ASAM Joins Coalition for Whole Health Letter Supporting Improved Medicare Access for People Formerly Incarcerated

On June 27^th, ASAM joined a Coalition of Whole Health letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and Deputy Administrator Dr. Meena Seshamani, supporting a proposed Medicare rule that would establish a special enrollment period (SEP) for individuals formerly incarcerated and exempt those who enroll under the SEP from a Late Enrollment Penalty (LEP). Currently, individuals who turn 65 years old while incarcerated are not automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and cannot enroll in Medicare Part B—meaning, upon their release, they may go months without health coverage and/or incur a LEP. This can cause a permanent increase in their Medicare premium. Health coverage upon release from incarceration is extremely important for persons who face a much higher risk of drug overdose deaths and deaths by suicide. In addition to supporting this proposed rule that would increase health equity, the letter urges CMS to revise its current definition of “in custody” for Medicare to be consistent with the definition CMS uses for Medicaid. CMS’ current definition for “in custody” for Medicare excludes a broad swath of persons from health coverage that includes those on parole, probation, bail, or supervised release.