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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1


                               HEALTHCARE REALTY
                                     TRUST


                                  NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Timothy G. Wallace, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
         Officer, (615) 269-8175



           BALANCED CARE CONFIRMS PAYMENTS TO HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST

         NASHVILLE, Tennessee December 12, 2000 -- Healthcare Realty Trust
Incorporated (HR: NYSE) today announced that the management of Balanced Care
Corporation (AMEX: BAL) has informed Healthcare Realty Trust that the Company is
not one of the landlords affected by Balanced Care's restructuring plan. On
December 10, 2000, Balanced Care Corporation announced the initiation of a
restructuring plan whereby rental payments will be reduced to five of its
landlords. Balanced Care is current in its lease payments to Healthcare Realty
Trust, and the current cash flow from the Balanced Care properties owned by
Healthcare Realty Trust is sufficient to pay the lease payments. The aggregate
occupancy of the properties exceeds 87%.

         Healthcare Realty Trust is a real estate investment trust that
integrates owning, managing and developing income-producing real estate
properties associated with the delivery of healthcare services throughout the
United States. The Company's portfolio is comprised of nine major facility
types, located in 32 states nationwide, and operated pursuant to contractual
arrangements with 67 healthcare providers. Since commencing operations in June
1993, the Company has invested or committed to invest approximately $1.7 billion
in 269 real estate properties or mortgages, totaling approximately twelve
million square feet. The Company provides property management or asset
management services to approximately ten million square feet nationwide.

       Except for the historical information contained within, the matters
          discussed in this press release may contain forward-looking
        statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks are
    fully disclosed in a 10-K filed with the SEC by Healthcare Realty Trust
        for the year ended December 31, 1999. Forward-looking statements
        represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this release.
    The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking material.

                                      -END-