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Jefferson County board hears review of First Stop Health telemedicine and moves toward renewal
Summary
County staff reported net savings of about $18,041 and a $27,010 gross savings from the First Stop Health telemedicine program; commissioners were briefed on utilization, a small rate increase and fund reserves before moving to renew the contract for another year.
Jefferson County commissioners on (date not specified) heard a routine performance review of the county’s First Stop Health telemedicine program and signaled support for renewing the contract for another year.
Carlos, called forward by the chair, presented the program’s July 1, 2023–June 2024 performance snapshot and said First Stop Health produced roughly $27,009.72 in gross cost avoidance and about $18,041 in net savings to the county. He reported 71 completed calls during that period, an average virtual urgent-care wait time of about 12 minutes and an average visit savings shown on the report of approximately $393.97. Utilization figures indicated roughly 80–84% of virtual visits were diverted from in-person care, and the vendor’s return-on-investment calculation on the report was 192 percent. Carlos also noted the telemedicine program handled five mental-health cases during the year and recommended continuing the mental-health component of the benefit.
Commissioners asked staff about rate and fund impacts. Carlos said the vendor proposed a $0.50 per-employee-per-month increase; commissioners and staff estimated that change would raise costs by about $8,500–$10,000 annually at current enrollment. Staff reported the specific loss ratio at about 65 percent and an aggregate loss index near 121 percent; they said reserves and year-end fund balances (reported previously at about $1,026,090.63 in the record) gave confidence the county can carry the program through 2025 while staff negotiates renewal terms.
Supporters noted the mental-health offering was a key reason the county chose this vendor and that the program’s convenience reduces lost employee time. One commissioner said, “If it’s paying for itself, we’re sending a little bit of money,” and endorsed renewal on that basis.
The commissioners made and seconded a motion to continue the First Stop Health telemedicine program for another year; a roll call was taken. The record shows the motion carried. Staff said they will finalize updated reports and return with negotiated renewal documents and comparisons to regional providers.
Next steps: staff will finalize renewal negotiations, provide updated loss-ratio and reserves figures and bring the contract back for signature as required.
