Westchester County Press Release.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION EXTENDS WELLPATH AS HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER.

(Valhalla, New York) The Westchester County Department of Correction recommends continuing its eight-year relationship with its inmate healthcare provider, Wellpath (formally Correct Care. Solutions).

In November 2018, the Department of Correction issued a comprehensive public request for proposals (an ‘RFP’) to provide health care to over one thousand people in its custody.  The RFP  assessment, which included subject matter experts in corrections, healthcare, technology and law, took several months.  Many of the individuals in WCDOC custody suffer from critical mental health disorders, or have significant addiction issues and highly-specialized medical needs, so it was vital that the provider selected had the ability to address the needs of our vulnerable population. 

The County issued the RFP and 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.  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.  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 this past January 2019 Wellpath successfully passed its NCCHC reaccreditation audit, receiving a rating of 100% 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. 

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.

Correction Commissioner Joseph K. Spano stated: “Development of the RFP and review of responses was a very significant undertaking.  Many of the individuals that we serve suffer from complicated medical and mental health issues. Wellpath’s proposal ensures continued delivery of critically-needed services. 

“The Department’s executive team for the past 15 months has thoroughly reviewed all aspects of DOC operations, including the delivery of inmate healthcare services.  Wellpath has and continues to deliver excellent service and care to our population and contributes to other critical aspects of DOC operations that include training of our staff and supporting our robust transitional service programs for returning citizens.”