Several SOFHA facilities set to close

This story has been updated with statements from State of Franklin Healthcare Associates and Ballad Health. At least three State of Franklin Healthcare Associates facilities are closing, according to information given to patients. Letters independently verified by Six Rivers Media confirm that SOFHA's OB/GYN Specialists of Kingsport and Pediatrics of Bristol offices are both closing Jan. 31. Highlands Family Medicine in Johnson City already closed Tuesday. At least two providers from the group will join Ballad Health. Other physicians will move to different SOFHA offices, transition into different health care roles or have not yet notified the health care group of their plans. In an emailed statement to Six Rivers Media, Ballad Health affirmed that it "is not involved in the operational, staffing or practice-location decisions of State of Franklin Healthcare Associates, which remain solely under the direction of SOFHA's physician leadership and governing board." A letter posted on the SOFHA Highlands Family Medicine door notes that the Johnson City facility closed Tuesday. JOY MAZUR/SIX RIVERS MEDIA SOFHA is directing affected patients to its other providers or separate private health care offices in the region. "In light of this change, we want to assure you that your care remains our priority," a letter posted on the Highlands Family Medicine office states. In a statement, SOFHA said it communicates directly with affected individuals when changes occur. The group added that public notices are issued in specific communities where a clinic closure occurs and that the group "follows all applicable legal and ethical requirements for patient notification." READ- SOFHA statement after recent closures.pdf Skye Twitty, a Bristol resident whose children have gone to SOFHA Pediatrics in Bristol for more than 10 years, said she received her letter Saturday. She's now looking for new doctors, but said she's only found a few in Bristol. One of the doctors recommended by SOFHA doesn't take her insurance, she added. "Our kids deserve continuity of care," she said. "[I'm] just concerned, where are the doctors going? Will my kids have a doctor if they get sick?" The closures follow months of financial struggle for the physician-led primary care group. The group sued Summit Medical Group in September, alleging that the Knoxville-based group "orchestrated a scheme" to turn SOFHA's employees against them and "destroy" the business. The lawsuit was filed amid ongoing confusion over whether some SOFHA physicians would renew their contracts. "To the detriment of [SOFHA's] patients, physicians and employees, [SMG's] scheme is working," SOFHA's complaint, filed in Washington County Circuit Court, states. A hearing for the case is scheduled for Feb. 3. In December, Ballad announced it would lend financial support to SOFHA so the group could resolve some of its accumulated debt. In a press release at the time, Ballad emphasized that all organizational decisions remained in the hands of the employee-owned group. "Neither Ballad Health nor SOFHA has considered an acquisition of SOFHA by Ballad Health, and both strongly prefer for SOFHA to remain independent," OB-GYN and President of SOFHA Dr. Grover May said in the release. Twitty, who works in health care, said the changes at SOFHA reflect a nationwide problem with rural health. She added that smaller offices closing creates a bigger problem. "I think everybody deserves access to care, and it shouldn't just depend on your zip code or income level," Twitty said. "Our kids just deserve stability and access to care closer to home."