Frequently Asked Medicaid Questions in Indiana

Indiana offers a comprehensive list of medical aid services, ranging from Medicaid to the Children's Health Insurance Plan. The goal is to get much-needed health care to the people who must have it but are not eligible for regular insurance or unable to pay the costs. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) process claims and applications for Medicaid and related health services for state residents.

Who Is Eligible?

• Eligibility for Medicaid is based on a number of factors, according to the FSSA website. All of the household income is considered, along with other resources available to the household such as property holdings or other investments or savings mechanisms. Applicant age is also a factor, focusing on the medical needs of children and elderly citizens with special programs in addition to basic Medicaid coverage. People with special medical needs are also important, including disabled persons or those with illnesses that exclude them from mainstream health insurance plans.

What Does Medicaid Cover?

• What will be covered by your Medicaid benefits will be determined by your specific situation and requirements. Doctor visits, medical procedures, vision and dental needs can be taken care of through traditional Medicaid services, not including the specialized programs such as the Hoosier Healthwise plan designed for women and small children, or the Indiana Care Select plan aimed at people with special health needs.

What Is Indiana Care Select?

• This program is a state-managed health care system, tailored after a health maintenance organization (HMO), in which the patient sees a primary physician who coordinates the total care package with other physicians or specialists. To qualify for Indiana Care Select, the patient must have one of several serious illnesses, including asthma, diabetes, hypertension and depression or other serious emotional disorders. The system is designed to handle those with special needs such as the aged, blind and disabled.

Are My Prescriptions Covered?

• Medicaid will pay some or all of your prescription costs if you qualify for coverage. Medicaid may require the use of generic medications if any are available, and the patient may be responsible for some or all of the costs of certain medications. Indiana also offers the HoosierRx program to assist Medicare recipients in obtaining their necessary medications.

Are Other Programs Available?

• Indiana has many health-related programs, including plans intended to reach specific types of care, such as the Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), a federal initiative aimed at delivering medical care to needy children. For adults who are unable to afford health insurance, the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) provides coverage or assistance to those who do not qualify for more specialized plans.