Lawsuit Threatens HIP Program

Pending resolution of federal lawsuit, the FSSA will temporarily suspend Gateway to Work reporting requirements

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – A federal lawsuit could potentially end the Health Indiana Plan.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration announced Thursday that it will temporarily suspend the reporting requirements of the Gateway to Work program.

This comes after a lawsuit filed last month. Rose v. Azar challenges Gateway to Work along with several other components of the Health Indiana Plan that have been in operation for several years.

Gateway to Work is a part of the Healthy Indiana Plan that helps connect HIP members with job training, education or help finding the right job or volunteer activity. Some HIP members are required to participate, and those not in compliance had been at risk of potential benefit suspensions starting in January.

To help ensure the continued operation of HIP, FSSA will temporarily suspend enforcement of the provision whereby some members could have their benefits suspended beginning in January for not meeting their annual Gateway to Work requirement.

FSSA is doing so to allow time for the Rose lawsuit to be resolved and so that the court can address the challenge to HIP after similar legal challenges to programs like Gateway to Work in other states have worked their way through the appeals process.

“The FSSA’s announcement should remove any pressure that might otherwise prompt the federal district court to act hastily,” Attorney General Hill said. “Rather, the court has every opportunity to exercise patience and await the guidance of the appellate court. This approach would impose the fewest burdens on the State of Indiana and the individual residents participating in HIP.”

HIP members are encouraged to continue reporting their activities to the state or their health plan so they can be connected to resources such as the state’s Next Level Jobs program, Ivy Tech and WorkOne.

The State of Indiana also continues to seek approval for the HIP Workforce Bridge program to help support the transition for any members moving to employer insurance or other health coverage.