The Indiana Bureau of Disabilities Services (BDS) is planning to create new home and community-based service waivers to improve services. This is known as the “waiver reset.” In 2027, BDS plans to move people accessing services on the current four waivers into the new waivers. BDS is still working on figuring out what the new…
Medicaid
Medicaid & Public Policy Webinars
Join The Arc of Indiana, Autism Society of Indiana, Down Syndrome Indiana, and the Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council for two important webinars on December 2 and December 9. Now more than ever, united advocacy is essential to protect the rights and supports of Hoosiers with disabilities. Whether you are a self-advocate, family member, service…
BDS Launching Review Process of High-Cost Waiver Service Plans & Guidance on Transportation
Indiana’s Bureau of Disability Services (BDS) is launching a review process of high-cost Medicaid Waiver service plans, and has also issued guidance on transportation. High-Cost Waiver Service Plans BDS has issued advisory memos for providers and families regarding review of high-cost Medicaid Waiver service plans. BDS’s memo states, “BDS is taking a proactive look at…
FSSA Announces End of MDwise Participation in Indiana Medicaid Programs
Nov. 12, 2025 The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has announced that MDwise will no longer serve as a managed care health plan for Indiana Medicaid’s Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) and Hoosier Healthwise programs, effective January 1, 2026. HIP covers Hoosiers ages 19-65 who meet spcific income levels. Hoosier Healthwise covers eligible children…
Holding On Through the Changes: What Indiana’s Medicaid Shifts Mean for Families
On July 2, an Indiana mother opened the letter she had dreaded. Medicaid had denied the waiver services her son depended on for nursing care. Her choices were unthinkable: quit her job to provide care full-time or risk her child’s health without the support they’d been promised. This is what “policy change” looks like—not in…
Federal Budget Report & Town Hall Meetings
Changes Coming to Medicaid Funding The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the federal budget bill on May 22, 2025, with nearly $880 billion in Medicaid cuts. The Senate followed on July 1, advancing its version to the House for final consideration ahead of a self-imposed July 4 deadline. The Senate bill includes…
Home & Community Support Professional Training & Registry Update
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has announced, effective July 1, 2025, the launch of a statewide training curriculum, platform, and direct support professional registry. This initiative is aimed at maintaining a diverse, stable, and well-trained workforce to provide quality person-centered home and community-based services and support. At this time, this applies to employees…