UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(MARK ONE)
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended
OR
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number
UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer |
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Accelerated filer |
☐ |
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Non-accelerated filer |
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Smaller reporting company |
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Emerging growth company |
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Common shares outstanding, as of April 30, 2020:
Class A |
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Class B |
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Class C |
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Class D |
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UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
INDEX
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. This Report modifies and supersedes documents filed prior to this Report. Information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in the future will automatically update and supersede information contained in this Report.
In this Quarterly Report, “we,” “us,” “our” “UHS” and the “Company” refer to Universal Health Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries. UHS is a registered trademark of UHS of Delaware, Inc., the management company for, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc. Universal Health Services, Inc. is a holding company and operates through its subsidiaries including its management company, UHS of Delaware, Inc. All healthcare and management operations are conducted by subsidiaries of Universal Health Services, Inc. To the extent any reference to “UHS” or “UHS facilities” in this report including letters, narratives or other forms contained herein relates to our healthcare or management operations it is referring to Universal Health Services, Inc.’s subsidiaries including UHS of Delaware, Inc. Further, the terms “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company” in such context similarly refer to the operations of Universal Health Services Inc.’s subsidiaries including UHS of Delaware, Inc. Any reference to employees or employment contained herein refers to employment with or employees of the subsidiaries of Universal Health Services, Inc. including UHS of Delaware, Inc.
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
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Three months ended March 31, |
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2020 |
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2019 |
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Net revenues |
$ |
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$ |
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Operating charges: |
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Salaries, wages and benefits |
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Other operating expenses |
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Supplies expense |
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Depreciation and amortization |
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Lease and rental expense |
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Income from operations |
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Interest expense, net |
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Other (income) expense, net |
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Income before income taxes |
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Provision for income taxes |
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Net income |
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Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
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Net income attributable to UHS |
$ |
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$ |
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Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS |
$ |
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$ |
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Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS |
$ |
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$ |
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Weighted average number of common shares - basic |
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Add: Other share equivalents |
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Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(amounts in thousands, unaudited)
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Three months ended March 31, |
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2020 |
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2019 |
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Net income |
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$ |
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$ |
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Other comprehensive income (loss): |
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Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges |
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- |
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( |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax |
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) |
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
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( |
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( |
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Comprehensive income |
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Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
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Comprehensive income attributable to UHS |
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$ |
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$ |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in thousands, unaudited)
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March 31, 2020 |
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December 31, 2019 |
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Assets |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
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$ |
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Accounts receivable, net |
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Supplies |
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Other current assets |
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Total current assets |
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Property and equipment |
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Less: accumulated depreciation |
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
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Other assets: |
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Goodwill |
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Deferred income taxes |
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Right of use assets-operating leases |
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Deferred charges |
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Other |
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Total Assets |
$ |
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$ |
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Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity |
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Current liabilities: |
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Current maturities of long-term debt |
$ |
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$ |
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Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
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Legal reserves |
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Operating lease liabilities |
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Federal and state taxes |
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Total current liabilities |
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Other noncurrent liabilities |
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Operating lease liabilities noncurrent |
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Long-term debt |
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Deferred income taxes |
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Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
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Equity: |
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UHS common stockholders’ equity |
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Noncontrolling interest |
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Total equity |
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Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity |
$ |
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$ |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the Three Months ended March 31, 2020
(amounts in thousands, unaudited)
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Accumulated |
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UHS |
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Redeemable |
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Other |
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Common |
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Noncontrolling |
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Class A |
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Class B |
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Class C |
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Class D |
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Cumulative |
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Retained |
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Comprehensive |
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Stockholders' |
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Noncontrolling |
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Interest |
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Common |
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Common |
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Common |
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Common |
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Dividends |
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Earnings |
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Income (Loss) |
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Equity |
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Interest |
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Total |
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Balance, January 1, 2020 |
|
$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
( |
) |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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Common Stock |
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Issued/(converted) |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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Repurchased |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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— |
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( |
) |
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— |
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( |
) |
Restricted share-based compensation expense |
|
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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Dividends paid |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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— |
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( |
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Stock option expense |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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Distributions to noncontrolling interests |
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( |
) |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
Comprehensive income: |
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Net income to UHS / noncontrolling interests |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax |
|
|
— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
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— |
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( |
) |
Subtotal - comprehensive income |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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Balance, March 31, 2020 |
|
$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
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$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the Three Months ended March 31, 2019
(amounts in thousands, unaudited)
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Accumulated |
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UHS |
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Redeemable |
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Other |
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Common |
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Noncontrolling |
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Class A |
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Class B |
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Class C |
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Class D |
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Cumulative |
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Retained |
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Comprehensive |
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Stockholders' |
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Noncontrolling |
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Interest |
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Common |
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Common |
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Common |
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Common |
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Dividends |
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Earnings |
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Income (Loss) |
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Equity |
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Interest |
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Total |
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|||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2019 |
|
$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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|
$ |
|
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|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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Common Stock |
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Issued/(converted) |
|
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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Repurchased |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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— |
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( |
) |
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— |
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( |
) |
Restricted share-based compensation expense |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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Dividends paid |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
|
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— |
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( |
) |
Stock option expense |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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Distributions to noncontrolling interests |
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( |
) |
|
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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— |
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
Comprehensive income: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income to UHS / noncontrolling interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges, net of income tax |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Subtotal - comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, March 31, 2019 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
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|
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|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(amounts in thousands, unaudited)
|
|
Three months ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation & amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in assets & liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
Accrued interest |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Accrued and deferred income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other working capital accounts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets and deferred charges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
Other |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Accrued insurance expense, net of commercial premiums paid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments made in settlement of self-insurance claims |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment additions, net of disposals |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Inflows (outflows) from foreign exchange contracts that hedge our net U.K. investment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
Costs incurred for purchase and implementation of information technology applications |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Investment in, and advances to, joint ventures and other |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reduction of long-term debt |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Additional borrowings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase of common shares |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Dividends paid |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Issuance of common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit distributions to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Income taxes paid, net of refunds |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Noncash purchases of property and equipment |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
8
UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) General
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020. In this Quarterly Report, “we,” “us,” “our” “UHS” and the “Company” refer to Universal Health Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of our majority-owned subsidiaries and partnerships and limited liability companies controlled by us, or our subsidiaries, as managing general partner or managing member. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements included herein have been prepared by us, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which, in our opinion, are necessary to fairly state results for the interim periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although we believe that the accompanying disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, significant accounting policies and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic and the federal government declared COVID-19 a national emergency. Patient volumes at our acute care hospitals and our behavioral health care facilities were significantly reduced during the second half of March as various COVID-19 policies were implemented by our facilities and federal and state governments. These significant reductions to patient volumes experienced at our facilities have continued through April and into May, 2020.
We believe that the adverse impact that COVID-19 will have on our future operations and financial results will depend upon many factors, most of which are beyond our capability to control or predict. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the scope and duration of stay-at-home policies and business closures, continued decreases in patient volumes for an indeterminable length of time, increases in the number of uninsured and underinsured patients as a result of accelerated rates of unemployment, incremental expenses required for supplies and personal protective equipment, and changes in professional and general liability exposure. Because of these and other uncertainties, we cannot estimate the length or severity of the impact of COVID-19 on our business. Decreases in cash flows and results of operations may have an impact on the inputs and assumptions used in significant accounting estimates, including estimated implicit price concessions related to uninsured patient accounts, professional and general liability reserves, and potential impairments of goodwill and long-lived assets.
(2) Relationship with Universal Health Realty Income Trust and Related Party Transactions
Relationship with Universal Health Realty Income Trust:
At March 31, 2020, we held approximately
In addition, certain of our officers and directors are also officers and/or directors of the Trust. Management believes that it has the ability to exercise significant influence over the Trust, therefore we account for our investment in the Trust using the equity method of accounting.
Our pre-tax share of income from the Trust, was approximately $
The Trust commenced operations in 1986 by purchasing certain properties from us and immediately leasing the properties back to our respective subsidiaries. Most of the leases were entered into at the time the Trust commenced operations and provided for initial terms
9
of
Total rent expense under the operating leases on the
The table below details the renewal options and terms for each of our three acute care hospital facilities leased from the Trust:
Hospital Name |
|
Annual Minimum Rent |
|
|
End of Lease Term |
|
Renewal Term (years) |
|
McAllen Medical Center |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wellington Regional Medical Center |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southwest Healthcare System, Inland Valley Campus |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
(b)
In addition, certain of our subsidiaries are tenants in several medical office buildings and
During the third quarter of 2019, the Trust commenced construction on a new
During the third quarter of 2019, a joint-venture agreement between us and a non-related third-party was finalized in connection with the development of a newly constructed behavioral health care facility located in Clive, Iowa. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we hold a majority ownership interest in the venture and will act as manager of the facility when completed and opened. This joint-venture also entered into an agreement with the Trust whereby a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trust will construct the
Other Related Party Transactions:
In December, 2010, our Board of Directors approved the Company’s entering into supplemental life insurance plans and agreements on the lives of Alan B. Miller (our chief executive officer (“CEO”) and his wife. As a result of these agreements, as amended in October, 2016, based on actuarial tables and other assumptions, during the life expectancies of the insureds, we would pay approximately $
In August, 2015, Marc D. Miller, our President and member of our Board of Directors, was appointed to the Board of Directors of Premier, Inc. (“Premier”), a healthcare performance improvement alliance. During 2013, we entered into a new group purchasing
10
organization agreement (“GPO”) with Premier. In conjunction with the GPO agreement, we acquired a minority interest in Premier for a nominal amount. During the fourth quarter of 2013, in connection with the completion of an initial public offering of the stock of Premier, we received cash proceeds for the sale of a portion of our ownership interest in the GPO. Also in connection with this GPO agreement, we received shares of restricted stock of Premier which vest ratably over a period (
A member of our Board of Directors and member of the Executive Committee and Finance Committee is a partner in Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, a law firm engaged by us for a variety of legal services. The Board member and his law firm also provide personal legal services to our CEO and acts as trustee of certain trusts for the benefit of our CEO and his family.
(3) Other Noncurrent liabilities and Redeemable/Noncontrolling Interests
Other noncurrent liabilities include the long-term portion of our professional and general liability, workers’ compensation reserves, pension and deferred compensation liabilities, and liabilities incurred in connection with split-dollar life insurance agreements on the lives of our chief executive officer and his wife.
As of March 31, 2020, outside owners held noncontrolling, minority ownership interests of: (i)
In connection with the two behavioral health care facilities located in Pennsylvania and Ohio, the minority ownership interests of which are reflected as redeemable noncontrolling interests on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, the outside owners have “put options” to put their entire ownership interest to us at any time. If exercised, the put option requires us to purchase the minority member’s interest at fair market value.
(4) Treasury
Credit Facilities and Outstanding Debt Securities:
On
The Sixth Amendment amended the Senior Credit Agreement to, among other things: (i) increase the aggregate amount of the revolving credit facility to $
On October 31, 2018, we added a seven-year tranche B term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of $
As of March 31, 2020, we had
Pursuant to the terms of the Sixth Amendment, the tranche A term loan, which had $
11
The tranche B term loan, which had $
Borrowings under the Senior Credit Agreement bear interest at our election at either (1) the ABR rate which is defined as the rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the lender’s prime rate, (b) the weighted average of the federal funds rate, plus
The Senior Credit Agreement includes a material adverse change clause that must be represented at each draw. The Senior Credit Agreement contains covenants that include a limitation on sales of assets, mergers, change of ownership, liens and indebtedness, transactions with affiliates, dividends and stock repurchases; and requires compliance with financial covenants including maximum leverage. We are in compliance with all required covenants as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
In late April, 2018, we entered into the sixth amendment to our accounts receivable securitization program (“Securitization”) dated as of October 27, 2010 with a group of conduit lenders, liquidity banks, and PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, which provides for borrowings outstanding from time to time by certain of our subsidiaries in exchange for undivided security interests in their respective accounts receivable. The sixth amendment, among other things, extended the term of the Securitization program through April 26, 2021 and increased the borrowing capacity to $
As of March 31, 2020, we had combined aggregate principal of $
|
• |
$ |
|
• |
$ |
|
• |
$ |
|
• |
$ |
Interest on the 2022 Notes is payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year until the maturity date of
12
On November 26, 2018 we redeemed the $
At March 31, 2020, the carrying value and fair value of our debt were each approximately $
Cash Flow Hedges:
We manage our ratio of fixed and floating rate debt with the objective of achieving a mix that management believes is appropriate. To manage this risk in a cost-effective manner, we, from time to time, enter into interest rate swap agreements in which we agree to exchange various combinations of fixed and/or variable interest rates based on agreed upon notional amounts. We account for our derivative and hedging activities using the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s guidance which requires all derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet. For derivative transactions designated as hedges, we formally document all relationships between the hedging instrument and the related hedged item, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking each hedge transaction.
Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Cash flow hedges are accounted for by recording the fair value of the derivative instrument on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability, with a corresponding amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) within shareholders’ equity. Amounts are reclassified from AOCI to the income statement in the period or periods the hedged transaction affects earnings. From time to time, we use interest rate derivatives in our cash flow hedge transactions. Such derivatives are designed to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows related to the hedged liability.
For hedge transactions that do not qualify for the short-cut method, at the hedge’s inception and on a regular basis thereafter, a formal assessment is performed to determine whether changes in the fair values or cash flows of the derivative instruments have been highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items and whether they are expected to be highly effective in the future.
The fair value of interest rate swap agreements approximates the amount at which they could be settled, based on estimates obtained from the counterparties. When applicable, we assess the effectiveness of our hedge instruments on a quarterly basis. Although we do not anticipate nonperformance by our counterparties to interest rate swap agreements, the counterparties expose us to credit risk in the event of nonperformance. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
During 2015, we entered into
When applicable, we measure our interest rate swaps at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of our interest rate swaps is based on quotes from our counterparties. We consider those inputs to be “level 2” in the fair value hierarchy as outlined in the authoritative guidance for disclosures in connection with derivative instruments and hedging activities.
Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:
In August 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on hedge accounting (ASU 2017-12) that is intended to more closely align hedge accounting with companies’ risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. The new guidance amends the presentation and disclosure requirements, and changes how companies assess effectiveness. We adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2019 and applied to all existing hedges as of the adoption date.
We use forward exchange contracts to hedge our net investment in foreign operations against movements in exchange rates. The effective portion of the unrealized gains or losses on these contracts is recorded in foreign currency translation adjustment within accumulated other comprehensive income and remains there until either the sale or liquidation of the subsidiary. In connection with these forward exchange contracts, we recorded net cash inflows of $
During the fourth quarter of 2019, we identified certain cash inflows related to operating activities that were incorrectly classified as cash inflows from foreign currency exchange contracts, as included cash flows from investing activities, on our condensed
13
consolidated statements of cash flows for the quarterly periods in 2019. The cash flows related to our foreign currency exchange contracts were correctly classified on our consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019. We determined that these misclassifications were not material to the financial statements of any period during 2019. However, in order to improve the consistency and comparability of the financial statements, we have revised the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.
Derivatives Hedging Relationships:
The following table presents the effects of our interest rate swap agreements and our foreign currency foreign exchange contracts on our results of operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
|
Gain/(Loss) recognized in AOCI |
|
|||||
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
March 31, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
||
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
||
Cash Flow Hedge relationships |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate swap agreements (a) |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Hedge relationships |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency foreign exchange contracts |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
(a) |
|
No other gains or losses were recognized in income related to derivatives in Subtopic 815-20.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as reported in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows are presented separately on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as follow (in thousands):
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Restricted cash and cash equivalents (a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
(5) Fair Value Measurement
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The following fair value hierarchy classifies the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into one of three levels:
|
• |
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
|
• |
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These included quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. |
|
• |
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions. |
14
The following tables present the assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis:
|
Balance at |
|
Balance Sheet |
Basis of Fair Value Measurement |
|
||||||||
(in thousands) |
March 31, 2020 |
|
Location |
Level 1 |
|
Level 2 |
|
Level 3 |
|
||||
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money market mutual funds |
$ |
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Certificates of deposit |
|
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available for sale securities |
|
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred compensation assets |
|
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency exchange contracts |
|
- |
|
Other current assets |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency exchange contracts |
|
|
|
Other current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred compensation liability |
|
|
|
Other noncurrent liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at |
|
Balance Sheet |
Basis of Fair Value Measurement |
|
||||||||
(in thousands) |
December 31, 2019 |
|
Location |
Level 1 |
|
Level 2 |
|
Level 3 |
|
||||
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money market mutual funds |
$ |
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Certificates of deposit |
|
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available for sale securities |
|
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred compensation assets |
|
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency exchange contracts |
|
|
|
Other current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred compensation liability |
$ |
|
|
Other noncurrent liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
The fair value of our money market mutual funds, certificates of deposit and available for sale securities are computed based upon quoted market prices in active market. The fair value of deferred compensation assets and offsetting liability are computed based on market prices in an active market held in a rabbi trust. The fair value of our interest rate swaps are based on quotes from our counter parties. The fair value of our foreign currency exchange contracts is valued using quoted forward exchange rates and spot rates at the reporting date.
15
(6) Commitments and Contingencies
Professional and General Liability, Workers’ Compensation Liability
The vast majority of our subsidiaries are self-insured for professional and general liability exposure up to: (i) $
As of March 31, 2020, the total accrual for our professional and general liability claims was $
As a result of unfavorable trends recently experienced, during the first quarter of 2020, we recorded a $
As of March 31, 2020, the total accrual for our workers’ compensation liability claims was $
Property Insurance:
We have commercial property insurance policies for our properties covering catastrophic losses, including windstorm damage, up to a $
Other
Our accounts receivable as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 include amounts due from Illinois of approximately $
16
could remain outstanding for the foreseeable future, since we expect to eventually collect all amounts due to us, no related reserves have been established in our consolidated financial statements. However, we can provide no assurance that we will eventually collect all amounts due to us from Illinois. Failure to ultimately collect all outstanding amounts due to us from Illinois would have an adverse impact on our future consolidated results of operations and cash flows.
Legal Proceedings
We operate in a highly regulated and litigious industry which subjects us to various claims and lawsuits in the ordinary course of business as well as regulatory proceedings and government investigations. These claims or suits include claims for damages for personal injuries, medical malpractice, commercial/contractual disputes, wrongful restriction of, or interference with, physicians’ staff privileges, and employment related claims. In addition, health care companies are subject to investigations and/or actions by various state and federal governmental agencies or those bringing claims on their behalf. Government action has increased with respect to investigations and/or allegations against healthcare providers concerning possible violations of fraud and abuse and false claims statutes as well as compliance with clinical and operational regulations. Currently, and from time to time, we and some of our facilities are subjected to inquiries in the form of subpoenas, Civil Investigative Demands, audits and other document requests from various federal and state agencies. These inquiries can lead to notices and/or actions including repayment obligations from state and federal government agencies associated with potential non-compliance with laws and regulations. Further, the federal False Claims Act allows private individuals to bring lawsuits (qui tam actions) against healthcare providers that submit claims for payments to the government. Various states have also adopted similar statutes. When such a claim is filed, the government will investigate the matter and decide if they are going to intervene in the pending case. These qui tam lawsuits are placed under seal by the court to comply with the False Claims Act’s requirements. If the government chooses not to intervene, the private individual(s) can proceed independently on behalf of the government. Health care providers that are found to violate the False Claims Act may be subject to substantial monetary fines/penalties as well as face potential exclusion from participating in government health care programs or be required to comply with Corporate Integrity Agreements as a condition of a settlement of a False Claims Act matter. In September 2014, the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced that all qui tam cases will be shared with their Division to determine if a parallel criminal investigation should be opened. The DOJ has also announced an intention to pursue civil and criminal actions against individuals within a company as well as the corporate entity or entities. In addition, health care facilities are subject to monitoring by state and federal surveyors to ensure compliance with program Conditions of Participation. In the event a facility is found to be out of compliance with a Condition of Participation and unable to remedy the alleged deficiency(s), the facility faces termination from the Medicare and Medicaid programs or compliance with a System Improvement Agreement to remedy deficiencies and ensure compliance.
The laws and regulations governing the healthcare industry are complex covering, among other things, government healthcare participation requirements, licensure, certification and accreditation, privacy of patient information, reimbursement for patient services as well as fraud and abuse compliance. These laws and regulations are constantly evolving and expanding. Further, the Legislation has added additional obligations on healthcare providers to report and refund overpayments by government healthcare programs and authorizes the suspension of Medicare and Medicaid payments “pending an investigation of a credible allegation of fraud.” We monitor our business and have developed an ethics and compliance program with respect to these complex laws, rules and regulations. Although we believe our policies, procedures and practices comply with government regulations, there is no assurance that we will not be faced with the sanctions referenced above which include fines, penalties and/or substantial damages, repayment obligations, payment suspensions, licensure revocation, and expulsion from government healthcare programs. Even if we were to ultimately prevail in any action brought against us or our facilities or in responding to any inquiry, such action or inquiry could have a material adverse effect on us.
Certain legal matters are described below:
Government Investigations:
UHS Behavioral Health
In February, 2013, the Office of Inspector General for the United States Department of Health and Human Services (“OIG”) served a subpoena requesting various documents from January, 2008 to the date of the subpoena directed at Universal Health Services, Inc. (“UHS”) concerning it and UHS of Delaware, Inc., and certain UHS owned behavioral health facilities including: Keys of Carolina, Old Vineyard Behavioral Health, The Meadows Psychiatric Center, Streamwood Behavioral Health, Hartgrove Hospital, Rock River Academy and Residential Treatment Center, Roxbury Treatment Center, Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center, f/k/a The Pines Residential Treatment Center, including the Crawford, Brighton and Kempsville campuses, Wekiva Springs Center and River Point Behavioral Health. Prior to receipt of this subpoena, some of these facilities had received independent subpoenas from state or federal agencies. Subsequent to the February 2013 subpoenas, some of the facilities above have received additional, specific subpoenas or other document and information requests. In addition to the OIG, the DOJ and various U.S. Attorneys’ and state Attorneys’ General Offices are also involved in this matter. Since February 2013, additional facilities have also received subpoenas and/or document and information requests or we have been notified are included in the omnibus investigation. Those facilities include: National Deaf Academy, Arbour-HRI Hospital, Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire, St. Simons By the Sea, Turning Point Care Center, Salt Lake Behavioral Health, Central Florida Behavioral Hospital, University Behavioral Center, Arbour Hospital, Arbour-
17
Fuller Hospital, Pembroke Hospital, Westwood Lodge, Coastal Harbor Health System, Shadow Mountain Behavioral Health, Cedar Hills Hospital, Mayhill Hospital, Southern Crescent Behavioral Health (Anchor Hospital and Crescent Pines campuses), Valley Hospital (AZ), Peachford Behavioral Health System of Atlanta, University Behavioral Health of Denton, El Paso Behavioral Health System, Newport News Behavioral Health Center, The Hughes Center, Forest View Hospital and Havenwyck Hospital.
In October, 2013, we were advised that the DOJ’s Criminal Frauds Section had opened an investigation of River Point Behavioral Health and Wekiva Springs Center. We were subsequently notified that the Criminal Frauds section had opened investigations of National Deaf Academy, Hartgrove Hospital and UHS as a corporate entity. In April 2017, the DOJ’s Criminal Division issued a subpoena requesting documentation from Shadow Mountain Behavioral Health. In August 2017, Kempsville Center of Behavioral Health (a part of Harbor Point Behavioral Health previously identified above) received a subpoena requesting documentation. We have been advised that the investigations being conducted by the DOJ’s Criminal Frauds Section and corresponding U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, of UHS and the above referenced facilities, have been closed.
