MaineGeneral Eye Center in Fairfield will close July 31, leaving around 4,500 patients without access to local ophthalmology care, the Central Maine reported May 8.
MaineGeneral Health cited losses of up to $1 million annually, driven by low insurance reimbursement rates and uncertainty over state and federal health programs. About 70% of the center’s patients have MaineCare or Medicare. The closure will affect three physicians, a nonsurgical retina specialist, a pediatric ophthalmologist and a comprehensive ophthalmologist, and 10 support staff members.
The center is MaineGeneral’s only specialty ophthalmology practice. Local providers told the publication the closure will worsen an already-strained system, with a nearby optometry practice reporting a 10-week waitlist that is expected to grow.
Healthcare providers across Maine have closed, or announced plans to close, at least six practices and clinics in the last six months, citing workforce shortages, recruitment difficulties, declining patient volume and rising operating costs.
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