Funding Sources
The Wisconsin program was fortunate to have received state funds in the amount of $1.6 million to develop and implement the program for the two-year budget cycle. Within our contracts for treatment and counseling, we require WI DOC to be the “last payer” ensuring that all other avenues of funding have been exhausted.
For offenders participating in the program who have no insurance coverage or ability to self-pay, our funds will cover their costs for 12 months. There is no expectation of repayment from the offender.
Insurance Resources
The complexities of insurance are overwhelming. Within insurance programs (public, private, Medicaid, etc.), there can be variations of coverage and limitations as determined by location. This remains a challenge for coverage determination, funding and invoicing. Since the time of our program implementation, more insurance plans now cover the costs associated with AODA assessments, medical services, and MAT treatments. Wisconsin’s program funding currently does not cover the cost of insurance premiums, deductibles, or co-pays so this financial requirement is passed on to the participant. This often becomes a barrier and a significant reason participants drop out of the program.
The US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has clarified eligibility of these services for individuals covered under Medicare and Medicaid. See the attachment for a link to their memo and FAQ on this topic.
Grants
The US Department of Justice offers a variety of grants related to substance abuse. See the Office of Justice Programs website for a full list of available grants. Some of these grants are available for agencies to apply directly and other program funds are passed through to state criminal justice, human services, or mental health agencies.
Budget Requests
If your goal is to request funding through your state budget process, we have provided links to resources and documents that WI DOC used in our funding documents.