Ernest Health has announced plans to build six inpatient rehabilitation hospitals across North Carolina, with sites secured in Winston-Salem, Mooresville, Gastonia, Hickory, South Asheville/Arden and Goldsboro. The company has partnered with Winston-Salem–based Summit Healthcare Group for the development. Each hospital will serve patients recovering from strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopaedic conditions. The facilities will feature private patient suites, therapy gyms, dining rooms and therapy courtyards. Ernest Health currently owns and operates 45 medical rehabilitation hospitals across 14 states. The company said additional North Carolina markets are under evaluation for future phases, with bed counts and opening timelines to be announced as projects advance through planning and regulatory review.

Ernest Health breaks ground on new hospital in Broomfield, Colorado. Ernest Health today broke ground on a new 56-bed medical rehabilitation hospital in Broomfield, Colo. The hospital will be the second location of Denver Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, which operates in Thornton, Colo. The new facility will be Ernest Health's sixth hospital in the state. Denver Regional Rehabilitation Hospital of Broomfield will provide specialized care to patients who have experienced disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses, or chronic medical conditions, including strokes, brain injuries, spinal injuries, neurological disorders, orthopedic conditions, amputations, and more. "This is an exciting milestone as we expand Ernest Health's ability to reach more Coloradans with high-quality rehabilitation," says Jake Socha, President and CEO of Ernest Health. "Broomfield and surrounding communities are growing, and with that growth comes a greater need for specialized post-acute care. We're proud to continue our investment in Colorado to bring high-quality inpatient rehabilitation closer to home for many patients and families." The new facility will include more than 53,000 square feet on 7.2 acres of land. It will include all private patient rooms, a therapy gym equipped with the latest rehabilitative technology and equipment, a therapeutic courtyard, and an activities of daily living suite that allows patients to practice daily, at-home activities while under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Services provided at Denver Regional Rehabilitation Hospital of Broomfield will be led by a physician and delivered by an interdisciplinary healthcare team. They include: * Around-the-clock rehabilitative nursing care * Physical, occupational, and speech therapies * Respiratory therapy * Dietary services * Case management * Pharmacy services * Social work services, and more "Many patients from Broomfield and the surrounding areas currently have to travel farther from home to receive specialized inpatient rehabilitation," says Christine Duron, CEO of Denver Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. "Having this level of care available in their own community will make a meaningful difference for patients and their families. It will reduce many of the emotional and financial burdens that come with traveling for care, while allowing families to stay close to their loved ones throughout their rehabilitation journeys." The new hospital is expected to treat more than 1,000 patients each year and employ about 175 staff members once it is fully operational. "Ernest Health's new facility in Broomfield represents a significant long-term investment, generating 175 jobs for skilled professionals as well as a boost to our economy. At the same time, this high-quality facility strengthens Broomfield's reputation as a premier destination for healthcare and provides residents with a closer option for care and rehabilitation," said Broomfield's Mayor Guyleen Castriotta. Denver Regional Rehabilitation Hospital of Broomfield is expected to open in 2027.

AR-Backed Working Capital: why NC practices are building liquidity ahead of the 2027 Medicare rate cut. September 20, 2026 North Carolina's healthcare expansion wave is accelerating just as reimbursement pressure approaches. The CMS CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule projects conversion factors of $32.84 for non-QPs and $33.17 for QPs, reflecting the sunset of the temporary 2026 increase. The key takeaway: cash position analysis, not a credit application, will determine which practices can move first on hiring, equipment, expansion, and acquisitions. AR-Backed Working Capital: liquidity before the pressure. AR-Backed Working Capital gives practices forward-looking access to cash already earned. White Coat Financial Partners lends against the aggregate sum of total receivables, not individual claims, while the practice remains in full control of billing, collections, and patient relationships. Non-notification lending model AR-backed rather than credit-score-driven No patient contact or billing intervention Structured repayment aligned with actual collection cycles No compounding factor fees or open-ended discount rates This model can scale from solo practices to multi-location groups. It is designed for medical practices, dental offices, EMS organizations, healthcare suppliers, and clinics managing long reimbursement cycles. Why North Carolina growth requires strategic capital management. Ernest Health recently announced six inpatient rehabilitation hospitals across North Carolina, while Tryon Medical Partners continues expanding across the Charlotte region. Flagship Healthcare Properties also acquired a Hickory medical outpatient building and ASC anchored by Graystone Eye. Growth creates opportunity, but it also requires payroll, technology, staffing, and facility capital before new revenue fully materializes. AR-Backed Working Capital can provide that bridge with clarity and certainty. Equipment leasing complements ar-backed Working Capital. Use AR-backed liquidity for working capital and equipment leasing for imaging, diagnostics, and AI tools. Leasing pays for equipment usage rather than ownership, helping preserve debt capacity and ownership flexibility. Operating leases may appear as expenses on the P&L rather than liabilities on the balance sheet, subject to accounting treatment. Eligible lessees may benefit from IRS Section 179 (check with your tax advisor to see if you qualify). Purchase options can also support technology upgrades at the end of the term. Build your 2027 strategic advantage. Accounting is history. Financing is forward looking. White Coat Financial Partners pairs cash position analysis, capital optimization, equipment leasing, and Lean Six Sigma consulting to shorten billing cycles and reduce long-term financing dependence. Contact White Coat Financial Partners through its North Carolina medical practice financing page or call 910-688-5077. Stuart D. Anderson is the founder and President of White Coat Financial Partners, a Fayetteville, NC-based firm providing specialized financial and advisory services for healthcare professionals and organizations. With deep expertise in AR-backed working capital, equipment leasing, M&A brokerage, and Lean Six Sigma process optimization, Stuart helps medical practices unlock capital, streamline operations, and achieve long-term financial stability. Connect with Stuart on LinkedIn. September 20, 2026 Stuart D. Anderson White Coat Financial Partners