Easy Guide to MDwise Bill Pay: Options, Tips & Troubleshooting

So you’ve got an MDwise bill to pay and aren’t quite sure how to handle it? Don’t worry – I’ve been there too! As someone who’s navigated the MDwise payment system plenty of times, I can tell you that while it might seem confusing at first, there are actually several easy ways to pay your MDwise bills

In this guide I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about MDwise bill pay options whether you’re a Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) member or on another MDwise plan. Let’s dive into the details so you can get that payment handled with minimal stress!

Understanding Your MDwise Payment Responsibilities

Before we jump into payment methods, it’s important to understand what you’re paying for with MDwise If you’re on the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), you’ll need to make monthly contributions to your POWER Account This is super important because

• If you don’t make your contribution within 60 days, you might lose the ability to see your doctor
• Depending on your income, you could be moved to HIP Basic or even lose coverage completely
• If you lose coverage, any remaining balance in your POWER Account may get hit with a 25% penalty

There’s also something to be aware of if you use tobacco: HIP members have 12 months to stop tobacco use, or your POWER Account contribution might increase by 50%. For example, if you currently pay $10 monthly, it could jump to $15 next year if you don’t quit tobacco.

For Hoosier Healthwise Package C and MEDWorks members, you’ll receive a monthly premium bill that must be paid to maintain coverage.

MDwise Bill Pay Options

MDwise offers several convenient ways to pay your bill. Here’s a breakdown of each method:

1. Pay by Phone

This is one of the quickest options! You can pre-pay some or all of your contribution using a debit or credit card through MDwise’s automated payment system.

How to do it:

• Call the payment center at 866-539-4092
• If you have hearing or speech impairment, call 800-743-3333 (TTY)

2. WISEpay Online Payment System

If you’re comfortable with online payments, WISEpay is a great option available through the myMDwise portal for Healthy Indiana Plan members.

How to access it:

• Visit myMDwise portal at portal.mclaren.org/myMDwiseMemberPortal
• Register or log in to your account
• Look for the WISEpay option

Payment methods available through WISEpay:

• Credit or debit card payments
• Automatic draft from your bank account (ACH)
• Electronic funds transfer (EFT)

If you need help with online payments, call WISEpay customer service at 866-539-4092 or 800-743-3333 (TTY).

3. Pay by Cash

Don’t wanna use a card? No problem! You can pay with cash using these methods:

MoneyGram:

• Find a MoneyGram location (there are over 41,000 locations at places like CVS/pharmacy and Walmart)
• Bring cash and your MDwise Member ID number
• Use receive code: 15187
• Complete the MoneyGram ExpressPayment form

Key Bank:

• You can pay at any Key Bank location
• Call Key Bank Billing and Collection at 866-539-4092 for payment slips and instructions

Important tip: Please don’t mail cash! Always use one of these in-person options for cash payments.

4. Payroll Deduction

If your employer offers it, you can have your HIP contribution taken directly from your paycheck.

How to set it up:

• Ask your employer if they offer this option
• If yes, have them complete the Direct Deposit Form
• Follow instructions for remittance to Key Bank
• Employers can call 1-866-539-4092 for assistance

5. Pay by Check or Money Order

If you prefer traditional payment methods:

• Send your check or money order to the address listed on your invoice
• Remember that all checks and money orders are held for 10 days to clear, so plan accordingly!

6. Employer or Third-Party Contribution

Did you know that your employer or another organization (like a church or non-profit) can help pay your POWER Account balance? This is a great option if you need assistance with your payments.

How it works:

• Ask your employer or a third-party organization if they’re willing to help
• They’ll need to fill out the Employer/Third Party Contribution Form
• This reduces the amount you personally need to pay

Hoosier Healthwise and MEDWorks Premium Payments

If you’re on Hoosier Healthwise Package C or MEDWorks, your payment process is slightly different. Here’s what you need to know:

Payment Options for Hoosier Healthwise Package C and MEDWorks:

By Mail:

• For Package C: Make checks payable to “Children’s Health Insurance” and mail to P.O. Box 3127, Indianapolis, IN 46206-3127
• For MEDWorks: Make checks payable to “MEDWorks” and mail to P.O. Box 946, Indianapolis, IN 46206-0946

By Phone:

• Call 855-765-8672

Online:

• Use the Hoosier Healthwise Package C & MEDWorks Premium Portal
• You can pay with credit card, debit card, or electronic check
• You’ll need your premium account number from your monthly voucher statement

For questions about your monthly premium, call 1-800-457-4584.

