The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) said today that childless adults seeking insurance coverage through the state's Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) will now be put on a wait list. The state has enrolled 34,000 childless adults, the limit the federal government allows Indiana for the program.

Enrollment remains available for parents and other caretaker relatives living with dependent children.

"We are excited we have enrolled approximately 49,000 Hoosiers in HIP.  However, we are not allowed to cover more childless adults at this time," said FSSA Secretary Anne Murphy. "This limit could not come at a worse time for Hoosiers, when we know so many are hurting. It is regrettable that we do not have the ability to enroll more clients who are in need of health coverage."

The federal government distinguishes between parents and non-parents and typically does not provide funding for insurance coverage for childless adults. But in December 2007, FSSA obtained a federal waiver that provided federal funding for 34,000 childless adults. That limit has been reached, and any person in that category who applies for HIP coverage will be issued a denial letter and included on the wait list based on the date and time their application was received.

HIP provides health insurance to adult Hoosiers between the ages of 19 and 64 who earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), approximately $20,800 for an individual; do not have access to employer sponsored health insurance coverage; and have been uninsured for at least six months. 

The wait list, which will begin immediately for all childless adults, will be monitored daily. Clients will be notified should they become eligible for an opening in the program. To update the state of an address change or gain additional information on the program please call 1-877-GET-HIP9 (1-877-438-4479) or visit www.hip.in.gov.

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