U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q


 

xQuarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005

 

or

 

¨Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period fromto                    to

 

Commission file number: 0-24260

 


 

AMEDISYS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 


 

Delaware 11-3131700

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

11100 Mead Road, Suite 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70816

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

 

(225) 292-2031

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the issuer (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.     Yes x     No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes x     No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨     No x

Number of shares of common stock, par value $.001, outstanding as of August 5,November 2, 2005: 15,608,73615,805,284 shares

 



PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

  3

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004

  3

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004

  4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004

  5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  6

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  1215

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market RisksRisk

  1922

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

  1922

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

  1922

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

  1922

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

  2023

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

  2023

Item 5. Other Information

  2023

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

  2023

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

AMEDISYS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

 

  (Unaudited)   
  June 30,
2005


 December 31,
2004


   (Unaudited)
September 30,
2005


 December 31,
2004


 

ASSETS:

      

CURRENT ASSETS:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

  $72,063  $89,679   $20,750  $89,679 

Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,943 at June 30, 2005 and $3,751 at December 31, 2004

   36,994   24,478 

Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,270 at September 30, 2005 and $3,751 at December 31, 2004

   59,212   24,478 

Prepaid expenses

   2,613   1,356    2,570   1,356 

Deferred income taxes

   3,671   —   

Inventory and other current assets

   3,230   3,377    5,827   3,377 
  


 


  


 


Total current assets

   114,900   118,890    92,030   118,890 

Property and equipment, net

   19,825   10,003    24,315   10,003 

Goodwill

   85,120   62,537    194,502   62,537 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,982 at June 30, 2005 and $1,177 at December 31, 2004

   7,032   4,447 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $2,756 at September 30, 2005 and $1,177 at December 31, 2004

   13,981   4,447 

Other assets, net

   6,042   3,856    5,777   3,856 
  


 


  


 


Total assets

  $232,919  $199,733   $330,605  $199,733 
  


 


  


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

      

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

      

Accounts payable

  $4,521  $6,681   $10,170  $6,681 

Accrued expenses:

      

Payroll and payroll taxes

   19,924   11,914    27,887   11,914 

Insurance

   5,325   4,663    9,539   4,663 

Income taxes

   1,359   271    4,957   271 

Legal settlements

   1,950   1,833    1,739   1,833 

Other

   5,713   3,822    11,716   3,822 

Current portion of long-term debt

   3,433   1,689    9,301   1,689 

Current portion of obligations under capital leases

   228   423    223   423 

Current portion of Medicare liabilities

   9,119   9,327    11,583   9,327 

Current portion of deferred income taxes

   853   1,353    —     1,353 
  


 


  


 


Total current liabilities

   52,425   41,976    87,115   41,976 

Long-term debt

   1,928   1,380    55,072   1,380 

Obligations under capital leases

   162   329    136   329 

Deferred income taxes

   8,008   6,749    5,010   6,749 

Other long-term liabilities

   826   826    826   826 
  


 


  


 


Total liabilities

   63,349   51,260    148,159   51,260 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

      

Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

   —     —      —     —   

Common stock, $.001 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 15,577,954 and 15,310,547 shares issued at June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively

   16   15 

Common stock, $.001 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 15,787,752 and 15,310,547 shares issued at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively

   16   15 

Additional paid-in capital

   138,751   132,032    143,959   132,032 

Treasury stock at cost, 4,167 shares held at June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004

   (25)  (25)

Treasury stock at cost, 4,167 shares held at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004

   (25)  (25)

Unearned compensation

   (663)  —      (755)  —   

Retained earnings

   31,491   16,451    39,251   16,451 
  


 


  


 


Total stockholders’ equity

   169,570   148,473    182,446   148,473 
  


 


  


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $232,919  $199,733   $330,605  $199,733 
  


 


  


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMEDISYS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

  (Unaudited)

   (Unaudited)

 
  For the three months
ended June 30


 For the six months
ended June 30


   For the three months
ended September 30


 For the nine months
ended September 30


 
  2005

 2004

 2005

 2004

   2005

 2004

 2005

 2004

 

Income:

      

Net service revenue

  $80,061  $56,896  $150,498  $104,235   $112,166  $58,494  $262,665  $162,729 

Cost of service revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)

   33,044   23,613   61,505   43,093    49,011   25,653   110,517   68,746 
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Gross margin

   47,017   33,283   88,993   61,142    63,155   32,841   152,148   93,983 
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


General and administrative expenses:

      

Salaries and benefits

   18,857   14,794   36,862   27,351    27,798   14,217   64,661   41,568 

Other

   15,439   10,406   27,898   18,803    21,328   10,184   49,226   28,987 
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Total general and administrative expenses

   34,296   25,200   64,760   46,154    49,126   24,401   113,886   70,555 
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Operating income

   12,721   8,083   24,233   14,988    14,029   8,440   38,262   23,428 

Other income (expense):

      

Interest income

   519   44   900   96    240   84   1,140   180 

Interest expense

   (142)  (100)  (287)  (224)   (1,537)  (142)  (1,824)  (366)

Miscellaneous, net

   (12)  (3)  (27)  (7)   74   (21)  46   (28)
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Total other income (expense), net

   365   (59)  586   (135)

Total other (expense), net

   (1,223)  (79)  (638)  (214)
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

   13,086   8,024   24,819   14,853    12,806   8,361   37,624   23,214 

Income tax expense

   5,156   3,063   9,779   5,671    5,045   3,175   14,824   8,846 
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Net income

  $7,930  $4,961  $15,040  $9,182   $7,760  $5,186  $22,800  $14,368 
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

   15,509   12,281   15,450   12,144    15,692   12,669   15,531   12,319 

Basic income per common share:

     $0.49  $0.41  $1.46  $1.17 
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Net income

  $0.51  $0.40  $0.97  $0.76 
  


 


 


 


Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

   15,837   12,804   15,789   12,683    16,064   13,136   15,887   12,833 

Diluted income per common share:

     $0.48  $0.39  $1.44  $1.12 
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Net income

  $0.50  $0.39  $0.95  $0.72 
  


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMEDISYS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004

(Amounts in thousands)

 

  (Unaudited)

   (Unaudited)

 
  

Six months ended

June 30


   

Nine months ended

September 30


 
  2005

 2004

   2005

 2004

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net income

  $15,040  $9,182   $22,800  $14,368 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

   2,862   1,805    4,985   3,034 

Writeoff of inventory

   1,063   —      1,063   —   

Provision for bad debts

   1,774   1,619    3,949   2,528 

Deferred income taxes

   759   3,151    454   4,203 

Tax benefit from stock option exercises

   1,029   1,050    2,984   2,235 

Non-cash compensation expense

   113   26    241   31 

Loss on disposals of property and equipment

   53   21    37   —   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

(Increase) in accounts receivable

   (14,290)  (6,276)   (24,326)  (5,608)

(Increase) in inventory and other current assets

   (2,069)  (4)   (1,567)  (729)

(Increase) in other assets

   (3,606)  (1,029)   (1,853)  (1,222)

Decrease in accounts payable

   (2,161)  (85)

Decrease in Medicare liabilities

   (209)  (21)

Increase in accounts payable

   383   334 

(Decrease) in Medicare liabilities

   (1,145)  11 

Increase in accrued expenses

   13,037   6,987    20,988   5,773 

(Decrease) in long-term liabilities

   —     (387)
  


 


  


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

   13,395   16,426    28,993   24,571 
  


 


  


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

      

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

   74   2    180   49 

Purchase of property and equipment

   (11,691)  (1,884)   (15,438)  (3,570)

Cash used in purchase acquisitions, net

   (19,668)  (20,742)   (141,239)  (25,337)
  


 


  


 


Net cash used in investing activities

   (31,285)  (22,624)   (156,497)  (28,858)
  


 


  


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Proceeds from issuance of notes payable

   —     417 

Payments on notes payable and capital leases

   (1,468)  (3,262)

Costs associated with equity offerings

   (21)  (108)

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance cost

   48,032   872 

Proceeds from revolving line of credit, net

   10,000   —   

Payments on long-term debt and capital leases

   (3,188)  (4,406)

Proceeds from 2004 secondary equity offering, net of offering costs

   (21)  67,615 

Proceeds from issuance of stock to Employee Stock Purchase Plan

   661   350    908   572 

Proceeds from issuance of stock upon exercise of stock options and warrants

   1,102   1,651    2,844   3,036 
  


 


  


 


Net cash used in financing activities

   274   (952)

Net cash provided by financing activities

   58,574   67,689 
  


 


  


 


NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   (17,616)  (7,150)

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   (68,929)  63,402 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

   89,679   29,229    89,679   29,779 
  


 


  


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

  $72,063  $22,079   $20,750  $93,181 
  


 


  


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

      

Interest paid

  $152  $194   $577  $266 
  


 


  


 


Income taxes paid, net of refunds received

  $7,076  $806   $7,101  $2,382 
  


 


  


 


Financing Activities:

   

Non-Cash Financing Activities:

   

Stock issued as contributions to the Company’s 401(k) Plan

  $1,672  $546   $2,715  $1,074 
  


 


  


 


Stock issued for acquisitions

  $1,500  $—   

Stock issued to sellers in acquisitions

  $1,500  $657 
  


 


  


 


Notes payable issued for acquisitions

  $3,400  $—   

Notes payable issued to sellers in acquisitions

  $4,100  $1,315 
  


 


  


 


Capital leases entered into

  $—    $306   $—    $306 
  


 


  


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

AMEDISYS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1. Organization and Nature of Operations

 

Amedisys, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Amedisys” or the “Company”) is a provider of home health care and hospice services. At JuneSeptember 30, 2005, the Company operated 129199 home care nursing and four13 hospice offices and three corporate offices in the southern and southeastern United States. The Company operates in one reporting segment.

 

In the opinion of management of the Company, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position at JuneSeptember 30, 2005, the results of operations for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004, and cash flows for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for the entire year. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual financial statements and related notes in the Company’s Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

2. Revenue Recognition

 

The Company provides home health care services and hospice services. For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004, home health care revenues comprised approximately 97.9%91.9% and 97.5%97.8%, respectively, of total net service revenue. For the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004, home health care revenues comprised approximately 97.9%95.3% and 98.7%98.3%, respectively, of total net service revenue.

