On April 17, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a letter to State Medicaid Directors announcing a new opportunity for states to increase care for individuals who are incarcerated in the period directly before their release. The Reentry Section 1115 Demonstration Opportunity will allow state Medicaid programs to cover a group of services for up to 90 days prior to an individual’s release date from incarceration. The package of services addresses multiple health concerns, including substance use disorder and chronic health conditions. The letter was issued in accordance with the Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act) and encourages states to explore and implement innovative service delivery systems for justice-involved populations. The full letter can be read here, and the press release about the letter can be read here.
CMS Issues State Medicaid Director letter to Improve Care Transitions for Incarcerated Individuals