In April, 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) instituted a Medicare payment suspension at River Point Behavioral Health in accordance with federal regulations regarding suspension of payments during certain investigations. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (“AHCA”) subsequently issued a Medicaid payment suspension for the facility. River Point Behavioral Health submitted a rebuttal statement disputing the basis of the suspension and requesting revocation of the suspension. Notwithstanding, CMS continued the payment suspension. River Point Behavioral Health provided additional information to CMS in an effort to obtain relief from the payment suspension but the Medicare suspension remains in effect. In June 2017, AHCA advised that while they were maintaining the suspension for dual eligible and cross-over Medicare beneficiaries, the Medicaid payment suspension was lifted effective June 27, 2017. From inception through March 31, 2020, the aggregate funds withheld from us in connection with the River Point Behavioral Health payment suspension amounted to approximately $
The DOJ has advised us that the civil aspect of the coordinated investigation referenced above is a False Claims Act investigation focused on billings submitted to government payers in relation to services provided at those facilities. While there have been various matters raised by DOJ during the pendency of this investigation, DOJ Civil has advised that the focus of their investigation is on medical necessity issues and billing for services not eligible for payment due to non-compliance with regulatory requirements relating to, among other things, admission eligibility, discharge decisions, length of stay and patient care issues. It is our understanding that the DOJ Criminal Fraud Section was investigating similar issues prior to the closure of their investigation. UHS denies any fraudulent billings were submitted to government payers.
In July 2019, we reached an agreement in principle with the DOJ’s Civil Division, and on behalf of various states’ attorneys general offices, to resolve the civil aspects of the government’s investigation of our behavioral health care facilities for $
We have established a pre-tax reserve in connection with the civil aspects of these matters (“DOJ Reserve”), which includes related fees and costs due to or on behalf of third-parties, which amounted to $
Based upon the terms and provisions included in the drafts of the settlement agreement, and related subsequent discussions, our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 included an unfavorable provision for income taxes of approximately $
Since the agreement in principle with the DOJ’s Civil Division is subject to certain required approvals and negotiation and execution of definitive settlement agreements, as well as negotiation and execution of a corporate integrity agreement with the OIG, we can provide no assurance that definitive agreements will ultimately be finalized. We therefore can provide no assurance that final amounts paid in settlement or otherwise, or associated costs, or the income tax deductibility of such payments, will not differ materially from our established reserve and assumptions related to income tax deductibility.
DOJ investigation of Turning Point Hospital.
During the fourth quarter of 2018, we were notified that the DOJ Civil Division in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office opened an investigation of Turning Point Hospital in Moultrie, GA. The DOJ Civil Division has advised us that they are primarily investigating transportation and housing financial assistance provided to patients receiving treatment at the facility. The DOJ issued a civil investigative demand to the facility requesting various documents and other information. In September, 2019, we reached a settlement in principle of this matter pending negotiation, finalization and execution of definitive settlement agreements. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our
18
financial statements included an estimated reserve in connection with the potential settlement of this matter, which did not have material impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
Litigation:
U.S. ex rel Escobar v. Universal Health Services, Inc. et.al.
This is a False Claims Act case filed against Universal Health Services, Inc., UHS of Delaware, Inc. and HRI Clinics, Inc. d/b/a Arbour Counseling Services in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. This qui tam action primarily alleges that Arbour Counseling Services failed to appropriately supervise certain clinical providers in contravention of regulatory requirements and the submission of claims to Medicaid were subsequently improper. Relators make other claims of improper billing to Medicaid associated with alleged failures of Arbour Counseling to comply with state regulations. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office initially declined to intervene. UHS filed a motion to dismiss and the trial court originally granted the motion dismissing the case. The First Circuit Court of Appeals (“First Circuit”) reversed the trial court’s dismissal of the case. The United States Supreme Court subsequently vacated the First Circuit’s opinion and remanded the case for further consideration under the new legal standards established by the Supreme Court for False Claims Act cases. During the 4th quarter of 2016, the First Circuit issued a revised opinion upholding their reversal of the trial court’s dismissal. The case was then remanded to the trial court for further proceedings. In January 2017, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office advised of the potential for intervention in the case. The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office subsequently filed its motion to intervene which was granted and, in April 2017, filed their Complaint in Intervention. We have defended this case vigorously. This matter is included in the above-mentioned agreement in principle reached with the DOJ’s Civil Division, and on behalf of various states’ attorneys general offices, to resolve the civil aspects of the government’s investigation of our behavioral health care facilities, subject to requisite approvals and preparation and execution of definitive settlement and related agreements.
Shareholder Class Action
In December 2016 a purported shareholder class action lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against UHS and certain UHS officers alleging violations of the federal securities laws. The case was originally filed as Heed v. Universal Health Services, Inc. et. al. (Case No. 2:16-CV-09499-PSG-JC). The court subsequently appointed Teamsters Local 456 Pension Fund and Teamsters Local 456 Annuity Fund to serve as lead plaintiffs. The case has been transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the style of the case has been changed to Teamsters Local 456 Pension Fund, et. al. v. Universal Health Services, Inc. et. al. (Case No. 2:17-CV-02817-LS). In September, 2017, Teamsters Local 456 Pension Fund filed an amended complaint. The amended class action complaint alleges violations of federal securities laws relating to disclosures made in public filings associated with alleged practices and operations at our behavioral health facilities. Plaintiffs seek monetary damages for shareholders during the defined class period as a result of the decrease in share price following various public disclosures or reports. In December, 2017, we filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. In August, 2019, the court granted our motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a motion with the court seeking leave to file a second amended complaint. In April, 2020, the court denied Plaintiffs’ motion to file a second amended complaint. We deny liability and intend to defend ourselves vigorously. At this time, we are uncertain as to potential liability or financial exposure, if any, which may be associated with this matter.
Shareholder Derivative Cases
In March 2017, a shareholder derivative suit was filed by plaintiff David Heed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. A notice of removal to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania was filed (Case No. 2:17-cv-01476-LS). Plaintiff filed a motion to remand. In December 2017, the Court denied plaintiff’s motion to remand and has retained the case in federal court. In May, June and July 2017, additional shareholder derivative suits were filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs in those cases are: Central Laborers’ Pension Fund (Case No. 17-cv-02187-LS); Firemen’s Retirement System of St. Louis (Case No. 17—cv-02317-LS); Waterford Township Police & Fire Retirement System (Case No. 17-cv-02595-LS); and Amalgamated Bank Longview Funds (Case No. 17-cv-03404-LS). The Fireman’s Retirement System case has since been voluntarily dismissed. The federal court has consolidated all of the cases pending in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and has appointed co-lead plaintiffs and co-lead counsel. Lead Plaintiffs have filed a consolidated, amended complaint. We have filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. In addition, a shareholder derivative case was filed in Chancery Court in Delaware by the Delaware County Employees’ Retirement Fund (Case No. 2017-0475-JTL). In December 2017, the Chancery Court stayed this case pending resolution of other contemporaneous matters. Each of these cases have named certain current and former members of the Board of Directors individually and certain officers of Universal Health Services, Inc. as defendants. UHS has also been named as a nominal defendant in these cases. The derivative cases make substantially similar allegations and claims as the shareholder class action relating to practices at our behavioral health facilities and board and corporate oversight of these facilities as well as claims relating to the stock trading by the individual defendants and company repurchase of shares during the relevant time period. The cases make claims of breaches of fiduciary duties by the named board members and officers; alleged violations of federal securities laws; and common law causes of action against the individual defendants including unjust enrichment, corporate waste, abuse of control, constructive fraud and gross mismanagement. The cases seek monetary damages allegedly incurred by the company; restitution and disgorgement of profits, benefits and other compensation from the individual defendants and various forms of equitable relief relating to corporate governance matters. In August, 2019, the court granted our motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs subsequently filed
19
a motion with the court seeking leave to file a second amended complaint. In April, 2020, the court denied Plaintiffs motion to file a second amended complaint. The defendants deny liability and intend to defend these cases vigorously. At this time, we are uncertain as to potential liability or financial exposure, if any, which may be associated with these matters.
The George Washington University v. Universal Health Services, Inc., et. al.
In December 2019, The George Washington University (“University”) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia against Universal Health Services, Inc. as well as certain subsidiaries and individuals associated with the ownership and management of The George Washington University Hospital (“GW Hospital”) in Washington, D.C. (case No. 2019 CA 008019 B). The lawsuit claims that UHS failed to provide sufficient financial compensation to the University under the terms of various agreements entered into in 1997 between the University and UHS for the joint venture ownership of GW Hospital. The lawsuit includes claims for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and unjust enrichment. We deny liability and intend to defend this matter vigorously. We have filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. At this time, we are uncertain as to potential liability or financial exposure, if any, which may be associated with this matter.
Disproportionate Share Hospital Payment Matter:
In late September, 2015, many hospitals in Pennsylvania, including certain of our behavioral health care hospitals located in the state, received letters from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (the “Department”) demanding repayment of allegedly excess Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payments (“DSH”), primarily consisting of managed care payments characterized as DSH payments, for the federal fiscal year (“FFY”) 2011 amounting to approximately $
Other Matters:
Various other suits, claims and investigations, including government subpoenas, arising against, or issued to, us are pending and additional such matters may arise in the future. Management will consider additional disclosure from time to time to the extent it believes such matters may be or become material. The outcome of any current or future litigation or governmental or internal investigations, including the matters described above, cannot be accurately predicted, nor can we predict any resulting penalties, fines or other sanctions that may be imposed at the discretion of federal or state regulatory authorities. We record accruals for such contingencies to the extent that we conclude it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. No estimate of the possible loss or range of loss in excess of amounts accrued, if any, can be made at this time regarding the matters described above or that are otherwise pending because the inherently unpredictable nature of legal proceedings may be exacerbated by various factors, including, but not limited to: (i) the damages sought in the proceedings are unsubstantiated or indeterminate; (ii) discovery is not complete; (iii) the matter is in its early stages; (iv) the matters present legal uncertainties; (v) there are significant facts in dispute; (vi) there are a large number of parties, or; (vii) there is a wide range of potential outcomes. It is possible that the outcome of these matters could have a material adverse impact on our future results of operations, financial position, cash flows and, potentially, our reputation.
(7) Segment Reporting
Our reportable operating segments consist of acute care hospital services and behavioral health care services. The “Other” segment column below includes centralized services including, but not limited to, information technology, purchasing, reimbursement, accounting and finance, taxation, legal, advertising and design and construction. The chief operating decision making group for our acute care services and behavioral health care services is comprised of our Chief Executive Officer, the President and the Presidents of each operating segment. The Presidents for each operating segment also manage the profitability of each respective segment’s various facilities. The operating segments are managed separately because each operating segment represents a business unit that offers different types of healthcare services or operates in different healthcare environments. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in our Annual Report on Form
20
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. The corporate overhead allocations, as reflected below, are utilized for internal reporting purposes and are comprised of each period’s projected corporate-level operating expenses (excluding interest expense). The overhead expenses are captured and allocated directly to each segment to the extent possible, and overhead expenses incurred on behalf of both segments are captured and allocated to each segment based upon each segment’s respective percentage of total operating expenses.
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Three months ended March 31, 2020 |
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|||||||||||||
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Acute Care Hospital Services |
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Behavioral Health Services (a) |
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Other |
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|
Total Consolidated |
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||||
|
|
(Amounts in thousands) |
|
|||||||||||||
Gross inpatient revenues |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Gross outpatient revenues |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Total net revenues |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Income/(loss) before allocation of corporate overhead and income taxes |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
Allocation of corporate overhead |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Income/(loss) after allocation of corporate overhead and before income taxes |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
Total assets as of March 31, 2020 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2019 |
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|||||||||||||
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|
Acute Care Hospital Services |
|
|
Behavioral Health Services (a) |
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|
Other |
|
|
Total Consolidated |
|
||||
|
|
(Amounts in thousands) |
|
|||||||||||||
Gross inpatient revenues |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Gross outpatient revenues |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Total net revenues |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Income/(loss) before allocation of corporate overhead and income taxes |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
Allocation of corporate overhead |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Income/(loss) after allocation of corporate overhead and before income taxes |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
Total assets as of March 31, 2019 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
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(a) |
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(8) Earnings Per Share Data (“EPS”) and Stock Based Compensation
Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period adjusted to give effect to common stock equivalents.
21
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share data):
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Three months ended March 31, |
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|||||
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2020 |
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2019 |
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||
Basic and Diluted: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to UHS |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share grants |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Net income attributable to UHS – basic and diluted |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Weighted average number of common shares - basic |
|
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|
|
|
|
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Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the treasury stock method |
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|
|
|
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|
|
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per basic share attributable to UHS: |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Earnings per diluted share attributable to UHS: |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
The “Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the treasury stock method”, for all periods presented above, excludes certain outstanding stock options applicable to each period since the effect would have been anti-dilutive. The excluded weighted-average stock options totaled
The decrease in our basic and diluted weighted number of common shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the comparable prior year quarter, was due primarily to the impact of shares repurchased by us since January 1, 2019.
Stock-Based Compensation:
During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, pre-tax compensation cost of $
The expense associated with stock-based compensation arrangements is a non-cash charge. In the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, stock-based compensation expense is an adjustment to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities and aggregated to $
(9) Dispositions and acquisitions
Three-month period ended March 31, 2020:
Acquisitions:
During the first three months of 2020, there were
Divestitures:
During the first three months of 2020, there were
Three-month period ended March 31, 2019:
Acquisitions:
During the first three months of 2019, there were
Divestitures:
During the first three months of 2019, there were
22
(10) Dividends
We declared and paid dividends of $
As part of our various COVID-19 initiatives, we have suspended declaration and payment of quarterly dividends.
(11) Income Taxes
Our effective income tax rates were
The global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) provisions from the TCJA-17 require the inclusion of the earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries in excess of an acceptable rate of return on certain assets of the respective subsidiaries in our U.S. tax return for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. An accounting policy election was made during 2018 to treat taxes related to GILTI as a period cost when the tax is incurred. We recorded a GILTI tax provision of
As of January 1, 2020, our unrecognized tax benefits were approximately $
We recognize accrued interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as part of the tax provision. As of March 31, 2020, we have less than $
We operate in multiple jurisdictions with varying tax laws. We are subject to audits by any of these taxing authorities. Our tax returns have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) through the year ended December 31, 2006. We believe that adequate accruals have been provided for federal, foreign and state taxes.
(12) Revenue
The company recognizes revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Or estimate for amounts not expected to be collected based on historical experience will continue to be recognized as a reduction to net revenue. However, subsequent changes in estimate of collectability due to a change in the financial status of a payer, for example a bankruptcy, will be recognized as bad debt expense in operating charges.
The performance obligation is separately identifiable from other promises in the customer contract. As the performance obligations are met (i.e.: room, board, ancillary services, level of care), revenue is recognized based upon allocated transaction price. The transaction price is allocated to separate performance obligations based upon the relative standalone selling price. In instances where we determine there are multiple performance obligations across multiple months, the transaction price will be allocated by applying an estimated implicit and explicit rate to gross charges based on the separate performance obligations.
In assessing collectability, we have elected the portfolio approach. This portfolio approach is being used as we have large volume of similar contracts with similar classes of customers. We reasonably expect that the effect of applying a portfolio approach to a group of contracts would not differ materially from considering each contract separately. Management’s judgment to group the contracts by portfolio is based on the payment behavior expected in each portfolio category. As a result, aggregating all of the contracts (which are at the patient level) by the particular payer or group of payers, will result in the recognition of the same amount of revenue as applying the analysis at the individual patient level.
23
We group our revenues into categories based on payment behaviors. Each component has its own reimbursement structure which allows us to disaggregate the revenue into categories that share the nature and timing of payments. The other patient revenue consists primarily of self-pay, government-funded non-Medicaid, and other.
The following table disaggregates our revenue by major source for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
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For the three months ended March 31, 2020 |
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Acute Care |
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Behavioral Health |
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Other |
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Total |
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Medicare |
$ |
|
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
% |
Managed Medicare |
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|
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|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
% |
Medicaid |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
% |
Managed Medicaid |
|
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|
|
% |
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|
|
% |
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
Managed Care (HMO and PPOs) |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
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|
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% |
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% |
UK Revenue |
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% |
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% |
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% |
Other patient revenue and adjustments, net |
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% |
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% |
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% |
Other non-patient revenue |
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% |
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|
% |
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|
|
|
% |
Total Net Revenue |
$ |
|
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|
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% |
|
$ |
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|
% |
|
$ |
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% |
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For the three months ended March 31, 2019 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Acute Care |
|
|
Behavioral Health |
|
|
Other |
|
|
Total |
|
|||||||||||||
Medicare |
$ |
|
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
% |
Managed Medicare |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
Medicaid |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
Managed Medicaid |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
Managed Care (HMO and PPOs) |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
UK Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
Other patient revenue and adjustments, net |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
Other non-patient revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
Total Net Revenue |
$ |
|
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
(13) Lease Accounting
We adopted Topic 842 effective January 1, 2019. We applied Topic 842 to all leases as of January 1, 2019. We elected the practical expedient package to not reassess at adoption (i) expired or existing contracts for whether they are or contain a lease, (ii) the lease classification of any existing leases or (iii) initial indirect costs for existing leases. We also elected the policy exemption that allows lessees to choose to not separate lease and non-lease components by class of underlying asset and are applying this expedient to all relevant asset classes.
We determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception of the contract. Our right-of-use assets represent our right to use the underlying assets for the lease term and our lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the leases. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. We use the implicit rate noted within the contract. If not readily available, we use our estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is derived using a collateralized borrowing rate for the same currency and term as the associated lease. A right-of-use asset and lease liability is not recognized for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less and we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term within lease and rental expense.
Our operating leases are primarily for real estate, including certain acute care facilities, off-campus outpatient facilities, medical office buildings, and corporate and other administrative offices. Our real estate lease agreements typically have initial terms of
The components of lease expense for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands):
|
Three months ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating lease cost |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Variable and short term lease cost (a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total lease cost |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance lease cost: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of right-of-use-assets |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Interest on lease liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total finance lease cost |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands):
|
Three months ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating cash flows from operating leases |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Operating cash flows from finance leases |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Financing cash flows from finance leases |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating leases |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Included in the $
25
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are as follows (in thousands):
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Leases |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Right of use assets-operating leases |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating lease liabilities |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Operating lease liabilities noncurrent |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating lease liabilities |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance Leases |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Accumulated depreciation |
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Property and equipment, net |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current maturities of long-term debt |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Long-term debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total finance lease liabilities |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average remaining lease term, years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating leases |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance leases |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average discount rate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating leases |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
Finance leases |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
Future maturities of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2020 are as follows (in thousands):
|
Operating Leases |
|
|
Finance Leases |
|
||
Year ending December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020 (remaining 9 months) |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Later years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total lease payments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
less imputed interest |
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Total |
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
(14) Recent Accounting Standards
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses," which introduced new guidance for an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. Instruments in scope include loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, and net investments in leases as well as reinsurance and trade receivables. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, which clarifies that operating lease receivables are outside the scope of the new standard. The standard will be effective for us in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In January, 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”), which removes the requirement to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure goodwill impairment. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective for the annual and interim periods beginning
26
January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted, and applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles- Goodwill and Other- Internal Use Software (Topic 350): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract, ("ASU 2018-15"), which requires customers in a cloud computing arrangement (i.e., hosting arrangement) that is a service contract to follow the internal use software guidance in ASC 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize or expense. ASU 2018-15 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
From time to time, new accounting guidance is issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies that is adopted by the Company as of the effective date or, in some cases where early adoption is permitted, in advance of the effective date. The Company has assessed the recently issued guidance that is not yet effective and, unless otherwise indicated above, believes the new guidance will not have a material impact on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
27
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
Our principal business is owning and operating, through our subsidiaries, acute care hospitals and outpatient facilities and behavioral health care facilities.
As of March 31, 2020, we owned and/or operated 357 inpatient facilities and 42 outpatient and other facilities including the following located in 37 states, Washington, D.C., the United Kingdom and Puerto Rico:
Acute care facilities located in the U.S.:
|
• |
26 inpatient acute care hospitals; |
|
• |
14 free-standing emergency departments, and; |
|
• |
6 outpatient centers & 1 surgical hospital. |
Behavioral health care facilities (331 inpatient facilities and 21 outpatient facilities):
Located in the U.S.:
|
• |
185 inpatient behavioral health care facilities, and; |
|
• |
19 outpatient behavioral health care facilities. |
Located in the U.K.:
|
• |
143 inpatient behavioral health care facilities, and; |
|
• |
2 outpatient behavioral health care facilities. |
Located in Puerto Rico:
|
• |
3 inpatient behavioral health care facilities. |
As a percentage of our consolidated net revenues, net revenues from our acute care hospitals, outpatient facilities and commercial health insurer accounted for 54% during each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Net revenues from our behavioral health care facilities and commercial health insurer accounted for 46% of our consolidated net revenues during each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.
Our behavioral health care facilities located in the U.K. generated net revenues of approximately $137 million during each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Total assets at our U.K. behavioral health care facilities were approximately $1.197 billion as of March 31, 2020 and $1.270 billion as of December 31, 2019.
Services provided by our hospitals include general and specialty surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, emergency room care, radiology, oncology, diagnostic care, coronary care, pediatric services, pharmacy services and/or behavioral health services. We provide capital resources as well as a variety of management services to our facilities, including central purchasing, information services, finance and control systems, facilities planning, physician recruitment services, administrative personnel management, marketing and public relations.
Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors
You should carefully review the information contained in this Annual Report, and should particularly consider any risk factors that we set forth in this Annual Report and in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In this Annual Report, we state our beliefs of future events and of our future financial performance. This Annual Report contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect our current estimates, expectations and projections about our future results, performance, prospects and opportunities. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, the information concerning our possible future results of operations, business and growth strategies, financing plans, expectations that regulatory developments or other matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition, our competitive position and the effects of competition, the projected growth of the industry in which we operate, and the benefits and synergies to be obtained from our completed and any future acquisitions, and statements of our goals and objectives, and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “appears,” “projects” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, identify forward-looking statements. In evaluating those statements, you should specifically consider various factors, including the risks related to healthcare industry trends and those set forth in Item 1A. Risk Factors and elsewhere herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 in Item 1A. Risk Factors and in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors.
