Important Information About the HIPP Program

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HIPP is the Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program, one of the services available to people who get  Medicaid (Title 19).  The HIPP Program helps people get insurance or keep insurance they already have by reimbursing the cost of the premiums.  The HIPP programis a way for the State of Iowa to save money.

• The health plan may cover services that are not covered by Medicaid.
• Other people in your family who are not covered by Medicaid, may be covered by your health insurance.
• HIPP helps you get and keep insurance you might not be able to afford.

• You or someone in your home has to have Medicaid.
• You must have medical insurance or be able to get it through your employer.
• The health plan must be cost-effective.

"Cost-effective" means that it costs the State less to reimburse all or a portion of your health insurance premium than for Medicaid to pay all of the costs.

No. When you get medical care for your Medicaid- eligible family members,give the provider your health insurance card and your Medicaid card.  Your health insurance is billed first.  Then so long as you go to a Medicaid provider, Meidcaid i billed for the co-insurance, deductibles and any other services not covered by your health insurance. 

The HIPP Program looks at the services covered under your health insurance plan.

The program compares the average cost of your Medicaid-eligible family members to the cost of your health insurance premium. 

Important:  To make this decision you need to return any information we may ask for.

The HIPP Program is a way for the State of Iowa to save money.  If you choose not to give us the information we need or not to work with the Program, your Medicaid may be stopped.

• Someone who does not live in your home.
• School plans based on enrollment or attendance as a student.
• An insurance plan that pays income to the policyholder or pays only limited amounts for services.
• Plans that are limited to a temporary period of time
•  Plans that have an absent parent as the policyholder.
•  Any plan when the policyholder is not part of your Medicaid household
•  An insurance premium that is used to reduce the Medically Needy Spenddown amount for Medicaid or used as a deduction in computing the client participation
• Anyone covered under Medicare, IowaCare, Medicaid Kids with Special Needs (MKSN), Iowa Family Planning Netword (IFPN), or Health Insurance Plan Iowa (HIPIOWA)

Toll-Free Number:  1-888-346-9562

Fax:  1-515-725-0725

E-mail address:  hipp@dhs.state.ia.us

• Ask your local DHS worker to refer you to the HIPP Program if:
• Someone living with you gets Medicaid
• You have or can get health insurance through your job that will cover the Medicaid-eligible people.

                             OR

•  Print an application and fax it to us at

1-515-725-0725 or mail to:  

Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME)
HIPP Unit
PO Box 36476
Des Moines IA 50315-9907

                            OR

• Call us and we will help you complete an application.

1-515-974-3282 or
Toll-free at 1-888-346-9562

If you are living with AIDS/HIV-related illness there is a special program to assist you with premiums for your health insurance.  Click here for more information.

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