Going to prison changes your life dramatically. Your career and your relationships certainly take a toll, but beyond that aspects of everyday life you are used to, like access to healthcare, change as well.
America’s prison population has significantly expanded throughout the years. In 2017, 2.3 million people were incarcerated, a 500 percent increase in the last 40 years. Incarcerated individuals typically suffer from a variety of medical issues, and more than 60 percent suffer from mental illness or struggle with addiction. Additionally, 40 percent have a chronic medical condition or are dependent on prescription medication.
So, if you or a family member are going to prison soon, here’s what to expect regarding healthcare options during and after rehabilitation.
Healthcare during prison sentence
Inmates lose the right to access federal insurance plans while serving jail time. According to law, incarcerated individuals cannot use their Medicaid, Medicare, or VA benefits or active duty military insurance. And because most inmates do not work, they are unable to use private insurance. Therefore, given all of these factors, incarcerated inmates are the only residents in the United States with a constitutional guarantee to medical care.
The passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) helped to make healthcare more affordable for Americans. But despite this legislation, Americans still have to pay for their healthcare. And because incarcerated individuals are not allowed to buy health insurance during their sentence, they are then exempt from paying the penalty fee for not having insurance.
Correctional facilities have their own medical program that is paid for by the organization managing the jail. So the county would pay for Froward county jail healthcare. A state prison’s medical care would be paid for by the state. And the federal government would be paying for federal inmates’ healthcare. So, essentially your tax dollars are helping to pay for prisoners’ medical care.
Healthcare options after prison
After being released from prison, formerly incarcerated individuals have a few options when it comes to accessing healthcare. When you are released from jail, you must either purchase healthcare, pay the penalty fee, or request an exemption.
While you can’t purchase private health insurance while in prison, after serving your time you can again buy a plan in the Health Insurance Marketplace. When applying for health insurance in the Marketplace after your release, you might be eligible for lower costs on monthly premiums or out-of-pocket costs, depending upon your family household size and income.
You have a 60-day Special Enrollment period to enroll in a health insurance plan after your release. However, you don’t sign up during this period, you will have to wait until the next Open Enrollment Period to apply for health coverage.
During incarceration, you can’t access Medicaid but you do have the option to sign up for Medicaid coverage in your state using the Marketplace. Enrolling in Medicaid coverage during your prison sentence could prove beneficial as you might be able to receive care more quickly after your release.
Signing up for Medicaid protection is relatively simple. You just need to apply online at HeathCare.gov or your state’s Marketplace website. Additionally, you could apply via mail with a paper application or sign up directly through your state’s Medicaid office.
In some circumstances, ex-convicts might feel a short term health insurance plan would better suit their needs immediately after being released. As former inmates look for work, they might decide to purchase a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace or paying a penalty fee isn’t the best option. Thankfully, temporary health coverage is available, so you can have healthcare while on the job hunt.
Shift Frequency © 2019 – Health Coverage Options
for Incarcerated People