Any Opinions on CMS??

[JedsMom]

I work as the Health Services Director for a 1070 bed county jail. All of the medical staff are full-time sheriff's office employees (we are all sworn deputy sheriff's). I have held this position for over 9 years now. Recently, the county commission has decided to look at ways to cut their ever increasing expenses and one of the things they are looking at are the medical expenses for prisoners.

They have invited PHS and CMS to come in and look at our facility and give them a proposal. I know there is no way they can provide what we currently do for the amount of money we do it for but that's another story:o

What I'm looking for is what have your experiences been if any working with this company. I know I won't have a job if either company is selected since I am management now, but I have some really good nurses that have worked with me for a long time that I sure would like to know would be treated fairly. Any input would be appreciated.

[Trixxy, LPN]

I decided I should just keep my opinion about CMS to myself, so I deleted my original post.

[cindyrn1]

Could you tell me what the words mean for CMS and PH? I am new to corrections,

[GARYLPN]

CMS = CORRECTIONAL MEDICAL SERVICES (I think)

PHS = PRISON HEALTH SERVICES

I work prn for PHS plus am an agency nurse.

[jailDON]

When PHS moved into my facility, they only asked one nurse to resign....the DON at that time. Everyone was offered the same pay they were making which was a very fair rate for the LVNs and low for the RNs. They have a tendancy to mess up pay checks too. Their main objective is profit. Here's the scary tactic they have.......underbid by a lot in order to win over the contract thus skimping on personnel, get upset because the staff can't function within the budget then ask for a huge increase in the next contract negotiation. I am so tired of managing with only a skeleton crew waiting for the new contract.

[erroridiot]

Here's the scary tactic they have.......underbid by a lot in order to win over the contract thus skimping on personnel, get upset because the staff can't function within the budget then ask for a huge increase in the next contract negotiation. I am so tired of managing with only a skeleton crew waiting for the new contract.

It is admirable to hope for good things to happen with your new contract. When the new contract comes up for bidding - there will be other companies competing and the jail or prison will play hardball for the cheapest contract that they can get away with.

Then the cycle of hoping for things to be better with the next contract begins again........