Why Advocacy is Needed Now
Recently, the Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) proposed new limits on Medicaid Waiver services that would drastically reduce access to essential therapies like music therapy. These proposed changes would cap individuals at only 6 hours per month of music (& recreational) therapy. DDRS is opening for public comment on these proposed changes from 7/9/25-8/8/2025.
This proposal is in direct conflict with the guiding principles of Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) and the Medicaid Waiver system, which prioritize person-centered planning, individual choice, and access to services that support people in the most inclusive and effective way possible. Families across the state are speaking up to protect access to meaningful therapies that help their loved ones thrive in their homes and communities.
Please see below links for each announcement proposal:
FSW – https://iar.iga.in.gov/register/20250709-IR-405250332ONA
CIH – https://iar.iga.in.gov/register/20250709-IR-405250330ONA
Comments may be emailed to DDRSwaivernoticecomment@fssa.IN.gov or mailed to the address below:
Family and Social Services Administration
Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services
Attention: BDS Waiver Notice and Public Comment
402 West Washington Street, Room W453
Indianapolis, IN 46207-7083
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is much more than simply listening to or playing music. It is a clinical, evidence-based service provided by credentialed professionals who use music interventions to address developmental, emotional, cognitive, social, and physical needs. Each session is individualized to support specific therapeutic goals in alignment with a person’s broader plan of care.
These goals directly reflect the intent of Indiana’s waiver system and IHCP—to help individuals grow, live more independently, and receive services that respect their unique needs and preferences.
Why Music Therapy is Essential
Music therapy contributes to nearly every aspect of human development and daily functioning. It is outcome-focused, client-driven, and often integrated with other therapies to reinforce goals across settings.
- Supports Communication and Expression: Music provides an effective and motivating way to express wants, needs, and emotions, even without the need to use language.
- Promotes Emotional Well-being and Self-Regulation: Intentionally designed sessions help individuals build coping skills, reduce anxiety, and increase emotional understanding.
- Encourages Social Connection: Music therapy fosters meaningful interaction with peers, family members, and the community, helping build relationships and reduce isolation.
- Improves Motor and Physical Abilities: Through movement and instrument play, individuals work on strength, motor coordination, and physical engagement.
- Enhances Development and Engagement: Music is a powerful tool for improving attention, memory, sequencing, and problem-solving in an engaging and accessible format.
What the Proposed Cap Means for Families
Right now, under Indiana’s Medicaid Waiver system and IHCP, services like music therapy are provided based on the individual’s needs and goals—not preset time limits. But DDRS is proposing a change that would cap access to 6 hours per month of music therapy.
This cap undermines the very foundation of Indiana’s waiver philosophy and IHCP’s person-centered approach. These programs are meant to give people with disabilities the freedom to choose which services best support their growth, goals, and quality of life. Limiting access to therapy arbitrarily—without regard for outcomes—strips away that choice.
These caps would:
- Restrict meaningful progress: Six hours per month may not be enough to maintain skills, much less develop new ones.
- Limit family decision-making: Instead of designing plans based on their child’s or loved one’s needs, families will be forced to work around restrictive ceilings.
- Reduce access in underserved areas: With such low hours, it may no longer be viable for providers to travel or maintain service in rural areas.
- Contradict IHCP’s person-centered focus: The cap applies a one-size-fits-all restriction to individuals whose care plans are supposed to be flexible and personalized.
- Devalue clinically significant services: This change suggests that therapies with measurable outcomes—delivered by credentialed professionals—are somehow optional.
The proposed cap goes against the principles of dignity of choice, individualized support, and community integration that both DDRS and IHCP claim to uphold.
How to Speak Up: Sample Talking Points
When submitting public comment or speaking to decision-makers, personal stories are powerful. Use your voice to share how this proposal would affect your family. Here some examples of things to mention.
- “Music therapy is a vital part of my loved one’s care and helps them thrive every day.”
- “Capping therapy hours will interrupt progress and create stress for families who rely on these services.”
- “Families know best how to use their waiver dollars to meet individual needs.”
- “Reducing access to music therapy limits real choices for people with disabilities.”
- “This proposal directly contradicts the mission of IHCP and the values of person-centered care.”
- Emphasize Individual Needs – “My child’s needs don’t fit into a one-size-fits-all model. Capping therapy hours limits our ability to choose what services truly support their development and quality of life. We should be able to allocate our waiver funds in a way that best meets our family’s unique needs.”
- Highlight Progress –“Music therapy has played a vital role in my child’s communication, social, and emotional growth. Reducing access to this service would interrupt meaningful progress and diminish the supports that have helped us succeed. These therapies are not optional extras—they’re essential.”
- Consistency – “For my child, routine isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Knowing that music therapy happens at the same time each week gives them a sense of safety, structure, and something to look forward to. Disrupting that by limiting us to 6 hours a month would mean skipping weeks, breaking consistency, and creating stress and confusion. The loss of routine would not only impact their progress—it would impact their emotional stability and daily functioning.”
- Limiting Choice – “Music therapy is the support that helps me the most, but this cap would force me to cut it down to just a few sessions a month. It limits my ability to choose what works best for me and takes away my control over my own care.”
- Limiting Access – “Music therapy is the only service available to me in my area / what I’ve found to be the most beneficial, and I need more than 6 hours a month to make real progress. This cap would drastically reduce my access and leave me without the consistent support I rely on.”
What You Can Do
Here’s how you can take action:
- Submit a Public Comment: Share how this cap would affect your loved one’s services, progress, and well-being.
- Contact Legislators and DDRS Leaders: Tell them you oppose restrictions on evidence-based services like music therapy.
- Spread Awareness: Help other families, providers, and advocates understand what’s at stake.
- Join Advocacy Networks: Team up with others across the state to ensure our voices are heard loud and clear.
Comments may be emailed to DDRSwaivernoticecomment@fssa.IN.gov or mailed to the address below:
Family and Social Services Administration
Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services
Attention: BDS Waiver Notice and Public Comment
402 West Washington Street, Room W453
Indianapolis, IN 46207-7083
Related Contacts for Advocacy
Holly Wimsatt, Director of Bureau of Disability Services (BDS)
📧 Holly.Wimsatt@fssa.in.gov
📞 317-234-4736 | (812) 283-1040
📬 8085 Knue Rd, Suite #200, Indianapolis, IN 46250
FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob
📧 AskTheSecretary@fssa.in.gov
📞 317-234-8725
📬 402 West Washington Street, Room W461, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Indiana’s Medicaid Waiver system and IHCP were built on values of choice, person-centered planning, and access to meaningful supports that help people with disabilities thrive. The proposed cap on music therapy hours undermines those values, limits access to therapeutic progress, and removes critical decision-making power from families.
Now is the time to speak out and protect access to services that truly matter. Download & Share our Advocacy Flier Below