The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) announced today that 20,000 Hoosiers now have health insurance under the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). Since the state began processing applications on December 17, 2007, 64,494 applications have been received, with 5,735 waiting to make their first payment and 21,186 already receiving coverage.

 

"With Governor Daniels' leadership and bi-partisan support from Representative Charlie Brown (D-Gary) and Senator Pat Miller (R-Indianapolis) we have been able to reach this exciting milestone," said FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob. "Now, with the additional HIP buy-in option, we look forward to getting even more Hoosiers enrolled."

 

HIP provides health insurance for uninsured adult Hoosiers between the ages of 19 and 64 whose household income is 22 to 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), and who are not eligible for Medicaid. Eligible participants must be uninsured for at least 6 months and cannot be eligible for employer-sponsored health insurance. Each HIP recipient is provided with a $1,100 Personal Wellness and Responsibility Account (POWER) account to pay for medical costs.  Contributions to the account are made by the state and each participant, based on ability to pay. No participant will pay more than 5 percent of his/her gross family income on the plan. Once medical costs exceed $1,100, individuals have access to a basic commercial benefits package. HIP is funded in large part by a cigarette tax increase passed during the 2007 legislative session.

 

Recently, a buy-in option began for those who do not qualify for the subsidized plan because they earn more than 200 percent FPL or about $40,000 for a family of four. The new product will provide similar benefits to the original plan. Cost of the plan will be based on age, sex, and geographic region. Currently, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is the only provider for the program. MDWise with Americhoice is expected to offer their version later this year.

 

For more information on HIP or to apply, call 1-877-GET-HIP9 (877-438-4479) or visit http://www.hip.in.gov/. Those interested in the HIP buy-in product should contact Anthem at: 1-800-622-4075 or a licensed Anthem agent. For more information on FSSA, go to www.in.gov/fssa.

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