Cone Health wants to build its first hospital in Forsyth County. What happens next?
Cone Health plans to build a $320-million, 56-bed acute care hospital near the Northern Beltway, Cone's first in Forsyth County.
In doing so, the Greensboro healthcare system is attempting to gain market share in Forsyth, as well as counter Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist's major expansion push into Greensboro.
Meanwhile, Novant Health said it plans to apply to add 63 acute care beds at Forsyth Medical Center and 40 acute care beds at Kernersville Medical Center "to help ensure timely access to care for patients across the region."
Tuesday was the deadline for filing a certificate-of-need application with the N.C. Division of Health and Human Services for the 2026 State Medical Facilities Plan.
State health regulators typically take between six months to a year to review and decide on which healthcare systems are awarded the requested beds. In many instances, the system that is denied files an appeal.
Cone has proposed an 198,593-square-foot facility on an undeveloped 59-acre site listed as 0 Cole Road. The property is west of Interstate 74 and U.S 311, where it connects with the beltway.
Cone did not say whether it has purchased the property, which is valued at nearly $3 million. Bristle Investment Co. of Cary is listed as the property owner, according to a Forsyth Register of Deeds filing.
Cone said the property is under a non-binding letter of intent contingent on the project being approved.
Cone said the proposed hospital represents "expanding its brand of value-based care to consumers in Forsyth where it plans to serve residents in east Winston-Salem, Kernersville, Rural Hall, King and High Point.
"We believe in community-centered care," Cone CEO Dr. Paul Krakovitz said. "That means being there not only to help people stay well, but also to provide excellent, compassionate care where and when it's needed most.
"This community is ready for that next level of care, and Cone Health is proud to deliver it close to home."
The proposed hospital would have 18 emergency department bays; four procedure rooms built to operating room standards; 10 observation beds; imaging; pharmacy; and intensive care beds.
"We have been a part of Forsyth County since we opened MedCenter Kernersville in 2008," Chris Cornue, Cone's chief strategy officer, said in a news release. "I am excited as we build on that foundation."
The state's certificate-of-need process is designed to prevent duplication of healthcare infrastructure and services in a county or metro area.
State regulators have determined that Forsyth needs an additional 103 hospital beds. The 56 beds that Cone seeks permission for would come from that allotment.
The annual plan determines the annual growth needs for hospital beds and healthcare equipment in all 100 counties.
The plan assessment only focused on Baptist, Forsyth and Medical Park, and did not factor in Clemmons and Kernersville medical centers.
Novant said in a statement that "as part of our work to create a healthier future, we continually evaluate opportunities to expand access to care as our communities grow and patient needs evolve."
"If approved, these additional beds will strengthen our ability to meet increasing demand, support our care teams and provide more patients with high-quality care closer to home."
Baptist could be immediately reached for comment on Monday.
The last hospital to open in Forsyth was Clemmons Medical Center in April 2013.
Atrium and Baptist have been expanding rapidly into Cone's home market, including a projected Jan. 1, 2029, opening for a $262.8 million, 36-bed hospital on the 2909 Horse Pen Creek Road site.
For regulatory purposes, the 36 beds are part of High Point Medical Center. The proposed Baptist-affiliated hospital would be about 2.1 miles from Cone's MedCenter Greensboro facility.
Including a planned $163 million medical office building, Baptist has increased the capital investment for the planned Greensboro Medical Center to more than $426 million. Baptist will employ 152 when all operations are at capacity.
The first phase is an outpatient surgery center, a multispecialty medical office building, and a cancer center, scheduled to open later this year.
The 134,000-square-foot, five-story building will feature specialty clinics in cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery and orthopedics. The facility will also offer imaging, pharmacy, physical therapy and other services.
In March, state regulators gave conditional approval for Baptist to open two 24/7 freestanding emergency departments in Greensboro at 3800 N. Church St., and 4007 S. Elm-Eugene St.
The planned emergency departments also would operate under the High Point Medical Center umbrella.
Construction on both is projected to begin by July 1. Both are projected to open by Jan. 1, 2028.
Each facility would feature eight exam rooms, two patient observation rooms, a CT scanner, a separate fixed and a mobile X-ray unit, two mobile ultrasound units, emergency laboratory and pharmacy services, and family waiting areas.
Atrium is not alone in expanding in Greensboro.
In December 2024, Novant Health Inc. spent $16.5 million for 53 acres near Interstate 840 and U.S. 220.
The undeveloped properties are a 29.38-acre tract at 4319 Four Farms Road and an adjacent 24.04-acre tract at 4315 Willow Rock Lane.
The two Novant properties are located between Cone Health's MedCenter campus at 3518 Drawbridge Parkway and the planned $426 million Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist campus at 2909 Horse Pen Creek Road.
Novant said in a statement that it "continually analyzes and seeks opportunities to ensure we can meet the future healthcare needs of the communities we serve. This includes investing in property, such as this purchase in Guilford County.
"At this time, we do not have detailed plans to share about the use of the land, but will update the community as details develop."
Novant has several offices in Greensboro, including 3515 W. Market St., 1622 Highwoods Blvd. and 1941 New Garden Road.
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