The Verdict On Correctional Health Services

A dozen years ago, the Affordable Care Act laid the foundation for connecting citizens in the corrections system with Medicaid health coverage. And just this year, CMS issued a new guidance around using Medicaid 1115 demonstration waivers to increase health access via Medicaid for those departing prisons and jails (see States Can Use Medicaid 1115 Demonstrations To Improve Care Transitions For ‘Soon-To-Be-Former’ Correctional Inmates).

Historically, many states would suspend Medicaid eligibility for inmates—and inmates returning to the community often had a significant time gap in becoming eligible for benefits. With the new waiver, as of October . . .