Gov. Maura Healey said her administration is trying to get answers one day after the sudden shutdown of all Compass Medical locations in Massachusetts left patients with questions about their health care and left hundreds of employees without a job.
Compass Medical, with locations in Quincy, Braintree, East Bridgewater, Easton, Middleborough and Taunton, confirmed an “imminent plan” to close its practices in a message on its website Wednesday afternoon.
On Thursday, people were seen leaving now-closed Compass buildings with boxes and suitcases.
“I’m afraid for my health,” said Compass patient Courtney Beggs.
7NEWS has learned the abrupt closure of the Compass system means 450 employees have lost their jobs and 70,000 patients have been left in the lurch.
Beggs is among the patients now asking questions. She said she has a lump on her thyroid and shared a letter from her doctor sent in March urging her to get a chest x-ray and ultrasound immediately.
Beggs, a professor and mother of three, made an appointment for Monday of next week that has since been canceled. After Wednesday’s news, she said she now doesn’t know when her appointment will happen.
Another patient, Janis Creedon, said she has seen a primary care doctor at Compass for 14 years. Creedon’s doctor ordered her to get labs done at another facility on Thursday. Already, she said, she was met with issues.
“They weren’t in my records,” she said. “And I said, ‘Well, my primary sent them.’ They weren’t in there and he said ‘There’s no chance of getting them now.'”
A nurse herself, Creedon said she’s worried about the 450 employees impacted by the Compass shutdown as well as other ramifications.
“They must be heartbroken, absolutely heartbroken,” she said. “You don’t get into this thinking that you’re ever going to just drop care.”
“I’m concerned we’re going to have a bit of a health care crisis in the area,” Creedon separately said.
Elsewhere on Thursday, Healey weighed in.
“This is about people’s access to health care, so we will certainly do whatever we can within our power, working with the Attorney General’s office and others, working with Compass to get a better understanding of what’s happening.”
Others in state government including the AG’s office previously reacted to Compass’ closure on Wednesday.
As officials continue to look into the situation, AG Andrea Campbell is urging patients with concerns to contact her office.
Compass Medical said its decision to close practices came “After a steady stream of challenges.” In a new statement on Thursday, the company said it is implementing a plan to ensure continued care for its patients.
“Compass will be updating the website regularly with information on how patients can contact their physician in their new practice setting and how they can obtain access to their medical records,” Compass said.
Still, many have been left with lingering questions and the state’s medical society has called on Compass to expedite and clarify its communications with impacted patients and staff.
A company called Atrius Health has reached out to providers at Compass who are now in need of jobs. Atrius officials also told 7NEWS they are welcoming any patient who has been affected by the Compass shutdown.
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