INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Major changes are coming to Medicaid in Indiana beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and officials are warning that missing a notice or deadline could put health coverage at risk for some Hoosiers. The changes will affect people enrolled in the Healthy Indiana Plan, the state’s Medicaid program for adults who meet certain income and eligibility rules.
Local leaders say the updates could be easy to overlook, especially for people who are not expecting more frequent renewals or additional paperwork. Jason Critchlow, the Portage Township Trustee, said residents need to pay close attention so they do not lose coverage because of a missed contact from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.
Who will be affected by the new Medicaid rules
The changes apply to a specific group of Medicaid members in Indiana. According to the details shared on WSBT, the requirements generally cover people who are 19 to 64 years old, enrolled in the Healthy Indiana Plan, not pregnant, not enrolled in Medicare and not exempt from the new rules.
About 700,000 Hoosiers are enrolled in the Healthy Indiana Plan. Statewide, roughly 1.6 million people are enrolled in Medicaid this year, and local leaders say a mistake or missed deadline could put some of those residents at risk of losing access to care. The state’s agencies have not yet given member-specific guidance on how the shift will play out.
More frequent reviews will replace annual eligibility checks
Critchlow said the state used to review eligibility once a year, but that process will change under the new federal requirements. Instead, members will face periodic eligibility reviews, which means they may have to respond to more than one request from the state over time.
That change matters because people who are used to annual renewal paperwork may not realize they need to act sooner or more often. Critchlow warned that if someone receives a message from FSSA and does not notice it, they could lose their eligibility even if they otherwise still qualify for the program.
Work, school or community activity will become part of eligibility
The updated rules also introduce a requirement tied to work, school or community involvement. For the people affected, the state will require 80 hours per month of qualifying activities, or an alternative standard based on income or education.
Critchlow said this marks a major shift in how coverage is maintained and could create problems for people who are not prepared for the new expectation. He said the people served by the program include seniors, disabled people, veterans, grandparents and single parents, and he warned that the changes could end up hurting some of them.
State officials have not yet explained member-specific impacts
WSBT reached out to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration for an interview, but the agency’s offices were closed because of the federal holiday. When the station called FSSA’s general information line, an automated message said call center agents and local office staff do not yet have information on how the changes will affect any individual member’s coverage.
The message also said more information will be available in the coming months. Until then, officials are telling members to keep their records current and make sure the state has accurate contact information so they do not miss notices that could affect eligibility.
How Hoosiers can reduce the risk of losing coverage
Local leaders say the most important step for Medicaid members is to stay alert for mail, phone calls or other notices from the state. Because the new system will involve more frequent eligibility checks, missing one notice could have bigger consequences than under the old annual review process.
Critchlow urged residents to double-check that their information is up to date and to watch for any communication from FSSA once the new rules take effect. He said the program was designed to help people who may already face challenges, and he cautioned that confusion over the changes could make it harder for vulnerable residents to keep their health insurance.
