ANDERSON — As the Healthy Indiana Plan approaches its six-month anniversary, Family and Social Services Administration officials are citing various victories and a few problems with the plan.
While the state’s answer to the uninsured Hoosier problem has currently helped 13,538 Hoosiers get access to health care at a low cost, FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob said the program is not yet helping at least one group of Hoosiers.
The current plan excludes Hoosiers who have access to health insurance through their employer. The problem, according to Roob, is that while employer-provided coverage is available, it is often too expensive for folks earning between 100 percent and 300 percent of the federal poverty level.
In order to be eligible for HIP, which gives low-cost health insurance to needy Hoosiers, participants must earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level and not have access to employer-sponsored health care coverage.
“The question is, how do we deal with people above 100 percent of poverty,” Roob said.
The HIP plan has enough funding to cover about 130,000 needy Hoosiers, according to the State of Indiana Web site. Around 400,000 Hoosiers are uninsured and living below poverty standards.
“The program is designed for people who don’t have access to employer-sponsored health care,” Roob said. It does not address those who cannot afford health care offered by employers — yet.
While the system is not yet serving every Hoosier in need, Roob said it is making history, explaining that no other state has formed a plan like HIP. “No one else is doing it the way we’re doing it.”
While the plan is well on its way to insuring 13,538 eligible Hoosiers, Roob admitted HIP is not yet a perfect system. “We never claimed this was the end all and be all. This is an important first step.”
Local numbers
For the first few months of the HIP rollout, it looked as though Madison County would lead the state in the number of enrolled Hoosiers. In recent months, the numbers have dropped compared to larger cities but Roob is still impressed with the turnout.
“Delaware and Madison counties are two of our star counties in getting people signed up,” Roob said.
As of May 19, Madison County had sent in 1,536 applications for the HIP program. Approximately 580 Madison County residents were found eligible for the program, according to FSSA documents.
Larger populations in Lake and Marion counties have taken the lead in applications filed and number of eligible citizens.
Across the state, FSSA is seeing great progress, according to Roob. “We’re adding about 1,000 eligible every 10 days.”
So far, the state has received 46,995 applications. About 10,390 Hoosiers have been denied coverage. Some of which are those who fall below poverty standards, but have access to employer-sponsored health coverage.
With the high volume of applications filed, Roob said the state agency has had to double its staff. “We’re confident with the rate at which we’re growing.”
While HIP can only cover about 130,000 of the 400,000 uninsured Hoosiers, Roob is confident the state has time before the money runs out. “It’ll take us two and a half to three years to get there.”
Local News
7:38 p.m.: FSSA admits problems with HIP
State confident in most of the progress being made
- Local News
-
-
Local churches work with Change This World
While 1.02 billion people are undernourished and 23,483 die of starvation or preventable disease per day in the world, according to Food and Agriculture statistics on Change This World’s website, there are those who are trying to make a difference by decreasing those numbers.
-
Elwood mayor says new administration has had zero firings
Mayor Ron Arnold, who took office Jan. 1, said his administration has not fired a single employee.
-
Got flowers for Valentine's Day?
If you’re a wife or girlfriend reading this story, avert your eyes. This one’s for the men in your life.
-
Snow showers this evening
Our snow chances are greater during the course of this week. Today will begin dry with increasing clouds and highs in the mid 30s.
-
Arrest Log: Feb. 13
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
-
Poll question for Monday, Feb. 13
Vote daily in The Herald Bulletin poll. Today's poll question can be found at the bottom of the homepage on the right side.
-
Getting Together: Anderson Symphony Orchestra seeks musical connections
Getting patrons in the proper mood for Valentine’s Day, the Anderson Symphony Orchestra delighted its audience with both classical and popular melodies of love on Saturday night. From Tchaikovsky to the Beatles, the professional musicians performed tales of love, tragedy and romance.
-
What's Where: Feb. 13
Local meetings and activities are scheduled Monday.
-
Scott Underwood: TV section alterations on the way
Two Sundays ago, The Herald Bulletin introduced a new product called Click, replacing the TV Week section. Like TV Week, Click includes TV listings grids, sports listings and Sudoku and crossword puzzles.
-
Analysis: Exceptional voice seemed lost in Houston's excessive fame
Whitney Houston’s numerous comeback attempts never gelled into anything the public cared about.
- More Local News Headlines
-
