HB 1369 - Medical Care For The Recently Released

In 2003, the legislature passed a bill that required case managers to help people get medical help when they are released. The audit that was done late last year came back with the shocking results that only one facility out of 30 was following that dictate. That bill was reintroduced in the House Judiciary yesterday. We can only hope that Director Zavaras will hold his people accountable and that they and the county social services departments can work together to make this a reality.

The department of health care policy and financing shall
provide information and training on medical assistance eligibility
requirements and assistance to each correctional facility to assist in and
expedite the application process for medical assistance for any inmate
held in custody who meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of
subsection (1) of this section.

(3) On or before January 1, 2003, The department of human
services shall provide information and education regarding the
supplemental security income systems and processes to each correctional
facility.

(4) (b) On or before January 1, 2003, The department of health
care policy and financing shall promulgate rules to simplify the
processing of applications for medical assistance pursuant to paragraph
(a) of subsection (1) of this section and to allow inmates determined to be
eligible for such medical assistance to access the medical assistance upon
release and thereafter. If a county department of social services
determines that an inmate is eligible for medical assistance, the county
shall enroll the inmate in medicaid effective upon release of the inmate.
At the time of the inmate's release, the correctional facility shall give the
inmate information and paperwork necessary for the inmate to access
medical assistance. Such information shall be provided by the applicable
county department of social services.