Section 206 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024: State Planning Grants to Promote Continuity of Care for Medicaid and CHIP Beneficiaries Following Incarceration

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking applications from eligible states and territories for planning grants to develop operational capabilities to promote continuity of care for individuals who meet both of the following criteria:

-Are inmates of a public institution.

-Are eligible for medical assistance under the state Medicaid program or for child health assistance or pregnancy-related assistance under the state Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Funding is available through section 206(a) of division G of the CAA, 2024 for activities and expenses to help states comply with the statutory requirements under section 5121 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2023, and section 205 of division G of the CAA, 2024, that:

-A state shall provide certain Medicaid and CHIP services to eligible juveniles in the period surrounding their release from a public institution as of January 1, 2025.

-A state shall not terminate eligibility for medical assistance for individuals who are inmates of a public institution as of January 1, 2026.

Funding is also available to help states do the following:

-Adopt Medicaid state plan options under section 5122 of the CAA, 2023, related to providing Medicaid and CHIP services for eligible juveniles pending disposition of charges.

-Support other activities and expenses related to promoting continuity of care for individuals who are inmates of a public institution and are eligible for medical assistance under the state Medicaid program or for child health assistance or pregnancy-related assistance under CHIP.

CMS will fund cooperative agreements for a four-year period of performance.