Fentress County Commissioners approved a contract renewal with TK Health for Fentress County Inmate Health Services.
The county has used the provider since 2021. The commission previously had concerns about some of the clauses in the contract regarding mental health services. County Attorney Leslie Ledbetter said the clauses have been addressed and that she is satisfied with the contract.
“At some point in time, a person is coming in on anti-depressants and maybe some of the anti-psychotics, as long as it’s not something on our prohibited list, they are able to treat them essentially as they were getting treated out in society,” Ledbetter said.
The multi-year contract will contain a yearly renewable clause that will allow the county to opt out each year should they wish. The exact amount the county will pay per year for services has yet to be determined.
TK Health Representative Tammy Barrett said the county is saving money and time by allowing TK Health to handle the medical bills. Barrett said the company comes to Fentress to provide dental services rather than the county transporting inmates outside the county.
“Previous to us, I believe you were transporting to [Livingston],” Barrett said. “We have another county that has to transport to Scott County, and it is unfortunate because they pay excessively more than what you all pay. The original rate obviously has changed through the years. That original rate is in your contract, and so we have been eating any amount that was in excess of that.”
Barrett told the commission that dental services are an add-on service and are only charged when the dentist visits.
“He is willing to come when Sue says to come,” Barrett said. “So if Sue doesn’t need him this month, he is not coming, and he is not charging. We are not charging. If she calls him every three months, every four months, every six months, whenever she has a need, that’s when he comes. That’s pretty unusual, it’s quite a bargain for you all, and I am really pleased with it.”
Ledbetter said the county will continue to evaluate the services as healthcare and dental rates continue to change.