Medicaid Expansion brings new benefits to Justice-Involved Adults

Medicaid Expansion brings new benefits to Justice-Involved Adults

Nebraska Probation provides financial assistance for behavioral health services for adults who meet criteria which includes financial need. In October 2020, the State of Nebraska launched Medicaid Expansion, which enhanced Medicaid eligibility for low-income adults. Medicaid benefits, under Medicaid Expansion, include behavioral health as well as medical, pharmacy, dental and vision resources. Many of Probation’s justice-involved adults meet the newly established income guidelines for Medicaid eligibility. Therefore, Rehabilitative Services, under the Programs and Field Services Division of Nebraska Probation, has provided training to all district Probation and Problem-Solving Court Officers to identify those adults who may now be eligible for Medicaid benefits and how to assist those individuals in applying for Medicaid. The Rehabilitative Services unit has been actively engaging Probation service providers across the state to encourage their participation in the Medicaid Network in order to expand the services available to justice-involved individuals across the state.  Also, Rehabilitative Services staff, who are responsible for approving financial assistance, continue to ensure that all insurance, including Medicaid, has been exhausted prior to approving the use of Probation’s financial assistance dollars.