SB54 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Medicaid, inmates in co. jails and under juvenile court, Medicaid eligibility suspended, not terminated, temporary reinstatement for med. care, payment of costs

Summary

SB54 changes Medicaid for county jail inmates and juveniles under juvenile court by suspending eligibility (not terminating it) and allowing temporary reinstatement for inpatient care, with county funding and a centralized information system.

What This Bill Does

It suspends Medicaid eligibility for county inmates in county jails and for juveniles under juvenile court custody, but does not terminate it, as long as they are otherwise eligible. If they receive inpatient care in a medical facility for more than 24 hours, Medicaid eligibility is temporarily reinstated for that care. Counties must reimburse the Medicaid Agency for the full federally required state match for those inpatient services. The act requires a centralized information-sharing process between the Medicaid Agency and counties, with a deadline to implement and an operability date.

Who It Affects

• County inmates in county jails — Medicaid eligibility is suspended while in custody, with potential temporary reinstatement for inpatient care >24 hours.
• Juveniles under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court — Medicaid eligibility is suspended while under court jurisdiction, with potential temporary reinstatement for inpatient care >24 hours.

Key Provisions

• Suspends Medicaid eligibility for county inmates in county jails and for juveniles under juvenile court custody, rather than terminating it.
• Provides temporary reinstatement of Medicaid eligibility for inpatient care in a medical institution for more than 24 hours.
• Requires counties to reimburse the Medicaid Agency for the full amount of any federally required state match for inpatient services provided under temporary reinstatement.
• Establishes a centralized process for information sharing between the Medicaid Agency and counties, including identification of eligible individuals, notification of reinstatement, reimbursement procedures, and notifications when custody or jurisdiction ends.
• The centralized process must be developed and implemented by October 1, 2017, and the act becomes operative January 1, 2018.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Counties