Applying For Medicaid Insurance In Indiana: A Guide

how to apply for a medicaid insurance in Indiana

Indiana's Medicaid programs provide health care coverage for individuals who are not enrolled in managed care. To apply for Medicaid in Indiana, you must fill out and submit an application form, also known as an Indiana Application for Health Coverage. The application process can be done in several ways, including online, in person, by mail, or by phone. The time taken to process the application is up to 90 days, and eligibility criteria vary based on age, disability, income, and current health insurance coverage.

Characteristics Values
Ways to apply Online, in person, by mail, or by phone
Application form Indiana Application for Health Coverage
Processing time Up to 90 days
Application processing body Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Division of Family Resources (DFR)
Eligibility Determined by several factors including age, income, disability status, and current health insurance coverage
Medicaid programs Traditional Medicaid, Healthy Indiana Plan, Hoosier Care Connect, Hoosier Healthwise, HoosierRx, Medicare Savings Program, State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Financial eligibility requirements Vary by marital status and long-term care category; criteria changes annually
Income limits (2025) Single Nursing Home Applicant: $2,901/month; Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA) for non-applicant spouse: $2,555
Asset limits (2025) Single Nursing Home Applicant: $2,000; Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) for non-applicant spouse: up to $157,920

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Application methods

To apply for Medicaid in Indiana, you will need to fill out and submit an application, also known as an Indiana Application for Health Coverage. The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Division of Family Resources (DFR) processes health coverage applications.

There are several ways to apply for Medicaid in Indiana:

  • Online: You can apply online via the benefits portal. You can also apply through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.
  • In-person: You can apply in person at a DFR office. Visit the Find My Local DFR Office website to locate the nearest DFR office.
  • By mail: You can apply by mail.
  • By phone: You can apply by calling 1-800-403-0864.

The eligibility criteria for Medicaid in Indiana vary based on the specific program and the applicant's circumstances. Traditional Medicaid is generally for individuals who are not enrolled in managed care and may include those eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. The Healthy Indiana Plan is a health insurance program for adults aged 19 to 64 who are not disabled and requires a minimal monthly contribution. Hoosier Healthwise is a program for children up to age 19 and pregnant women, covering medical, prescription, mental health, dental, hospitalization, and other costs at little to no expense. Hoosier Care Connect serves individuals aged 65 and older, blind or disabled, and ineligible for Medicare.

Additionally, Indiana offers specific programs like HoosierRx and the Medicare Savings Program to assist low-income residents with medical expenses. It is recommended to refer to the Eligibility Guide and consult the official websites for detailed information on eligibility and application procedures.

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Eligibility criteria

Traditional Medicaid

Traditional Medicaid is a program that provides health care coverage to individuals who are not enrolled in managed care. Members normally served in Traditional Medicaid include individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

The Healthy Indiana Plan

The Healthy Indiana Plan is a health insurance program for adults aged 19 to 64 who are not disabled. This plan requires enrollees to make a minimal monthly contribution to their coverage.

Hoosier Care Connect

Hoosier Care Connect is a health care program for individuals who are aged 65 and older, blind, or disabled and who are not eligible for Medicare. This program also covers children who are wards of the state, receiving adoption assistance, or foster children.

Hoosier Healthwise

Hoosier Healthwise is a health care program for children up to age 19 and pregnant women. The program covers medical care like doctor visits, prescription medicine, mental health care, dental care, hospitalizations, and surgeries at little or no cost.

Simplified Eligibility Criteria for a Single Nursing Home Applicant in Indiana

In 2025, a single Medicaid Nursing Home applicant in Indiana must meet the following criteria:

  • Income under $2,901 per month
  • Assets under $2,000
  • Require a Nursing Home Level of Care

Treatment of Income for a Couple

When only one spouse of a married couple applies for Institutional Medicaid or a HCBS Medicaid Waiver, only the income of the applicant is counted. The non-applicant spouse may be entitled to a Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA) from their applicant spouse. The MMMNA in Indiana is $2,555 (effective 7/1/24 – 6/30/25).

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Medicaid programs

Indiana offers several Medicaid programs, each with slightly different eligibility requirements. Here are the details of some of the programs:

Traditional Medicaid

Traditional Medicaid is a program that provides health care coverage to individuals who are not enrolled in managed care. It typically serves individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

Healthy Indiana Plan

The Healthy Indiana Plan is a health insurance program for adults aged 19 to 64 who are not disabled. It uses a consumer-driven approach, requiring participants to make a minimal monthly contribution to their coverage.

