SANTA FE— The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) invites stakeholders to attend upcoming online meetings to learn about a new program that will connect Medicaid-eligible individuals in incarceration to needed services prior to their release. 

“When people leave prison or jail with an established and trusted connection to health care services, they are more likely to continue needed medications, stay on treatment plans, and seek new services,” said Dana Flannery, Medicaid Director. “We believe this can make a difference in the efforts to help people make successful returns to their communities.”  

The New Mexico Justice Re-Entry Program aims to reduce emergency department visits, overdose-related deaths, and inpatient hospitalizations among formerly incarcerated Medicaid members. 

This is an exciting development in New Mexico’s ability to affect positive health outcomes as adults and youth transition to their communities after incarceration. 

Two online meetings are scheduled in September to educate state, county, and local jails and prisons, and health care providers who serve these populations, about this change and to involve stakeholders in the program design.  

For jail and prison administrators: Thurs., Sept. 5, 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom. Please register in advance. 

For health care providers: Thurs., Sept. 12, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Zoom. Please register in advance. 

More information about the federal authority granted in New Mexico’s waiver renewal is posted on the Medicaid 1115 Waiver Renewal Approval web page. 

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