There is a Medicaid program in every state. Each has at least one program that covers children who come from low-income families. In Indiana, this group can be covered under the Hoosier Healthwise program.
Medicaid is a public, or government run, form of health insurance. It is intended to help individuals and families who are low income, and who cannot afford to buy health insurance from a private insurance company, to be able to access health care. Medicaid is funded by both the federal government and by the government of an individual state.
Part of the Medicaid program in Indiana is called Hoosier Healthwise. It is designed to cover children who are under the age of 19. The eligibility factors for this program include the child’s age, the number of people in the child’s family and the income of the family.
There are two different benefit packages for kids who qualify for the Hoosier Healthwise Program. One is called Hoosier Healthwise Package A. There is a chart that shows the income limits for a family based on the number of people in the family.
The income of a step parent cannot be used to find a step child ineligible. A child can be covered by private health insurance and still qualify for Hoosier Healthwise Package A. In that situation, the primary payer for the child’s medical care will be the private insurer.
Those who cannot qualify for Hoosier Healthwise Package A, due to the income limitations, may qualify for Hoosier Healthwise Package C. There is another chart that shows the income limitations for this program, based upon the number of people in a family. The limits are higher for Package C than they are for Package A.
Again, the income of a step parent cannot be used to find a child ineligible for Hooiser Healthwise Package C. This program comes with a premium that must be paid in order to receive health care. A child cannot be covered under a private insurance plan and, at the same time, qualify for Hoosier Healthwise Package C.
There is also a Developmental Disability Waiver program that covers children and adults who have certain types of disabilities. There are three parts to this program: DD Waiver, Autism Waiver, and Support Services Waiver. Eligibility requirements include a diagnosis as having a developmental disability, and the income level of the person. The income limit requirement is waived for children who are under the age of 18.
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