USA – HCA Healthcare, Inc., one of the nation’s largest healthcare providers, has announced the acquisition of MD Now Urgent Care, a network of 59 urgent care centers in Florida.

The transaction significantly broadens HCA Healthcare’s reach as one of the nation’s leading providers of urgent care, with over 170 clinics in 19 markets. MD Now is Florida’s largest urgent care provider.

The addition of MD Now Urgent Care in Florida enhances our already strong capabilities in a rapidly growing state by providing convenient outpatient care options for our patients,” said Sam Hazen, HCA Healthcare’s chief executive officer.

It also connects MD Now patients to a comprehensive statewide network of care, including acute care and specialty services should they be needed.”

The acquisition of these MD Now centers, combined with HCA Healthcare’s November announcement of plans to build three additional hospitals in the state, will strengthen HCA Florida Healthcare’s ability to provide patient-centered, high-quality care to more Floridians and meet the state’s growing demand for healthcare services.

In response to the state’s growing population, HCA recently announced plans to construct three new hospitals in nearby Gainesville, Fort Myers, and The Villages.

These three hospitals would join the company’s HCA Florida Healthcare division’s 47 others in serving more than 6.4 million patients annually across over 400 affiliated sites of care, according to HCA.

Both announcements are bolstered by HCA’s US$3 billion investment in its Florida interests over the last three years.

This includes the US$360 million HCA Florida University Hospital as well as existing facility renovations throughout the state to accommodate new, cutting-edge equipment.

The acquisition significantly expands HCA’s current portfolio of more than 170 urgent care centers. HCA’s strategic focus over the last few years has been to build its service lines in core markets, primarily in growing population areas, in order to capture patients along a continuum of care, from a less acute urgent care visit to a hospital stay.

HCA purchased a majority stake in Brookdale Health Care Services’ home health and hospice business last year, as the pandemic increased the importance of at-home care.

That US$400 million acquisition exemplified HCA’s strategy of expanding its product offerings while diversifying its portfolio.

During the most recent quarter, HCA reported US$2.26 billion in net income and US$15.2 billion in revenue, prompting the system to raise its full-year revenue guidance to US$58.7 billion to US$59.3 billion as reported by Fiercepharma.

The organization consists of 183 hospitals and approximately 2,000 ambulatory care sites and has been relatively active in the merger and acquisition market.

In the last year, the chain has sold several Georgia hospitals, purchased five new Utah hospitals from Steward Health Care, and acquired a significant portion of Brookdale Senior Living’s home health and hospice business.

HCA’s leadership stated that each of these deals, like its intentions in the Florida market, reflects a broader strategy of fleshing out its network of services in established markets.

Liked this article? Sign up to receive our regular email newsletters, focused on Africa and World’s healthcare industry, directly into your inbox. SUBSCRIBE HERE