Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We are not the primary beneficiary of, nor do we have a controlling financial interest in, any variable interest entity. Accordingly, we have not consolidated any variable interest entity. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates include revenue recognition and the customer relationship period, allowances for doubtful accounts and returns, valuations of deferred income taxes, long-lived assets, warrants, capitalizable software development costs and the related amortization, contingent consideration, stock-based compensation, the determination of the useful lives of assets and the recognition and impairment assessment of acquired intangibles and goodwill. Determination of these transactions and account balances are based on the Company’s estimates and judgments. These estimates are based on the Company’s knowledge of current events and actions it may undertake in the future as well as on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Revenue and Deferred Revenue The Company derives the majority of its revenue from software services fees, which consist primarily of monthly subscription fees paid by customers for access to and usage of the Company’s cloud-based benefits software solutions for a specified contract term. The Company also derives revenue from professional services which primarily include fees related to the integration of customers’ systems with the Company’s platform, which typically includes discovery, configuration, deployment, testing, and training. The Company recognizes revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the service has been provided, the fees to be paid by the customer are fixed and determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company considers delivery of its cloud-based software services has commenced once it has granted the customer access to its platform. The Company’s arrangements generally contain multiple elements comprised of software services and professional services. The Company evaluates each element in an arrangement to determine whether it represents a separate unit of accounting. An element constitutes a separate unit of accounting when the delivered item has standalone value and delivery of the undelivered element is probable and within the Company’s control. When multiple deliverables included in an arrangement are separable into different units of accounting, the arrangement consideration is allocated to the identified units of accounting based on their relative selling price. Multiple deliverable arrangements accounting guidance provides a hierarchy to use when determining the relative selling price for each unit of accounting. Vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of selling price, based on the price at which the item is regularly sold by the vendor on a standalone basis, should be used if it exists. If VSOE of selling price is not available, third-party evidence (“TPE”) of selling price is used to establish the selling price if it exists. VSOE and TPE do not currently exist for any of the Company’s deliverables. Accordingly, for arrangements with multiple deliverables that can be separated into different units of accounting, the arrangement consideration is allocated to the separate units of accounting based on the Company’s best estimate of selling price. The amount of arrangement consideration allocated is limited by contingent revenues, if any. Effective July 1, 2015, the Company determined it had established standalone value for Benefitfocus Marketplace implementation services in the Employer segment as they are now sold separately from the software services. This was primarily due to the system integrators that have been trained and certified to perform these implementation services, the successful completion of an implementation by a trained system integrator, and the sale of several software subscription arrangements to customers in the Employer segment without the Company’s implementation services. Accordingly, revenues related to implementation services for the Benefitfocus Marketplace solution in the Employer segment that are delivered after July 1, 2015 are recognized separately from the revenues earned from the Employer software subscription services. Revenues related to such implementation services are recognized at the time that the professional services have been completed. Prior to July 1, 2015, the Company did not have standalone value for implementation services related to the Benefitfocus Marketplace solution as the Company had historically performed these services to support the customers’ implementation of this solution. Revenue from implementation services with standalone value was $2,401 for the year ended December 31, 2015. Certain of the Company’s other professional services, including implementation services related to the Carrier segment, are not sold separately from the software services and there is no alternative use for them. As such, the Company has determined that those professional services do not have standalone value. Accordingly, software services and professional services are combined and recognized as a single unit of accounting. The Company generally recognizes software services fees monthly based on the number of employees covered by the relevant benefits plans at contracted rates for a specified period of time, once the criteria for revenue recognition described above have been satisfied. The Company recognizes revenue on Benefitfocus Marketplace implementation services in the Employer segment that have standalone value at the time the services have been completed and the related software services have commenced. The Company defers recognition of revenue for fees from professional services that do not have standalone value and begins recognizing such revenue once the services are delivered and the related software services have commenced, ratably over the longer of the contract term or the estimated expected life of the customer relationship. Costs incurred by the Company in connection with providing such professional services are charged to expense as incurred and are included in “Cost of revenue.” In January 2015, the Company adjusted the estimated expected life of its customer relationship. This change in estimate was the result of analyzing quantitative and qualitative observations in the market and the Company’s business. This change shortens the term over which deferred revenue will be recognized from 10 to 7 years and will be applied prospectively to unamortized professional services fees over the longer of the contract term or the adjusted estimated expected life of the customer relationship. The change in the customer relationship period increased the amount of revenue recognized during the year ended December 31, 2015, which decreased both loss from continuing operations and net loss by $6,207, and decreased loss per share by $0.22 for the year ended December 31, 2015. As a result of the change in the customer relationship period, Employer and Carrier revenue increased by $1,137 and $5,070, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2015. Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue primarily consists of employee compensation, professional services, data center co-location costs, networking expenses, depreciation expense for computer equipment directly associated with generating revenue, amortization expense for capitalized software development costs, and infrastructure maintenance costs. In addition, the Company allocates a portion of overhead, such as rent, additional depreciation and amortization expense, and employee benefit costs, to cost of revenue based on headcount. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of bank checking accounts and money market accounts. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Marketable Securities Marketable securities consist of short-term investments in corporate securities. To reflect its intention, the Company classifies its marketable securities as held-to-maturity at the time of purchase. As a result, the marketable securities are recorded at amortized cost and any gains or losses realized upon maturity are reported in other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Concentrations of Credit Risk The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable. All of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held at financial institutions that management believes to be of high credit quality. The bank deposits of the Company might, at times, exceed federally insured limits and are generally uninsured and uncollateralized. The Company has not experienced any losses on cash and cash equivalents to date. To manage credit risk related to marketable securities, the Company invests in various types of highly rated corporate bonds, commercial paper, and various United States backed securities with maturities of less than two years. The weighted average maturity of the portfolio of investments must not exceed nine months, per the Company’s investment policy. To manage accounts receivable risk, the Company evaluates the creditworthiness of its customers and maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable were unsecured and were derived from revenue earned from customers located in the United States. Accounts receivable from one customer, North Carolina State Health Plan, represented 22.2% of the total accounts receivable at December 31, 2015. Accounts receivable from one customer, Aetna, represented 13.3% of the total accounts receivable at December 31, 2014. No customer represented more than 10% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Returns Accounts receivable are stated at realizable value, net of allowances for doubtful accounts and returns. The Company utilizes the allowance method to provide for doubtful accounts based on management’s evaluation of the collectability of amounts due, and other relevant factors. Bad debt expense is recorded in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company’s estimate is based on historical collection experience and a review of the current status of accounts receivable. Historically, actual write-offs for uncollectible accounts have not significantly differed from the Company’s estimates. The Company removes recorded receivables and the associated allowances when they are deemed permanently uncollectible. However, higher than expected bad debts may result in future write-offs that are greater than the Company’s estimates. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $32 and $10 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The allowances for returns are accounted for as reductions of revenue and are estimated based on the Company’s periodic assessment of historical experience and trends. The Company considers factors such as the time lag since the initiation of revenue recognition, historical reasons for adjustments, new customer volume, complexity of billing arrangements, timing of software availability, and past due customer billings. The allowance for returns was $2,553 and $1,653 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Property and Equipment Property and equipment, including capitalized software development costs, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized. Depreciation and amortization is recognized over the estimated useful lives of the related assets using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives for significant property and equipment categories are generally as follows: Computers and related equipment 3-5 years Furniture and fixtures 7 years Other equipment 5-12 years Purchased software and licenses 1-7 years Vehicles 5 years Buildings 30 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of estimated useful life of asset or lease term Useful lives of significant assets are periodically reviewed and adjusted prospectively to reflect the Company’s current estimates of the respective assets’ expected utility. Costs associated with maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. In the event the Company has been deemed the owner for accounting purposes of construction projects in build-to-suit lease arrangements, the estimated construction costs incurred to date are recorded as assets in Property and Equipment, net. Upon occupancy of facilities under build-to-suit leases, the Company assesses whether arrangements qualify for sales recognition under the sale-leaseback accounting guidance. If the Company continues to be the deemed owner for accounting purposes, the cost of the building is depreciated over its estimated useful life. Capitalized Software Development Costs The Company capitalizes certain costs related to its software developed or obtained for internal use. Costs related to preliminary project activities and post-implementation activities are expensed as incurred. Internal and external costs incurred during the application development stage, including upgrades and enhancements representing modifications that will result in significant additional functionality, are capitalized. