Miller’s Health Systems, Highgate/Aurora Extend Negotiations on Lease Transfer of Nursing Home Portfolio

Warsaw, Indiana-based Miller’s Health Systems will proceed to function expert nursing amenities owned by Highgate Capital Investments/Aurora Health Network for the foreseeable future, because the deadline to switch or renew lease agreements has been prolonged.

It’s unclear precisely how lengthy that extension will likely be, as first reported by native information supply WANE15.

Miller’s has been in talks with Highgate Capital Investments/Aurora Health Network, which owns the amenities, regarding a brand new or transferred lease settlement, Miller’s CEO Patrick Boyle mentioned in an announcement on Thursday.

The firm originally announced in May that it will step away from leases on eight Miller’s Merry Manor places within the state, with the termination of present leases efficient June 30 and a brand new operator taking on July 1.

That’s based on WARN notices despatched to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, though letters obtained by WANE15 confirmed that the quantity of properties in the identical scenario was nearer to 19.

Highgate Capital Investments/Aurora Health Network is predicted to make its remaining determination within the subsequent couple weeks, Boyle added.

“The July 1st deadline for the landlord to make a new lease with Miller’s or another operator will be pushed back as negotiations continue, and the employees of the facility will continue on with their day-to-day operations as usual,” Boyle mentioned within the assertion.

Neither Miller’s Health Systems nor Highgate/Aurora responded to additional inquiries from Skilled Nursing News on Friday.

Miller’s Health Systems has been a staple within the Indiana long-term care area since 1964 and continues to function a handful of nursing properties throughout the state in addition to working a remedy firm and having a partnership in a house well being care firm.

Nearly 700 staff would not be employed by the corporate, Miller’s mentioned in its notices to the state.

Boyle indicated within the firm’s assertion that Highgate Capital Investments/Aurora Health Network would seemingly rent Miller’s workers again to work within the amenities.

In Feb. 2022, Highgate and Aurora closed on a $3.2 billion deal to acquire the wellness infrastructure portfolio of DigitalBridge (NYSE: DBRG), previously often called Colony Capital. That portfolio included 83 SNFs and different well being care belongings.