PHOENIX – The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) has received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to help incarcerated individuals coordinate health care services upon reentry into the community. The goal is to improve health outcomes and enhance public safety by coordinating access to care and reducing reincarceration rates.
"This proactive, preventive approach is a critical step to improving the health and well-being of individuals as they transition from incarceration back into society. By coordinating access to health care services during reentry, AHCCCS can support individuals and families directly impacted, as well as strengthen our broader public health and public safety systems to create healthier communities for all," said AHCCCS Director, Carmen Heredia.
To be eligible for services, individuals must be residing in a correctional facility and determined eligible for Medicaid (AHCCCS) or the Children's Health Insurance Program (KidsCare) – based on an application completed before or during incarceration – and have an expected release date within 90 days.
The pre-release/reentry benefit package is designed to improve care transitions of eligible individuals back to the community by promoting continuity of coverage, reducing gaps in care, and proactively identifying both physical and behavioral health needs, and health-related social needs. Eligible services will include:
This program is part of the 1115 Demonstration Waiver and will require legislative approval before these services can be implemented. Once legislative approval is received and the implementation plan is finalized, AHCCCS will be able to provide coverage for a targeted set of health care services that can be furnished to eligible incarcerated individuals in specified facilities for 90 days prior to their expected date of release.
With this approval, AHCCCS joins nearly a dozen other states that have received a green light from CMS to provide pre-release (reentry) services to Medicaid-eligible incarcerated populations. For more information, view CMS’ approval and AHCCCS’ FAQs.
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Founded in 1982, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is Arizona's Medicaid agency that offers health care programs to serve Arizona residents. Built on a system of competition and choice, AHCCCS operates under an integrated managed care model, through a Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver. Contracted health plans coordinate and pay for physical and behavioral health care services delivered by more than 93,000 health care providers to more than 2 million Arizonans.
