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Hardin County jail billing audit yields $50,383 refund; county expects recurring savings
Summary
Jailer Josh Lindbloom told the fiscal court the county received $50,383.53 from the hospital’s purchaser after an audit of detention‑center medical billing and that repricing going forward could save roughly $50,000 per year (about $750,000 over 15 years), pending completion of additional audits.
Jailer Josh Lindbloom reported to the Hardin County Fiscal Court on Jan. 13 that an audit tied to the 2020 hospital sale has produced a first refund check of $50,383.53 and that billing repricing going forward should return ongoing savings.
Lindbloom explained that a $150,000 annual allotment established in the hospital sale agreement had not been repriced for some inmate hospital bills and that the county had long raised concerns. He said hospital and county billing staff audited bills and found repricing was appropriate; the county received a $50,383.53 check from BHH for the first audited year and additional checks covering earlier years are expected once audits finish.
Lindbloom estimated that repricing and future audits could yield about $50,000 per year in reduced net jail medical costs — roughly $750,000 over 15 years — and said the county would continue audits and county‑attorney review to ensure the funds are credited.
Why it matters: Jail medical expenses can be a recurring budget pressure for counties. Lindbloom said the change in repricing and ongoing audits will give the county recurring savings and reduce short‑term subsidies to the detention center.
Quote: "So that is money that would have been left on the table ... So $50,383.53 to give them the treasure," Lindbloom said, noting the county expects more refunds as audits continue.
Next steps: Lindbloom said the county attorney’s office will continue to work with hospital and billing staff, and further audit payments are expected as previous years are reviewed.
