Industry
Eight Health Systems Exit Home-Based Care Programs in 2026
Becker's Hospital Review reports that eight health systems have closed, sold or announced plans to exit home-based care programs in 2026. Cone Health, Health First and Covenant Health are ending hospital-at-home programs citing industry and regulatory pressures, while Aspirus St. Luke's and Altru Health System discontinued home health divisions. HCA Healthcare sold 31 home health and hospice agencies to Deaconess Associations, and ECU Health is selling its home health and hospice business to Liberty Home Care and Hospice pending state approval. Trinity Health is suspending home health and outpatient hospice services and seeking community providers to take over.
Why it mattersShrinking hospital-at-home and home health capacity shifts post-acute and LTSS referral patterns that Medicaid managed care plans and state agencies rely on for discharge planning and home-based care access.