BIRMINGHAM, Ala. and BLUFFTON, S.C., Feb. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthSouth Corporation (NYSE: HLS) announced today that it plans to build a freestanding 38-bed comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Bluffton, South Carolina. The project was granted a certificate of need from the South Carolina Board of Health and Environmental Control.

Located at 107 Seagrass Station Rd. in Bluffton, the future inpatient rehabilitation hospital will serve patients in Hilton Head and surrounding counties and provide access to specialized rehabilitation programs and innovative equipment and technology for patients recovering from conditions such as stroke and other neurological disorders, cardiac and pulmonary conditions, brain and spinal cord injuries, complex orthopedic conditions and amputations. The hospital will operate as HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of the Lowcountry.

Construction on the hospital will begin in the second quarter of 2017 with an anticipated completion in the second quarter of 2018. This development represents a $22 million investment in the community and, once fully operational, is expected to generate more than 89 new, full-time jobs.

"We are excited to be expanding in South Carolina and providing rehabilitation services to Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties," said Ed Mowen, president of the MidAtlantic region for HealthSouth. "This hospital coupled with our specialized teams of rehabilitation healthcare experts and state-of-the-art technologies will be a strong addition to the highly reputable care already provided in these communities."

This will be HealthSouth's sixth hospital in South Carolina joining HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Florence, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Columbia, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Charleston, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Rock Hill, and AnMed Health Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate entity of AnMed Health and HealthSouth Corporation. In addition, HealthSouth and Tidelands Health announced last August they have formed a joint venture to own and operate Tidelands' existing inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Murrells Inlet and plan to build a second inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Little River, South Carolina.

About HealthSouth
HealthSouth is one of the nation's largest providers of post-acute healthcare services, offering both facility-based and home-based post-acute services in 35 states and Puerto Rico through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies, and hospice agencies. HealthSouth can be found on the web at www.healthsouth.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as those relating to the likelihood, timing and effects of the finalization of this project, are forward-looking statements. In addition, HealthSouth may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and HealthSouth undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. HealthSouth's actual results or events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the regulatory review and approval process; any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings that may be brought by or against HealthSouth; the possibility this project will experience unexpected delays; the ability to successfully complete and integrate this project consistent with HealthSouth's growth strategy, including realization of anticipated revenues, cost savings, and productivity improvements arising from the related operations and avoidance of unforeseen exposure to liabilities; changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry at either or both of the federal and state levels; competitive pressures in the healthcare industry and HealthSouth's response thereto; this hospital's ability to maintain proper local, state and federal licensing; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of the hospitals' information systems; the ability to attract and retain nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals in a highly competitive environment with often severe staffing shortages and the impact on  labor expenses from potential union activity and staffing shortages; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for services by governmental or private payors; general conditions in the economy and capital markets; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in HealthSouth's SEC filings and other public announcements, including HealthSouth's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016.

HEALTHSOUTH CONTACTS:
Media: Casey Lassiter, 205 447-6410
casey.lassiter@healthsouth.com 
Investor Relations: Crissy Carlisle, 205 970-5860
crissy.carlisle@healthsouth.com

SOURCE HealthSouth Corporation