| DOC Clarifies Medical Care Policies |
|
|
 |
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2000
The Oregon Department of Corrections has recently been asked questions about how we make medical decisions, approve medical treatments and allocate health care resources. The policy is publicly available at http://www.oregon.gov/DOC/OPS/HESVC/index.shtml. That policy is summarized below.
The Department of Corrections has a legal as well as moral obligation to treat serious medical needs of incarcerated individuals. The department has a corresponding obligation to be responsible stewards of the public´s dollar and embraces a managed care approach to health services.
Since the early 1990´s, the Department of Corrections has recognized that certain treatments and procedures are more medically necessary and appropriate than others. It designed and implemented the system of prioritized medical services and treatment that is in use today.
The coverage of medical conditions and treatments offered by DOC´s Health Services is based on the same research as the Oregon Health Plan. The scope of medically necessary and medically appropriate services covered is similar to the Oregon Health Plan. Individual case review by a panel of physicians and others is employed in complex cases. The Department of Corrections provides medically necessary care and treatment to inmates that generally coincides with community standards.
Medical confidentiality laws are designed to protect everyone´s medical information in the state of Oregon. These laws apply to inmates as well. In deference to the law, (ORS 179.495, 179.505, 192.502(8)) the department cannot confirm or deny details of any inmate´s treatment, condition or plan of care.
-30-
|
|
|
|