The Company derived 91.4% and 92.9% of its home health care revenue from Medicare for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, the Company derived 92.8% and 92.6%, respectively, of its home health care revenue from Medicare.

The Company began providing hospice services in the second quarter of fiscal 2004 with the acquisition of two hospice agencies from Tenet Healthcare Corporation (see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for further information). The Company opened two hospice agencies during the three months ended June 30, 2005 and acquired nine hospice agencies from Housecall Medical Resources, Inc. during the three months ended September 30, 2005.

 

The Company derived 93.5%91.8% and 92.1%73.9% of its net servicehospice revenue from Medicare for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. For the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004, the Company derived 93.4%87.4% and 92.2%73.8%, respectively, of its net servicehospice revenue from Medicare.

 

Described below are the Company’s revenue recognition policies related to Medicare and non-Medicare home health care and hospice services.

 

Medicare Revenue Recognition

 

Since October 2000, with the implementation of the Medicare Prospective Payment System (“PPS”), the Company has been paid by Medicare based on episodes of care. An episode of care is defined as a length of care up to 60 days with multiple continuous episodes allowed. A base episode payment is established by the Medicare Program through federal legislation for all episodes of care ended on or after the applicable time periods detailed below:

 

Period Beginning


  

Base episode payment


October 1, 2000 through March 31, 2001

  

$

2,115 per episode

April 1, 2001 through September 30, 2001

  

$

2,264 per episode

October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002

  

$

2,274 per episode

October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003

  

$

2,159 per episode

October 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004

  

$

2,231 per episode

April 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004

  

$

2,213 per episode

January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005

  

$

2,264 per episode

January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006

$         2,328 per episode

The provision in the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act whereby home health providers received a 10% increase in reimbursement that began April 2001 for serving patients in rural areas expired March 31, 2003; however, in April 2004, a 5% increase in reimbursement was reinstated for a one-year period through March 31, 2005. Effective for episodes ending on or after April 1, 2005, the 5% increase in reimbursement for serving patients in rural areas is no longer applicable. Patients in rural areas accounted for approximately 29.3% of the Company’s completed episodes during the three months ended June 30, 2005.

 

Medicare reimbursement rates are subject to change. The applicability of a reimbursement rate change depends upon the completion date of the episode and generally applies to all episodes ending after the effective date of the change. Therefore, any change in Medicare reimbursement, positive or negative, will impact the financial results of the Company up to 60 days in advance of the effective date of such change, and the impact of a change could be material.

 

The base episode payment as shown above is adjusted by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the following: a case mix adjuster consisting of 80 home health resource groups (“HHRG”), the applicable geographic wage index (to give effect to geographic differences in wage levels), low utilization (either expected or unexpected), intervening events, such as a significant

change in the patient’s condition and other factors. Patients are assigned to HHRG’s that are designed to reflect the patient’s case severity level based on a patient’s clinical, functional and service utilization characteristics. The episode payment is also adjusted if a patient is either readmitted by the Company, or admitted to another home health agency, prior to the expiration of 60 days from the original admission date—these reimbursement adjustments are known as partial episode payments. As a result, the actual payment to the Company is different from the base episode payments listed above, but generally a decrease in a base episode payment will result in a decrease in actual episode payments. The episode payment will be made to providers regardless of the cost to provide care. The services covered by the episode payment include all disciplines of care, in addition to medical supplies, within the scope of the home health benefit.

 

A portion of the cash reimbursement from each Medicare episode is typically received before all services are rendered. The estimated episodic payment is billed at the commencement of the episode. Medicare reimburses 60% of the estimated reimbursement at the initial billing for the initial episode of care per patient and the remaining reimbursement is received upon completion of the episode and upon final billing. Medicare reimburses 50% at initial billing for any subsequent episodes of care for a previously admitted patient immediately following the first episode of care for a patient. The remaining 50% reimbursement is received upon completion of the episode and upon final billing.

 

Revenue is recorded as services are provided to a patient. Amounts billed and/or received in advance of services performed are recorded as deferred revenue. The amount of deferred revenue at JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 was $19.1$19.4 million and $14.9 million, respectively. These deferred revenue amounts have been recorded as a reduction to accounts receivable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets since only a nominal amount of deferred revenue represents cash collected in advance of providing services. For episodes of care that are completed, all of the revenue expected to be received for that episode is recognized. The amount of revenue recognized for episodes of care which are incomplete at period end is based on an estimate of the portion of the episode which applies to the period, and is calculated based upon total visits performed to date as a percentage of total expected visits for a particular episode. Management believes that this is a reasonable estimate forAs the newly acquired Housecall Medical Resources, Inc. (“Housecall”) locations are in process of being converted to the Company’s clinical systems, revenue with respect to services provided forwas recorded on the basis of visits completed in the quarter at an average rate per visit by location on both complete and incomplete episodes, and for which reimbursement will be ultimately received.episodes. Because of the potential for changes in base episode payments referred to above and the complexity of the regulations noted above, the estimated amounts originally recorded as net patient revenue and accounts receivable may be subject to revision as additional information becomes known.

 

During 2003, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, informed home health care providers that it intended to make certain recoveries of amounts overpaid to providers for the periods dating from the implementation of PPS on October 1, 2000 through particular dates in 2003 and 2004. The first of these amounts related to partial episode payments (“PEPs”), whereby a patient was readmitted to a home health care agency prior to the passing of 60 days from the previous admission date at another home health agency. In such instances, reimbursement for the first agency is reduced. CMS advised the industry that CMS had implemented changes to its computer system such that the proper adjustment would be made at the time of claim submission on an ongoing basis, and that recovery for prior overpayments would commence in the summer of 2003 and extend over a two-year period. The Company reserved, based on information supplied by CMS, approximately $1.0 million in 2003 for all claims dating from October 1, 2000. Through JuneRecoupments made through September 30, 2005 by CMS has recoupedare approximately $247,000$621,000 of the above estimated overpayments. The Company cannot predict the actual timing of future collections initiated by CMS. Secondly, CMS advised the industry that it would seek recovery of M0175 overpayments that were made for patients who had, within 14 days of such admission, been discharged from inpatient facilities, including hospitals, rehabilitation and skilled nursing units, and that these recoveries would commence in April 2004. ThisCMS extended this date was subsequently extended to 2005. CMSand recently announced that these recoveries will provide at least five weeks noticetake place the week of any impending recovery. To date no notice has been received by the Company.November 28, 2006. The Company conducted an analysis of a sample of claims where and when these events had occurred, and estimated that, for all periods

dating from October 1, 2000 through December 31, 2003, a reserve in the amount of approximately $1.5 million was appropriate. These reserves areA reserve of $2.2 million, which includes $0.7 million of M0175 reserve for the Housecall locations, is recorded in current portion of Medicare liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Prior to the implementation of PPS on October 1, 2000, reimbursement for home health care services to patients covered by the Medicare program was based on reimbursement of allowable costs subject to certain limits. Final reimbursement was determined after submission of annual cost reports and audits thereof by the fiscal intermediaries. Retroactive adjustments have been accrued on an estimated basis in the period the related services were rendered and will be adjusted in future periods, as final settlements are determined. Estimated settlements for cost report years ended 1997 and subsequent years, which are still subject to audit by the intermediary and the Department of Health and Human Services, are recorded in current Medicare liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Under the newcurrent PPS rules, annual cost reports are still required as a condition of participation in the Medicare program. However, there are no final settlements or retroactive adjustments based on the submitted annual cost reports.

 

Non-Medicare Revenue Recognition

 

The Company has agreements with third party payors that provide payments for services rendered toby the Company at amounts different from established rates. Gross revenue is recorded on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal to the Company’s established rates or estimated reimbursement rates, as applicable. Allowances and contractual adjustments are recorded for the difference between the established rates and the amounts estimated to be payable by third parties and are deducted from gross

revenue to determine net service revenue. Net service revenue is the estimated net amounts realizable from patients, third party payors and others for services rendered, including estimated retroactive adjustments under reimbursement agreements. Reimbursement from all sources (except Medicare as noted above) is typically billed and revenue is recorded as services are rendered and is based upon discounts from established rates.

 

Hospice Revenue Recognition

 

Services are billed to Medicare, Medicaid and private payors generally on a daily basis. The hospice locations are subject to limits for payments. For inpatient services the limit is based on inpatient care days. If inpatient care days provided to patients at a hospice exceed 20% of the total days of hospice care provided for the year, then payment for days in excess of this limit are paid at the routine home care rate.

 

Net patient service revenue is the estimated net realizable revenue from Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance, managed care payors, patients, and other for services rendered to our patients. To determine net patient service revenue, the Company adjusts gross patient revenue for estimated contractual adjustments based on historical experience and estimated cap assessments. Net patient revenue does not include Medicaid room and board payments. For patients receiving nursing home care under a state Medicaid program who elect hospice care under Medicare or Medicaid, the Company contracts with nursing homes for the nursing homes’ provision to patients of room and board services. The state must pay the Company, in addition to the applicable Medicare or Medicaid hospice daily or hourly rate, for room and board furnished to the patient by the nursing home. Under the Company’s standard nursing home contracts, the Company pays the nursing home for these room and board services at the Medicaid daily nursing home rate. Nursing home costs are offset by nursing home revenue and the net amount is included in direct hospice care expenses.

Overall payments made by Medicare are also subject to a cap amount calculated by the Medicare fiscal intermediary at the end of the hospice cap period. The hospice cap period runs from November 1st of each year through October 31st of the following year. Total Medicare payments during this period are compared to the cap amount for this period. Payments in excess of the cap amount must be returned to Medicare. The cap amount is calculated by multiplying the number of beneficiaries electing hospice care during the period by a statutory amount that is indexed for inflation. The per beneficiary cap amount was $19,636 for the twelve month period ending October 31, 2004. The hospice cap amount is computed on a hospice-by-hospice basis. Any amounts received in excess of this per beneficiary cap must be refunded to Medicare. CMS has determined that it incorrectly computed the per beneficiary cap amount for the year ending October 31, 2004, originally announced as $19,636. As of November 1, 2005, CMS has not published the revised hospice cap amount. The per beneficiary cap for the twelve month period ending October 31, 2005 is $19,778. The Company diddoes not receivebelieve it has received any amounts in excess of this per beneficiary cap for the twelve month period ending October 31, 2004. The per beneficiary cap for the twelve month period ending October 31, 2005 has not yet been published.2005.

