JAIL INMATE MEDICAL CARE COVERAGE

Senate Bill 736

Sponsor:  Sen. Mike Goschka

House Committee:  Insurance

Senate Committee:  Appropriations

Complete to 1-17-06

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 736 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 10-20-05

The bill would require health care providers, when providing medical care or treatment to an inmate in a county jail, to make a reasonable effort to determine if that individual is covered by a health care policy, a certificate of insurance, or other source for the payment of medical expenses.  If the provider determines that the inmate is a Medicaid recipient or has other coverage, then reimbursement would first be sought from that source before submitting expenses to the county.  If the county sheriff is aware of coverage, that information would have to be given to the health care provider.

When submitting an invoice to the county for the payment of medical expenses, the health care provider would also have to submit a statement that a reasonable effort has been made to find other payment of the expenses.  A county could enter into an agreement with providers establishing procedures for the submission and payment of invoices for medical expenses.

The bill is an amendment to Chapter 171 of the Revised Statutes of 1846, entitled "Of county jails and the regulation thereof."

MCL 801.4 and 4a

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill could generate savings for counties, and would have no fiscal impact on the state.  Any savings would depend on the frequency with which sheriffs were able to obtain reimbursement for health care expenses of jailed offenders.   How frequently this might happen is uncertain.  However, under an analogous provision in the Department of Corrections budget act for FY 2004-05 (2004 PA 345), the Department of Corrections reported that it was unable to identify any insurers who continued medical coverage during periods of incarceration. 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Marilyn Peterson

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.