How a 46-Facility SNF Operator Improved Patient Throughput and Hospital Discharge Flow
46 Facilities | 14+ Hospital Partners | 50/50 Hospital Co-Pay Model | <60 Days to Launch
Executive Summary
Monarch Healthcare Management operates 46 skilled nursing facilities across the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area, partnering with more than 14 hospital systems to support post-acute discharge flow.
Their focus is simple: move patients out of hospitals faster, stabilize SNF census, and maintain strong referral relationships with health system partners like Allina Health and M Health Fairview.
Through a dedicated transportation model powered by Envoy America, Monarch improved discharge responsiveness, reduced delays in patient transfers, and strengthened its position as a preferred SNF partner.
The Challenge
Monarch’s growth depends on being the first-choice discharge destination for hospitals.
When hospitals like Allina Health or M Health Fairview identify a patient ready for post-acute care, Monarch must respond immediately. But transportation delays were creating a bottleneck.
Previously:
- Staff had to coordinate with multiple external transportation providers
- Health system-owned fleets were also inconsistent or unavailable
- Admissions teams often spent significant time calling providers to find availability
- Patients sometimes waited hours or days for transfer
These delays created three major issues:
- Slower admissions into Monarch facilities
- Empty or underutilized SNF beds
- Reduced confidence from hospital discharge planners
In a competitive referral environment, delays in patient movement directly impacted both census stability and hospital relationships.
The Solution
Monarch partnered with Envoy America to create a dedicated, centralized transportation model for hospital discharges.
Key elements of the solution:
- Dedicated vehicles and drivers assigned to Monarch operations
- Centralized admissions team with direct access to transportation coordination
- Predictable subscription-based hourly pricing model
- No surprise add-on fees for oxygen, bariatric, or stretcher patients
- Universal vehicle capability using Broda Chair equipment, enabling wheelchair and stretcher transport in a single system
This eliminated the need for Monarch to:
- Own transportation vehicles
- Manage driver staffing or scheduling
- Absorb insurance, maintenance, fuel, and fleet overhead
Instead, Envoy America fully manages operations, allowing Monarch to focus on admissions and patient flow.
The Results
Faster Admissions and Improved Throughput
Monarch can now respond immediately to hospital discharge requests, reducing delays in patient placement and improving bed utilization across facilities.
Stronger Hospital Partnerships
By eliminating a key discharge bottleneck, Monarch strengthened its position as a reliable post-acute partner for health systems across the region.
Hospital Co-Pay Adoption
Both Allina Health (10+ hospitals) and M Health Fairview (7+ hospitals) voluntarily cover 50% of transportation costs, recognizing the impact on discharge efficiency and system-wide throughput.
Rapid Expansion
- M Health Fairview launched with 5 discharges on Day 1
- Expanded to 3 additional SNF sites by Day 2
- Requested extended hours and weekend coverage due to increased discharge flow
Cost Efficiency
Compared to traditional on-demand transportation models, Monarch achieved an estimated 25–50% cost reduction, particularly by eliminating per-trip fees and add-on charges.
Why It Worked
This partnership succeeded because it aligned incentives across hospitals and post-acute providers.
When hospitals invest directly in transportation through a co-pay model, it reflects a shared goal: reducing discharge delays and improving patient throughput across the system.
The relationship began through a warm introduction between:
- K.C. Kanaan, CEO of Envoy America
- Mike Marchant, VP of Operations at Monarch Healthcare Management
- Connected via Matt Kinne, COO of LifeSpark
That trust, combined with Monarch’s willingness to test a new operational model, allowed the partnership to move from introduction to launch in under 60 days.
We’re like Southwest Airlines before they changed. No nickel and diming. One rate, and if you really look at it, it saves you money and makes your operation more efficient.
— K.C. Kanaan, CEO, Envoy America
What’s Next
The partnership continues to expand across Minnesota, including:
- Coverage for rural facilities in northern regions
- Employee transportation services
- Extended overnight and weekend discharge support
Two Envoy America vehicles are now operating with co-branded “Monarch powered by Envoy America” branding, signaling deeper operational alignment.
Future opportunity includes direct engagement with health systems like Allina Health and M Health Fairview as broader patient throughput partners.
Ready to Improve Discharge Flow?
Schedule a pilot to see how dedicated transportation can improve patient throughput across your facilities.
