FLDOC FAQ: Medical and Health Care

[Phil in Paris]

1-How do I get medical information about an inmate?

A- Inmate medical information is confidential and will not be released without a Consent to Release Medical Information signed by the inmate.

B- Once this consent is given, you will need to contact the health services department at the inmate's facility.

[Mrs. T]

Phil!!! My Husband HAS signed the consent to release form....does he need to send that form to me? If I wish to have access to the records? And how do I contact the Health Services department at his facility? Should I e-mail the warden? His classification officer? Is there a 'general' address? My husband has a few minor health issues...but neither of us have seen his records.
Thank You,
Mrs. T

[Phil in Paris]

Mrs T,

I'm not 100% quite sure, but I don't think your husband must send you the consent to release form. I guess it's kept in his file in the facility he's at.

If I were you, I would call his classification officer to tell him about your worries and also get a confirmation they do have this form. Just call the facility and ask to talk to his Class. Off. Normaly, he's the one who should be able to answer your concerns.

If you need to go higher, there are 2 numbers which might be useful:

Health Services Office (850) 922-6645
and
Medical Authority (CMA) (850) 410-1450
This is what CMA is for:
Correctional Medical Authority

The purpose of the CMA is to monitor and evaluate the quality of the physical and mental health care services provided to inmates in Florida's state and privately operated correctional institutions. Evaluations are accomplished through on-site visits (surveys), and are conducted to ensure the health services provided by the Department of Corrections meet minimum standards of care as defined by state and federal law and are consistent with generally accepted community standards.

Hope that helps.
Phil

[Mrs. T]

Originally Posted by Phil in Paris

Mrs T,

I'm not 100% quite sure, but I don't think your husband must send you the consent to release form. I guess it's kept in his file in the facility he's at.

If I were you, I would call his classification officer to tell him about your worries and also get a confirmation they do have this form. Just call the facility and ask to talk to his Class. Off. Normaly, he's the one who should be able to answer your concerns.

If you need to go higher, there are 2 numbers which might be useful:

Health Services Office (850) 922-6645
and
Medical Authority (CMA) (850) 410-1450
This is what CMA is for:
Correctional Medical Authority

The purpose of the CMA is to monitor and evaluate the quality of the physical and mental health care services provided to inmates in Florida's state and privately operated correctional institutions. Evaluations are accomplished through on-site visits (surveys), and are conducted to ensure the health services provided by the Department of Corrections meet minimum standards of care as defined by state and federal law and are consistent with generally accepted community standards.

Hope that helps.
Phil

I appreciate the info, thank you and have a blessed day!

[Mrs. T]

I appreciate the info, thanx and have a blessed day

[Mrs. T]

Phil...can you PM me?
I just spoke to my husband....apparently I have been confused. He hasn't been PERMITTED to 'sign' a medical release from at all!!! He doesn't understand why....I told him I have a # to call now...and he's told me to call and inquire. Why on earth would they deny him the right to sign a medical release form?

He has some health issuses, but as I have stated, they are minor...I am his wife....I also have his durable POA....We would just like to keep track ( a record) of his illnesses and treatments.......don't we have the right to know? And are the phone numbers you gave me the proper ones to inquire to? Should I notify the warden at the institution too? He's usually very helpful, but I am not sure if this is his department.

Any more info you may have will be greatly appreciated

Please PM

-Mrs. T

[Charlie's Mom]

I'm not 100 percent sure on this, but I think the medical release form is part of the paperwork work that gets completed in the reception center....as far as the durable poa goes, a copy was given to the state at the reception center and then his classification officer when he went to his facility.

[Mrs. T]

Lord have mercy ya'all!!! They won't even ALLOW hi to sign a medical release! We don't know why!

He's been in for a long time....I guess I will call classification.

Thank you,
-Mrs. T

[Phil in Paris]

Mrs T

I think there's NO reason they don't allow him to sign a medical release !! Especially since you're his wife.

If I were you, I'd call the head classification officer to know why they don't allow him, and if nothing comes out, I would call the Health Services Office.

Good luck !!!
Phil

[Mrs. T]

We figured so....I will call head of classification first thing tomorrow. issed: Thanx again!
-Mrs. T

[sandrapinkoski]

There is basically NO adequate medical health care in the FL prisons I know about--especially on weekends. You have to have a very serious injury (i.e., broken bone, etc.) or be comotose/non-responsive to have medical attention on weekends other than a couple of Tylenol or aspirin.

The doctors in the institutions I've heard about are foreign and barely speak English.

Reform is needed in this area. People have died from inadequate care . . .