{"id":30119,"date":"2026-08-06T18:40:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T13:40:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=30119"},"modified":"2026-08-06T18:40:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T13:40:36","slug":"records-detail-ice-medical-claims-before-payment-system-collapsed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=30119","title":{"rendered":"Records detail ICE medical claims before payment system collapsed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-element=\"story-body\" data-dateline=\"\" data-subscriber-content=\"\">\n<p><span class=\"dateline\">WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/span>The Department of Homeland Security\u2019s system for paying for detainee medical care has collapsed, records show, leaving a backlog of unpaid claims likely costing millions of dollars. <\/p>\n<p>With a new payment system still not in place, advocates for immigrant detainees fear some are  going without necessary treatment as medical providers near a year without compensation.<\/p>\n<p>Newly released federal records reveal what that treatment could be for, detailing more than 233,000 claims for off-site medical and dental care between January and early October of 2025. The claims, for which Homeland Security spent $96 million, show detainees were treated for a wide variety of conditions, including strokes, pregnancy, suicide attempts and frostbite. <\/p>\n<p>For years, Homeland Security relied on a unit of the Department of Veterans Affairs, its financial services center, to process claims for detainee medical care. But since that arrangement <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/popular.info\/p\/exclusive-how-the-trump-administration?triedRedirect=true\" target=\"_blank\">abruptly ended Oct. 3<\/a>, the company hired to create a new payment processing system has yet to start reimbursing the medical clinics, dental practices and pharmacies that treat detained patients. <\/p>\n<p>The documents were released by the VA to the nonprofit watchdog group American Oversight through the Freedom of Information Act and shared exclusively with The Times. They paint the clearest picture yet of the off-site medical care received by immigrants in the custody of the federal government before the payment system fractured. <\/p>\n<p>The old  system used by Homeland Security was scrapped after critics questioned why the VA was processing paperwork for a different federal department. <\/p>\n<p>During the Biden administration, Republicans claimed that the contract between Homeland Security and the VA took resources from veterans to facilitate healthcare for immigrants and <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/118th-congress\/house-bill\/6744\/text\" target=\"_blank\">introduced a bill<\/a> to stop it. <\/p>\n<p>Last year, with President Trump back in office, the VA wrote Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Aug. 19 to say that it would stop processing detainee medical claims by Feb. 28, 2026. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis termination is necessary to reallocate resources to support mission-facing programs,\u201d the letter states. <\/p>\n<p>On Sept. 30, the right-wing Center to Advance Security in America filed a lawsuit against the VA seeking answers to a year-old request for records related to the alleged diversion of resources. The VA didn\u2019t respond to requests for comment. But then-VA press secretary Pete Kasperowicz <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailysignal.com\/2025\/10\/06\/exclusive-lawsuit-aims-force-veterans-affairs-disclose-information-related-diverting-resource-illegal-aliens-under-biden\/\" target=\"_blank\">told the Daily Signal<\/a> that the department had, under President Biden, focused on unnecessary activities such as processing healthcare claims for immigrants. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cUnder President Trump, the department has abandoned these radical liberal priorities and rededicated itself to providing the best possible care and benefits to the Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors we serve,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<p>Three days after the lawsuit was filed, the VA stopped processing Homeland Security claims. Later that month, ICE awarded multimillion dollar no-bid contracts to two companies tasked with taking over claims processing: Acentra Health for healthcare services and <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/sam.gov\/workspace\/contract\/opp\/8c170dda7be84780a057d55d5207231e\/view\" target=\"_blank\">Ardent Group<\/a> for pharmacy services. <\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">  <ps-interactive-project class=\"interactive-project block\" data-use-responsive-height=\"true\" data-module-id=\"0000019f-b3a0-d3b1-afff-fba04a740005\">\n<div data-wc-src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/UFm19\/embed.js?v=9\" style=\"min-height:450px;\">     <noscript><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/09135e1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x900+0+0\/resize\/320x212!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2F2e%2F55ed7ae046528008414961b746bf%2Ff1f0f3e912b34f0d9044f6c2b69f6695 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ad04a66\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x900+0+0\/resize\/568x376!