Medicaid 1115 Reentry Waivers

For the first time, states and the federal government are advancing policies that build access and continuity of services, starting prior to release. A major vehicle for these policies are Medicaid section 1115 demonstration waivers, or “Medicaid reentry waivers.” These waivers allow Medicaid to cover a targeted set of services for individuals starting in the period before they are released from incarceration. The services under these waivers have the potential to improve a range of health and public safety outcomes, including reducing mortality, rates of reincarceration, and unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations. These changes also hold promise to reduce costs for prisons and jails. Waivers are state-initiated, meaning that individual states develop waiver proposals, which the federal government must approve for the proposal to take effect. 

There are currently 19 states with approved waivers and 8 plus Washington DC who have proposed waivers for federal consideration. Click on a state on the map below to learn about its reentry waiver.