Structured Family Caregiving in Fishers, IN: How the Daily Rate Works

Families exploring structured family caregiving in Fishers, IN, often have one pressing question before enrolling: how does the money actually flow from the state to the person providing daily care? Understanding the payment structure from the start helps caregivers plan their finances and set realistic expectations before their first stipend arrives.

Indiana uses a per diem model for this paid family caregiver program. Instead of paying by the hour, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) reimburses a provider agency a flat daily rate based on the care recipient's assessed level of need. A case manager assigns the individual to one of three levels during the waiver service planning process.

Each level reflects the intensity of daily support required. Level 1 represents basic care needs, Level 2 reflects moderate needs, and Level 3 covers the most intensive daily support. According to the FSSA's published rate structure, daily reimbursement rates paid to the provider agency are $77.54 for Level 1, $99.71 for Level 2, and $133.44 for Level 3. These figures apply across all approved provider agencies statewide.



Families in Fishers and throughout Hamilton County fall under the CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions service area (Area 8). The Area Agency on Aging for this region plays a role in the assessment that determines which level applies, and that level directly sets the daily dollar amount the state pays.

The caregiver receives a share of the daily rate, not the full amount. The state pays the provider agency the full daily reimbursement, the agency retains a portion to cover administrative costs, and the remainder is passed through to the family caregiver as a stipend.

Per IHCP Bulletin BT2025105, effective July 1, 2025, agencies must pass through a minimum of 60% of the daily reimbursement rate to the individual providing direct care. Some agencies pass through more than the minimum, so families should ask any prospective agency for their specific pass-through percentage before signing on. That single question can make a meaningful difference in weekly income over a year.



Stipend payments may qualify as tax-free income under IRS rules related to difficulty of care payments, though caregivers should confirm their situation with a qualified tax professional.

A care needs assessment looks at how much help the recipient needs with daily activities, including bathing, grooming, dressing, mobility, meal preparation, medication reminders, and health monitoring. The more intensive the daily care requirements, the higher the care level and the resulting daily rate.



For Fishers families, the assessment is typically arranged through CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions as part of the Medicaid waiver eligibility and service planning process. This is one of the earlier steps families encounter when pursuing structured family caregiving in Fishers, IN, and the outcome shapes every payment that follows.

Does the Caregiver Get Paid Every Day?

Stipend payments are generally processed on a regular schedule set by the provider agency, often weekly or biweekly. Daily rates accumulate across the pay period. Caregivers are typically required to complete daily documentation through an online platform to confirm care was provided, which the agency uses to process payments and maintain compliance records. Gaps or missing entries can affect whether a full payment cycle is approved, so staying current with required records is a practical part of the role.

Indiana's paid family caregiver program is designed for live-in caregivers, which can include a spouse or parent in qualifying circumstances. The program generally requires that the caregiver and care recipient share the same household. Eligibility rules around legally responsible individuals changed with updates that took effect July 1, 2024, allowing more family configurations to qualify. Many families find that structured family caregiving in Fishers, IN, fits their household situation once they review the updated eligibility criteria. Reviewing the current eligibility requirements is the best way to confirm whether a specific family situation qualifies.

Structured family caregiving in Fishers, IN, begins with Medicaid waiver enrollment, a care level assessment, and selecting an approved provider agency. Each step can take several weeks, so starting early is important for families who want to begin receiving a stipend as soon as possible.

Families in Fishers and the surrounding Hamilton County communities of Carmel, Noblesville, and Westfield can reach out to learn about eligibility and enrollment before committing to any provider. The care level assessment outcome is the key first step, since that number determines every dollar that follows.

Friends and Family Caregivers is an approved provider of Indiana's paid family caregiver program serving families throughout the region. To ask questions about enrollment, care levels, and caregiver stipends, call (800) 619-1449 or visit the contact page. You can also review Friends and Family Caregivers on Google to read about the program from families who have enrolled.