Patients at Optum-owned Crystal Run Healthcare in New York’s Hudson Valley say they’re losing longtime physicians and have been told the practice may cut psychiatry and orthopedic services, News 12 reported Nov. 6.
One patient told News 12 she has lost seven physicians at Crystal Run over the past two years. One of her physicians told her the psychiatry department would close, and she was told orthopedic services would be eliminated. Another patient said her physician told her the psychiatry department would close and that the physician’s last day would be in December. She said staff were telling patients to contact their insurers to find new providers, and that she has not received written notice from Optum.
Optum bought Crystal Run in 2023. In June, Optum said it was in talks with several large New York health systems about potentially selling certain specialty services, including orthopedics, general surgery and urology, with a goal of closing deals by the end of 2026. Crystal Run has about a dozen locations across Orange, Rockland and Sullivan counties and more than 375 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, according to its website.
“Patients who receive care from Crystal Run Healthcare can count on care that is familiar and personal,” an Optum spokesperson told Becker’s. “If changes ever impact patient care or services, we communicate directly with patients and provide the support and information they need to continue their care in their community.”
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