- December 16, 2025
A total charge of $39,518.01 was approved for payment to Florida Hospital Flagler Jan. 17 by the County Commission, for medical services provided to an inmate of the Flagler County jail.
According to County Administrator Craig Coffey, inmate medical costs have been on the rise in recent years, from about $30,000 in 2007 to about $175,000 in 2010. Last year, its cost was about $100,000.
Inmate medical invoices are processed based on Medicare/Medicaid rates agreed upon with the hospital. Any invoice above $25,000 must be brought before the commission.
“We’re sort of hamstrung on this issue, and sort of forced to use taxpayer dollars,” County Administrator Milissa Holland said, citing local government’s legal responsibility to fund prisoners’ medical bills. “I just find this very, very disturbing, and very frustrating.”
Coffey explained that although there is nothing staff can do about paying these bills, there are options in managing their payments and working with providers in getting the best rates possible for the county.
“This issue’s been brewing,” Coffey said, adding that policy changes are forthcoming.
According to County Attorney Al Hadeed, the county may be able to apply a lien against a prisoner’s assets, in order to make up some of its cost.
