Community Reentry Services Waiver
Helping people stay healthy as they return home
Federal law generally stops Medicaid from paying for health care for people while they are in a correctional facility like a jail or prison. For people with chronic health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or asthma, there can often be a gap in their treatment and prescriptions, which could potentially result in an emergency department or hospital visit. The same is true for people undergoing treatment for a substance use disorder. A gap in their treatment could result in an avoidable relapse or overdose.
Wisconsin is asking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a new waiver that would change this by providing coverage for certain services up to 90 days before a person is released, as long as they qualify for Medicaid.
These services would include:
- Case management, starting up to 90 days before release, to help connect people with health care, housing, and other support they'll need in the community.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for any substance use disorder, starting up to 90 days before release.
- A 30-day supply of prescription medications on the day the person is released.
Documents and timeline
- September 10, 2026 | Tribal Nation Consultation
- September 17, 2026 | Medicaid Advisory Committee
- October 1, 2026 | Public notice published
- October 1–October 31, 2026 | Public Comment Period
Join us for a virtual public hearing on October 14, 2026
DHS will hold a virtual public hearing from 9:30–10:30 a.m. on October 14, 2026.
Join online through Zoom.
Or join by phone:
Dial: US: +1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose), or +1 646 828 7666 US (New York), or +1 669 216 1590 US (San Jose), or +1 551 285 1373 US (New Jersey)
Webinar ID: 165 463 3295
We invite your written comments October 1–31, 2026
- Email: DHSDMSReentryWaiver@dhs.wisconsin.gov
- Mail: Waukesha State Office Building
Department of Health Services
Attn: Wisconsin 1115 Reentry Waiver
141 NW Barstow St. Ste. 126
Waukesha, WI 53188-3789
Frequently asked questions
Wisconsin wants to offer these services to people held in:
- Adult and youth prisons run by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC).
- County-run jails and other facilities.
- Tribal jails.
- DHS mental health treatment facilities for people under DOC care, like the Wisconsin Resource Center.
Facilities will begin participating at different times based on their readiness to meet all state and federal requirements for the waiver. DHS will help facilities prepare to meet readiness requirements.
To be eligible for this benefit, a person must:
- Be residing in a correctional facility.
- Be within 90 days of their release date.
- Be eligible for Medicaid.
- People who are incarcerated but who are not eligible for Medicaid are not eligible for this benefit.
- People incarcerated in a federal facility are not eligible for this benefit.
- People who are not incarcerated are also not eligible for this benefit.
- People who are incarcerated but who are not within 90 days of their release date are also not eligible.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines medication with counseling, therapy, and peer support to treat substance use disorders. It's a proven, whole-person approach. If approved, Wisconsin Medicaid would cover MAT for any substance use disorder.
Case management is a collaborative process where a professional assesses, plans, coordinates, and evaluates medical, behavioral, and social support services to meet a patient’s complex needs.
All members eligible for waiver services would receive a 30-day supply of all necessary covered prescription medications immediately upon release from a correctional facility. Members with chronic health conditions may be under the care of a physician during their incarceration and have an existing prescription. Others may be prescribed medicine while seeing a doctor as part of their routine prerelease planning.