Family Voices Indiana

The mission of the National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative (NDNRC) is to provide cross-disability information and support to Navigators and other enrollment specialists thereby ensuring people with disabilities receive accurate information when selecting and enrolling in insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces. Topical Fact Sheets Comparing Health Plan’s Benefits and Coverage Summaries Getting and Using Health Plan Evidence of Coverage Using Health Plan Customer Service Rehabilitation and Habilitation Services and Devices Prescription Medication Benefits Supporting Collaborations between Navigators, Connectors and Assisters, and Local Disability and Affinity Organizations Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Medically Frail Status as an Exemption to Receiving Medicaid Alternative Benefit Plan with Essential Health Benefits Streamlined Marketplace Application Process Medical Supplies Benefits Civil Rights of People with Disabilities under

by Jan Labas, health information specialist  Sounds a little silly to say that adapted sports has changed our lives, but it’s true. As parents of a preemie, once we got our child past the important issues like breathing and staying well, we were faced with how to begin to fill his life with meaning. Filling that life when you are differently-abled can be challenging; but what meaningful life isn’t challenging at times? As our Luke, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, grew, we graduated from a stroller to a manual wheelchair, before jumping into a power chair at the age of 5 as he entered kindergarten. As a family, you explore things to do together. We loved bowling since many lanes had a ball ramp and it was one activity that all seven of us could do together. Our lives changed when we were introduced to Power Soccer. Sounds a tad melodramatic that an adapted sport could impact an entire family, but it has and does. As Luke matured, so did his peers. Off they went with

¤ What do you think about current resources and services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Indiana? ¤ What has worked in supporting families, caregivers, and individuals  with ASD? What has not?  ¤ What changes do you think should be made? This 10-15 min survey is your chance to provide input that will inform changes and the next steps! Survey:  tinyurl.com/autismneeds We seek input from all perspectives: family members, individuals with ASD, medical providers, school personnel, justice system employees, and other community service providers.  Share the link with your friends or colleagues!  Share your input by January 31, 2015 Conducted by the HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center on behalf of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). Questions about the survey or HANDS in Autism? HANDSinAutism.iupui.edu  |  hands@iupui.edu  |  317.274.2675

Effective January 1, 2015, the Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) will provide coverage for critical care during a pediatric or neonatal interfacility transport. The following restrictions apply:  Patient must be 24 months of age or younger.  Patient must be in critical condition, as determined by a physician using the following guidelines:  Patient has a critical illness or injury that acutely impairs one or more vital organ systems.  Imminent or life-threatening deterioration of the patient’s condition is highly probable during transport.  This service must be rendered by a physician or a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP). Coverage applies to all IHCP programs, subject to limitations established for certain benefit packages, for dates of service on or after January 1, 2015.

Effective January 1, 2015, the Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) will implement a new general policy regarding coverage of genetic testing services. This policy will address IHCP’s coverage of genetic testing services overall. Coverage policies issued regarding specific genetic tests or techniques will supplement this policy. The National Human Genome Research Institute defines genetic testing as follows: The term “genetic testing” covers an array of techniques including analysis of human DNA, RNA or protein. Genetic tests are used as a healthcare tool to detect gene variants associated with a specific disease or condition, as well as for non-clinical uses such as paternity testing and forensics. In the clinical setting, genetic tests can be performed to confirm a suspected diagnosis, to predict the possibility of future illness, to detect the presence of a carrier state in unaffected individuals (whose children may be at risk), and to predict response to

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) submitted two demonstration waiver applications to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in July 2014:  The first was an application to expand the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) to provide consumer-driven healthcare to a greater number of nondisabled Hoosier adults. This proposal is known as “HIP 2.0.”  As a contingency measure, the FSSA also submitted an application to extend the existing HIP program, sometimes referred to as “HIP 1.0,” for another three years. The latter application was presented to preserve the HIP program and to protect current HIP enrollees from any potential gaps in coverage pending approval of the HIP 2.0 proposal. On November 14, 2014, the CMS approved the FSSA’s waiver application to extend the existing HIP program through 2015. The approved waiver does not make any changes in benefits, cost sharing, or reimbursement with the extension of the current HIP pr

Family Voices Indiana was nominated by the Indiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics for the Covering Kids and Families  Community Leadership Award. We are a proud partner of both organizations and thank them for recognizing our work on behalf of Hoosier families raising children with special health care needs. We are also very proud of the work of our health information specialists and family leadership specialists who support families statewide. Founding board members, Rylin Rodgers and Steve Viehweg accepted the award on behalf of Family Voices Indiana. ​ Community Leadership Award The Covering Kids & Families of Indiana Community Leadership Award is presented to an individual or group that demonstrates excellence through advocacy, support and collaborative efforts in a particular Indiana community to improve access to health coverage for Hoosier families within the past year. Criteria:  - Recognized by the community and the CKF-IN coal

Many parents-to-be read  What to Expect when You’re Expecting  in the months leading up to their baby’s birth. But for some, they receive the unexpected. Their baby is born months too early, or with a cleft palate, or with cerebral palsy. These parents aren’t sure how they are going to pay the mounting bills; they aren't sure where to turn for help; they feel all alone, like no one understands…. That’s when Family Voices Indiana can help. The family to family health information center is staffed with families who have walked this path; families who have children with similar needs; families who are trained to help other families who need resources and support. Your tax-deductible donation to Family Voices Indiana can help us reach the approximately 300,000 children with special health care needs in our state. You can make a difference in the life of a family who is embracing the unexpected and is creating the best possible life for their child. You can learn more about

Tell Congress to Save CHIP! The national Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health coverage to eight million kids nationwide. Unfortunately the program is set to expire next year if Congress does not act. Since the inception of CHIP in 1997, the percentage of uninsured children in the U.S. has been cut in half. If Congress does not act, millions of children could lose insurance which would be an enormous step backwards for children in every state. CHIP is an American success story we can all be proud of. Tell Congress to protect health coverage for kids this year by saving CHIP. You can easily send a letter to your representative HERE .