Wilson County committee accepts annual state health contract, staff to seek reimbursement adjustments

The Wilson County Health & Welfare Committee accepted the county's annual state health contract and directed staff to seek later reimbursement adjustments to cover higher insurance and payroll expenses.

The contract — the county's routine yearly agreement with the state for public health services — was presented to the committee for acceptance. Committee members were told the contract's line-item amounts matched last year's figures, but county staff calculated that increases in insurance and Social Security/Medicare costs would leave the county short unless the state adjusts reimbursements.

Committee Chair opened the item and turned the presentation over to a county health department staff member. The staff member said the state reported no change in the contract numbers, but that internal calculations showed shortfalls for insurance and Social Security/Medicare contributions. The department will ask the state to increase site reimbursement and to adjust payroll-related reimbursements; staff said the county will likely revisit the contract next month after hearing back from the state.

Committee members moved and seconded acceptance of the contract; the committee recorded a voice vote with unanimous assent and no opposition. The motion accepted the contract as presented pending later adjustments by the state, rather than adopting a formal amendment at this meeting.

Next steps: county health staff will follow up with the state about reimbursement increases and return to the committee when the revised figures are available.