Department of Correctional Services

Health Care Services Provided to Inmates Outside of Correctional Facilities

In the 2000 calendar year, the medical services provided to inmates in State correctional facilities cost about $187 million. These services may be provided by physicians at facility infirmaries or by specialist physicians at hospitals and other outside facilities. We examined the process used by the Department of Correctional Services in providing outside medical services to inmates and found that the services were not always provided in a timely manner. For example, we examined 50 referrals for outside services and determined that the requested services were not provided as soon as recommended by the referring physicians in 9 of the 50 referrals. We also found that bills for outside medical services could be paid even when documentation was not submitted indicating that services were actually provided. We further determined that controls needed to be strengthened over access to the medical information maintained on the Department’s automated information system.

For a complete copy of Report 2001-S-21 click here.
For a copy of the 90-day response click here.
For a copy of the associated follow-up report click here.