Who is eligible?
Hoosier Healthwise is Indiana's health care program for children, pregnant women, and low-income working families. Based on family income, children up to age 19 may be eligible for premium-free coverage, or low-cost coverage under the Children's Health Plan - Benefit Package C (www.in.gov/fssa/programs/chip/). For package C, monthly premiums range from $22 to $33 for one child, and $33 to $50 for two or more children.
Pregnant women can be eligible for full coverage under Package A, or for pregnancy-related coverage under Package B, depending on family income and assets.
Low-income families can be eligible for Hoosier Healthwise, if there are children under the age of 18 living with their parent(s) or other caretaker relative. Young adults 18, 19, and 20 who live with a caretaker relative who meets the financial requirements can be covered; however their caretaker relative is not eligible.
Click here to find out how to enroll.
Family Monthly Income/Asset Guidelines
for Hoosier Healthwise Eligibility
(03/01/08 through 02/28/09)
| Pregnant Women | Children | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Size | Low-Income Families (Package A) | Pregnancy- related coverage (Package B) | Full Coverage (Package A) | Premium- free (Package A) | Low-Cost Premiums (Package C) |
| 1 | $139.50 | Not applicable | Not applicable | $1,300 | $1,734 |
| 2 | $229.50 | $2,334 | $229.50 | $1,750 | $2,334 |
| 3 | $288.00 | $2,934 | $288.00 | $2,200 | $2,934 |
| 4 | $346.50 | $3,534 | $346.50 | $2,650 | $3,534 |
| 5 | $405.00 | $4,134 | $405.00 | $3,100 | $4,134 |
| For each additional member add: | $58.50 | $600 | $58.50 | $450 | $600 |
| Asset Limit | $1,000 | Not applicable | $1,000 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Important Notes:
- In determining the family size for the pregnancy categories, the number of unborn children are included. For example, a woman who is carrying one baby and lives with her husband and another child will have a family size of 4.
- Family size generally does not include step-parents. For blended families, income of step-parents cannot cause their step-children to be ineligible. It's best to go ahead and file your application because using the above chart to include the whole family in the family size may not be correct in your situation.
- In determining if your income is within the guidelines above, certain deductions apply:
- If you are working, $90 is deducted from your gross monthly earnings (before taxes), and if you pay for child care, up to $200 per child is deducted. If you work part-time or have children age 2 or older, the maximum amount deducted for childcare is slightly less.
- If children are receiving child support, $50 is subtracted.
- If you are self-employed, 40% of your gross earnings or the actual cost of expenses related to income production is deducted.
- Non citizens who meet all financial and categorical requirements can be eligible for either full coverage or coverage limited to emergencies, depending on immigration status.
- Except for the Low-Income Families category, the income thresholds are based on percentages of the federal poverty guidelines and are adjusted annually after the new poverty guidelines are published. The income limits listed above were last updated effective March 1, 2008.
