By Keith Gushard
CNHI
SAEGERTOWN —
The Crawford County jail may save as much as $400,000 on medical expenses with a new medical services contract, according to Warden Tim Lewis.
The county jail at Saegrtown spent more than $1.2 million for pharmaceutical, physician, psychiatric, dental and nursing services in 2011, according to jail records. Currently, those services are contracted individually.
However, a jail study committee sought proposals for a combined medical services contract. The committee consisted of Lewis, Ken Saulsbery, the deputy warden; Jack Lynch, a county commissioner; and Mark Peaster, the assistant to the county commissioners.
On Thursday, the county prison board voted 4-0 in favor of asking the county commissioners to seek a medical services contract for the jail. Board members Francis Schultz, Chris Krzysiak, C. Sherman Allen and John Spataro voted for the measure. Board members Francis Weiderspahn, Lynch and Nick Hoke were absent from Thursday’s meeting.
While numerous proposals had been received, the committee narrowed the choices down to two and will recommend Prime Care Medical Inc. of Harrisburg, Lewis said. The company already serves 30 county jails in Pennsylvania, he said.
The county could save as much as $400,000 a year, Lewis said.
Lewis told a Tribune reporter after the meeting he expects to present the proposal to county commissioners for approval at either their Aug. 2 or 16 meeting.
If approved, the new medical services program could begin around Oct. 1, he said. It would include 24-hour nursing staff, which the jail has currently, Lewis said.
Medical costs for the Crawford County jail in 2011, according to jail records. Costs do not include any emergency medical costs.
Pharmacy $738,666
Physician $56,400
Psychiatrist $33,650
Dentist $12,595
Nursing staff $389,998