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2F2e%2F55ed7ae046528008414961b746bf%2Ff1f0f3e912b34f0d9044f6c2b69f6695 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/611b95b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x900+0+0\/resize\/768x508!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2F2e%2F55ed7ae046528008414961b746bf%2Ff1f0f3e912b34f0d9044f6c2b69f6695 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d34a5f5\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x900+0+0\/resize\/1024x678!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2F2e%2F55ed7ae046528008414961b746bf%2Ff1f0f3e912b34f0d9044f6c2b69f6695 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4927653\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x900+0+0\/resize\/1200x794!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2F2e%2F55ed7ae046528008414961b746bf%2Ff1f0f3e912b34f0d9044f6c2b69f6695 1200w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"ICE facilities paid about $250 per detainee for outside medical care, mostly for routine screenings\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6f05b70\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x900+0+0\/resize\/320x212!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2F2e%2F55ed7ae046528008414961b746bf%2Ff1f0f3e912b34f0d9044f6c2b69f6695 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e019e2c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x900+0+0\/resize\/568x376!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2F2e%2F55ed7ae046528008414961b746bf%2Ff1f0f3e912b34f0d9044f6c2b69f6695 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b16cbd6\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x900+0+0\/resize\/768x508!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2F2e%2F55ed7ae046528008414961b746bf%2Ff1f0f3e912b34f0d9044f6c2b69f6695 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/44252de\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x900+0+0\/resize\/1024x678!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2F2e%2F55ed7ae046528008414961b746bf%2Ff1f0f3e912b34f0d9044f6c2b69f6695 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/c0b1e00\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x900+0+0\/resize\/1200x794!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2F2e%2F55ed7ae046528008414961b746bf%2Ff1f0f3e912b34f0d9044f6c2b69f6695 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"1200\" height=\"794\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/c0b1e00\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x900+0+0\/resize\/1200x794!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2F2e%2F55ed7ae046528008414961b746bf%2Ff1f0f3e912b34f0d9044f6c2b69f6695\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture> <\/noscript> <\/div>\n<\/ps-interactive-project>    <\/div>\n<p>Federal law requires Homeland Security to provide medical care to the people in its custody. Those held by Customs and Border Protection near the border, or by ICE in the country\u2019s interior, are civilly detained for the purpose of removal proceedings. ICE is holding more than 65,000 detainees as the agency touts record-high arrests this summer. <\/p>\n<p>ICE and Customs and Border Protection rely on about 3,000 community-based providers and local hospitals, which submit about 300,000 claims annually for detainee care, according to ICE. <\/p>\n<p>The VA documents show ICE claims accounted for $77.3 million, or 80% of the total, and CBP claims cost $19 million. <\/p>\n<p>Together, the agencies paid on average about $260 for off-site care per detainee from January to October 2025, a Times analysis found. By comparison, federal prisons in fiscal year 2025 spent about $2,700 per inmate on external medical care.<\/p>\n<p>For ICE, medical conditions that had the highest number of claims included screenings for tuberculosis and other diseases and treatment for hypertension, chest pain and type 2 diabetes. Some of the highest-paid amounts related to treatment of psychosis, schizophrenia and sepsis.<\/p>\n<p>More than a third of the claims for CBP \u2014 and more than half of the total paid amount \u2014 went to a category of claims called \u201cinjury, poisoning and certain consequences of external causes.\u201d That includes traumatic injuries such as fractures, concussions and hemorrhages.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">  <ps-interactive-project class=\"interactive-project block\" data-use-responsive-height=\"true\" data-module-id=\"0000019f-b3a1-d775-a7bf-f7b9825e0005\">\n<div data-wc-src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/RqysY\/embed.js?v=9\" style=\"min-height:958px;\">     <noscript><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4955e3f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x1916+0+0\/resize\/320x451!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F57%2Feb8c7f3e4305882aa7bc4af610b8%2Fdd974544ab4f470880c31619bb7f318b 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/03e734b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x1916+0+0\/resize\/568x800!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F57%2Feb8c7f3e4305882aa7bc4af610b8%2Fdd974544ab4f470880c31619bb7f318b 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/98982b8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x1916+0+0\/resize\/768x1082!