NORTHEAST, PA — Merakey, a company that provides services in Northeast PA, including for clients in Wayne and Pike counties, will close its doors in most locations at the end of October.  The closing will have an impact on about 150 employees and 2,400 clients.

The company treats mental health and addictive diseases as well as autism and other developmental diseases. A statement from the company said, “After having worked for years to find an affordable way to offer its behavioral health services locally, Merakey in Northeastern Pennsylvania today regretfully announced that it will close all of its programs, with the exception of its Dual Diagnosis Treatment Teams, operating in Lackawanna, Wayne, Susquehanna and Pike counties effective at the end of October. We recognize that this decision, though necessary, will impact the lives of our consumers and employees alike. We are committed to doing all that we can to minimize this disruption to consumers and staff.”

The company said that the main reason for the closure is the low reimbursement rates paid for treatment by insurance companies

Two of the facilities that will be shuttered are located in Honesdale and Carbondale. The Wayne County Commissioners issued a statement that said that before the closing all patients will be referred to other providers. Merakey was previously known as NHS.

A person named Charles Farr posted on a website, “I have been a employee of Merakey AKA NHS since they took over Tri County in this area. I can assure you that not all will have service by the time October 28 rolls around. For example, Scranton Counseling Center, Dr. Berger and Dr. Campbell all in this area have waiting lists that extend over 6 months.”