Commissioners approve jail medical policy and record-contract materials for inmate care

The Yancey County Board of Commissioners approved the Detention Center’s medical policies and procedures as part of the consent agenda on April 13.

Meeting appendices include an inmate medical services proposal and a renewal agreement for Institutional Medical Services (IMS) and IMS Correctional Healthcare that describe clinical staffing levels and services and a requested contract increase. The proposal lists a requested increase of $880 per month (8%) over the prior contract, bringing the monthly fee to $11,880 and an annual cost of $142,560. The materials specify clinical coverage expectations (six clinical hours per weekday, four clinical hours per weekend day, staffing roles, medication administration, sick call, triage, and related services) and note that pharmaceutical costs and outside medical fees are not included in the stated monthly fee.

The contract language in the appendices outlines indemnification requirements, insurance minimums (medical malpractice coverage $1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 aggregate; general liability $1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 aggregate; workers’ compensation limits), the right of the County to object to proposed clinical hires, and termination provisions allowing either party to cancel on 90 days’ notice. The Board approved the consent agenda, which included this medical policy/proposal, by unanimous vote.

The meeting record does not show that commissioners debated the staffing levels or the dollar amount at length during the public meeting; the materials were included in the consent packet and the consent motion passed unanimously.