Ascension today announced strong financial results through the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, ending March 31, 2026, reporting net income of positive $621 million. These results reflect continued progress in operational efficiency, expanded access to care, and the organization’s ongoing commitment to serving our communities.
Through the first nine months of FY26, Ascension significantly improved its operating performance, posting an operating loss of $203 million compared to a $466 million loss during the same period last year, representing a $262 million year-over-year improvement.
Recurring operating EBIDA was positive $772 million, representing a 4.3% margin year to date.
Performance across Ascension’s acute care facilities strengthened during the quarter, driven by access-focused strategies that increased patient volumes and enhanced care coordination. Same-facility revenue rose 9.3% compared to the same period last year, supported by continued investment in ambulatory services, service line expansion, and community-based care.
Additionally, a 1.5% improvement in length of stay reflects greater care efficiency, reducing unnecessary hospital time while maintaining high-quality outcomes. This is improving how clinical care is delivered, helping teams work more effectively and making the experience more seamless for patients, while further advancing Ascension’s Mission.
“These results show more consistent execution and a clearer focus on how we serve,” said Eduardo Conrado, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascension. “We are expanding access, strengthening our service lines, and making care easier to navigate. At the same time, we are being disciplined in how we invest and operate. Our focus is simple: Deliver care in the right setting, at the right time, with the right support. That is how we improve the experience for patients and caregivers and ensure our Mission continues to serve communities for years to come.”
Through nine months of FY26, Ascension has provided a total of approximately $2.1 billion in community benefit. This includes $883 million in care for persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs, along with an additional $1.3 billion of unreimbursed support for Medicare patients, as Ascension aims to bring health, healing, and hope to all.
During the quarter, Ascension continued to expand access through targeted growth and investments in key service lines and communities. In Tennessee, Ascension Saint Thomas Heart and Howell Allen Clinic opened a new location in Clarksville, and Ascension Saint Thomas River Park expanded its emergency department, nearly doubling capacity to meet growing demand. In Florida, Ascension Sacred Heart reopened its updated cardiology clinic and opened a new ambulatory surgery center in St. Augustine, further advancing more convenient, lower-cost care settings. Ascension St. John also marked 100 years of serving communities in Oklahoma.
Ascension expanded medication access in Wisconsin and Illinois through Ascension Rx and Dispensary of Hope. In Wisconsin, four additional sites were added, and in Illinois, new sites were introduced in Hoffman Estates and Elk Grove Village. This work increases access to medications people rely on every day to manage conditions, treat illness, and stay healthy, and helps uninsured and low-income patients in our communities get the medications they need without delay. In Oklahoma, Ascension St. John advanced workforce development through a student shadowing program and awarded nursing scholarships to support the next generation of caregivers. Preventive care efforts also extended across multiple markets, including early cancer detection initiatives and free mammography services for uninsured women.
Ascension continued to advance quality and clinical excellence through targeted programs and recognition. Pediatric simulation training is being delivered across 13 Florida facilities to strengthen real-time care. In Indiana, Ascension St. Vincent Carmel earned international accreditation for its robotic surgery program, reflecting continued progress in advanced surgical care and patient outcomes.
“Consistent and focused operational efforts are leading to better financial performance across the system,” said Saurabh Tripathi, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ascension. “We are seeing a $262 million year-over-year improvement in operating income and a 4.1% operating EBIDA margin year to date, driven by higher volumes, better efficiency, and more consistent operational execution. We are maintaining discipline in cost management and capital deployment, which is strengthening margins while allowing us to continue investing in access and clinical capabilities that support our Mission.”
Ascension will continue to build on this progress through focused execution and continued expansion of access across care settings. The organization is focused on delivering more consistent performance by improving how care is coordinated, reducing friction for patients and caregivers, and ensuring services are available closer to where people live and work. This is supported by ongoing investment in clinical capabilities, technology, and care teams across its ministries.
At the same time, Ascension remains committed to serving communities, particularly those facing the greatest barriers to care. By maintaining a strong financial position while continuing to invest in access and community-based care, the organization is able to sustain performance improvement and deliver high-quality, coordinated care that meets the needs of patients today and into the future.