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F57%2Feb8c7f3e4305882aa7bc4af610b8%2Fdd974544ab4f470880c31619bb7f318b 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/05647b7\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x1916+0+0\/resize\/1024x1443!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F57%2Feb8c7f3e4305882aa7bc4af610b8%2Fdd974544ab4f470880c31619bb7f318b 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7496807\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x1916+0+0\/resize\/1200x1691!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F57%2Feb8c7f3e4305882aa7bc4af610b8%2Fdd974544ab4f470880c31619bb7f318b 1200w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Injuries made up the largest category, and more than half of the cost, for CBP, which paid about $330 overall per detainee\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/0f016f3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x1916+0+0\/resize\/320x451!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F57%2Feb8c7f3e4305882aa7bc4af610b8%2Fdd974544ab4f470880c31619bb7f318b 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4cc3ef2\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x1916+0+0\/resize\/568x800!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F57%2Feb8c7f3e4305882aa7bc4af610b8%2Fdd974544ab4f470880c31619bb7f318b 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/50907b4\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x1916+0+0\/resize\/768x1082!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F57%2Feb8c7f3e4305882aa7bc4af610b8%2Fdd974544ab4f470880c31619bb7f318b 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e2dc430\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x1916+0+0\/resize\/1024x1443!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F57%2Feb8c7f3e4305882aa7bc4af610b8%2Fdd974544ab4f470880c31619bb7f318b 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/bd65b30\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x1916+0+0\/resize\/1200x1691!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F57%2Feb8c7f3e4305882aa7bc4af610b8%2Fdd974544ab4f470880c31619bb7f318b 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1691\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/bd65b30\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x1916+0+0\/resize\/1200x1691!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F57%2Feb8c7f3e4305882aa7bc4af610b8%2Fdd974544ab4f470880c31619bb7f318b\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture> <\/noscript> <\/div>\n<\/ps-interactive-project>    <\/div>\n<p>Among other notable claims are 2,267 for pregnancy, birth and maternal care, 1,793 for seizures and 419 for suicide or self-harm. The most expensive claim was $292,199 for treatment of leukemia. <\/p>\n<p>Homeland Security did not return requests for comment but frequently says  it provides comprehensive medical, dental and mental health care, which officials tout as the best healthcare many detainees  ever received.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Amy Zeidan, an emergency medicine doctor and associate professor at Emory University who studies immigrant detainee health outcomes, said the VA data show  detained immigrants require significant medical care. She said some of those entering detention facilities likely have chronic conditions and don\u2019t get proper care, while others likely develop serious conditions while detained.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is a high burden of disease in detention facilities that we have always suspected but really had no evidence to support,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s not like these are people getting routine visits for mildly high blood pressure \u2014 these are people who require hospitalizations.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf claims are no longer being paid, this is a big problem because outside care is certainly needed,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">  <ps-interactive-project class=\"interactive-project block\" data-use-responsive-height=\"true\" data-module-id=\"0000019f-c826-dc81-a7df-cc3f8c620005\">\n<div data-wc-src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/XPtI8\/embed.js?v=3\" style=\"min-height:464px;\">     <noscript><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/c9b588c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x922+0+0\/resize\/320x217!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fdc%2Fff4431654ab3b7270742e2ddbb6d%2F9aa5340e56e144ef94c7d19867644e85 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/692a0b8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x922+0+0\/resize\/568x385!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fdc%2Fff4431654ab3b7270742e2ddbb6d%2F9aa5340e56e144ef94c7d19867644e85 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/148d89e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x922+0+0\/resize\/768x521!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fdc%2Fff4431654ab3b7270742e2ddbb6d%2F9aa5340e56e144ef94c7d19867644e85 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/fc70286\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x922+0+0\/resize\/1024x695!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fdc%2Fff4431654ab3b7270742e2ddbb6d%2F9aa5340e56e144ef94c7d19867644e85 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/c3aeb59\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x922+0+0\/resize\/1200x814!