Milford Medical Center Dropping Emergency Care

St. Joseph Hospital has announced that the Milford Medical Center emergency room will transition to an Urgent Care site in the fall of 2013, according to a press release.

All other services currently offered at the Milford Medical Center will continue to be offered - including, physical and occupational therapy, 3D digital mammography, x-ray, ultrasound and lab draw services. The family medicine and pediatric medicine practices on the campus will also remain in their current location.

"Changes in insurance coverage, increasing deductibles and higher copays have made it necessary for people to travel out of the community to access health care services," stated Dr. Rich Boehler, President and CEO of St. Joseph Hospital. "Our goal with this transition is to provide high-quality healthcare in a manner that allows more residents of the Milford region to get care in their community at a lower cost."

St. Joseph Hospital said that although the population in Milford has doubled since 1970, there has been a significant decline in emergency department use in town as residents seek lower cost options.

St. Joseph Hospital has been providing healthcare services at the Milford Medical Center since opening in 1979.

"We are committed to continuing to provide excellent care to the residents of Milford and the surrounding communities," stated Dr. James Martin, Medical Director of Emergency Services for St. Joseph Hospital. "An Urgent Care delivery model will allow us to do that in a manner that better meets the needs of the community."