 

3. Use of Estimates

 

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

4. Inventory

 

TheDuring the prior years and quarter ended March 31, 2005, the Company has historically inventoriedrecorded inventory for medical supplies utilized in the treatment and care of home health patients. Such inventory is stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. The Company expensesexpensed its medical supplies as incurred during the accounting quarter, but adjusted its inventory carrying values to periodic physical inventory counts.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2005, the Company changed its accounting policy for its medical supplies by changing the policy to reflect the expensing of all medical supply purchases as incurred without valuing an inventory of medical supplies on hand at the end of a reporting period. This determination was based on several factors, including: (1) inventory values of medical supplies have historically been less than 0.5% of total assets and management does not expect in the foreseeable future that the value of such inventory at any point in time to be materially different as a percentage of total assets; (2) items included in the Company’s medical supplies inventory are substantially comprised of low-cost, high turnover items; (3) medical supplies cost is not a significant component of Cost of Revenue nor is the adjustment of the physical inventory count to the carrying value of inventory on the Company’s books; (4) the impact to the Company’s results of operations for prior reported periods is inconsequential; and (5) this accounting treatment is generally consistent with other publicly-traded home health care and hospice companies.

 

As a result of this change in the Company’s accounting policy, the Company recorded $1,063,000$1.1 million of Cost of Revenue expense, or $644,000$0.6 million after-tax, for the writeoffwrite-off of its medical supplies inventory at June 30, 2005.

 

5. New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting StandardStandards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 123(R), or 123 (revised 2004) (“SFAS 123(R)123R”),Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123,Accounting for Stock Based Compensation. This standard will require companiesSFAS 123R supersedes Accounting Principles Bulletin (“APB”) No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to recognize compensation cost for stock optionsEmployees and other stock-based awards based on their value as measured on the grant date.amends FASB Statement No. 95,Statement of Cash Flows. The new standard prohibits companies from accounting for stock-based compensation under the provisions of APB 25. Under the provisions of SFAS 123(R), the Company is requiredintends to adopt SFAS 123(R)Statement 123R on JulyJanuary 1, 2005, although earlier adoption is permitted. However, On April 14, 2005,2006 using the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) announced the adoption of a new rule that amends the compliance dates for SFAS 123(R). The Commission’s new rule allows companies to implement SFAS 123(R) at the beginning of their next fiscal year, instead of the next reporting period, that begins after June 15, 2005. This means that the consolidated financial statements of Amedisys do not need to reflect the adoption of SFAS 123(R) until the interim consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of 2006 are filed with the Commission, although earlier adoption is permitted.modified prospective method.

Upon adoption, two transition methods are available. Under the modified-prospective method, companies will be required to apply the provisions of SFAS 123(R) to all share-based payments that are granted, modified or settled after the date of adoption. Under the modified-retrospective transition method, companies may restate prior periods by recognizing compensation cost in the amounts previously reported in the pro-forma footnote disclosures required by SFAS 123. New awards and unvested awards would be accounted for in the same manner as the modified-prospective method.

 

The Company isplans to reflect the adoption of SFAS 123(R) in the processinterim consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of reviewing the provisions of SFAS 123(R), and currently has made no definitive decisions regarding the possibility of early adoption.2006. The Company is also in the process of evaluating the transition methods and option valuation models available.

In September 2005, the Chairman of the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) announced that neither the EITF nor the FASB intended to provide specific accounting guidance for the events related to Hurricane Katrina. However, the Chairman indicated that the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) has posted to its website, a Technical Practices Aid that identifies certain issues related to accounting for losses from natural disasters. AICPA Technical Practices Aid 5400.05,Accounting and Disclosures for Losses from Natural Disasters-Nongovernmental Entities,addresses, through references to other appropriate accounting literature on the subject, how losses from ordinary and extraordinary events should be classified, when to recognize a related asset impairment loss and a liability for non-impairment losses and costs, and the accounting for insurance recoveries and business interruption. The Company is continuing to evaluate the effects of Hurricane Katrina, but does not believe the impact to be material and has reflected any known financial impact in its operating results from continuing operations.

 

6. Earnings Per Share

 

Earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share for the three and six-monthnine-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

  Three months ended
June 30


  Six months ended
June 30


  Three months ended
September 30


  Nine months ended
September 30


  2005

  2004

  2005

  2004

  2005

  2004

  2005

  2004

Basic Net Income per Share:

                        

Net Income

  $7,930  $4,961  $15,040  $9,182  $7,760  $5,186  $22,800  $14,368

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding

   15,509   12,281   15,450   12,144   15,692   12,669   15,531   12,319

Net Income per Common Share – Basic

  $0.51  $0.40  $0.97  $0.76  $0.49  $0.41  $1.46  $1.17

Diluted Net Income per Share:

                        

Net Income

  $7,930  $4,961  $15,040  $9,182  $7,760  $5,186  $22,800  $14,368

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding

   15,509   12,281   15,450   12,144   15,692   12,669   15,531   12,319

Effect of Dilutive Securities:

                        

Stock Options

   307   417   319   407   341   396   330   401

Warrants

   21   106   20   132   24   71   22   113

Restricted Stock

   7   —     4   —  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding – Diluted

   15,837   12,804   15,789   12,683   16,064   13,136   15,887   12,833

Net Income per Common Share – Diluted

  $0.50  $0.39  $0.95  $0.72  $0.48  $0.39  $1.44  $1.12

For the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, there were 56,03623,419 and 54,627,16,625, respectively, additional potentially dilutive securities that were anti-dilutive. There were no additional potentially dilutive securities for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004, respectively.2004.

 

7. Acquisitions

 

Each of the following acquisitions was completed pursuant to the Company’s strategy of achieving market dominancepresence in the southern and southeastern United States through expansion of its service base and the enhancement of its position in certain geographic areas as a leading provider of home health nursing services. The purchase price of each acquisition was determined based on the Company’s analysis of comparable acquisitions and the acquisition target’s expected cash flows. Each purchase agreement with the seller is typically executed with separate non-compete agreements of at least two years in duration. Goodwill generated from the acquisitions was recognized given the expected contributions of each acquisition to the overall corporate strategy and is expected to be fully tax deductible. Each of the acquisitions completed was accounted for as a purchase and is included in the Company’s financial statements based on its respective acquisition date.

 

2005 Acquisitions

 

1. Effective February 1, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets and certain liabilities of 10 home health agencies from several affiliated companies operating as Winyah Health Care Group in South Carolina for $13.0 million in cash, 50,744 shares of Amedisys restricted stock valued at $1.5 million, and the issuance of a $2.0 million note payable to the seller. In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded substantially all of the purchase price as goodwill ($13.9 million) and other intangibles ($2.2 million) in the first quarter of 2005. This allocation of purchase price is preliminary as the Company is awaiting a valuation analysis of the intangible assets acquired.

 

2. Effective March 1, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets and certain liabilities of a single home health agency from the North Arundel Hospital Association in Maryland for $3.0 million in cash and the issuance of a $0.9 million note payable to the seller. The acquisition represents Amedisys’ initial entry into Maryland, which is a Certificate of Need (“C.O.N.”) state. In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded substantially all of the purchase price as goodwill ($3.5 million) and other intangibles ($0.4 million) in the first quarter of 2005.

3. Effective May 1, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets and certain liabilities of a single home health agency in Collins, Mississippi, from Covington County Hospital for $1.0 million in cash. The acquisition represents Amedisys’ further penetration into the Mississippi market, a C.O.N. state, withby adding the ability to service 13 new counties. The Company recorded substantially all of the purchase price as goodwill ($0.8 million) and other intangible assets ($0.2 million). in the second quarter of 2005.

 

4. Effective June 1, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets and certain liabilities of two Tennessee-based home health agencies from Saint Thomas Health Services for $3.0 million in cash and the issuance of a $0.5 million note payable to the seller. Tennessee is a C.O.N. state and this acquisition represents two counties not previously serviced by Amedisys. The Company recorded substantially all of the purchase price as goodwill ($2.8 million) and other intangibles (0.7($0.7 million). in the second quarter of 2005.

 

Acquisitions Subsequent to June 30, 2005

1.5. On July 1, 2005, the Company signed a definitive agreement to acquire Housecall Medical Resources, Inc. (“Housecall”), a privately-held provider of home care services and hospice with 57 home health agencies and nine hospice agencies in the states of Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, Indiana and Virginia for a total transaction value of approximately $106$106.0 million, subject to post-closing adjustments, ecrowsescrows and certain tax benefits (the “Acquisition”).benefits. The Acquisitionacquisition was completed on July 11, 2005.2005, and the Company has incurred approximately $1.7 million in closing costs associated with the acquisition. The Company had no material relationship with Housecall or any of its affiliates prior to this transaction.

 

Under the terms of the Agreement, the stock of Housecall was purchased with immediately available funds. In addition to available cash on hand, Amedisys financed a portion of the purchase price through $75 million in senior secured credit facilities provided by Wachovia Bank Financial Services, N.A. (“Wachovia”) and GE Healthcare Financial Services. These facilities included $50 million in a five-year Term Loan and up to $25 million in a Revolver (see also Liquidity and Capital Resources below).

 

As a result of the new credit facilities noted above, the Company terminated, effective July 11, 2005, its $15 million credit facility with GE Healthcare Financial Services. The Company will recognizerecognized during the quarter ended September 30, 2005, a $0.5 million writeoff for unamortized deferred financing costs related to this terminated credit facilityfacility.

The acquisition has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The aggregate purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based the Company’s estimate of their fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets has been allocated to goodwill. The Company’s operating results for the three-month period ended September 30, 2005 include the operating results of Housecall since the date of acquisition, July 1, 2005.

 

2.6. Effective August 1, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets and certain liabilities of NCARE, Inc. (“NCARE”), a home health provider with two agenciesinagencies in Newport News, and ChesapeakeVirginia,Chesapeake, Virginia, for $1.5 million in cash and the issuance of a $0.7 million note payable to the seller. The Company recorded substantially all of the purchase price as goodwill ($2 million) and other intangibles ($0.2 million) in the third quarter of 2005.

