Following a state public comment period and initial submission last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has completed its preliminary review of the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) renewal application, which prompts the start of a 30-day federal public comment period. Through the application, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is seeking a 10 year extension of HIP.
In a statement regarding the renewal application, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration also stated there are no plans to seek a Medicaid block grant at this time. This follows the recent announcement of Healthy Adult Opportunity per capita and aggregate block grants made available through CMS.
“We are focused on the renewal of our existing waiver, which already contains many of the elements CMS recently encouraged states to pursue,” said Jennifer Sullivan, M.D., M.P.H., FSSA secretary. “While we’re excited that the recently announced program may help other states discover new avenues for health reform within their Medicaid programs, we feel the model we already have is the right one for Indiana.”
In the application, Indiana asks for more flexibility in the contributions and copayments assessed in HIP, subject to capped amounts. FSSA also hopes to integrate the yet to be approved HIP Workforce Bridge program into the 10 year renewal package. If approved, HIP Workforce Bridge would provide assistance to former HIP members transitioning to commercial coverage. Additionally, the state is asking to extend the substance use disorder and serious mental illness components of HIP for 5 years.
Those interested in providing feedback during the federal comment period should visit the CMS website through this link prior to 11:00 PM on March 21, 2020.