Capital Finance

Although the numbers suggest healthcare spending is breaking out from its recent periods of low growth, Altarum Institute warns that bump seen in March might not last.

The move away from inpatient care towards services provided outside of the hospital setting is leading many healthcare systems to sell off properties owned by their hospitals in an effort to scale back and raise some extra cash.

The company earned $38.9 million in the first quarter on nearly $1.3 billion in revenue, pointing to higher admissions across the company.

As providers face declines in reimbursement from commercial plans, they are seeing more patients covered under the lower-reimbursement rates for Medicaid and Medicare.

Medicaid expansion, and the rise of insured populations seeking care at the for-profit company's 200 hospitals, pads balance sheet for the Tennessee-based healthcare provider.

The economic recovery has been a major driver, but the increase in the number of people insured through the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion is likely having the biggest effect.

It's been a good few years for the investment portfolios at U.S. health systems. Unfortunately, the comfortable ride is probably about to end.

Net income for Brentwood, Tennessee-based LifePoint increased 5 percent year-over-year to $38.9 million, as revenue surged 25 percent to $1.2 billion.

The health system is losing around $6 million a month, and may or may not be able to find a buyer after for-profit hospital chain Prime backed out of an $843 million takeover deal.

Tax deals and donations were not enough to keep the facility open.