[NurseHERay]

I work for a county jail. Inmates are charged $5 to see the nurse, Dr., or dentist. We tried putting OTC meds on commissary but the inmates abused it. They are charged $5 for 2 tylenol or 2 IBU. They sign a co-pay form each time they get OTC meds. Unless they have been seen by medical and ordered OTC meds. Inmates are not denied meds or exams. But if they receive any money on their accounts it will be deducted. Also, if they are released with a negative balance --- get arrested again and have money on them it will be deducted.

[Blackcat99]

Originally Posted by NurseHERay

I work for a county jail. Inmates are charged $5 to see the nurse, Dr., or dentist. We tried putting OTC meds on commissary but the inmates abused it. They are charged $5 for 2 tylenol or 2 IBU. They sign a co-pay form each time they get OTC meds. Unless they have been seen by medical and ordered OTC meds. Inmates are not denied meds or exams. But if they receive any money on their accounts it will be deducted. Also, if they are released with a negative balance --- get arrested again and have money on them it will be deducted.

That's wonderful!!!! :hatparty: This is the way it should be at all the jails and prisons.

[fiestynurse]

Psychonurse - I know many NCCHC Accredited facilities that charge co-pays for nurse sick call, doctor sick call, dental visits, prescriptions, etc. The state of Oregon, where you preside, has no restrictions on this. I know a few facilities that charge a medical receiving/booking fee, too. This is legally allowed, as long as you are providing care whether they have money on the books or not. You never deny care to the indigent!

Studies have shown that co-pays do reduce frivolous medical requests. However, you do not want to make the co-pays too burdensome (I think $3-5 co-pays are reasonable) You want inmates to seek out necessary care and catch illnesses early. And of course, emergency care or chronic care visits should be outside the co-pay system.

[maryk650]

Give me a break. Do you think they were treating themselves prior to incarceration? But now that they are in jail, the county or state or USM "have to provide me with anything I want." I am the county or state or whatever. It is my tax dollars that pays for this. We charge $5.00 for a sick call and $5.00 for each med. If the med is re-filled, that's another $5.00. We also have drug formulary which we follow. If the med is not on the formulary, they don't get it. Acne meds and dandruff shampoo is not on the formulary. If it's not on their store call. too bad.

[crjnursewarrior]

Originally Posted by NurseHERay

I work for a county jail. Inmates are charged $5 to see the nurse, Dr., or dentist. We tried putting OTC meds on commissary but the inmates abused it. They are charged $5 for 2 tylenol or 2 IBU. They sign a co-pay form each time they get OTC meds. Unless they have been seen by medical and ordered OTC meds. Inmates are not denied meds or exams. But if they receive any money on their accounts it will be deducted. Also, if they are released with a negative balance --- get arrested again and have money on them it will be deducted.

NurseHERay... I want to work where you work!!!

[crjnursewarrior]

Originally Posted by maryk650

Give me a break. Do you think they were treating themselves prior to incarceration? But now that they are in jail, the county or state or USM "have to provide me with anything I want." I am the county or state or whatever. It is my tax dollars that pays for this. We charge $5.00 for a sick call and $5.00 for each med. If the med is re-filled, that's another $5.00. We also have drug formulary which we follow. If the med is not on the formulary, they don't get it. Acne meds and dandruff shampoo is not on the formulary. If it's not on their store call. too bad.

Right on!!! These people would not have paid $5 for anything...that would cut into their drug money!! Maryk, I think it is great the way your facility does things...I wish ours did the same!

[crjnursewarrior]

Originally Posted by fiestynurse

Psychonurse - I know many NCCHC Accredited facilities that charge co-pays for nurse sick call, doctor sick call, dental visits, prescriptions, etc. The state of Oregon, where you preside, has no restrictions on this. I know a few facilities that charge a medical receiving/booking fee, too. This is legally allowed, as long as you are providing care whether they have money on the books or not. You never deny care to the indigent!

Studies have shown that co-pays do reduce frivolous medical requests. However, you do not want to make the co-pays too burdensome (I think $3-5 co-pays are reasonable) You want inmates to seek out necessary care and catch illnesses early. And of course, emergency care or chronic care visits should be outside the co-pay system.

fiestynurse,
I think you are right. The DOC prison I worked at was NCCHC accredited and we charged a copay. As you said, if they were unable to pay, of course, they were still given care, and then billed if they ever received money on their books. The prison would take half of whatever money they received until their bill was paid. This most definitely cut down on frivolous complaints. I wish the jail would do the same. The inmates are charged a $20 booking fee anytime they are booked into a regional jail in the state of WV, but none of this fee applies to medical care.