County Recommends Keeping Current Inmate Healthcare Provider

VALHALLA, NY — After a public request process, the Westchester County Department of Correction is recommending continuing its eight-year relationship with its inmate healthcare provider, Wellpath, formally known as Correct Care Solutions. In November 2018, the Department of Correction issued a comprehensive public request for proposals (an ‘RFP’) to provide health care to more than 1,000 people in its custody.

The RFP assessment, which included subject matter experts in corrections, healthcare, technology and law, took several months, according to a county spokesman.

Many of the individuals in WCDOC custody suffer from critical mental health disorders, or have significant addiction issues and highly-specialized medical needs, officias said, so it was vital that the provider selected had the ability to address the needs of our vulnerable population.

The county received two proposals — one from Wellpath and a second from Naphcare, proposing as Proactive. The two proposals were reviewed against the RFP, and against each other, to ensure that all required services were accounted for in a fiscally and operationally responsible manner, officials said.

After several months of vetting that included reference checks and other important analysis, the Department of Correction’s administration recommended that Wellpath be awarded the agreement to continue to provide health services to its population. Its recommendation was based upon several factors, including Wellpath’s strength in mental health care.

According to a spokesman, the Board of Legislators discussed the recommendation Friday, and any contract extension will need to be approved by the Board of Acquisition and Contract.

In 2016, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) recognized Westchester and Wellpath’s groundbreaking "CORE" mental health reentry program as its National Mental Health Program of the Year. Additionally in January, Wellpath successfully passed its NCCHC reaccreditation audit, receiving a rating of 100 percent compliance with all related standards. Wellpath performance has also been substantially exceeding the expectations of medical care as per the United States Department of Justice Independent Monitor since May 2016, officials said.

Additionally, The Department of Correction’s and Wellpath’s performance in both medical care and mental health care for inmates has been under review by an independent monitor appointed under a settlement between the County and the Department of Justice in 2015. The monitor recently found that they are in substantial compliance with every category evaluated, according to the county.

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