Premium Amounts

Hoosier Healthwise Package C Premiums (2024)

The monthly premium is based on the number of children you have and your monthly income:

Single CHIP Child in Family:

• 151-175% income level: $22
• 176-200% income level: $33
• 201-225% income level: $42
• 226-250% income level: $53

Multiple CHIP Children in Family:

• 151-175% income level: $33
• 176-200% income level: $50
• 201-225% income level: $53
• 226-250% income level: $70

MEDWorks Premiums (2024)

Premiums are based on your monthly income and whether you qualify as an individual or as a married couple where both spouses qualify:

Individual (Family Size 1):

• $1,883 to $2,197 income: $48 premium
• $2,198 to $2,510 income: $69 premium
• $2,511 to $3,138 income: $107 premium
• $3,139 to $3,765 income: $134 premium
• $3,766 to $4,393 income: $161 premium
• $4,394 and over: $187 premium

Married Couple (Family Size 2):

• $2,555 to $2,981 income: $65 premium
• $2,982 to $3,407 income: $93 premium
• $3,408 to $4,259 income: $145 premium
• $4,260 to $5,110 income: $182 premium
• $5,111 to $5,962 income: $218 premium
• $5,963 and over: $254 premium

Tips for Managing Your MDwise Bill Payments

After helping several people navigate their MDwise payments, I’ve picked up a few helpful tips:

1. Set up calendar reminders for your monthly payment due dates so you don’t accidentally miss a payment.

2. Consider automatic payments if you’re worried about forgetting. The ACH option through WISEpay is perfect for this.

3. Keep proof of payment for at least 3 months in case there’s any confusion about whether you’ve paid.

4. Check your POWER Account balance regularly through your myMDwise account to stay on top of your contributions.

5. If you’re struggling to make payments, look into whether an employer or third-party organization can help with contributions.

6. Act quickly if you miss a payment – remember that HIP gives you 60 days to make your payment before potential consequences.

What If I Need Help With My MDwise Bill?

We all need a little help sometimes! If you’re having trouble understanding your bill or making a payment, here are some resources:

• For online payment help or billing questions: Call WISEpay customer service at 866-539-4092
• For general MDwise questions: Call MDwise Customer Service at 800-356-1204
• For questions about Hoosier Healthwise or MEDWorks premiums: Call 1-800-457-4584

My Personal Experience with MDwise Bill Pay

I’ve found that the easiest method for me personally is using the WISEpay online system. It’s quick, I get an immediate confirmation, and I can do it from home anytime. The first time setting up my account took about 10 minutes, but after that, paying my bill takes literally less than 2 minutes each month.

One time I had an issue where my payment didn’t seem to go through, but when I called customer service, they were super helpful and fixed the problem right away. Just make sure you have your member ID handy when you call!

Paying your MDwise bill doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you prefer online payments, phone payments, cash, or even having your employer help out, there’s an option that’ll work for your situation.

The most important thing is to make those payments on time to avoid losing coverage or facing penalties. Set up reminders, choose the payment method that’s most convenient for you, and reach out for help if you need it.

Have you used any of these payment methods? Which one works best for you? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!

Oh, and one last thing – if you need assistance in different formats, MDwise offers monthly and premium change notice vouchers in Braille, large font letters, and audio CD. Just call customer service at 800-457-4584 for help requesting an alternate format.

Happy bill paying! (Okay, maybe “happy” is a stretch, but at least now you know how to get it done with minimal hassle!)

To pay your POWER Account contribution for HIP Plus in Indiana, you’ll need to pay your health plan (Anthem, MDwise, CareSource, or MHS).