28
Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or our good faith belief with respect to future events, and is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. Such factors include, among other things, the following:
|
• |
we are subject to risks associated with public health threats and epidemics, including the health concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. In February 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) confirmed the spread of the disease to the United States. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. The federal government has declared COVID-19 a national emergency, as many federal and state authorities have implemented aggressive measures to “flatten the curve” of confirmed individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in an attempt to curtail the spread of the virus and to avoid overwhelming the health care system; |
|
• |
the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted and is likely to further adversely impact us, our employees, our patients, our vendors and supply chain partners, and financial institutions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In an effort to slow the spread of the disease, most state and local governments have mandated general “shelter-in-place” orders or other similar restrictions that require social distancing and that have closed or limited non-essential business activities. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken in response thereto impact our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on numerous factors and future developments. The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is highly uncertain and subject to change. We are not able to fully quantify the impact that these factors will have on our future financial results, but expect developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic to materially affect our financial performance in 2020. Even after the COVID-19 outbreak has subsided, we may continue to experience materially adverse impacts on our financial condition and our results of operations as a result of its macroeconomic impact, including any recession that has occurred or may occur in the future, and many of our known risks described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 may be heightened. See Item 1A. Risk Factors as included herein for additional disclosure; |
|
• |
the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), a stimulus package signed into law on March 27, 2020, authorizes $100 billion in funding to hospitals and other healthcare providers to be distributed through the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (the “PHSSEF”). These funds are not required to be repaid provided the recipients attest to and comply with certain terms and conditions, including limitations on balance billing and not using PHSSEF funds to reimburse expenses or losses that other sources are obligated to reimburse. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) initially distributed $30 billion of this funding based on each provider’s share of total Medicare fee-for-service reimbursement in 2019, but has announced that $50 billion in CARES Act funding (including the $30 billion already distributed) will be allocated proportional to providers’ share of 2018 net patient revenue. We have received payments from the initial funding of the PHSSEF. HHS has indicated that distributions of the remaining $50 billion will be targeted primarily to hospitals in COVID-19 high impact areas, to rural providers, and to reimburse providers for COVID-19-related treatment of uninsured patients. The CARES Act also makes other forms of financial assistance available to healthcare providers, including through Medicare and Medicaid payment adjustments and an expansion of the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program, which makes available accelerated payments of Medicare funds in order to increase cash flow to providers. We have received accelerated payments under this program. The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (the “PPPHCE Act”), a stimulus package signed into law on April 24, 2020, includes additional emergency appropriations for COVID-19 response, including $75 billion to be distributed to eligible providers through the PHSSEF. Recipients will not be required to repay the government for funds received, provided they comply with terms and conditions, which have not yet been finalized. There is a high degree of uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the CARES Act and the PPPHCE Act, and the federal government may consider additional stimulus and relief efforts, but we are unable to predict whether additional stimulus measures will be enacted or their impact. There can be no assurance as to the total amount of financial and other types of assistance we will receive under the CARES Act and the PPPHCE Act, and it is difficult to predict the impact of such legislation on our operations or how they will affect operations of our competitors. Moreover, we are unable to assess the extent to which anticipated negative impacts on us arising from the COVID-19 pandemic will be offset by amounts or benefits received or to be received under the CARES Act and the PPPHCE Act; |
|
• |
our ability to comply with the existing laws and government regulations, and/or changes in laws and government regulations; |
|
• |
an increasing number of legislative initiatives have been passed into law that may result in major changes in the health care delivery system on a national or state level. Legislation has already been enacted that has eliminated the penalty for failing to maintain health coverage that was part of the original Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “Legislation”). President Trump has already taken executive actions: (i) requiring all federal agencies with authorities and |
29
|
responsibilities under the Legislation to “exercise all authority and discretion available to them to waiver, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay” parts of the Legislation that place “unwarranted economic and regulatory burdens” on states, individuals or health care providers; (ii) the issuance of a final rule in June, 2018 by the Department of Labor to enable the formation of association health plans that would be exempt from certain Legislation requirements such as the provision of essential health benefits; (iii) the issuance of a final rule in August, 2018 by the Department of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services to expand the availability of short-term, limited duration health insurance, (iv) eliminating cost-sharing reduction payments to insurers that would otherwise offset deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses for health plan enrollees at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level; (v) relaxing requirements for state innovation waivers that could reduce enrollment in the individual and small group markets and lead to additional enrollment in short-term, limited duration insurance and association health plans; (vi) the issuance of a final rule in June, 2019 by the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services that would incentivize the use of health reimbursement arrangements by employers to permit employees to purchase health insurance in the individual market, and; (vii) the issuance of a final rule intended to increase transparency of healthcare price and quality information. The uncertainty resulting from these Executive Branch policies has led to reduced Exchange enrollment in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and is expected to further worsen the individual and small group market risk pools in future years. It is also anticipated that these and future policies may create additional cost and reimbursement pressures on hospitals, including ours. In addition, while attempts to repeal the entirety of the Legislation have not been successful to date, a key provision of the Legislation was repealed as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and on December 14, 2018, a federal U.S. District Court Judge in Texas ruled the entire Legislation is unconstitutional. That ruling was stayed and has been appealed. On December 18, 2019, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to strike down the Legislation individual mandate as unconstitutional and sent the case back to the U.S. District Court in Texas to determine which Legislation provisions should be stricken with the mandate or whether the entire law is unconstitutional without the individual mandate. On March 2, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear, during the 2020-2021 term, two consolidated cases, filed by the State of California and the United States House of Representatives, asking the Supreme Court to review the ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Legislation will remain law while the case proceeds through the appeals process; however, the case creates additional uncertainty as to whether any or all of the Legislation could be struck down, which creates operational risk for the health care industry. We are unable to predict the final outcome of this matter which has caused greater uncertainty regarding the future status of the Legislation. If all or any parts of the Legislation are ultimately found to be unconstitutional, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See below in Sources of Revenue and Health Care Reform for additional disclosure; |
|
• |
possible unfavorable changes in the levels and terms of reimbursement for our charges by third party payers or government based payers, including Medicare or Medicaid in the United States, and government based payers in the United Kingdom; |
|
• |
our ability to enter into managed care provider agreements on acceptable terms and the ability of our competitors to do the same, including contracts with United/Sierra Healthcare in Las Vegas, Nevada. Effective January, 2020, United/Sierra Healthcare in Las Vegas, entered into an agreement with a competitor health system that was previously excluded from their contractual network in the area. As a result, we believe that our 6 acute care hospitals in the Las Vegas, Nevada market, will likely experience a decrease in patient volumes. However, we have entered into an amended agreement with United/Sierra Healthcare related to our hospitals in the Las Vegas market that provide for various rate increases beginning in January, 2020. Although we estimate that the unfavorable impact of the projected decreases in patient volumes should be largely offset by the favorable impact of the increased rates, we can provide no assurance that these developments, as well as the effect of COVID-19 on the Las Vegas market, will not have a material adverse impact on our future results of operations; |
|
• |
the outcome of known and unknown litigation, government investigations, false claims act allegations, and liabilities and other claims asserted against us and other matters as disclosed in Item 1. Legal Proceedings, and the effects of adverse publicity relating to such matters; |
|
• |
the unfavorable impact on our business of the deterioration in national, regional and local economic and business conditions, including a worsening of unfavorable credit market conditions; |
|
• |
competition from other healthcare providers (including physician owned facilities) in certain markets; |
|
• |
technological and pharmaceutical improvements that increase the cost of providing, or reduce the demand for healthcare; |
|
• |
our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, nurses, physicians and other healthcare professionals and the impact on our labor expenses resulting from a shortage of nurses and other healthcare professionals; |
|
• |
demographic changes; |
30
|
• |
the availability of suitable acquisition and divestiture opportunities and our ability to successfully integrate and improve our acquisitions since failure to achieve expected acquisition benefits from certain of our prior or future acquisitions could result in impairment charges for goodwill and purchased intangibles; |
|
• |
the impact of severe weather conditions, including the effects of hurricanes and climate change; |
|
• |
as discussed below in Sources of Revenue, we receive revenues from various state and county based programs, including Medicaid in all the states in which we operate (we receive Medicaid revenues in excess of $100 million annually from each of California, Texas, Nevada, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Illinois and Massachusetts); CMS-approved Medicaid supplemental programs in certain states including Texas, Mississippi, Illinois, Oklahoma, Nevada, Arkansas, California and Indiana, and; state Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments in certain states including Texas and South Carolina. We are therefore particularly sensitive to potential reductions in Medicaid and other state based revenue programs as well as regulatory, economic, environmental and competitive changes in those states. We can provide no assurance that reductions to revenues earned pursuant to these programs, and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on state budgets, particularly in the above-mentioned states, will not have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations; |
|
• |
our ability to continue to obtain capital on acceptable terms, including borrowed funds, to fund the future growth of our business; |
|
• |
our inpatient acute care and behavioral health care facilities may experience decreasing admission and length of stay trends; |
|
• |
our financial statements reflect large amounts due from various commercial and private payers and there can be no assurance that failure of the payers to remit amounts due to us will not have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations; |
|
• |
in August, 2011, the Budget Control Act of 2011 (the “2011 Act”) was enacted into law. The 2011 Act imposed annual spending limits for most federal agencies and programs aimed at reducing budget deficits by $917 billion between 2012 and 2021, according to a report released by the Congressional Budget Office. Among its other provisions, the law established a bipartisan Congressional committee, known as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the “Joint Committee”), which was tasked with making recommendations aimed at reducing future federal budget deficits by an additional $1.5 trillion over 10 years. The Joint Committee was unable to reach an agreement by the November 23, 2011 deadline and, as a result, across-the-board cuts to discretionary, national defense and Medicare spending were implemented on March 1, 2013 resulting in Medicare payment reductions of up to 2% per fiscal year with a uniform percentage reduction across all Medicare programs. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, enacted on November 2, 2015, continued the 2% reductions to Medicare reimbursement imposed under the 2011 Act. The CARES Act suspended payment reductions between May 1 and December 31, 2020, in exchange for extended cuts through 2030. Subsequent legislation enacted by Congress extended reductions through 2029. We cannot predict whether Congress will restructure the implemented Medicare payment reductions or what other federal budget deficit reduction initiatives may be proposed by Congress going forward; |
|
• |
uninsured and self-pay patients treated at our acute care facilities unfavorably impact our ability to satisfactorily and timely collect our self-pay patient accounts; |
|
• |
changes in our business strategies or development plans; |
|
• |
in June, 2016, the United Kingdom affirmatively voted in a non-binding referendum in favor of the exit of the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) from the European Union (the “Brexit”) and it was approved by vote of the British legislature. On March 29, 2017, the United Kingdom triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, formally starting negotiations regarding its exit from the European Union. On January 31, 2020, the U.K. formally exited the European Union. The U.K. and the European Union will now enter into a transition period in which the terms of the future relationship must be negotiated. The outcome of these negotiations is uncertain, and we do not know to what extent Brexit will ultimately impact the business and regulatory environment in the U.K., the European Union, or other countries. The U.K. will continue to follow European Union rules through at least December 31, 2020 (the “Transition Period”). The Transition Period may be extended through December 31, 2022. Any of these effects of Brexit, and others we cannot anticipate, could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations; |
|
• |
fluctuations in the value of our common stock, and; |
|
• |
other factors referenced herein or in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Given these uncertainties, risks and assumptions, as outlined above, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Our actual results and financial condition could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. We assume no obligation
31
to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except as may be required by law. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We consider our critical accounting policies to be those that require us to make significant judgments and estimates when we prepare our consolidated financial statements. For a summary of our significant accounting policies, please see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements as included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Revenue Recognition: On January 1, 2018, we adopted, using the modified retrospective approach, ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” and “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)”, respectively, which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The most significant change from the adoption of the new standard relates to our estimation for the allowance for doubtful accounts. Under the previous standards, our estimate for amounts not expected to be collected based upon our historical experience, were reflected as provision for doubtful accounts, included within net revenue. Under the new standard, our estimate for amounts not expected to be collected based on historical experience will continue to be recognized as a reduction to net revenue, however, not reflected separately as provision for doubtful accounts. Under the new standard, subsequent changes in estimate of collectability due to a change in the financial status of a payer, for example a bankruptcy, will be recognized as bad debt expense in operating charges. The adoption of this ASU in 2018, and amounts recognized as bad debt expense and included in other operating expenses, did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements-Revenue, for additional disclosure related to our revenues including a disaggregation of our consolidated net revenues by major source for each of the periods presented herein.
Charity Care, Uninsured Discounts and Other Adjustments to Revenue: Collection of receivables from third-party payers and patients is our primary source of cash and is critical to our operating performance. Our primary collection risks relate to uninsured patients and the portion of the bill which is the patient’s responsibility, primarily co-payments and deductibles. We estimate our revenue adjustments for implicit price concessions based on general factors such as payer mix, the aging of the receivables and historical collection experience, consistent with our estimates for provisions for doubtful accounts under ASC 605. We routinely review accounts receivable balances in conjunction with these factors and other economic conditions which might ultimately affect the collectability of the patient accounts and make adjustments to our allowances as warranted. At our acute care hospitals, third party liability accounts are pursued until all payment and adjustments are posted to the patient account. For those accounts with a patient balance after third party liability is finalized or accounts for uninsured patients, the patient receives statements and collection letters.
Under ASC 605, our hospitals established a partial reserve for self-pay accounts in the allowance for doubtful accounts for both unbilled balances and those that have been billed and were under 90 days old. All self-pay accounts were fully reserved at 90 days from the date of discharge. Third party liability accounts were fully reserved in the allowance for doubtful accounts when the balance aged past 180 days from the date of discharge. Patients that express an inability to pay were reviewed for potential sources of financial assistance including our charity care policy. If the patient was deemed unwilling to pay, the account was written-off as bad debt and transferred to an outside collection agency for additional collection effort. Under ASC 606, while similar processes and methodologies are considered, these revenue adjustments are considered at the time the services are provided in determination of the transaction price.
Historically, a significant portion of the patients treated throughout our portfolio of acute care hospitals are uninsured patients which, in part, has resulted from patients who are employed but do not have health insurance or who have policies with relatively high deductibles. Patients treated at our hospitals for non-elective services, who have gross income of various amounts, dependent upon the state, ranging from 200% to 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, are deemed eligible for charity care. The federal poverty guidelines are established by the federal government and are based on income and family size. Because we do not pursue collection of amounts that qualify as charity care, the transaction price is fully adjusted and there is no impact in our net revenues or in our accounts receivable, net.
A portion of the accounts receivable at our acute care facilities are comprised of Medicaid accounts that are pending approval from third-party payers but we also have smaller amounts due from other miscellaneous payers such as county indigent programs in certain states. Our patient registration process includes an interview of the patient or the patient’s responsible party at the time of registration. At that time, an insurance eligibility determination is made and an insurance plan code is assigned. There are various pre-established
32
insurance profiles in our patient accounting system which determine the expected insurance reimbursement for each patient based on the insurance plan code assigned and the services rendered. Certain patients may be classified as Medicaid pending at registration based upon a screening evaluation if we are unable to definitively determine if they are currently Medicaid eligible. When a patient is registered as Medicaid eligible or Medicaid pending, our patient accounting system records net revenues for services provided to that patient based upon the established Medicaid reimbursement rates, subject to the ultimate disposition of the patient’s Medicaid eligibility. When the patient’s ultimate eligibility is determined, reclassifications may occur which impacts net revenues in future periods. Although the patient’s ultimate eligibility determination may result in adjustments to net revenues, these adjustments did not have a material impact on our results of operations during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 or 2019 since our facilities make estimates at each financial reporting period to adjust revenue based on historical collections. Under ASC 605, these estimates were reported in the provision for doubtful accounts.
We also provide discounts to uninsured patients (included in “uninsured discounts” amounts below) who do not qualify for Medicaid or charity care. Because we do not pursue collection of amounts classified as uninsured discounts, the transaction price is fully adjusted and there is no impact in our net revenues or in our net accounts receivable. In implementing the discount policy, we first attempt to qualify uninsured patients for governmental programs, charity care or any other discount program. If an uninsured patient does not qualify for these programs, the uninsured discount is applied.
The following tables show the amounts recorded at our acute care hospitals for charity care and uninsured discounts, based on charges at established rates, for the three-month periods ended Mach 31, 2020 and 2019:
Uncompensated care:
Amounts in millions |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
2020 |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
2019 |
|
|
% |
|
||
Charity care |
|
$ |
202 |
|
|
|
32 |
% |
|
$ |
146 |
|
|
|
31 |
% |
Uninsured discounts |
|
432 |
|
|
|
68 |
% |
|
328 |
|
|
|
69 |
% |
||
Total uncompensated care |
|
$ |
634 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
474 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
Estimated cost of providing uncompensated care:
The estimated costs of providing uncompensated care as reflected below were based on a calculation which multiplied the percentage of operating expenses for our acute care hospitals to gross charges for those hospitals by the above-mentioned total uncompensated care amounts. The percentage of cost to gross charges is calculated based on the total operating expenses for our acute care facilities divided by gross patient service revenue for those facilities.
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
||
Amounts in millions |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
2019 |
|
Estimated cost of providing charity care |
|
$ |
23 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
Estimated cost of providing uninsured discounts related care |
|
48 |
|
|
37 |
|
||
Estimated cost of providing uncompensated care |
|
$ |
71 |
|
|
$ |
54 |
|
Self-Insured/Other Insurance Risks: We provide for self-insured risks including general and professional liability claims, workers’ compensation claims and healthcare and dental claims. Our estimated liability for self-insured professional and general liability claims is based on a number of factors including, among other things, the number of asserted claims and reported incidents, estimates of losses for these claims based on recent and historical settlement amounts, estimate of incurred but not reported claims based on historical experience, and estimates of amounts recoverable under our commercial insurance policies. All relevant information, including our own historical experience is used in estimating the expected amount of claims. While we continuously monitor these factors, our ultimate liability for professional and general liability claims could change materially from our current estimates due to inherent uncertainties involved in making this estimate. Our estimated self-insured reserves are reviewed and changed, if necessary, at each reporting date and changes are recognized currently as additional expense or as a reduction of expense. In addition, we also: (i) own commercial health insurers headquartered in Reno, Nevada, and Puerto Rico and; (ii) maintain self-insured employee benefits programs for employee healthcare and dental claims. The ultimate costs related to these programs/operations include expenses for claims incurred and paid in addition to an accrual for the estimated expenses incurred in connection with claims incurred but not yet reported. Given our significant insurance-related exposure, there can be no assurance that a sharp increase in the number and/or severity of claims asserted against us will not have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations.
See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements-Commitments and Contingencies, for additional disclosure related to our professional and general liability, workers’ compensation liability and property insurance.
33
The total accrual for our professional and general liability claims and workers’ compensation claims was $345 million as of March 31, 2020, of which $82 million is included in current liabilities. The total accrual for our professional and general liability claims and workers’ compensation claims was $323 million as of December 31, 2019, of which $82 million is included in current liabilities.
Recent Accounting Standards: For a summary of accounting standards, please see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as included herein.
Results of Operations
COVID-19
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a material unfavorable effect on our operations and financial results during the first quarter of 2020. Patient volumes at our acute care hospitals and our behavioral health care facilities were significantly reduced during the second half of March as various COVID-19 policies were implemented by our facilities and federal and state governments. These significant reductions to patient volumes experienced at our facilities have continued through April and into May, 2020. We believe that the adverse impact that COVID-19 will have on our future operations and financial results will depend upon many factors, most of which are beyond our capability to control or predict.
Our primary focus as the effects of COVID-19 began to impact our facilities was the health and safety of our patients, employees and physicians. We implemented various measures to provide the safest possible environment within our facilities during this pandemic and will continue to do so.
In addition, we recognize the significant financial stress created by the dramatic decline in patient volumes that began in mid-March, 2020, at our acute care and behavioral health facilities, and as a result, have implemented numerous financial-related measures including the following:
|
• |
Effected initiatives to increase labor productivity and reductions to certain other costs. |
|
• |
Reduced spend rate and magnitude of certain previously planned capital projects and expenditures. |
|
• |
Suspended our stock repurchase program and payment of quarterly dividends. |
34
As discussed below, as of May 6, 2020, we have received approximately $376 million in accelerated Medicare payments, as well as an aggregate of approximately $239 million in Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund grants, as provided for by the CARES Act, as well as other COVID-19 state and local grant programs. Although we can provide no assurance that we will ultimately receive additional accelerated Medicare payments, we believe we are entitled to additional funds comparable to the amount received thus far should the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services resume the Medicare accelerated funding program which was suspended on April 26, 2020 for reevaluation. There was no impact on our financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 related to the funds received in connection with the CARES Act. Please see Sources of Revenue- 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease Medicare and Medicaid Payment Related Legislation below for additional disclosure.
Financial results for three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
The following table summarizes our results of operations and is used in the discussion below for the three-month periods ended Mach 31, 2020 and 2019 (dollar amounts in thousands):
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2020 |
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2019 |
|
||||||||||
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% of Net Revenues |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% of Net Revenues |
|
||||
Net revenues |
|
$ |
2,829,667 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
2,804,391 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
Operating charges: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries, wages and benefits |
|
|
1,432,669 |
|
|
|
50.6 |
% |
|
|
1,365,546 |
|
|
|
48.7 |
% |
Other operating expenses |
|
|
689,790 |
|
|
|
24.4 |
% |
|
|
644,780 |
|
|
|
23.0 |
% |
Supplies expense |
|
|
317,827 |
|
|
|
11.2 |
% |
|
|
307,463 |
|
|
|
11.0 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
124,394 |
|
|
|
4.4 |
% |
|
|
120,040 |
|
|
|
4.3 |
% |
Lease and rental expense |
|
|
28,293 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
% |
|
|
26,125 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
% |
Subtotal-operating expenses |
|
|
2,592,973 |
|
|
|
91.6 |
% |
|
|
2,463,954 |
|
|
|
87.9 |
% |
Income from operations |
|
|
236,694 |
|
|
|
8.4 |
% |
|
|
340,437 |
|
|
|
12.1 |
% |
Interest expense, net |
|
|
36,351 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
% |
|
|
39,640 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
% |
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
9,560 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
% |
|
|
4,501 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
% |
Income before income taxes |
|
|
190,783 |
|
|
|
6.7 |
% |
|
|
296,296 |
|
|
|
10.6 |
% |
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
46,323 |
|
|
|
1.6 |
% |
|
|
58,898 |
|
|
|
2.1 |
% |
Net income |
|
|
144,460 |
|
|
|
5.1 |
% |
|
|
237,398 |
|
|
|
8.5 |
% |
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
2,423 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
% |
|
|
3,230 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
% |
Net income attributable to UHS |
|
$ |
142,037 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
% |
|
$ |
234,168 |
|
|
|
8.4 |
% |
Net revenues increased 0.9%, or $25 million, to $2.83 billion during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 as compared to $2.80 billion during the first quarter of 2019. The net increase was primarily attributable to: (i) a $33 million or 1.2% increase in net revenues generated from our acute care hospital services and behavioral health services operated during both periods (which we refer to as “same facility”), and; (ii) $6 million of other combined net decreases.
Income before income taxes (before deduction for income attributable to noncontrolling interests) decreased $106 million to $191 million during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 as compared to $296 million during the comparable quarter of 2019. The $106 million net decrease was due to:
|
• |
a decrease of $89 million at our acute care facilities, as discussed below in Acute Care Hospital Services; |
|
• |
a decrease of $6 million at our behavioral health care facilities, as discussed below in Behavioral Health Services, and; |
|
• |
$11 million of other combined net decreases. |
Net income attributable to UHS decreased $92 million to $142 million during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 as compared to $234 million during the comparable prior year quarter. This decrease was attributable to:
|
• |
a $106 million decrease in income before income taxes, as discussed above; |
|
• |
an increase of $1 million due to a decrease in income attributable to noncontrolling interests, and; |
|
• |
an increase of $13 million resulting from a decrease in the provision for income taxes due primarily to: (i) the income tax benefit recorded in connection with the $105 million decrease in pre-tax income, partially offset by; (ii) a $12 million increase in the provision for income taxes resulting from our adoption of ASU 2016-09, which increased our provision for income taxes by approximately $1 million during the first quarter of 2020 as compared to a decrease of approximately $11 million during the first quarter of 2019. |
35
Increase to self-insured professional and general liability reserves:
Our estimated liability for self-insured professional and general liability claims is based on a number of factors including, among other things, the number of asserted claims and reported incidents, estimates of losses for these claims based on recent and historical settlement amounts, estimates of incurred but not reported claims based on historical experience, and estimates of amounts recoverable under our commercial insurance policies. As a result of unfavorable trends recently experienced, during the first quarter of 2020, we recorded a $20 million increase to our reserves for self-insured professional and general liability claims. Approximately $15 million of the increase to our reserves for self-insured professional and general liability claims is included in our same facility basis acute care hospitals services’ results, as reflected below, and approximately $5 million is included in our behavioral health services’ results.
Acute Care Hospital Services
Same Facility Basis Acute Care Hospital Services
We believe that providing our results on a “Same Facility” basis (which is a non-GAAP measure), which includes the operating results for facilities and businesses operated in both the current year and prior year periods, is helpful to our investors as a measure of our operating performance. Our Same Facility results also neutralize (if applicable) the effect of items that are non-operational in nature including items such as, but not limited to, gains/losses on sales of assets and businesses, impacts of settlements, legal judgments and lawsuits, impairments of long-lived and intangible assets and other amounts that may be reflected in the current or prior year financial statements that relate to prior periods.
