ICE has its own Health Services Corps, which it operates in 17 large detention centers, but an increasingly large majority of people are held in private detention centers where the healthcare is operated by contractor or subcontractor, where ICE basically just manages the insurance claims.
December 19, 2025 at 2:04 AM
ICE has its own Health Services Corps, which it operates in 17 large detention centers, but an increasingly large majority of people are held in private detention centers where the healthcare is operated by contractor or subcontractor, where ICE basically just manages the insurance claims.
As I said last night about the measles outbreak at ICE detention facilities, I don’t much trust “ICE Health Services Corps”. See how the language on their website has changed.
Old language (L), Mengelian language (R).
From direct patient care to “assessing alien’s [sic] fitness” to be deported.
Old language (L), Mengelian language (R).
From direct patient care to “assessing alien’s [sic] fitness” to be deported.
February 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM
As I said last night about the measles outbreak at ICE detention facilities, I don’t much trust “ICE Health Services Corps”. See how the language on their website has changed.
Old language (L), Mengelian language (R).
From direct patient care to “assessing alien’s [sic] fitness” to be deported.
Old language (L), Mengelian language (R).
From direct patient care to “assessing alien’s [sic] fitness” to be deported.
3. According to the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), payments to third parties were supposed to resume on April 30. ICE has contracted with a private firm, Acentra Health, to process reimbursements.
But April 30 came and went, and still, nothing is being processed.
But April 30 came and went, and still, nothing is being processed.
May 4, 2026 at 1:50 PM
3. According to the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), payments to third parties were supposed to resume on April 30. ICE has contracted with a private firm, Acentra Health, to process reimbursements.
But April 30 came and went, and still, nothing is being processed.
But April 30 came and went, and still, nothing is being processed.
In October, ICE handed a $67.5 million no-bid contract to Acentra Health, ostensibly to resume claims processing for providers of medical care to people in ICE/CBP custody as soon as possible.
Today, Acentra finally launched...a landing page. It says it won't start processing claims until April 30.
Today, Acentra finally launched...a landing page. It says it won't start processing claims until April 30.
January 13, 2026 at 1:27 PM
In October, ICE handed a $67.5 million no-bid contract to Acentra Health, ostensibly to resume claims processing for providers of medical care to people in ICE/CBP custody as soon as possible.
Today, Acentra finally launched...a landing page. It says it won't start processing claims until April 30.
Today, Acentra finally launched...a landing page. It says it won't start processing claims until April 30.
September 2025
Brendy Yohana Bamaca-Zacarias: died of medical neglect in detention
Age 24
Brendy Yohana Bamaca-Zacarias: died of medical neglect in detention
Age 24
Holding onto Hope
NY Times' latest on suicides in ICE detention + New IHSC Mortality Review finds MTC's substandard care 'directly contributed' to 24 year-old woman's death, and DHS's 'Fact Check' Smear
detentionkills.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:24 AM
September 2025
Brendy Yohana Bamaca-Zacarias: died of medical neglect in detention
Age 24
Brendy Yohana Bamaca-Zacarias: died of medical neglect in detention
Age 24
42 days after the the ICE Health Services Corps suddenly lost support for medical claims processing and pharmacy benefits management, health care providers still cannot submit claims.
In a system already rife with medical neglect, this is a nightmare scenario.
In a system already rife with medical neglect, this is a nightmare scenario.
November 14, 2025 at 7:31 PM
42 days after the the ICE Health Services Corps suddenly lost support for medical claims processing and pharmacy benefits management, health care providers still cannot submit claims.
In a system already rife with medical neglect, this is a nightmare scenario.
In a system already rife with medical neglect, this is a nightmare scenario.
Do you work in independent health and social care (IHSC)?
From workplace representation to fighting for your pay, terms and conditions, Melissa Stanton, RCN Lead Nurse for IHSC in the RCN North West region answers your key questions. ⬇️
From workplace representation to fighting for your pay, terms and conditions, Melissa Stanton, RCN Lead Nurse for IHSC in the RCN North West region answers your key questions. ⬇️
Independent health and social care: fighting for your rights | RCN Magazine | Royal College of Nursing
From workplace representation to fighting for your pay, terms and conditions, the RCN is here for those working in independent health and social care settings.
buff.ly
February 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Do you work in independent health and social care (IHSC)?
From workplace representation to fighting for your pay, terms and conditions, Melissa Stanton, RCN Lead Nurse for IHSC in the RCN North West region answers your key questions. ⬇️
From workplace representation to fighting for your pay, terms and conditions, Melissa Stanton, RCN Lead Nurse for IHSC in the RCN North West region answers your key questions. ⬇️
It's possible that Ardent was working as a subcontractor to another vendor, though I couldn't verify that. The only specific mention I found of a pharmacy benefits manager was in a guide from Aug. 2023, which mentions a company called Script Care.
Source: www.ice.gov/doclib/foia/...
Source: www.ice.gov/doclib/foia/...
