103 Mass. Reg. 932.10

Current through Register 1523, June 7, 2024
Section 932.10 - General Health Care Services
(1) The county correctional facility shall have a written agreement with an adequately equipped medical facility which meets the legal requirements for a licensed general hospital and will permit admission of inmates in an emergency or upon recommendation of the facility health authority or Sheriff/facility administrator.
(2) Written policy and procedure shall provide, at a minimum, the following special medical programs:
(a) chronic care - medical services rendered to a patient over a long period of time;
(b) convalescent care - medical services rendered to a patient to assist in the recovery from illness or injury;
(c) for county correctional facilities housing female inmates, proper medical services appropriate to the special needs of the female population;
(d) medical preventive maintenance including health education and medical services provided to take advance measures against disease, such as inoculation and immunizations;
(e) management and care of inmates with communicable or infectious disease, including provisions for isolation if medically indicated;
(f) detoxification from alcohol and other drugs under medical supervision;
(g) as determined by the responsible physician, the provision of a medical prosthesis or elective surgery, when the health of the inmate would otherwise be adversely affected; and
(h) the use of restraints for medical and psychiatric purposes, in conformance with M.G.L. c. 123, § 21.

The above policy and procedure shall be updated as new information becomes available.

(3) Written policy and procedure shall be developed regarding informed consent that provides for the following:
(a) all examinations, treatments and procedures affected by informed consent standards in the community, shall be observed for inmate care;
(b) that health care is rendered against an inmate's will only in accordance with law; and,
(c) in the case of minors, the informed consent of parent, guardian or legal custodian applies when required by law.
(4) If a medical co-payment program is used, written policy and procedure shall be developed and shall address the following:
(a) a co-payment fee may be required of all inmates for self-initiated sick call visits pursuant to M.G.L. c 127, § 16A and c. 124, §§ 1(c ) and 1(s);
(b) each county correctional facility participating in an inmate co-payment plan shall develop written procedures pertaining to the collection of fees, including the eligibility criteria of the co-payment plan.
(5) Written policy and procedure shall be developed to provide a means to ascertain whether an inmate has insurance, and if so, to ensure appropriate billing for any services provided, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 124, § 1(t).

103 CMR 932.10