Posted on September 16, 2010 11:08
Categories: Special Populations | Medicaid | State and Local
Topics: Access/Barriers | Criminal/ Juvenile Justice | Medicaid | Spending | State Data
On August 24, the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor released an audit of the North Carolina Department of Correction’s (DOC) inmate health care spending. The audit found that the DOC could save $11.5 million annually by requiring hospitals to bill Medicaid for certain health expenses incurred by eligible inmates. The federal government does not typically pay for inmate health care; however, Medicaid does cover treatment for eligible inmates in private or county-run hospitals. DOC officials say they are working with North Carolina Department of Health (DOH) officials to determine inmates’ Medicaid eligibility. In addition, DOC officials report that they plan to review all inmate hospital admissions for potential Medicaid reimbursement beginning in September. According to the audit, the DOC spent $159.8 million on inmate health care in 2008 and 2009.
From the report:
This audit report evaluates whether the Department of Correction (Department) could reduce inmate health care costs by requiring hospitals and other medical service providers to bill Medicaid for eligible inmate inpatient hospital and professional services and makes recommendations so Department management can take appropriate corrective action.
Full report: State of North Carolina Department of Corrections Performance Audit: Inmate Medicaid Eligibility, August 2010 (PDF | 702.55 KB) 
State of North Carolina Department of Corrections. (2010). Performance Audit: Inmate Medicaid Eligibility, August 2010. Wood, B.A.
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