Hospital Systems Battle for North Carolina Market Share
- Four health systems are vying for approval to expand acute care capacity in Buncombe, Graham, Madison, and Yancey counties, navigating North Carolina's certificate-of-need (CON) process.
- the "2025 State Medical Facilities Plan" released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) identified a need for 129 additional acute care beds...
- The CON process is designed to control healthcare costs and prevent unnecessary duplication of services.
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Competition Heats Up for 129 Acute Care Beds in Western North Carolina
Table of Contents
Four health systems are vying for approval to expand acute care capacity in Buncombe, Graham, Madison, and Yancey counties, navigating North Carolina’s certificate-of-need (CON) process.
the Need for Expansion: 2025 State Medical Facilities Plan
the “2025 State Medical Facilities Plan” released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) identified a need for 129 additional acute care beds within the service areas of Buncombe, Graham, Madison, and Yancey counties. This determination triggers the state’s certificate-of-need process, requiring healthcare providers to demonstrate a community need and financial viability before expanding capacity.
The CON process is designed to control healthcare costs and prevent unnecessary duplication of services. Applicants must prove their proposed expansion aligns with the state’s healthcare goals and won’t unduly strain resources. the application deadline is october 15,2024,with the NCDHHS Division of Health Service Regulation beginning its review on November 1,2024.
The Contenders
Four health systems have signaled their intent to compete for the coveted 129 beds. Here’s a breakdown of each applicant:
1. UNC Health
UNC Health,based in Chapel Hill,North Carolina,in partnership with UNC Health Pardee in Hendersonville,North Carolina,plans to submit a proposal for a 129-bed community hospital in Buncombe County. A UNC Health spokesperson confirmed this to Becker’s Hospital Review on October 7, 2024.
The proposed hospital aims to leverage UNC Health Pardee’s established presence and UNC Health’s statewide commitment to improve access to care in the rapidly growing western North Carolina region. The health system emphasizes its dedication to public service and experience in the area as key strengths of its application.
2. Mission health (HCA Healthcare)
Mission Hospital, part of Nashville, Tennessee-based HCA Healthcare, is also pursuing the 129-bed expansion. A spokesperson for Mission Health confirmed their application to Becker’s Hospital Review. Mission Hospital currently serves as a regional referral center, accepting transfers from other facilities when specialized care is needed.
Mission Health’s application is highly likely to highlight its role as a high-level medical care provider and its existing infrastructure to support the increased bed capacity. They currently accept “thousands of transfers each year from other hospitals that have available beds,” suggesting a critical need for their specialized services.
3. AdventHealth
AdventHealth,a national non-profit health system,is also competing for the beds,according to reporting from the Asheville Citizen Times on october 9, 202