Our Same Facility basis results reflected on the table below also exclude from net revenues and other operating expenses, provider tax assessments incurred in each period as discussed below Sources of Revenue-Various State Medicaid Supplemental Payment Programs. However, these provider tax assessments are included in net revenues and other operating expenses as reflected in the table below under All Acute Care Hospital Services. The provider tax assessments had no impact on the income before income taxes as reflected on the tables below since the amounts offset between net revenues and other operating expenses. To obtain a complete understanding of our financial performance, the Same Facility results should be examined in connection with our net income as determined in accordance with GAAP and as presented in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The following table summarizes the results of operations for our acute care facilities on a same facility basis and is used in the discussion below for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (dollar amounts in thousands):
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
March 31, 2020 |
|
|
March 31, 2019 |
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% of Net Revenues |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% of Net Revenues |
|
|
||||
Net revenues |
|
$ |
1,497,123 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
1,491,351 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
Operating charges: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries, wages and benefits |
|
|
658,929 |
|
|
|
44.0 |
% |
|
|
619,317 |
|
|
|
41.5 |
% |
|
Other operating expenses |
|
|
375,531 |
|
|
|
25.1 |
% |
|
|
332,738 |
|
|
|
22.3 |
% |
|
Supplies expense |
|
|
264,530 |
|
|
|
17.7 |
% |
|
|
258,144 |
|
|
|
17.3 |
% |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
77,928 |
|
|
|
5.2 |
% |
|
|
74,361 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
% |
|
Lease and rental expense |
|
|
16,020 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
% |
|
|
14,299 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
% |
|
Subtotal-operating expenses |
|
|
1,392,938 |
|
|
|
93.0 |
% |
|
|
1,298,859 |
|
|
|
87.1 |
% |
|
Income from operations |
|
|
104,185 |
|
|
|
7.0 |
% |
|
|
192,492 |
|
|
|
12.9 |
% |
|
Interest expense, net |
|
|
618 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
279 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
$ |
103,567 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
% |
|
$ |
192,213 |
|
|
|
12.9 |
% |
|
Three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the comparable prior year quarter, net revenues from our acute care hospital services, on a same facility basis, increased $6 million or 0.4%. Income before income taxes (and before income attributable to noncontrolling interests) decreased $89 million, or 46%, amounting to $104 million or 6.9% of net revenues during the first quarter of 2020 as compared to $192 million or 12.9% of net revenues during the first quarter of 2019. As mentioned above, approximately $15 million of the $20 million increase to our reserves for self-insured professional and general liability claims, as recorded during the first quarter of 2020, is included in our same facility basis acute care hospitals services’ results.
During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, net revenue per adjusted admission increased 3.7% while net revenue per adjusted patient day decreased 0.3%, as compared to the comparable quarter of 2019. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the comparable prior year quarter, inpatient admissions to our acute care hospitals decreased 3.6% and adjusted
36
admissions (adjusted for outpatient activity) decreased 4.0%. Patient days at these facilities increased 0.2% and adjusted patient days decreased 0.2% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the comparable prior year quarter. The average length of inpatient stay at these facilities was 4.8 days and 4.6 days during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The occupancy rate, based on the average available beds at these facilities, was 65% and 66% during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
As mentioned above, patient volumes at our acute care hospitals were significantly reduced during the second half of March as various COVID-19 policies were implemented by our facilities and federal and state governments. During the period of January 1, 2020 through March 16, 2020, inpatient admissions and patient days at our acute care hospitals, on a same facility basis, increased approximately 1% and approximately 3%, respectively, as compared to the comparable period of 2019. During the period of March 17, 2020 through March 31, 2020, inpatient admissions and patient days at these facilities decreased approximately 29% and approximately 19%, respectively, as compared to the comparable period of 2019.
During the period of April 1, 2020 through April 30, 2020, inpatient admissions and patient days at our acute care hospitals, on a same facility basis, decreased approximately 31% and approximately 20%, respectively, as compared to the one-month period ended April 30, 2019. Inpatient admissions to these facilities decreased 35% from April 1st through April 15th of 2020, and decreased 27% from April 16th through April 30th of 2020, as compared to the comparable periods of 2019. Patient days at these facilities decreased 24% from April 1st through April 15th of 2020, and decreased 17% from April 16th through April 30th of 2020, as compared to the comparable periods of 2019.
All Acute Care Hospitals
The following table summarizes the results of operations for all our acute care operations during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. These amounts include: (i) our acute care results on a same facility basis, as indicated above; (ii) the impact of provider tax assessments which increased net revenues and other operating expenses but had no impact on income before income taxes, and; (iii) certain other amounts including, if applicable, the results of recently acquired/opened ancillary facilities and businesses. Dollar amounts below are reflected in thousands.
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2020 |
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2019 |
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% of Net Revenues |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% of Net Revenues |
|
|
||||
Net revenues |
|
$ |
1,521,049 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
1,514,844 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
Operating charges: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries, wages and benefits |
|
|
658,959 |
|
|
|
43.3 |
% |
|
|
619,317 |
|
|
|
40.9 |
% |
|
Other operating expenses |
|
|
399,457 |
|
|
|
26.3 |
% |
|
|
356,231 |
|
|
|
23.5 |
% |
|
Supplies expense |
|
|
264,530 |
|
|
|
17.4 |
% |
|
|
258,144 |
|
|
|
17.0 |
% |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
77,928 |
|
|
|
5.1 |
% |
|
|
74,361 |
|
|
|
4.9 |
% |
|
Lease and rental expense |
|
|
16,020 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
% |
|
|
14,299 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
% |
|
Subtotal-operating expenses |
|
|
1,416,894 |
|
|
|
93.2 |
% |
|
|
1,322,352 |
|
|
|
87.3 |
% |
|
Income from operations |
|
|
104,155 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
% |
|
|
192,492 |
|
|
|
12.7 |
% |
|
Interest expense, net |
|
|
618 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
279 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
$ |
103,537 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
% |
|
$ |
192,213 |
|
|
|
12.7 |
% |
|
Three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the comparable prior year quarter, net revenues from our acute care hospital services increased $6 million or 0.4% to $1.52 billion as compared to $1.51 billion due to the $6 million, or 0.4%, increase same facility revenues, as discussed above.
Income before income taxes decreased $89 million, or 46%, to $104 million or 6.8% of net revenues during the first quarter of 2020 as compared to $192 million or 12.7% of net revenues during the first quarter of 2019. The $89 million decrease in income before income taxes from our acute care hospital services resulted from the decrease in income before income taxes at our hospitals, on a same facility basis, as discussed above.
Behavioral Health Services
Our Same Facility basis results (which is a non-GAAP measure), which include the operating results for facilities and businesses operated in both the current year and prior year period, neutralize (if applicable) the effect of items that are non-operational in nature including items such as, but not limited to, gains/losses on sales of assets and businesses, impact of the reserve established in
37
connection with the civil aspects of the government’s investigation of certain of our behavioral health care facilities, impacts of settlements, legal judgments and lawsuits, impairments of long-lived and intangible assets and other amounts that may be reflected in the current or prior year financial statements that relate to prior periods. Our Same Facility basis results reflected on the table below also excludes from net revenues and other operating expenses, provider tax assessments incurred in each period as discussed below Sources of Revenue-Various State Medicaid Supplemental Payment Programs. However, these provider tax assessments are included in net revenues and other operating expenses as reflected in the table below under All Behavioral Health Care Services. The provider tax assessments had no impact on the income before income taxes as reflected on the tables below since the amounts offset between net revenues and other operating expenses. To obtain a complete understanding of our financial performance, the Same Facility results should be examined in connection with our net income as determined in accordance with GAAP and as presented in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The following table summarizes the results of operations for our behavioral health care facilities, on a same facility basis, and is used in the discussions below for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (dollar amounts in thousands):
Same Facility—Behavioral Health
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2020 |
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2019 |
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% of Net Revenues |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% of Net Revenues |
|
|
||||
Net revenues |
|
$ |
1,284,000 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
1,256,909 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
Operating charges: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries, wages and benefits |
|
|
692,477 |
|
|
|
53.9 |
% |
|
|
667,923 |
|
|
|
53.1 |
% |
|
Other operating expenses |
|
|
243,209 |
|
|
|
18.9 |
% |
|
|
237,272 |
|
|
|
18.9 |
% |
|
Supplies expense |
|
|
51,629 |
|
|
|
4.0 |
% |
|
|
48,716 |
|
|
|
3.9 |
% |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
42,931 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
% |
|
|
40,929 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
% |
|
Lease and rental expense |
|
|
11,211 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
% |
|
|
10,620 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
% |
|
Subtotal-operating expenses |
|
|
1,041,457 |
|
|
|
81.1 |
% |
|
|
1,005,460 |
|
|
|
80.0 |
% |
|
Income from operations |
|
|
242,543 |
|
|
|
18.9 |
% |
|
|
251,449 |
|
|
|
20.0 |
% |
|
Interest expense, net |
|
|
364 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
375 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
889 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
% |
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
% |
|
Income before income taxes |
|
$ |
241,290 |
|
|
|
18.8 |
% |
|
$ |
250,399 |
|
|
|
19.9 |
% |
|
Three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
On a same facility basis during the first quarter of 2020, net revenues generated from our behavioral health services increased $27 million, or 2.2%, to $1.28 billion, from $1.26 billion generated during the first quarter of 2019. Income before income taxes decreased $9 million, or 4%, to $241 million or 18.8% of net revenues during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, as compared to $250 million or 19.9% of net revenues during the comparable quarter of 2019. As mentioned above, approximately $5 million of the $20 million increase to our reserves for self-insured professional and general liability claims, as recorded during the first quarter of 2020, is included in our same facility basis behavioral health services’ results.
During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, net revenue per adjusted admission increased 4.3% and net revenue per adjusted patient day increased 3.7%, as compared to the comparable quarter of 2019. On a same facility basis, inpatient admissions and adjusted admissions to our behavioral health facilities decreased 1.5% and 2.0%, respectively, during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the comparable quarter of 2019. Patient days and adjusted patient days at these facilities decreased 0.9% and 1.3% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, respectively, as compared to the comparable prior year quarter. The average length of inpatient stay at these facilities was 13.2 days and 13.1 days during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The occupancy rate, based on the average available beds at these facilities, was 75% and 77% during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
As mentioned above, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, patient volumes at our behavioral health care facilities were significantly reduced during the second half of March. During the period of January 1, 2020 through March 16, 2020, inpatient admissions to our behavioral health facilities, on a same facility basis, increased approximately 3%, while patient days remained relatively unchanged, as compared to the comparable period of 2019. During the period of March 17, 2020 through March 31, 2020, inpatient admissions and patient days at these facilities decreased approximately 25% and approximately 12%, respectively, as compared to the comparable period of 2019.
During the period of April 1, 2020 through April 30, 2020, inpatient admissions and patient days at our behavioral health facilities, on a same facility basis, decreased approximately 28% and approximately 16%, respectively, as compared to the one-month period ended April 30, 2019. Inpatient admissions to these facilities decreased 31% from April 1st through April 15th of 2020, and decreased 24%
38
from April 16th through April 30th of 2020, as compared to the comparable periods of 2019. Patient days at these facilities decreased 18% from April 1st through April 15th of 2020, and decreased 14% from April 16th through April 30th of 2020, as compared to the comparable periods of 2019.
All Behavioral Health Care Facilities
The following table summarizes the results of operations for all our behavioral health care services during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. These amounts include: (i) our behavioral health care results on a same facility basis, as indicated above; (ii) the impact of provider tax assessments which increased net revenues and other operating expenses but had no impact on income before income taxes, and; (iii) certain other amounts including the results of facilities acquired or opened during the past year (if applicable) as well as the results of certain facilities that were closed or restructured during the past year. Dollar amounts below are reflected in thousands.
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2020 |
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2019 |
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% of Net Revenues |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% of Net Revenues |
|
|
||||
Net revenues |
|
$ |
1,306,109 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
1,286,383 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
Operating charges: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries, wages and benefits |
|
|
693,272 |
|
|
|
53.1 |
% |
|
|
675,699 |
|
|
|
52.5 |
% |
|
Other operating expenses |
|
|
266,182 |
|
|
|
20.4 |
% |
|
|
262,137 |
|
|
|
20.4 |
% |
|
Supplies expense |
|
|
51,639 |
|
|
|
4.0 |
% |
|
|
49,131 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
% |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
43,889 |
|
|
|
3.4 |
% |
|
|
42,552 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
% |
|
Lease and rental expense |
|
|
12,158 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
% |
|
|
11,644 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
% |
|
Subtotal-operating expenses |
|
|
1,067,140 |
|
|
|
81.7 |
% |
|
|
1,041,163 |
|
|
|
80.9 |
% |
|
Income from operations |
|
|
238,969 |
|
|
|
18.3 |
% |
|
|
245,220 |
|
|
|
19.1 |
% |
|
Interest expense, net |
|
|
397 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
375 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
889 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
% |
|
|
677 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
% |
|
Income before income taxes |
|
$ |
237,683 |
|
|
|
18.2 |
% |
|
$ |
244,168 |
|
|
|
19.0 |
% |
|
Three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the comparable prior year quarter, net revenues generated from our behavioral health services increased $20 million or 1.5% due to: (i) the above-mentioned $27 million or 2.2% increase in net revenues on a same facility basis, partially offset by; (ii) $7 million other combined net decreases.
Income before income taxes decreased $6 million, or 3%, to $238 million or 18.2% of net revenues during the first quarter of 2020 as compared to $244 million or 19.0% of net revenues during the first quarter of 2019. The decrease in income before income taxes at our behavioral health facilities was attributable to:
|
• |
a $9 million decrease at our behavioral health facilities on a same facility basis, as discussed above, partially offset by; |
|
• |
$3 million of other combined net increases. |
Sources of Revenue
Overview: We receive payments for services rendered from private insurers, including managed care plans, the federal government under the Medicare program, state governments under their respective Medicaid programs and directly from patients.
Hospital revenues depend upon inpatient occupancy levels, the medical and ancillary services and therapy programs ordered by physicians and provided to patients, the volume of outpatient procedures and the charges or negotiated payment rates for such services. Charges and reimbursement rates for inpatient routine services vary depending on the type of services provided (e.g., medical/surgical, intensive care or behavioral health) and the geographic location of the hospital. Inpatient occupancy levels fluctuate for various reasons, many of which are beyond our control. The percentage of patient service revenue attributable to outpatient services has generally increased in recent years, primarily as a result of advances in medical technology that allow more services to be provided on an outpatient basis, as well as increased pressure from Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers to reduce hospital stays and provide services, where possible, on a less expensive outpatient basis. We believe that our experience with respect to our increased outpatient levels mirrors the general trend occurring in the health care industry and we are unable to predict the rate of growth and resulting impact on our future revenues.
Patients are generally not responsible for any difference between customary hospital charges and amounts reimbursed for such services under Medicare, Medicaid, some private insurance plans, and managed care plans, but are responsible for services not covered by such plans, exclusions, deductibles or co-insurance features of their coverage. The amount of such exclusions, deductibles
39
and co-insurance has generally been increasing each year. Indications from recent federal and state legislation are that this trend will continue. Collection of amounts due from individuals is typically more difficult than from governmental or business payers which unfavorably impacts the collectability of our patient accounts.
As described below in the section titled 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (“COVID-19”) Medicare and Medicaid Payment Related Legislation, the federal government has enacted multiple pieces of legislation to assist healthcare providers during the COVID-19 world-wide pandemic and U.S. National Emergency declaration. We have outlined those legislative changes related to Medicare and Medicaid payment and their estimated impact on our financial results, where estimates are possible.
Sources of Revenues and Health Care Reform: Given increasing budget deficits, the federal government and many states are currently considering additional ways to limit increases in levels of Medicare and Medicaid funding, which could also adversely affect future payments received by our hospitals. In addition, the uncertainty and fiscal pressures placed upon the federal government as a result of, among other things, impacts on state revenue and expenses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery stimulus packages, responses to natural disasters, and the federal and state budget deficits in general may affect the availability of government funds to provide additional relief in the future. We are unable to predict the effect of future policy changes on our operations.
The Legislation revises reimbursement under the Medicare and Medicaid programs to emphasize the efficient delivery of high quality care and contains a number of incentives and penalties under these programs to achieve these goals. The Legislation provides for decreases in the annual market basket update for federal fiscal years 2010 through 2019, a productivity offset to the market basket update beginning October 1, 2011 for Medicare Part B reimbursable items and services and beginning October 1, 2012 for Medicare inpatient hospital services. The Legislation and subsequent revisions provide for reductions to both Medicare DSH and Medicaid DSH payments. The Medicare DSH reductions began in October, 2013 while the Medicaid DSH reductions are scheduled to begin in 2020. The Legislation implements a value-based purchasing program, which will reward the delivery of efficient care. Conversely, certain facilities will receive reduced reimbursement for failing to meet quality parameters; such hospitals will include those with excessive readmission or hospital-acquired condition rates.
A 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling limited the federal government’s ability to expand health insurance coverage by holding unconstitutional sections of the Legislation that sought to withdraw federal funding for state noncompliance with certain Medicaid coverage requirements. Pursuant to that decision, the federal government may not penalize states that choose not to participate in the Medicaid expansion by reducing their existing Medicaid funding. Therefore, states can choose to expand or not to expand their Medicaid program without risking the loss of federal Medicaid funding. As a result, many states, including Texas, have not expanded their Medicaid programs without the threat of loss of federal funding. CMS has granted, and is expected to grant additional, section 1115 demonstration waivers providing for work and community engagement requirements for certain Medicaid eligible individuals. CMS has also released guidance to states interested in receiving their Medicaid funding through a block grant mechanism. It is anticipated this will lead to reductions in coverage, and likely increases in uncompensated care, in states where these demonstration waivers are granted.
On December 14, 2018, a Texas Federal District Court deemed the Legislation to be unconstitutional in its entirety. The Court concluded that the Individual Mandate is no longer permissible under Congress’s taxing power as a result of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”) reducing the individual mandate’s tax to $0 (i.e., it no longer produces revenue, which is an essential feature of a tax), rendering the Legislation unconstitutional. The court also held that because the individual mandate is “essential” to the Legislation and is inseverable from the rest of the law, the entire Legislation is unconstitutional. Because the court issued a declaratory judgment and did not enjoin the law, the Legislation remains in place pending its appeal. The District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruling was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. On December 18, 2019, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ three-judge panel voted 2-1 to strike down the Legislation individual mandate as unconstitutional. The Fifth Circuit Court also sent the case back to the Texas district court to determine which Legislation provisions should be stricken with the mandate or whether the entire Legislation is unconstitutional. On March 2, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear, during the 2020-2021 term, two consolidated cases, filed by the State of California and the United States House of Representatives, asking the Supreme Court to review the ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Legislation will remain law while the case proceeds through the appeals process; however, the case creates additional uncertainty as to whether any or all of the Legislation could be struck down, which creates operational risk for the health care industry. We are unable to predict the final outcome of this legal challenge and its financial impact on our future results of operation.
The various provisions in the Legislation that directly or indirectly affect Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement are scheduled to take effect over a number of years. The impact of the Legislation on healthcare providers will be subject to implementing regulations, interpretive guidance and possible future legislation or legal challenges. Certain Legislation provisions, such as that creating the Medicare Shared Savings Program creates uncertainty in how healthcare may be reimbursed by federal programs in the future. Thus,
40
we cannot predict the impact of the Legislation on our future reimbursement at this time and we can provide no assurance that the Legislation will not have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations.
The Legislation also contained provisions aimed at reducing fraud and abuse in healthcare. The Legislation amends several existing laws, including the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act, making it easier for government agencies and private plaintiffs to prevail in lawsuits brought against healthcare providers. While Congress had previously revised the intent requirement of the Anti-Kickback Statute to provide that a person is not required to “have actual knowledge or specific intent to commit a violation of” the Anti-Kickback Statute in order to be found in violation of such law, the Legislation also provides that any claims for items or services that violate the Anti-Kickback Statute are also considered false claims for purposes of the federal civil False Claims Act. The Legislation provides that a healthcare provider that retains an overpayment in excess of 60 days is subject to the federal civil False Claims Act. The Legislation also expands the Recovery Audit Contractor program to Medicaid. These amendments also make it easier for severe fines and penalties to be imposed on healthcare providers that violate applicable laws and regulations.
We have partnered with local physicians in the ownership of certain of our facilities. These investments have been permitted under an exception to the physician self-referral law. The Legislation permits existing physician investments in a hospital to continue under a “grandfather” clause if the arrangement satisfies certain requirements and restrictions, but physicians are prohibited from increasing the aggregate percentage of their ownership in the hospital. The Legislation also imposes certain compliance and disclosure requirements upon existing physician-owned hospitals and restricts the ability of physician-owned hospitals to expand the capacity of their facilities. As discussed below, should the Legislation be repealed in its entirety, this aspect of the Legislation would also be repealed restoring physician ownership of hospitals and expansion right to its position and practice as it existed prior to the Legislation.
The impact of the Legislation on each of our hospitals may vary. Because Legislation provisions are effective at various times over the next several years, we anticipate that many of the provisions in the Legislation may be subject to further revision. Initiatives to repeal the Legislation, in whole or in part, to delay elements of implementation or funding, and to offer amendments or supplements to modify its provisions have been persistent. The ultimate outcomes of legislative attempts to repeal or amend the Legislation and legal challenges to the Legislation are unknown. Legislation has already been enacted that eliminated the individual mandate penalty, effective January 1, 2019, related to the obligation to obtain health insurance that was part of the original Legislation. In addition, Congress previously considered legislation that would, in material part: (i) eliminate the large employer mandate to offer health insurance coverage to full-time employees; (ii) permit insurers to impose a surcharge up to 30 percent on individuals who go uninsured for more than two months and then purchase coverage; (iii) provide tax credits towards the purchase of health insurance, with a phase-out of tax credits accordingly to income level; (iv) expand health savings accounts; (v) impose a per capita cap on federal funding of state Medicaid programs, or, if elected by a state, transition federal funding to block grants, and; (vi) permit states to seek a waiver of certain federal requirements that would allow such state to define essential health benefits differently from federal standards and that would allow certain commercial health plans to take health status, including pre-existing conditions, into account in setting premiums.
In addition to legislative changes, the Legislation can be significantly impacted by executive branch actions. In relevant part, President Trump has already taken executive actions: (i) requiring all federal agencies with authorities and responsibilities under the Legislation to “exercise all authority and discretion available to them to waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay” parts of the Legislation that place “unwarranted economic and regulatory burdens” on states, individuals or health care providers; (ii) the issuance of a final rule in June, 2018 by the Department of Labor to enable the formation of health plans that would be exempt from certain Legislation essential health benefits requirements; (iii) the issuance of a final rule in August, 2018 by the Department of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services to expand the availability of short-term, limited duration health insurance; (iv) eliminating cost-sharing reduction payments to insurers that would otherwise offset deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses for health plan enrollees at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level, (v) relaxing requirements for state innovation waivers that could reduce enrollment in the individual and small group markets and lead to additional enrollment in short-term, limited duration insurance and association health plans; (vi) the issuance of a final rule in June, 2019 by the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services that would incentivize the use of health reimbursement arrangements by employers to permit employees to purchase health insurance in the individual market, and; (vii) the issuance of a final rule intended to increase transparency of healthcare price and quality information. The uncertainty resulting from these Executive Branch policies led to reduced Exchange enrollment in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and is expected to further worsen the individual and small group market risk pools in future years. In May, 2019, the Congressional Budget Office projected that 32 million people will be uninsured in 2020. The recent and on-going COVID-19 pandemic and related U.S. National Emergency declaration may significantly increase the number of uninsured patients treated at our facilities extending beyond the most recent CBO published estimates due to increased unemployment and loss of group health plan health insurance coverage. It is also anticipated that these and future policies may create additional cost and reimbursement pressures on hospitals.
41
It remains unclear what portions of the Legislation may remain, or whether any replacement or alternative programs may be created by any future legislation. Any such future repeal or replacement may have significant impact on the reimbursement for healthcare services generally, and may create reimbursement for services competing with the services offered by our hospitals. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the adoption of any future federal or state healthcare reform legislation will not have a negative financial impact on our hospitals, including their ability to compete with alternative healthcare services funded by such potential legislation, or for our hospitals to receive payment for services.
For additional disclosure related to our revenues including a disaggregation of our consolidated net revenues by major source for each of the periods presented herein, please see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements-Revenue.
Medicare: Medicare is a federal program that provides certain hospital and medical insurance benefits to persons aged 65 and over, some disabled persons and persons with end-stage renal disease. All of our acute care hospitals and many of our behavioral health centers are certified as providers of Medicare services by the appropriate governmental authorities. Amounts received under the Medicare program are generally significantly less than a hospital’s customary charges for services provided. Since a substantial portion of our revenues will come from patients under the Medicare program, our ability to operate our business successfully in the future will depend in large measure on our ability to adapt to changes in this program.
