If you are a victim of sexual assault, you can get a forensic exam without being billed for it. A hospital, doctor or nurse can not require a sexual assault victim to talk to the police in order to get a medical forensic examination.

SAFE Response does not change the duty that hospitals, doctors and nurses have to report crimes to police as described in MCL 750.411. It is important that victims know about health care providers' duty to report some crimes to police, because sometimes the victim will need to take steps to protect themselves against retaliation that may result from the report.

If a victim believes submitting a claim to their insurance carrier would substantially interfere with his or her personal privacy or safety, the doctor or nurse can bill SAFE Response for the forensic examination.

Other physical injuries:

If a sexual assault victim sustains a personal physical injury that needs to be treated other than the forensic exam, he or she may be eligible for assistance with medical bills through the Crime Victim Services Commission compensation program. The victim would have to submit a compensation claim application, report the incident to the police, cooperate with the investigation and utilize their medical insurance, including Medicaid, Medicare, or any other resource available for payment. Payment of the victim's sexual assault examination does not guarantee that they will be eligible for compensation benefits.

Crime Victims Services Commission
SAFE Response
320 S. Walnut
Lansing, MI  48933
(517) 334-7233