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fdc%2Fff4431654ab3b7270742e2ddbb6d%2F9aa5340e56e144ef94c7d19867644e85 1200w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"The single most expensive claim was $293,000 to treat leukemia.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ec52ec1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x922+0+0\/resize\/320x217!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fdc%2Fff4431654ab3b7270742e2ddbb6d%2F9aa5340e56e144ef94c7d19867644e85 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/29cde00\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x922+0+0\/resize\/568x385!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fdc%2Fff4431654ab3b7270742e2ddbb6d%2F9aa5340e56e144ef94c7d19867644e85 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4435053\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x922+0+0\/resize\/768x521!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fdc%2Fff4431654ab3b7270742e2ddbb6d%2F9aa5340e56e144ef94c7d19867644e85 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/2db2f62\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x922+0+0\/resize\/1024x695!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fdc%2Fff4431654ab3b7270742e2ddbb6d%2F9aa5340e56e144ef94c7d19867644e85 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1fd1c2f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x922+0+0\/resize\/1200x814!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fdc%2Fff4431654ab3b7270742e2ddbb6d%2F9aa5340e56e144ef94c7d19867644e85 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"1200\" height=\"814\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1fd1c2f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1360x922+0+0\/resize\/1200x814!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fdc%2Fff4431654ab3b7270742e2ddbb6d%2F9aa5340e56e144ef94c7d19867644e85\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture> <\/noscript> <\/div>\n<\/ps-interactive-project>    <\/div>\n<p>The decision to end the processing agreement with the VA \u201ccreated an emergency,\u201d according to ICE officials. That phrase appears i<a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/sam.gov\/workspace\/contract\/opp\/53e8295e32044da2884589ad1bf37183\/view\" target=\"_blank\">n a contracting document for Acentra<\/a> Health that was first reported on by independent journalists through the newsletter <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/popular.info\/p\/exclusive-how-the-trump-administration?triedRedirect=true\" target=\"_blank\">Popular Information.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Several vendors  expressed interest in the job, but ICE said a formal competition would take months and the lack of a way to process claims could delay necessary medical care, such as dialysis, prenatal care and chemotherapy.<\/p>\n<p>ICE needed to come up with a new way to process medical claims \u201cinstantly\u201d in order to \u201cprevent any further medical complications or loss of life,\u201d the contracting document states. \u201cOff-site providers who are not paid timely may not accept new patients or continue to provide vital care and services.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>The ICE officials wrote that Acentra Health provides the same claims processing system used by the VA and would be able to restore claims processing services quickly. <\/p>\n<p>Claims processing was <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ice.gov\/detain\/ice-health-service-corps\/ihs-managed-care\" target=\"_blank\">slated to resume April 30<\/a>, but providers still haven\u2019t been paid.<\/p>\n<p>The ICE Health Service Corps website says providers should \u201chold all claim submissions while we work to bring the new system online.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Rodarmer, public relations manager for Acentra Health, said the company\u2019s role under its contract is solely to build out the claims processing system \u2014 not to start processing claims.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe timeline for the completion of this project depends on factors beyond any single party, including two government shutdowns, funding lapses, and the timing of federal authorizations, all of which have impacted the project schedule,\u201d Rodarmer said. <\/p>\n<p>According to a <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usaspending.gov\/award\/CONT_AWD_70CDCR26C00000002_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-\" target=\"_blank\">federal contracting website<\/a>, Acentra has been paid $36 million of its $67.5-million contract, which Rodarmer said was extended until Sept. 24. Ardent Group has been paid <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usaspending.gov\/award\/CONT_AWD_70CDCR26C00000003_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-\" target=\"_blank\">$26.7 million<\/a> of its $42.6-million contract, which is slated to end Oct. 24. <\/p>\n<p>In June, Homeland Security <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/sam.gov\/workspace\/contract\/opp\/8ba2439b91574cbebc455720224f2fca\/view\" target=\"_blank\">posted a request for information<\/a> to identify other potential vendors. The agency wants companies to answer 29 questions. The first asks for a \u201crealistic timeline\u201d on when the processing of claims can begin. <\/p>\n<p>Rodarmer said Acentra responded to the request for information and, if chosen, would begin paying out claims under the system it built. <\/p>\n<p>Last month, Reps. