A West Virginia hospital system announced on Friday that it is filing for chapter 11 protection, but assured that it is not closing its doors, the Associated Press reported. In West Virginia, other hospitals have closed in Bluefield, Richwood and Wheeling. Williamson Memorial Hospital filed for bankruptcy in October. Thomas Health is not closing its doors and there are no planned changes to employment, services, or how we deliver care to our patients,” according to a company statement. The nonprofit system includes Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston, Saint Francis Hospital in Charleston, and THS Physician Partners Inc. The system cited several financial challenges it said are largely beyond its control. Commercially insured patients are significantly decreasing in the state; many patients can’t afford deductibles; Medicaid, Medicare and the Public Employees Insurance Agency are reimbursing below cost; and substance-use disorder treatment costs often exceed reimbursement, it said.
The health system has a combined 383 beds, about 1,800 employees and 450 physicians. Early last year, WorkForce West Virginia listed Thomas Health as the 18th largest employer in the state.
