Alabama Psychiatric Services will close all locations across the state by Feb. 13, according to Richard Craig, executive director of the Jefferson, Blount, St. Clair Counties Mental Health Authority. Craig said employees at his agency have been working with insurance providers to find new care for patients treated at facilities run by Alabama Psychiatric Services.
The company has locations in Birmingham, Cullman, Decatur, Dothan, Fairhope, Florence, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa, according to the website.
Executives from the company have not returned calls seeking comment, but a receptionist at one office confirmed that they were no longer taking new patients.
Lisa Allen is a patient at the Madison Clinic, and she said it was the only mental health treatment facility covered by her insurance. In the past, she has paid out-of-pocket to receive services, but was relieved when she moved to Alabama Psychiatric Services.
An employee at the clinic told Allen that they found out just yesterday that the facility would be closing on Feb. 13. Allen had not heard anything about the closing.
"I don't know what I'll do at this point," Allen said. "This was the only service my insurance would pay for."
Executives at Alabama Psychiatric Services notified Blue Cross Blue Shield on Friday that they were closing all their offices across the state, wrote spokeswoman Koko Mackin in an email.
"Blue Cross is working diligently to minimize any inconvenience these office closures may cause for our members and their families," Mackin wrote. "We are disappointed about these closures and are doing everything we can to assist our members during this transition."
Craig said he didn't know how the closure will affect access to mental health care in Alabama.
"The physicians who work there will hopefully find new employment," Craig said.
