(A) A person confined to the County Jail, except as provided in divisions (B) and (C) below, shall be required to make a co-payment in an amount of $15 for each provision of any of the following services:
(1) Dentist’s visit;
(2) Physician’s visit;
(3) Glasses;
(4) Ophthalmology/optometrist visit;
(5) Prescription handling fee; and
(6) Any other health care-related service.
(B) Division (A) above does not apply to a person confined in the County Jail who:
(1) Maintains a policy of insurance from a private company covering:
(a) Medical care;
(b) Dental care;
(c) Eye care; or
(d) Any other health care related service;
(2) Division (A) above also does not apply to a person confined in the County Jail:
(a) Provided said inmate provides complete and accurate information to allow the health care provider to file a claim for services rendered;
(b) The inmate is willing to pay for the person’s own medical care; and
(c) The inmate is housed at the County Jail pursuant to contract entered into with the U.S. Marshals’ Service.
(C) A person confined at the County Jail is not required to make the co-payment if:
(1) The inmate does not have funds in the inmate’s commissary account or trust account at the time the service is provided and the inmate does not have funds in the inmate’s commissary or trust account within 30 days after the medical service is provided;
(2) The service is provided in an emergency;
(3) The service is provided as a result of an injury received at the County Jail; or
(4) Service is provided at the request of the Sheriff.
(D) Only the original filling of a specific prescription shall be charged a co-payment for this medical service. All refills ordered when the original prescription was written shall constitute one service.
(E) The original call for medical services is initiated by the Sheriff. Follow-up care for the same illness or injury will not require a co-payment if follow-up service is rendered within 30 days of the original medical service.
(F) Inmates at the County Jail will never be refused medical treatment because of an inability to pay. Should an inmate have a zero balance in the inmate trust or commissary account, the transaction shall be carried on the books for a 60-day period. Should the inmate receive money within the 60-day period, the co-payment will be deducted from the inmate’s account. If the inmate receives no funds, at the end of 60 days an adjustment, entry shall be made to negate the medical billing transaction. Within the 60-day period if the inmate receives monies, the outstanding co-payments shall be deducted prior to a commissary order being processed. Co-payments for medical services shall be deducted prior to any monies being released to the inmate for bonding or any other purposes.
(G) Monies collected shall be deposited into the County General Fund and will be used only for inmates’ medical care.
(Ord. 1994-4, passed 7-5-1994; Ord. 1994-14, passed 9-6-1994; Ord. 1996-8, passed 10-7-1996; Ord. 2002-7, passed 8-5-2002)