Skip to content

Screening process for Medicaid and SSI/SSDI eligibility

A process is established to screen people in the jail (and at any other points in the criminal justice system, as applicable) for Medicaid and Social Security Income (SSI)/Social Security Disability (SSDI) eligibility.

For more information on this intervention, see this resource:
Local Examples

Cook County, IL Cook County Jail

  • Screening for Medicaid and SSI/SSDI eligibility is integrated into the intake process.
  • The jail partners with a community-based organization that stations staff in the jail who screen people for Medicaid eligibility.
  • People that do not already have health insurance but do meet basic qualifying criteria are offered assistance in submitting Medicaid applications.
For more information on this example, see these resources:

Bernalillo County, NM Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC)

  • Everyone who is detained longer than three days is screened for prior Medicaid coverage by MDC social services staff.
  • MDC staff identify those covered by comparing the jail census to the state Medicaid database.
  • Those who are not covered but may be eligible are supported in applying while at MDC.
For more information on this example, see this resource:
Type

Policy & Practice

Measures

3 - Increase connection to treatment

Last updated: April 21, 2019