7. Effective August 1, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets and certain liabilities of SpectraCare Home Health Services, Inc., a home health provider with nine agencies in Ohio, Indiana and the C.O.N. states of Kentucky and Tennessee, for $13 million in cash. $2.0 million of the total purchase price will be placed in escrow for up to two years, and $750,000 of the total purchase price is contingent upon the achievement of certain milestones. The acquisition represents Amedisys’ further penetration into the Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee markets and its initial entry into Ohio. The Company recorded substantially all of the purchase price as goodwill ($11.8 million) and other intangibles ($1.6 million) in the third quarter of 2005.

Acquisitions Subsequent to September 30, 2005

1. Effective November 1, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets of a single home health agency operated by the Davidson County Health Department in Lexington, North Carolina for $2.2 million in cash. The acquisition represents Amedisys’ further penetration into the North Carolina market, a C.O.N. state.

2. On November 2, 2005 the Company entered into a binding contract to acquire certain of the assets of a therapy staffing company for $2.5 million. Pursuant to this contract, the Company paid $0.5 million immediately, with the balance to be paid on the expected completion date of the transaction on January 1, 2006. The contract provides for a final payment in the amount of $1.25 million in cash, and the issue of a $750,000 in a note payable to the seller.

 

2004 Acquisitions

 

1. On January 5, 2004, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets and certain liabilities of 11 home health agencies and two hospice agencies (the “Acquired Entities”) that operated as departments of individual hospitals (the “Sellers”) owned by Tenet Healthcare Corporation. Subsequent to January 5, 2004, the Company and the Sellers agreed to exclude one of the home health agencies from the Acquired Entities. The Acquired Entities are Professional Home Health, Brookwood Home Care Services, Memorial Home Care, Spalding Regional Home Health, Tenet Home Care of Palm Beach, Tenet Home Care of Broward County, Tenet Home Care of Miami-Dade, First Community Home Care, Cypress-Fairbanks Home Health, St. Francis Home Health and Hospice, and Brookwood Health Services, Inc. The Company had no material relationship with the Sellers or any of their affiliates prior to this transaction.

 

The transaction closed in three stages. Control over the first four agencies was transferred effective March 1, 2004. The second group was transferred effective April 1, 2004, with the final transfer effective May 1, 2004. The purchase price of approximately $19.1 million was comprised of $14.2 million in cash at initial closing, with the balance paid in two equal installments on April 1, 2004 and May 1, 2004. Total transaction costs capitalized as part of the purchase price ofwas $0.5 million.

 

Tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are immaterial to the purchase price. The Company has allocated approximately $18.9 million of the purchase price to goodwill ($16.7 million) and other intangibles ($2.2 million).

 

2. Effective April 1, 2004, the Company acquired certain assets and liabilities of Hillcrest Medical Center (“Hillcrest”) associated with its home health care operations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for which the Company paid $375,000 cash at closing with a deferred payment of $75,000 made on June 25, 2004. In connection with this acquisition, the Company recorded substantially the entire purchase price as goodwill ($413,000) and other intangibles ($27,000) in the second quarter of 2004.

3. Effective June 1, 2004, the Company acquired a single home health agency in Vicksburg, Mississippi, from River Region Health System (“River Region”) for $1.65 million in cash. In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded substantially the entire purchase price as goodwill ($1.4 million) and other intangibles ($0.2 million) in the second quarter of 2004.

 

4. Effective September 1, 2004, the Company acquired a home health agency with three locations in Richmond, Virginia from Freedom Home Health (“Freedom”) for $6.6 million. Of the $6.6 million purchase price, $4.6 million was paid

in cash; the Company issued a $1.3 million note payable and issued $0.7 million of Amedisys restricted stock. In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded substantially the entire purchase price as goodwill ($5.9 million) and other intangibles ($0.6 million) in the third quarter of 2004.

 

5. Effective October 1, 2004, the Company acquired two home health agencies from Winyah Health Care Group for approximately $3.5 million in cash. The agencies are located in Augusta, Georgia and Clinton, South Carolina. In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded substantially all of the purchase price as goodwill ($2.8 million) and other intangibles ($0.6 million) in the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

6. Effective December 1, 2004, the Company acquired a single home health agency in Winston-Salem, North Carolina from In Home Care for approximately $1 million in cash. Substantially all of the purchase price was recorded as goodwill ($0.7 million) and other intangibles ($0.2 million) in the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

8. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

 

The following table summarizes the activity related to goodwill and other intangible assets for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 (amounts in thousands).

 

  Goodwill

  

Certificates

of Need


  

Acquired

Name of

Business


  

Non-Compete

Agreements (1)


   Goodwill

  

Certificates

of Need


  

Acquired

Name of

Business


  Deferred
Financing
Fees


 

Non-Compete

Agreements (1)


 

Balances at December 31, 2004

  $62,537  $2,525  $200  $1,722   $62,537  $2,525  $200  $—    $1,721 

Additions

   22,583   2,000   —     1,389    131,965   2,800   —     1,968   6,413 

Amortization

   —     —     —     (804)   —     —     —     (67)  (1,579)
  

  

  

  


  

  

  

  


 


Balances at June 30, 2005

  $85,120  $4,525  $200  $2,307 

Balances at September 30, 2005

  $194,502  $5,325  $200  $1,901  $6,555 
  

  

  

  


  

  

  

  


 



(1)The weighted-average amortization period of non-compete agreements is 2.22.25 years.

 

The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the following periods is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

Six months ending December 31, 2005

  $869

Three months ending December 31, 2005

  $850

Year ending December 31, 2006

   1,191   2,834

Year ending December 31, 2007

   193   1,922

Year ending December 31, 2008

   54   949
  

  

Total

  $2,307  $6,555
  

  

 

9. Stockholders’ Equity

 

The following table summarizes the activity in Stockholders’ Equity for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 (amounts in thousands, except share information):

 

  

Common

Stock Shares


  

Common

Stock

Amount


  

Additional

Paid-in

Capital


 

Treasury

Stock


 

Unearned

Compensation


 

Retained

Earnings


  

Total

Stockholders’

Equity


   

Common

Stock Shares


  

Common

Stock

Amount


  

Additional

Paid-in

Capital


 

Treasury

Stock


 

Unearned

Compensation


 

Retained

Earnings


  

Total

Stockholders’

Equity


 

Balance, December 31, 2004

  15,310,547  $15  $132,032  $(25) $—    $16,451  $148,473   15,310,547  $15  $132,032  $(25) $—    $16,451  $148,473 

Issuance of stock to Employee Stock Purchase Plan

  25,569   —     661   —     —     —     661   35,594   —     908   —     —     —     908 

Issuance of stock for 401(k) match

  53,705   —     1,672   —     —     —     1,672   82,078   —     2,715   —     —     —     2,715 

Exercise of stock options

  112,226   1   1,101   —     —     —     1,102   277,641   1   2,843   —     —     —     2,844 

Issuance of stock as compensation

  384   —     14   —     —     —     14   384   —     14   —     —     —     14 

Tax benefit from stock option exercises

  —     —     1,028   —     —       1,028   —     —     2,984   —     —     —     2,984 

Issuance of stock in conjunction with acquisitions

  50,744   —     1,500   —     —       1,500   50,744   —     1,500   —     —     —     1,500 

Issuance of restricted stock

  24,779   —     764   —     (663)  —     101   30,764   —     984   —     (755)  —     229 

Costs associated with equity offering

  —     —     (21)  —     —     —     (21)  —     —     (21)  —     —     —     (21)

Net income

  —     —     —     —     —     15,040   15,040   —     —     —     —     —     22,800   22,800 
  
  

  


 


 


 

  


  
  

  


 


 


 

  


Balance, June 30, 2005

  15,577,954  $16  $138,751  $(25) $(663) $31,491  $169,570 

Balance, September 30, 2005

  15,787,752  $16  $143,959  $(25) $(755) $39,251  $182,446 
  
  

  


 


 


 

  


  
  

  


 


 


 

  


10. Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company has two stock option plans, the Amedisys, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan and the Amedisys, Inc. Directors Stock Option Plan (collectively, “the Plans”). The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting

Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”). Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure” (“SFAS 148”) permit the continued use of the intrinsic value-based method prescribed by APB 25, but require additional disclosures, including pro forma calculations of earnings and net earnings per share as if the fair value method of accounting prescribed by SFAS 123 had been applied (see also Note 5, “New Accounting Pronouncements”). The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had recognized compensation expense for the Plans using the fair-value recognition method in SFAS 123 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

  Three months ended June 30

 Six months ended June 30

   Three months ended September 30

 Nine months ended September 30

 
  2005

 2004

 2005

 2004

   2005

 2004

 2005

 2004

 

Net income:

      

As reported

  $7,930  $4,961  $15,040  $9,182   $7,760  $5,186  $22,800  $14,368 

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of taxes

   26   4   68   16    78   3   146   19 

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of taxes

   (306)  (223)  (3,392)  (624)   (396)  (325)  (3,788)  (932)
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Pro forma

   7,650   4,742   11,716   8,574    7,442   4,864   19,158   13,455 
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Basic earnings per share:

      

As reported

  $0.51  $0.40  $0.97  $0.76   $0.49  $0.41  $1.46  $1.17 

Pro forma

   0.49   0.39   0.76   0.71    0.47   0.38   1.23   1.09 

Diluted earnings per share:

      

As reported

   0.50   0.39   0.95   0.72    0.48   0.39   1.44   1.12 

Pro forma

   0.48   0.37   0.74   0.68    0.46   0.37   1.21   1.05 
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Black-Scholes option pricing model assumptions:

      

Risk free interest rate

   3.53-5.16%  3.55-5.16%  3.53-5.16%  3.55-5.16%   
 
3.53-
5.16
 
%
  
 
3.55-
5.04
 
%
  
 
3.53-
5.16
 
%
  
 
3.55-
5.04
 
%
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Expected life (years)

   5-10   10   5-10   10    5-10   5-10   5-10   5-10 
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Volatility

   42.30-105.71%  45.84-110.35%  42.30-105.71%  45.84-110.35%   
 
 
41.19-
105.71
%
 
 
 
  
 
 
45.84-
105.71
%
 
 
 
  
 
 
41.19-
105.71
%
 
 
 
  
 
 
45.84-
105.71
%
 
 
 
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 


Expected annual dividend yield

   —     —     —     —      —     —     —     —   
  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 



(1)Options to purchase 27,50076,000 and 430,054506,054 shares were issued during the three and sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, compared to options to purchase 25,00087,000 and 246,098333,098 shares were issued during the same periods last year. Of the options issued during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, options to purchase 359,536 shares were issued with immediate vesting compared to options to purchase 41,165 shares were issued with immediate vesting in the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004, respectively. Options issued during the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004 and all other option grants were issued with ratable vesting periods over 18-months to three-years.

