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| Mississippi counties to pick up more medical costs for state inmates |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 07/12/2004 |
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The Mississippi Department of Corrections has sent letters to all sheriffs notifying counties that the state is now going to pay only Medicaid reimbursement rates for state inmates' medical care. The change is part of legislation passed this year as a way to cut costs at the state Department of Corrections. More than 100 corrections officers were laid off two weeks ago as a way to save more than $3 million. The change means counties will be picking up more of the costs of medical care of state inmates. However, some sheriffs have said they are having problems finding doctors willing to treat inmates at the Medicaid reimbursement rate. That means the county may have to pick up the remaining tab of whatever the state won't pay. By law, the county and the state are required to provide medical care for inmates. Many counties and the state have turned to managed care companies to help keep costs down. The state decided to move to the Medicaid reimbursement rate because there has never been anyone to watch the cost of care for state inmates in county facilities, said Dr. Joseph Blackston, medical services director for MDOC. The change in the law could mean that counties could try to move sick state inmates into the state system quickly so it won't be stuck with a costly medical bill, officials said. The legislation allows some wiggle room, though. If Medicaid reimbursement rates are not available, they can negotiate for a contract to provide services, Blackston said. But is it the county or the state's responsibility to negotiate the contract? "That may be something that we need to take a closer look at," Blackston said. Other counties may not be in as much of a pinch. Stone County Regional Correction facility, for example, has asked for Medicaid reimbursement rates for not only its state inmates but also for its county inmates for several years, said Warden Dewain Brewer. |
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