Operational and IT infrastructure updates to enable implementation of pre-release services at carceral facilities and promote continuity of care for inmates eligible for Medicaid/CHIP. - The Medical Assistance Division (MAD) of the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) requests State Planning Grant funds to make operational and infrastructure enhancements to promote continuity of care for inmates who are eligible for Medicaid. MAD will manage the project, leveraging its position as the single State agency for the Medicaid program. MAD will collaborate with key subrecipients: the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), the New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD), and county and tribal carceral facilities. The primary goal of the State Planning Grant is to ensure Medicaid and CHIP members transitioning out of incarceration maintain continuous access to health care services as they return to their communities. Specific goals include: (1) enhancing collaborative relationships and data-sharing systems among stakeholders, (2) increasing personnel resources and infrastructure to support pre-release Medicaid services, (3) building carceral facilities’ capacity to bill Medicaid for pre-release services, and (4) ensuring high-quality care coordination for members reentering communities. The grant will allocate funds for infrastructure improvements, staffing, data systems integration, and Medicaid billing support at an estimated total budget of $4,911,284.98 over the four-year performance period. Grant funds will support the hiring of critical personnel at MAD, CYFD, and NMCD. Personnel will ensure coordination of grant activities and will provide support and technical assistance to carceral facilities. Subrecipients will use funds to: (1) develop or upgrade data exchange and Medicaid billing systems, and (2) implement phased enhancements, starting with CYFD and NMCD facilities in 2025 and expanding to county and tribal facilities through 2029. Additional enhancements may include activities to educate and promote awareness of re-entry services. The initiative will improve health outcomes for justice-involved populations by expanding access to essential pre-release services and facilitating smoother transitions to community providers. The project aligns with and supports New Mexico's broader 1115 Waiver Justice Reentry Demonstration Initiative.
