What Happens to My Medical Care While I Am in Jail or Prison?

Federal health programs will not pay for your care, but jails and prisons are responsible for providing essential health and mental health services to all inmates. You have a constitutional right to treatment while in jail or prison and can request it.

Medicaid

Medicaid does not pay for any services while you are in jail or prison. Many states will take your name off their Medicaid list when you are incarcerated or when they learn that your SSI payments have stopped as a result of your incarceration.

If jail staff took your Medicaid card away with your other personal possessions when you were arrested, you probably will not get the same card back. You will then have to re-apply, as described in the "How Do I Pay for Medical Care After I Am Released?" section of this booklet.

Medicare

Medicare does not pay for any services while you are in jail or prison.

Veterans Health Care

The Veterans Administration does not pay for medical care while you are in jail or prison.

Next: What Happens to Other Benefits While I Am in Jail or Prison?