Medicaid and Corrections

Recent Medicaid guidance and legislative developments offer new opportunities for correctional leaders to leverage Medicaid to enhance outcomes for people who are incarcerated. With the passage of the SUPPORT Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Acts of 2023 and 2024, and new guidance around the Medicaid Section 1115 Reentry Demonstration Opportunity, prisons and jails have more opportunities to work with their state Medicaid agencies to support individuals not only during incarceration but also during the critical transition from incarceration to the community.

This webpage provides a curated list of resources to support correctional leaders in taking full advantage of these new opportunities.

SUPPORT Act of 2018

The 2018 SUPPORT Act (Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act) aims to address the opioid crisis. It has significant implications for Medicaid, corrections, and reentry programs. The law seeks to enhance access to treatment for substance use disorders (SUD), improve health services for people in correctional facilities, and facilitate the reintegration of formerly incarcerated people into society. By focusing on Medicaid coverage and continuity of care, the SUPPORT Act aims to reduce opioid misuse and support long-term recovery and public health outcomes. (Note: Some of the provisions of the SUPPORT Act were extended under the 2024 CAA.) 

  • Medicaid Eligibility: The SUPPORT Act ensures that youth eligible for Medicaid who turn 18 in the foster care system maintain Medicaid coverage until the age of 26.
    • Impact on Young People: By maintaining Medicaid eligibility for former foster care youth, the act provides continuous access to essential health services during and after incarceration. This is particularly crucial for transition-age young people who are at a higher risk of substance use and related health issues.
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): All state Medicaid programs must provide coverage for medications to treat substance use disorders (also known as medication-assisted treatment, or MAT).