Kim Dodson, CEO The Arc of Indiana is a nonprofit organization that advocates on issues important to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We represent the people currently utilizing Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver services, as well as those who are waiting for these services. The recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporting on…
On February 12, the Bureau of Disabilities Services (BDS) announced the opening of the public comment period for upcoming amendments to the Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH), Family Supports (FS), Health and Wellness (H&W), TBI, and 1915 b(4) waivers. Public notice and public comments occur prior to BDS submitting amendments to the Centers for Medicare…
Families have begun reporting that they are being told that for Medicaid members receiving Medicaid Waiver services and home health services, the direct care staff person for each service cannot be the same individual. Please note that this does not exclusively affect Attendant Care and Structured Family Care (SFC). It pertains to all waiver services.…
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration published a notice of proposed changes to methods and standards governing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) coverage and policies. The public notice period is from February 25, 2026, through March 27, 2026. The notice follows recommendations made by the ABA Task Force. FSSA – OMPP proposes to submit a…
The Arc of Indiana welcomes today’s announcement by Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Secretary Mitch Roob that the planned 10% Medicaid rate cut for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy will be reduced to 6%. The announcement was made at FSSA’s Quarterly Financial Review meeting. Families and advocates had raised concerns that a 10% cut…
Under a new process established by the Bureau of Disabilities Services (BDS), individuals who want to transition from a Supervised Group Living (SGL) setting to the Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) waiver must reside in an SGL setting for a minimum of 365 consecutive days before being eligible to apply for a CIH waiver. This requirement…
What Individuals, Families, and Guardians Need to Know Medicaid Waivers (also called Home and Community-Based Services) provide Medicaid health coverage, as well as supports and services that help people with disabilities live at home and participate in their communities. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved several updates to Indiana’s Medicaid Waiver programs that take effect December 31, 2025. …
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…
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…
Families of medically complex children, together with The Arc of Indiana, and lawmakers joined Governor Mike Braun on Wednesday, August 27, to celebrate the official signing of H.B. 1689. H.B. 1689 was introduced to address the issue of parents and spouses being reimbursed through the Medicaid Waiver program to provide attendant care to family members…