Under the Medicare program, for inpatient services, our general acute care hospitals receive reimbursement under the inpatient prospective payment system (“IPPS”). Under the IPPS, hospitals are paid a predetermined fixed payment amount for each hospital discharge. The fixed payment amount is based upon each patient’s Medicare severity diagnosis related group (“MS-DRG”). Every MS-DRG is assigned a payment rate based upon the estimated intensity of hospital resources necessary to treat the average patient with that particular diagnosis. The MS-DRG payment rates are based upon historical national average costs and do not consider the actual costs incurred by a hospital in providing care. This MS-DRG assignment also affects the predetermined capital rate paid with each MS-DRG. The MS-DRG and capital payment rates are adjusted annually by the predetermined geographic adjustment factor for the geographic region in which a particular hospital is located and are weighted based upon a statistically normal distribution of severity. While we generally will not receive payment from Medicare for inpatient services, other than the MS-DRG payment, a hospital may qualify for an “outlier” payment if a particular patient’s treatment costs are extraordinarily high and exceed a specified threshold. MS-DRG rates are adjusted by an update factor each federal fiscal year, which begins on October 1. The index used to adjust the MS-DRG rates, known as the “hospital market basket index,” gives consideration to the inflation experienced by hospitals in purchasing goods and services. Generally, however, the percentage increases in the MS-DRG payments have been lower than the projected increase in the cost of goods and services purchased by hospitals.
In August, 2019, CMS published its IPPS 2020 final payment rule which provides for a 3.0% market basket increase to the base Medicare MS-DRG blended rate. When statutorily mandated budget neutrality factors, annual geographic wage index updates, documenting and coding adjustments, and adjustments mandated by the Legislation are considered, without consideration for the required Medicare DSH payments changes and increase to the Medicare Outlier threshold, the overall increase in IPPS payments is approximately 2.8%. Including DSH payments and certain other adjustments, we estimate our overall increase from the final IPPS 2020 rule (covering the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020) will approximate 2.1%. This projected impact from the IPPS 2020 final rule includes an increase of approximately 0.5% to partially restore cuts made as a result of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (“ATRA”), as required by the 21st Century Cures Act but excludes the impact of the sequestration reductions related to the Budget Control Act of 2011, Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, and Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, as discussed below. CMS completed its full phase-in to use uncompensated care data from the 2015 Worksheet S-10 hospital cost reports to allocate approximately $8.5 billion in the DSH Uncompensated Care Pool.
In June, 2019, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision favorable to hospitals impacting prior year Medicare DSH payments (Azar v. Allina Health Services, No. 17-1484 (U.S. Jun. 3, 2019)). In Allina, the hospitals challenged the Medicare DSH adjustments for federal fiscal year 2012, specifically challenging CMS’s decision to include inpatient hospital days attributable to Medicare Part C enrollee patients in the numerator and denominator of the Medicare/SSI fraction used to calculate a hospital’s DSH payments. This ruling addresses CMS’s attempts to impose the policy espoused in its vacated 2004 rulemaking to a fiscal year in the 2004–2013 time period without using notice-and-comment rulemaking. This decision should require CMS to recalculate hospitals’ DSH Medicare/SSI fractions, with Medicare Part C days excluded, for at least federal fiscal year 2012, but likely federal fiscal years 2005 through 2013. Although we can provide no assurance that we will ultimately receive additional funds, we estimate that the favorable impact of this court ruling on certain prior year hospital Medicare DSH payments could range between $18 million to $28 million in the aggregate.
In August, 2018, CMS published its IPPS 2019 final payment rule which provides for a 2.9% market basket increase to the base Medicare MS-DRG blended rate. When statutorily mandated budget neutrality factors, annual geographic wage index updates, documenting and coding adjustments ACA-mandated adjustments are considered, without consideration for the decreases related to
42
the required Medicare DSH payment changes and decrease to the Medicare Outlier threshold, the overall increase in IPPS payments is approximately 0.5%. Including the estimated increase to our DSH payments (approximating 2.1%) and certain other adjustments, we estimate our overall increase from the final IPPS 2019 rule (covering the period of October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019) will approximate 2.7%. This projected impact from the IPPS 2019 final rule includes an increase of approximately 0.5% to partially restore cuts made as a result of the ATRA, as required by the 21st Century Cures Act but excludes the impact of the sequestration reductions related to the Budget Control Act of 2011, Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, and Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, as discussed below. CMS continued to phase-in the use of uncompensated care data from both the 2014 and 2015 Worksheet S-10 hospital cost reports, two-third weighting as part of the proxy methodology to allocate approximately $8 billion in the DSH Uncompensated Care Pool.
In August, 2011, the Budget Control Act of 2011 (the “2011 Act”) was enacted into law. Included in this law are the imposition of annual spending limits for most federal agencies and programs aimed at reducing budget deficits by $917 billion between 2012 and 2021, according to a report released by the Congressional Budget Office. Among its other provisions, the law established a bipartisan Congressional committee, known as the Joint Committee, which was responsible for developing recommendations aimed at reducing future federal budget deficits by an additional $1.5 trillion over 10 years. The Joint Committee was unable to reach an agreement by the November 23, 2011 deadline and, as a result, across-the-board cuts to discretionary, national defense and Medicare spending were implemented on March 1, 2013 resulting in Medicare payment reductions of up to 2% per fiscal year. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, enacted on November 2, 2015, and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019, enacted on August 2, 2019, continued the 2% reductions to Medicare reimbursement imposed under the 2011 Act through 2029. The CARES Act suspended payment reductions between May 1 and December 31, 2020, in exchange for extended cuts through 2030.
Inpatient services furnished by psychiatric hospitals under the Medicare program are paid under a Psychiatric Prospective Payment System (“Psych PPS”). Medicare payments to psychiatric hospitals are based on a prospective per diem rate with adjustments to account for certain facility and patient characteristics. The Psych PPS also contains provisions for outlier payments and an adjustment to a psychiatric hospital’s base payment if it maintains a full-service emergency department.
In April, 2020, CMS published its Psych PPS proposed rule for the federal fiscal year 2021. Under this proposed rule, payments to our psychiatric hospitals and units are estimated to increase by 2.4% compared to federal fiscal year 2020. This amount includes the effect of the 3.0% market basket update less a 0.4% productivity adjustment and an additional 0.2% offset for the outlier fixed-dollar loss threshold amount.
In July, 2019, CMS published its Psych PPS final rule for the federal fiscal year 2020. Under this final rule, payments to our psychiatric hospitals and units are estimated to increase by 1.7% compared to federal fiscal year 2019. This amount includes the effect of the 2.9% market basket update less a 0.75% adjustment as required by the ACA and a 0.4% productivity adjustment.
In August, 2018, CMS published its Psych PPS final rule for the federal fiscal year 2019. Under this final rule, payments to our psychiatric hospitals and units are estimated to increase by 1.35% compared to federal fiscal year 2018. This amount includes the effect of the 2.90% market basket update less a 0.75% adjustment as required by the ACA and a 0.8% productivity adjustment.
In December, 2018, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that HHS did not have statutory authority to implement the 2018 Medicare OPPS rate reduction related to hospitals that qualify for drug discounts under the federal 340B Drug Discount Program and granted a permanent injunction against the payment reduction. In May, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia directed CMS to determine a remedy as well as provide a status report on this remedy by early August, 2019 for this Medicare OPPS payment matter. However, recognizing both the complexity of the OPPS payment system as well as its budget neutral rate setting system, the Court refrained from imposing a remedy. Instead the Judge in the case called for additional briefing from the Plaintiffs and Defendants on the proper scope and implementation for relief. The case has been appealed by HHS. In the 2020 OPPS final rule, CMS retained the rate reduction in dispute, but indicated their intent to potentially use the results of a future 340B hospital survey to collect drug acquisition cost data for CY 2018 and 2019 when crafting a remedy. In the event this 340B hospital survey data is not used to devise a remedy, CMS also indicated that it intends to consider the public input to inform of the steps they would take to propose a remedy for CY 2018 and 2019 in the CY 2021 rulemaking. We are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of any appeal and the type of relief that may be ordered by the Courts. We estimate that the CMS 2018 change in the 340B payment policy increased our 2018 Medicare OPPS payments by approximately $8 million, which has been fully reserved in our results of operations for the year, and estimate that a comparable amount was scheduled to be earned during 2019 and 2020.
In November, 2019, CMS published its OPPS final rule for 2020. The hospital market basket increase is 3.0%. The Medicare statute requires a productivity adjustment reduction of 0.4% to the 2020 OPPS market basket resulting in a 2020 update to OPPS payment rates by 2.6%. When other statutorily required adjustments and hospital patient service mix are considered, we estimate that our
43
overall Medicare OPPS update for 2020 will aggregate to a net increase of 2.7% which includes a 7.7% increase to behavioral health division partial hospitalization rates. When the behavioral health division’s partial hospitalization rate impact is excluded, we estimate that our Medicare 2020 OPPS payments will result in a 1.9% increase in payment levels for our acute care division, as compared to 2019. For CY 2020, CMS will use the FY 2020 hospital IPPS post-reclassified wage index for urban and rural areas as the wage index for the OPPS to determine the wage adjustments for both the OPPS payment rate and the copayment standardized amount.
On November 15, 2019, CMS finalized its Hospital Price Transparency rule that implements certain requirements under the June 24, 2019 Presidential Executive Order related to Improving Price and Quality Transparency in American Healthcare to Put Patients First. Under this final rule, effective January 1, 2021, CMS will require: (1) hospitals make public their standard changes (both gross charges and payer-specific negotiated charges) for all items and services online in a machine-readable format, and; (2) hospitals to make public standard charge data for a limited set of “shoppable services” the hospital provides in a form and manner that is more consumer friendly. A lawsuit has been filed by several hospital associations, health systems, and hospitals in the U.S. District court for the District of Columbia challenging the legal authority of HHS to implement the final rule. We are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of this legal challenge and the type of relief that may be ordered by the courts. The deadline for compliance with the final rule is January 1, 2021. We are unable to determine the impact, if any, this final rule will have on our future results of operations.
In November, 2018, CMS published its OPPS final rule for 2019. The hospital market basket increase is 2.9%. The Medicare statute requires a productivity adjustment reduction of 0.8% and 0.75% reduction to the 2019 OPPS market basket resulting in a 2019 update to OPPS payment rates by 1.35%. When other statutorily required adjustments and hospital patient service mix are considered, we estimate that our overall Medicare OPPS update for 2019 will aggregate to a net increase of 1.1% which includes a 5.7% increase to behavioral health division partial hospitalization rates. When the behavioral health division’s partial hospitalization rate impact is excluded, we estimate that our Medicare 2019 OPPS payments will result in a 0.4% increase in payment levels for our acute care hospitals, as compared to 2018.
Medicaid: Medicaid is a joint federal-state funded health care benefit program that is administered by the states to provide benefits to qualifying individuals. Most state Medicaid payments are made under a PPS-like system, or under programs that negotiate payment levels with individual hospitals. Amounts received under the Medicaid program are generally significantly less than a hospital’s customary charges for services provided. In addition to revenues received pursuant to the Medicare program, we receive a large portion of our revenues either directly from Medicaid programs or from managed care companies managing Medicaid. All of our acute care hospitals and most of our behavioral health centers are certified as providers of Medicaid services by the appropriate governmental authorities.
We receive revenues from various state and county based programs, including Medicaid in all the states in which we operate (we receive Medicaid revenues in excess of $100 million annually from each of California, Texas, Nevada, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Illinois and Massachusetts); CMS-approved Medicaid supplemental programs in certain states including Texas, Mississippi, Illinois, Oklahoma, Nevada, Arkansas, California and Indiana, and; state Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments in certain states including Texas and South Carolina. We are therefore particularly sensitive to potential reductions in Medicaid and other state based revenue programs as well as regulatory, economic, environmental and competitive changes in those states. We can provide no assurance that reductions to revenues earned pursuant to these programs, particularly in the above-mentioned states, will not have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations.
The Legislation substantially increases the federally and state-funded Medicaid insurance program, and authorizes states to establish federally subsidized non-Medicaid health plans for low-income residents not eligible for Medicaid starting in 2014. However, the Supreme Court has struck down portions of the Legislation requiring states to expand their Medicaid programs in exchange for increased federal funding. Accordingly, many states in which we operate have not expanded Medicaid coverage to individuals at 133% of the federal poverty level. Facilities in states not opting to expand Medicaid coverage under the Legislation may be additionally penalized by corresponding reductions to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments beginning in 2020, as discussed below. We can provide no assurance that further reductions to Medicaid revenues, particularly in the above-mentioned states, will not have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations.
On November 12, 2019, CMS issued the proposed Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule (“MFAR”) for which CMS believes will strengthen the fiscal integrity of the Medicaid program and help ensure that state supplemental payments and financing arrangements are transparent and value-driven.
This rule proposes to establish regulations to:
•Improve Reporting on Medicaid Supplemental Payments.
•Clarify Medicaid Financing Definitions.
•Reduce what CMS considers “Questionable Financing Mechanisms” by states.
•Clarifies the Definition of Permissible Health Care-Related Taxes and Donations.
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•Implement certain Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Payment related changes.
The MFAR proposed rule, if implemented, could have a significant impact on the means by which states finance the non-federal share of their Medicaid programs. Under the proposal, CMS would have the ability to strike down common financing arrangements such as provider taxes, intergovernmental transfers and donations. These changes could have detrimental impacts on state Medicaid programs. If finalized as proposed, the rule could potentially force states to raise taxes or cut their Medicaid budgets. In subsequent years, it could have an unfavorable impact on Medicaid beneficiaries by likely limiting access to providers and requiring states to consider reductions to their Medicaid programs.
We receive a significant amount of Medicaid and Medicaid managed care revenue from both base payments and supplemental payments. Although we are unable to estimate the impact of MFAR on our future results of operations, if implemented as proposed, MFAR related changes could have a material adverse impact on our future results of operations.
In January, 2020, CMS announced a new opportunity to support states with greater flexibility to improve the health of their Medicaid populations. The new 1115 Waiver Block Grant Type Demonstration program, titled Healthy Adult Opportunity (“HAO”), emphasizes the concept of value-based care while granting states extensive flexibility to administer and design their programs within a defined budget. CMS believes this state opportunity will enhance the Medicaid program’s integrity through its focus on accountability for results and quality improvement, making the Medicaid program stronger for states and beneficiaries.
The HAO program will include:
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• |
Beneficiary Protections. |
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• |
Flexibility in the Administration of Benefits. |
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• |
Transparency. |
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• |
Financing and Program Integrity |
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o |
States participating in HAO demonstrations will need to agree to operate their program within a defined budget target, set on either a total expenses or per-enrollee basis, in a manner similar to that used in other section 1115 demonstrations. |
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o |
To the extent states achieve savings and demonstrate no declines in access or quality, CMS will share back a portion of the federal savings for reinvestment into Medicaid. |
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• |
Limited Medicaid Population |
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o |
The population includes adults under age 65 who are not eligible for Medicaid on the basis of disability or on their need for long term care services and supports, and who are not eligible under a state plan. |
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• |
Benefit Design and Drug Coverage |
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o |
States have the opportunity to design a benefit package that aligns with private coverage. |
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o |
Provide states with greater negotiating power to lower drug spending and promote value in the program. |
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• |
Managed Care and Delivery Systems |
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o |
States will be able to use any combination of fee-for-service and managed care delivery systems and will have flexibility to alter these arrangements over the course of the demonstration |
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• |
Streamlined Application Process Transitioning 1115 Demonstrations |
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• |
Quality Strategy and Performance Assessment |
|
o |
States will be held to a high standard of accountability for producing positive health outcomes and will be subject to regular and thorough monitoring and evaluation |
We are unable to predict whether any states will opt to apply for participation in the HAO demonstration or the impact on our future results of operations.
Various State Medicaid Supplemental Payment Programs:
We incur health-care related taxes (“Provider Taxes”) imposed by states in the form of a licensing fee, assessment or other mandatory payment which are related to: (i) healthcare items or services; (ii) the provision of, or the authority to provide, the health care items or services, or; (iii) the payment for the health care items or services. Such Provider Taxes are subject to various federal regulations that limit the scope and amount of the taxes that can be levied by states in order to secure federal matching funds as part of their respective state Medicaid programs. As outlined below, we derive a related Medicaid reimbursement benefit from assessed Provider Taxes in the form of Medicaid claims based payment increases and/or lump sum Medicaid supplemental payments.
Included in these Provider Tax programs are reimbursements received in connection with the Texas Uncompensated Care/Upper Payment Limit program (“UC/UPL”) and Texas Delivery System Reform Incentive Payments program (“DSRIP”). Additional disclosure related to the Texas UC/UPL and DSRIP programs is provided below.
45
Texas Uncompensated Care/Upper Payment Limit Payments:
Certain of our acute care hospitals located in various counties of Texas (Grayson, Hidalgo, Maverick, Potter and Webb) participate in Medicaid supplemental payment Section 1115 Waiver indigent care programs. Section 1115 Waiver Uncompensated Care (“UC”) payments replace the former Upper Payment Limit (“UPL”) payments. These hospitals also have affiliation agreements with third-party hospitals to provide free hospital and physician care to qualifying indigent residents of these counties. Our hospitals receive both supplemental payments from the Medicaid program and indigent care payments from third-party, affiliated hospitals. The supplemental payments are contingent on the county or hospital district making an Inter-Governmental Transfer (“IGT”) to the state Medicaid program while the indigent care payment is contingent on a transfer of funds from the applicable affiliated hospitals. However, the county or hospital district is prohibited from entering into an agreement to condition any IGT on the amount of any private hospital’s indigent care obligation.
On December 21, 2017, CMS approved the 1115 Waiver for the period January 1, 2018 to September 30, 2022. The Waiver continued to include UC and DSRIP payment pools with modifications and new state specific reporting deadlines that if not met by THHSC will result in material decreases in the size of the UC and DSRIP pools. For UC during the initial two years of this renewal, the UC program will remain relatively the same in size and allocation methodology. For year three of this waiver renewal, FFY 2020, and through FFY 2022, the size and distribution of the UC pool will be determined based on charity care costs reported to HHSC in accordance with Medicare cost report Worksheet S-10 principles. In September 2019, CMS approved the annual UC pool size in the amount of $3.9 billion for demonstration years (“DYs”) 9, 10 and 11 (October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2022). We estimate the impact on of these UC program changes could result in a 5% to 10% increase to UC payments in DYs 9 to 11 as compared to our DY 8 UC payments.
Effective April 1, 2018, certain of our acute care hospitals located in Texas began to receive Medicaid managed care rate enhancements under the Uniform Hospital Rate Increase Program (“UHRIP”). The non-federal share component of these UHRIP rate enhancements are financed by Provider Taxes. The Texas 1115 Waiver rules require UHRIP rate enhancements be considered in the Texas UC payment methodology which results in a reduction to our UC payments. The UC amounts reported in the State Medicaid Supplemental Payment Program Table below reflect the impact of this new UHRIP program. In February, 2020, THHSC announced the UHRIP pool for the state’s 2021 fiscal year will increase to $3.0 billion from its current funding level of $1.6 billion. We estimate that this change, if approved by CMS, will favorably impact our annual results of operations by approximately $12 million during that period, of which approximately $4 million relates to the year ended December 31, 2020.
On November 16, 2018, THHSC published a final rule effective in federal fiscal years 2018 and 2019 that changes the definition of a rural hospital for the purposes of determining Texas UC payments and the applicable UC payment reduction. The application of UC payment reduction allows the THHSC to comply with the overall statewide UC payment cap required under the special terms and condition of the approved 1115 Waiver. Two of our acute care hospitals, which have been designated as a Rural Referral Center by CMS and which are located in an urban Metropolitan Statistical Area, recorded: (i) increased UC payments/revenue for the federal fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and; (ii) decreased UC payments/revenue for the federal fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018. The net impact of these changes had a favorable impact on our 2018 results of operations and are included in the amounts reflected below in the State Medicaid Supplemental Payment Program table.
Texas Delivery System Reform Incentive Payments:
In addition, the Texas Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver includes a DSRIP pool to incentivize hospitals and other providers to transform their service delivery practices to improve quality, health status, patient experience, coordination, and cost-effectiveness. DSRIP pool payments are incentive payments to hospitals and other providers that develop programs or strategies to enhance access to health care, increase the quality of care, the cost-effectiveness of care provided and the health of the patients and families served. In May, 2014, CMS formally approved specific DSRIP projects for certain of our hospitals for demonstration years 3 to 5 (our facilities did not materially participate in the DSRIP pool during demonstration years 1 or 2). DSRIP payments are contingent on the hospital meeting certain pre-determined milestones, metrics and clinical outcomes. Additionally, DSRIP payments are contingent on a governmental entity providing an IGT for the non-federal share component of the DSRIP payment. THHSC generally approves DSRIP reported metrics, milestones and clinical outcomes on a semi-annual basis in June and December. Under the CMS approval noted above, the Waiver renewal requires the transition of the DSRIP program to one focused on "health system performance measurement and improvement." THHSC must submit a transition plan describing "how it will further develop its delivery system reforms without DSRIP funding and/or phase out DSRIP funded activities and meet mutually agreeable milestones to demonstrate its ongoing progress." The size of the DSRIP pool will remain unchanged for the initial two years of the waiver renewal with unspecified decreases in years three and four of the renewal, FFY 2020 and 2021, respectively. In FFY 2022, DSRIP funding under the waiver is eliminated. For FFY 2020 and 2021, we estimate these changes will result in a $3 million and $4 million decrease in DSRIP payments, respectively. For FFY 2022, we will no longer receive DSRIP funds due to the elimination of this funding source by CMS in the Waiver renewal. In March, 2020, HHSC submitted a DSRIP Transition Plan to CMS as required by the 1115 Waiver Special Terms and Conditions #37 that outlines a transition from the current DSRIP program to a Value-Based Purchasing (“VBP”) type payment model. The draft plan was submitted by THHSC to CMS by March 31, 2020. The effective date of the new VBP payment
46
model (if approved by CMS) is not yet known. Similarly, details of the VBP model are still under development. As a result, we are unable to estimate the financial impact of this payment change.
Summary of Amounts Related To The Above-Mentioned Various State Medicaid Supplemental Payment Programs:
The following table summarizes the revenues, Provider Taxes and net benefit related to each of the above-mentioned Medicaid supplemental programs for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. The Provider Taxes are recorded in other operating expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income as included herein.
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(amounts in millions) |
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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March 31, |
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2020 |
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2019 |
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||
Texas UC/UPL: |
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|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
$ |
32 |
|
$ |
26 |
|
Provider Taxes |
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(13 |
) |
|
(10 |
) |
Net benefit |
$ |
19 |
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Texas DSRIP: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
Provider Taxes |
|
0 |
|
|
0 |
|
Net benefit |
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Various other state programs: |
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|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
$ |
74 |
|
$ |
61 |
|
Provider Taxes |
|
(33 |
) |
|
(34 |
) |
Net benefit |
$ |
41 |
|
$ |
27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total all Provider Tax programs: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
$ |
106 |
|
$ |
87 |
|
Provider Taxes |
|
(46 |
) |
|
(44 |
) |
Net benefit |
$ |
60 |
|
$ |
43 |
|
We estimate that our aggregate net benefit from the Texas and various other state Medicaid supplemental payment programs will approximate $237 million (net of Provider Taxes of $207 million) during the year ending December 31, 2020. This estimate is based upon various terms and conditions that are out of our control including, but not limited to, the states’/CMS’s continued approval of the programs and the applicable hospital district or county making IGTs consistent with 2019 levels. Future changes to these terms and conditions could materially reduce our net benefit derived from the programs which could have a material adverse impact on our future consolidated results of operations. In addition, Provider Taxes are governed by both federal and state laws and are subject to future legislative changes that, if reduced from current rates in several states, could have a material adverse impact on our future consolidated results of operations. As described below in the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (“COVID-19”) Medicare and Medicaid Payment Related Legislation, a 6.2% increase to the Medicaid Federal Matching Assistance Percentage (“FMAP”) is included in Public Law No: 116-127 (3/18/2020) Families First Coronavirus Response Act. We are unable to estimate the financial impact of this provision at this time.
Texas and South Carolina Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments:
Hospitals that have an unusually large number of low-income patients (i.e., those with a Medicaid utilization rate of at least one standard deviation above the mean Medicaid utilization, or having a low income patient utilization rate exceeding 25%) are eligible to receive a DSH adjustment. Congress established a national limit on DSH adjustments. Although this legislation and the resulting state broad-based provider taxes have affected the payments we receive under the Medicaid program, to date the net impact has not been materially adverse.
