ECU Health Transfers Home Health, Hospice to Liberty
ECU Health's home health and hospice services transitioned to Liberty Home Care and Hospice on November 1.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Healthcare
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ECU Health has transitioned its home health and hospice services to Liberty Home Care and Hospice, effective November 1. The sale covers home health offices in Greenville, Windsor, Washington and Kenansville, hospice offices in Greenville, Ahoskie and Kenansville, and the Service League of Greenville Hospice House.
Why it matters
The transfer keeps home health and hospice care available across eastern North Carolina after a planned closure of the division had been reported. ECU Health and Liberty say they are working to maintain patient care, scheduling and communication during the transition.
A WARN notice filed in April showed a planned May 1 closure of the division affecting 161 employees. The filing does not indicate how many of those employees will be offered positions under Liberty's staffing model.
The players
ECU Health
ECU Health is the East Carolina University-affiliated health system serving eastern North Carolina.
Liberty Home Care and Hospice
Liberty Home Care and Hospice is a home health and hospice provider that took over ECU Health's services.
North Carolina Attorney General's Office
The North Carolina Attorney General's Office is the state agency that reviewed and approved the sale.
The details
The sale was announced in March and approved by the North Carolina Attorney General's Office. Liberty will offer transition opportunities to some ECU Health employees based on its staffing model, and an earlier report cited declining reimbursements and financial pressures in rural health care.
Timeline
March: ECU Health announced the sale of its home health and hospice services.
April: A WARN notice showed a planned May 1 closure of the division affecting 161 employees.
November 1: The transition of services to Liberty Home Care and Hospice took effect.
Market Landscape
The transfer reflects the pressure on rural health systems to shed unprofitable home health and hospice lines while reimbursement levels decline. Liberty's acquisition positions a dedicated home care provider to absorb services that a hospital system no longer found sustainable.
Patients receiving home health or hospice care in the affected communities will be served by Liberty going forward, with ECU Health and Liberty working to maintain scheduling and communication. Patients should confirm their care arrangements directly with their provider during the transition.
The takeaway
Patients and families relying on home health or hospice services should confirm their provider and schedule directly. Shifts in ownership can affect staffing and communication even when services continue.
Further reading
Explore more Healthcare coverage from across North Carolina.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCTI.
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