In accordance with 42 CFR 431.408(a)(3), the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) will be holding public hearings on its Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 Section 1115 demonstration waiver amendment application (HIP Waiver) that will be submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The proposed HIP Waiver submission includes an amendment to the current HIP demonstration to incorporate the HIP Workforce Bridge Account, which is designed to support successful transition from HIP to commercial insurance. The HIP Workforce Bridge Account would become effective in 2020, in the final year of the currently approved demonstration period. The proposed HIP Waiver submission also includes a request to exclude members of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi from the current Gateway to Work requirement. This exemption will replace the current qualified activity available to the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi for participation in the Pathways program. Additionally, the submission will include a request to change the Gateway to Work exemption for caregivers of a dependent child from members who are caregivers of a dependent child under age 7 to members who are caregivers of a dependent child under age 13. Both of these additional exemption requests would become effective immediately upon approval from CMS. At both public hearings, FSSA will briefly describe the HIP Waiver and take public comment on the proposals.

Pursuant to 42 CFR 431.408(a)(2)(ii), FSSA hereby gives notice of the following public hearings:

Overview

Since 2008, the HIP model has demonstrated remarkable success in activating beneficiaries into engaged participants and improving health outcomes. In February 2015, CMS provided approval for HIP to incorporate coverage for the newly-eligible adult population and all low-income parents and caretakers. CMS then reauthorized the State of Indiana (State) to continue the program for an additional three-year period and to incorporate program changes and additional program components. Changes authorized in 2018 included a community engagement initiative called Gateway to Work, a tobacco use surcharge, substance use disorder services, and changes that streamlined operations.

The expanded HIP program has seen consistent results since 2015, proving that HIP's consumer-driven model is scalable and remains successful in empowering enrollees to become active consumers of healthcare services. Through this HIP Waiver amendment, the State's objective is to implement the HIP Workforce Bridge Account and make minor modifications to the qualifications for Gateway to Work exemptions. The HIP Workforce Bridge Account is designed to complement the Gateway to Work community engagement initiative and provide support for the transition from HIP to commercial coverage.

The HIP Bridge Account will provide $1,000 that eligible members can use for qualified health care expenses during the 12-month period following disenrollment from HIP. This account is available to individuals who are no longer eligible for HIP due to an increase in income and who have completed enrollment in commercial insurance or will need to complete enrollment in commercial insurance to have continued coverage.

In addition to implementation of the HIP Workforce Bridge components listed above, the State also seeks CMS approval to exempt members of federally recognized tribes. This exemption will replace the current activity available to the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi participating in the tribal workforce program Pathways. In addition, the amendment requests to change the Gateway to Work exemption for caregivers of dependent children from applying to members who are caregivers of dependent children under age 7 to applying to members who are caregivers of dependent children under the age of 13.

Written Comments

The proposed HIP Waiver documents are available for public review at the FSSA, Office of General Counsel, 402 West Washington Street, Room W451, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. The full Public Notice and HIP Waiver documents are also available to be viewed online at https://www.in.gov/fssa/hip/.

Written comments regarding the HIP Waiver will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. on June 14, 2019, and may be sent to the FSSA via mail at 402 West Washington Street, Room W374, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, Attention: Natalie Angel or via electronic mail at hip@fssa.in.gov.

FSSA will publish a summary of the written comments, once compiled, for public review at https://www.in.gov/fssa/hip/.