OAHS Announces Planned Transition of Home Health Services

Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) is announcing a planned transition of its Home Health service line following action by the OAHS Health Care Board.

Over the next four to six months, OAHS will work with Home Health clients, families, and caregivers to transition services to other qualified home health providers in the region. Several regional agencies have indicated they have the capacity to provide services to clients in our area. OAHS will work with each client to develop an individualized transition plan designed to support a smooth continuation of care. Our goal is to ensure every client continues to receive the services they need while making this transition as seamless as possible.

For many years, the OAHS Home Health team has provided compassionate care to individuals and families throughout our communities. No organization can replace the relationships, trust, and outstanding care provided by our nurses, homemakers, and aides. This transition is not a reflection of the quality of care provided by our Home Health team. Their work has made a meaningful difference in the lives of those they have served, and we are deeply grateful for their dedication, professionalism, and compassion.

The decision follows multiple evaluations of the Home Health service line, including an independent consultant review in 2021, and review by OAHS administration, the Home Health department and Health Care Board over the past year. Because of the value Home Health provided to our community, OAHS continued to support the service line despite annual losses of several hundred thousand dollars. However, after reviewing the long-term outlook, the Board determined that continuing to do so was not sustainable. The Board concluded that transitioning these services to other regional providers was the most responsible path for both current clients and the future sustainability of OAHS.

OAHS remains committed to providing high-quality healthcare services to the communities we serve. While this transition represents a significant change for OAHS and the clients we serve, it reflects our responsibility to ensure OAHS remains strong and independent for years to come. Our commitment to caring for this community has not changed, and we will continue working every day to meet the healthcare needs of our region now and for future generations.