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Jail inmates will pay larger co-pay for medical care Melodie Phelps News Editor By MELODIE PHELPS News Editor Inmates at the Wayne County Detention Center will pay a larger co-payment for medical care, according to a new policy that was approved by Wayne County Fiscal Court on Thursday, September 9. The court voted to increase the inmate’s portion of medical care to 50 percent, or a minimum of $50. The increase is more than was proposed by Jailer Ray Upchurch, who had brought a revised co-payment schedule to the court meeting. Upchurch had recommended increasing the co-payment from the present $20 for a visit to the nurse practitioner, doctor or dentist to $40. The co-payment for a prescription would be $10, according to the proposal. During discussion of the fee increase, Upchurch told the court that some jails are now charging inmates up to 50 percent of the total medical charge. District One Magistrate Jerry Sloan said he would like to see the county look at that type of plan, which would help the county fight the rising cost of providing medical care for inmates. District Four Magistrate Wade Upchurch agreed. Officials also indicated that by increasing the cost, it could decrease the number of unnecessary trips to the doctor or dentist. Co-payments are deducted from an inmate’s canteen account, Upchurch explained. Magistrate Upchurch questioned what canteen money is normally used for, and Upchurch replied that it is basically used by inmates to pay for telephone calls and cigarettes. Add a comment |
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