How county jails are lowering insurance costs
Each year, counties complete a risk assessment that sets insurance rates, and the jail is generally the biggest cost driver. In some cases, the county commissioner completes the assessment without involving the jail to get a full picture of the situation, leading to missed opportunities to lower a jail’s risk category and in turn, reduce insurance costs.
Share the risk assessment form
County commissioners should be sharing risk assessment forms with jail administrators to get a full picture of the jail’s liability exposure. To avoid missed opportunities, jail administration can request to review risk assessment forms early and prepare answers that highlight areas that may lower insurance costs. County commissioners, sheriffs, and jail administrators should begin collaborating before risk assessments begin to:
Confirm the timeline, such as start dates and documentation deadlines
Request jail leadership participate and review assessment documentation
The county can reinvest the funds saved on insurance premiums back into the jail to expand services and further reduce liability. County commissioners should share the risk assessment form or jail administration should request the form if they do not already have it.
Prepare a document packet
While risk assessment processes may vary by insurance company, you can start gathering supporting documents now. County commissioners should specify what information is needed. If your commissioner has not reached out, call to ask. It is generally recommended to keep track of:
Hours of on-site medical/behavioral health services and type of services provided
How offsite determinations are made
Detainee programs provided, such as group counseling and education programs
Intake and suicide screening policies
Partner with the jail health care provider to obtain copies of the contract and any relevant documentation. This can put the jail in a better position to defend claims and reduce liability with good practices, policies, and services. Prepare a document packet to make a case for lower insurance premiums.
For more information, please contact training@sparktraining.us.
Disclaimer
All materials have been prepared for general information purposes only. The information presented should be treated as guidelines, not rules. The information presented is not intended to establish a standard of medical care and is not a substitute for common sense. The information presented is not legal advice, is not to be acted on as such, may not be current, and is subject to change without notice. Each situation should be addressed on a case-by-case basis. When in doubt, send them out!®
