Sec. 9. (a) This section is effective beginning September 1, 2015.

(b) For an offender who is incarcerated for less than thirty (30) days, a sheriff, in consultation with the county executive or a person designated by the county executive, may:

(1) assist an offender in applying for Medicaid; and

(2) act as the offender's Medicaid authorized representative as described in IC 11-10-3-7;

so that the offender might be eligible for coverage when the offender is subsequently released from the county jail.

(c) Before discharge or release from a county jail of an offender incarcerated for at least thirty (30) days, the sheriff, in consultation with the county executive or a person designated by the county executive in the county in which the incarcerated person is located shall assist the offender in applying for Medicaid, if eligible, 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 offender might be eligible for coverage when the offender is subsequently released from the county jail.

(d) The sheriff shall provide the assistance described in subsection (c) in sufficient time to ensure that the offender will be able to receive coverage at the time the offender is released from the county jail.

(e) A county executive may contract with any entity that complies with IC 27-19-2-12, including a hospital or outreach eligibility worker, to assist with Medicaid applications under this section. A county executive may develop intergovernmental agreements with other counties to provide both authorized representative and health navigator services required under this section. Upon a determination that an incarcerated individual 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.7.