| REPORT: |
Mr. Carlos Migoya, President/CEO, Jackson Health System, introduced Mr. Rick Morris, who was recently hired as GSS Director and noted Mr. Morris had already planned systemic changes to improve revenues and efficiencies at Jackson Health System (JHS). Mr. Migoya spoke about the Corrections health care services provided at JHS and their effort to obtain more detailed information from inmates with regards to insurance, medicare, and Medicaid. He noted intake nurses were being trained to ask the right follow up questions when responses weren’t forthcoming and also commented on how difficult it was for JHS to receive reimbursement for Corrections patients who were released from custody.
Mr. Migoya further noted JHS was working with Florida Medicaid staff to help maximize reimbursements going forward, and retroactively, to the extent the law permitted. He pointed out that a Medicaid/Medicare representative would now be located in Ward D, and every inmate sent to Ward D or a JHS facility for emergency or in patient care, would be screened for program eligibility.
Mr. Migoya commented on the need for JHS to operate efficiently and explained their objective was to offer more services at corrections clinics to help lower costs for the Corrections and Rehabilitation Department. He noted JHS would pursue revenue generating opportunities for jail diversion programming and residential reentry programs. He also pointed out that JHS was a partner in the rehabilitation process and was taking steps to incorporate Corrections health into its system wide Quality and Care of Patient Safety Counsel.
Chairman Diaz commended Mr. Migoya for the productive changes happening at JHS.
Commissioner Heyman commended Mr. Migoya for not outsourcing health care for inmates. She stressed the need for inmate health care to be done in a corrections environment and included as a line item in the corrections budget. Commissioner Heyman pointed out the County should look at other parallel models used for this type of service which could greatly reduce the cost of inmate health care. Commissioner Heyman commented on the need for better communication between the Corrections and Rehabilitation Department and healthcare providers. She also pointed out that veterans had health coverage through the United States Department of Veteran Affairs from which JHS could recover the treatment costs for those patients. She suggested health care questions be asked on the same form(s) used during the booking process.
Commissioner Heyman also spoke about an onsite medical facility in Almeda, California, that reduced their inmate healthcare costs by 90%, and asked Mr. Migoya to look into the possibility of having a similar site in this County.
Mr. Migoya concurred with Commissioner Heyman’s comments regarding the treatment of inmates on site. |
