Sponsored
Kentucky residents leaving state custody can now access free Medicaid rehab coverage and addiction treatment for up to one year after their release.
Governor Andy Beshear announced the expansion, making low-cost rehabs in Kentucky more accessible to one of the state’s most vulnerable population, and potentially reducing overdose deaths and recidivism statewide.
What the New Medicaid Rehab Coverage Includes
With support from Medicaid, eligible adults and youth will keep access to physical and mental healthcare, as well as addiction treatment, for up to 12 months after leaving state custody.
The coverage is not automatic, it requires coordination between multiple state agencies.
The Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department for Medicaid Services are collaborating to assess eligibility as individuals near their release date.
Once cleared, here’s what enrollees receive:
- Health screenings before release to assess physical and mental health needs
- One full year of Medicaid coverage post-release
- A one-month supply of any medications prescribed during incarceration
This means that for many leaving custody, individuals can find free rehabs in Kentucky without having to navigate enrollment on their own.
Who Qualifies for Free or Low-Cost Treatment
Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis before release. You may qualify if you are:
- An adult currently in Kentucky state custody approaching release
- A juvenile in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice
- Deemed eligible through the joint screening process conducted by state agencies
If you or a loved one is approaching release and unsure about coverage, contact the Department for Medicaid Services or ask a case manager inside the facility to begin the eligibility review process as early as possible.
Why This Matters for Addiction Recovery
Leaving incarceration is one of the highest-risk periods for drug overdose. Without continued access to treatment, many people relapse or face acute withdrawal without medical support.
Beshear’s office noted that studies show increasing access to health insurance and healthcare will have numerous positive public safety and public health impacts on newly released individuals, their families and their communities.
“Leaving incarceration can be a vulnerable time as individuals navigate various systems and rebuild their lives,” said Dr. Steven Stack, secretary for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Continued behavioral health and addiction treatment, he noted, is essential to reentry success.
The results so far support that approach. Beshear announced a second straight year of declining recidivism in Kentucky, with around 70% of those released from custody not returning.
How to Access Free Rehabs in Kentucky
Whether you are preparing for release, helping a family member reenter, or are recently out of custody, here are concrete steps to find free or low-cost rehabs in Kentucky:
- Ask before release. Request a Medicaid eligibility screening from your facility’s case manager or medical staff before your release date.
- Contact SAMHSA. Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s free national helpline at 1-800-662-4357. It is confidential, free, and available 24/7.
- Check Kentucky Medicaid. Visit kynect.ky.gov to apply for or verify Medicaid coverage if you are already out of custody.
- Look into state-funded programs. Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services administers several grant-funded and low-cost addiction programs for uninsured or underinsured residents.
Additionally, you can explore Rehabs.org list of low-cost and free rehab centers nationwide. Call
800-914-7089
(
Sponsored)
to find affordable care in Kentucky today.