December 28, 2025 at 6:19 PM
It's possible that Ardent was working as a subcontractor to another vendor, though I couldn't verify that. The only specific mention I found of a pharmacy benefits manager was in a guide from Aug. 2023, which mentions a company called Script Care.
Source: www.ice.gov/doclib/foia/...
Source: www.ice.gov/doclib/foia/...
Do you work in independent health and social care (IHSC)?
From workplace representation to fighting for your pay, terms and conditions, Melissa Stanton, RCN Lead Nurse for IHSC in the RCN North West region answers your key questions. ⬇️
From workplace representation to fighting for your pay, terms and conditions, Melissa Stanton, RCN Lead Nurse for IHSC in the RCN North West region answers your key questions. ⬇️
Working in independent health and social care | RCN Magazine | Royal College of Nursing
From workplace representation to fighting for your pay, terms and conditions, the RCN is here for those working in independent health and social care settings.
buff.ly
January 17, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Do you work in independent health and social care (IHSC)?
From workplace representation to fighting for your pay, terms and conditions, Melissa Stanton, RCN Lead Nurse for IHSC in the RCN North West region answers your key questions. ⬇️
From workplace representation to fighting for your pay, terms and conditions, Melissa Stanton, RCN Lead Nurse for IHSC in the RCN North West region answers your key questions. ⬇️
As of today — 64 days later — ICE is still not processing medical claims. This may continue to impact things like prenatal care, dialysis, cancer treatment, etc.
It's unclear whether pharmacy benefits manager services have been restored to ensure access to prescriptions. 4/
It's unclear whether pharmacy benefits manager services have been restored to ensure access to prescriptions. 4/
December 5, 2025 at 6:46 PM
As of today — 64 days later — ICE is still not processing medical claims. This may continue to impact things like prenatal care, dialysis, cancer treatment, etc.
It's unclear whether pharmacy benefits manager services have been restored to ensure access to prescriptions. 4/
It's unclear whether pharmacy benefits manager services have been restored to ensure access to prescriptions. 4/
"IHSC is the only entity within ICE responsible for providing
direct care. IHSC is committed to providing health care
services ...and support the safe
apprehension, enforcement, and removal of individuals
who have been detained involved in immigration
proceedings."
www.ice.gov/doclib/caree...
direct care. IHSC is committed to providing health care
services ...and support the safe
apprehension, enforcement, and removal of individuals
who have been detained involved in immigration
proceedings."
www.ice.gov/doclib/caree...
www.ice.gov
August 2, 2026 at 3:40 AM
"IHSC is the only entity within ICE responsible for providing
direct care. IHSC is committed to providing health care
services ...and support the safe
apprehension, enforcement, and removal of individuals
who have been detained involved in immigration
proceedings."
www.ice.gov/doclib/caree...
direct care. IHSC is committed to providing health care
services ...and support the safe
apprehension, enforcement, and removal of individuals
who have been detained involved in immigration
proceedings."
www.ice.gov/doclib/caree...
Important note: ICE awarded its no-bid contract to Acentra on Oct. 25. Limiting competition was ostensibly necessary to ensure the expeditious restoration of urgently needed claims processing support.
But, according to the IHSC website, Acentra *still* isn't processing medical claims.
But, according to the IHSC website, Acentra *still* isn't processing medical claims.
December 21, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Important note: ICE awarded its no-bid contract to Acentra on Oct. 25. Limiting competition was ostensibly necessary to ensure the expeditious restoration of urgently needed claims processing support.
But, according to the IHSC website, Acentra *still* isn't processing medical claims.
But, according to the IHSC website, Acentra *still* isn't processing medical claims.
No claims processed in the 9 months since Acentra got this contract, but they have set up a ✨landing page ✨:
ihsc-dhs.acentra.com
Contract summary: www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_A...
P.S. Medical neglect deaths in ICE detention are not an accident.
ihsc-dhs.acentra.com
Contract summary: www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_A...
P.S. Medical neglect deaths in ICE detention are not an accident.
July 28, 2026 at 12:44 PM
No claims processed in the 9 months since Acentra got this contract, but they have set up a ✨landing page ✨:
ihsc-dhs.acentra.com
Contract summary: www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_A...
P.S. Medical neglect deaths in ICE detention are not an accident.
ihsc-dhs.acentra.com
Contract summary: www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_A...
P.S. Medical neglect deaths in ICE detention are not an accident.
According to DHS, ICE “abruptly and instantly” lost medical claims processing and pharmacy services for tens of thousands of detained immigrants on Oct. 3. Those services had previously been provided under a decades-old agreement in which the VA supplied support and ICE reimbursed the agency. 3/
December 26, 2025 at 8:03 PM
According to DHS, ICE “abruptly and instantly” lost medical claims processing and pharmacy services for tens of thousands of detained immigrants on Oct. 3. Those services had previously been provided under a decades-old agreement in which the VA supplied support and ICE reimbursed the agency. 3/
Our IHSC Lead Sarah Winfield-Davies looks back on a busy year in the region www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Review of 2024 | Blog | Royal College of Nursing
www.rcn.org.uk
December 18, 2024 at 9:03 AM
Our IHSC Lead Sarah Winfield-Davies looks back on a busy year in the region www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Even accounting for a broader scope of work—and the premium typically paid for urgent contracts—the magnitude of the cost increase seems difficult to justify.
