State Senator Hauck Requests AG Nessel Audit The Michigan Department of Corrections, Wellpath and Grand Prairie

Wellpath and Grand Prairie won contracts to provide health care services to inmates in the Michigan Department of Corrections system in October 2021:

https://wellpathcare.com/2021/10/01/grand-prairie-healthcare-services-in-coordination-with-wellpath-to-partner-as-the-new-healthcare-provider-for-the-michigan-department-of-corrections/

Grand Prairie Healthcare Services in coordination with Wellpath to Partner as the New Healthcare Provider for the Michigan Department of Corrections
October 1, 2021

Nashville, TN – Today, Grand Prairie Healthcare Services, P.C. (Grand Prairie), in coordination with Wellpath LLC as its Management Services Organization, are premier providers of localized, high-quality, compassionate healthcare to vulnerable patients in challenging clinical environments across the nation. Grand Prairie, under the leadership of Dr. Dean Rieger, has worked with Wellpath for nearly a decade in 16 states at over 200 facilities, serving more than 100,000 patients daily for local and municipal entities, state governments, and federal agencies.

Wellpath and Grand Prairie have established themselves as leaders in transforming public health by delivering hope and healing to those who need it most. “We treat our patients with the dignity and compassion they deserve. Our healthcare teams are focused on quickly assessing and treating patients under incredibly difficult circumstances on a daily basis,” said Dr. Rieger, Grand Prairie President.

Grand Prairie and Wellpath have operated together in Michigan for nearly a decade. The companies currently provide quality care for more than 10,000 adult patients and nearly 500 juvenile patients at more than 20 facilities in counties across the state. This established presence in Michigan makes organizational resources readily available to support the Michigan Department of Corrections MDOC healthcare program through innovation, expanded telehealth services, and pharmacy services, just to mention a few.

“Grand Prairie and Wellpath are eager to continue our legacy of providing excellent and compassionate healthcare to every individual,” said Jorge Dominicis, Wellpath CEO. “We pride ourselves on improving health and transforming lives. We are committed to always putting our patients first and look forward to this expanded partnership with the MDOC.”

Wellpath is diligently working with leadership at the MDOC to make the transition seamless and transparent for the wellbeing of current staff and patients. “Right of first refusal interviews” will be offered to all current employees who pass a drug test, background check, and meet other minimum requirements. Wellpath will work to ensure that every staff member is eligible for benefits on their first day as a Wellpath employee.

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Grand Prairie is a physician-owned professional corporation providing services directly related to medical matters and patient care in full compliance with Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM) laws. Grand Prairie currently operates in 16 states at over 200 facilities, serving more than 100,000 patients daily for local and municipal entities, state governments, and federal agencies. Grand Prairie employs approximately 200 healthcare providers throughout the country. Grand Prairie is committed to providing quality care to every patient with compassion, collaboration, and innovation.

Wellpath places patients at the center of everything it does. Wellpath promotes rigorous standards of care, nurtures innovation, and values compassionate service. With nearly 15,000 clinicians and professionals in 34 states across the U.S. and Australia, the company focuses on delivering high quality healthcare. Every day, Wellpath provides medical and mental health services for nearly 300,000 patients located in state hospitals, forensic treatment and civil commitment centers, Community Care Centers as well as local, state, and federal correctional facilities. Wellpath’s expertise is invaluable in public-private partnerships. More information about Wellpath is available at https://wellpathcare.com

The duo requested termination of their contracts at the beginning of this year and MDoC transferred their outstanding contracts and debts to VitalCore Health Strategies in February.  A lot of subcontractors were left holding the bag:

https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_788374b6-71f3-11ef-b6bb-0f14953b927d.html

Michigan lawmaker calls for audit of $6M in unpaid services for inmate health care

By Thérèse Boudreaux | September 13, 2024

The Michigan Department of Corrections and two health care companies may face a state audit for their alleged mishandling of a $590 million contract, with State Sen. Roger Hauck, R-Mt. Pleasant, requesting Attorney General Dana Nessel to investigate.

Wellpath and Grand Prairie together provided organized medical care for Michigan’s inmates starting in 2021. The organizations terminated their five-year contract early with the MDOC in April, neglecting to pay off outstanding medical bills to local providers, including roughly $6 million for ambulance services.

“The state contracted with Wellpath and Grand Prairie to provide health care for inmates, but local providers are being left with unpaid bills. The attorney general must investigate these companies and hold them accountable,” Hauck said in a statement this week. “This situation is jeopardizing the ability of some providers to stay in business. We need swift action to ensure these bills are paid and to prevent this from happening again.”

After Wellpath and Grand Prairie ended the contract, the state transferred their outstanding debts to VitalCore Health Strategies, who started collaborating with the MDOC in February.

“Wellpath and Grand Prairie requested a termination of their contract, and the state agreed to let them walk away, despite their failure to address the issue of unpaid bills to health care providers,” Hauck said. “Rather than ensuring these outstanding payments were resolved, the state transitioned the contract to VitalCore Health Strategies, leaving many providers in a precarious position with no clear path to recovering what they’re owed.”

The MoDC’s original decision to choose Wellpath and Grand Prairie as health care providers for Michigan prisoners had already raised concerns, as the department had selected them because they were the lowest bidders. Hauck said that the MoDC’s failure to confirm the financial viability of the bid resulted in the negative impact on local services and inmate quality of care.

“While selecting the cheapest option may have seemed like a good decision at the time, it’s now clear both companies under-projected costs. As a result, local health care providers have been left unpaid, which jeopardizes the critical services these providers offer,” Hauck said.

Wellpath and Grand Prairie did not respond to a request for comment.