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Highlands board approves early termination of TCMA Care contract, district to shift to KARE ATC virtual services
Summary
After months of service problems the board approved a negotiated early termination agreement with TCMA Care LLC; the district secured credits for services not provided and plans to transition employees to KARE ATC with virtual access and an assigned district clinician expected by December/January.
The Highlands County School Board voted Nov. 11 to accept a revised contract-termination agreement with TCMA Care LLC for the district employee health clinic.
Board staff described repeated service shortfalls and said negotiations produced credits and a reduced November billing rate. "They have agreed to credit certain amounts for services that they did not provide," staff told the board, and the revised termination agreement extends clinic services through November to avoid a service gap while the district transitions providers.
District leaders said KARE ATC will be the new clinic provider. While KARE ATC's on-site clinic and pharmacy are not expected to be physically open until January, the company will provide a 24/7 virtual option for employees and a district‑assigned clinician during working hours. Staff acknowledged the district may need to subcontract local drug‑screening services during the transition and that preemployment screenings for December could be billed to the district.
Board members asked whether the district will receive credits or refunds for unused contract time; attorneys and staff said credits and a reduced November rate were negotiated and that November payment had been withheld pending board action. The termination motion passed on roll call.
"We have worked with the clinic... our ask number was much higher than what you see before you," a staff member said, noting the district sought more concessions but considered the revised agreement acceptable. Members expressed appreciation for staff negotiations and said they hoped the new provider would better meet employee needs.
