Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Over 600,000 people leave US prisons annually. Many are eligible for Medicaid upon release but may need support to enroll. Carceral facilities in nearly half of states have implemented systems to facilitate Medicaid access for those leaving incarceration, but there is limited information on program implementation models or outcomes.Objectives
To evaluate implementation and initial outcomes of Louisiana's prison-based Prerelease Medicaid Enrollment Program.Methods
In this mixed-methods study, we assessed enrollment in Louisiana Medicaid at time of release from prison in the 2 years (2017-2018) after Program implementation, as well as reasons for Medicaid closure (ie, loss of coverage) and health services use 6 months postrelease. In May-June 2019, we conducted interviews statewide with program implementers (n=16) and focus groups in New Orleans, Louisiana with formerly incarcerated Program participants (n=16).Results
A total of 4476 people were included in the quantitative analysis. There was a 34.3 (95% confidence interval: 20.7-47.9) percentage point increase in Medicaid enrollment upon release. Nearly all (98.6%) attended at least 1 outpatient visit and almost half (46.7%) had 1 emergency department visit within 6 months of release. Not responding to information requests was the most common reason for Medicaid closure. Program implementers and formerly incarcerated participants identified Program strengths, barriers, and suggestions for improvement.Conclusions
The program was successful in rapidly increasing Medicaid enrollment at the time of prison release and facilitating the use of health care services.
SUBMITTER: Wennerstrom A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9357425 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Wennerstrom Ashley A Sugarman Olivia K OK Page Karissa M KM Whittington Angel A Martin Dolfinette D Reilly Bruce B Bachhuber Marcus A MA
Medical care 20220426 7
<h4>Background</h4>Over 600,000 people leave US prisons annually. Many are eligible for Medicaid upon release but may need support to enroll. Carceral facilities in nearly half of states have implemented systems to facilitate Medicaid access for those leaving incarceration, but there is limited information on program implementation models or outcomes.<h4>Objectives</h4>To evaluate implementation and initial outcomes of Louisiana's prison-based Prerelease Medicaid Enrollment Program.<h4>Methods</ ...[more]