Elkhart County approves fourth amendment to jail medical contract with Wellpath; 3% CPI increase applied

County attorney Steve Olson told the board the county is presenting a fourth amendment to the in-custody medical services agreement with Wellpath LLC to ensure continued medical coverage at the county jail for calendar year 2026. Olson said the amendment applies a 3% consumer price index update to the contract fees while excluding a previously paid one-time fee of $20,872.50 from that increase. "We negotiated that that $20,872.50 not include the 3% increase," Olson said.

Olson said the amendment follows contract review and negotiation and that the CPI increase will be applied to the fee categories set out in the agreement. Commissioners moved to approve the amendment and passed the motion by unanimous voice vote.

The meeting transcript records the board's approval but does not include an itemized breakdown of yearly contract totals or the base contract value after the 3% increase. The transcript does note the one-time 2025 fee and states the amendment ensures Wellpath will continue providing in-custody medical services throughout 2026.