An Often-Overlooked Resource for Missouri Families: The HIPP Program
Dear Clients and Friends,
Could your family be paying health insurance premiums that might qualify for assistance through a Missouri state program?
As a special needs financial planner, I believe one of the most important parts of planning for an individual with disabilities is understanding the resources available to help families manage expenses, protect financial stability, and plan for the future.
One resource worth knowing about is Missouri’s Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program, administered by the Missouri Department of Social Services.
What is the HIPP Program?
The HIPP Program helps pay health insurance premiums for certain individuals who receive MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) benefits when maintaining other available health insurance is determined to be cost-effective for the state.
In practical terms, this means that if you or a member of your household receives MO HealthNet and health insurance is available through an employer or another source, your family may want to explore whether the HIPP Program could help with the premium cost.
Eligible insurance options may include:
- Employer-sponsored health insurance
- Individual health insurance policies
- Coverage available through certain organizations, unions, or other sources
The program does not locate or purchase a new insurance policy for you. Rather, it may help pay the premiums for qualifying coverage that is already available.
Why should families planning for special needs pay attention?
For families supporting a loved one with disabilities, healthcare expenses can be a significant part of the long-term financial picture. Every dollar matters when balancing current living expenses, future care needs, housing, quality of life, and long-term financial security.
Exploring programs like HIPP may help families identify additional resources and make more informed decisions about their healthcare coverage.
This is especially worth considering when a parent or another household member has access to employer-sponsored health insurance and someone in the household receives MO HealthNet.
HIPP is not available to everyone, and approval is not guaranteed. However, understanding whether your family may qualify is an important step in making sure you are aware of the resources available to you.
Who may qualify?
According to the Missouri Department of Social Services, you may apply if you or a member of your household receives MO HealthNet and has health insurance available through another source.
Certain exclusions apply. For example, the program does not cover individuals whose healthcare coverage is through a MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan, individuals who are eligible for or enrolled in Medicare, or court-ordered insurance policies. Standalone dental and vision policies are also not covered.
The state evaluates whether the available insurance is cost-effective before determining eligibility.
How do you learn more or apply?
The Missouri Department of Social Services provides information and application options online.
Visit the official HIPP Program website:https://dss.mo.gov/mhd/hipp
You can complete an online application or download a paper application from the website. Completed applications and policy information may be submitted to MHD.HIPP@dss.mo.gov.
For questions about the program, contact the MO HealthNet Division, Cost Recovery Unit, at 573-751-2005.
Please note that participants must submit documentation each month showing that their premiums have been paid to continue receiving premium payments. Be sure to review the program’s current requirements directly with the state.
Let's make sure your plan considers the full picture.
Special needs financial planning involves much more than investments and savings. It also means understanding public benefits, healthcare coverage, future care costs, and the strategies that may help preserve financial resources over time.
I encourage you to review this program if you or someone in your household receives MO HealthNet and has access to other health insurance. If you know another family caring for an individual with special needs, please consider sharing this information with them as well.
As always, I am here to help you think through how available resources fit into your broader financial plan and long-term goals. While the state determines HIPP eligibility, we can discuss the program as part of your overall planning conversation.
Thank you for allowing me to be a resource for you and your family.