§ 22-22. Reimbursement for medical, psychiatric and dental expenses.

(a)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Drawing account means any account under the control of the correctional facility from which an inmate may withdraw funds.

Inmate means any person confined in the Caddo Correctional Center but does not include inmates sentenced to the department of public safety and corrections who are in the custody of the parish sheriff's office.

(b)

In compliance with and under the authority of R.S. 15:705, the sheriff's office shall withdraw from an inmate's drawing account reimbursement for said inmate's medical, psychiatric or dental expenses at the time the expenses are incurred or as soon thereafter as practicable and shall remit such funds to the parish.

(c)

Except as provided for in subsection (d) of this section, reimbursement for medical, psychiatric and dental expenses shall be made prior to any other withdrawal by the inmate from an inmate's drawing account.

(d)

This section shall not prohibit the withdrawal of funds for the purpose of payments under the Crime Victims Reparations Act, court costs as authorized by law, and other withdrawals specifically authorized by the sheriff's office.

(e)

The sheriff's office shall prepare written rules for the collection of medical, psychiatric and dental expenses and for freezing assets in an inmate's drawing account and prohibiting withdrawals therefrom until the expenses are paid. The drawing account may be frozen regardless of the source of the assets contained therein. The written rules, as prepared, shall be presented by the sheriff's office to the parish commission for approval.

(f)

The medical, psychiatric and dental reimbursement shall be subject to the following:

(1)

Any initial medical evaluation upon entry into the correctional facility shall be made at no charge to the inmate;

(2)

Inmates shall be informed of the reimbursement requirement at the time a request for medical, psychiatric or dental services is made; and

(3)

No inmate shall be refused medical, psychiatric or dental treatment for lack of funds.

(g)

The amount of reimbursement shall be according to the following schedule:

(1)

$10.00 per doctor visit.

(2)

$10.00 per dentist visit.

(3)

$10.00 per sick call visit.

(4)

$5.00 per prescription fee.

(h)

Any inmate who is discharged or transferred to another facility shall remain liable for any reimbursement authorized by this section.

(i)

Any inmate who is covered by a private medical, psychiatric, dental or health care insurer or any public medical, psychiatric or dental assistance program, shall be required to file a claim for the payment or reimbursement of any medical, psychiatric or dental services while incarcerated at the Caddo Correctional Center.

(Code 1985, § 18-17; Ord. No. 3272, §§ 1—9, 3-14-1996; Ord. No. 4864, 3-5-2009)