Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino said today that he would move to enter into a contract with Correct Care Solutions (CCS) to provide medical services to the approximately 1,400 inmates in the custody of the Department of Correction.

CCS, based in Nashville, is one of the largest providers of comprehensive medical care to inmates in the country. Services will be provided to Westchester County through its New York affiliate, New York Correct Care Solutions Medical Services. The selection of CCS came after a nationwide search, precipitated by the unilateral decision in January by the Westchester Medical Center to terminate its contract with the county six months prior to the contract's expiration.

While the county had not sought the change, the result will be savings to taxpayers of about $3 million - $1 million a year over the course of the three-year contract.

"While it was solely the decision of the Westchester Medical Center to end its contract with Westchester County, the situation did provide the Department of Correction with an opportunity to conduct a thorough needs analysis and find ways to improve operational and financial efficiency," said Astorino. "We are confident that the county will be able to meet all its obligations under the new arrangement with CCS and save taxpayers money in the process. We look forward to working with them."

A resolution authorizing the contract has been sent to the county's Board of Acquisition & Contract. Provided the conditions in the resolution are met, the contract would go into effect on July 26, the termination date set by the Medical Center for its contract. Board of Legislators' approval is not required.

Under the agreement, CCS would provide comprehensive medical, mental health, dental and ancillary services to inmates and detainees. The base cost of the contract is $14.2 million for the first year. In years two and three, the cost is adjusted according to the change in the Consumer Price Index with a cap not to exceed 4.5 percent.

One of the key features of the contract is that it limits the county's exposure to unanticipated costs.

The contract calls on CCS to indemnify the county against any lawsuits that may arise in connection with its services. Beyond any lawsuits, the county's exposure to all unanticipated costs is capped at $300,000 above the base cost of the contract each year.

In the course of its search for a new provider, the county held extensive talks with the Medical Center. However, the terms sought by the Medical Center were more expensive than those of CCS and left the county exposed to more risk.

The Medical Center was seeking an annual contract of around $15 million a year. However, that figure did not include the cost of offsite psychiatric care, estimated at an additional $200,000 a year. Offsite psychiatric care is included in CCS's base contract.

In addition, the Medical Center would not indemnify the county against lawsuits. Historically, that cost runs about $300,000 a year, but the risk exists of it coming in significantly higher.

"The Westchester Medical Center and the county will continue to operate as close partners and we look forward to the hospital working closely with CCS," said Astorino. "In the case of this particular contract, the best course was to put it in new hands. The savings from this new contract can be applied toward reducing our $166 million deficit in 2011 and helping to maintain essential services."

Westchester County is legally mandated to provide health care to the prisoners in its custody that are housed at the county's jail and penitentiary on the Grasslands Reservation in Valhalla.

In selecting CCS over 20 other vendors, the Astorino administration determined the company was the best qualified to maintain the level of services required by the Department of Correction. The company was established in 2003 and currently has 2,400 employees. With sales of $170 million a year, it provides services to 50,000 inmates in 60 correctional facilities around the country. The closest is in Monmouth County, New Jersey. CCS also provides service to all of the state of Vermont's correctional facilities. For more information about CCS contact Patrick Cummiskey, the company's executive vice president, at (615) 324-5757.