Transactions: Pennant Group Acquires Home Health Agency; BrightStar Adds Corporate-Owned Locations

The Pennant Group acquires the assets of Kenosha Visiting Nurse Association

The Pennant Group Inc. (Nasdaq: PNTG) has purchased the assets of Kenosha Visiting Nurse Association Inc., a provider of home health, private-duty home care and community health services in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

“We are pleased to expand our home health operations deeper into southern Wisconsin,” Pennant CEO Brent Guerisoli said in a press statement. “[Kenosha Visiting Nurse Association] will be a great partner to our senior living affiliates in the area as we further expand the continuum of care and provide life-changing service to the residents of Kenosha and its surrounding communities.”

The Eagle, Idaho-based Pennant is a holding company of independent operating subsidiaries, with a network that includes 95 home health and hospice agencies and 49 senior living communities located across the U.S.

The deal falls in line with the company’s strategy of buying local agencies that have roots in their communities.

“[Kenosha Visiting Nurse Association] has been a community staple since 1927,” Brian Wayment, president of Cornerstone Healthcare Inc., Pennant’s home health and hospice subsidiary, said in a statement. “[Kenosha Visiting Nurse Association] staff have touched countless lives over the decades. We are very honored to be able to carry forward this amazing legacy of compassionate service and care to the community.”

BrightStar Care beefs up its corporate footprint

BrightStar Care has acquired four new corporate-owned locations. The company now has 20 company-owned locations in its network.

“As we continue to align with where the health care industry is heading, we are focused on expanding BrightStar Owned by acquiring well-established franchised agencies we can learn and grow from,” Shelly Sun, founder and CEO of BrightStar Care, said in a statement. “The information and key takeaways we’re getting from BSO are vital for the future success of our network as the market continues to change rapidly. Franchising is how we became a nationwide enterprise, and we will continue to put processes in place to ensure its longevity for years to come.”

Chicago-based BrightStar Care is a home care and medical staffing franchise with more than 365 locations nationwide. The company provides medical and non-medical services to clients in their homes, as well as supplemental care staff to corporate clients.

The four new locations are in Arizona and South Carolina.

Over the years, a number of home care franchise companies have added company-owned locations to their larger franchise networks.

The company has been able to expand its corporate-owned footprint rapidly. Just two years ago, BrightStar Care only had just three corporate-owned agencies.

Alana Healthcare buys Preferred Home Health Providers

Alana Healthcare has acquired Eustis, Florida-based Preferred Home Health Providers. The latter provides in-home health care services in the Lake, Marion and Sumter counties.

Alana Healthcare is a health solutions company that provides support and education for people living with chronic diseases.

“Alana Healthcare is a proud leader of chronic care and in-home respiratory care in the nation. We recently launched Alana Home Care in Tennessee, and knew home health care was our next logical step for expansion,” Alana Healthcare CEO Timothy Sheehan said in a press statement. “We already have a strong in-home care presence in Florida, and the opportunity to continue the high level of in-home healthcare services [Preferred Home Health Providers] provides to Lakes, Sumner, and Marion counties, including The Villages and surrounding communities, is something we are excited to support.”

Preferred Home Health Providers will retain its services, staff and personnel.

Companions and Homemakers changes ownership

Companions and Homemakers, an in-home personal care provider in Connecticut, has changed its ownership and branding moving forward.

The deal has a few components. TheKey purchased Companions and Homemakers’ private pay division, which will operate under TheKey’s branding.

AccordCare acquired the company’s Medicaid division, which will continue operating under the Companions and Homemakers brand.

Additionally, the two organizations will form a partnership “with each provider expanding upon existing capabilities to deliver quality and compassionate care in its respective payer segment,” Companions and Homemakers stated in a press release.

“We are excited to formally welcome the Companions and Homemakers Private division team and clients to TheKey family,” Matt Neal, chief development officer at TheKey, said in a statement. “Companions and Homemakers has distinguished itself as a leading provider for private clients for more than three decades, and we look forward to building upon its strong commitment to quality home care in Connecticut.”