HCA Healthcare, Inc. HCA is scheduled to release second-quarter 2021 results on Jul 20, before the market opens.In the last reported quarter, the company reported adjusted earnings of $4.14 per share, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 23.6%. The bottom line improved 77.7% year over year, courtesy of higher revenues.Factors to NoteThe company’s second-quarter top line is expected to have benefited from a gradual rise in patient volumes, better payer mix and resumption of non-emergent procedures following the easing of restrictions imposed by the government to curb the COVID-19 spread. Its inpatient revenues are also likely to have gained in the June quarter owing to high acute inpatient volumes. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HCA Healthcare’s revenues stands at $13.6 billion, suggesting growth of 22.9% from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter earnings is pegged at $3.17, indicating a surge of 111.3% from the year-earlier quarter’s reported figure. This upside is likely to have been backed by improved revenues.The company’s increased number of outpatient facilities might have provided a boost to patient admissions in the to-be-reported quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for admissions implies a 12.8% improvement from the year-ago period’s reported figure.Licensed beds of the company are likely to have increased on the back of better admission. The consensus mark for the number of licensed beds indicates a rise of 0.4% from the year-ago quarter’s reported number.HCA Healthcare is likely to have continued with its dividend payout and share buyback plan, both of which were resumed in January this year.The consensus estimate for second-quarter patient days implies a 14.8% rise from the year-ago quarter’s actuals.The company’s performance is likely to have suffered elevated expenses due to higher operating costs and substantial growth-related investments.What Our Quantitative Model PredictsOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for HCA Healthcare this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat as you can see below.Earnings ESP: HCA Healthcare has an Earnings ESP of +1.16%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate of $3.21 is pegged higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.17. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.HCA Healthcare, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise HCA Healthcare, Inc. price-eps-surprise | HCA Healthcare, Inc. QuoteZacks Rank: HCA Healthcare currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Stocks to ConsiderHere are some stocks worth considering from the medical sector with the perfect mix of elements to surpass estimates in their upcoming releases:Community Health Systems, Inc. CYH has an Earnings ESP of +100.00% and a Zacks Rank of 3, currently.MEDNAX, Inc. MD has an Earnings ESP of +0.50% and a Zacks Rank #2, presently.AmerisourceBergen Corporation ABC has an Earnings ESP of +3.46% and is Zacks #3 Ranked, presently. More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone! It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 77 billion devices by 2025, creating a $1.3 trillion market. Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 4 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2022.Click here for the 4 trades >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AmerisourceBergen Corporation (ABC): Free Stock Analysis Report Community Health Systems, Inc. (CYH): Free Stock Analysis Report MEDNAX, Inc. (MD): Free Stock Analysis Report HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research