Marshall County commissioners briefed the council on Nov. 10 about a proposed county employee health program that would contract with Dan Tanner, a local concierge medicine practitioner, to provide primary-care access to county employees and dependents under a monthly membership model.

Commissioner Jesse Bohannon described the commissioners’ interest in the proposal and said he had signed up as a patient to evaluate the service. Tanner outlined services included in the membership — same-day access, annual labs and screenings (built into the membership price), management of chronic conditions, and work-comp triage — and emphasized the program’s potential to lower ER visits and overall health-care costs. Tanner presented a membership pricing structure described in the meeting as $40 per adult per month and $20 per child; commissioners estimated an upfront annual cost to the county of approximately $130,000 paid in 12 installments, contingent on the final contract and participation numbers.

Council members asked about who would be covered (employees, spouses and dependents were discussed), whether the Lutheran clinic model had previously billed insurance and incurred extra lab charges, and whether opioid-settlement funds or restricted/unrestricted settlement balances might be used first. Commissioner Bohannon said the county has both restricted and unrestricted opioid-settlement balances and would explore those options before tapping the general fund.

After questions about participation rates, family pricing and referral networks, a council member moved a resolution of support for the commissioners to move forward with Dan Tanner's concierge service. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Council members requested a contract and final numbers before any formal appropriation; commissioners said they would present a contract and final cost estimate at a later date.

Outcome and next steps: Council provided a vote of support for the commissioners to pursue the contract with Dan Tanner; commissioners will run final participation estimates, confirm whether opioid-settlement funds can be applied, and return with a contract and budget numbers for formal approval.

Representative quote: Dan Tanner — "It's $40 per person per month."