Which Indiana HIP Plan Should You Choose? Anthem vs. CareSource vs. MHS (2026)

Indiana's Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) gives adult enrollees a meaningful choice: three managed care organizations, each with a different provider network and a different mix of extra benefits. Most people end up auto-assigned to a plan and never look back — but 2026 is a year where that default deserves a second look. MDwise exited HIP on January 1, 2026, which means former MDwise members were quietly moved to a new plan and may not have checked whether their doctors came along. And MHS is cutting extra dental and vision benefits later this year, shifting the comparison again. Here is what each plan offers and how to decide.

The three HIP plans in 2026

As of January 1, 2026, Indiana HIP is served by three MCOs statewide. Plan availability does not vary by county — all three plans are available to HIP enrollees anywhere in Indiana.

Anthem: the network choice

Anthem operates under the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Indiana umbrella, which gives it the broadest provider network of the three HIP plans. If your current doctor, specialist, or hospital accepts Anthem's HIP plan, staying in-network typically means fewer surprises and an uninterrupted care relationship. Anthem also carries a strong pharmacy network and formulary, which matters most for members managing chronic conditions on brand-name or specialty medications.

The case for Anthem is straightforward: check whether your primary care provider and any specialists you see regularly are in Anthem's HIP network. If they are, Anthem is probably the right starting point. Indiana's HIP enrollee portal at fssabenefits.in.gov lets you search provider directories by plan before committing.

CareSource: the care management choice

CareSource is a Medicaid-focused nonprofit that has historically invested heavily in care coordination services — nurse case managers, disease management programs, and behavioral health integration. For HIP enrollees managing multiple chronic conditions, navigating a complex diagnosis, or who want more proactive outreach from their health plan, CareSource tends to invest more in that support infrastructure than its competitors.

CareSource also covers Indiana broadly and has a solid network in most urban and suburban markets. The core case for CareSource is coordination quality rather than raw network size — it's a plan that tends to work better for members who want the health plan to be an active participant in their care, not just an administrator.

MHS: the changing picture

Managed Health Services (MHS), a Centene subsidiary, had built a differentiated position in Indiana HIP through extra value-added benefits — above-standard dental coverage, vision allowances, and fitness perks that went beyond the core HIP benefit set. That made MHS an easy choice for enrollees who prioritized those extras.

The 2026 picture is different. MHS is reducing its extra dental and vision benefits for HIP members later this year. With that differentiator narrowing, MHS's position in the comparison shifts back to network coverage and service quality — factors where Anthem and CareSource compete directly. If you are currently enrolled in MHS and chose it specifically for the dental and vision extras, this is the right moment to run a fresh comparison before your next annual open enrollment window.

If you were on MDwise: check your current plan now

MDwise exited Indiana HIP on January 1, 2026. If you were enrolled in MDwise before that date, the state transitioned you automatically to one of the three remaining plans. The problem is that auto-transitions don't always land you in the plan that best fits your providers — the state assigns based on its own methodology, not on whether your doctor accepts the new plan.

Former MDwise members should check two things: (1) which plan they were moved to, and (2) whether their primary care provider and any specialists are in-network with that plan. If providers fell out of network in the transition, the 90-day change window may have already passed — but qualifying life events and annual enrollment periods create additional switch opportunities. Call 1-877-GET-HIP-9 to check your current plan status and options.

How to pick and how to switch

New HIP enrollees have 90 days from initial enrollment to change plans without restriction, through fssabenefits.in.gov or by calling the Indiana enrollment broker at 1-877-GET-HIP-9 (1-877-438-4479). After that window closes, changes are limited to annual open enrollment or qualifying events (moving counties, loss of coverage, plan termination of coverage for a specific condition).

The provider directory lookup is the most important step before switching. Each MCO maintains its own network — a doctor who accepts Anthem HIP may not accept CareSource HIP, and vice versa. Look up your primary care doctor, any specialists, and the hospital you'd use for an emergency, then cross-reference with each plan's directory before making a decision. You can also confirm your current eligibility and income limits for HIP at our Indiana Medicaid eligibility page.

For context on how Indiana's plan-selection process compares to other states: Louisiana's Healthy Louisiana program and Washington's Apple Health both use similar three-to-five MCO models with statewide enrollment. The mechanics — same core benefits, differentiation through network and extras — follow the same pattern. See our companion posts on which Louisiana Healthy plan to choose and which Washington Apple Health plan fits your situation.

Frequently asked questions

This article reflects Indiana HIP plan information as of September 2026. MCO networks, benefit offerings, and POWER account structures change — confirm current details directly with your plan or at in.gov/fssa/hip before making enrollment decisions. This is general information, not personalized insurance or legal advice.