Health Management Associates (Florida company)

Health Management Associates (HMA) was a for-profit hospital management company based in Naples, Florida. The company was founded in 1977 and operated hospitals primarily in the Southern United States. HMA provided a range of healthcare services through its network of hospitals, including emergency care, surgery, diagnostic imaging, and rehabilitation services.

History

Health Management Associates was established in 1977. Over the years, the company expanded its operations by acquiring and managing hospitals in rural and suburban areas. By the early 2000s, HMA had grown to become one of the largest hospital management companies in the United States.

In 2013, HMA was acquired by Community Health Systems, another large hospital management company. The acquisition was valued at approximately $7.6 billion, including the assumption of debt. Following the acquisition, HMA's hospitals were integrated into Community Health Systems' operations.

Operations

HMA operated hospitals in various states, including Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina. The company's business model focused on providing healthcare services in underserved areas, where there was often a lack of access to medical facilities.

The services offered by HMA hospitals included:

• Emergency care
• Surgical services
• Diagnostic imaging
• Rehabilitation services
• Outpatient care

Controversies

Health Management Associates faced several controversies during its operation. The company was accused of engaging in practices that prioritized profits over patient care. In 2013, HMA was the subject of a federal investigation into allegations of Medicare fraud. The investigation focused on claims that HMA pressured physicians to admit patients unnecessarily to increase revenue.

Acquisition by Community Health Systems

In July 2013, Community Health Systems announced its intention to acquire Health Management Associates. The acquisition was completed in January 2014, and HMA's hospitals were subsequently rebranded under the Community Health Systems name.

See also

• Community Health Systems
• Hospital management
• Healthcare in the United States
• Medicare fraud