Sharing YOUR Medicaid Story can make a difference!
Medicaid cuts are nothing new to those of us in the disability community. However, the multiple changes that are being proposed to multiple funding streams at both the state and federal levels, are putting Hoosier autistics and their families at risk. Our families rely on Medicaid, Public School and Department of Education resources. There is plenty for autism families to be concerned about. Lifetime caps will now be in place as well as limits to services based on autism diagnosis level. Level One autistics are being treated as if their low visible needs means they have EASY AUTISM and therefore do not need as much early intervention. Nothing could be further from the truth.
We regularly have opportunities to meet with local northeast Indiana legislators as well as media outlets. Our agenda is to share your story. We are a non profit that advocates for Hoosier autistics and their families as well as others in our disability community. We are NOT a Medicaid Provider. We do not have a financial stake in the outcome. We will share YOUR concerns. Hoosier autistics deserve to have access to medically necessary treatment, proper individualized supports, the ability to their lives with dignity and the opportunity to actively participate in their local communities.
Please be as specific as possible when sharing your story on our platform or others!
Tell us how ABA Therapy has impacted your family and your autistic loved one.
Share with us how Medicaid cuts and changes to the Medicaid Waiver Program would affect your family.
Don’t just write “Please don’t cut Medicaid.” that will not get the desired outcome. Be specific and include your financial concerns, life skills acquisition, behavior goals and public education transition and placement concerns. We welcome all stories from our disability community, not just autism.
The interRAI assessment is changing who qualifies for Home and Community Based Services.
Tell My Autism Ally how Indiana’s Medicaid changes and the interRAI assessments are affecting your family.
Across Indiana, thousands of individuals with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and complex needs rely on Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers—including the Family Supports, Health and Wellness, and Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) waivers—to receive the essential support that allows them to live at home rather than in institutional settings.
However, Indiana’s Medicaid program and the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) have introduced significant structural shifts, including transition rules for paid family caregivers and the implementation of the interRAI assessment tool to determine level-of-care, eligibility, and service allocation. Families across the state report that interRAI scores do not always accurately capture the real-world daily needs, safety concerns, or behavioral supports required for individuals on the autism spectrum—leading to reduced authorized hours, lowered levels of care, or lost access to vital services.
My Autism Ally is gathering first-hand experiences from individuals, family caregivers, and service providers across Indiana. We want to understand how these assessment tools, administrative changes, and service adjustments are impacting your loved one's care and your family’s daily life.
Fill out this form to share your experience. We welcome all stories from our disability community, not just autism.
If you need guidance on how to navigate your interRAI interview, go to our blog!
When possible, let autistics tell their own story.