 

11. Guarantees

 

At JuneSeptember 30, 2005, the Company has issued guarantees totaling $1,637,000$3.3 million related to office leases of subsidiaries compared to $1,645,000$1.6 million at December 31, 2004. Approximately $86,000 of these amounts at JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively, are related to guarantees on locations that have been sold, and the Company has the right to recover amounts under the sale agreements from the buyers, if payments are requested. The Company has not received any requests to make payments under these guarantees. Approximately $89,000 at both JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, is related to locations that have been closed and the landlords have obtained judgments against the Company for unpaid rent. The Company has reserved these amounts in “Legal settlements” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004.

12. Long-Term Debt

Effective July 11, 2005, the Company entered into a financing arrangement with Wachovia for a five year Senior Secured Credit Facility (the “Wachovia facility”). The Wachovia Facility comprised a Term Loan of $50 million, fully drawn at closing, and a Revolving Credit Facility of up to $25 million, of which $20 million was drawn at closing. The Company’s obligations under the Wachovia facility are collateralized by its existing and after-acquired personal and real property.

At September 30, 2005, the Company had repaid $1.25 million of the Term Loan in accordance with the repayment schedule, and had repaid $10 million of the Revolving Credit Facility. Through November 3, 2005, the Company has repaid a further $5 million of the Revolving Credit Facility. At November 3, 2005, the Company had $48.75 million of the Term Loan amount outstanding and had $5.0 million outstanding under the $25 million Revolver.

The Wachovia facility matures in June 2010 and bears interest, at an amount, which depends on the Company’s overall Leverage Ratio (as defined). The interest rate on the Term Loan and Revolver of the Wachovia Facility is LIBOR plus 2.25% (at September 30, 2005 this totaled 6.04% and 6.02% respectively).

The Wachovia facility contains financial covenants including: (i) a maximum capital expenditures limit, (ii) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, and (iii) a maximum leverage ratio limit. Compliance with the financial covenants is measured quarterly. All of the financial covenants are predetermined and adjust over the term of the Wachovia facility. All of the financial covenants are measured with results from the most recent 12-month period then ended, together with pro forma amounts for announced acquisitions. As of September 30, 2005, the Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants of the Wachovia facility.

13. Amounts Due To Medicare

As of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the Company has estimated an aggregate reserve for amounts due to Medicare of $11.6 million and $9.3 million, respectively, all of which is reflected as a current liability in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The $11.6 million liability at September 30, 2005 is comprised of two components: cost report adjustments reserve ($8.9 million) and PPS payment adjustments reserve ($2.7 million). These adjustments are described below.

Cost Report Adjustments Reserve

Prior to the implementation of PPS on October 1, 2000, the Company recorded Medicare revenue at the lower of (i) actual costs, (ii) the per visit cost limit, or (iii) a per beneficiary cost limit on an individual provider basis. Ultimate reimbursement under the program was determined upon review of annual cost reports.

The recorded $8.9 million payable includes $2.4 million reserved for open cost reports through October 2000 (also see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the Company) and $3.4 million reserved by Housecall prior to the acquisition date. At the time when these open cost report audits are completed and final assessments are issued, the Company may apply to Medicare for the option to repay any amounts assessed against the Company by Medicare over a 36-month period; although, there is no assurance that such option will be granted by Medicare. These amounts that may be assessed relate to the Medicare payment system in effect until October 2000, under which Medicare provided periodic interim payments to the Company, subject to audit of cost reports submitted by the Company and repayment of any overpayments made by Medicare to the Company. CMS, the fiscal intermediary acting on behalf of Medicare, has not yet issued finalized audits with respect to 1999 and 2000, and is entitled to reopen settled cost reports for up to three years after issuing final assessments.

The reserve to Medicare also includes a $3.1 million reserve related to amounts owed to Medicare as overpayments for a subsidiary of the Company that is currently in bankruptcy proceedings under Chapter 7 of the U. S. Bankruptcy Code. It is uncertain at this time whether the Company will have any responsibility for that amount if the debt of the subsidiary is discharged in bankruptcy.

The following table summarizes the cost report activity included in the above $8.9 million due to Medicare (amounts in thousands):

   Cost report
reserves


 

Balance at December 31, 2002

  $(12,847)

Cash payments made

   8,507 

Increase in estimated amounts owed to Medicare

   (402)

Settlements received

   (2,101)
   


Balance at December 31, 2003

  $(6,843)

Adjustments to previous settlements

   29 
   


Balance at December 31, 2004

  $(6,872)
   


Cash settlements made through September 30, 2005

   735 

Decrease in estimated amounts owed to Medicare

   600 

Fair value of obligation assumed

   (3,401)
   


Balance at September 30, 2005

  $(8,938)
   


During the third and fourth quarters of 2003, the Company received cash settlements totaling $2.1 million from Medicare related to the settlements of the fiscal 1999 cost reports. This receivable was netted against the amounts due to Medicare on the balance sheet in the current-portion of Medicare liabilities. Therefore, receipts of these settlements had no statement of operations impact.

During the third quarter of 2005 and second quarter of 2003, the Company recognized $0.6 million as an increase to revenue and $0.4 million as a decrease to revenue, respectively, due to the difference between prior year settlements received and amounts previously recorded.

PPS Payment Adjustments Reserve

The $2.7 million PPS Payment Adjustments Reserve is related to notice from CMS that it intended to make certain recoveries of amounts overpaid to providers for the periods dating from the implementation of PPS on October 1, 2000 through particular dates in 2003 and 2004. This amount includes $0.7 million reserved for Housecall.

The first of these recoveries related to partial episode payments whereby a patient was readmitted to home health care prior to the expiration of 60 days from the previous admission date at another home health agency. In such instances, reimbursement for the first agency is reduced. CMS advised the industry that CMS had recently implemented changes to its computer system such that these instances would be adjusted at the time of claim submission on an ongoing basis, and that recovery for prior overpayments would commence in the summer of 2003 and extend over a two-year period. The Company reserved, based on information supplied by CMS, approximately $1.0 million in 2003 for all claims dating from October 1, 2000. The Company believes that substantially this entire amount has now been recovered by CMS, although further analysis remains with respect to Housecall. Secondly, CMS advised the industry that it would seek recovery of overpayments that were made for patients who had, within 14 days of such admission, been discharged from inpatient facilities, including hospitals, rehabilitation and skilled nursing units, and that these recoveries would commence in April 2004. The Company conducted an analysis of a representative sample of claims where these events had occurred, and estimated that, for periods dating from October 1, 2000 through December 31, 2003, a reserve in the amount of approximately $1.5 million was appropriate. Further, the Company has reserved $0.7 for similar claims for the Housecall locations.

The following table summarizes the PPS activity included in the amounts due to/from Medicare (amounts in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2002

  $—   

Reserve estimated amounts owed to Medicare

   (2,504)
   


Balance at December 31, 2003

  $(2,504)

Cash payments made

   51 
   


Balance at December 31, 2004

  $(2,453)
   


Cash payments made

   536 

Fair value of obligation assumed

   (728)
   


Balance at September 30, 2005

  $(2,645)
   


CMS advised on October 20, 2005 that recovery of the second of these amounts will commence on November 28, 2005. There can be no assurance that the amounts reserved will equal the eventual amounts recovered by CMS.

 

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis provides information which management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the

consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein, the consolidated financial

statements and notes and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the Company’s Risk Factors in the Company’s Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2004 describes the accounting policies that management believes are most critical to our financial position and operating results and that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments and estimates. Actual results could differ materially from these judgments and estimates. The significant accounting policies include: revenue recognition; collectibility of accounts receivable; insurance and litigation reserves; goodwill and other intangible assets; and income taxes. This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the discussion of Critical Accounting Policies contained in the Company’s Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

When included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or in documents incorporated herein by reference, the words “expects”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, and analogous expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements inherently are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, general economic and business conditions, current cash flows and operating deficits, debt service needs, adverse changes in federal and state laws relating to the health care industry, competition, regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations, patient preferences and various other matters, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or any changes in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 Compared to Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004

 

Net Service Revenue.

 

Approximately 93.5%91.5% of the Company’s net service revenue for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 was derived from Medicare, compared to 92.1%92.5% for the same period last year. Included in the net service revenue derived from Medicare for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 is $1,260,000,$8.4 million, or 1.7%8.2% of total Medicare net service revenue, for services provided by the Company’s hospice business. The Company acquired two hospice agencies from Tenet Healthcare Corporation on April 1, 2004, and opened two hospice agencies during the three months ended June 30, 2005 and acquired nine hospice agencies from Housecall Medical Resources, Inc. during the three months ended September 30, 2005.

 

Net service revenue increased $23.2$53.7 million, or 40.7%91.8%, for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. This increase is due to a 42.9%89.5% increase in Medicare revenue of $22.5$48.5 million, and a 15.5%119.3% increase in revenue from non-Medicare payors of $0.7$5.2 million. Of the $22.5$48.5 million increase in Medicare net service revenue, $10.3$34.8 million is attributable to acquisitions (See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of Company acquisitions). The remaining $12.2$13.6 million reflects a 27.0%26.2% increase in completed episodes, which was partially offset by a 1.1% decrease in revenue per episode. The 1.1% decrease in revenue per episode is due primarily to an increase in the number of episodes from admission recertifications, which typically realize a lower revenue per episode than the original episode due to the lower acuity of the subsequent episode, combined with the elimination of the 5% rural add-on effective March 31, 2005, which was partially offset by the increase, effective January 1, 2005, of the base episodic reimbursement rate (see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements) and by small improvements in the case mix adjustment on the Company’s patient population.episodes.

 

Total patient admissions for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 totaled 21,07129,079 and increased from the prior year admissions by 37.3%81.1%. Medicare patient admissions increased to 17,40523,061 representing an increase of approximately 38.3%73.5% over the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004.

