Indiana’s Beneficiary Advisory Council Provides Medicaid Members a Voice in Policy Decisions
In an initiative aimed at enhancing community engagement with Medicaid policies, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has announced the establishment of a new Beneficiary Advisory Council. This council, set to launch by the end of September 2023, offers Medicaid recipients, along with their families and caregivers, a direct avenue to participate in administrative discussions and influence policy developments.
The creation of the Beneficiary Advisory Council is mandated by a new federal rule implemented in 2024, designed to promote stakeholder feedback regarding Medicaid services. As stated by Charity Lumpkin, a representative from the FSSA, the council will facilitate “bidirectional feedback” between the state and its Medicaid enrollees. This initiative not only empowers individuals with lived experience of the Medicaid system but also allows them to identify crucial issues to bring forth to the Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC).
The council is open to a diverse range of individuals enrolled in Medicaid programs, including both paid and unpaid caregivers as well as family members. Recognizing the varied experiences of Medicaid recipients, Lumpkin emphasized the importance of building a council that reflects the spectrum of perspectives within the program. The application process aims to gather comprehensive information about candidates’ experiences with Medicaid, considering both their current situations and historical interactions with the system.
Applications for the council are being accepted until July 15, 2023, and can be submitted online or via mail to the FSSA’s Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning. The selection process will involve a review of applications and interviews, culminating in appointments made by the Medicaid director. Notably, four council members will be appointed directly by the Indiana General Assembly, bypassing the application process.
This initiative is part of a broader requirement wherein the Beneficiary Advisory Council and the MAC must share members, with 10 percent currently required to overlap, increasing to 25 percent by 2027. Additionally, existing MAC members will need to reapply to retain their positions in light of the changes introduced by the new federal regulations. The MAC will consist of a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from various Medicaid providers, insurance companies managing Medicaid plans, and consumer advocacy organizations.
For individuals interested in joining the Beneficiary Advisory Council, applications are available on the FSSA’s website. This move is anticipated to enhance not only the operational effectiveness of Medicaid services in Indiana but also the overall well-being of its beneficiaries by ensuring that their voices are heard in critical policy-making processes.
For ongoing discussions regarding Medicaid and other health-related issues, interested individuals are encouraged to sign up for the Indiana Two-Way communication service by texting “Indiana” to 765-275-1120, allowing them to contribute to the dialogue and seek answers to pertinent questions.