Prison Board To Pay Inmate’s $264K Medical Bill

Oct. 19--WILKES-BARRE -- The Luzerne County Correctional Facility Board voted Monday to pay a $263,817 medical bill for David Lamoreaux , an inmate who triggered a massive explosion in his Exeter neighborhood in August 2009.

Lamoreaux received treatment for burn injuries at Lehigh Valley Hospital before he became a prisoner in the state correctional system in July. Before receiving a sentence of eight to 16 years in state prison, Lamoreaux was a county prisoner, and the county was responsible for his health care.

The explosion was a suicide attempt. Lamoreaux, who survived with scarred arms and a disfigured face, pleaded guilty in May to three felonies: two counts of arson and a single count of causing a catastrophe by starting a fire.

The county has a contract with Geisinger Health System for inmate health care. According to the contract, Geisinger pays medical bills up to $7,500 per inmate and pays percentages of "reasonable and customary charges" in excess of $7,500.

Another insurance policy covers costs when claims exceed $1 million, Warden Joseph Piazza said. The state mandates that the county must provide and fund health care for inmates, Commissioner Stephen A. Urban said.

The bill from Lehigh Valley Hospital initially exceeded $400,000, Piazza said. Geisinger negotiated a 35 percent discount, officials said.

The 2010 prison budget for contracted professional services is $338,400, records show. That budget includes a $62,000 allocation for medical, dental and hospital services.

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