NATCHEZ — Adams County supervisors hired a nurse practitioner Monday in an attempt to lower the county’s health insurance costs.

Stacy V. Cook, a Natchez native who previously worked at the Adams County Correctional Center, was hired at an approximate salary of $95,000 to provide visits to the county jail and juvenile justice center. Cook will also have set hours where she can see county employees for medical services.

“I am looking forward to working with the county in the jail, the juvenile detention center and alleviating some costs for the county by taking care of employees on the health insurance plan,” Cook said. “I’m looking forward to revamping the health care for the inmates and the juveniles.

“I am really excited about developing this new idea of treating employees. I’m looking forward to getting this off the ground for our county and residents.”

Supervisors believe if employees are visiting Cook instead of other area physicians it could save money since the county self-insures its employee health care coverage.

Board President Mike Lazarus said having a nurse practitioner on staff could also help educate employees to live healthier lives, which could also help with health care costs.

The county had been paying approximately $115,000 annually for contracted nurse practitioners to visit the county jail and juvenile justice facilities.

Lazarus said since Cook is not taking county insurance, her benefits package and salary would be less than $115,000.

Nurse practitioners in Mississippi are required to in a collaborative practice with a physician.

Lazarus said Tuesday the county has been in discussion with local physicians to work out a collaborative practice.Lazarus said he would let

Cook make the decision and create the best deal for the county as the department head. Lazarus estimated the collaborative practice would cost $200 to $300 a month.

“They essentially have to go over the nurse practitioner’s files once a month,” Lazarus said. “It usually doesn’t take long.
“I really do think this is something that can save us money.”

Lazarus said Cook’s office will likely be in the old county sanitation office near the courthouse, and nursing stations already exist at the sheriff’s office and the juvenile justice facility.

Cook will start in November.

The supervisors first proposed hiring a nurse practitioner earlier this year and interviewed two candidates in September.