The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced in a July 2 statement Press release which authorized five states to provide health coverage to people leaving prison. Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, Utah and Vermont will be able to continue Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for incarcerated people.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), approved the latest in a series of Medicaid and CHIP demonstrations. This allows the five states to provide coverage before disenrollment and avoid gaps in coverage.
Historically, the press release explained, people leaving prison may experience delays in gaining access to Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
“This is an essential step toward advancing health equity in our nation,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “For individuals involved in the justice system, ensuring a successful transition back into the community includes having the support and health care services they need.”
“Expanding access to life-saving treatment and recovery supports for incarcerated individuals is a critical part of our bipartisan efforts to defeat the overdose epidemic and save lives,” said White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Dr. Rahul Gupta in a statement.
CMS said in the press release that increased coverage and access to pre-release services will help incarcerated individuals continue treatment after returning to the community, as well as help with interventions for behavioral health conditions.
“He Section 1115 Medicaid Re-entry Demonstration Opportunity allows a state to cover certain services that would not otherwise be covered by Medicaid and CHIP up to 90 days before an eligible individual’s expected release,” the news release said.
CMS continues to work with other states on Section 1115 Medicaid Reentry requests for demonstrations, according to the press release.
