The new federal law that took effect on January 1 aims to better connect incarcerated youth and young adults eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to healthcare services before their release. This law requires all states to provide medical and dental screenings to eligible youths before or immediately after their release from correctional facilities, with continued case management services for 30 days post-release.

Previously, incarcerated individuals often struggled to access healthcare services upon release, leading to increased risks of health crises or reoffending. The law, signed by President Biden in 2022, marks the first change to the historical prohibition preventing Medicaid from covering health services for incarcerated individuals since 1965.

Despite the potential to change the trajectory of many lives, implementing this law poses significant challenges for correctional facilities across the country. It requires fundamental changes in how healthcare is provided to those transitioning out of incarceration, including identifying eligible youths, finding Medicaid-accepting providers, billing the federal government, and sharing data.

States are encouraged to view this law as an opportunity to address a neglected part of the health system, potentially reducing costs on emergency care and corrections. However, the complexities of implementation, such as billing and sharing data, present obstacles that require time and resources to overcome. The law’s success hinges on states’ ability to adapt their systems to ensure that incarcerated individuals receive the necessary healthcare services for a successful reintegration into society.