A Michigan prisoner sent MIM the text of the notice prisoners received informing them that they must now pay for the majority of their own health care while in prison. The prisoner also sent us a copy of the "Health Care Request" form prisoners must now fill out to apply for medical treatment. MIM welcomes documentation like this from prisoners and non-prisoners alike, as it provides us with both information and a lead for further research we would otherwise have to do ourselves. We welcome any visitors to this website to also share with us any information they have about Michigan prisons so that we can use this information to further educate people on the outside about conditions behind bars. We will also use this information to organize in ways which can benefit prisoners which they are behind bars.
The following is the text of the MDOC notice to prisoners:
Recent legislation requires that prisoners be charged a co-payment for non-emergency prisoner-initiated health care. Effective June 2, 1997, prisoners shall be charged $3.00 for health care visits. Necessary health care will be available as always regardless of prisoner's[ sic] ability to pay. The prisoner's account will be charged unless one of the following conditions is met:
- The visit is requested by health care staff, i.e., Chronic Care Clinic, annual health screen, intake screening, and required follow- up care.
- The visit is for a work-related injury documented by the prisoner's supervisor.
- The visit is for testing for HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, infestations, or reportable communicable diseases.
- The visit is for evaluation, consultation, or treatment of a mental health need.
- The visit is for a medical emergency, a condition for which delay in treatment may result in death or permanent impairment.
A prisoner who intentionally injures him or herself shall be charged the full cost of treatment.
Prisoners shall use the Prisoner Request for Health Care Services form (CHR-549) to request a health care visit. No prisoner shall be denied access to necessary health care due to lack of funding to pay co-payment.
For more information, see Policy Directive 03.04.101 which is available in the law library.