Indiana Health Care Programs for the Uninsured and Underinsured
Indiana takes an approach to public health coverage that is a bit different from most states. Rather than running a single Medicaid program under one name, the state operates several branded programs — each aimed at a specific group of people. Knowing which one applies to your situation is the first step toward getting covered. This page explains what's available statewide for uninsured and underinsured Hoosiers.
The Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP)
The Healthy Indiana Plan is Indiana's health coverage program for adults between the ages of 19 and 64 who are not disabled and don't have access to affordable coverage through an employer. It's the state's version of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, and it covers a wide range of services — doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, mental health care, and more.
What makes HIP distinctive is how it works financially. Enrollees make a small monthly contribution into what the state calls a POWER Account, which functions a bit like a health savings account. Contributions are based on income and are kept very low — usually around 2% of household income. Those who keep up with their contributions are enrolled in HIP Plus, which includes dental and vision coverage and has no copays. People who can't make the monthly contribution are placed in HIP Basic, which has copays and does not include dental or vision. Those below the poverty line are not required to make contributions.
To apply, visit https://www.in.gov/fssa/hip/, call 1-800-403-0864, or stop in at your local Division of Family Resources (DFR) office. Indiana updates its income limits each March, so if you were recently denied, it's worth checking again after that update.
Hoosier Healthwise — Coverage for Children and Pregnant Women
Hoosier Healthwise is Indiana's Medicaid program for children up to age 19 and pregnant women. It covers the full range of medical needs — doctor visits, prescriptions, immunizations, mental health services, dental care, surgeries, and hospitalizations — at little to no cost for most families.
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) falls within Hoosier Healthwise as well. Families who earn a bit too much for standard Medicaid may still qualify for CHIP coverage, known as Package C, which carries a small monthly premium. Pregnant women qualify at a higher income level and are also eligible for Presumptive Eligibility — a short-term coverage option that provides immediate access to prenatal care while the full Medicaid application is being processed. Apply at https://fssabenefits.in.gov/bp/#/ or by calling 1-800-403-0864.
Hoosier Care Connect — Disabled Adults Under 60
For Hoosiers under 60 who are blind or have a qualifying disability, but are not yet eligible for Medicare, Hoosier Care Connect provides Medicaid coverage. This program serves working-age people with significant disabilities who don't fit into the Healthy Indiana Plan and aren't old enough for other programs.
Coverage includes the same core medical services as other Medicaid programs — primary care, specialists, prescriptions, behavioral health services, and more. Eligibility requires both a qualifying disability determination and meeting income guidelines. Contact the FSSA at 1-800-403-0864 for more information.
Indiana Medicare Savings Programs
Indiana's Medicare Savings Programs help low-income Hoosiers who are already enrolled in Medicare cover their out-of-pocket costs. Depending on income, the program can pay some or all of Medicare's Part A and Part B premiums, along with deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
There are several tiers, including the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program, which provides the most comprehensive help, and the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI) programs, which help specifically with Part B premiums. Each tier has its own income cutoff, and limits adjust each year.
Apply at FSSABenefits.in.gov or call 1-800-403-0864. Free counseling on all Medicare options in Indiana — including Savings Programs — is available through Indiana's SHIP program at 1-800-452-4800.
HoosierRx — Prescription Help for Seniors on Medicare
Seniors 65 and older who are enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan may qualify for HoosierRx, Indiana's state pharmaceutical assistance program. HoosierRx can cover a monthly amount (set annually) of the cost of monthly Part D premiums — specifically for those who've already applied for the federal "Extra Help" program through Social Security and received a notice of award or denial in response.
To be clear: you need to apply for federal Extra Help first, then bring that notice with you when you apply for HoosierRx. Enrollees in full Medicaid are not eligible for this separate program, since their drug coverage is handled differently. Apply online at hoosierrx.fssa.in.gov, or call 1-866-267-4679.
Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IN-BCCP)
The Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program provides free screenings and diagnostic testing to women who are uninsured or underinsured and meet income guidelines — generally at or below around 200% of the federal poverty level. Breast cancer screenings are available to women 40 and older; cervical screenings are generally available for women 30 and older who are not currently pregnant.