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) and Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1TtZ-OXi6AHWDvBTQOvb7kyEP7l2zT1BP\/view\" target=\"_blank\">wrote <\/a>to the leaders of the VA and Homeland Security seeking answers about when Acentra will begin processing reimbursements, whether any claims have been paid since Oct. 3, and how many detainees have had health complications or died because they were unable to access off-site healthcare. The lawmakers said the agencies haven\u2019t responded. <\/p>\n<p>In an interview, Ramirez said she believes the lack of payment for medical claims is directly tied to an increase in detainee deaths. At least 23 people have died in immigration custody this year. Last year the agency reported 33 in-custody deaths. <\/p>\n<p>She said that without answers to the questions she raised with Takano, there\u2019s no way to know what Homeland Security has been billing for and how much care has been put on hold. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn our current system, if no one is paying for services, no one gets healthcare,\u201d Ramirez said. \u201cSince DHS and VA stopped processing medical claims nine  months ago, it is clear that our neighbors are being deprived of necessary medical care in violation of the law.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, detained immigrants and their supporters have raised increasing alarms over medical care provided by ICE. <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ice.gov\/news\/releases\/detainee-passes-following-medical-emergency-new-jersey?utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email\" target=\"_blank\">ICE said<\/a> Edwin Jovanny Lopez Cornejo, 41, of El Salvador suffered a medical emergency on Saturday and was pronounced dead after being taken to a New Jersey hospital. <\/p>\n<p>The agency said Lopez Cornejo had received proper medical care and was seen by medical professionals. His mother, however, <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/jerseyvindicator.org\/2026\/08\/03\/family-seeks-answers-after-delaney-hall-death\/?utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email\" target=\"_blank\">told a local immigrant rights group<\/a> that she believed he hadn\u2019t received his medication for diabetes, high blood pressure and seizures. <\/p>\n<p>In California, a court-appointed medical monitor <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2026-07-28\/court-appointed-monitor-ice-medical-care\">issued a report<\/a> last month finding that the state\u2019s largest immigrant detention center repeatedly has delayed assessments, treatment and administration of medication for detainees. The center\u2019s operator told The Times it was reviewing the report and that nothing matters more than the health, safety and well-being of people under its care. <\/p>\n<p>At the California City Detention Facility, one man waited months for a surgery he never received. The 34-year-old man asked to be identified by his initials, A.S., over concerns about his immigration case.<\/p>\n<p>A.S. said he tripped and broke an  ankle while detained in late February. He was transported to a local hospital and placed in a cast. <\/p>\n<p>Medical records show A.S. didn\u2019t see a specialist until April 10, when it was  determined he needed surgery. At an appointment June 1, A.S. said a doctor told him  he had missed a scheduled operation, which medical records appear to confirm. <\/p>\n<p>He said the doctor told him  too much time had passed and the surgery no longer was possible because of  risk of complications. The doctor ordered physical therapy, A.S.  said, but medical records show he didn\u2019t receive any.<\/p>\n<p>A.S. was released from the detention center last month still limping and in pain. Unable to find work or pay to see a doctor, he has resorted to recycling cans and bottles to support himself. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey knew about my situation \u2014 there were requests asking to be seen, there were complaints I had filed, so it\u2019s not like they didn\u2019t know,\u201d A.S. said. \u201cInstead, it\u2019s as if they didn\u2019t want to give me the medical attention.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0The Department of Homeland Security\u2019s system for paying for detainee medical care has collapsed, records show, leaving a backlog of unpaid claims likely costing millions of dollars. With a new payment system still not in place, advocates for immigrant detainees fear some are going without necessary treatment as medical providers near a year without compensation&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30120,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/aad7f87\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x1575+0+212\/resize\/1200x630!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa9%2Fdc%2F3790b87c4429b17bc795b0412400%2Fap19312657379035.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30119"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30119\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/30120"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30119"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30119"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}