Boone Health to close home care and hospice services
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Boone Health announced on Thursday it will be closing its home care and hospice service lines.
Boone Health said in a news release that it has stopped taking new patients as of Thursday, and employees will be employed through Saturday, Dec. 2. There are currently 26 employees who work in those divisions, the release states.
A spokesperson also stated in an email that they plan on having all patients transferred by Dec. 2
"Like many hospital-based home care and hospice organizations, Boone Health Home Care and Hospice has faced ongoing challenges with staffing and reimbursement," a spokesperson said in the release. "This decision will allow Boone Health to focus resources on areas of core competency including inpatient and outpatient services, and the continued growth of our primary care and specialty clinics."
According to its website, services include oxygen therapy, respiratory services and infusion therapy as part of its home care.
Boone Health said it will be working with patients who currently use its services to find care from other organizations. A spokesperson for Phoenix Home Care and Hospice told ABC 17 News that Boone Health reached out to them.
As a result, Phoenix is preparing to add several more patients. However, a the spokesperson said the exact number of patients will depend on several factors, including the county the patients live.
In July, Boone Health announced it was cutting 62 jobs, however, most were reported to be unfilled.
The hospital is overseen by an elected board of directors. Boone Health began independent operation in spring 2021 after several years under St. Louis-based BJC HealthCare. The operation reported a $50 million loss in 2021 and a board member said in April that Boone Health was on track to have positive cash flow by the end of 2023.
Boone Health is in the top 10 employers in Boone County for number of workers.
