UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 21, 2013 (November 17, 2013)

American Realty Capital Healthcare Trust, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

American Realty Capital Healthcare Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) regretfully reports that, on October 10, 2013, Dr. Walter P. Lomax, Jr., a member of the Board of Directors, passed away. Dr. Lomax served as a member of the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee since January 2011. The Company’s management is grateful for Dr. Lomax’s service and leadership over that time.

The bylaws of the Corporation provide that vacancies on the Board resulting from death may be filled by a majority of the directors and that each director so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. Pursuant to the Company’s charter, a majority of the Board will be comprised of independent directors except for a period of up to 60 days after the death, removal or resignation of an independent director, pending the election of such director’s successor. In light of Dr. Lomax’s passing, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed Portia Sue Perrotty as a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee, effective November 17, 2013. There are no related party transactions involving Ms. Perotty that are reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Ms. Perrotty, 60, has served as president and chief executive officer of AFM Financial Services in Cranford, New Jersey since April 2011. Ms. Perrotty also has been an investor and advisor to several small businesses and entrepreneurs in varying stages of development since August 2008. Ms. Perrotty served in the administration of Governor Edward G. Rendell as chief of staff to First Lady, Judge Marjorie Rendell from November 2002 through August 2008. Ms. Perrotty held the position of executive vice president and head of Global Operations for First Union Corp. as a member of the Office of the Chairman from January 2001 to January 2002. Prior to that time, Ms. Perrotty was Banking Group head for the Pennsylvania and Delaware Banking Operations of First Union from November 1998 until January 2001. Ms. Perrotty joined First Union through the merger with Corestates Bank where she served as executive vice president and head of IT and Operations from April 1996 until November 1998. Ms. Perrotty also served as senior executive vice president and head of all Consumer Businesses including Retail Banking, Mortgage Banking, Product Development and Marketing as well as strategic customer information and delivery system development. Ms. Perrotty was a member of the chairman’s staff in each of the companies she served. Ms. Perrotty serves on several boards including the Board of Trustees of Albright College, where she is currently chair of the Finance Committee and member of the Investment and Property sub committees. Ms. Perrotty also serves as vice chair of the Berks County Community Foundation, and as development chair for the Girls Scouts of Eastern PA Board. Ms. Perrotty has received several awards for community leadership and professional accomplishments including the Pa 50 Best Women in Business, the Franciscan Award from Alvernia University, the Albright College Distinguished Alumni Award, the Women of Distinction Award from the March of Dimes, Taking the Lead Award from the Girl Scouts of Eastern PA and the 2006 Champion of Youth Award from Olivet Boys & Girls Club. Ms. Perrotty is a graduate of Albright College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Albright College in 2010. Ms. Perrotty has also served as an independent director of American Realty Capital Daily Net Asset Value Trust, Inc. since August 2013. The Company believes that Ms. Perrotty’s career in the banking industry makes her well-qualified to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors.

Ms. Perrotty, like the Company’s other independent directors, will participate in the Company’s employee and director incentive restricted share plan and receive compensation from the Company. The Company pays to each of its independent directors a retainer of $30,000 per year, plus $2,000 for each board or board committee meeting the director attends in person ($2,500 for attendance by the chairperson of the audit committee at each meeting of the audit committee), $750 for each meeting the director attends virtually and $1,500 for each meeting the director attends by telephone. If there is a meeting of the board and one or more committees in a single day, the fees will be limited to $2,500 per day ($3,000 for the chairperson of the audit committee if there is a meeting of such committee). Under the restricted share plan, Ms. Perrotty will be entitled to receive an award of 3,000 restricted shares of common stock upon joining the board and on the date of each annual stockholder’s meeting. Restricted stock issued to independent directors vest over a five-year period beginning on the date of grant in increments of 20% per annum.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.