What Medical Care Is Free (and What Costs Money) at Chesapeake Jail

Chesapeake Jail covers certain basics at no charge. Both the physical screening and dental screening at admission are free.

Ongoing health conditions are also covered. The facility lists preventative and continuing treatment for documented chronic problems as free - things like diabetes, hypertension, HIV, TB, and seizures. The key word is "documented."

Some health testing comes at no charge too. STD testing and TB screening are both free.

Copay Services

• ✓ Sick call
• ✓ Doctor visit
• ✓ Dentist visit
• ✓ Prescriptions

Co-pays apply to services outside the free category. Sick call requests, doctor or dentist visits, and prescriptions all come with a fee.

Chesapeake Jail has an on-site medical contractor providing professional health care 24 hours a day. Care isn't limited to "office hours" inside the facility.

When someone first arrives, they're evaluated and screened for medical issues during Booking. This is when urgent concerns get identified early.

Mental health support is part of the health services too. The facility offers mental health screening and access to counseling.

Prescription medications brought in during Booking aren't handed back out right away. They must be verified before the jail will dispense them.

Here's the key point: medical care is never refused to an inmate, regardless of their balance. A zero balance won't block someone from being seen.

1. Get seen by medical staff even without funds - If an inmate does not have funds in their account, they are still seen by medical staff.
2. A negative balance is applied - The cost is tracked by applying a negative balance to the inmate’s account.
3. The balance is repaid when money is added - When a deposit is made, the negative balance is deducted for the medical services that were provided.