Health systems are closing small behavioral health units, and a major telehealth provider is shifting back to brick-and-mortar clinics.
Here are five closures in the industry Becker's has reported since Sept. 17:
- Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Pa., closed its 21-bed inpatient behavioral health unit, effective Oct. 26.
- Brightline, a pediatric behavioral telehealth provider, scaled down its operations to just a few markets. The company is shifting its focus to brick-and-mortar clinics. With the exits came layoffs, though the company did not specify how many employees were affected.
- Signature Psychiatric Hospital closed its two locations in Kansas City, Mo., and Liberty, Mo., in October. The hospital is owned by Franklin, Tenn.-based Acadia Healthcare. The hospital was unable to retain the space it leased from North Kansas City Hospital.
- Des Moines, Iowa-based MercyOne closed the five-bed behavioral health unit at its Clinton (Iowa) Medical Center. Patients at Clinton Medical Center needing inpatient behavioral treatment, will be transported by ambulance or secure van to another MercyOne location or other nearby inpatient units, a spokesperson told Becker's.
- Fort Kent-based Northern Maine Medical Center cut its children's behavioral health unit and has applied for a critical access designation to address financial issues. The hospital's nine-bed adult inpatient behavioral unit will remain open.