Encompass Health announces preliminary plans to build a 60-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Avondale, Arizona

Rhea-AI Summary

Encompass Health Corp. (EHC) plans to construct a 60-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Avondale, Arizona, offering specialized care for patients with various conditions. The hospital will provide comprehensive therapies and advanced technologies to aid in recovery, aiming to enhance patients' quality of life and independence.

Healthcare Industry Analyst

The announcement by Encompass Health Corp. to establish a new 60-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Avondale, Arizona, signifies a strategic expansion within the healthcare industry. This development is indicative of the growing demand for specialized rehabilitation services, particularly for conditions such as strokes, neurological disorders and spinal cord injuries. The decision to locate within The District at Crystal Springs suggests a targeted approach to tap into a community with potential patient demand.

From an industry perspective, the move aligns with the broader trend of healthcare providers focusing on specialized services that offer higher reimbursement rates and margins compared to general acute care. This expansion can potentially increase Encompass Health's market share in the rehabilitation sector and enhance its competitive positioning in Arizona. The addition of advanced rehabilitation technologies and a comprehensive suite of services may also serve as a differentiator in the market, potentially attracting a higher number of referrals from acute care providers.

Financial Analyst

Encompass Health's investment in a new facility is a capital-intensive endeavor, which will likely impact its short-term financials due to construction and operational setup costs. However, the long-term financial implications could be favorable if the hospital succeeds in capturing a significant share of the local market for rehabilitation services. The creation of a seventh hospital in Arizona reflects a bullish outlook on the region's healthcare market and may be seen positively by investors seeking growth in the healthcare sector.

It's important to monitor the company's quarterly earnings reports following the hospital's opening to assess the impact on revenue growth and operating margins. Additionally, evaluating the company's debt levels and financing methods for this project will be crucial, as excessive borrowing could raise concerns about financial sustainability.

Market Research Analyst

Maricopa County's demographic trends, including an aging population and increasing incidences of conditions necessitating rehabilitation services, provide a backdrop for Encompass Health's strategic decision. Market research would suggest that there is a substantial opportunity for growth in this area. The hospital's focus on individualized care and high-quality services is likely to meet consumer expectations, which have been shifting towards personalized healthcare experiences.

The success of this new facility will depend on several factors, including the hospital's ability to establish strong referral networks, effective marketing to raise awareness of its services and the maintenance of high standards of patient care to ensure repeat business and positive word-of-mouth. The hospital's integration into Encompass Health's national network could also offer operational efficiencies and brand recognition benefits.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced preliminary plans to build a freestanding, 60-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Avondale, Arizona. The hospital will be located within The District at Crystal Springs development at the southwest corner of Avondale Boulevard and McDowell Road.

The hospital will serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions. In addition to 24-hour nursing care, the hospital will offer physical, occupational and speech therapies to restore functional ability and quality of life. Care will be provided by highly specialized nurses, therapists and physicians.

The hospital will feature private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym with advanced rehabilitation technologies and an activities of daily living suite, dining room, pharmacy and therapy courtyard.

"We are excited to bring much-needed inpatient rehabilitation services to Maricopa County," said Kim Steward, president of Encompass Health's West region. "The hospital will provide high-quality, compassionate and individualized care close to home, helping patients regain the strength and function needed to return to the community at their highest level of independence."

The hospital will be part of Encompass Health's national network of rehabilitation hospitals, and it will be Encompass Health's seventh hospital in Arizona.

About Encompass Health
Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 161 hospitals in 37 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies and Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as those relating to the likelihood, timing and effects of the completion of this hospital project, are forward-looking statements. In addition, Encompass Health may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Encompass Health's actual results or events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the regulatory review and approval process, any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings that may be brought by or against the Company; the possibility this project will experience unexpected delays; the ability to successfully complete this project consistent with Encompass Health's growth strategy, including realization of anticipated revenues and avoidance of unforeseen exposure to liabilities; disease outbreaks, including the speed, depth, geographic reach and duration of the spread; the actions to be taken by Encompass Health in response to disease outbreaks; changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry at either or both of the federal and state levels; competitive pressures in the healthcare industry and Encompass Health's response thereto; the hospital's ability to maintain proper local, state and federal licensing; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of Encompass Health's information systems; Encompass Health's ability to attract and retain nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals in a highly competitive environment with often severe staffing shortages and the impact on Encompass Health's labor expenses from potential union activity and staffing shortages; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for Encompass Health's services by governmental or private payors; general conditions in the economy and capital markets; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023.

Media contact:
Kennedi Spurling | 205-970-5912
kennedi.spurling@encompasshealth.com

Investor Relations contact:
Mark Miller | 205-970-5860
mark.miller@encompasshealth.com

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SOURCE Encompass Health Corp.

Where will Encompass Health Corp. build a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital?

Encompass Health Corp. will build a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Avondale, Arizona.

What types of patients will the hospital serve?

The hospital will serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, including strokes, neurological disorders, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and complex orthopedic conditions.

What services will the hospital offer?

The hospital will provide 24-hour nursing care, physical, occupational, and speech therapies, specialized care by nurses, therapists, and physicians, private patient rooms, advanced rehabilitation technologies, and therapy courtyard.

How many hospitals does Encompass Health Corp. have in Arizona?

Encompass Health Corp. will have seven hospitals in Arizona with the addition of the new inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

Who will oversee the development of the new hospital?

Kim Steward, president of Encompass Health's West region, will oversee the development of the new inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Avondale, Arizona.