Commission approves Care ITC contract amendment to change backfill billing; transcript lists large historic backfill figure

Christian County commissioners approved on May 21 a contract amendment with Care ITC intended to change how the county is charged for backfill coverage at certain clinics.

Purchasing staff said the amendment followed discussions by the county's employee‑services director and others. In the meeting transcript staff reported the county previously paid an amount referenced as "$1,515,250 dollars a year for backfill." Presenters said the vendor agreed to credit the county $7,500 because the county was rolled to virtual coverage that the county was already paying for; under the amendment the county will pay $125 per hour only when the vendor actually provides a backfill staff person and the county must approve that placement. A staff speaker described the change as moving from a pre‑paid model to an as‑used arrangement.

Commissioners discussed the change in terms of cost control and approved the amendment by voice vote. The presenter said that for short absences the county will likely rely on virtual coverage and use the $125/hour backfill only when a full‑week absence would otherwise leave services closed.

Why it matters: the amendment alters the county's financial exposure for backfill staffing and shifts the county toward paying only when a vendor provides in‑person coverage. It also includes a credit relating to previous billing practice. The meeting transcript contains a large backfill figure that appears inconsistent with other items discussed and should be verified with county finance records.