The continued consolidation of medical services in the Pikes Peak and Teller County region, a trend that has accelerated in the last five or so years, has struck again. Optum, which operates a family medicine clinic and many services in Woodland Park at 700 Hwy. 24 West, has announced plans to close its WP location and transfer patients to its Optum Roundhouse site at 600 S 21 Street in Colorado Springs. The news will affect many local residents who used Optum Woodland Park, which previously purchased the Mountain View Medical group. Initially, Mountain View Medical operated out of the UCHealth/Peak Regional Hospital site in Woodland Park.
The closure news has been greeted with mixed reviews on social media, with some responders citing this move as part of the growing consolidation and changing business environment in the healthcare, industry with rural customers often losing out. Others admit they were not too surprised by the news due to the turnover occurring at Optum in the last few years. Still, many service users and patients expressed much disappointment due to the convenience this center offered.
In its official announcement, posted on the building door, Optum officials stated, “the move helps us bring our care teams together so we can better support you by improving your access to care. We have a newer, upgraded facility at our Roundhouse location with additional doctors and advanced care practitioners available to see you.” The last day of patient care at Optum Woodland Park is set for June 12. Photo and caption by Rick Langenberg
