The health system is investing in ambulatory operations in two different markets to reach new patients.
After setting its sights on expanding ambulatory care, Ardent Health continues to make moves to grow its network.
The latest deal featuring the for-profit health system saw it acquire 18 urgent care clinic clinics from NextCare Urgent Care, solidifying its presence into New Mexico and Oklahoma.
The transaction adds to the nine urgent care centers Brentwood, Tennessee-based Ardent Health picked up in East Texas and Topeka, Kansas in 2024.
Of the 18 facilities purchased from NextCare, 12 will become part of Hillcrest HealthCare System in Oklahoma, while six will be part of Lovelace Health System in New Mexico. Through its subsidiaries, Ardent Health operates five hospitals and 25 sites of care in New Mexico, along with eight hospitals and 57 sites of care in Oklahoma.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"Expanding our urgent care footprint represents significant progress in our mission to create a consumer-focused ecosystem of care in each of the communities we serve," Ardent Health president and CEO Marty Bonick said in a statement. "Weโre helping patients receive the care they need, when and where they need it, by increasing access to convenient, high-quality services. These additional access points also bring new patients into our network while creating enhanced capacity to serve patients within our clinics and Emergency Departments."
Ardent Health closed its initial public offering in July, which allowed it to raise $192 million. In the wake of going public, the organization stated it would pursue dealmaking for outpatient services, including ambulatory care.
Investment on the outpatient side has been a popular strategy of late for traditional providers due to its ability to capture new patients without incurring the same level of costs that come with inpatient care.
The latest National Hospital Flash Report by Kaufman Hall revealed that outpatient revenue per calendar day increased 7% month over month, besting inpatient revenue's rise of 1%.
Beyond its footprint in New Mexico and Oklahoma, Ardent Health also operates in Idaho, Kansas, New Jersey, and Texas. Overall, the organization has 30 acute care hospitals and more than 200 sites of care with over 1,800 affiliated providers.
Jay Asser is the CEO editor for HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Ardent Health has purchased 18 facilities from NextCare Urgent Care, consisting of 12 clinics in Oklahoma and six in New Mexico.
The organization stated its desire to invest in outpatient care services following the closure of its initial public offering back in July.
Health systems have targeted outpatient sites of care in M&A due to their rising profitability.