Statement from Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
The state did not start nor expand the program. It is a CMS program. There was a bill passed in 2001 by
the Indiana General Assembly that created a payment mechanism to allow Indiana hospitals to
participate. The expansion occurred because more hospitals and nursing home providers became aware
of the program opted to participate and met the federal requirements. As administrator, per the state
plan approved by CMS, the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning enters into standard agreement with
each participating hospital. This agreement was put in place in 2007 as a result of conversations with
CMS. Also, FSSA does not track or place additional requirements on how the funds received through this
program are used relative to nursing home staffing and quality. Our responsibility is to follow federal
guidelines since this is a federal program.