Across Heart of Indiana United Way’s five-county service area, 46% of households struggle to afford basic necessities despite working. That amounts to more than 63,000 households—nearly one in every two families.
These working families are at the heart of Heart of Indiana United Way’s mission. They include childcare providers, nursing assistants, cashiers, retail associates, food service employees, manufacturing workers, and countless others whose work keeps our communities running. A significant change to the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), the state’s Medicaid program for eligible adults, will soon affect many of them.
For many of these hardworking families, health insurance is one unexpected expense away from a financial crisis. That’s why an important change to the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) deserves attention. Beginning this month, HIP members will begin receiving notices about new work reporting requirements. Starting January 1, 2027, Indiana Medicaid will require most adults enrolled in HIP to document work or other approved activities to maintain coverage.
The requirement applies to HIP members ages 19 to 64 who are not pregnant, not enrolled in or eligible for Medicare, and not otherwise exempt.
To qualify for coverage, participants must show they met the requirement during the three months before applying for or renewing benefits. For coverage beginning January 1, 2027, that means people need to start meeting requirements as early as October 1, 2026.
Eligible HIP members must complete at least 80 hours per month of approved activities, which may include:
- Paid employment
- Attending school at least half-time
- Apprenticeships or job training programs
- Community volunteer work
Different approved activities may be combined to reach the 80-hour threshold. Participants must regularly report their hours and renew HIP coverage every six months.
The state will regularly review work records and exemption status. If officials cannot verify eligibility, members may be asked to provide documentation. Failure to do so could result in loss of coverage and the need to reapply. Individuals who lose coverage may also face gaps in access to Marketplace financial assistance.
October is only three months away. The best way to avoid disruptions in coverage is to prepare now. What HIP members should do now:
- Make sure your mailing address, phone number, and email are up to date.
- Read all notices from the state carefully.
- Create and maintain a Benefits Portal account.
- Find out whether you qualify for an exemption.
- If you are not exempt, begin tracking and documenting your qualifying hours.
Taking these steps now can help ensure continued access to healthcare coverage when the new requirements take effect.
For more information, visit IN.gov/fssa/hip. If you have questions or need help understanding the new requirements, local assistance is available through the Covering Kids and Families Coalition. Heart of Indiana United Way’s Covering Kids and Families Director, Julie Barton, can help individuals navigate the process and connect them with local resources. She can be reached at 765-607-3062.
For families already balancing work, caregiving, and rising household costs, healthcare coverage is essential. Understanding these changes today can help hardworking Hoosiers stay covered and connected to the care they need tomorrow. Heart of Indiana United Way is committed to helping our neighbors understand these changes and connect with the resources they need to stay covered.