Dickinson County approves expanded inmate medical contract, doubling weekly care and raising costs
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Summary
The Dickinson County Commission approved a new inmate medical services contract with Advanced Professional to increase jail medical coverage to 20 hours per week at an annual cost of $131,404.57, up from $54,232.84. Commissioners said the change responds to rising chronic-care needs and liability concerns; funding will come from the general fund beyond the original budgeted amount.
The Dickinson County Board of County Commissioners voted Jan. 8 to accept a proposal from Advanced Professional Healthcare (ACH) to expand medical staffing in the county jail from the current six hours per week to 20 hours per week. The contract price is $131,404.57 per year, an increase of $77,171.73 over the current contract of $54,232.84.
Sheriff Jerry Davis told commissioners the jail houses a growing number of inmates with chronic medical needs and that expanding on-site medical hours should reduce costly trips to emergency rooms. ‘‘We have a lot of chronic care inmates,’’ said the sheriff during the study-session presentation; the written bid from ACH cited available RN and APRN staffing as a reason ACH could meet the county’s needs.
County staff said two vendors responded to an October RFP: ACH (the incumbent) offered a 20-hour-per-week option priced at $131,404.57, while Southern Health Partners proposed 30 hours at a higher cost. Commissioners and the county’s insurance advisor said ACH’s proposal was favored by insurers and judged a better fit for the county’s needs.
Finance staff explained the county budget included $90,000 for inmate medical services and prescriptions; the administration said the contract increase would be covered from the general fund and cash reserves, noting that 2025 inmate medical costs had already exceeded budgeted amounts (reported near $155,000 for the year). The board recognized the fiscal impact but voted to approve the contract, saying the county faces legal and liability exposure if medically necessary services are not provided.
Commissioners also directed staff to continue quality-control meetings with the contractor; ACH was scheduled to meet with county representatives the same day to discuss pharmacy and medication-delivery methods intended to reduce per-prescription costs.
The motion to enter the ACH contract passed by voice vote during the regular meeting after the morning study-session discussion.