Oklahoma Strengthening Medicaid and Correctional Partnerships for Reentry Services

Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Health Care Authority, in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, will represent the state in the Medicaid and Corrections Policy Academy, an opportunity funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a division of the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs. This initiative brings Oklahoma and five other states together to develop a shared vision for improving reentry services.

"Building strong partnerships and maximizing funding opportunities are crucial steps in improving health outcomes,” said Ellen Buettner, Chief Health and Mental Health Advisor and OHCA Chief Executive Officer. “I am proud of the team that Oklahoma has assembled to participate in the Medicaid and Corrections Policy Academy. By working together, we can significantly improve reentry outcomes and ensure that individuals receive the support they need during their transition back to the community."

The Policy Academy connects state leaders in corrections, Medicaid and behavioral health with intensive training and a technical assistance forum. Participating states will develop action plans to enhance care coordination by addressing gaps in stakeholder engagement, screening, case planning and data sharing.

With this opportunity, Oklahoma aims to focus on SoonerCare-eligible adults in state and county correctional facilities with the highest need populations, including those with high rates of substance use disorders, serious mental illness and comorbidities. The state seeks to implement best practices for coordinated reentry services.

“Our partnership with OHCA and ODMHSAS will be transformative for our returning citizens,” stated ODOC Executive Director Steven Harpe. “This initiative allows us to change the lives of justice-involved people during and after incarceration. Together, we will build a stronger Oklahoma.”

Background on Waiver Opportunity

SoonerCare coverage for Oklahoman inmates is limited to inpatient services in mental health facilities, hospitals or nursing homes.

In April 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed guidance on a Medicaid Section 1115 Reentry Waiver Demonstration Opportunity. Through the waiver, states can provide Medicaid coverage for certain services up to 90 days before release for incarcerated individuals. This opportunity focuses on improving care transitions and reentry outcomes, allowing states to pilot new approaches to better serve Medicaid-eligible individuals leaving correctional facilities.

This initiative follows the recommendations of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s MODERN (Modernized Operations through Data and Evidence-based Restoration Now) Justice Task Force, which advised the state to establish a Medicaid waiver for jail-based mental health and substance use disorder treatment. It also calls for maintaining current Medicaid coverage for hospital-based treatment of individuals in jail or state custody and implementing policies to improve release decisions by prioritizing safe reintegration into communities and connecting justice-involved individuals with appropriate services upon release.

The transition from incarceration to community life is especially difficult, with recently released individuals at a higher risk of emergency department visits, overdose and death compared to the general population. Effective transition to community health care services is critical to improving reentry outcomes.

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