 

The 38.3%73.5% increase in Medicare admissions for the most recent quarterly comparative period is comprised of internal growth in admissions of 19.1%18.0% with acquisitions contributing growth of approximately 19.2%55.5%. The Company defines internal growth to include growth from operating locations owned by the Company for more than twelve months, any start up locations initiated by the Company, and from those acquisitions where the monthly Medicare admissions at the acquired locations does not exceed 1% of total Company30 admissions in the month of acquisition.acquisition (previously 1% of total admissions in the month of acquisition). Internal growth of 19.1%18.0%, including growth from start up locations, arises from a combination of enhanced effectiveness of the sales force, increased size of the sales force, the introduction of additional disease management programs, and ongoing referral source education efforts. The Company has opened 1422 home health startup locations in the last 12 months.2005. Admissions from non-Medicare payors increased by 32.9%117.7% from 2,7592,764 in the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004 to 3,6666,018 in the same period in 2005, primarily as a result of acquisitions.

Cost of Service Revenue

 

Cost of service revenue for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 increased by $9.4$23.4 million, or 40.0%91.1%, as compared to the same period in 2004. This increase is attributable to an increase in hospice costs of $3.6 million as a 31.3%result of

the Housecall acquisition, and an increase in home health costs of $19.8 million. This increase in home health costs of 80.5% is attributable to a 72.7% increase in the total number of home health visits performed to 495,000682,565 visits, combined with a 6.6%4.53% increase in the cost per visit. The number of visits increased by 31.3%72.7% as a result of a 10.9%97.0% increase in visits for non-Medicare patients and a 34.1%69.8% increase in the number of visits to Medicare patients. This increase in the number of visits to Medicare patients is due to an increase in the average number of patients on service at month end during the most recent quarter of approximately 15,184 when compared with approximately 10,526 in the comparable period of 2004.in 2004 due to recent acquisitions. The 6.6%4.53% increase in the cost per visit is attributable to higher rates of pay and benefits for visiting staff at acquired locations and an increase in travel costs reimbursed to Company caregivers as a result of higher gas prices. Also included in Cost of Service Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2005, and as described in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company wrote off its medical supplies inventory of approximately $1.1 million.

 

Excluding the inventory writeoff mentioned above, costCost of service revenue as a percent of net service revenue, decreased 1.6%0.2% over the same three month period last year, primarily as a result of a 6.0%2.3% decrease in visits per episode. The reduction in visits per episode is primarily the result of efficiencies realized by the Company’s prior years’ acquisitions, particularly the Tenet home healthcare acquisition of 2004 and the 2003 acquisition of Metro Preferred Home Health. The improved margins related to these acquisitions is more in line with the margins of the Company’s mature locations. Typically, acquired locations take up to 12 months before realizing margins consistent with the Company’s mature locations.

 

General and Administrative Expenses (“G&A”)

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $9.1$24.7 million, or 36.1%101.3%, in the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, as compared to 2004. This increase is attributable to a $2.9$16.2 million of general and administrative expenses incurred by the Company’s finalized acquisitions finalized (see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements). Other increases in general and administrative expenses include: increased personnel costs of $2.4$3.4 million related to additional operational and corporate staff necessitated by the Company’s internal growth and acquisitions; other increases of $1.5$1.9 million, including increases with respect to supplies, rent,for outside suppliers and professional fees; rent and utilities of $0.7 million,; a $0.6$0.8 million increase in depreciation and amortization, primarily as a result of higher amortization associated with intangible assets attributable to the acquisitions; and an increase in travel and related costs of $1.0$1.5 million, particularly with respect to operational and corporate training meetings and new employee orientation sessions undertaken for all employees. Offsetting these cost increases was a $0.7 million net decrease in employee health insurance costs as a result of a $1.0 million adjustment to the Company’s reserve for incurred but not reported claims costs due to favorable claims experience combined with higher costs associated with more plan participants in the current year period as a result of recent acquisitions.

 

As a percentage of net service revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased 1.5%increased 2.1% to 42.8%43.8% in 2005 from 44.3%41.7% in 2004.

 

TheDuring the quarter ended September 30, 2005, the Company expects to realizerealized as a $0.6 million reduction in benefit expenses $0.6 million ofrelated to participant employer match forfeitures from calendar year 2004, which represents unvested employer matching contributions for former employees no longer participating in the Company’s 401(k) plan. It is the Company’s accounting policy to recognize the benefit cost reduction upon completion of the Company’s 401(k) plan annual audit, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2005.audit. During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, the Company realized $0.5 million of participant employer match forfeitures from calendar year 2003.

 

Operating Income

 

The Company had operating income of $12.7$14.0 million for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 as compared with $8.1$8.4 million in the same period of 2004. This increase is attributable to the changes described above.

 

Other Income and Expense, net.

 

Net other income (expense) increased from expense of $60,000$78,465 for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004 to income of $365,000$1.2 million for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, an increase of $425,000.2005. The increase is primarily due to a $474,000$1.4 million increase in interest incomeexpense as a result of increased levels of cash and cash equivalents resulting from the 2004 secondary equity offering combined with an increase in interest rates.debt.

 

Income Tax Expense.

 

Income tax expense of $5,156,000$5.0 million and $3,063,000$3.2 million was recorded for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. An effective income tax rate of approximately 39.4% and 38.2%38.0% was recorded on income before taxes for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate is due to a 1.0 percentage point increase in the federal effective tax rate from higher estimated taxable income in 2005, resulting in an increase in the Company’s statutory effective tax rate, combined with the exhaustion of the federal net operating loss carryforward.carry forward. The remaining increase in the effective tax rate is due to an additional 0.20.4 percentage point increase in the Company’s state effective tax rate from higher estimated taxable income in 2005, combined with the exhaustion of multiple state net operating loss carryforwards.carry forwards.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 Compared to SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004

 

Net Service Revenue.

 

Approximately 93.4%92.6% of the Company’s net service revenue for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 was derived from Medicare, compared to 92.2%92.3% for the same six monthnine-month period last year. Included in the net service revenue derived from Medicare for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 is $2,370,000,$10.7 or 1.7%4.4% of total Medicare net service revenue, for services provided by the Company’s hospice business. The Company acquired two hospice agencies from Tenet Healthcare Corporation on April 1, 2004, and opened two hospice agencies during the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and acquired nine hospice agencies from Housecall Medical Resources, Inc. during the quarter ended September 30, 2005.

 

Net service revenue increased $46.3$99.9 million, or 44.3%61.4%, for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, compared to the same sixnine month period in 2004. This increase is due to a 46.2%61.8% increase in Medicare revenue of $44.4$92.9 million, and a 22.5%56.3% increase in revenue from non-Medicare payors of $1.8$7.0 million. Of the 46.2%61.8% increase in Medicare revenue, $21.1$47.5 million is attributable to acquisitions completed (See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of Company acquisitions). The remaining $23.3$45.4 million reflects a 30.7%29.9% increase in completed episodes, which was slightly offset by a 0.04% decrease in revenue per episode.episodes.

 

Total patient admissions for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 totaled 41,01370,057 and increased from the prior year admissions by 41.4%.55.1% Medicare patient admissions increased to 33,911,56,972, representing an increase of approximately 41.1%52.2% over the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004.

 

The 41.1%52.2% increase in Medicare admissions for the most recent six monthnine-month period comparative period is comprised of internal growth in admissions of 19.9%19.2% with acquisitions contributing growth of approximately 21.2%33.4%. The Company defines internal growth to include growth from operating locations owned by the Company for more than twelve months, any start up locations initiated by the Company, and from those acquisitions where the monthly Medicare admissions at the acquired locations does not exceed 1% of total Company30 admissions in the month of acquisition. Internal growth of 19.9%19.2%, including growth from start up locations, arises from a combination of enhanced effectiveness of the sales force, increased size of the sales force, the introduction of additional disease management programs, and ongoing referral source education efforts. The Company has opened 1422 home health startup locations in the last 12 months.2005. Admissions from non-Medicare payors increased by 42.8%69.1% from 4,9727,736 in the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004 to 7,10113,085 in the same six-monthnine-month period in 2005, primarily as a result of acquisitions.

 

Cost of Service Revenue

 

Cost of service revenue for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 increased by $18.4$41.8 million, or 42.7%60.8%, as compared to the same period in 2004. Of thisThis increase $1.2 million is attributable to thean increase in hospice business. The balancecosts of $4.8 million as a result of the Housecall acquisition, and an increase or $17.2 million,in home health costs of $37.0 million. This increase in home health costs of 55.5% is attributable to a 32.7%47.0% increase in the total number of home health visits performed to 943,0001.6 million visits, combined with a 6.1%5.8% increase in the cost per visit. The number of visits increased by 32.7%47.0% as a result of a 12.1%40.1% increase in visits for non-Medicare patients and a 35.5%47.9% increase in the number of visits to Medicare patients. This increase in the number of visits to Medicare patients is due to an increase in the average number of patients on service at month end during the most recent six-monthnine-month period of approximately 14,630 when compared with approximately 9,910 in the comparable period of 2004.in 2004 due to recent acquisitions. The 6.1%5.8% increase in the cost per visit is attributable to higher rates of pay and benefits for visiting staff at acquired locations and an increase in travel costs reimbursed to Company caregivers as a result of higher gas prices. Also included in Cost of Service Revenue for the threenine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004,2005, and as described in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company wrote off its medical supplies inventory of $1.1 million.

 

Excluding the inventory writeoff mentioned above, cost of service revenue as a percent of net service revenue, decreased 1.1% over the same three month period last year, primarily as a result of a 6.0% decrease in visits per episode. The reduction in visits per episode is primarily the result of efficiencies realized by the Company’s prior years’ acquisitions, particularly the Tenet home healthcare acquisition of 2004 and the 2003 acquisition of Metro Preferred Home Health. The improved margins related to these acquisitions is more in line with the margins of the Company’s mature locations. Typically, acquired locations take up to 12 months before realizing margins consistent with the Company’s mature locations.

General and Administrative Expenses (“G&A”)

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $18.6$43.3 million, or 40.3%61.4%, in the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, as compared to 2004. This increase is attributable to a $4.9$21.0 million of general and administrative expenses incurred by the Company’s acquisitions (see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements). Other increases in general and administrative expenses include: increased personnel costs of $6.7$10.1 million related to additional operational and corporate staff necessitated by the Company’s internal growth and acquisitions; other increases of $3.0$5.2 million including increases with respect to supplies, rent,for outside suppliers and professional fees; rent and utilities of $1.9 million; a $1.0$1.7 million

increase in depreciation and amortization, primarily as a result of higher amortization associated with intangible assets attributable to the acquisitions; and an increase in travel and related costs of $2.0$3.6 million, particularly with respect to operational and corporate training meetings and new employee orientation sessions undertaken for all employees.

