Transactions: Pennant Expands; LHC Group, HouseWorks Close on Deals

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Pennant acquires Bozeman home health provider, Twin Falls senior living asset

The Pennant Group Inc. (Nasdaq: PNTG) announced last week that it has acquired the assets of First Choice Home Health, a home health and personal care services provider in Bozeman, Montana.

“This acquisition complements our existing hospice operations in the state, expanding the continuum of care services we can provide our patients and their families, and opens the door to greater expansion within the region,” Brent Guerisoli, the president of Pennant, said in a press release. “Our acquisition pipeline is robust, and we look forward to further activity this year in existing and new markets as we continue our dialogue with providers looking for the right strategic partner.”

The Eagle, Idaho-based Pennant has 88 home health and hospice agencies and 54 senior living operations across 14 states.

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A few weeks ago, Pennant also made official the acquisition of Heritage Assisted Living of Twin Falls, an 82-unit assisted living and memory care community located in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Pennant CEO Danny Walker recently told Home Health Care News that its acquisition strategy is to purchase community-driven organizations with strong ties to their specific markets, integrate them and then give their decision makers the space to lead.

Derek Bunker, Pennant’s chief investment officer, also said the company’s recent dealmaking lull would not last into the rest of 2022, and that the company has a pipeline of potential deals.

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Thus, these two deals may be the start of a string of acquisitions from the company.

HouseWorks closes on deal to acquire Greater Boston Home Health Care Services

HouseWorks announced last week that it has closed on its agreement to purchase Greater Boston Home Health Care Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1992 by Edward McGonagle, Greater Boston Home Care provides personal care services.

Boston-based HouseWorks is one of the nation’s largest independent home care companies. Along with traditional home care services, HouseWorks also helps clients with certain home-modification needs.

The deal will allow HouseWorks to expand its footprint to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and additional areas in the South Shore of Massachusetts.

Last month, HouseWorks CEO Mike Trigilio told HHCN he felt there was a “tremendous opportunity” for HouseWorks as it continues to grow into the Medicaid-based business through its recent acquisitions.

DispatchHealth announces new partnerships in Montana, Arizona

Denver-based DispatchHealth and Tucson Medical Center Health (TMC Health) are partnering to bring same-day, in-home medical care throughout Tucson.

DispatchHealth is an at-home care provider that operates in over 30 states, providing urgent care and other higher-acuity services. The partnership will allow patients in Tucson to request DispatchHealth’s acute medical care by calling without the need for a referral.

“Since Tucson Medical Center opened over 75 years ago, we’ve consistently searched for the best ways to serve our patients and the community,” Judy Rich, president and CEO of TMC Health, said in a press release. “Our partnership with DispatchHealth is part of our ‘You First’ vision – bringing exceptional health care with compassion closer to where our patients need us to be.”

DispatchHealth also announced a similar partnership with Billings Clinic, Montana’s largest health care organization.

“At Billings Clinic, we believe that the best way to provide effective health care is to keep it local,” Mary Albers, Billings Clinic COO, said in a press release. “Our collaboration with DispatchHealth is another step forward towards innovative care models to meet patients’ care needs.”

LHC Group finalizes home health partnership with Archbold Medical Center

LHC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: LHCG) announced this week that it has finalized a joint venture partnership for in-home health care services with Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville, Georgia.

The joint venture will include two locations that will serve Thomas, Brooks, Grady, Colquitt, Mitchell, Decatur and Seminole counties in Georgia.

LHC Group purchased majority ownership but both agencies will continue operating under their existing names.

LHC Group currently has more than 546 home health locations around the country and is the joint venture partner for more than 400 leading hospitals across the United States.

The initial agreement was first announced by the two organizations in March.

VillageMD expands to Massachusetts

The first of at least 10 new VillageMD locations in Massachusetts will open later this month in Quincy, the company and Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA) announced this week.

VillageMD plans to open more than 10 new Village Medical at Walgreens primary care practices in Massachusetts by the beginning of 2023.

The Massachusetts expansion will create more than 350 full-time jobs in the area and employ more than 150 physicians, nurse practitioners, medical assistants and other STEM employees.

“VillageMD and Walgreens are working together to increase access to high-quality primary care coordinated with convenient pharmacy services across the nation,” John Torontow, national medical director of VillageMD, said in a press release. “Our model empowers our experienced physicians and pharmacists to focus on comprehensive patient care, which results in better health for our patients and communities.”

With the Massachusetts openings, VillageMD and Walgreens will have opened more than 100 practices across 13 markets, including Arizona, Florida, Texas, Kentucky and Indiana. The companies are on track to open more than 200 practices by the end of 2022.

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