In 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance encouraging states to test innovative reentry services through Section 1115 reentry waivers, creating new opportunities to expand healthcare access for justice-involved populations. While these waivers offer significant potential to improve health outcomes, implementation presents complex challenges, including Medicaid billing readiness, operational planning, stakeholder coordination, and service delivery within correctional settings.

California became the first state in the nation to receive approval to provide Medicaid-covered reentry services for eligible incarcerated individuals. Through its support of the state’s implementation efforts, PCG gained valuable experience building the operational, policy, and stakeholder frameworks needed for success. Today, PCG is bringing that expertise to Glenn County, California, helping local leaders establish sustainable reentry services that connect individuals with critical healthcare and behavioral health supports before they return to their communities.

“We understand the big picture, but we also understand how that work impacts agencies on the ground,” said Christine Newhall, Associate Manager at PCG. “We’re in a unique position to connect all the pieces and help counties successfully bring these services to life.”

Supporting Glenn County’s Implementation Journey

Historically, individuals who are incarcerated have been unable to access Medicaid services, despite being eligible, leading to barriers gaining access to healthcare upon reentering the community.  California’s innovative reentry waiver helps remove those barriers by connecting people to healthcare, behavioral health, substance use treatment, and care coordination services before they return to the community.

“This is truly groundbreaking work,” said Katherine Thomas, Senior Consultant at PCG. “We’re opening services to a population that has historically struggled to access the healthcare they need, while helping communities build stronger systems of support.”

Since officially launching the engagement on July 1, 2026, PCG has been working closely with Glenn County to assess its readiness, identify service gaps, and create a roadmap for waiver implementation. The project follows a phased approach:

• Conducting comprehensive readiness and gap analysis against state requirements.
• Identifying areas where current systems, policies, and workflows meet or fall short of implementation standards.
• Developing tools, documentation, policies, and procedures to address identified gaps.
• Training county staff to successfully operate and sustain new reentry services.

Additionally, PCG is helping the county strengthen partnerships between correctional facilities, behavioral health providers, managed care organizations, and community-based service providers. The team is also supporting Medicaid billing readiness, performance measurement, and operational planning.

Building a Model for the Future

As additional states pursue reentry waivers and expanded Medicaid services, the work underway in Glenn County could serve as a blueprint for future county-level implementation efforts nationwide.

By partnering with Glenn County, PCG is helping transform groundbreaking policy into meaningful, community-level action. Through strategic planning, stakeholder collaboration, and expertise, PCG is helping build sustainable systems of care that improve health outcomes, strengthen continuity of services, and support successful transitions for individuals returning to their communities.

Learn more:

• Expanding Access to Care Through CMS 1115 Reentry Waivers
• PCG’s Human Services Solutions