Prisma Health – Northeast Richland County Multispecialty Ambulatory Care Center (MACC)

Project Summary

As South Carolina’s largest health system, Prisma Health needed to protect its market position in Columbia amidst a competitor’s rapid expansion. To meet that moment, Prisma envisioned a flagship Multispecialty Ambulatory Care Center (MACC)—a one-stop destination to deliver integrated, high-impact care for patients across the Northeast Richland County region.

Following a national search for a strategic development partner, Prisma selected NexCore Group to lead the execution of this critical initiative. From market strategy to space planning and ROI modeling, NexCore provided the expertise needed to evolve the original 153,000 SF concept into a high-performing, right-sized facility that supports volume growth, improves access, and delivers a strong return on investment.

The Challenge

Prisma Health was facing several pressures that made the success of this project mission-critical:

• Competitive Pressure: A major competitor was expanding aggressively across Columbia, threatening Prisma’s patient volumes and market share.
  
• Capital Constraints: The original facility plan (153,362 SF) did not project a positive ROI until year ten—a timeline misaligned with system goals.
  
• Service Gaps: The scope of services initially outlined didn’t adequately address the broader population health and specialty care needs of the market.
  
• Regulatory Considerations: South Carolina’s shifting certificate of need (CON) environment required proactive design for future flexibility and phased expansions.
  

NexCore’s challenge was to transform the plan—without sacrificing growth potential or performance—by applying a data-informed, future-ready approach.

NexCore’s Solution

NexCore brought a comprehensive, data-driven strategy to reimagine the MACC—delivering clinical alignment, operational flexibility, and financial viability.

1. Strategic Market Assessment

NexCore’s in-house research and strategy team conducted an in-depth market and provider landscape analysis, including:

• Competitive intelligence
  
• Service line demand analysis
  
• Provider alignment mapping
  
• Facility benchmarking and utilization modeling
  

This market intel directly informed the revised service mix and space programming.

2. Refined Program & Operational Model

NexCore collaborated with Prisma to reshape the MACC business plan over a three-month intensive planning process:

• Expanded Services: Added a Comprehensive Women’s Center, an infusion center, cardiac rehab, and an expanded rehabilitation suite offering physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
  
• Space Optimization: Reduced facility size from 153,362 SF to 135,729 SF without compromising volume—leveraging shared spaces, flexible care models, and integrated clinical zones.
  
• Future-Proofing: Built in capacity for 10% additional volume and created an adaptable platform to accommodate evolving CON conditions and future expansion (e.g., freestanding ED or ASC growth).
  

Results

The redesigned MACC will serve as a regional anchor for Prisma’s ambulatory care strategy and a critical bulwark against competitive encroachment. Key results include:

• Positive ROI by Year 3: A major shift from the original 10-year return horizon.
  
• Increased Patient & Provider Volumes: Enabled by expanded service lines and operational efficiencies.
  
• Strengthened Market Presence: The MACC reinforces Prisma’s footprint in Northeast Richland County and signals long-term investment in community care.
  
• Scalable Platform: Designed to accommodate future service growth, specialty onboarding, and regulatory shifts—supporting long-term sustainability and system strategy.
  

A Data-Driven Solution for Competitive Growth

Through a combination of strategic planning, market analytics, and integrated design thinking, NexCore helped Prisma Health transform a costly and underpowered project into a market-competitive ambulatory care platform.

The Northeast Richland County MACC will not only drive patient access and provider efficiency, but also secure Prisma’s leadership in one of South Carolina’s most dynamic markets for years to come.