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.
Get the risk assessment form
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. Sheriffs and jail administrators should contact the county board before risk assessments begin to:
Confirm the timeline, such as start dates and documentation deadlines
Request to 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. Get the risk assessment form to ensure an accurate picture of your jail’s liability exposure.
Prepare documentation
While risk assessment processes may vary by insurance company, you can start gathering supporting documents now. It is 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 your health care provider to obtain copies of the contract and any relevant documentation. This can put your jail in a better position to defend claims and reduce liability with good practices, policies, and services. Prepare documentation 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!®
