Atrium Health at Home Blue Ridge closing its doors

Atrium Health at Home Blue Ridge, on Fiddler’s Run Boulevard in Morganton, is closing its doors for good in November.

Atrium Health at Home offered in-home care through visits from nurses and therapists, covering Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and McDowell counties.

The health provider stopped accepting patients on Oct. 8, and the last day of service is Nov. 13.

“As healthcare needs in the community continue to evolve, we believe our resources can be best directed to meet those changing needs while strengthening our broader commitment to rural care,” read a statement from Advocate Health, the parent organization of Atrium Health at Home Blue Ridge.

“Eight other home health agencies serve the area, and we are working closely with each patient to support a safe transition to other care options. Our focus throughout this transition is on supporting our patients and teammates, and care will continue as scheduled until the location closes.”

According to a notification sent to employees, fewer referrals and changes in insurance coverage in the area led to the closure.

Employees contacted by The Paper were hesitant to speak on the record.

A letter sent to patients states that Atrium notified physicians and would transfer patients’ plan of care, medical orders, and insurance authorizations to their new provider, once selected.

The letter lists seven of the providers that patients may contact to continue care:

• Adoration Home Health
• Medi-Home Health
• Centerwell Home Health
• Bayada Home Health Care Inc.
• Carolina Home Care
• Enhabit Home Health
• Guardian Home Health

Advocate did not respond to questions about the providers. Advocate also did not answer how many patients were impacted or how many employees were affected in time for publication.