Before the gubernatorial primary, Gov. Mitch Daniels’ Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) went live in January, and the plan will make its presence felt in Greensburg later this month.

At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday May 28th, Health 1st LLC will play host to a public community event that will seek to spread the word on HIP and its benefits for those going without health insurance.

On hand to present the information will be Melissa Tichenor, a HIP representative who helps residents in more than 20 counties in Indiana get their questions about the program answered.

“The Healthy Indiana Plan is extremely affordable healthcare coverage for people that meet the income guidelines,” Health 1st’s Dr. Adam Davis explained. “The health coverage is very good and is a much better option than being uninsured.”

The event will be free to anyone in the community that is interested in learning more about the plan as well as to employers who may be looking for insurance options. The Health 1st office is a contracted provider with HIP, and the office will provide applications for HIP enrollment as well as several other brochures that Davis hopes will answer all the questions. To assist Tichenor in her presentation will be a representative from Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH), which is also a contracted provider with the health plan.

“This plan is Gov. Daniels’ baby,” Davis said. “It’s not federally funded insurance. The state pays for it through the tobacco tax. Most people do not understand that the taxpayers are not paying for this. It’s not coming out of their pocket.”

Davis did note that garnering health insurance through HIP does require certain guidelines to be met.

“They have to meet the income requirement,” he said. “But it is a great alternative to have great coverage for those who are eligible.”

An individual must also be uninsured for six months and not be offered insurance through their places of employment before attempting to enroll in the program.

Davis added that, despite the limitations, 100 percent of preventative services are covered.

“I think it’s better than some commercial policies,” he said. “For as little as $8 or $10 a month, people can have health insurance.”

Despite how good the plan sounds for low-income residents, many detract from the idea noting that not many low-income adults could ever afford to maintain the coverage due to the fact it involves high fees. The program is intended to promote disease prevention and personal responsibility, but critics point out its often high deductibles.

At the event, Davis believes that Tichenor will be able to answer those concerns and hopes for a good turnout.

Those interested in attending the seminar are asked to RSVP in advance, as snacks and drinks will be provided. The Health 1st office can be reached at 812-663-7640. Further information about the Healthy Indiana Plan can be found at www.IN.gov/fssa/hip/index.htm.