You Can Change Your Indiana Medicaid Health Plan (MCE): What Parents Need to Know
If your child has Indiana Medicaid, you may have heard the term MCE (Managed Care Entity). What many families don’t realize is that you usually have the right to change your MCE if your current plan isn’t meeting your child’s needs.
This can be especially important when you’re trying to access therapies like ABA, speech, occupational therapy, or behavioral health services.
Here’s what Indiana parents should know.
What Is an MCE?
In Indiana, Medicaid services are managed by health plans called Managed Care Entities (MCEs). These plans handle things like:
- Provider networks
- Prior authorizations
- Care coordination
- Claims and payments
Current Indiana Medicaid MCEs include:
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- CareSource
- Managed Health Services (MHS)
Your child is enrolled in one MCE at a time.
Can I Change My Child’s MCE?
Yes — in many situations, you can.
You can change MCEs if:
- You are within your initial enrollment period
- You are in the annual open enrollment window
- You have a “just cause” reason approved by the state
Examples of just cause reasons include:
- Your child’s doctor or therapy provider is not in network
- Difficulty accessing medically necessary services
- Ongoing delays or denials of care
- Poor care coordination or communication issues
Why Families Choose to Change MCEs
Families often request a change when:
- Their child’s current plan won’t approve needed therapy hours
- A trusted provider doesn’t accept their current MCE
- Authorizations take too long or are repeatedly denied
- Services are difficult to access or coordinate
Choosing the right MCE can make a big difference in how smoothly care is approved and delivered.
How Do I Change My MCE in Indiana?
Indiana Medicaid uses the Indiana Medicaid Enrollment Broker (MAXIMUS) to manage health plan choices.
You can change your MCE in one of these ways:
📞 By Phone
Call the Indiana Medicaid Enrollment Broker:
1-877-692-9355
A representative can:
- Review your current plan
- Explain your options
- Help you request a change
🌐 Online
Visit the Indiana Medicaid Member Portal:
https://in.gov/medicaid
You can log in to:
- View your current MCE
- Compare available plans
- Submit a change request (when eligible)
What Happens After You Request a Change?
- If approved, your new MCE usually becomes active on the first day of the next month
- You’ll receive confirmation by mail
- Your providers may need to:
- Re-verify eligibility
- Submit updated paperwork with the new health plan
✅ Good to know: Many families change MCEs successfully every year. Planning ahead and keeping your providers informed can help make the transition as smooth as possible.
Tips for Parents Before Changing Plans
- Ask your provider which MCEs they are in network with
- Confirm the new MCE covers services where care is provided (home, clinic, or school)
- Keep copies of approval letters and reference numbers
- Write down your reason if requesting a just cause change
We’re Here to Help
Navigating Medicaid can feel overwhelming — you’re not alone. If you’re unsure whether changing your MCE is the right step, talk with your care team. They can help you understand your options and what to expect.
Your child’s access to consistent, medically necessary care matters — and choosing the right health plan is part of advocating for that care.
Author: Brooke Callan, M.S., CCC-SLP, Director of Operations
