Floyd County commissioners on July 15 approved a memorandum of understanding with HP Freedom to assist pretrial inmates with applications for medical coverage that the county and sheriff’s office say could cover medical and pharmaceutical costs incurred while individuals are in pretrial detention.

A county official described the MOU as administrative and not a financial obligation of the county government. The sheriff’s office asked for approval so HP Freedom could proceed with assisting pretrial inmates through an application process. The official said the county’s hospital contract was expiring and that the county had been exploring options to reduce unexpected medical costs for inmates.

The official relayed that HP Freedom representative Larry Covington had told them the program would be zero cost to inmates in roughly 99% of cases. "What I've been assured by Larry Covington of HP Freedom is that in 99 percent of the cases is a 0 cost to the inmates," the official said. The official also noted that program eligibility and any copays or premiums would be determined by income and other qualification criteria.

A commissioner moved to approve the MOU; another commissioner seconded, and the motion carried by voice vote.

Ending: County and sheriff's office staff will execute the MOU with HP Freedom and proceed with the administrative steps for inmate enrollment; details of eligibility criteria and cost-sharing were not elaborated in the meeting and will require follow-up with HP Freedom.