Services covered include clinical breast exams, mammograms, Pap tests, colposcopies, biopsies, and ultrasounds. If a cancer diagnosis results from IN-BCCP screenings, participants may become eligible for a special treatment Medicaid category called MA-12 (also known as Option 3), which provides full health coverage for the duration of cancer treatment at a higher income threshold than standard Medicaid.
The program also covers underinsured women who have insurance but haven't yet met their deductible — a detail worth knowing if you've been putting off care for that reason. The IN-BCCP is administered through regional coordinators across the state. Contact the Indiana Department of Health for a referral to the coordinator serving your county: https://www.in.gov/health/ or call 317-234-2945.
Indiana HIV Services Program
Indiana's HIV Services Program (HSP), funded through the federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, provides access to antiretroviral medications and core medical services for Hoosiers living with HIV who are uninsured or underinsured. The program uses a care coordination model — you work with a local non-medical case manager who helps you enroll and connect to the right services.
The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) portion covers FDA-approved HIV medications on a temporary basis, primarily as a bridge while waiting for other insurance coverage to begin. Indiana views ADAP as a short-term support rather than a long-term standalone solution, and case managers work to move clients into full insurance coverage as quickly as possible. Income guidelines for the program are generally up to around 300% of the federal poverty level.
The program also includes help with insurance premiums, deductibles, and copays for those who have private insurance or Medicare Part D but can't afford the cost-sharing. To get connected, contact the Indiana State Department of Health HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis Division at 1-866-588-4948, or reach out to a local Ryan White case management agency in your area.
Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening for Vaccines for Children
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides free immunizations to children who are uninsured, Medicaid-enrolled, or American Indian/Alaska Native. In Indiana, vaccines are distributed through local health departments and participating medical providers across the state. The schedule covers diseases including polio, measles, tetanus, HPV, influenza, and others as recommended by the CDC.
To find a VFC provider near you, contact the Indiana Department of Health Immunization Division at 1-800-701-0704 or 317-233-7603.
Children's Special Health Care Services
Children's Special Health Care Services is a supplemental program for Indiana children under 21 who have serious, chronic medical conditions. It's not a substitute for Medicaid — it's an add-on for families who need extra support managing complex health needs. Services can include evaluations, comprehensive well-child and sick-child care, immunizations, prescription assistance, and routine dental care. Case managers can also connect families to community resources when the child's needs go beyond what the program covers directly. Call 1-800-475-1355 for eligibility information and enrollment.
Free and Low-Cost Medical and Dental Clinics
Community health centers and free clinics throughout Indiana serve patients who are uninsured or underinsured, often using a sliding-fee scale tied to income. Many federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are required to see patients regardless of ability to pay, making them a practical option for people who don't qualify for any of the programs above or who need care while waiting for coverage to start.
Dental care is also available at a number of low-cost and free dental clinics across the state as well, for those whose Medicaid plan doesn't include dental or who are between coverage options.
See the full listings at free health care clinics in Indiana or for centers that specialize in dental care, see the free dental clinics page in Indiana.
How to Apply for Most Indiana Programs
For the Healthy Indiana Plan, Hoosier Healthwise, Hoosier Care Connect, and Medicare Savings Programs, the application goes through the same place: the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). You can apply online at https://fssabenefits.in.gov/bp/, by phone at 1-800-403-0864, or in person at your local Division of Family Resources office (find yours at https://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/ebt-hoosier-works-card/find-my-local-dfr-office/).
Programs like IN-BCCP, the HIV Services Program, and Children's Special Health Care Services have their own enrollment processes — contact information for each is listed in the relevant section above.
A note about this information: NeedHelpPayingBills.com is not a medical provider and does not offer medical advice. The health care information on this site is provided for informational purposes only, to help people locate assistance programs and understand what may be available to them. Program eligibility rules, income limits, and enrollment periods change regularly — sometimes more than once a year. Always verify current details directly with the program before applying or making any health care decisions.
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