Upon meeting certain conditions and serving a disproportionately high share of Texas’ and South Carolina’s low income patients, five of our facilities located in Texas and one facility located in South Carolina received additional reimbursement from each state’s DSH fund. The South Carolina and Texas DSH programs were renewed for each state’s 2020 DSH fiscal year (covering the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020).
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In connection with these DSH programs, included in our financial results was an aggregate of approximately $9 million during each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. We expect the aggregate reimbursements to our hospitals pursuant to the Texas and South Carolina 2020 fiscal year programs to be approximately $36 million.
The Legislation and subsequent federal legislation provides for a significant reduction in Medicaid disproportionate share payments beginning in federal fiscal year 2021 (see below in Sources of Revenues and Health Care Reform-Medicaid Revisions for additional disclosure related to the delay of these DSH reductions). HHS is to determine the amount of Medicaid DSH payment cuts imposed on each state based on a defined methodology. As Medicaid DSH payments to states will be cut, consequently, payments to Medicaid-participating providers, including our hospitals in Texas and South Carolina, will be reduced in the coming years. Based on the CMS final rule published in September, 2019, beginning in fiscal year 2021 (as amended by the CARES Act), annual Medicaid DSH payments in South Carolina and Texas could be reduced by approximately 32% and 23%, respectively, from 2019 DSH payment levels.
Our behavioral health care facilities in Texas have been receiving Medicaid DSH payments since FFY 2016. As with all Medicaid DSH payments, hospitals are subject to state audits that typically occur up to three years after their receipt. DSH payments are subject to a federal Hospital Specific Limit (“HSL”) and are not fully known until the DSH audit results are concluded. In general, freestanding psychiatric hospitals tend to provide significantly less charity care than acute care hospitals and therefore are at more risk for retroactive recoupment of prior year DSH payments in excess of their respective HSL. In light of the retroactive HSL audit risk for freestanding psychiatric hospitals, we have established DSH reserves for our facilities that have been receiving funds since FFY 2016. These DSH reserves are also impacted by the resolution of federal DSH litigation related to Children’s Hospital Association of Texas v. Azar (“CHAT”), No. 17-cv-844 (D.D.C. March 2, 2018), appeal docketed, No. 18-5135 (D.C. Cir. May 9, 2018) where the calculation of HSL was being challenged. In August, 2019, DC Circuit Court of Appeals issued a unanimous decision in CHAT and reversed the judgment of the district court in favor of CMS and ordered that CMS’s “2017 Rule” (regarding Medicaid DSH Payments—Treatment of Third Party Payers in Calculating Uncompensated Care Costs) be reinstated. CMS has not issued any additional guidance post the ruling. In April 2020, the plaintiffs in the case have petitioned the Supreme Court of the United States to hear their case. Additionally, there have been separate legal challenges on this same issue in the Fifth and Eight Circuits. On November 4, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued an opinion upholding the 2017 Rule. Missouri Hosp. Ass’n v. Azar, No. 18-1778 (8th Cir. Nov. 4, 2019) (i.e. reversing a district court order enjoining the 2017 rule). On April 20, 2020, the United States Court of Appeals of the Fifth Circuit issued a decision also upholding the 2017 Rule. Baptist Memorial Hospital v. Azar, No. 18-60592 (5th Cir. April 20, 2020). In light of these court decisions, the Company continues to maintain reserves in its financial statements for cumulative Medicaid DSH and UC reimbursements related to our behavioral health hospitals located in Texas that amounted to $36 million and $20 million as of March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Nevada SPA:
In Nevada, CMS approved a state plan amendment (“SPA”) in August, 2014 that implemented a hospital supplemental payment program retroactive to January 1, 2014. This SPA has been approved for additional state fiscal years including the 2020 fiscal year covering the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.
In connection with this program, included in our financial results was approximately $7 million during each of the three-month periods ending March 31, 2020 and 2019. We estimate that our reimbursements pursuant to this program will approximate $25 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. This 2020 projected amount reflects a March 2020 Board of Trustees for the Fund for Hospital Care For Indigent Persons (“IAF Board”) approval to reduce funding for the non-federal share of the Nevada supplemental payment program for SFY 2021. Concurrent IAF Board action also approved the elimination of this funding of the non-federal share of the Nevada supplemental payment program for SFY 2022.
California SPA:
In California, CMS issued formal approval of the 2017-19 Hospital Fee Program in December, 2017 retroactive to January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019. This approval included the Medicaid inpatient and outpatient fee-for-service supplemental payments and the overall provider tax structure but did not yet include the approval of the managed care payment component. Upon approval by CMS, the managed care payment component will consist of two categories of payments, “pass-through” payments and “directed” payments. The pass-through payments will be similar in nature to the prior Hospital Fee Program payment method whereas the directed payment method will be based on actual concurrent hospital Medicaid managed care in-network patient volume. CMS has approved the “directed” payment component methodology for the period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019. The timing of CMS’s approval of the “pass through” component is uncertain. In September, 2019, the state submitted a request to renew the Hospital Fee Program for the period July 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021. On February 25, 2020, CMS approved this renewed program. The actual managed care payment rate component associated with the renewed program are still under development and subject to CMS approval. The timing of these additional approvals are uncertain. In connection with the existing program, included in our financial results was approximately $7 million and $4 million during the three-month period ending March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively. We estimate that our reimbursements pursuant to this program will approximate $29 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. The aggregate impact of the California supplemental payment program, as outlined above, is included in the above State Medicaid
48
Supplemental Payment Program table. On April 28, 2020, the California Department of Health Care Services (“DHCS”) notified hospital providers that participate in the Medicaid managed care directed payment program that DHCS has identified a data error with their directed payment calculation for the period July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. DHCS will recalculate the directed payment add-on payment amount and plan to notify providers of their new respective payment amounts likely in Q3 2020. We are unable to determine the impact of this planned DCHS directed payment change.
Risk Factors Related To State Supplemental Medicaid Payments:
As outlined above, we receive substantial reimbursement from multiple states in connection with various supplemental Medicaid payment programs. The states include, but are not limited to, Texas, Mississippi, Illinois, Nevada, Arkansas, California and Indiana. Failure to renew these programs beyond their scheduled termination dates, failure of the public hospitals to provide the necessary IGTs for the states’ share of the DSH programs, failure of our hospitals that currently receive supplemental Medicaid revenues to qualify for future funds under these programs, or reductions in reimbursements, could have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations.
In April, 2016, CMS published its final Medicaid Managed Care Rule which explicitly permits but phases out the use of pass-through payments (including supplemental payments) by Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (“MCO”) to hospitals over ten years but allows for a transition of the pass-through payments into value-based payment structures, delivery system reform initiatives or payments tied to services under a MCO contract. Since we are unable to determine the financial impact of this aspect of the final rule, we can provide no assurance that the final rule will not have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations. In November, 2018, CMS issued a proposed rule that would permit pass-through supplemental provider payments during a time-limited period when states transition populations or services from fee-for-service Medicaid to managed care.
HITECH Act: In July 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) published final regulations implementing the health information technology (“HIT”) provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (referred to as the “HITECH Act”). The final regulation defines the “meaningful use” of Electronic Health Records (“EHR”) and establishes the requirements for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR payment incentive programs. The final rule established an initial set of standards and certification criteria. The implementation period for these new Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments started in federal fiscal year 2011 and can end as late as 2016 for Medicare and 2021 for the state Medicaid programs. State Medicaid program participation in this federally funded incentive program is voluntary but all of the states in which our eligible hospitals operate have chosen to participate. Our acute care hospitals qualified for these EHR incentive payments upon implementation of the EHR application assuming they meet the “meaningful use” criteria. The government’s ultimate goal is to promote more effective (quality) and efficient healthcare delivery through the use of technology to reduce the total cost of healthcare for all Americans and utilizing the cost savings to expand access to the healthcare system.
All of our acute care hospitals have met the applicable meaningful use criteria. However, under the HITECH Act, hospitals must continue to meet the applicable meaningful use criteria in each fiscal year or they will be subject to a market basket update reduction in a subsequent fiscal year. Failure of our acute care hospitals to continue to meet the applicable meaningful use criteria would have an adverse effect on our future net revenues and results of operations.
In the 2019 IPPS final rule, CMS overhauled the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program to focus on interoperability, improve flexibility, relieve burden and place emphasis on measures that require the electronic exchange of health information between providers and patients. We can provide no assurance that the changes will not have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations.
Managed Care: A significant portion of our net patient revenues are generated from managed care companies, which include health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations and managed Medicare (referred to as Medicare Part C or Medicare Advantage) and Medicaid programs. In general, we expect the percentage of our business from managed care programs to continue to grow. The consequent growth in managed care networks and the resulting impact of these networks on the operating results of our facilities vary among the markets in which we operate. Typically, we receive lower payments per patient from managed care payers than we do from traditional indemnity insurers, however, during the past few years we have secured price increases from many of our commercial payers including managed care companies.
Commercial Insurance: Our hospitals also provide services to individuals covered by private health care insurance. Private insurance carriers typically make direct payments to hospitals or, in some cases, reimburse their policy holders, based upon the particular hospital’s established charges and the particular coverage provided in the insurance policy. Private insurance reimbursement varies among payers and states and is generally based on contracts negotiated between the hospital and the payer.
Commercial insurers are continuing efforts to limit the payments for hospital services by adopting discounted payment mechanisms, including predetermined payment or DRG-based payment systems, for more inpatient and outpatient services. To the extent that such
49
efforts are successful and reduce the insurers’ reimbursement to hospitals and the costs of providing services to their beneficiaries, such reduced levels of reimbursement may have a negative impact on the operating results of our hospitals.
Other Sources: Our hospitals provide services to individuals that do not have any form of health care coverage. Such patients are evaluated, at the time of service or shortly thereafter, for their ability to pay based upon federal and state poverty guidelines, qualifications for Medicaid or other state assistance programs, as well as our local hospitals’ indigent and charity care policy. Patients without health care coverage who do not qualify for Medicaid or indigent care write-offs are offered substantial discounts in an effort to settle their outstanding account balances.
Health Care Reform: Listed below are the Medicare, Medicaid and other health care industry changes which have been, or are scheduled to be, implemented as a result of the Legislation.
Implemented Medicare Reductions and Reforms:
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• |
The Legislation reduced the market basket update for inpatient and outpatient hospitals and inpatient behavioral health facilities by 0.25% in each of 2010 and 2011, by 0.10% in each of 2012 and 2013, 0.30% in 2014, 0.20% in each of 2015 and 2016 and 0.75% in each of 2017, 2018 and 2019. |
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• |
The Legislation implemented certain reforms to Medicare Advantage payments, effective in 2011. |
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• |
A Medicare shared savings program, effective in 2012. |
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|
• |
A hospital readmissions reduction program, effective in 2012. |
|
|
|
|
|
• |
A value-based purchasing program for hospitals, effective in 2012. |
|
|||
|
• |
A national pilot program on payment bundling, effective in 2013. |
|
|
||
|
• |
Reduction to Medicare DSH payments, effective in 2014, as discussed above.
|
Medicaid Revisions:
|
|
|
|
|
• |
Expanded Medicaid eligibility and related special federal payments, effective in 2014. |
|
|
• |
The Legislation (as amended by subsequent federal legislation) requires annual aggregate reductions in federal DSH funding from federal fiscal year (“FFY”) 2021 through FFY 2025. The aggregate annual reduction amounts are $4.0 billion for FFY 2021 (effective December 1, 2020) and $8.0 billion for FFY 2022 through FFY 2025. In December, 2019, federal legislation was enacted which delays the reduction in the Medicaid DSH allotment through May 22, 2020 and then subsequent federal legislation in March, 2020 delayed the reduction through November 30, 2020.
|
Health Insurance Revisions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
• |
Large employer insurance reforms, effective in 2015. |
|
|
|
• |
Individual insurance mandate and related federal subsidies, effective in 2014. As noted above in Health Care Reform, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted into law in December, 2017 eliminated the individual insurance federal mandate penalty beginning January 1, 2019. |
|
|
|
• |
Federally mandated insurance coverage reforms, effective in 2010 and forward. |
The Legislation seeks to increase competition among private health insurers by providing for transparent federal and state insurance exchanges. The Legislation also prohibits private insurers from adjusting insurance premiums based on health status, gender, or other specified factors. We cannot provide assurance that these provisions will not adversely affect the ability of private insurers to pay for services provided to insured patients, or that these changes will not have a negative material impact on our results of operations going forward.
Value-Based Purchasing:
There is a trend in the healthcare industry toward value-based purchasing of healthcare services. These value-based purchasing programs include both public reporting of quality data and preventable adverse events tied to the quality and efficiency of care provided by facilities. Governmental programs including Medicare and Medicaid currently require hospitals to report certain quality data to receive full reimbursement updates. In addition, Medicare does not reimburse for care related to certain preventable adverse
50
events. Many large commercial payers currently require hospitals to report quality data, and several commercial payers do not reimburse hospitals for certain preventable adverse events.
The Legislation required HHS to implement a value-based purchasing program for inpatient hospital services which became effective on October 1, 2012. The Legislation requires HHS to reduce inpatient hospital payments for all discharges by a percentage beginning at 1% in FFY 2013 and increasing by 0.25% each fiscal year up to 2% in FFY 2017 and subsequent years. HHS will pool the amount collected from these reductions to fund payments to reward hospitals that meet or exceed certain quality performance standards established by HHS. HHS will determine the amount each hospital that meets or exceeds the quality performance standards will receive from the pool of dollars created by these payment reductions. In its fiscal year 2016 IPPS final rule, CMS funded the value-based purchasing program by reducing base operating DRG payment amounts to participating hospitals by 1.75%. For FFY 2017 and subsequent years, this reduction was increased to its maximum of 2%.
Hospital Acquired Conditions:
The Legislation prohibits the use of federal funds under the Medicaid program to reimburse providers for medical assistance provided to treat hospital acquired conditions (“HAC”). Beginning in FFY 2015, hospitals that fall into the top 25% of national risk-adjusted HAC rates for all hospitals in the previous year will receive a 1% reduction in their total Medicare payments.
Readmission Reduction Program:
In the Legislation, Congress also mandated implementation of the hospital readmission reduction program (“HRRP”). Hospitals with excessive readmissions for conditions designated by HHS will receive reduced payments for all inpatient discharges, not just discharges relating to the conditions subject to the excessive readmission standard. The HRRP currently assesses penalties on hospitals having excess readmission rates for heart failure, myocardial infarction, pneumonia, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) and/or total knee arthroplasty (TKA), excluding planned readmissions, when compared to expected rates. In the fiscal year 2015 IPPS final rule, CMS added readmissions for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgical procedures beginning in fiscal year 2017. To account for excess readmissions, an applicable hospital's base operating DRG payment amount is adjusted for each discharge occurring during the fiscal year. Readmissions payment adjustment factors can be no more than a 3 percent reduction.
Accountable Care Organizations:
The Legislation requires HHS to establish a Medicare Shared Savings Program that promotes accountability and coordination of care through the creation of accountable care organizations (“ACOs”). The ACO program allows providers (including hospitals), physicians and other designated professionals and suppliers to voluntarily work together to invest in infrastructure and redesign delivery processes to achieve high quality and efficient delivery of services. The program is intended to produce savings as a result of improved quality and operational efficiency. ACOs that achieve quality performance standards established by HHS will be eligible to share in a portion of the amounts saved by the Medicare program. CMS is also developing and implementing more advanced ACO payment models, such as the Next Generation ACO Model, which require ACOs to assume greater risk for attributed beneficiaries. On December 21, 2018, CMS published a final rule that, in general, requires ACO participants to take on additional risk associated with participation in the program. On April 30, 2020, CMS issued an interim final rule with comment in response to the COVID-19 national emergency permitting ACOs with current agreement periods expiring on December 31, 2020 the option to extend their existing agreement period by one year, and permitting certain ACOs to retain their participation level through 2021. It remains unclear to what extent providers will pursue federal ACO status or whether the required investment would be warranted by increased payment.
Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced:
The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (“CMMI”) is responsible for establishing demonstration projects and other initiatives aimed to develop, test and encourage the adoption of new methods for delivery and payment for health care that create savings under the Federal Medicare and state Medicaid programs while improving quality of care. For example, providers participating in bundled payment initiatives agree to receive one payment for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries for certain medical conditions or episodes of care, accepting accountability for costs and quality of care across the continuum of care. By rewarding providers for increasing quality and reducing costs, and penalizing providers if costs exceed a set amount, these models are intended to lead to higher quality and more coordinated care at a lower cost to the Medicare beneficiary and overall program. The CMMI has previously implemented a voluntary bundled payment program known as the Bundled Payment for Care Improvement (“BPCI”). Substantially all of our acute care hospitals were participants in the BPCI program, which ended September 30, 2018.
CMMI implemented a new, second generation voluntary episode payment model, Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI-Advanced or the Program), with the first performance period beginning October 1, 2018. BPCI-Advanced is designed to test a new iteration of bundled payments for 32 Clinical Episodes (29 inpatient and 3 outpatient) with an aim to align
51
incentives among participating health care providers to reduce expenditures and improve quality of care for traditional Medicare beneficiaries. The first cohort of participants entered BPCI-Advanced on October 1, 2018, and agreed to an initial performance period that will run through December 31, 2023. We initially elected to participate in BPCI-Advanced at seventeen (17) of our acute care hospitals across almost two hundred (200) clinical episodes in collaboration with a third-party convener which has extensive experience and success in BPCI. A second BPCI-Advanced cohort started January 1, 2020 where our participation in the program increased to twenty-two (22) acute care hospitals with over three hundred (300) clinical episodes. The ultimate success and financial impact of the BPCI-Advanced program is contingent on multiple variables so we are unable to estimate the impact. However, given the breadth and scope of participation of our acute care hospitals in BPCI-Advanced, the impact could be significant (either favorably or unfavorably) depending on actual program results. The COVID-19 national emergency described below in the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (“COVID-19”) Medicare and Medicaid Payment Related Legislation section could adversely impact BPCI-A program results absent CMS intervention to provide temporary participant hold harmless financial protections similar to ones that have been implemented in the past by CMS after the occurrence of other natural disaster events. We are unable to predict whether such protections will be implemented by CMS during this COVID-19 national emergency. The initial CMS BPCI-A reconciliation in Q1 2020 for the period October 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 did not have material impact on our financial results.
2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (“COVID-19”) Medicare and Medicaid Payment Related Legislation
In response to the growing threat of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (“COVID-19”), on March 13, 2020 President Trump declared a national emergency. The President’s declaration empowered the HHS Secretary to waive certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (“CHIP”) program requirements and Medicare conditions of participation under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act. Having been granted this authority by HHS, CMS issued a broad range of blanket waivers, which eased certain requirements for impacted providers, including:
|
• |
Waivers and Flexibilities for Hospitals and other Healthcare Facilities |
|
o |
CMS temporarily waived or modified hospital physical environment requirements under the Medicare conditions of participation, granting hospitals flexibility to expand services and manage COVID-19 populations. |
|
o |
CMS expanded reimbursement and waived certain limitations on the conduct of telehealth services. |
|
o |
CMS granted certain waivers from compliance with Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act requirements, permitting hospitals to better manage patients presenting to the hospital with COVID-19. |
|
• |
Provider Enrollment Flexibilities |
|
o |
CMS temporarily suspended certain Medicare enrollment screening requirements including site visits and fingerprinting for non-certified Part B suppliers, physicians and non-physician practitioners. |
|
• |
Flexibility and Relief for State Medicaid Programs |
|
o |
The national emergency declaration also enabled CMS to grant state and territorial Medicaid agencies a wider range of flexibilities under section 1135 waivers. Examples of flexibilities available to states under section 1135 waivers include the ability to permit out-of-state providers to render services, temporarily suspend certain provider enrollment and revalidation requirements to promote access to care, allow providers to provide care in alternative settings, waive prior authorization requirements, and temporarily suspend certain pre-admission and annual screenings for nursing home residents. |
|
• |
Suspension of Enforcement Activities |
|
o |
CMS temporarily suspended non-emergency survey inspections, allowing providers to focus on the most current serious health and safety threats, like infectious diseases and abuse. |
|
o |
CMS has issued certain blanket waivers under Section 1877(g) of the Social Security Act. |
|
o |
OCR is exercising temporary enforcement discretion regarding compliance with certain civil rights laws and privacy and security requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. |
|
o |
OIG issued a Policy Statement announcing temporary enforcement discretion under the Federal anti-kickback statute for certain remuneration related to COVID-19. |
In addition to the national emergency declaration, Congress passed and President Trump signed legislation intended to support state and local authority responses to COVID-19 as well as provide fiscal support to businesses, individuals, financial markets, hospitals and other healthcare providers. This enacted legislation includes:
|
• |
Public Law No: 116-123 - Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (3/06/2020) |
|
o |
The legislation provided $8.3 billion in emergency funding for federal agencies to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. |
|
• |
Public Law No: 116-127 Families First Coronavirus Response Act (3/18/2020) |
52
|
o |
The legislation provides paid sick leave, tax credits, and free COVID-19 testing; expands nutrition assistance and unemployment benefits; and increases Medicaid funding. |
|
• |
This legislation increases the Medicaid FMAP by 6.2% retroactive to the federal fiscal quarter beginning January 1, 2020 and each subsequent federal fiscal quarter for all states and U.S. territories during the declared public health emergency, in accordance with specified conditions. For example, in order to receive the increased FMAP, a state Medicaid program may not require standards for eligibility that are more restrictive than the standards that were in effect on January 1, 2020. |
|
• |
We are unable to estimate the financial impact at this time. However, this provision will result in a net favorable impact to certain Medicaid supplemental payments where states make payments to our hospitals during an eligible quarter. |
|
• |
H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, (“CARES Act”)(03/27/2020) |
|
o |
The CARES Act includes sweeping measures that provides $2.2 trillion in emergency assistance to individuals, families, and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislative provisions granting immediate funding relief are: |
|
o |
The creation of a $175 billion Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (“PHSSEF”) for grants available to hospitals and other healthcare providers (as amended by H.R. 266 on April 24, 2010 which added $75 billion to the fund). |
|
• |
This new program will provide grants intended to cover unreimbursed health care related expenses or lost revenues attributable to the public health emergency resulting from the coronavirus. |
|
• |
The new program will also reimburse hospitals at Medicare rates for uncompensated COVID-19 care for the uninsured. |
|
• |
Grants to eligible recipients will be made in multiple tranches by HHS |
|
• |
HHS Distributions 1 and 2 – As of May 5, 2020, we have received approximately $198 million in PHSSEF grant payments that were part of an initial $50 billion distribution of funds that are subject to specific terms and conditions. The HHS terms and conditions for all grant recipients are located at https://www.hhs.gov/provider-relief/index.html. Our operating results for the three-months ended March 31, 2020 do not include the recognition of any PHSSEF grant income. Although we can provide no assurance that we will ultimately be deemed qualified, our future results of operations will include the applicable income recognition related to these funds received, to the extent that we successfully submit the required attestations to HHS signifying our qualification pursuant to the terms and conditions of this program. |
|
• |
HHS Distributions 3 and Beyond - HHS has stated the $50 billion residual balance of the PHSSEF will target subsequent distributions that focus on providers in areas particularly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, rural providers, providers of services with lower shares of Medicare reimbursement or who predominantly serve the Medicaid population, and providers requesting reimbursement for the treatment of uninsured Americans. Specifically, HHS has committed to: |
|
o |
$10 billion Allocation for COVID-19 High Impact Areas |
|
▪ |
Our acute care hospital located in Washington, D.C. received approximately $15 million in connection with this funding. |
|
o |
$10 billion Allocation for Rural Hospitals |
|
▪ |
As of May 6, 2020, we have received $21 million of this rural hospital funding from HHS. |
|
o |
$2 billion for COVID-19 Testing for the Uninsured |
|
o |
Unspecified Allocation for Treatment of COVID-19 Uninsured |
The specific uses of the remaining $95 billion PHSSEF funds including the additional $75 billion authorized under H.R. 266 (outlined below) has not yet been determined by HHS. We are unable to estimate the level of additional grant payments and their impact on future financial operating results.
|
• |
Increase of provider funding through immediate Medicare sequester relief. |
|
• |
Suspension of the 2% Medicare sequestration offset for Medicare services provided from May 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. |
|
• |
We estimate that this provision will have a favorable impact of $30 million during this period. |
|
• |
Medicare add-on for inpatient hospital COVID-19 patients. |
53
|
• |
Increases the payment that would otherwise be made to a hospital for treating a Medicare patient admitted with COVID-19 by twenty percent (20%). |
|
• |
We are unable to estimate the financial impact of this provision. |
|
• |
Expansion of the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program. |
|
• |
Expands the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. These payments were provided to ensure Medicare providers and suppliers have reliable and stable cash flow in order to maintain an adequate workforce, buy essential supplies, create additional infrastructure, and keep their respective operations in place for patient. |
|
• |
As of May 5, 2020, we received approximately $376 million under the Accelerated and Advance Payment Program. Although we can provide no assurance that we will ultimately receive additional accelerated Medicare payments, we believe we are entitled to additional funds comparable to the amount received thus far should the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services resume the Medicare accelerated funding program which was suspended on April 26, 2020 for reevaluation. A hospital that receives funds under this program is not required to start repayment for 120 days, general acute care hospitals have up to one year and psychiatric hospitals will have up to 210 days to complete repayment without the assessment of interest. As such, we will begin repaying this loan through the recoupment of future Medicare claims in July, 2020, likely through December, 2020, but as late as April, 2021. |
|
o |
Coronavirus Relief Fund. |
|
• |
Establishes a $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund. The Secretary of Treasury is authorized to make payments for COIVD-19 response efforts to states, tribal governments and local governments with populations of 500,000 or more. It requires that the District of Columbia and U.S. territories collectively receive $3 billion of this funding, that $8 billion in payments be provided to tribal governments, and that no state receives less than $1.25 billion. State allocations are determined on the state’s population, relative to the population in all 50 states. Any funding to the local governments is subtracted from the amount otherwise available to their state government. Local government funding is also apportioned by population, but local governments may receive only 45% of the amount associated with their population. We are unable to predict whether any portion of this this state and local funding will ultimately be paid to our hospitals impacted by COVID-19. |
• |
H.R 266 – The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (4/24/2020) |
|
|
o |
Includes an additional $75 billion for the PHSSEF to reimburse hospitals and health care providers for COVID-19 related expenses and lost revenue. The legislation also includes $25 billion for necessary expenses to research, develop, validate, manufacture, purchase, administer and expand capacity for COVID-19 tests. |
|
COVID-19 State and Local Grant Programs
We have pursued available COVID-19 related state and local grant funding opportunities where available. State and local grants received as May 5, 2020, include approximately $5 million from Washington, D.C., to be used for supplies, equipment, personnel and construction and operation of temporary structures for testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients. We are unable to predict the aggregate amount of state and local grant opportunities that we will ultimately secure.
