County approves Mayor’s signature on three-year inmate medical services agreement

Cheatham County approved the Mayor’s signature on a multi-year inmate medical services agreement covering the county jail and authorized the contract terms as presented at the Aug. 16 meeting.

County Mayor Kerry McCarver presented the contract. The signed agreement included a three-year initial term (effective July 1, 2021–June 30, 2024) and detailed responsibilities for the contractor, QCHC of Tennessee, Inc., including on-site primary care, nursing coverage, a weekly physician visit, chronic-care clinics, and mobile X-ray services. The contract text included an annualized first-year amount of $207,552 and a monthly invoice schedule; the county approved the Mayor’s signature by roll-call vote 12-0 (Resolution 8A).

The agreement assigns QCHC responsibility for most on-site medical services and formulary drugs; it states QCHC will arrange off-site and specialty services when required but that the county is not financially responsible for off-site specialty care. The contract also sets staffing expectations, minimum nursing hours and physician/MID-LEVEL practitioner availability, and requires medical records to remain the property of the county and be made available for defense of claims.

The contract requires QCHC to provide professional liability and other insurance and contains standard indemnity and termination provisions. Commissioners approved the Mayor’s execution of the contract; the Board did not record further amendments at the meeting.

Implementation and oversight will be managed by the Sheriff’s Office and county administration consistent with the contract’s reporting and record-access provisions.