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Guidelines For Implementing Inmate Medical Fees

NCJ Number
173055
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 59 Issue: 6 Dated: October 1997 Pages: 106-108
Author(s)
J Clark
Date Published
1997
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article presents criteria to ensure that California inmate-fee-for-medical-services programs contain no barriers that will violate inmates' constitutional right to medical care.
Abstract
Guidelines developed by the California Medical Association's Corrections and Detention Committee emphasize the importance of ensuring that policies are well-reasoned and clearly articulated to the inmate population. Charging a nominal fee may ensure that an inmate considers whether or not a health care provider's intervention is necessary. Guidelines include (*denotes an essential criteria guideline): (1) policies and procedures developed jointly by custody and medical personnel; (2) fee schedule widely posted or published for inmates*; (3) list of exempt services published and posted*; (4) available services published and posted*; (5) policy to waive fees for indigent inmates*; (6) grievance/appeal process for inmates challenging a billed service visit*; (7) cashless co-payment*; (8) structured revenue management system*; (9) policy to address negative balances*; (10) policy to monitor and control over-the-counter medications; (11) system to annually monitor morbidity and mortality; (12) system to monitor workload on the clinical service; (13) co-payment not to exceed the State rate for the Medi-Cal/Medicaid co-payment; and (14) program evaluation to ensure it is cost-effective and efficient.