Most important, after all this, it appears that Acentra *still* isn’t processing medical claims for ICE. 11/
Most important, after all this, it appears that Acentra *still* isn’t processing medical claims for ICE. 11/
December 26, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Even accounting for a broader scope of work—and the premium typically paid for urgent contracts—the magnitude of the cost increase seems difficult to justify.
Most important, after all this, it appears that Acentra *still* isn’t processing medical claims for ICE. 11/
Most important, after all this, it appears that Acentra *still* isn’t processing medical claims for ICE. 11/
ICE Health Service Corps page with updates: www.ice.gov/detain/ice-h...
Acentra's new landing page: ihsc-dhs.acentra.com
Acentra's new landing page: ihsc-dhs.acentra.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:28 PM
ICE Health Service Corps page with updates: www.ice.gov/detain/ice-h...
Acentra's new landing page: ihsc-dhs.acentra.com
Acentra's new landing page: ihsc-dhs.acentra.com
According to the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), payments to third parties were supposed to resume on April 30, 2026. ICE has contracted with a private firm, Acentra Health, to process reimbursements.
But when April 30 arrived, payments to third party medical providers did not resume.
But when April 30 arrived, payments to third party medical providers did not resume.
Can we now call them #DeathCamps or do we still need to wait? "ICE has not paid for detainee medical care for 7 months. The termination of payments to providers has coincided with a massive spike in detainee deaths and medical crises." popular.info/p/ice-has-no...
ICE has not paid for detainee medical care for 7 months
The termination of payments to providers has coincided with a massive spike in detainee deaths and medical crises.
popular.info
May 5, 2026 at 2:05 AM
According to the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), payments to third parties were supposed to resume on April 30, 2026. ICE has contracted with a private firm, Acentra Health, to process reimbursements.
But when April 30 arrived, payments to third party medical providers did not resume.
But when April 30 arrived, payments to third party medical providers did not resume.
DHS announced yesterday that it is extending its contract with Acentra for "continued" medical claims processing support for ICE Health Service Corps.
Source: sam.gov/workspace/co...
Source: sam.gov/workspace/co...
September 11, 2026 at 6:17 PM
DHS announced yesterday that it is extending its contract with Acentra for "continued" medical claims processing support for ICE Health Service Corps.
Source: sam.gov/workspace/co...
Source: sam.gov/workspace/co...
We are pleased to announce that after a year's silence, we are preparing for exciting advancements and new ventures within the independent sector for 2025. www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/Blogs/rcn-northern-ireland-rcn-ni-ihsc-lead-nurse
March 20, 2025 at 10:56 AM
We are pleased to announce that after a year's silence, we are preparing for exciting advancements and new ventures within the independent sector for 2025. www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/Blogs/rcn-northern-ireland-rcn-ni-ihsc-lead-nurse
The ICE Health Services Corps continues to direct providers to "hold all claims submissions." Acentra's landing page suggests it will begin processing claims in April.
www.ice.gov/detain/ice-h...
ihsc-dhs.acentra.com
www.ice.gov/detain/ice-h...
ihsc-dhs.acentra.com
March 15, 2026 at 4:02 PM
The ICE Health Services Corps continues to direct providers to "hold all claims submissions." Acentra's landing page suggests it will begin processing claims in April.
www.ice.gov/detain/ice-h...
ihsc-dhs.acentra.com
www.ice.gov/detain/ice-h...
ihsc-dhs.acentra.com
276 days ago, ICE tapped Carlyle-owned Acentra Health for a $67.5M no-bid contract to process claims for specialty medical services like prenatal care & chemotherapy.
DHS said the situation was too urgent to allow competition.
Acentra still hasn't started processing claims.
2/2
DHS said the situation was too urgent to allow competition.
Acentra still hasn't started processing claims.
2/2
July 28, 2026 at 12:40 PM
276 days ago, ICE tapped Carlyle-owned Acentra Health for a $67.5M no-bid contract to process claims for specialty medical services like prenatal care & chemotherapy.
DHS said the situation was too urgent to allow competition.
Acentra still hasn't started processing claims.
2/2
DHS said the situation was too urgent to allow competition.
Acentra still hasn't started processing claims.
2/2
On the left, a portion of a document in which DHS claims it is an "absolute emergency" to expedite restoration of medical claims services as quickly as possible.
On the right, a screenshot from the ICE Health Service Corps claims page today.
78 days.
On the right, a screenshot from the ICE Health Service Corps claims page today.
78 days.
December 21, 2025 at 3:35 AM
On the left, a portion of a document in which DHS claims it is an "absolute emergency" to expedite restoration of medical claims services as quickly as possible.
On the right, a screenshot from the ICE Health Service Corps claims page today.
78 days.
On the right, a screenshot from the ICE Health Service Corps claims page today.
78 days.