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Tompkins County Administrator Joe Mareane announced 4/10 that the New York State Department of Health has approved a closure plan for the County’s Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA), operated by the Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD).  Under the approved closure plan, the agency will close in early May.

The action follows an almost two year review by the County Legislature to divest of the CHHA due to financial losses. The Legislature in February, on recommendation of the County Board of Health and the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, authorized the County to submit the closure plan to the State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and, upon the State’s approval, to implement that plan.

“Today’s announcement ends a long process that began with a question about the role of county government in an era of fiscal constraint, especially when a service is also being provided with comparable quality by other agencies,” Administrator Mareane said.  “The closure of our CHHA is a reflection of our rapidly changing times and the capacities of county governments.  However, the process has been managed in a way that reflects something that will never change, which is our commitment to placing the needs of clients first.  As we phase out of home care, we will continue to partner with Visiting Nurse Services of Ithaca and Tompkins County to ensure access to quality home health care services in Tompkins County. ”

In light of significant annual losses and elimination of State aid, the County Legislature last June voted to divest of the CHHA and sell its operating certificate, then in October approved sale of the certificate to HCR, Inc., pending State approval.  That sale subsequently was affected by unanticipated emergency State regulations that affected the granting of additional home health certificates of need for counties such as Tompkins.  HCR withdrew the offer that had been negotiated and approved, and submitted a revised offer that was unacceptable, so the County Legislature authorized submission of the closure plan.  State regulations prohibited any public discussion regarding the closure plan prior to the plan’s approval by the State Department of Health.

TCHD staff has communicated with the 23 patients currently receiving home care services from the Health Department, many of whom will complete their home care services prior to the closure.  Staff is assisting patients who have continuing home care needs and working with them and their caregivers to ensure a smooth transfer of care to the appropriate provider.  Local physicians, other providers, and community agencies potentially involved in patient care are also being notified of the impending closure.  As of April 9 TCHD is no longer accepting new patients to its CHHA.

TCHD will not officially close its CHHA until all patients in its care are placed with the appropriate provider that meets their care needs.

Legislature Chair Martha Robertson expressed deep appreciation to administration and staff at the Tompkins County Health Department for their careful and caring efforts to manage this difficult transition.  “Throughout this process our Health Department staff has been amazing, keeping the needs of their clients foremost in their advocacy and maintaining the highest degree of professionalism even under the most stressful circumstances,” Robertson stated.  “All of us on the Legislature are grateful for their service and dedication.”

The Tompkins County Health Department has a longstanding reputation of concern for the health of Tompkins County residents. Its staff will strongly encourage NYSDOH to ensure that sufficient and high quality home care services remain available to Tompkins County residents.

The Tompkins County Health Department Certified Home Health Care Agency has been in operation for over 45 years. During this long tenure, it has consistently received high satisfaction ratings from its patients.

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