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Commissioners defer employee health‑center contract, ask staff to return with options May 19
Summary
The board deferred a proposed three‑year renewal with ProactiveMD for the county employee health center and asked staff to return May 19 with additional contract options and termination language after commissioners raised cost and quality concerns.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Monday deferred action on a proposed three‑year renewal with employee‑health provider ProactiveMD and asked staff to return to the board at the May 19 meeting with additional contract language and cost options.
County staff presented a recommended three‑year renewal with ProactiveMD at an estimated cost of $1,254,975 (an increase of $470,922 over the current contract) and a staffing proposal that included two nurse practitioners, two licensed practical nurses and an office manager. Finance Director Robin Coontz said replacing one nurse practitioner with a medical doctor under the three‑year term would increase the annual cost by about $140,000. She said a one‑year contract would be substantially more expensive and that ProactiveMD has said it does not offer a termination‑for‑convenience clause; the provider told staff that, if early termination occurred, the county could be responsible for the full three‑year fee absent contract language to the contrary.
Commissioners raised concerns about appointment access and reports from employees about walk‑in availability. Commissioner Tyson asked for assurances that quality and access would be maintained under a renewed contract; County Manager Grier and staff said they would include performance and review metrics in the contract. Commissioner Patel asked staff to return with specific cost comparisons for one‑year and three‑year terms and the potential termination language; Patel moved to bring the item back on May 19 and the motion passed (Tyson, Jones, Chairman Devier, Patel and Faircloth voting yes; Adams voting no).
Finance director Coontz said the three‑year staffing model with ProactiveMD as presented would require an estimated additional 470,922 in contract costs, noting the number reflected added personnel. She also said that adding a medical doctor to the three‑year model would raise the annual cost by roughly $140,000; she cautioned that locating an MD could take three to four months. Staff said they meet with the provider at least quarterly and that an annual review requirement could be incorporated into the contract.
The board’s action was procedural: staff were directed to return with a revised contract proposal that includes termination language and an annual review metric for board consideration on May 19.
