Medicaid: Medicaid Notice? Investigate Your Rights.

You Received a Notice About Your Indiana Medicaid. What Happens Next?

If you have received a letter, an email, or a message in your online portal from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) or your health plan, do not ignore it. The first step is to carefully read the notice and understand what it is asking for. Keep the complete notice and the envelope it came in. If the notice was electronic, save a screenshot or a PDF of the message and any attachments.

Step 1: Understand the Notice

Look for key pieces of information in the document:

• The Notice Date: This is the date the notice was created.
• The Effective Date: This is the date a change or termination of your benefits is scheduled to happen.
• The Reason: The notice should explain why FSSA or your health plan is taking an action or asking for information.
• The Request: It may ask you to submit documents or verify information, such as income, household size, or work activities.
• The Deadline: Look for any date by which you must respond, submit documents, or file an appeal. This is the most important date to identify.

Step 2: Identify the Issue

Your notice could be about several different things. It might be a routine renewal, a request for information to verify your eligibility, or a notice that your coverage is changing or ending. It could also be a decision about a specific medical service or a notice about community engagement requirements. The notice should state the specific reason for the action.

Step 3: Gather Your Records

Before you respond, gather your own records. This includes copies of anything you have already sent to FSSA, pay stubs, letters about other benefits, or household information. Compare what the notice says with your records. For example, if the notice states your income is too high, check it against your actual pay stubs. Identify exactly what fact, document, or rule is the source of the disagreement.

Step 4: Look for Your Right to Appeal

If the notice says your benefits will be reduced, changed, or terminated, it must also tell you about your right to a review or an appeal. This section is often called "Appeal Rights" or "Fair Hearing Information." Find the deadline to ask for an appeal. You must meet this deadline to protect your rights.

Step 5: Document Everything

Whether you are submitting documents or filing an appeal, keep records of every action you take.

• Keep the original notice and envelope.
• Make copies of everything you send.
• If you submit documents online, take screenshots of the confirmation page.
• If you mail documents, send them by certified mail to have proof of delivery.
• When you call, write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with, and what was said. Ask for confirmation in writing.

Do not rely on verbal promises. Your case is based on the documents in your file. For Indiana-specific information, advocacy tools, and resources for filing an appeal, visit Indiana Medicaid Help at https://indianamedicaidhelp.org/.