Brentwood, Tenn.-based Ardent Health recorded a net income of $39.9 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to a net income of $41.4 million during the same period last year, according to its May 5 financial report.
Six things to know:
1. The publicly traded for-profit system reported total operating revenue of $1.6 billion during the three months ended March 31, up from $1.5 billion during the same period last year. Ardent said the increase was primarily driven by a 2% increase in adjusted admissions and a 5.5% increase in net patient service revenue per adjusted admission.
2. Total operating expenses were $1.5 billion in the first quarter, up from $1.4 billion during the same period last year. Salaries and benefits were $661.4 million, up from $657.7 million. Professional fees totaled $317.1 million, up from $280.9 million. Supply expenses totaled $268.6 million, up from $258.9 million.
3. Ardent Health President and CEO Marty Bonick said the system’s volumes were affected by severe weather in multiple markets and a lighter respiratory season. Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare reported similar trends in its first-quarter earnings report.
4. Mr. Bonick said the system saw significant salary, wage and benefit expense improvement for the second consecutive quarter, particularly in contract labor. He also said payer denial trends remained stable and professional fee expenses developed as expected.
5. The system reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance. Ardent is projecting total revenue between $6.4 billion and $6.7 billion. It is also projecting net income between $129 million and $183 million.
6. Ardent operates 30 hospitals in six states: Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, New Jersey, Idaho and Kansas.
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