As a percentage of net service revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased 1.3% to 43.0%remained constant at 43.4% in 2005 from 44.3% inand 2004.

 

TheDuring the third quarter ended September 30, 2005, the Company expects to realizerealized $0.6 million as a reduction in benefit expenses $0.6 million ofrelated to participant employer match forfeitures from calendar year 2004, which represents unvested employer matching contributions for former employees no longer participating in the Company’s 401(k) plan. It is the Company’s accounting policy to recognize the benefit cost reduction upon completion of the Company’s 401(k) plan annual audit, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2005.audit. During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, the Company realized $0.5 million of participant employer match forfeitures from calendar year 2003.

 

Operating Income

 

The Company had operating income of $24.2$38.3 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 as compared with $15.0$23.4 million in the same period of 2004. This increase is attributable to the changes described above.

 

Other Income and Expense, net.net

 

Net other income (expense) increased from expense of $135,000$0.2 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004 to income of $586,000$0.6 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, an increase of $721,000.$0.4 million. The increase is primarily due to a $804,000$1.5 million increase in interest incomeexpense as a result of increased levels of cash and cash equivalents resulting from the 2004 secondary equity offering combined with an increase in interest rates. This increase was partiallydebt offset by a $63,000 increase in interest expense arising from notes payable issued in connection with the 2005 acquisitions (see Note 7income generated on cash balances prior to the consolidated financial statements).July 1, 2005 acquisition of Housecall.

 

Income Tax Expense.Expense

 

Income tax expense of $9,779,000$14.8 million and $5,671,000$8.8 million was recorded for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. An effective income tax rate of approximately 39.4% and 38.2%38.1% was recorded on income before taxes for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate is due to a 1.0 percentage point increase in the federal effective tax rate from higher estimated taxable income in 2005, resulting in an increase in the Company’s statutory effective tax rate, combined with the exhaustion of the federal net operating loss carryforward.carry forward. The remaining increase in the effective tax rate is due to an additional 0.20.3 percentage point increase in the Company’s state effective tax rate from higher estimated taxable income in 2005, combined with the exhaustion of multiple state net operating loss carryforwards.carry forwards.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Liquidity

 

The Company’s principal source of liquidity is the collection of its accounts receivable, in particular under the Medicare program.

 

The Company’s operating activities provided $13.4$29.0 million in cash during the sixnine month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, whereas such activities provided $16.1$24.6 million in cash during the same sixnine month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004. The decreaseincrease in cash provided by operating activities is largely due to the increase in accounts receivables asnet income, which was partially offset by a result ofdecrease in working capital due to the FebruaryJuly 1, 2005 acquisition of the Winyah Health Care Group and, to a lesser extent, other acquisitions completed during the current year. The necessary change of ownership paperwork related to these acquisitions is now substantially complete and the Company expects its collection of accounts receivable to mirror its normal collection cycle for the remainder of the year. Additionally, the Company’s accounts receivables were impacted by changes initiated by CMS to its computer systems which resulted in the shutdown of CMS’ computer systems for several days and changes to the Company’s electronic billing specifications (the Company submits all of its Medicare billings to CMS electronically).Housecall acquisition.

 

Investing activities used $31.3$156.5 million cash for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, whereas such activities used $22.6$28.9 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004. Cash used in investing activities in 2005 is primarily attributed to acquisitions of $141.6 million together with purchases of property and equipment of $11.7 million, which includes, as discussed below, the $3.5 million purchase of a corporate aircraft and $4.2 million for the purchase of land and building to be used for the Company’s corporate offices and cash used in acquisitions of $19.7$15.4 million (see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements).

 

Financing activities provided $0.3$58.6 million in cash during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, whereas such activities used $1.0provided $67.7 million during the same quarterly period last year. The Company financed $75 million in senior secured credit facilities provided by Wachovia Bank, N.A. and GE Healthcare Financial Services. See below and Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements. Proceeds from the issuance of stock pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plan and the exercise of stock options pursuant to the Company’s stock option plans provided $1.8$3.7 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, which was offset by payments on notes payable and capital lease obligations of $1.5$3.2 million.

At JuneSeptember 30, 2005, the Company had working capital of $62.5$4.9 million. This includes short-term Medicare cost report liabilities of $9.1$8.9 million, which the Company may not fully liquidate in cash during the next twelve months. These Medicare liabilities include $3.1 million owed by a subsidiary currently in bankruptcy, and $3.7$5.8 million of anticipated cost report settlements yet to be finalized. The final cost report settlements may not all occur during the next twelve months. In

addition, when the cost reports are settled, the Company is entitled to apply for a payment plan for up to five years in length. There can be no assurance that such a payment plan would be granted if sought.

 

During the quarter ended June 30,March 31, 2005, the Company purchased a corporate aircraft for $3.5 million for the purpose of enabling Company employees to visit and conduct business at the Company’s operating locations in 1315 states. Additionally, on April 13, 2005, the Company purchased for $4.2 million, land and a building in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for $4.2 million,, which will be used to consolidate the Company’s corporate offices. The combined cost for the refurbishment of this purchase and the related refurbishmentbuilding is not precisely quantifiable at this time, but couldexpected to be approximately $10 to $12 million. The Company expects to be completedmillion with the refurbishment of the propertycompletion anticipated by the end of 2006.

 

Apart from expenditures related to the corporate aircraft and the corporate office mentioned above, the Company expects that routine capital expenditures in fiscal 2005 will be approximately $8.0 million, as compared to $5.8 million in 2004.

 

As discussed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements the Company completed the acquisition of Housecall on July 11, 2005. The stock of Housecall was purchased with immediately available funds. In addition to available cash on hand, Amedisysthe Company financed a portion of the purchase price through $75 million in senior secured credit facilities provided by Wachovia Bank, N.A. and GE Healthcare Financial Services. These facilities included $50 million in a five-year Term Loan and up to $25 million in a three-year Revolver. The Company borrowed $20.0 million at closing for funding the Housecall acquisition.

 

The Term Loan has scheduled quarterly principal repayments beginning September 30, 2005, and will be amortized over five years at the following rate: Year 1 – 10%; Year 2 – 15%; Year 3 – 20%; Year 4 – 25% and; Year 5 – 30%. Both the Term Loan and Revolver bear interest based on the Company’s leverage ratio at a margin over either Prime or LIBOR. The interest rate in effect as of August 5,September 30, 2005 on the facilities is 5.8%6.04%. Both facilities can be prepaid without penalty and are subject to financial covenants measured on the Company’s leverage ratio, fixed charge coverage and maximum capital expenditures.

 

As a result of the new credit facilities noted above, the Company terminated, effective July 11, 2005, its $15 million credit facility with GE Healthcare Financial services. The Company will recognizerecognized a $0.5 million write-off for unamortized deferred financing costs during the quarter ended September 30, 2005, a $0.5 million writeoff for unamortized deferred financing costs.2005. At August 5,November 3, 2005, the Company had $50.0$48.75 million of the $50.0 million Term Loan amount outstanding and had $10.0$5.0 million of borrowing availabilityoutstanding under the $25$25.0 million Revolver.

On September 30, 2005 the President signed the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005, which allows the Company to defer federal income and payroll tax payments until February 28, 2006.

 

The Company has certain other contingencies and reserves, including litigation reserves, recorded as current liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets (in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5) that management may not be required to liquidate in cash during the next twelve months. However, in the event that all current liabilities become due within twelve months, the Company may be required to limit its acquisition activities, utilize its borrowing availability under its Revolver and/or sell securities on unfavorable terms. There can be no assurance that such action may not be necessary to ensure appropriate liquidity for the operations of the Company. However, the Company believes that its cash flows from operations combined with borrowing availability under its existing credit facilities will be sufficient to meet its working capital needs for the next 12 months.

 

Contractual Obligations and Medicare Liabilities

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations at JuneSeptember 30, 2005:

 

Payments Due by Period

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Contractual Obligations


  Total

  

Less

than

1 year


  

1-3

years


  Total

  

Less

than

1 year


  

1-5

years


Long-Term Debt, including interest payable

  $5,694  $3,695  $1,999  $63,341  $12,364  $50,997

Capital Lease Obligations, including interest payable

   426   246   180   390   238   153

Medicare Liabilities

   9,119   9,119   —     11,583   11,583   —  
  

  

  

  

  

  

Total Contractual Cash Obligations, including interest payable where applicable

  $15,239  $13,060  $2,180  $75,314  $24,185  $51,150
  

  

  

  

  

  

At JuneSeptember 30, 2005, the Company was indebted under various promissory notes for $5.4$54.4 million, including notes issued for various acquisition purchases of $5.3 million.

The Company’s principal and interest requirements due under all promissory notes for the remainder of 2005 (excluding the Term Loan and Revolver facilities discussed above) are approximately $1.8$54.2 million. At JuneSeptember 30, 2005, the Company also had obligations under capital leases of $0.4 million. During the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, the Company paid $0.3 million to buyout equipment under various capital leases.

 

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2005, the Company estimates an aggregate payable to Medicare of $9.1$11.6 million, all of which is reflected as a current liability in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. This amount includes $2.3 million reserved during 2003 as noted above—see Revenue Recognition discussion in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

The recorded $9.1$11.6 million also includes a $3.1 million obligation of a subsidiary of the Company, which is currently in bankruptcy, and it is not clear whether the Company will have any responsibility for that amount if the debt of the subsidiary is discharged in bankruptcy.

Prior to the implementation Details of PPS on October 1, 2000, the Company recorded Medicare revenue at the lower of actual costs, the per visit cost limit, or a per beneficiary cost limit on an individual provider basis. Under the previous Medicare cost-based reimbursement system, ultimate reimbursementliabilities can be found under the Medicare program was determined upon final settlementNote 13 of the annual cost reports.