In addition to statutory and regulatory changes to the Medicare program and each of the state Medicaid programs, our operations and reimbursement may be affected by administrative rulings, new or novel interpretations and determinations of existing laws and regulations, post-payment audits, requirements for utilization review and new governmental funding restrictions, all of which may materially increase or decrease program payments as well as affect the cost of providing services and the timing of payments to our facilities. The final determination of amounts we receive under the Medicare and Medicaid programs often takes many years, because of audits by the program representatives, providers’ rights of appeal and the application of numerous technical reimbursement provisions. We believe that we have made adequate provisions for such potential adjustments. Nevertheless, until final adjustments are made, certain issues remain unresolved and previously determined allowances could become either inadequate or more than ultimately required.
Finally, we expect continued third-party efforts to aggressively manage reimbursement levels and cost controls. Reductions in reimbursement amounts received from third-party payers could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and our results.
54
Other Operating Results
Interest Expense:
As reflected on the schedule below, interest expense was $36 million and $40 million during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, (amounts in thousands):
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 |
|
||
Revolving credit & demand notes (a.) |
|
$ |
716 |
|
|
$ |
745 |
|
$700 million, 4.75% Senior Notes due 2022, net (b.) |
|
|
8,069 |
|
|
|
8,069 |
|
$400 million, 5.00% Senior Notes due 2026 (c.) |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
Term loan facility A (a.) |
|
|
14,365 |
|
|
|
19,334 |
|
Term loan facility B (a.) |
|
|
4,284 |
|
|
|
5,318 |
|
Accounts receivable securitization program (d.) |
|
|
2,043 |
|
|
|
3,192 |
|
Subtotal-revolving credit, demand notes, Senior Notes, term loan facility and accounts receivable securitization program |
|
|
34,477 |
|
|
|
41,658 |
|
Interest rate swap income, net |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(2,944 |
) |
Amortization of financing fees |
|
|
1,282 |
|
|
|
1,278 |
|
Other combined interest expense |
|
|
1,671 |
|
|
|
691 |
|
Capitalized interest on major projects |
|
|
(1,049 |
) |
|
|
(774 |
) |
Interest income |
|
|
(30 |
) |
|
|
(269 |
) |
Interest expense, net |
|
$ |
36,351 |
|
|
$ |
39,640 |
|
|
(a.) |
In October, 2018, we entered into a sixth amendment to our credit agreement dated November 15, 2010 to, among other things: (i.) increase the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments by $200 million to $1 billion; (ii) increase the aggregate amount of the term loan facility A by approximately $290 million to $2 billion, and; (iii) extend the maturity date of the credit agreement from August 7, 2019 to October 23, 2023. On October 31, 2018, we added a seven-year, Tranche B term loan facility in the aggregate amount of $500 million pursuant to our credit agreement. The Tranche B term loan matures on October 31, 2025. |
As of March 31, 2020, we had: (i) $1.938 billion of borrowings outstanding under the term loan A facility; (ii) $493.8 million of borrowings outstanding under the term loan B facility, and; (iii) no outstanding borrowings under the $1 billion revolving credit facility.
|
(b.) |
In June, 2016, we completed the offering of an additional $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.75% Senior Notes due in 2022 (issued at a yield of 4.35%), the terms of which were identical to the terms of our $300 million aggregate principal amount of 4.75% Senior Notes due in 2022, issued in August, 2014. These Senior Notes, combined, are referred to as $700 million, 4.75% Senior Notes due in 2022. |
|
(c.) |
In June, 2016, we completed the offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due in 2026. |
|
(d.) |
In April, 2018, we amended our accounts receivable securitization program, which was scheduled to expire in December, 2018. Pursuant to the amendment, the term has been extended through April 26, 2021, and the borrowing limit has been increased to $450 million from $440 million ($260 million outstanding as of March 31, 2020). |
Interest expense decreased $3 million during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the comparable period of 2019, due primarily to: (i) a net $7 million decrease in aggregate interest expense on our revolving credit, demand notes, senior notes, term loan facility and accounts receivable securitization program resulting from a decrease in our aggregate average cost of borrowings pursuant to these facilities (3.6% during the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to 4.2% in the comparable quarter of 2019), as well as a decrease in the aggregate average outstanding borrowings ($3.85 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to $3.99 billion in the comparable 2019 quarter), offset by; (ii) a $3 million unfavorable change in interest rate swap income, and; (iii) a $1 million of other combined increases in interest expense The average effective interest rate on these facilities, including amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts and designated interest rate swap expense (for the period ended March 31, 2019) was 3.7% and 4.0% during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
55
Provision for Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rates:
The effective tax rates, as calculated by dividing the provision for income taxes by income before income taxes, were as follows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (dollar amounts in thousands):
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
||
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
||
Provision for income taxes |
|
$ |
46,323 |
|
|
$ |
58,898 |
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
190,783 |
|
|
|
296,296 |
|
|
Effective tax rate |
|
|
24.3 |
% |
|
|
19.9 |
% |
|
The provision for income taxes decreased $13 million during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the comparable quarter of 2019, due primarily to: (i) the income tax benefit recorded in connection with the $105 million decrease in pre-tax income, partially offset by; (ii) a $12 million increase in the provision for income taxes resulting from our adoption of ASU 2016-09, which increased our provision for income taxes by approximately $1 million during the first quarter of 2020 as compared to a decrease of approximately $11 million during the first quarter of 2019.
Liquidity
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $502 million during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 and $432 million during the comparable period of 2019. The net increase of $70 million was attributable to the following:
|
• |
an unfavorable change of $88 million resulting from a decrease in net income plus/minus depreciation and amortization expense and stock-based compensation expense; |
|
• |
a favorable change of $171 million in accounts receivable; |
|
• |
an unfavorable change of $34 million in other working capital accounts resulting primarily from changes in accounts payable due to timing of disbursements; |
|
• |
a favorable change of $25 million in accrued insurance expense, net of commercial premiums paid due to the above-mentioned $20 million increase to our reserves for self-insured professional and general liability claims recorded during the first quarter of 2020, and; |
|
• |
$4 million of other combined net unfavorable changes. |
Days sales outstanding (“DSO”): Our DSO are calculated by dividing our net revenue by the number of days in the three-month periods. The result is divided into the accounts receivable balance at March 31st of each year to obtain the DSO. Our DSO were 48 days and 51 days at March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Our accounts receivable as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 include amounts due from Illinois of approximately $23 million and $36 million, respectively. Collection of the outstanding receivables continues to be delayed due to state budgetary and funding pressures. Approximately $11 million as of March 31, 2020 and $18 million as of December 31, 2019, of the receivables due from Illinois were outstanding in excess of 60 days, as of each respective date. Although the accounts receivable due from Illinois could remain outstanding for the foreseeable future, since we expect to eventually collect all amounts due to us, no related reserves have been established in our consolidated financial statements. However, we can provide no assurance that we will eventually collect all amounts due to us from Illinois. Failure to ultimately collect all outstanding amounts due to us from Illinois would have an adverse impact on our future consolidated results of operations and cash flows.
Net cash used in investing activities
During the first three months of 2020, we used $135 million of net cash in investing activities as follows:
|
• |
$184 million spent on capital expenditures including capital expenditures for equipment, renovations and new projects at various existing facilities; |
|
• |
$52 million received in connection with net cash inflows from forward exchange contracts that hedge our investment in the U.K. against movements in exchange rates; |
|
• |
$2 million spent on the purchase and implementation of information technology applications, and; |
56
|
• |
$1 million spent to fund investments in and advances to joint ventures and other. |
During the first three months of 2019, we used $208 million of net cash in investing activities as follows:
|
• |
$170 million spent on capital expenditures including capital expenditures for equipment, renovations and new projects at various existing facilities; |
|
• |
$28 million paid in connection with net cash inflows from forward exchange contracts that hedge our investment in the U.K. against movements in exchange rates; |
|
• |
$10 million spent on the purchase and implementation of information technology applications, and; |
|
• |
$1 million spent to fund investments in and advances to joint ventures and other. |
During the fourth quarter of 2019, we identified certain cash inflows related to operating activities that were incorrectly classified as cash inflows from foreign currency exchange contracts, as included cash flows from investing activities, on our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the quarterly periods in 2019. The cash flows related to our foreign currency exchange contracts were correctly classified on our consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019. We determined that these misclassifications were not material to the financial statements of any period during 2019. However, in order to improve the consistency and comparability of the financial statements, we have revised the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.
Net cash used in financing activities
During the first three months of 2020, we used $372 million of net cash in financing activities as follows:
|
• |
spent $185 million on net repayments of debt as follows: (i) $13 million related to our term loan A facility; (ii) $140 million related to our accounts receivable securitization program; (iii) $1 million related to our term loan B facility, and; (iv) $31 million related to a short-term credit facility. |
|
• |
generated $5 million of proceeds related to other debt facilities; |
|
• |
spent $172 million to repurchase shares of our Class B Common Stock in connection with: (i) open market purchases pursuant to our $2.7 billion stock repurchase program ($170 million), and; (ii) income tax withholding obligations related to stock-based compensation programs ($3 million); |
|
• |
spent $6 million to pay profit distributions related to noncontrolling interests in majority owned businesses; |
|
• |
spent $17 million to pay quarterly cash dividends of $.20 per share, and; |
|
• |
generated $3 million from the issuance of shares of our Class B Common Stock pursuant to the terms of employee stock purchase plans. |
During the first three months of 2019, we used $266 million of net cash in financing activities as follows:
|
• |
spent $115 million on net repayments of debt as follows: (i) $100 million related to our accounts receivable securitization program; (ii) $13 million related to our term loan A facility; (iii) $1 million related to our term loan B facility, and; (iv) $1 million related to other debt facilities; |
|
• |
generated $9 million of proceeds related to new borrowings pursuant to a short-term, on-demand credit facility; |
|
• |
spent $144 million to repurchase shares of our Class B Common Stock in connection with: (i) open market purchases pursuant to our $1.7 billion stock repurchase program ($113 million), and; (ii) income tax withholding obligations related to stock-based compensation programs ($31 million); |
|
• |
spent $10 million to pay profit distributions related to noncontrolling interests in majority owned businesses; |
|
• |
spent $9 million to pay quarterly cash dividends of $.10 per share, and; |
|
• |
generated $3 million from the issuance of shares of our Class B Common Stock pursuant to the terms of employee stock purchase plans. |
57
Expected capital expenditures during remainder of 2020
In our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, we estimated that we would spend approximately $775 million to $825 million on capital expenditures during the year ended December 31, 2020. As mentioned above, we spent approximately $184 million on capital expenditures during the first quarter of 2020.
As mentioned above, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we plan to reduce the spend rate and magnitude of certain previously planned capital projects and expenditures. We are therefore reducing our planned capital expenditures estimate for the full year of 2020 to approximately $575 million to $625 million.
During the remaining nine months of 2020, we expect to spend approximately $390 million to $440 million which includes expenditures for capital equipment, renovations and new projects at existing hospitals. We believe that our capital expenditure program is adequate to expand, improve and equip our existing hospitals. We expect to finance all capital expenditures and acquisitions with internally generated funds and/or additional funds, as discussed below.
Capital Resources
Credit Facilities and Outstanding Debt Securities
On October 23, 2018, we entered into a Sixth Amendment (the “Sixth Amendment”) to our credit agreement dated as of November 15, 2010, as amended on March 15, 2011, September 21, 2012, May 16, 2013, August 7, 2014 and June 7, 2016, among UHS, as borrower, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time parties thereto, as lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other agents party thereto (the “Senior Credit Agreement”). The Sixth Amendment became effective on October 23, 2018.
The Sixth Amendment amended the Senior Credit Agreement to, among other things: (i) increase the aggregate amount of the revolving credit facility to $1 billion (increase of $200 million over the $800 million previous commitment); (ii) increase the aggregate amount of the tranche A term loan commitments to $2 billion (increase of approximately $290 million over the $1.71 billion of outstanding borrowings prior to the amendment), and; (iii) extended the maturity date of the revolving credit and tranche A term loan facilities to October 23, 2023 from August 7, 2019.
On October 31, 2018, we added a seven-year tranche B term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of $500 million pursuant to the Senior Credit Agreement. The tranche B term loan matures on October 31, 2025. We used the proceeds to repay borrowings under the revolving credit facility, the Securitization (as defined below), to redeem our $300 million, 3.75% Senior Notes that were scheduled to mature in 2019 and for general corporate purposes.
As of March 31, 2020, we had no borrowings outstanding pursuant to our $1 billion revolving credit facility and we had $998 million of available borrowing capacity net of $2 million of outstanding letters of credit.
Pursuant to the terms of the Sixth Amendment, the tranche A term loan, which had $1.938 billion of borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2020, provides for eight installment payments of $12.5 million per quarter which commenced in March of 2019 and are scheduled to continue through December of 2020. Thereafter, payments of $25 million per quarter are scheduled, commencing in March of 2021 until maturity in October of 2023, when all outstanding amounts will be due.
The tranche B term loan, which had $494 million of borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2020, provides for installment payments of $1.25 million per quarter, which commenced on March 31, 2019 and are scheduled to continue until maturity in October of 2025, when all outstanding amounts will be due.
Borrowings under the Senior Credit Agreement bear interest at our election at either (1) the ABR rate which is defined as the rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the lender’s prime rate, (b) the weighted average of the federal funds rate, plus 0.5% and (c) one month LIBOR rate plus 1%, in each case, plus an applicable margin based upon our consolidated leverage ratio at the end of each quarter ranging from 0.375% to 0.625% for revolving credit and term loan A borrowings and 0.75% for tranche B borrowings, or (2) the one, two, three or six month LIBOR rate (at our election), plus an applicable margin based upon our consolidated leverage ratio at the end of each quarter ranging from 1.375% to 1.625% for revolving credit and term loan A borrowings and 1.75% for the tranche B term loan. As of March 31, 2020, the applicable margins were 0.375% for ABR-based loans and 1.375% for LIBOR-based loans under the revolving credit and term loan A facilities. The revolving credit facility includes a $125 million sub-limit for letters of credit. The Senior Credit Agreement is secured by certain assets of the Company and our material subsidiaries (which generally excludes asset classes such as substantially all of the patient-related accounts receivable of our acute care hospitals, and certain real estate assets and assets held in joint-ventures with third parties) and is guaranteed by our material subsidiaries.
The Senior Credit Agreement includes a material adverse change clause that must be represented at each draw. The Senior Credit Agreement contains covenants that include a limitation on sales of assets, mergers, change of ownership, liens and indebtedness, transactions with affiliates, dividends and stock repurchases; and requires compliance with financial covenants including maximum leverage. We are in compliance with all required covenants as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
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In late April, 2018, we entered into the sixth amendment to our accounts receivable securitization program (“Securitization”) dated as of October 27, 2010 with a group of conduit lenders, liquidity banks, and PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, which provides for borrowings outstanding from time to time by certain of our subsidiaries in exchange for undivided security interests in their respective accounts receivable. The sixth amendment, among other things, extended the term of the Securitization program through April 26, 2021 and increased the borrowing capacity to $450 million (from $440 million previously). Although the program fee and certain other fees were adjusted in connection with the sixth amendment, substantially all other provisions of the Securitization program remained unchanged. Pursuant to the terms of our Securitization program, substantially all of the patient-related accounts receivable of our acute care hospitals (“Receivables”) serve as collateral for the outstanding borrowings. We have accounted for this Securitization as borrowings. We maintain effective control over the Receivables since, pursuant to the terms of the Securitization, the Receivables are sold from certain of our subsidiaries to special purpose entities that are wholly-owned by us. The Receivables, however, are owned by the special purpose entities, can be used only to satisfy the debts of the wholly-owned special purpose entities, and thus are not available to us except through our ownership interest in the special purpose entities. The wholly-owned special purpose entities use the Receivables to collateralize the loans obtained from the group of third-party conduit lenders and liquidity banks. The group of third-party conduit lenders and liquidity banks do not have recourse to us beyond the assets of the wholly-owned special purpose entities that securitize the loans. At March 31, 2020, we had $260 million of outstanding borrowings pursuant to the terms of the Securitization and $190 million of available borrowing capacity.
As of March 31, 2020, we had combined aggregate principal of $1.1 billion from the following senior secured notes:
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$700 million aggregate principal amount of 4.75% senior secured notes due in August, 2022 (“2022 Notes”) which were issued as follows: |
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$300 million aggregate principal amount issued on August 7, 2014 at par. |
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$400 million aggregate principal amount issued on June 3, 2016 at 101.5% to yield 4.35%. |
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$400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior secured notes due in June, 2026 (“2026 Notes”) which were issued on June 3, 2016. |
Interest on the 2022 Notes is payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year until the maturity date of August 1, 2022. Interest on the 2026 Notes is payable on June 1 and December 1 until the maturity date of June 1, 2026. The 2022 Notes and 2026 Notes were offered only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The 2022 Notes and 2026 Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.
On November 26, 2018 we redeemed the $300 million aggregate principal, 3.75% Senior Notes due in 2019. The 2019 Notes were redeemed for an aggregate price equal to 100.485% of the principal amount, resulting in a premium paid of approximately $1 million, plus accrued interest to the redemption date.
At March 31, 2020, the carrying value and fair value of our debt were each approximately $3.8 billion. At December 31, 2019, the carrying value and fair value of our debt were each approximately $4.0 billion. The fair value of our debt was computed based upon quotes received from financial institutions. We consider these to be “level 2” in the fair value hierarchy as outlined in the authoritative guidance for disclosures in connection with debt instruments.
Our total debt as a percentage of total capitalization was approximately 41% at March 31, 2020 and 42% at December 31, 2019.
During 2015, we entered into nine forward starting interest rate swaps whereby we paid a fixed rate on a total notional amount of $1.0 billion and received one-month LIBOR. The average fixed rate payable on these swaps, all of which matured on April 15, 2019, was 1.31%. Although we can provide no assurance that we will ultimately do so, we are currently monitoring the interest rate environment and evaluating the terms of potential replacement interest rate swaps that we may enter into for a large portion, or potentially all, of the $1 billion total notional amount that expired on April 15, 2019.
We expect to finance all capital expenditures and acquisitions and, if and when we determine to restart our quarterly dividend and stock repurchase programs, pay dividends and potentially repurchase shares of our common stock utilizing internally generated and additional funds. Additional funds may be obtained through: (i) borrowings under our existing revolving credit facility or through refinancing the existing Senior Credit Agreement; (ii) the issuance of other long-term debt, and/or; (iii) the issuance of equity. We believe that our operating cash flows, cash and cash equivalents, as well as access to the capital markets, provide us with sufficient capital resources to fund our operating, investing and financing requirements for the next twelve months, including the refinancing of our above-mentioned Senior Credit Agreement that is scheduled to mature in October, 2023. However, in the event we need to access the capital markets or other sources of financing, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain financing on acceptable
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terms or within an acceptable time. Our inability to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us could have a material unfavorable impact on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, there have been no material changes in the off-balance sheet arrangements consisting of standby letters of credit and surety bonds.
As of March 31, 2020 we were party to certain off balance sheet arrangements consisting of standby letters of credit and surety bonds which totaled $92 million consisting of: (i) $88 million related to our self-insurance programs, and; (ii) $4 million of other debt and public utility guarantees.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There have been no material changes in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures during the three months ended March 31, 2020. Reference is made to Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As of March 31, 2020, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), we performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”). Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that material information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported by management on a timely basis in order to comply with our disclosure obligations under the 1934 Act and the SEC rules thereunder.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors during the first quarter of 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We operate in a highly regulated and litigious industry which subjects us to various claims and lawsuits in the ordinary course of business as well as regulatory proceedings and government investigations. These claims or suits include claims for damages for personal injuries, medical malpractice, commercial/contractual disputes, wrongful restriction of, or interference with, physicians’ staff privileges, and employment related claims. In addition, health care companies are subject to investigations and/or actions by various state and federal governmental agencies or those bringing claims on their behalf. Government action has increased with respect to investigations and/or allegations against healthcare providers concerning possible violations of fraud and abuse and false claims statutes as well as compliance with clinical and operational regulations. Currently, and from time to time, we and some of our facilities are subjected to inquiries in the form of subpoenas, Civil Investigative Demands, audits and other document requests from various federal and state agencies. These inquiries can lead to notices and/or actions including repayment obligations from state and federal government agencies associated with potential non-compliance with laws and regulations. Further, the federal False Claims Act allows private individuals to bring lawsuits (qui tam actions) against healthcare providers that submit claims for payments to the government. Various states have also adopted similar statutes. When such a claim is filed, the government will investigate the matter and decide if they are going to intervene in the pending case. These qui tam lawsuits are placed under seal by the court to comply with the False Claims Act’s requirements. If the government chooses not to intervene, the private individual(s) can proceed independently on behalf of the government. Health care providers that are found to violate the False Claims Act may be subject to substantial monetary fines/penalties as well as face potential exclusion from participating in government health care programs or be required to comply with Corporate Integrity Agreements as a condition of a settlement of a False Claims Act matter. In September 2014, the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced that all qui tam cases will be shared with their Division to determine if a parallel criminal investigation should be opened. The DOJ has also announced an intention to pursue civil and criminal actions against individuals within a company as well as the corporate entity or entities. In addition, health care facilities are subject to monitoring by state and federal surveyors to ensure compliance with program Conditions of Participation. In the event a facility is found to be out of compliance with a Condition of Participation and unable to remedy the alleged deficiency(s), the facility faces termination from the Medicare and Medicaid programs or compliance with a System Improvement Agreement to remedy deficiencies and ensure compliance.
