OLDER AND DISABLED HOOSIERS HARMED BY INDIANA WAIVER WAIT LIST

OLDER AND DISABLED HOOSIERS HARMED BY INDIANA WAIVER WAIT LIST

DECEMBER 12, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS—In December 2023, the State of Indiana announced that the Medicaid budget overspent appropriated funding by $1 billion. Since then, the State has made programmatic changes and researched other ways to make up for this deficit. As part of this effort, the State made abrupt and drastic changes to the Indiana Home and Community-Based Waivers—now called the PathWays Waiver and the Health and Wellness Waiver—neglecting to consult key stakeholders and failing to consider the short-term and long-term effects on Hoosiers and the Indiana State budget. These swift budget and policy changes have negatively impacted the lives of our most vulnerable citizens – people with complex medical needs whose lives are already difficult and often too short.

Waiver services provide home- and community-based services to eligible Hoosiers who meet the nursing facility’s level of care. Eligible individuals can receive critical home and community-based services, such as attendant care, adult day care, home-delivered meals, structured family care, or placement in, and services from an assisted living facility. Importantly, waiver services represent a significantly more cost-effective alternative to placement in nursing home facilities and are services that Hoosiers want and need now.

As of November 1, 2024, from the State’s waiting list information website, 8,719 people are on the waiting list for the PathWays Waiver (for those 60 and older). There are 4,709 people on the waiting list for the Health and Wellness Waiver (for those under age 60). Last month, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) invited 1,500 eligible individuals to receive services via the PathWays waiver—removing them from the waiting list. Additionally, 500 eligible individuals per month will receive services on the Health and Wellness waiver and be removed from the State’s waiting list. Our key concern is that there are simply not enough slots for Hoosiers who require and desire these services. Of course, new applicants for these programs will have a significant waiting period, as well. Specific examples of Hoosiers affected by waiver wait lists are available here

The State had made enormous progress on care options for older and disabled adults. In 2023, Indiana was ranked 27th among all states and the District of Columbia for long-term care services and supports. With the waiting list, the State has taken a giant step backward

We look forward to partnering with the Indiana General Assembly during the upcoming 2025 legislative session to find permanent solutions that continue these critical services for vulnerable Hoosiers.