The $3.7 million remaining balance due Medicare reflects the Company’s estimate of amounts likely to be assessed by Medicare as overpayments in respect of prior years when Medicare audits of the Company’s cost reports from 1997 through October, 2000 are completed. At the time these audits are completed and final assessments are issued, the Company may apply to Medicare for repayment over a thirty-six month or longer period, although there is no assurance that such applications will be agreed to if sought. These amounts relate to the Medicare payment system in effect until October 2000, under which Medicare provided periodic interim payments to the Company, subject to audit of cost reports submitted by the Company and repayment of any overpayments by Medicare to the Company. The fiscal intermediary, acting on behalf of Medicare, is entitled to reopen settled cost reports for up to three years after issuing final assessments.consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2002, the Company elected to terminate its asset financing facility with NPF VI, Inc. (“NPF VI”). The decision to terminate the above facility was made in response to the failure of NPF VI to provide $3.3 million on October 31, 2002 as requested by the Company on October 29, 2002 in accordance with the terms of the facility. At that date, Amedisys, Inc. determined that an amount of approximately $7.1 million was being held on behalf of the Company by NPF VI, and engaged in correspondence with representatives of NPF VI in an effort to have these funds returned to the Company. On November 18, 2002, NPF VI filed bankruptcy petitions, and accordingly, the Company elected to reserve the amount of $7.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002. The Company lost the case at the trial level and is taking legal action at the appellate level to recover the funds that have not been released to the Company. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2005, the Company had incurred total legal fees related to this matter of approximately $2.2$2.3 million, and the Company may incur substantial additional legal expenses in the future with this matter. There can be no assurance that the Company will ultimately be successful in its efforts to recover the funds held on behalf of the Company by NPF VI.

 

Recent Reimbursement Developments

 

As noted in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, on January 1, 2005, the Medicare base episode reimbursement rate increased from $2,213 per episode to $2,264 per episode. However, this increase has been partially offset by the March 31, 2005 expiration of the 5% rural add-on reimbursement for serving patients in rural areas. Patients in rural areas account for approximately 29.3% of the Company’s completed episodes during the three months ended June 30, 2005. The Company expects the episodic rate increase, net of the elimination of the rural add-on reimbursement, to result in an approximately 1.95% increase in its weighted average reimbursement for the remainder of the fiscal year.

 

The passage of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 on December 6, 2003, has resulted in two changes in Medicare reimbursement. First, for episodes ended on or after April 1, 2004 through December 31, 2006, the base episode rate (see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements) increase has been reduced by 0.8%. Secondly, a 5.0% payment increase was provided for services furnished in a rural setting for episodes ending on or after April 1, 2004 and before April 1, 2005.

 

Effective January 1, 2005, the Company received the “market basket adjustment”, currently estimated to be an increase of approximately 2.3% (net of the 0.8% reduction referred to above). The market basket adjustment is based on an index, which is intended by CMS to reflect cost inflation in the delivery of home health services.

 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS,Effective January 1, 2006, the Company expects to receive the “market basket adjustment”, recently announced its proposalby CMS to be an increase of a 2.5% increase in Medicare payment rates2.8% (net of the 0.8% reduction referred to above). CMS also announced that it will use the revised Office of Management and Budget (OMB) definition for geographical statistical areas. CMS establishes area wage adjustment factors that reflect the relative level of wages and wage-related costs applicable to the furnishing of home health agenciesservices and to provide appropriate adjustments to the episode payment amounts to account for calendar year 2006. Home health payment rates are updated annually by either the fullarea wage differences. In prior years, CMS determined each home health agency’s labor market basket percentage,area based on Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) issued by OMB. Effective January 1, 2006, area wage adjustments will be based on Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs), defined as “a geographic entity associated with at least one core of 10,000 or more population, plus adjacent territory that has a high degree of social and economic integration with the core as measured by communities.” CBSAs fall into two categories: Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Micropolitan Statistical Areas. Metropolitan Statistical Areas are based on urbanized areas of 50,000 or more population and Micropolitan Statistical Areas are based on urban clusters of at least 10,000 population but less than 50,000 population. Counties that do not fall within CBSAs are deemed “Outside CBSAs.” In the home health market basket percentage as adjusted by Congress. CMS establishespast, the home health

market basket index, which measures inflation in the pricesOMB defined MSAs around areas with a minimum core population of an appropriate mix of goods50,000 and services included in home health services. For calendar year 2006, the proposed estimated home health market basket percentage is 3.3%. Section 701 (b) (4) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 provided that updates for Calendar Years 2005 and 2006 will equal the applicable home health market basket percentage increase minus 0.8%. However, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (“MedPAC”) has made a preliminary recommendation to Congress that the market basket adjustment increase for 2006 be eliminated. MedPAC is an independent federal body established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to advise the U.S. Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program. Our industry trade association, the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, does not believe that Congress will address reimbursement issues this year. The Company cannot predict the timing or the magnitude of such changes, if any.smaller areas were “Outside MSAs.”

 

CMS administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with the states to administer Medicaid. CMS is responsible for the administrative simplification standards from HIPAA and quality standards in health care facilities through its survey and certification activity. In its administrative capacity, CMS has the regulatory means to impact reimbursement. CMS is expected in either 2005 or 2006 to review the case mix adjustments index in 2006 (see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements) as part of a previously scheduled process. The Company is unable to predict the timing or outcome of such a review.

The Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) of the Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”) has a responsibility to report, both to the Secretary of DHHS and to the Congress, program and management problems related to programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. The OIG’s duties are carried out through a nationwide network of audits, investigations, and inspections. The OIG has recently undertaken a study with respect to Medicare reimbursement rates. No estimate can be made at this time regarding the impact, if any, of the OIG’s findings.

 

The Company does not believe that inflation has had a material effect on its results of operations during the three or sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 or 2004.

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKSRISK

 

There haveThe Company does not engage in derivatives or other financial instruments for trading, speculative or hedging purposes, though the Company may do so from time to time if such instruments are available to us on acceptable terms and prevailing market conditions are accommodating. The Company has been no changes fromsubject to some interest rate risk on its senior secured borrowings and could be subject to interest rate risk on any future floating rate financing.

The Company’s primary interest rate risk exposures relate to (i) the disclosures containedinterest rate on long-term borrowings; (ii) the Company’s ability to refinance its debt at maturity at market rates; and (iii) the impact of interest rate movements on its ability to meet interest expense requirements and financial covenants under its debt instruments.

The Company variable rate debt consists of borrowings made under its $75 million credit agreement that consists of a $25 million aggregate principal revolving loan commitment and a $50 million term loan commitment to be repaid in twenty consecutive quarterly installments beginning September 30, 2005. The revolving loan and the term loan bear interest at a floating rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.25% per year and the revolving loan also bears an unused commitment fee of 0.5%. For the three-month period ended September 30, 2005, the weighted average interest rate under the revolving loan commitment was 6.04%.

A one percent increase (decrease) in the Company’s Form 10-K/A forvariable interest rate would result in a $0.1 million increase (decrease) in the year ended December 31, 2004.related interest expense on an average annual basis based upon borrowings outstanding at September 30, 2005.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls And Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive and financial officers, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s principal executive and financial officers concluded that the Company’s disclosure and controls procedures were effective in timely alerting officers of the Company to material information relating to the Company that is required to be included in the Company’s periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

 

Changes In Internal Controls

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

No significant changes from the disclosures contained in the Company’s Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2004.2004 .

 

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

The annual shareholders meeting of the Company was held on June 9, 2005, for election of six directors to serve until the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company. The nominated individuals were William F. Borne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Amedisys, Inc.; Ronald A. LaBorde, a private investor; Jake L. Netterville, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Postlethwaite and Netterville, a professional accounting firm; David R. Pitts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pitts Management Associates, Inc.; Peter F. Ricchiuti, Assistant Dean and Director of Research of BURKENROAD REPORTS at Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business; Donald A. Washburn, a private investor. These individuals were elected with the following votes:None.

Director


  Votes in Favor

  Votes Withheld

Mr. Borne

  8,357,298  6,057,462

Mr. LaBorde

  13,788,893  625,867

Mr. Netterville

  13,576,680  838,080

Mr. Pitts

  7,897,664  6,517,096

Mr. Ricchiuti

  13,804,123  610,637

Mr. Washburn

  13,789,949  624,811

 

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)Exhibits

 

2.1

Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of June 30, 2005 by and among Amedisys Holding, L.L.C., Amedisys, Inc., HMR Acquisition, Inc. and the Stockholders and Option Holders set forth on the

Stockholder Signature Page and Option Holder Signature Page attached thereto (previously filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 12, 2005)

3.1  Certificate of Incorporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2002)
3.2  By-Laws (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004)
4.1  Credit Agreement with Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and General Electric Capital Corporation, as Syndication Agent, dated as of July 11, 2005 (filed herewith)(previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005)
4.2  Common Stock Specimen (previously filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1994)
4.3  Shareholder Rights Agreement (previously filed as Exhibit 4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 16, 2000, and as Exhibit 4 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A12G filed June 16, 2000)
4.4  Form of Warrants issued by Amedisys, Inc. to Raymond James & Associates, Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 10, 2003)

4.5  Registration Rights Agreement between Amedisys, Inc. and the person whose name and address appears on the signature page thereto (previously filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed March 11, 1998)
10.1.1  Agreement to Purchase Real Estate between Amedisys, Inc. and Sherwood Investment Partners, LLC (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005)
10.1.2  Act of Cash Sale of Real Estate between Amedisys, Inc. and Sherwood Investment Partners, LLC (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005)
10.8  Employment Agreement between Amedisys, Inc. and William F. Borne (previously filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005)
31.1  Certification of William F. Borne, Chief Executive Officer (filed herewith)
31.2  Certification of Gregory H. Browne, Chief Financial Officer (filed herewith)

32.1  Certification of William F. Borne, Chief Executive Officer (filed herewith)
32.2  Certification of Gregory H. Browne, Chief Financial Officer (filed herewith)

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

On April 18, 2005, Amedisys, Inc. announced the entry into a new Employment Agreement with William F. Borne, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman.

On June 3, 2005, Amedisys, Inc. issued a press release announcing the acquisition of two home health agencies from Saint Thomas Health Services, effective June 1, 2005.

On March 1, 2005, Amedisys, Inc., issued a press release announcing the acquisition of a home health agency from North Arundel Hospital, effective March 1, 2005.

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

AMEDISYS, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Gregory H. Browne


  

Gregory H. Browne

Chief Financial Officer

 

DATE: AugustNovember 8, 2005

 

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