IN – Indiana Submits Health Indiana Plan 2.0 Waiver Renewal Request to CMS
February 2017 ~
The Indiana Governor’s office on January 31st issued a press release announcing the formal submission of the state’s application to continue the state’s Medicaid expansion program, Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP 2.0).
Initially granted the waiver to create its own version of Medicaid expansion in 2015, the HIP 2.0 program requires plan members make monthly contributions to health savings accounts, known as POWER accounts.
Within the waiver application submitted to CMS, Governor Holcomb requests enhancements for the program, including expanded access to substance use disorder services. The state is hopeful that these enhancements to the existing program will to help to lessen tobacco smoking amongst beneficiaries by charging higher premiums to smokers on HIP 2.0.
Indiana seeks to expand the incentives offered through HIP 2.0. Financial incentives would be offered for completion of various programs, such as those who participate and complete smoking cessation programs, disease management program, or diet/weight management programs. The state’s renewal application requests an increase of these incentives up to a maximum of $200 per initiative.
“The Healthy Indiana Plan continues to evolve to address the most pressing health and economic needs of low-income Hoosiers,” notes Indiana Family and Social Services Secretary Jennifer Walthall, MD, MPH in the press release. “This next iteration will add more of what HIP does best: adding value for members who choose to engage in their health and incentivizing good, healthy choices.”
Pending approval, these changes and enhanced services would be available for members in all Medicaid programs as well as Healthy Indiana Plan members. HIP 2.0 is currently set to expire January 31st, 2018 and if approved, would be extended for another three years – through January 31st, 2021.
For more information on HIP 2.0, visit the Healthy Indiana Plan official website.
Source(s): Indiana.gov, January 2017; Indiana Medicaid, January 2017; Becker’s Hospital Review, February 1, 2017;
