California Medicaid Planning To Suspend, Rather Than Terminate, Coverage For Incarcerated Members

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is planning to implement Medicaid eligibility changes to suspend, rather than terminate, eligibility for incarcerated beneficiaries and allow incarcerated individuals to apply for coverage before release. Making the change to eligibility for Medicaid benefits will require collaboration among correctional agencies, correctional institutions, and county behavioral health, county health, and social service departments. This 1915(b) waiver is effective for a five-year period beginning January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026.

Currently, to avoid violating Medicaid rules about paying for services or managed care premiums for incarcerated individuals, the state terminates Medicaid . . .