(a) Any person committed to the custody of the Commissioner of Correction who is confined in a correctional facility and requires hospitalization for medical care may be transferred by the department to any hospital having facilities for such care. If such person is covered by a health insurance policy, as defined in § 38a-469, and such policy provides coverage for such hospitalization or medical care, such person shall be liable to the hospital for all covered expenses, and (1) such person shall arrange to have the carrier pay the amount of covered expenses to the hospital, or (2) if such policy indemnifies the covered person for costs incurred, such person shall pay the hospital for covered expenses. Each carrier shall provide benefits for covered expenses without regard to whether a person is committed to the custody of the Commissioner of Correction. If such person is not covered by a health insurance policy, the department shall reimburse the receiving hospital at a rate not to exceed that established under the provisions of § 17b-239. As used in this subsection, “carrier” means any insurance company, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, health care center, fraternal benefit society or other entity which delivers, issues for delivery or renews a health insurance policy in this state.

(b) Prior to October 1, 2019, the Commissioner of Correction shall revise the payment methodology for ambulance services provided by a municipality on behalf of a person who is confined in a correctional facility and requires transfer to a hospital for medical care. The revision to such payment methodology shall ensure that, if such person is not covered by a health insurance policy, the department shall reimburse the municipality for ambulance services at the same rate that the department is contractually obligated to pay to nonmunicipal providers of ambulance services.