FloridaJefferson County sets payment limits for inmate medical care
In Jefferson County, noncontracted providers and transport companies serving jail inmates face payment caps tied to Medicare rates, with one financial-loss exception.
What it does
Noncontracted medical providers treating Jefferson County inmates may receive no more than 110 percent of the Medicare rate, or 125 percent if they meet a financial-loss exception.
Noncontracted companies transporting Jefferson County inmates for emergency medical care may receive no more than 110 percent of the Medicare rate.
Argument forPayment caps could help Jefferson County control what it pays for inmate medical care and emergency transportation.
Argument againstNoncontracted providers and transport companies may receive less than they would otherwise charge, which could make service agreements harder to obtain.
More detail
Payments to a medical provider for an inmate’s care may not exceed 110 percent of the Medicare allowable rate. This applies to licensed health care providers serving inmates housed in a Jefferson County detention center without a county contract for inmate medical services. The limit rises to 125 percent of the Medicare allowable rate when the provider also reported a negative operating margin for the previous year through hospital-audited financial data. The act does not apply to charges for medical services provided at a hospital operated by Jefferson County. The act takes effect when it becomes law and applies in Jefferson County.
Payments to an emergency medical transportation company for an inmate’s transport may not exceed 110 percent of the Medicare allowable rate. This covers air, land, or water emergency transportation for an inmate housed in a Jefferson County detention center when the company lacks a county contract for that service. The act does not apply to charges for medical services provided at a hospital operated by Jefferson County. The act takes effect when it becomes law and applies in Jefferson County.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Chapter No. 2026-187Latest
- Jun 8Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 27Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11Passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 9Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
- Feb 18ReceivedMinor
- Feb 12Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 12In Messages
- Feb 11Passed; YEAS 111, NAYS 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 11Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 5Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
- Jan 22Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 22Bill released to House Calendar
- Jan 22Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Jan 22Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 20Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- 2025
- Dec 2Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Criminal Justice Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Dec 2Reported out of Criminal Justice Subcommittee
- Dec 2Favorable by Criminal Justice SubcommitteeMinor
- Nov 24Added to Criminal Justice Subcommittee agenda
- Nov 18Now in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Nov 18Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Nov 18Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Nov 10Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Oct 1Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Oct 1Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Oct 1Referred to Criminal Justice SubcommitteeMinor
- Oct 1Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Sep 16FiledIntroduced
- Dec 2Now in State Affairs Committee
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