New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health reported an operating income of $144 million (2.7% operating margin) during the first quarter of 2026, up from an operating income of $31 million (0.6% margin) during the same period last year.
Five things to know:
1. Northwell reported total operating revenue of $5.3 billion during the three months ended March 31, up from $4.8 billion during the same period last year. Total patient revenue was $4.5 billion, up from $4.2 billion. The system attributed the growth to increases in payment rates, revenue cycle improvements and continued growth of its physician and ambulatory network resulting from ongoing physician recruitment efforts and practice acquisitions.
2. Total operating expenses were $5.1 billion in Q1 2026, up from $4.8 billion during the same period last year. Salaries and employee benefits totaled $3.3 billion, up from $3.1 billion. Supplies and expenses totaled $1.6 billion, up from $1.5 billion. Northwell said supply chain improvement efforts — including standardization, distribution, utilization and contracting initiatives — and efforts to manage the cost of insurance programs helped control the growth rate of supplies and expenses.
3. Danbury, Conn.-based Nuvance Health merged with Northwell in May 2025. As part of the agreement, Northwell committed to make future contributions to support Nuvance’s capital needs. Northwell transferred $45 million to Nuvance in Q1 related to this commitment. Northwell said it continues to focus on integration efforts in key synergistic areas, such as revenue cycle, supply chain, IT and administrative efficiency. Efforts also include recruiting clinicians to support ambulatory expansion.
4. Northwell had 85 days cash on hand as of March 31, down from 95 on Dec. 31.
5. The system reported a net loss of $63.2 million in Q1 2026, compared to a net income of $32.3 million during the same period last year.
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