A. As used in this section:

1. “Emergency care” means the medical or surgical care necessary to treat the sudden onset of a potentially life- or limb-threatening condition or symptom;

2. “Dental emergency” means acute problems in the mouth exhibiting symptoms of pain, swelling, bleeding or elevation of temperature; and

3. “Mental health emergency” means a person exhibiting behavior due to mental illness that may be an immediate threat to others or himself or herself that renders the person incapable of caring for himself or herself.

B. The Department of Corrections shall reimburse health care providers for medical care and treatment for inmates retained in county jails after a certified copy of a judgment and sentence has been entered pursuant to the provisions of Section 980 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes or pursuant to the provisions of Section 988.12 or 991a-2 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Health care providers that are in the network established by the Department of Corrections in conjunction with the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board shall be reimbursed according to the fee schedule established for that network; provided, that reimbursement will be no less than the fee structure that was in effect January 1, 2007, or the current fee schedule, whichever is greater. Health care providers that are out of network shall be reimbursed according to the Oklahoma Medicaid Fee Schedule; provided, that reimbursement shall be no less than the fee structure that was in effect January 1, 2007, or the current fee schedule, whichever is greater. Prior to obtaining nonemergency care outside the county jail facility, authorization must be received from the Department of Corrections. For any emergency care, dental emergency or mental health emergency care obtained outside the county jail facility, the Department of Corrections must be notified within twenty-four (24) hours. The Department of Corrections is hereby authorized to reject claims if proper notification has not been provided.

C. The sheriff shall be responsible for providing and paying for medical, dental and mental health care screening when an inmate is admitted, routine sick calls within the county jail and access to on-site physician services as is routinely provided for all inmates in the custody of the sheriff and as provided by Section 52 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

D. The Department of Corrections shall pay the pharmacy provider for medications provided to inmates retained in county jails after a certified copy of a judgment and sentence has been entered pursuant to the provisions of Section 980 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes or pursuant to the provisions of Section 988.12 or 991a-2 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes. If the pharmacy provider is a Medicaid provider, the pharmacy provider must bill the Department at Medicaid rates. The county jail shall be responsible for paying for any medications that are not listed on the Department of Corrections formulary, unless the county jail receives a written exception from the Department.

E. Dental and mental health care shall be provided through the designated host facility of the Department of Corrections for inmates retained in county jails after a certified copy of a judgment and sentence has been entered pursuant to the provisions of Section 980 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes or pursuant to the provisions of Section 988.12 or 991a-2 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Each county jail is encouraged to work with local community mental health centers to provide necessary medications and emergency services that would be reimbursed pursuant to the provisions of this subsection.

F. The sheriff shall be responsible for transportation and security of inmates to all outside health care appointments including host facilities of the Department of Corrections.

G. Neither the Department of Corrections nor the sheriff shall be responsible for the cost of health care while an inmate is on escape status or for any injury incurred while on escape status.

H. The Department of Corrections shall not be responsible for payment of health care of inmates housed in the county jail under the following circumstances:

1. Prior to entry of a certified judgment and sentence pursuant to the provisions of Section 980 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

2. When an inmate is detained in the county jail pursuant to a writ of habeas corpus;

3. When an inmate is detained in the county jail for additional cases pending after a certified copy of the judgment and sentence has been entered;

4. When an inmate is detained in the county jail and his or her status is on hold for another jurisdiction; or

5. When an inmate is detained in the county jail and the inmate is sentenced to county jail time only.

Added by Laws 2008, c. 366, § 8, emerg. eff. June 3, 2008.