Acquired by Grant Avenue Capital
Reduction in nursing staff and replacement with lower-skilled LPNs and nursing aides, leading to longer wait times and less personalized care for patients
Sale and leaseback of 21st Century Healthcare's hospital real estate, extracting equity for investors but potentially increasing facility costs that get passed on to patients
Aggressive billing upcoding practices, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs for patients through increased deductibles and co-pays
Elimination of unprofitable but essential services like mental health, maternity, and rural care, reducing access to comprehensive healthcare for vulnerable populations
Announcements of 'optimization' programs and leadership changes, but no visible impact on patient experience yet
Staffing reductions begin, leading to longer wait times and less time spent with each patient during appointments
Patients start to notice declines in service quality, such as rushed doctor visits, equipment appearing outdated, and difficulty accessing specialized care
Closures of entire departments or facilities, leading to healthcare deserts in some communities and further strains on the remaining services
Potential bankruptcy or sale of 21st Century Healthcare to another operator, causing further disruption and uncertainty for patients
Other companies that followed a similar path after PE acquisition
Monitor any announcements or changes at 21st Century Healthcare closely, and be prepared for potential declines in service quality and access to care
Advocate for your local representatives to closely scrutinize the acquisition and ensure that essential healthcare services are maintained in your community
Consider seeking alternative healthcare providers if the quality of care at 21st Century Healthcare deteriorates significantly
Community-focused healthcare
Integrated managed care consortium