Indiana Department of Family and Social Services Changes Income Standards & Provider Rates for Medicaid Waiver Services

On June 12, 2006, Secretary of the Indiana Department of Family and Social Services (FSSA) Mitchell Roob, Jr. issued a letter to the Indiana Agencies on Aging, announcing changes to the income standards and provider rates for Medicaid waiver services. The changes are intended to increase capacity for home and community-based (HCBS) in order to reduce nursing home utilization in the state.

The income ceiling has been raised to 300% of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for clients eligible for services under the Aged and Disabled Medicaid Waiver. Provider rates were increased by five percent for many Medicaid-funded HCBS services provided through the Aged and Disabled and Traumatic Brain Injury Medicaid Waivers. Assisted living waiver services were increased by 15%. CHOICE, SSBG, and Title III funded services will be standardized at a statewide rate of two percent lower than those comparable Medicaid waiver service rates.

These changes are the first step in implementing the state's OPTIONS program, which is funded by the Aging and Disabled Waiver and Traumatic Brain Injury Medicaid Waivers. According to Secretary Roob, the three key components of the OPTIONS program are to develop capacity in areas such as assisted living, adult day services, and adult foster care; improve access to this new capacity; and raise public awareness of the full range of long-term care options.