On Tuesday, Baxter Health announced the Baxter Regional Behavioral Health Clinic, a local provider of outpatient behavioral health services, close its doors October 13. Officials state the clinic is committed to continuing its high standard of patient care until the closure date.
Baxter Health states all current patients have been provided a list of community behavioral health providers and have been encouraged to establish care as quickly as possible. Assistance with medication refills will continue through December 31.
Officials for Baxter Health state they will continue to operate its inpatient Adult Behavioral Health unit and its inpatient Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit. They say the decision to close the outpatient clinic was made due to a operating in a challenging healthcare environment due to post-COVID supply chain shortages, high inflation, a sustained healthcare workforce shortage driving labor costs, all while reimbursement for services continue to stagnate and, in some cases, decrease. Baxter Health states they are attempting to allocate its resources to meet the community needs the best way possible.
Brian Barnett, Baxter Health VP of Business Development and Physician Enterprise states “Baxter Health’s top priority has always been the well-being and health of our patients. We understand that the closure may bring about uncertainty, but we are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible for our patients.”
In an effort to maintain privacy and comply with regulations, patients will need to complete a release form authorizing the transfer of their medical records. These forms have been enclosed in letters sent to current patients and are also available at the clinic. The completed forms can be mailed to 624 Hospital Drive, Mountain Home, AR 72653, ATTN: Medical Records, or dropped off in person at Baxter Health Medical Records.
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