State Policy · LA
CMS Approves Louisiana Medicaid Reentry Coverage for Incarcerated People
The Louisiana Department of Health announced that CMS approved a demonstration allowing Medicaid to cover healthcare services for incarcerated people in the 60 days before release, joining 18 other states with similar programs. Coverage includes a 30-day supply of medications, behavioral health assessments and treatment, lab and diagnostic services, and durable medical equipment like wheelchairs and CPAP machines. Services will launch at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in early 2027 before expanding to other state prisons and participating parish jails. The demonstration runs through September 2031, with CMS requiring the state to show good outcomes and costs that do not exceed standard Medicaid spending.
Why it mattersState prisons, parish jails, and Medicaid managed care plans must build new pre-release enrollment and care coordination infrastructure to meet CMS outcome and cost-neutrality requirements under the demonstration.