INDIANA — Medicaid beneficiaries participating in Indiana’s newly launched Pathways for Aging program will soon be able to reassess and adjust their health coverage plans. This program’s first open enrollment period begins on October 15 and will run through December 7.
The Pathways for Aging program, introduced in July, is designed to streamline long-term care for Medicaid recipients aged 60 and older. This initiative’s key feature is its focus on simplifying coverage alignment for individuals who receive both Medicaid and Medicare benefits.
Holly Cunningham Piggott, Director of Care Programs at the Family and Social Services Administration’s Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning, emphasized that this open enrollment period will allow members to synchronize their Medicaid and Medicare coverage under a single managed care entity (MCE). This change aims to reduce administrative burdens and improve care coordination.
“Given that approximately 80 percent of the Pathways population is also covered by Medicare, this is a crucial opportunity for members to align their Medicaid and Medicare plans,” said Cunningham Piggott. “During this open enrollment period, they can select the same managed care entity for both types of coverage.”
Eligible members will receive a notification letter detailing the steps to make these changes in the coming weeks. To adjust their plans, members must contact the enrollment broker to express their preference for a unified MCE.
Cunningham Piggott noted that the open enrollment period aligns with the Medicare annual enrollment period, providing a convenient timeframe for members to review and update their coverage options.
For ongoing updates and more information, Medicaid officials will continue to monitor and assess the effectiveness of the Pathways for Aging program over the coming year.
