After completing its merger with NotreDame Intermédica, Hapvida starts a new phase focused on efficiency, strong cash and a reinforced own network.
New chapter after complex integration
In an interview with Valor Econômico, Hapvida CEO Jorge Pinheiro stated that the company is entering a new phase of recovery and consolidation. According to him, Hapvida has completed the most complex stage of its merger with NotreDame Intermédica (NDI). In this way, the group closes an intense cycle of integration and structural reorganization. The executive noted that the company went through a necessary period of deep adjustments focused on efficiency and operational maturity. Now, Hapvida begins to reap the benefits of this process, with productivity gains and greater predictability. Moreover, the conclusion of the integration allows the capture of synergies that were previously out of reach. Pinheiro highlights that the operational and technological unification with NDI was one of the biggest challenges ever faced in the sector. The size of both companies and the number of subsidiaries increased the complexity of the merger. “With the integration completed, Hapvida can now access synergies that did not exist while the operations ran in parallel,” he points out. For the CEO, this moment represents a turning point for the group. Therefore, the company is preparing for a more efficient and predictable cycle, with emphasis on financial discipline and sustainable performance. The new stage aims to re-anchor investor expectations and reinforce Hapvida’s long-term fundamentals.
Strong cash position and financial discipline
With a strong cash position of around R$ 9.8 billion, Hapvida enters this phase with greater execution capacity. Pinheiro says that the effects of the measures adopted should gain traction throughout 2026. As a result, the company expects gradual recovery of results and renewed market confidence. The CEO reiterates Hapvida’s commitment to financial discipline and a management model focused on long-term sustainability. Instead of seeking short-term gains at any cost, the company aims to build a more resilient structure. In this sense, it combines cost control, scale efficiencies and better capital allocation.
Lean governance and experienced leadership
Governance restructuring is another key pillar of this new stage. The board approved a reorganization of the executive structure, cutting the number of vice presidencies from 14 to eight. According to Pinheiro, this change speeds up decision-making and reduces internal complexity. In addition, experienced leaders reinforce the company’s governance. Board member José Galló and consultant Marcus Fontoura add strategic vision and technical expertise. Thus, Hapvida seeks to combine market experience with operational know-how in its management model.
Investments in expansion and infrastructure
Pinheiro also stressed the importance of investments made over the past two years. In 2025, Hapvida allocated around R$ 900 million to expansion and infrastructure. This allowed the opening of more than one thousand new beds in high-demand regions. Key locations include Manaus, Recife, Fortaleza, Belém and the ABC Paulista region, all considered strategic for the group. These investments temporarily pressured margins, reflecting the ramp-up of new structures. However, the CEO believes this effect will not repeat in 2026. As the new assets reach full operation, the company expects a gradual recovery in profitability. In this way, the expansion of the owned network should help improve the efficiency of the care model. The expectation is for gains in both quality and cost management in the coming years.
Competition in Southeast Brazil and pricing
The executive also commented on the competitive landscape in Southeast Brazil, especially in São Paulo. According to Pinheiro, Hapvida does not intend to adopt aggressive price war strategies. He considers such measures harmful to the sector and unsustainable in the long term. In his view, the market should undergo a natural correction process over the next few years. The tendency is to return to more rational adjustment levels in health plans. Therefore, Hapvida’s strategy prioritizes balance, service quality and sustainability over short-term gains through deep discounts.
Digital transformation and artificial intelligence
The company is also moving forward in technology and digitalization, areas that Pinheiro sees as crucial to differentiate its care model. Today, Hapvida runs around 200 artificial intelligence initiatives, of which 90 are already in use. These projects impact management, processes and patient experience. The results appear in improved service quality and operational efficiency. Telemedicine already records approximately 700 thousand teleconsultations per month, expanding access and optimizing resources. According to the CEO, these advances show how technology helps raise care standards and streamline operations.
National recognition and customer focus
Customer experience has also gained prominence with national recognition at the Prêmio Reclame Aqui 2025. Hapvida was chosen winner in the “plano de saúde” and “profissional de atendimento” categories. Seen as the most important reputation and customer service award in Brazil, it is decided directly by consumers. According to Pinheiro, the recognition reflects a set of initiatives implemented in recent years. Among them are shorter waiting times for surgeries, reinforcement of medical teams and expansion of hospital beds. Furthermore, the company opened new units and invested in diagnostic technology to increase accuracy. With nearly 16 million beneficiaries in health and dental plans, Hapvida reports continuous improvement in its processes. Key indicators show progress: client satisfaction scores rose from 7.0 in January to 7.7 in November. Over the same period, the problem resolution rate increased from 73.3% to 80.7%.
Solid foundations for the future
Although the market still seeks more visibility on the next quarters, Pinheiro believes Hapvida is better prepared than ever. He says that the adjustments made since 2023 have strengthened operations and consolidated the merger with NDI. Thus, the company enters a new cycle with a more solid foundation. The CEO reiterates that Hapvida’s commitment is long term, with a focus on sustainable growth and consistent value creation. “Our commitment is long term and the company’s fundamentals remain solid,” he emphasizes. Ultimately, he signals confidence in Hapvida’s ability to transform operational efficiency into sustainable results.
