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County staff and commissioners back renewing inmate excess medical insurance to limit jail medical exposure
Summary
Deer Lodge County commissioners heard staff and legal counsel urge renewing the inmate excess medical insurance (administered through MAKO/MMIA) to protect the county from rare but potentially catastrophic jail medical bills; commissioners instructed staff to place the item on the agenda for formal action.
During the work session, the commission reviewed the county's inmate excess medical insurance administered through MAKO/MMIA. The chair explained the policy covers inmate medical bills above a program threshold and noted the county has relied on it for several years.
"We've seen some of those bills get up in the quarter million dollar type realm, which would completely wipe out our whole detention budget," Seal said in support of renewal, arguing the insurance protects taxpayers from unusually large costs. The county attorney also recommended renewal based on past claims data.
Commission discussion touched on cost projections and usage: staff estimated roughly 25 inmates on average per day and a ballpark annual premium equivalent to about $121,300, while commissioners asked about last year's total cost and claim experience. With no public opposition, the commission moved to place the renewal on a future agenda for formal consideration.
