Medicaid and Financing Health Care for Individuals Involved with the Criminal Justice System

“This brief outlines opportunities for states and local jurisdictions to improve public health and safety outcomes, and reduce spending on corrections and health care services by maximizing the appropriate use of Medicaid coverage for people involved with the criminal justice system.” Sections discuss: federal Medicaid rules on coverage of criminal justice populations; what Medicaid entails; allowable uses of Medicaid for incarcerated persons; understanding Medicaid enrollment, suspension, and termination; the ACA’s (Affordable Care Act’s) Medicaid expansion-opportunities to increase health coverage for individuals involved with the criminal justice system; opportunities to maximize Medicaid enrollment; state approaches to utilizing Medicaid for justice-involved individuals-North Carolina, New York, and Colorado; special benefits considerations for the Medicaid expansion population; and four opportunities and recommendations for state policymakers. On-site use only