Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) is sharing information about
upcoming changes to Indiana’s Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) work requirements to help community members
understand when the requirements take effect and where to find information about how they may be impacted.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, Indiana will begin enforcing work requirements for certain new HIP applicants and
existing HIP members ages 19–64 who are not exempt. Those who are required to meet the rules must complete
80 hours each month through work, education, job training, or community service.
While the requirements officially begin Jan. 1, 2027, some people may need to begin meeting them as early as
Oct. 1, 2026. For example, someone applying for HIP in January 2027 will have a three-month lookback period
covering October, November, and December 2026. This means qualifying activity during those months may be
reviewed as part of the January application.
Not everyone enrolled in HIP will be required to meet the work requirements. Exemptions apply to certain
individuals based on circumstances and other criteria established by Indiana Family and Social Services
Administration (FSSA).
Know Someone Who May Be Affected?
DCMH encourages HIP members, applicants, family members, and community members to learn more about
the requirements and share the information with others who may be affected.
Official information about HIP work requirements is available through the FSSA at myfssa.in.gov
The FSSA resources explain:
- Who must meet the requirements and who may be exempt
- When requirements begin and how the three-month lookback period works
- What counts toward the 80-hour monthly requirement, including work, school, job training, and
community service - How income, self-employment, and other circumstances may satisfy the requirement
- How to check your status, report changes, and manage HIP coverage through the Benefits Portal
“We want our community to be prepared for changes that may impact their health coverage,” said Rex McKinney,
DCMH President and CEO. “FSSA provides accurate information to help people understand what may be
required of them before these changes take effect.”
“As a community hospital, we know how important health coverage is when people need medical care,” said
Leanna Myers, DCMH Patient Access Manager. “We’re sharing this information because we want our neighbors
to know where to turn with questions. If you know someone who may be affected, please share this resource
with them.”
DCMH encourages community members to visit myfssa.in.gov for the most current information from FSSA and
to share the resource with friends, family members, and neighbors who may be enrolled in or applying for HIP. - Photo L to R: Natashia Wurtzbaugh, Kathy Power, Leanna Myers
