Fairfield County Hospice Agency Closing, Transitioning To Masonicare

STAMFORD — The Board of Directors of Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Southwestern Connecticut (VNHC) after a careful consideration of its options has decided to cease independent operations by the end of November.

After a diligent selection process, the VNHC Board has identified Masonicare of Wallingford as the nonprofit organization best qualified to take on the care of VNHC’s patients that would accept transfer, hire VNHC’s staff, and continue to provide the highest quality care in the area now served by VNHC.

According to VNHC Board Chair Mark Santagata, in an environment of diminishing reimbursement, and increased competition from the for-profit sector, it was clear that the best way to guarantee that the Stamford/Greenwich community continued to receive the highest quality of care from a homecare organization that was not primarily concerned with generating profits, was through an entity that had the size and financial depth to weather the for-profit competition that is seeking to dominate this market.

“After exploring options with both nonprofit agencies from in and out of state we selected Masonicare, because they share our philosophy of quality care regardless of ability to pay, and they have the strength to sustain that mission even in the midst of the current challenges within the health care environment,” Mr Santagata said in a release.

He said the move to a larger agency is a natural evolution in this unstable financial atmosphere where more agencies are competing for diminished reimbursements, and medical providers, including doctors and hospitals, are changing the way they use homecare.

“Masonicare, which is Connecticut’s largest nonprofit homecare agency, will be better able to adapt to the changes, while maintaining its commitment to quality medical care for everyone who was served by VNHC,” said Mr Santagata, adding that this was the best course of action for VNHC.

“There is no ‘sale’ per se; VNHC will close the books after making sure patients have been smoothly transitioned at their option, and as many employees as possible hired,” he said.

Mr Santagata noted that his board felt strongly that Masonicare’s not-for-profit status complemented by its size and breadth made it the right fit for this situation. He said that Masonicare can provide continuity of care, but explained that patients have the right to move to whichever homecare provider they prefer.

Commenting on the arrangement, Stephen B. McPherson, Masonicare’s president and CEO, said, “Both of our organizations have a rich history of serving others. Being not-for-profit and patient-centered, we also have very similar missions.”