Beginning January 1, 2027, Indiana Medicaid will implement work requirements for new applicants and existing Medicaid members eligible under the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). These requirements emphasize a balanced, values-driven approach: pairing compassion with member responsibility, ensuring that access to healthcare is supported by work, job training, education, and community participation. Certain HIP participants may be exempt.
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.
HIP member communications
Notice of Healthy Indiana Plan Work Requirements
Starting July 1, 2026, some HIP members will begin receiving an initial notice about HIP work requirements. A sample of the notice is available is below:
- Notice of Healthy Indiana Plan Work Requirements – English
- Notice of Healthy Indiana Plan Work Requirements – Spanish
Informational videos
- Message from FSSA Secretary Roob
- What are HIP Work Requirements?
- When do HIP Work Requirements Start?
- How do I stay eligible for HIP?
- How do I know if I am exempt from HIP Work Requirements?
- How do I report my hours?
- What counts towards the HIP Work Requirement?
- What is the Benefits Portal and how do I sign up?
- Do applicants have to fulfill the HIP Work Requirements?
- Do I have to fulfill the HIP Work Requirements before I apply, even if it's my first time applying?
- Why is Indiana using work requirements for HIP?
- What happens if I don't meet the HIP Work Requirements?
- What happens during my quarterly review?
- What counts as an exemption from HIP Work Requirements?
- How to prepare now for HIP Work Requirements?
FAQ
Requirements begin January 1, 2027, but you must meet them for the three months before you apply or begin your renewal.
Most HIP members ages 19–64 must meet work requirements unless they qualify for an exemption.
People who are pregnant, caring for kids, have disabilities or serious health needs, or drug or alcohol treatment programs, or meet other criteria don’t need to complete hours.
You can meet the rule by working/volunteering/training for 80 hours, earning enough money, or being in school at least half time.
Any mix of work, volunteering, classes, or job training counts.
The state checks every three months. If they can't confirm your hours or exemption, they’ll send you a notice asking for proof.
Coverage stops, and you must reapply. You also can’t get Marketplace financial help during this time.
You renew HIP every six months, and the state checks your hours every three months.
Report changes in work, school, health, or family within 10 days using the online portal, phone, mail, or a DFR office:
Benefits Portal: Submit information to the Division of Family Resources via your FSSA Benefits Portal account at FSSABenefits.IN.gov
Mail: FSSA Document Center, PO Box 1810, Marion, IN 46952
Phone: Call DFR at 1-800-403-0864
In-Person: Visit your local Office of the Division of Family Resources during regular business hours - 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, except for State Holidays
The Benefits Portal is the easiest way to report hours and manage your HIP coverage.
Make sure your info is correct, check if you have an exemption, plan how you’ll meet the rules, and set up an Benefits Portal account.
