#United States #healthcare #Denver #Medically Home #DispatchHealth

DispatchHealth and Medically Home to Merge

In a significant development for the healthcare landscape, DispatchHealth and Medically Home have announced their decision to merge, aiming to redefine the standards of advanced medical care delivered at home. With this merger, they seek to establish the most comprehensive provider of hospital-level care at home in the United States.

The Merger Details

Once the agreement is finalized, Medically Home will operate under the DispatchHealth banner. This merger will enable both companies to enhance their capabilities and extend high-acuity care into over 50 metropolitan areas across the country. This ambitious endeavor will be achieved in collaboration with nearly 40 healthcare systems and majority of major health plans, promising a seamless transition for patients looking for high-quality medical care in the comfort of their homes.

Dr. Mark Prather, co-founder and executive chair of DispatchHealth, highlighted the transformative potential of this merger, stating, "We're combining decades of expertise to create a seamless, scalable model for hospital-level care at home—bringing the right care to the right place at the right time for more people." This vision is particularly timely as the healthcare industry grapples with rising costs, hospital capacity limitations, and an increasing preference from patients for home-based care.

Addressing Rising Demand in Home Healthcare

The demand for hospital-at-home services has surged, with projections suggesting that the market will reach a staggering $300 billion by the year 2028. This is primarily driven by improved patient outcomes and higher cost efficiency. Through this merger, the new entity aims to provide comprehensive care—from urgent same-day treatments to advanced hospital-level interventions—thereby potentially reducing overall care costs by up to 30% within just 30 days.

Moreover, the merger is set to free up over 62,000 hospital bed days annually, significantly alleviating pressure on health systems and ensuring patients receive prompt and effective care at home.

A Sustainable Healthcare Model

Jennifer Webster, CEO of DispatchHealth, emphasized the importance of aligning clinical excellence with financial sustainability. "Healthcare demands innovative solutions that align clinical excellence with financial sustainability," she noted. By merging, both DispatchHealth and Medically Home are set to enhance access to high-quality care, reduce treatment costs, and bolster capacity for healthcare systems nationwide.

The sentiment was echoed by Graham Barnes, CEO of Medically Home, who expressed confidence in the advantages of their combined capabilities. "For many patients, the best hospital bed is the one at home," he said. By synergizing forces, they hope to enable more families, healthcare providers, and health systems to transition confidently towards high-acuity home-based care.

Additionally, Pippa Shulman, chief medical officer and chief strategy officer of Medically Home, reiterated the positive outcomes associated with hospital-at-home programs. "Hospital-at-home has consistently demonstrated better outcomes, and we believe every patient—regardless of where they live—deserves access to that level of care," she stated. The merger will play a vital role in breaking down barriers to access, ensuring more families in underserved communities receive advanced medical care directly at home.

Anticipated Completion

The merger is anticipated to close in mid-2025, contingent upon customary closing conditions and necessary regulatory approvals. While the financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, both companies have involved legal and financial advisors to ensure a smooth transition.

About DispatchHealth

DispatchHealth is a frontrunner in delivering high-acuity, in-home medical services to individuals facing serious health issues. Established in 2013, the organization has served over 1.2 million patients across 20 U.S. states, boasting impressive metrics such as a 58% emergency room avoidance rate and a remarkable patient satisfaction rating of 98%.

About Medically Home

Medically Home specializes in enabling hospital-at-home technology, providing the necessary clinical protocols and platform technology for health systems to deliver safe, emergency-level care at home. Together, they serve a shared mission—to make hospital-level care accessible to every patient in the comfort of their own home.