounts to individuals with incomes up to $16,297, couples with a joint income of $21,967, and families of four with a household income of $33,307, according to the state’s HIP 2.0 website. And unlike the first Healthy Indiana Plan, there is no enrollment limit.

“It’s going to get more people access to resources and education they need to prevent themselves from getting sick, rather than having to treat themselves after they get sick,” Adams said.

There are currently three HIP 2.0 plans: HIP Basic, HIP Plus and HIP Link. HIP Link is available for eligible employees who have health coverage through their employer, but cannot afford the premiums. All plans include essential health benefits guaranteed under the Affordable Care Act, including emergency services, hospitalization, maternity care, mental health and substance use disorder services, and prescription drugs, among others.

HIP 2.0 aims to enhance these benefits through an agreement with the Indiana Hospital Association to increase reimbursements for health care providers.

“Medicaid pays extremely poorly, and that’s something that’s been the case in Indiana for a while,” Adams said. “Even people on Medicaid have had trouble finding doctors. Doctors are going to want to see these patients. Doctors are going to want to take care of these patients.”