Higher-Than-Expected Number Of People Apply To New Healthy Indiana Plan

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 11 Feb 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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More than 21,000 Indiana residents have applied for the Healthy Indiana Plan, which was launched Jan. 1, but only about 6,000 of those applications have been processed by the state Family and Social Services Administration, the Indianapolis Star reports. FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob said the volume of applicants was unexpected and the state will increase the number of employees who are working to process applications. The state also will suspend marketing of the program until the backlog is addressed. Roob said with staffing increases, he expects the agency to process about 12,000 applications per month.

The program seeks to provide coverage for state residents between ages 18 and 64 who have been uninsured for at least six months and do not have access to employer-sponsored health coverage. Residents with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible for the program. Of the 21,101 applications submitted, 6,198 have been processed. The state has approved 1,299 applications, denied more than 1,200 applications and has 3,400 applications pending (Ruthhart, Indianapolis Star, 2/7).

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