Hospice Care
JCFHD Announces Discontinuation of Home Health & Hospice Services
Mariposa, CA – February 13, 2025: Following a comprehensive assessment of our operations, the Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to terminate our Home Health and Hospice divisions. This decision was made carefully; it followed an in-depth evaluation conducted by a specialist in home health services in collaboration with financial advisors from Warbird Healthcare Advisors. Their analysis uncovered substantial financial shortfalls in these departments, which, when considered alongside JCFHD’s overall financial health, necessitated this action to protect the essential healthcare services we provide.
Why This Decision Was Necessary:
JCFHD operates as a Critical Access Hospital, which is required to provide emergency services, acute care, and swing bed care. These vital services are key in maintaining the health and safety of residents in Mariposa County. Nonetheless, the financial difficulties facing the Home Health and Hospice departments threaten our capacity to uphold these essential services, vital for preserving our designation as a Critical Access Hospital.
The financial difficulties encountered by these departments include:
- High operational costs that are not sustainable.
- Persistent financial deficits revealed through a comprehensive review.
- Insufficient cash reserves, which are vital for the District’s overall financial health.
Further details can be found in the Board Meeting Minutes here.
View Board Meeting recording here.
Next Steps for JCFHD and the Community:
Currently, we have decided to voluntarily relinquish our Medicare provider numbers to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Furthermore, the California Department of Public Health will suspend our licenses for the Home Health and Hospice departments. This allows us the possibility of reactivation within 12 months if our conditions improve.
It’s crucial to highlight that JCFHD is not the only provider of Home Health and Hospice services in Mariposa County. Other agencies are available to assist patients and families requiring these services. During this period, most patients will be discharged home, while those needing care through April will be transitioned to another local agency.
Hospital Administration and JCF Home Health Leadership have been working closely with other home care agencies to ensure our community continues to receive the care and support they need during this transition. Our priority is to make this process as seamless as possible for patients and their families
Meanwhile, JCFHD is proactively reviewing all departments and service lines to ensure optimal efficiency. We are actively investigating additional service lines and revenue opportunities to improve our long-term support to the community.
Our Commitment to Mariposa County:
We acknowledge the importance of this change for our community, especially for those who have relied on our Home Health and Hospice services. It is essential to recognize that this choice was made with the overall welfare of Mariposa County in mind. By focusing our resources on the primary services of our Critical Access Hospital, we strive to ensure vital healthcare access and ongoing sustainability for all residents.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to transparency throughout this transition, and we will keep you updated as new information becomes available.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions or need assistance in locating Home Health or Hospice services in the area, please feel free to contact us. We are here to support you through this process. Together, we will work towards a healthier future for Mariposa County.