Hoosier Healthwise

Hoosier Healthwise is a health care program for children up to age 19 and pregnant women. It covers medical expenses such as doctor visits, prescription medicine, mental health care, dental care, hospitalizations, and surgeries at little or no cost.

Hoosier Care Connect

Hoosier Care Connect is a health care program for individuals aged 65 and older, blind, or disabled who are not eligible for Medicare. It also covers children who are wards of the state, receiving adoption assistance, or in foster care.

Medicare Savings Program

The Medicare Savings Program assists qualifying individuals in paying for Medicare Part A (Hospital) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

HoosierRx

HoosierRx helps low-income residents aged 65 and older with their monthly Medicare Part D premiums.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

SHIP is a free and impartial counseling program provided by the Administration on Community Living and the Indiana Department of Insurance for people with Medicare.

HCBS Programs

HCBS programs assist individuals in maintaining their independence and living in the least restrictive environment while ensuring their safety at home.

Medicaid Long-Term Care

Indiana offers three Medicaid long-term care categories with varying financial and functional eligibility requirements. Income limits, asset limits, and the need for a nursing home level of care are among the criteria for a single nursing home applicant in 2025.

To apply for Medicaid in Indiana, individuals can fill out and submit an application, known as the Indiana Application for Health Coverage, through the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Division of Family Resources (DRF). Applications can be submitted online, in person, by mail, or by phone.

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Income requirements

For example, the Healthy Indiana Plan, a health insurance program for adults aged 19 to 64 who are not disabled, requires a minimal monthly contribution based on income. On the other hand, Hoosier Healthwise, a program for children up to age 19 and pregnant women, offers medical care at little to no cost. Additionally, HoosierRx assists low-income residents aged 65 and older with their Medicare Part D premiums.

In the case of married couples, the treatment of income and assets can vary depending on which spouse is applying for Medicaid. When only one spouse applies for Regular Medicaid or Aged Blind and Disabled, the income of both spouses is counted towards the eligibility of the applicant spouse. However, when only one spouse applies for Institutional Medicaid or a HCBS Medicaid Waiver, only the income of the applicant is considered.

The income requirements for Medicaid eligibility in Indiana are subject to change annually, and it is recommended to refer to the official Indiana Medicaid website or resources for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

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Asset requirements

To apply for Medicaid in Indiana, you must fill out and submit an application, known as an Indiana Application for Health Coverage. The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Division of Family Resources (DFR) processes health coverage applications. You can apply online, in person, by mail, or by phone.

Indiana has specific asset requirements for Medicaid eligibility. The eligibility criteria for assets vary depending on the applicant's marital status and the type of Medicaid program they are applying for.

For single applicants, the general eligibility criteria for long-term care Medicaid in 2025 include having assets under $2,000. This limit applies specifically to a single applicant seeking Medicaid coverage for nursing home care.

For married couples, the treatment of assets is different. All assets of a married couple are considered jointly owned, regardless of which spouse is applying for Medicaid or the specific program. However, the Spousal Impoverishment Provisions allow the non-applicant spouse to retain a Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA). In 2025, the non-applicant spouse can keep up to 50% of the couple's joint assets, with a maximum value of $157,920. If the non-applicant spouse's share is less than $31,584, they can keep 100% of the assets, up to this amount.

Additionally, Indiana recognizes specific countable and exempt assets for Medicaid eligibility. Countable assets include cash, stocks, bonds, investments, bank accounts (including credit union, savings, and checking accounts), and real estate that is not the primary residence. Retirement accounts, such as IRAs and 401Ks, are also counted as assets for Medicaid eligibility. Exempt assets, which are not counted towards the limit, include personal belongings, household furnishings, an automobile, irrevocable burial trusts, and typically the primary home.

It is important to note that Indiana's Medicaid eligibility criteria, including asset limits, are subject to change annually. Therefore, it is recommended to refer to the official Indiana Medicaid website or seek guidance from the Division of Family Resources (DFR) for the most up-to-date information.

Frequently asked questions

You can apply for Medicaid Insurance in Indiana by filling out and submitting an application form, also known as an Indiana Application for Health Coverage. You can apply online, in person, by mail, or by phone.

The eligibility criteria for Medicaid Insurance in Indiana vary depending on the specific program and the applicant's circumstances. Traditional Medicaid, for example, is for individuals who are not enrolled in managed care and are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. The Healthy Indiana Plan, on the other hand, is for adults aged 19 to 64 who are not disabled.

It can take up to 90 days to determine if an application for Medicaid Insurance in Indiana is approved. Pregnant women may be able to receive medical care while their application is being processed through Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women.

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