One Month Into the Transition, and Stronger Than Ever
When Enloe Health announced the closure of its home health and hospice programs earlier this year, the question on everyone’s mind was simple: What will this mean for patients and families in our community?
Today, just one month into the transition, we are proud to share an update that reflects not only stability, but incredible momentum.
Growth That Matches the Need
Between 2024 and 2025, Butte Home Health & Hospice grew by 100% in both our home health and hospice programs. As of this writing, we are on track to serve over 3,000 patients and families this year alone—seniors, chronically ill patients, and individuals recovering safely at home. Our plan in 2026 is to see this number rise to over 5,000.
Even with this rapid growth, we maintained the standards that define us:
- 5-Star Medicare Quality Rating achieved in Home Health in 2025
- 4-Star Quality Rating in Hospice (with momentum toward 5 stars)
These results reflect our core commitment: we never compromise on clinical excellence.
Welcoming 32 New Teammates
One of the most rewarding parts of this transition has been welcoming 32 exceptional clinicians and professionals from Enloe. We were fortunate to recruit what we truly believe were the very best from their program — people who share our values, our enthusiasm, our heart for service, and our unwavering commitment to quality. For an organization of about 130 team members, onboarding 32 new colleagues is no small task. Our existing team rose to the challenge, and our new team members embraced the transition with professionalism, energy, and a genuine desire to be part of something special.
Before the integration, we were clear on two non-negotiables:
- We do not compromise clinical standards.
- We do not compromise the team culture that earned six consecutive Great Place to Work® designations.
Our new colleagues are integrating beautifully into the Butte culture, and we are excited to see them fully trained, fully supported, and fully thriving as part of our A-Team.
Reaching More People, Removing More Barriers
This fall brought unique challenges, especially at the edges of our service territory where staffing was tight and insurance limitations made it harder for some patients to access us during the transition. We regret that a handful of patients who wanted Butte Home Health weren’t able to choose us during that brief time.
But that is changing quickly.
We now accept more insurance plans than ever before, including expanded Medi-Cal (Partnership) coverage, and we are working diligently to bring Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and others on board. As our onboarding nears completion, we anticipate reaching full capacity by January, ensuring that:
If a patient wants Butte Home Health or Hospice, they should receive Butte Home Health or Hospice. This is our mission heading into 2026.
Collaboration That Improves Lives
Throughout this transition, our colleagues at Enloe Health have been steadfast partners. Their communication, collaboration, and support have made it possible to transfer care smoothly, prevent patients from falling through the cracks, and reduce avoidable hospital re-admissions. This is what community-based health care looks like when everyone pulls in the same direction:
- Smoother transitions of care
- Fewer hospital readmissions
- Improved patient recovery at home
- No patient left behind during the transition
This collaboration is exactly what high-quality, community-based health care should look like.
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
The next chapter is already taking shape. In 2026, we will:
Deepen Our Commitment to Quality
As our organization has grown, we have doubled down on the one thing that matters most: quality of care. This fall, we brought in nationally recognized home health experts to train our clinicians on the latest evidence-based best practices. These sessions focus on strengthening clinical judgment, improving care coordination, and reducing avoidable hospital readmissions.
By investing in advanced training and elevating our standards, we’re ensuring that every patient—no matter their needs, location, or insurance—receives exceptional care at home. This commitment is part of who we are, and it will continue guiding us as we move into 2026 and beyond.
Strengthen Our Partnership With Enloe
We will continue refining workflows, adding insurance coverage, and building the kind of integrated post-acute system that our community deserves.
Grow With Our Community
As Butte County and the surrounding region grow, so will our programs. We’re committed to meeting rising demand with compassion, excellence, and preparedness.
Invest in Our Team
Our staff is our greatest strength. We will continue to invest in training, education, and professional development so that our skills rise with the needs of the community.
Expand Our Physician Advisory Group
Input from local physicians has been invaluable. Expanding this group gives us a broader view of community needs and helps shape new programs for the future.
Explore New Services
As we gain traction, we’ll study additional home-based care models and evaluate where we can add meaningful value to patients and families.
Expanding Our Volunteer Program
Beginning in 2026, we will also be expanding our Volunteer Program, which plays an essential role in supporting patients and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. Volunteers provide companionship, respite for caregivers, and countless small acts of kindness that make a profound impact on the hospice experience.
As we grow, we are committed to recruiting, training, and supporting more volunteers than ever before, ensuring that every family who desires this extra layer of comfort and connection has access to it. Those interested in volunteering can learn more here.
Strengthening Philanthropy to Ensure Access for All
We are also renewing our focus on donations and community philanthropy to help strengthen our programs and ensure that no patient is ever turned away because of financial hardship. Gifts to Butte Home Health & Hospice support patient access, essential services not covered by insurance, grief support, volunteer training, and the compassionate care that defines our mission.
As the need for home-based care continues to rise, philanthropy will be vital in helping us bridge gaps, innovate, and make sure every patient receives the care they deserve—regardless of their ability to pay. Our donation page here for those seeking to support our mission.
Gratitude for a Community That Believes and Trusts in Us
This transition began with a simple mission: More care, not less.
Today, thanks to extraordinary teamwork and a supportive community, that mission is alive and thriving. We are grateful for:
- Our dedicated Butte team
- Our new colleagues from Enloe
- Our partners at Enloe Health
- Our patients, families, and local physicians
- The communities of Chico, Paradise, Oroville, Orland, Willows, Corning, and Red Bluff – and the many rural spaces in between.
Together, we are proving what is possible when a community chooses to care boldly and work collaboratively.
Here’s to a strong finish in 2025 and an even brighter 2026.
