The SAFE Payment Program

The SAFE payment program is located at the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS). Effective July 1, 2008, DPS became the first payer for adult and child sexual assault forensic examination charges. This includes SAFE exams for suspected child sexual abuse. Per Missouri Revised Statute 595.220, the victim is not to be billed for the forensic examination.

Due to revisions of the statute in 2009, some SAFE program billing procedures have changed. The following changes became effective on August 28, 2009:

• Invoices must be submitted within 90 days of the exam
• Medical providers are no longer required to send a notice of the exam to the county prosecutor
• The program covers “reasonable charges of the forensic examination”
• The statute language recognizes that exam techniques are different for adults and children

The SAFE-CARE (Sexual Assault Forensic Exam-Child Abuse Resource and Education) Medical Examination form and the SAFE Program Report form have been updated to reflect these changes.

SAFE payment program information is available on the DPS website.

If you have questions about billing for SAFE exams, please contact the Department of Public Safety at (573) 526-6006.