Sec. 5.3. (a) The department shall assist a committed offender in applying for Medicaid, as the authorized representative as described in IC 11-10-3-7 or as a health navigator under the requirements of IC 27-19-2-12, so that the committed offender might be eligible for assistance when the offender is subsequently:

(1) released on parole;

(2) assigned to a community transition program; or

(3) discharged from the department.

     (b) The department shall provide the assistance described in subsection (a) in sufficient time to ensure that the committed offender will be able to receive assistance at the time the committed offender is:

(1) released on parole;

(2) assigned to a community transition program; or

(3) discharged from the department.

     (c) The department shall implement the requirements under this section to establish an inmate’s Medicaid coverage regardless of the inmate’s medical need. Upon a determination that the inmate qualifies for Medicaid coverage, the office of the secretary of family and social services, division of family resources, shall authorize and then immediately suspend Medicaid coverage for those inmates not requiring immediate medical attention.

As added by P.L.185-2015, SEC.3.