Authority: §§ 53.1-1, 53.1-5, 53.1-8, and 53.1-10, Code of Virginia.
A. Out of this appropriation, $921,040 the first year and $921,040 the second year from nongeneral funds is included for inmate medical costs. The sources of the nongeneral funds are an award from the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice.
B. The Department of Corrections shall continue to coordinate with the Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Department of Social Services to enroll eligible inmates in Medicaid. To the extent possible, the Department of Corrections shall work to identify potentially eligible inmates on a proactive basis, prior to the time inpatient hospitalization occurs. Procedures shall also include provisions for medical providers to bill the Department of Medical Assistance Services, rather than the Department of Corrections, for eligible inmate inpatient medical expenses. Due to the multiple payor sources associated with inpatient and outpatient health care services, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall consult with the applicable provider community to ensure that administrative burdens are minimized and payment for health care services is rendered in a prompt manner.
C. Included in the appropriation for this item is funding for the first year and the second year from the general fund for six medical contract monitors. The persons filling these positions shall have the responsibility of closely monitoring the adequacy and quality of inmate medical services in those correctional facilities for which the department has contracted with a private vendor to provide inmate medical services.
D. The Department of Corrections shall assess the costs, benefits, and feasibility of adopting a "subscription model" for the purchase of Hepatitis C antiviral medication and necessary ancillary services (i) for a pre-determined period of time and (ii) at an annual fixed rate to be administered to state-responsible inmates held in state correctional facilities. The assessment shall include an evaluation of the terms and conditions of models adopted for correctional systems operated by other state and local governments, and the feasibility of implementing such models in Virginia. The scope of this assessment shall not preclude the collection of appropriate non-proprietary information from pharmaceutical manufacturers, if such information is deemed necessary by the department to complete the assessment. The department shall report the findings of its assessment, and any relevant recommendations, to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees no later than November 30, 2020.
E. The workgroup convened pursuant to Item 390, Paragraph R of Chapter 854, 2019 Acts of Assembly, shall be continued. The workgroup shall annually report on the progress and outcomes of the university medical pilots authorized in this Item. The report shall be provided to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees no later than October 15 of each year.