Encompass Health appoints Cain Hayes to its board of directors

Rhea-AI Summary

Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) announced on February 2, 2026 the appointment of Cain A. Hayes to its board of directors.

Hayes retired as president and CEO of Point32Health in 2024 and previously led Gateway Health Plan and held senior roles at Aetna and Nationwide. Board chair Greg Carmichael highlighted Hayes' payor expertise and leadership as strengthening board succession and strategic oversight.

News Market Reaction

-0.74%

1 alert

-0.74% News Effect

On the day this news was published, EHC declined 0.74%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced the appointment of Cain A. Hayes to its board of directors.

Hayes joins the Encompass Health board with significant experience in health care, strategic leadership, human capital management, risk management and governmental regulation. He retired as president and chief executive officer of Point32Health, Inc., a top-20 U.S. health plan, in 2024. Prior to joining Point32Health in 2021, he served as president and chief executive officer of Gateway Health Plan, Inc., following a long executive career with prominent financial services companies such as Aetna and Nationwide.

"We are pleased to welcome to the Encompass Health board Cain and his strong health care payor expertise as well as his more than two decades of leadership experience in the highly regulated insurance and financial services industries," said Greg Carmichael, chairman of Encompass Health's board of directors. "I am confident his payor perspective and experience will be valuable to our board. The appointment of Cain reflects our commitment to adding important expertise and fresh perspectives as part of our regular board succession planning, while maintaining the Company's position as the leading provider of inpatient rehabilitation services in a rapidly changing health care environment."

"I am honored and delighted to join the Encompass Health board," said Hayes. "The Company is a recognized leader in the health care industry with a demonstrated commitment to delivering high-quality, cost-effective post-acute care. I look forward to helping further that commitment, contributing to the Company's strategic direction and building long-term value for its stockholders."

About Encompass Health
Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 173 hospitals in 39 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 recognized as America's Most Awarded Leader in Inpatient Rehabilitation by Newsweek and Statista and is ranked among Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies™ and Forbes' America's Best Companies. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, X, Instagram and Facebook.

From Fortune.© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Fortune® is a registered trademark and Fortune World's Most Admired Companies™ is trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Encompass Health.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as board succession planning, the prospects of the Company and the long-term stockholder value, 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,  any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings that may be brought by or against the Company; changes in the regulation of the health care industry at either or both of the federal and state levels; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of Encompass Health's information systems; 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 December 31, 2024 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2025, June 30, 2025, and September 30, 2025.

Media Contact 
Polly Manuel | 205-970-5912 
media@encompasshealth.com

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

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/encompass-health-appoints-cain-hayes-to-its-board-of-directors-302675747.html

SOURCE Encompass Health Corp.

FAQ

When did Encompass Health (EHC) appoint Cain A. Hayes to its board of directors?

Encompass Health appointed Cain A. Hayes to its board on February 2, 2026. According to Encompass Health, the appointment is part of regular board succession planning to add payor expertise and fresh perspectives to the board.

What is Cain A. Hayes's executive background that led to his Encompass Health (EHC) board appointment?

Cain Hayes retired as president and CEO of Point32Health in 2024 and previously led Gateway Health Plan. According to Encompass Health, he also held senior roles at Aetna and Nationwide, bringing payor, regulatory, and human capital experience to the board.

How did Encompass Health describe the expected contribution of Cain Hayes to EHC's board?

Encompass Health said Hayes will add payor perspective and decades of leadership experience to its board. According to Encompass Health, management expects his expertise in health plan operations and regulation to aid strategic oversight and long-term shareholder value creation.

Will Cain Hayes’s appointment to Encompass Health (EHC) change the company’s strategic direction immediately?

The company framed the appointment as strengthening board expertise rather than signaling an immediate strategic shift. According to Encompass Health, Hayes will contribute to strategic direction and governance over time as part of routine succession planning.