Indiana Medicaid Enrollment Drops as Procedural Hurdles and 'Churn' Leave Eligible Residents Without Coverage
Indiana's Medicaid enrollment has seen a significant decline, with over 687,000 people losing coverage in three years as the state transitioned to post-pandemic eligibility reviews. While many residents remain eligible for benefits, a large portion of the dropoff is attributed to 'noncompliance'—a procedural issue where the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) fails to receive completed renewal forms or requested verification before a deadline. This cycle of losing and regaining coverage, known as 'churn,' often forces families to delay medical appointments and ration medications. For example, Tommie Siebert and her family have faced ongoing uncertainty regarding their coverage, while others like Taylor Holliday-Smith have struggled with complex renewal requirements for her son, Thomas. Advocates argue that the state's reliance on mailed notices and online portals can lead to missed communications. State leaders are being urged to improve communication between agencies and ensure that eligible residents do not lose essential health coverage due to administrative paperwork errors.
Sources
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‘Powerless’: Indiana families describe the toll of losing Medicaid access
Indiana Capital Chronicle
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Shackleford demands immediate pause on Medicaid waiver denials following sharp spike in care cuts for Hoosiers with special needs
Indiana House Democratic Caucus
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More than numbers: Inside Indiana’s Medicaid enrollment decline