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Sutter County renews inmate health contract with Wellpath at about $4.13 million annually
Summary
The board unanimously approved a three-year contract (08/01/2025–07/31/2028) with California Forensic Medical Group (Wellpath) for jail health services, including a 5% contract increase and provisions to claim CalAIM funds where eligible.
The Sutter County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously July 22 to approve a contract renewal with California Forensic Medical Group (CMFG), also known as Wellpath, to provide inmate health services for a three-year period beginning Aug. 1, 2025.
Sarah Eberhard Rios, Sutter County Health and Human Services director, presented the contract and said the annual contract maximum is not to exceed $4,131,356.53, which includes a 5% increase ($196,732) to cover staffing, pharmaceuticals, specialty care and other increased costs. Rios told the board the contract provides care for up to 290 incarcerated individuals daily and includes both scheduled and sick-call services, RN monitoring, labs, pharmacy, intake screening and specialty referrals. “The contract extension is, of course, being, requested as Gina shared in the title for that 3 year period of 08/01/2025 through 07/31/2028, providing medical services for up to 290 inmates daily,” Rios said.
Rios also described the county’s participation in CalAIM justice-involved claiming opportunities and said some expenses (for example, pharmaceuticals) may be eligible for state claiming that would produce cost avoidance or reimbursements to the county over time. In response to Supervisor Boone, Rios explained the claiming process could yield cost savings and potentially allow future contract adjustments if the county realizes cost avoidance through state reimbursement.
The board moved and voted unanimously to approve the agreement, with the clerk recording aye votes from Supervisors Boone, Flores, Ziegenmeier, Baines and Stevens.
The contract includes staffing and performance provisions and allows the health and human services director or designee to approve non-increasing amendments. County staff said the jail medical budget and recommended fiscal-year appropriations cover the contract; the general fund provides about 55% of the jail medical budget, with additional support from realignment and grant funds mentioned by staff.
