HCA · 10-Q · 2026Q3 · Full report
Uninsured Patient Trends
HCA Healthcare, Inc. · 2026-10-29 · Importance 67 · Surprise 66 · From source text
Consolidated and same-facility uninsured admissions increased 27.2% and 27.4%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2026 year over year. Same-facility uninsured admissions rose 23.4% in the second quarter and 15.5% in the first quarter, following much smaller changes in 2025. HCA attributed the increases to the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits and administrative reforms affecting Exchange coverage, as well as a decline in Medicaid conversions. Estimated uncompensated-care costs reached $1.477 billion for the quarter and $4.174 billion for the first nine months, up from $1.188 billion and $3.359 billion, respectively, a year earlier.
Key facts
- Estimated total uncompensated care cost was $4.174 billion in the first nine months of 2026 versus $3.359 billion in the same 2025 period. source
- Estimated total uncompensated care cost was $1.477 billion in third-quarter 2026 versus $1.188 billion in third-quarter 2025. source
- Same-facility uninsured admissions increased 27.4% in third-quarter 2026, 23.4% in second-quarter 2026, and 15.5% in first-quarter 2026 versus the corresponding 2025 quarters. source
- Third-quarter 2026 consolidated and same-facility uninsured admissions increased 27.2% and 27.4%, respectively, year over year. source
- HCA attributed 2026 increases in same-facility uninsured admissions to the end-2025 EPTC expiration and Exchange-related administrative reforms. source
Impact estimates
| metric | direction | stage | expected | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| operating_income | negative | realized | -4.1% | Estimated total uncompensated care cost was $4.174 billion in the first nine months of 2026 versus $3.359 billion in the same 2025 period. |
| operating_income | negative | realized | -1.5% | Estimated total uncompensated care cost was $1.477 billion in third-quarter 2026 versus $1.188 billion in third-quarter 2025. |