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Committee adopts amendment to CS for SB 1012 on inmate services; limits some reimbursements to 110% of Medicare rates
Summary
The committee adopted Senator Yarbrough's amendment to CS for SB 1012, codifying fee deposits to inmate welfare trust funds, removing a Medicaid-treatment contingency, and capping certain hospital emergency service payments at no more than 110% of Medicare allowable rates while preserving carveouts for negotiated higher rates; the measure was then reported favorably.
The Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Committee adopted an amendment to CS for SB 1012, Senator Yarbrough's bill on inmate services, and then reported the bill favorably.
Senator Yarbrough described amendment barcode 631746 as codifying current practice of depositing maintenance and repair deduction fees from contractor-operated correctional facilities into the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund; removing the requirement that a health-care provider's participation in the Medicaid supplemental reimbursement program be contingent upon treating inmates; preserving emergency medical transport reimbursement at Medicaid-allowable rates; and setting a cap for adjustment of hospital emergency medical services and care at no more than 110% of the Medicare allowable rate while allowing community health-care providers to negotiate rates above 110% if they enter into an agreement to provide care in specified contexts.
As Senator Yarbrough summarized, the amendment "codif[ies] the current practice of depositing maintenance and repair deduction fees...into the contractor operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund" and adds the reimbursement language to allow room for community providers to negotiate rates above 110% of Medicare when they enter into agreements to provide services either in secure units of their facilities, inside correctional institutions, or by telehealth.
The committee received witness input. Justin Senior, identified as CEO of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, thanked the Florida Department of Corrections and sponsors and called the amendment "a big move, in a positive direction," while noting he had opposed earlier versions and asked to continue working with the department and the sponsor to refine a few outstanding questions.
With no recorded objections, the amendment was adopted by voice vote. The clerk then called the roll on CS for SB 1012; recorded 'yes' responses included Senator Osgood, Senator Simon, Senator Smith, Senator Yarbrough and Chair Garcia, and the committee reported CS for SB 1012 favorably.
