A longtime Anchorage medical clinic for seniors will close at the end of next month, prompting concern from patients and providers about dwindling health care options for some of the city's most vulnerable residents.
The Alaska Regional Senior Health Clinic, located on Debarr Road, is closing at the end of February, leaving patients searching for new providers with limited options in Anchorage. Photographed on January 18, 2023.
“We have been unable to keep key positions filled at the clinic and at this time, we can no longer maintain clinic operations,” Lastufka wrote in an email noting broader national health care worker shortages. The reason for the appointment was that Spears was trying out a new medication, and her doctor wanted to help determine whether the drug was benefiting her or not. Without any guidance, she eventually just stopped taking the drug.“I just kept persisting and trying to get through on the line,” she said. “But I wasn’t even able to leave them a message.
“We understand that changes in your healthcare provider can be difficult,” the letter said. “Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions.” It also provided the phone number for the clinic’s front desk, which Chapman and others said they had had little luck reaching in recent days and weeks. As of Saturday, the clinic’sdoesn’t think a month is enough time for many patients to find a new provider, especially with the limited options available.
Just two providers remain in the municipality that accept new Medicare patients without any cap on the number of enrollees: Providence Medical Group Primary Care and Anchorage Neighborhood Health, the latter which is aWhile other providers are able to accept a limited number of patients on Medicare, most can only afford to accept a limited number of these patients due to low reimbursement rates.
This week, Barlow has been calling providers all over Anchorage to find someone who accepts Medicare. She said she received 10 no’s on Wednesday alone.“I got a list here. I keep marking them off,” she said. “It’s really really frustrating. I’m so full of anxiety, I’m shaking. I have a lot of health problems, and this is not helping, losing my health care provider.”
In an email, Lastufka with Alaska Regional said the reason for the clinic closure was not prompted by financial problems, but rather “directly related to the difficulties with staffing and being able to keep key positions filled.”Savage said she also spent an afternoon this week trying to call the Alaska Regional Senior Health Clinic but was unable to get through to anyone.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Vehicle strikes and kills pedestrian on Anchorage HillsideA pedestrian was killed when a vehicle struck them this afternoon in South Anchorage’s Hillside neighborhood, near Abbott and Birch roads, police said.
Weiterlesen »
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE - KTUU in Anchorage, AK**About Gray Television:** Gray Television is a leading media company that owns and operates high-quality stations in 113 television markets that collectively reach 36 percent of US television households. We constantly strive for excellence. Through upgrading to the latest technology and seekin...
Weiterlesen »
Aloha Days returns to Anchorage after nearly three years'It brings out the Polynesian community to share their culture, and also to share their dance,' JR Degala said.
Weiterlesen »
Anchorage celebrates Chinese New Year festivalHundreds of people gathered at Dimond High School in Anchorage on Sunday for the Alaska Chinese Association’s first in-person Chinese New Year since January 2020.
Weiterlesen »
Anchorage Folk Festival finishes first weekThe Anchorage Folk Festival wrapped up its first week, with more to come in the next week.
Weiterlesen »
SE BUREAU/LEGISLATIVE MMJ - KTUU (Juneau, AK) in Anchorage, AK**About Gray Television:** Gray Television is a leading media company that owns and operates high-quality stations in 113 television markets that collectively reach 36 percent of US television households. We constantly strive for excellence. Through upgrading to the latest technology and seekin...
Weiterlesen »