Sheriff, county staff say Medicaid rule change altered inmate medical opt‑in process; staff to meet with provider
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Summary
County administrator and sheriff described a Medicaid rule change that now requires inmates to be signed up at release rather than at arrest; officials said some bills are being negotiated down and staff will meet with the provider for details.
County officials and the sheriff's office told commissioners that a change in Medicaid rules has altered how the county's interlocal inmate medical enrollment operates.
Jennifer Davis said the county has an interlocal agreement with the sheriff's office and the clerk's office to pursue medical billing recovery for inmates. At the Oct. 14 meeting she said a Medicaid rule change means an arrest is no longer a qualifying event for automatic enrollment; staff now understands enrollment must occur when inmates are released. The county has scheduled a meeting with the provider to clarify the change and expected procedures.
Kevin Nelson of the sheriff's office explained that when the program started the county considered arrest a qualifying event and enrolled eligible inmates; the recent rule change limits enrollment at arrest and instead requires sign‑up on release. Nelson said the sheriff's office is working to secure a rule change that would revert arrest to being a qualifying event because, he said, the current approach causes some eligible people to fall through the cracks.
Officials said the sheriff's office continues to negotiate large medical bills and that the county's providers have reduced some charges; the board will receive additional details after staff meets with the provider to confirm operational and eligibility questions.
Ending: Staff said they will report back after the meeting with the provider and provide more information about who remains eligible and whether the county can restore prior sign‑up procedures under state guidance.
