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:
- Critical Connections, page 13
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:
- Critical Connections, page 14
- Enrolling Offenders in Medicaid at Pretrial Jail Intake: A Case Study of Cook County, IL (NAPSA)
- Addressing Mental Illness and Medical Conditions in County Jails: Cook County, Ill.
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:
- Critical Connections, page 14
Type
Policy & Practice
Measures
3 - Increase connection to treatment
Last updated: April 21, 2019