Indiana receives CMS approval to expand SCHIP

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Mitch Roob on Friday announced that CMS has approved an expansion of Hoosier Healthwise, the state's version of SCHIP, the AP/Chicago Tribune reports.

Federal approval allows the state to increase eligibility to children in families with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level. The state had approved an expansion of the program to 300% of the poverty level, but CMS denied the request because of new eligibility rules set by the agency in August 2007. Roob said that the expansion will allow about 5,000 additional children to enter the program this year, and eventually as many as 10,000.

Under the SCHIP portion of Hoosier Healthwise, beneficiaries contribute premiums of $22 to $50 per month, depending on the number of children in the family. However, the expansion also will increase premiums for newly eligible families. Families with incomes between 200% and 225% of the poverty level will contribute $42 per month for one child and $53 per month for two or more children. Families with incomes between 226% and 250% of the poverty level will contribute $53 per month for one child and $70 per month for two or more children.

State Rep. Charlie Brown (D) said that lawmakers might meet this summer to discuss how to boost enrollment in Hoosier Healthwise and the state's Healthy Indiana Plan (Kusmer, AP/Chicago Tribune, 5/9).