The laws and regulations governing the healthcare industry are complex covering, among other things, government healthcare participation requirements, licensure, certification and accreditation, privacy of patient information, reimbursement for patient services as well as fraud and abuse compliance. These laws and regulations are constantly evolving and expanding. Further, the Legislation has added additional obligations on healthcare providers to report and refund overpayments by government healthcare programs and authorizes the suspension of Medicare and Medicaid payments “pending an investigation of a credible allegation of fraud.” We monitor our business and have developed an ethics and compliance program with respect to these complex laws, rules and regulations. Although we believe our policies, procedures and practices comply with government regulations, there is no assurance that we will not be faced with the sanctions referenced above which include fines, penalties and/or substantial damages, repayment obligations, payment suspensions, licensure revocation, and expulsion from government healthcare programs. Even if we were to ultimately prevail in any action brought against us or our facilities or in responding to any inquiry, such action or inquiry could have a material adverse effect on us.
Certain legal matters are described below:
Government Investigations:
UHS Behavioral Health
In February, 2013, the Office of Inspector General for the United States Department of Health and Human Services (“OIG”) served a subpoena requesting various documents from January, 2008 to the date of the subpoena directed at Universal Health Services, Inc. (“UHS”) concerning it and UHS of Delaware, Inc., and certain UHS owned behavioral health facilities including: Keys of Carolina, Old Vineyard Behavioral Health, The Meadows Psychiatric Center, Streamwood Behavioral Health, Hartgrove Hospital, Rock River Academy and Residential Treatment Center, Roxbury Treatment Center, Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center, f/k/a The Pines Residential Treatment Center, including the Crawford, Brighton and Kempsville campuses, Wekiva Springs Center and River Point Behavioral Health. Prior to receipt of this subpoena, some of these facilities had received independent subpoenas from state or federal agencies. Subsequent to the February 2013 subpoenas, some of the facilities above have received additional, specific subpoenas or other document and information requests. In addition to the OIG, the DOJ and various U.S. Attorneys’ and state Attorneys’ General Offices are also involved in this matter. Since February 2013, additional facilities have also received subpoenas and/or document and information requests or we have been notified are included in the omnibus investigation. Those facilities include: National Deaf Academy, Arbour-HRI Hospital, Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire, St. Simons By the Sea, Turning Point Care Center, Salt Lake Behavioral Health, Central Florida Behavioral Hospital, University Behavioral Center, Arbour Hospital, Arbour-Fuller Hospital, Pembroke Hospital, Westwood Lodge, Coastal Harbor Health System, Shadow Mountain Behavioral Health, Cedar Hills Hospital, Mayhill Hospital, Southern Crescent Behavioral Health (Anchor Hospital and Crescent Pines campuses), Valley
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Hospital (AZ), Peachford Behavioral Health System of Atlanta, University Behavioral Health of Denton, El Paso Behavioral Health System, Newport News Behavioral Health Center, The Hughes Center, Forest View Hospital and Havenwyck Hospital.
In October, 2013, we were advised that the DOJ’s Criminal Frauds Section had opened an investigation of River Point Behavioral Health and Wekiva Springs Center. We were subsequently notified that the Criminal Frauds section had opened investigations of National Deaf Academy, Hartgrove Hospital and UHS as a corporate entity. In April 2017, the DOJ’s Criminal Division issued a subpoena requesting documentation from Shadow Mountain Behavioral Health. In August 2017, Kempsville Center of Behavioral Health (a part of Harbor Point Behavioral Health previously identified above) received a subpoena requesting documentation. We have been advised that the investigations being conducted by the DOJ’s Criminal Frauds Section and corresponding U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, of UHS and the above referenced facilities, have been closed.
In April, 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) instituted a Medicare payment suspension at River Point Behavioral Health in accordance with federal regulations regarding suspension of payments during certain investigations. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (“AHCA”) subsequently issued a Medicaid payment suspension for the facility. River Point Behavioral Health submitted a rebuttal statement disputing the basis of the suspension and requesting revocation of the suspension. Notwithstanding, CMS continued the payment suspension. River Point Behavioral Health provided additional information to CMS in an effort to obtain relief from the payment suspension but the Medicare suspension remains in effect. In June 2017, AHCA advised that while they were maintaining the suspension for dual eligible and cross-over Medicare beneficiaries, the Medicaid payment suspension was lifted effective June 27, 2017. From inception through March 31, 2020, the aggregate funds withheld from us in connection with the River Point Behavioral Health payment suspension amounted to approximately $8.7 million. We anticipate a resolution of the payment suspension will be part of the overall settlement agreement(s) referenced below to be drafted and finalized. Although the operating results of River Point Behavioral Health did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 or the year ended December 31, 2019, the payment suspension has had a material adverse effect on the facility’s results of operations and financial condition.
The DOJ has advised us that the civil aspect of the coordinated investigation referenced above is a False Claims Act investigation focused on billings submitted to government payers in relation to services provided at those facilities. While there have been various matters raised by DOJ during the pendency of this investigation, DOJ Civil has advised that the focus of their investigation is on medical necessity issues and billing for services not eligible for payment due to non-compliance with regulatory requirements relating to, among other things, admission eligibility, discharge decisions, length of stay and patient care issues. It is our understanding that the DOJ Criminal Fraud Section was investigating similar issues prior to the closure of their investigation. UHS denies any fraudulent billings were submitted to government payers.
In July 2019, we reached an agreement in principle with the DOJ’s Civil Division, and on behalf of various states’ attorneys general offices, to resolve the civil aspects of the government’s investigation of our behavioral health care facilities for $127 million subject to requisite approvals and preparation and execution of definitive settlement and related agreements. We are also negotiating a corporate integrity agreement with the Office of Inspector General for the United States Department of Health and Human Services (“OIG”) which we expect will be part of the overall settlement of this matter.
We have established a pre-tax reserve in connection with the civil aspects of these matters (“DOJ Reserve”), which includes related fees and costs due to or on behalf of third-parties, which amounted to $134 million at both March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. There was no change to the DOJ Reserve during the first quarter of 2020.
Based upon the terms and provisions included in the drafts of the settlement agreement, and related subsequent discussions, our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 included an unfavorable provision for income taxes of approximately $6 million resulting from the net estimated federal and state income taxes due on the portion of the pre-tax DOJ Reserve that is estimated to be non-deductible for income tax purposes.
Since the agreement in principle with the DOJ’s Civil Division is subject to certain required approvals and negotiation and execution of definitive settlement agreements, as well as negotiation and execution of a corporate integrity agreement with the OIG, we can provide no assurance that definitive agreements will ultimately be finalized. We therefore can provide no assurance that final amounts paid in settlement or otherwise, or associated costs, or the income tax deductibility of such payments, will not differ materially from our established reserve and assumptions related to income tax deductibility.
DOJ investigation of Turning Point Hospital.
During the fourth quarter of 2018, we were notified that the DOJ Civil Division in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office opened an investigation of Turning Point Hospital in Moultrie, GA. The DOJ Civil Division has advised us that they are primarily investigating transportation and housing financial assistance provided to patients receiving treatment at the facility. The DOJ issued a civil investigative demand to the facility requesting various documents and other information. In September, 2019, we reached a settlement in principle of this matter pending negotiation, finalization and execution of definitive settlement agreements. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our financial statements included an estimated reserve in connection with the potential settlement of this matter, which did not have material impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
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Litigation:
U.S. ex rel Escobar v. Universal Health Services, Inc. et.al.
This is a False Claims Act case filed against Universal Health Services, Inc., UHS of Delaware, Inc. and HRI Clinics, Inc. d/b/a Arbour Counseling Services in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. This qui tam action primarily alleges that Arbour Counseling Services failed to appropriately supervise certain clinical providers in contravention of regulatory requirements and the submission of claims to Medicaid were subsequently improper. Relators make other claims of improper billing to Medicaid associated with alleged failures of Arbour Counseling to comply with state regulations. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office initially declined to intervene. UHS filed a motion to dismiss and the trial court originally granted the motion dismissing the case. The First Circuit Court of Appeals (“First Circuit”) reversed the trial court’s dismissal of the case. The United States Supreme Court subsequently vacated the First Circuit’s opinion and remanded the case for further consideration under the new legal standards established by the Supreme Court for False Claims Act cases. During the 4th quarter of 2016, the First Circuit issued a revised opinion upholding their reversal of the trial court’s dismissal. The case was then remanded to the trial court for further proceedings. In January 2017, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office advised of the potential for intervention in the case. The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office subsequently filed its motion to intervene which was granted and, in April 2017, filed their Complaint in Intervention. We have defended this case vigorously. This matter is included in the above-mentioned agreement in principle reached with the DOJ’s Civil Division, and on behalf of various states’ attorneys general offices, to resolve the civil aspects of the government’s investigation of our behavioral health care facilities, subject to requisite approvals and preparation and execution of definitive settlement and related agreements.
Shareholder Class Action
In December 2016 a purported shareholder class action lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against UHS and certain UHS officers alleging violations of the federal securities laws. The case was originally filed as Heed v. Universal Health Services, Inc. et. al. (Case No. 2:16-CV-09499-PSG-JC). The court subsequently appointed Teamsters Local 456 Pension Fund and Teamsters Local 456 Annuity Fund to serve as lead plaintiffs. The case has been transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the style of the case has been changed to Teamsters Local 456 Pension Fund, et. al. v. Universal Health Services, Inc. et. al. (Case No. 2:17-CV-02817-LS). In September, 2017, Teamsters Local 456 Pension Fund filed an amended complaint. The amended class action complaint alleges violations of federal securities laws relating to disclosures made in public filings associated with alleged practices and operations at our behavioral health facilities. Plaintiffs seek monetary damages for shareholders during the defined class period as a result of the decrease in share price following various public disclosures or reports. In December, 2017, we filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. In August, 2019, the court granted our motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a motion with the court seeking leave to file a second amended complaint. In April, 2020, the court denied Plaintiffs’ motion to file a second amended complaint. We deny liability and intend to defend ourselves vigorously. At this time, we are uncertain as to potential liability or financial exposure, if any, which may be associated with this matter.
Shareholder Derivative Cases
In March 2017, a shareholder derivative suit was filed by plaintiff David Heed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. A notice of removal to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania was filed (Case No. 2:17-cv-01476-LS). Plaintiff filed a motion to remand. In December 2017, the Court denied plaintiff’s motion to remand and has retained the case in federal court. In May, June and July 2017, additional shareholder derivative suits were filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs in those cases are: Central Laborers’ Pension Fund (Case No. 17-cv-02187-LS); Firemen’s Retirement System of St. Louis (Case No. 17—cv-02317-LS); Waterford Township Police & Fire Retirement System (Case No. 17-cv-02595-LS); and Amalgamated Bank Longview Funds (Case No. 17-cv-03404-LS). The Fireman’s Retirement System case has since been voluntarily dismissed. The federal court has consolidated all of the cases pending in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and has appointed co-lead plaintiffs and co-lead counsel. Lead Plaintiffs have filed a consolidated, amended complaint. We have filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. In addition, a shareholder derivative case was filed in Chancery Court in Delaware by the Delaware County Employees’ Retirement Fund (Case No. 2017-0475-JTL). In December 2017, the Chancery Court stayed this case pending resolution of other contemporaneous matters. Each of these cases have named certain current and former members of the Board of Directors individually and certain officers of Universal Health Services, Inc. as defendants. UHS has also been named as a nominal defendant in these cases. The derivative cases make substantially similar allegations and claims as the shareholder class action relating to practices at our behavioral health facilities and board and corporate oversight of these facilities as well as claims relating to the stock trading by the individual defendants and company repurchase of shares during the relevant time period. The cases make claims of breaches of fiduciary duties by the named board members and officers; alleged violations of federal securities laws; and common law causes of action against the individual defendants including unjust enrichment, corporate waste, abuse of control, constructive fraud and gross mismanagement. The cases seek monetary damages allegedly incurred by the company; restitution and disgorgement of profits, benefits and other compensation from the individual defendants and various forms of equitable relief relating to corporate governance matters. In August, 2019, the court granted our motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a motion with the court seeking leave to file a second amended complaint. In April, 2020, the court denied Plaintiffs motion to file a second amended complaint. The defendants deny liability and intend to defend these cases vigorously. At this time, we are uncertain as to potential liability or financial exposure, if any, which may be associated with these matters.
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The George Washington University v. Universal Health Services, Inc., et. al.
In December 2019, The George Washington University (“University”) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia against Universal Health Services, Inc. as well as certain subsidiaries and individuals associated with the ownership and management of The George Washington University Hospital (“GW Hospital”) in Washington, D.C. (case No. 2019 CA 008019 B). The lawsuit claims that UHS failed to provide sufficient financial compensation to the University under the terms of various agreements entered into in 1997 between the University and UHS for the joint venture ownership of GW Hospital. The lawsuit includes claims for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and unjust enrichment. We deny liability and intend to defend this matter vigorously. We have filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. At this time, we are uncertain as to potential liability or financial exposure, if any, which may be associated with this matter.
Disproportionate Share Hospital Payment Matter:
In late September, 2015, many hospitals in Pennsylvania, including certain of our behavioral health care hospitals located in the state, received letters from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (the “Department”) demanding repayment of allegedly excess Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payments (“DSH”), primarily consisting of managed care payments characterized as DSH payments, for the federal fiscal year (“FFY”) 2011 amounting to approximately $4 million in the aggregate. Since that time, certain of our behavioral health care hospitals in Pennsylvania have received similar requests for repayment for alleged DSH overpayments for FFYs 2012 through 2015. For FFY 2012, the claimed overpayment amounts to approximately $4 million. For FY 2013, FY 2014 and FY 2015 the initial claimed overpayments and attempted recoupment by the Department were approximately $7 million, $8 million and $7 million, respectively. The Department has agreed to a change in methodology which, upon confirmation of the underlying data being accepted by the Department, could reduce the initial claimed overpayments for FY 2013, FY 2014 and FY 2015 by approximately $2 million, $2 million and $3 million, respectively. We filed administrative appeals for all of our facilities contesting the recoupment efforts for FFYs 2011 through 2015 as we believe the Department’s calculation methodology is inaccurate and conflicts with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The Department has agreed to postpone the recoupment of the state’s share for FY 2011 to 2013 until all hospital appeals are resolved but started recoupment of the federal share. For FY 2014 and FY 2015, the Department has initiated the recoupment of the alleged overpayments. We understand that starting in FFY 2016, the first full fiscal year after the January 1, 2015 effective date of Medicaid expansion in Pennsylvania, the Department will no longer characterize managed care payments received by the hospitals as DSH payments. We can provide no assurance that we will ultimately be successful in our legal and administrative appeals related to the Department’s repayment demands. If our legal and administrative appeals are unsuccessful, our future consolidated results of operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted by these repayments.
Other Matters:
Various other suits, claims and investigations, including government subpoenas, arising against, or issued to, us are pending and additional such matters may arise in the future. Management will consider additional disclosure from time to time to the extent it believes such matters may be or become material. The outcome of any current or future litigation or governmental or internal investigations, including the matters described above, cannot be accurately predicted, nor can we predict any resulting penalties, fines or other sanctions that may be imposed at the discretion of federal or state regulatory authorities. We record accruals for such contingencies to the extent that we conclude it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. No estimate of the possible loss or range of loss in excess of amounts accrued, if any, can be made at this time regarding the matters described above or that are otherwise pending because the inherently unpredictable nature of legal proceedings may be exacerbated by various factors, including, but not limited to: (i) the damages sought in the proceedings are unsubstantiated or indeterminate; (ii) discovery is not complete; (iii) the matter is in its early stages; (iv) the matters present legal uncertainties; (v) there are significant facts in dispute; (vi) there are a large number of parties, or; (vii) there is a wide range of potential outcomes. It is possible that the outcome of these matters could have a material adverse impact on our future results of operations, financial position, cash flows and, potentially, our reputation.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 includes a listing of risk factors to be considered by investors in our securities. There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, except for the addition of the risk factors below.
COVID-19 and other pandemics, epidemics, or public health threats may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are subject to risks associated with public health threats and epidemics, including the health concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted and is likely to further adversely impact us, our employees, our patients, our vendors and supply chain partners, and financial institutions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken in response thereto impact our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on numerous factors and future developments, which are highly uncertain and are difficult to predict; these factors and developments include, but are not limited to:
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the length of time and severity of the spread of the pandemic; |
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the volume of cancelled or rescheduled elective procedures and the volume of COVID-19 patients treated at our hospitals and other healthcare facilities; |
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the impact of government and administrative regulation, including travel bans and restrictions, shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders, quarantines, the promotion of social distancing, business shutdowns and limitations on business activity; |
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the impact of school closings and the lower volume of visits to emergency rooms on referrals to our behavioral health facilities; |
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changes in patient volumes at our acute care hospitals and outpatient facilities due to patients’ general concerns related to the risk of contracting COVID-19 from interacting with the healthcare system; |
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the impact of government stimulus legislation on the hospital industry; |
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changes in patient volumes and payer mix caused by deteriorating macroeconomic conditions (including increases in uninsured and underinsured patients as the result of business closings and layoffs); |
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potential disruptions to our clinical staffing and shortages and disruptions related to supplies required for our employees and patients, including equipment, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, particularly personal protective equipment, or PPE; |
|
• |
potential increases to expenses related to staffing, supply chain or other expenditures; |
|
• |
the impact of our substantial indebtedness and the ability to refinance such indebtedness on acceptable terms; |
|
• |
disruptions in the financial markets and the business of financial institutions as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic which could impact our ability to access capital or increase associated borrowing costs; and |
|
• |
changes in general economic conditions nationally and regionally in our markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including increased unemployment and underemployment levels and reduced consumer spending and confidence. |
The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is highly uncertain and subject to change. We are not able to fully quantify the impact that these factors will have on our future financial results, but expect developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic to materially affect our financial performance in 2020. Even after the COVID-19 outbreak has subsided, we may continue to experience materially adverse impacts on our financial condition and our results of operations as a result of its macroeconomic impact, including any recession that has occurred or may occur in the future, and many of our known risks described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 may be heightened.
There is a high degree of uncertainty regarding the implementation and impact of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (“PPPHCE Act”).
The CARES Act, a stimulus package signed into law on March 27, 2020, authorizes $100 billion in funding to hospitals and other healthcare providers to be distributed through the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (the “PHSSEF”). These funds are not required to be repaid provided the recipients attest to and comply with certain terms and conditions, including limitations on balance billing and not using PHSSEF funds to reimburse expenses or losses that other sources are obligated to reimburse. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (the “HHS”) initially distributed $30 billion of this funding based on each provider’s share of total Medicare fee-for-service reimbursement in 2019, but has announced that $50 billion in CARES Act funding (including the $30 billion already distributed) will be allocated proportional to providers’ share of 2018 net patient revenue. We have received payments from the initial funding of the PHSSEF. HHS has indicated that distributions of the remaining $50 billion will be targeted primarily to hospitals in COVID-19 high impact areas, to rural providers, and to reimburse providers for COVID-19-related treatment of uninsured patients. The CARES Act also makes other forms of financial assistance available to healthcare providers, including through Medicare and Medicaid payments adjustments and an expansion of the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program, which makes available accelerated payments of Medicare funds in order to increase cash flow to providers. We have received accelerated payments under this program.
The PPPHCE Act, a stimulus package signed into law on April 24, 2020, includes additional emergency appropriations for COVID-19 response, including $75 billion to be distributed to eligible providers through the PHSSEF. Recipients will not be required to repay the government for funds received, provided they comply with terms and conditions, which have not yet been finalized.
There is a high degree of uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the CARES Act and the PPPHCE Act, and the federal government may consider additional stimulus and relief efforts, but we are unable to predict whether additional stimulus measures will be enacted or their impact. There can be no assurance as to the total amount of financial and other types of assistance we will receive under the CARES Act and the PPPHCE Act, and it is difficult to predict the impact of such legislation on our operations or how they will affect operations of our competitors. Moreover, we are unable to assess the extent to which anticipated negative impacts on us arising from the COVID-19 pandemic will be offset by amounts or benefits received or to be received under the CARES Act and the PPPHCE Act.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
65
On July 25, 2019, our Board of Directors authorized a $1.0 billion increase to our stock repurchase program, which increased the aggregate authorization to $2.7 billion from the previous $1.7 billion authorization approved in various increments since 2014. Pursuant to this program, which currently has an aggregate available repurchase authorization of $559.6 million, shares of our Class B Common Stock may be repurchased, from time to time as conditions allow, on the open market or in negotiated private transactions. There is no expiration date for our stock repurchase program.
As mentioned previously herein, as part of our various COVID-19 initiatives, we have suspended our stock repurchase program.
As reflected below, in conjunction with our previously approved stock repurchase programs, during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, 1,951,899 shares ($196.6 million in the aggregate) were repurchased pursuant to the terms of our stock repurchase program and 23,795 shares were repurchased in connection with income tax withholding obligations resulting from the exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock grants.
During the period of January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020, we repurchased the following shares:
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|
Additional Dollars Authorized For Repurchase (in thousands) |
|
|
Total number of shares purchased (a.) |
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|
Total number of shares cancelled |
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|
Average price paid per share for forfeited restricted shares |
|
|
Total Number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced programs |
|
|
Average price paid per share for shares purchased as part of publicly announced program |
|
|
Aggregate purchase price paid for shares purchased as part of publicly announced program (in thousands) |
|
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Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the program |
|
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Maximum number of dollars that may yet be purchased under the program (in thousands) |
|
|||||||||
January, 2020 |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
3,401 |
|
|
|
1,163 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
756,123 |
|
February, 2020 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
124,629 |
|
|
|
692 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
|
123,582 |
|
|
$ |
123.62 |
|
|
$ |
15,278 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
740,845 |
|
March, 2020 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,847,664 |
|
|
|
1,388 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
|
1,828,317 |
|
|
$ |
99.15 |
|
|
$ |
181,282 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
559,563 |
|
Total January through March, 2020 |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
1,975,694 |
|
|
|
3,243 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
|
1,951,899 |
|
|
$ |
100.70 |
|
|
$ |
196,560 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a.) |
Includes 3,243 of restricted shares that were forfeited by former employees pursuant to the terms of our restricted stock purchase plan during the first quarter of 2020. |
Dividends
During the first quarter ended March 31, 2020, we declared and paid dividends of $.20 per share.
Item 6. Exhibits
31.1 |
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|
|
31.2 |
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|
|
32.1 |
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|
|
32.2 |
|
|
|
101.INS |
Inline XBRL Instance Document –the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
|
|
101.SCH |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
|
|
101.CAL |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
|
|
101.DEF |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
|
|
101.LAB |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
|
|
101.PRE |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
104 |
The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, has been formatted in Inline XBRL. |
|
|
66
UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
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 thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
Universal Health Services, Inc. |
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|
(Registrant) |
|
|
|
Date: May 8, 2020 |
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/s/ Alan B. Miller |
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|
Alan B. Miller, Chairman of the Board and |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
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(Principal Executive Officer) |
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|
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/s/ Steve Filton |
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Steve Filton, Executive Vice President and |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
(Principal Financial Officer) |
67
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION—Chief Executive Officer
I, Alan B. Miller, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Universal Health Services, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report, based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: May 8, 2020
/s/ Alan B. Miller |
Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION—Chief Financial Officer
I, Steve Filton, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Universal Health Services, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report, based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: May 8, 2020
/s/ Steve Filton |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Universal Health Services, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Alan B. Miller, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and to the best of my knowledge, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company at the end of, and for the period covered by, the Report.
/s/ Alan B. Miller |
Chief Executive Officer |
May 8, 2020 |
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Universal Health Services, Inc. and will be retained and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Universal Health Services, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Steve Filton, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and to the best of my knowledge, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company at the end of, and for the period covered by, the Report.
/s/ Steve Filton |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
May 8, 2020 |
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Universal Health Services, Inc. and will be retained and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.