Labcorp has acquired the ambulatory outreach laboratory business of North Mississippi Health Services (NMHS) in the US.
This move will also see Labcorp become the referral laboratory for NMHS's seven hospitals and their associated clinic laboratories.
NMHS patients and providers will benefit from continuity in laboratory services and gain access to extensive clinical laboratory services, data and digital tools as part of the acquisition.
Labcorp will also open three new patient service centres in Tupelo, West Point and Amory by the middle of the year, which aims to enhance the availability of laboratory services in North Mississippi.
Labcorp Southeast division senior vice-president Lenny Monsour said: “Labcorp is committed to continuing the longstanding tradition of high-quality laboratory and healthcare services that North Mississippi Health Services’ patients have come to expect and deserve while increasing access to these important services, especially for those living in rural communities.
“This acquisition allows us to leverage the strengths of both organisations to positively impact healthcare for communities in North Mississippi.”
The two organisations have been collaborating to ensure a transition that preserves service continuity for hospitals, physicians, patients and clients.
This acquisition is part of Labcorp's broader strategy, which includes forming strategic agreements with various local and regional health systems to improve services for providers and patients.
North Mississippi Health Services president and CEO Shane Spees said: “North Mississippi Health Services will continue to operate laboratories in each of our hospitals and clinics with this partnership helping to address key pieces of our strategy, including improving access, evolving how we ‘do the work’ and creating alternative revenue sources.”
NMHS serves 24 counties in north Mississippi and north-west Alabama, offering a wide range of healthcare services.
It operates community hospitals, a regional network of more than 70 primary and speciality clinics, telehealth services and nursing homes.
In August 2023, Labcorp reached an agreement to acquire the outreach laboratory business of Tufts Medicine, along with some operating assets, for an undisclosed sum.
