HIP Work Requirements

Beginning January 1, 2027, Indiana Medicaid will begin enforcing work requirements for new applicants and existing Medicaid members eligible under the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). The HIP work requirements emphasize a balanced, values-driven approach: pairing compassion with responsibility, and ensuring that access to healthcare is supported by work, job training, education, and community participation. Some individuals eligible under HIP may not have to meet the work requirements, see below for exemptions.

What are the Work Requirements:

Work requirements are activities HIP members and applicants must complete to be eligible. Work requirements activities include:

• Employment
• Attending school at least half-time
• Participating in an apprenticeship
• Participating in a work program
• Volunteering in the community

HIP members and applicants must spend at least 80 hours every month doing one of these activities or attending school or an apprenticeship at least half time. Members and applicants can combine activities to get to 80 hours during a month.

Who must meet work requirements:

Adults enrolled in HIP must meet the work requirements if all of these are true:

•  Are ages 19-64
• Are not pregnant
• Are not enrolled in or eligible for Medicare

Work requirements exemptions:

HIP members do not have to meet the work requirements for a month if, for at least one day that month, you:

• Are under 26 and were formerly in foster care.
• Are a member of a federally recognized Tribe.
• Are a parent or caregiver of a child age 13 or younger.
• Are a caregiver of a person with a disability.
• Are a veteran with a total (100%) disability rating.
• Are pregnant, or it has been 12 months or less since your pregnancy ended.
• Are in jail or prison or were released in the last 90 days.
• Are following the work rules for SNAP or TANF.
• Are in a drug or alcohol treatment program.
• Are medically frail or have special medical needs. This includes:
  • Being blind or having a disability.
  • Having a substance use disorder.
  • Having a serious mental health condition
  • Having a serious physical, intellectual, or developmental disability.
  • Having another serious or complex medical condition.
• Other exemptions may also apply.

FSSA will release additional information as it becomes available.