Medical Care

The True Health Care in TDCJ is based on where you are in Prison. Some Units give Very Adequate Care, while other Units give Really Poor Care. There is a HEALTH Care Fee of $13.55 for the First Seven Visits in a year. During your In Take Processing there will be a Health Summary for Classification Form created for you. It Governs Your Life in TDCJ from Facility, Housing, Work to Transportation Requirements. You will Notice in the Upper Right A “PULHES” designation. It is a health classification system based on the structure and function of the body’s organs and systems. PULHES is used to relay an inmate’s medical, physical and mental health status to staff. The body’s functions are considered under six factors that are identified by a letter designating a specific medical or mental health area. You may see a REAL Doctor when you go to Medical, or You will see a Nurse, a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Video Telemedicine via a TV Link.

There are TWO Hospital Systems: UTMB in Galveston, Texas and UMC in Lubbock, Texas. Coverage Areas.

Examples of an Inmate going to Medical, Pill Window, UTMB , & UMC.

These Are Links to TDCJ Website Pages.

This what TDCJ States.

The Correctional Managed Health Care (CMHC) program in Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) provides comprehensive health care services to adult offenders incarcerated in Texas prisons and state jail facilities. Here are some key points about inmate health care within TDCJ:

Services Provided:
- The Inmate Health Services Plan outlines the level, type, and variety of services available to offenders. These services include:
  - Basic ambulatory care
  - Infirmary care
  - Hospitalization
  - Specialty care services
  - Pharmaceutical services
  - Dental care
  - Optometry care
  - Mental health services¹.
- Offenders have access to health care services, and each facility within TDCJ has written procedures for offenders to obtain medical, dental, and mental health care. Information on accessing health services is provided during intake and upon arrival at the assigned unit ¹.
Medical Necessity:
- Under the correctional health care program, offenders receive services deemed medically necessary.
- Medical necessity involves determining that the service(s) provided are:
  - Appropriate and necessary for symptoms, diagnosis, or treatment.
  - Within standards of good medical practice.
  - Not primarily for convenience.
  - The most appropriate provision or level of service that can be safely provided ¹.
Mission of Health Services Division:
- The Health Services Division collaborates with health care contractors and the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee (CMHCC) to ensure health care services are provided to incarcerated offenders in TDCJ custody