Louisiana will soon be offering Medicaid services to prison inmates before their release dates. This, after getting approval for a waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Louisiana Department of Health Deputy Secretary Dr. Pete Croughan says it helps inmates transition back into society upon their release.
“When people are leaving jail or prison, that can be a difficult time for their health; it can be one of the riskiest times. What this waiver allows us to do is start treating their behavioral health conditions before they are released from jail and prison,” Croughan explained.
Dr. Croughan says the waiver will allow the state to provide the inmates with the prescriptions they need.
“We get to start them on the same formulary for 60 days before they’re released, and everyone will have 30 days of prescription in hand before they walk out the door,” Croughan said.
Croughan says the inmates will have access to other Medicaid services as well.
“They’ll be set up with a community doctor, case management, durable medical equipment like wheelchairs; it’s all about keeping them in the community and keeping them safe and healthy, and not going back to jail,” Croughan noted.
The program will launch early next year at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center, with the remaining state prisons and parish jails to follow.