Contract renewed for Inmate Medical and Psychiatry Services

By Grace Bennett

After eight years of the running contract for Inmate Medical and Psychiatry Services awarded by a competitive process to Wellpath, LLC, the term is set to expire soon on June 30. The Finance/Government Operations and Economic Development Committee recommended a two-year contract renewal plan to a Business Board Meeting on May 13. 

In addition, the FGOEDC recommended that the Purchasing Agent begin the process of providing medical and psychiatric services for inmates to ensure that a new contract is in by 2017, with further research conducted on service models to maximize the wellness of inmates and efficiency of operations. The Board consented to the recommendations in question.

The recently approved two-year period contract will involve almost $7.7 M worth in funding—roughly $3.7 M of which will be available in the first twelve months, and the other roughly $4 M of which will be subject to Board appropriation in the second half of the term.

Features include 24/7 medical, dental, and psychiatry services, as well as pharmaceutical, radiology, laboratory, and medical supplies to inmates in the Adult Detention Center. The contract extends its budget to account for off-site medical necessities, such as bringing in outside specialists and funding hospital visits. All security personnel will be provided with First Aid and CPR training by certified staff.

The contract will involve a collaborative relationship with the Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Development Services.

The fiscal impact would result in fewer expenses than if the contract were not in place. Before the Board first approved the privatization of inmate healthcare services in March of 1997—and approved the expansion of medical services to be around the clock—costs for inmate healthcare could be astronomical. A single hospital visit required extensive safety protocols. The presence of at least two deputies for each criminal, for example, was needed to ensure the security of both the inmate and the public. By nature of transportation, every off-site visit raised the chance of a breakout. The mandatory minimum staff of the Adult Detention Center further complicated transport accompaniment.

The current contract system, however, ensures that off-site visits will be much fewer and farther in between; transport expenses have decreased as a result. The FGOEDC’s recommendation to research other medical models will also work for the betterment of the already improved current system.

Other inmate healthcare providers researched by Staff include Mediko Correctional Healthcare, NaphCare Inc., Centurion, Tehum Care Services, Wexford Health, and Armor Health Care. Different healthcare models include the fully contracted method—which Loudoun County currently uses—or a hybrid model of both county employees and hired contractors.

In the new contract, staff will need to ensure that the next Request for Proposal process is carefully drafted to align with “changes in the inmate population, correctional healthcare best practices, policies and guidelines as well as plan for expansion during the next contract term to include the next phase of the ADC,” according to the Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Action Item draft. Staff will need to add a new full-time psychiatrist and a medication assisted treatment coordinator. Additional enhancements in the areas of mental health and substance abuse will be included.

In the interest of timing a contract renewal with the expiry of the first award, and in hopes of mitigating disruptions to inmate healthcare, it was recommended that the Board authorize the Purchasing Agent to exercise the full two-year renewal option with Wellpath. A meeting on May 20 revealed the Board’s consent—and Loudoun County can continue to take pride in their dedication to inmate health.