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 paying for the premiums.

·         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 plan.

·         HIPP helps you get and keep insurance you might not be able to afford.

·         If you are already enrolled in a health plan, the HIPP Program could put money back in your pocket.

·         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 buy the insurance to help pay your medical bills than for Medicaid to pay all of the costs.

No. The HIPP Program will pay for the cost of insurance premiums, coinsurance and deductibles for the people in your family who get Medicaid.  You will have to pay for deductibles and co-insurances for the family members who do not get Medicaid. 

The HIPP Program looks at the average amount of Medicaid that is spent on a family like yours and compares it to what it would cost Medicaid to buy the insurance for you.

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.

The HIPP Program may be able to pay for insurance through:

·         Your employer, or

·         A health insurance policy you buy from an insurance agent.

·         Insurance for 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 for which Medicare is currently the primary or secondary payer.

·         An insurance premium that is used to reduce the Medically Needy
Spenddown amount for Medicaid.

Toll-Free Number:  1-888-346-9562

Fax:  1-515-242-5456

E-mail address:  hipp@dhs.state.ia.us

Internet address: www.dhs.state.ia.us/hipp 

·  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

1-515-242-5456 or mail to:  

Iowa Department of Human Services
HIPP Program
1305 E Walnut St 5^th Floor
Des Moines IA 50319-0114

                            OR

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

1-515-281-7313 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.