MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – The Biden administration has approved Vermont’s application to provide Medicaid coverage for people leaving prison.
Starting in 2026, inmates will become eligible for Medicaid 90 days before their release.
State officials will need to build an implementation and monitoring plan, establish IT infrastructure, recruit staff and train them for the new services.
Wellness programs within prisons must also be created to help coordinate health care and enrollment upon release.
Isaac Dayno with the Vermont Department of Corrections says he is excited about the program’s prospects.
“It’s going to reduce emergency department visits. It’s going to make it more cost-efficient for states and it’s also going to provide better care for incarcerated people who are releasing to the community,” Dayno said.
While it will be a first attempt at Medicaid for prisoners in Vermont– Washington, California and Massachusetts are piloting similar programs.