Anchor Medical Associates’ closing to impact 25,000 patients

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders will be forced to find new doctors, as Anchor Medical Associates closes its locations in June.

In a post, Anchor Medical said the closure is due to an inability to hire replacements for doctors who have retired and keeping up with the costs and reimbursement rates.

The first shutdown, at Warwick Pediatric and Adult Medicine, will happen April 30.

“My child is affected, other families are affected, and every person and child that is on the insurance is going to be affected by this,” said Samantha Kokolsi, a petition organizer.

“None of these places are accepting patients. They’re giving false hope and it’s sad.”

More than 25,000 patients, including thousands of children, will be left without a primary care doctor.

“Right now I just lost my job so I’m in this period where I’m without healthcare,” said Providence resident Anthony Dongfack.

“It’s such a big hit for any family person to lose access to their main healthcare caregivers.”

Attorney General Peter Neronha said Rhode Island’s healthcare system is in a “true state of distress,” and that reimbursement rates must be raised to keep practices like Anchor open.

Patients have until June 30 to get their records and transition.

For Anchor patients affected by the closures, you can find information on possible next steps here.