Health

Another Firm Offering Behavioral Services To VI Patients Threatens To End Relationship With D.H.S. Because Of Nonpayment

Lasted updated at 7:59 a.m., Wed. Oct. 10. Less than two weeks after advanced behavioral health facility Devereux Florida was on the verge of sending back to the territory severely disabled patients because of nonpayment of more than a year, another firm housing Virgin Islands patients with mental illness -- Benchmark Behavioral Health Systems -- on Tuesday threatened to end its relationship with the Department of Human Services, because D.H.S. has not paid Benchmark for almost a year for services provided. According to an email conversation between D.H.S. officials, including Commissioner Felecia Blyden, and Benchmark officials, D.H.S. was attempting to secure a new contract with the firm for services through September 2021. But Steve Terry, director of business development at Benchmark, said while Benchmark was "eager" to move forward with the new contract, it would nonetheless end its relationship with D.H.S. if payments owed were not furnished immediately. "For the record, the old ...