Important info for families with a child with ASD targeted for the FS waiver

A Message to Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Targeted for the Family Supports Medicaid Waiver from ASK, ASI, FV Indiana and The Arc:

Families who have a child with an autism spectrum disorder who receive an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) benefit from a Medicaid HMO or Managed Care Plan, such as MDWise or Hoosier Healthwise, need to be aware how this benefit could be affected if your child is approved to receive services through the Family Supports (FS) Medicaid Waiver. 

When an individual is approved for the Family Supports Waiver he or she will be moved to a traditional Medicaid Disability plan, which does not offer ABA benefits, resulting in the loss of coverage for ABA. 

If you have a private commercial policy through your employer, a policy that you have purchased on your own, or a policy purchased through the healthcare.gov website (an Affordable Care Act marketplace plan) your child can keep his or her private plan when they get the waiver. The private plan will be their “primary” insurance, and Medicaid will be their “secondary” insurance. 

It is very important for families to understand their full range of options and make an informed decision about whether or not to accept a Medicaid Waiver spot. Before making this decision, please contact one of the advocacy organizations listed below to receive an explanation of Medicaid Waiver benefits, the possible consequences of turning down a waiver spot, Medicaid options, and other resources that may benefit you and your family. 

About Special Kids 

317-257-8683 800-964-4746 familynetw@aboutspecialkids.org 

Autism Society of Indiana 

800-669-8449 info@inautism.org 

Family Voices Indiana 

317-944-8982 info@fvindiana.org 

The Arc of Indiana 

317-977-2375 800-382-9100 thearc@arcind.org