Two Raleigh Skilled Nursing Facilities to Close

RALEIGH, NC-Blaming lower reimbursements as the root cause, WakeMed Health & Hospitals officials report that it will close two skilled nursing facilities--Fuquay-Varina Outpatient & Skilled Nursing Facility and the Zebulon/Wendell Outpatient & Skilled Nursing Facility--over the next two months.

The suspension of skilled nursing services at the two facilities here affects nearly 100 workers, including 66 workers who had three-quarter or full-time positions, according to the Triangle Business Journal. The company states that by the end of this year it will be paid $23.6 million less for providing the same care because of regulations and reimbursement changes.

“These changes came after much thoughtful consideration about how WakeMed's resources could best be allocated so we can continue fulfilling our mission of providing outstanding and compassionate care to all who seek our services,” states Bill Atkinson, president and CEO, in an update to the firm's employees. “This is a time of significant change in healthcare, and we have a responsibility to ensure everything we do supports WakeMed's ability to provide access to quality care at a reasonable cost. This requires all of us to maximize the use of technology, develop key partnerships, and focus on developing core services and facilities in underserved areas where we can provide both exceptional and efficient care.” See story in the Triangle Business Journal.