HCA Healthcare, Inc. HCA is scheduled to release first-quarter 2021 results on Apr 22.In the last reported quarter, the company reported adjusted earnings of $4.13 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 13.8%. Further, the bottom line improved 33.7% year over year on the back of higher revenues.The company also witnessed solid inpatient volumes in the quarter.Factors to NoteThe company’s first-quarter top line is expected to have benefited from a gradual rise in patient volumes and resumption of non-emergent procedures following the easing of restrictions imposed by the government to curb the COVID-19 spread.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HCA Healthcare’s revenues stands at $13.6 billion, suggesting growth of 6.4% from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter earnings is pegged at $3.35, indicating an upside of 43.8% from the year-earlier quarter’s reported figure. This upside is likely to have been backed by better admissions leading to improved revenues.Notably, the company’s number of outpatient facilities are expected to have provided a boost to patient admissions in the to-be-reported quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for admissions implies a 0.8% improvement from the year-ago period’s reported figure.The company is likely to have witnessed high acute inpatient volumes in the to-be reported quarter.HCA Healthcare is expected to have continued with its dividend payout and share buyback plan, both of which were resumed in January.The consensus estimate for first-quarter patient days implies a 2% rise from the year-ago quarter’s actuals.Despite several cost-cutting efforts, the company’s performance is likely to have suffered elevated expenses due to operating costs and substantial growth-related investments.What Our Quantitative Model PredictsOur proven model conclusively 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 +8.91%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate of $3.65 is pegged higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.35. 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 carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Other Stocks to ConsiderHere are some other stocks worth considering from the medical sector with the perfect mix of elements to surpass estimates in their upcoming releases:bluebird bio, Inc. BLUE has an Earnings ESP of +1.99% and a Zacks Rank #3, currently.Canopy Growth Corporation CGC has an Earnings ESP of +13.29% and a Zacks Rank of 3, presently.AmerisourceBergen Corporation ABC has an Earnings ESP of +0.50% and is Zacks #3 Ranked, presently.Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2021In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 best buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2021?Last year's 2020 Zacks Top 10 Stocks portfolio returned gains as high as +386.8%. Now a brand-new portfolio has been handpicked from over 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these long-term buys.Access Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2021 today >>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 HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA): Free Stock Analysis Report bluebird bio, Inc. (BLUE): Free Stock Analysis Report Canopy Growth Corporation (CGC): Get Free Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research