Rising health care costs strain pain management [Video]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Patients are scrambling to figure out what’s next as a West Michigan pain management provider plans to close its doors.

In a letter sent to staff Friday, Michigan Pain Consultants said it will close its Wyoming, Muskegon and Big Rapids locations Friday. Remaining locations in Grand Rapids, Greenville and Holland will close by September.

Michigan Pain Consultants to close later this year

The group said in the letter it can’t sustain its practice because of “rising costs and changes in the healthcare market.” In an emailed statement to News 8, the provider confirmed the news and blamed a “difficult climate facing independent pain management practices” for the closure.

Michigan Pain Consultants is not alone in facing these issues.

“The rising costs of health care… I think every facility in the country is feeling the stress and strain of the rising costs across the board in every specialty area,” said Dr. Kevin Furlong, the interim chief medical officer …