Who Is Eligible?
Hoosier Healthwise is Indiana's health care program for children, pregnant women, and low-income working families. Based on family income, children up to age 19 may be eligible for premium-free coverage, or low-cost coverage under the Children's Health Plan - Benefit Package C (www.in.gov/fssa/programs/chip). For package C, monthly premiums range from $22 to $33 for one child, and $33 to $55 for two or more children.
Pregnant women can be eligible for full coverage under Package A, or for pregnancy-related coverage under Package B, depending on family income and assets.
Low-income families can be eligible for Hoosier Healthwise, if there are children under the age of 18 living with their parent(s) or other caretaker relative. Young adults 18, 19, and 20 who live with a caretaker relative who meet the financial requirements can be covered; however their caretaker relative is not eligible.
Please review the chart below for eligiblity guidelines:
Family Monthly Income/Asset Guidelines
for Hoosier Healthwise Eligibility
(03/01/07 through 02/29/08)
Low-Income Families;Pregnant Women |
Pregnant Women; Children Under Age 1 | Children Age 1 to 19 | |||
Family Size | Package A | Pregnancy Package B | Children | Premium-free | Low-Cost Premiums Package C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | $139.50 | $1,734 | $1,734 | $1,300 | $2,167 |
2 | $229.50 | $2,334 | $2,334 | $1,750 | $2,917 |
3 | $288.00 | $2,934 | $2,934 | $2,200 | $3,667 |
4 | $346.50 | $3,534 | $3,534 | $2,650 | $4,417 |
5 | $405.00 | $4,134 | $4,134 | $3,100 | $5,167 |
For each additional member add: | $58.50 | $600 | $600 | $450 | $750 |
Asset Limit | $1,000 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Important Notes:
- In determining the family size for the pregnancy categories, the number of unborn children is included. For example, a woman who is carrying one baby and lives with her husband and another child will have a family of 4.
- Family size generally does not include stepparents. For blended families, income of stepparents cannot cause their step children to be ineligible. It's best to go ahead and file your application because using the above chart to include the whole family in the family size may not be correct in your situation.
- In determining if your income is within the guidelines above, certain deductions apply:
- If you are working, $90 is deducted from your gross monthly earnings (before taxes), and if you pay for childcare, up to $200 per child is deducted. If you work part-time or have children age 2 or older, the maximum amount deducted for childcare is slightly less.
- If children are receiving child support, $50 is subtracted.
- If you are self-employed, 40% of your gross earnings or the actual cost of expenses related to income production is deducted.
- Non-citizens who meet all financial and categorical requirements can be eligible for either full coverage or coverage limited to emergencies, depending on imigration status.
- Except for the Low-Income Families category, the income thresholds are based on percentages of the federal poverty guidelines and are adjusted annually after the new poverty guidelines are published. The income limits listed above were last updated effective March 1, 2008, for all benefit packages except Package C which were updated effective October 1, 2008 due to a program change.
As a reminder, these guidelines are subject to change. If you have further questions, please contact your Division of Family Resources Office in your County.
