HIP Work Requirements--What You Need to Know

HIP Work Requirements

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HIP’S NEW WORK REQUIREMENTS

Indiana has made several changes to the Healthy Indiana Plan. One in particular is sometimes known as the “work requirement" that will go into affect in 2019. Below is some information you need to know.

If you are having any problems with your coverage, feel free to contact Indiana Legal Services (ILS). We are a non-profit legal program, and not connected to the Indiana government offices. So we may be able to help, at no charge. You can reach us at (844) 243-8570 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. eastern, Monday through Friday.

1. What is the “work requirement?”

Starting in 2019, unless you have an exemption (see below) you will need to complete “work requirements” in order to maintain HIP eligibility.  Activities that qualify are: 1. working, 2. education, 3. work search or community service. This will be phased in over the course of the year in 2019. Eventually, you will have to complete twenty hours each week of activities to keep HIP.

2. It will be your responsibility to document that you are meeting the work requirement.

Each month you will be required to report your activities. You should receive instructions from either/both the state of Indiana and your health coverage provider on how you must report each month. Your health coverage provider should also keep you informed as to whether you are meeting the requirement each month.

3. What if I do not meet the work requirement?

At the end of each calendar year, starting in December of 2019, the state of Indiana will evaluate whether you have met the requirements. If you did not meet the requirements in eight of the previous twelve months your eligibility will be suspended—this means you will not have health coverage.

If you are suspended, you may be able to reinstate your coverage if you can prove that you have an exemption (listed below) or by completing one calendar month of the work requirements described above.

Please note: even if your coverage is suspended, the state of Indiana is required to see if you are eligible for another category of health coverage, other than HIP.

4. Does everyone on HIP have to participate in the work requirement?

No. If you can document one or more of the following, then you should be exempt from the work requirement:

5. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself:

- Read all of the mail you receive from either Indiana or your health insurance provider (which may come in an unmarked envelope).

-Respond immediately to any requests for documentation or information.

-Document as much as you can in writing.

-Update the state immediately if you change addresses or phone numbers.

-You have legal rights—if you disagree with a decision made with regard to your eligibility, or whether you are complying with the program requirements, you have the right to appeal or file a grievance. You can always contact ILS for questions at the number listed above and seek help with your coverage.