Scott County to save on jail inmate health care

BENTON, Mo. -- In a time when many prices are going up, Scott County will get medical services for jail inmates next year for less than the county paid this year.

During the regular Scott County Commission meeting Tuesday, commissioners awarded the contract for health care services for inmates at the Scott County Jail to Correctional Health Care Companies of Peoria, Ill., formerly Health Professionals Limited, which is the current provider.

"In the past these health care companies have saved us a lot of money," Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn said.

Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said the county had the option to extend the current contract with Correctional Health Care Companies but thought if the county sought new bids on the services they could get a better deal.

"As it turns out, we did," Walter said. "And we're going to have the same coverage that we had."

Correctional Health Care Companies offered the low bid for a year of services at $117,000. The cost last year was $144,000.

Also bidding was Advanced Correctional Healthcare of Peoria at $126,000.

"Now is actually a good time to put stuff out for bid," Walter said. "The economy actually helped us."

Pertinent address:

Benton, MO