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized costs are recorded as part of property and equipment and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the software’s estimated useful life which is three years. The Company evaluates these assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that could impact the recoverability of these assets. Identifiable Intangible Assets Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives, which is the period over which the asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to future cash flows. The estimated remaining useful life used in computing amortization is 2.6 years. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill The Company reviews long-lived assets and definite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset might not be recoverable. Recoverability of the long-lived asset is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated. If such assets are not recoverable, the impairment to be recognized, if any, is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value (discounted cash flow) of the assets or asset group. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate of the fair value of consideration transferred in a business combination over the fair value of assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized; rather, goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level as of October 31 of each year, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value before performing a two-step approach to testing goodwill for impairment for each reporting unit. The reporting units are determined by the components of the Company’s operating segments that constitute a business for which both (1) discrete financial information is available and (2) segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company performs the impairment test by applying a fair-value-based test. The first step measures for impairment by applying fair-value-based tests at the reporting unit level. The second step (if necessary) measures the amount of impairment by applying fair-value-based tests to the individual assets and liabilities within each reporting unit. As part of determining its reporting units, the Company has identified two operating segments, Employer and Carrier. To determine the fair value of the Company’s reporting units, the Company has used a discounted cash flow analysis, which requires significant assumptions and estimates about future operations. Significant judgments inherent in this analysis include the determination of an appropriate discount rate, estimated terminal value and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The Company may also determine fair value of its reporting units using a market approach by applying multiples of earnings of peer companies to its operating results. Financing Obligations In its build-to-suit lease arrangements where the Company is involved in the construction of its buildings, the Company is deemed the owner for accounting purposes during the construction period. The Company records an asset for the amount of the total project costs in Property and Equipment, net and the related financing obligation in Financing and Capital Lease Obligations on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Once construction is complete, the Company determines if the asset qualifies for sale-leaseback accounting treatment. If the arrangement does not qualify for sale-lease back treatment, the Company continues to reduce the obligation over the lease term as payments are made and depreciates the asset over its useful life. The Company does not report rent expense for the portion of the rent payment determined to be related to the assets that it owns for accounting purposes. Rather, this portion of the rent payment under the lease is recognized as a reduction of the financing obligation and as interest expense. Financing obligations also include liabilities for service agreements related to property and equipment under capital leases. Sales Commissions Sales commissions are expensed when the sales contract is executed by the customer. Advertising The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred. Direct advertising costs for 2015, 2014, and 2013 were $435, 394, and $265, respectively. Comprehensive Loss The Company’s net loss equals comprehensive loss for all periods presented. Stock-Based Employee Compensation Stock-based employee compensation is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the awards and recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss over the period during which the award holder is required to perform services in exchange for the award, which is the vesting period. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the applicable award using the straight-line method. Compensation expense related to performance based restricted stock units, which are accounted for as equity awards, is recognized when it is probable that the performance measure will be met. Compensation costs related to restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is recorded based on the market price on the grant date. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model for estimating the fair value of stock options. The use of the option valuation model requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock in the periods preceding the IPO, the expected life of the option and the expected stock price volatility based on peer companies. Additionally, the recognition of stock-based compensation expense requires the estimation of the number of options and RSUs that will ultimately vest and the number of options and RSUs that will ultimately be forfeited. Income Taxes The Company uses the asset and liability method for income tax accounting. This method requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, as well as for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount the Company believes is more likely than not to be realized. The tax benefits of uncertain tax positions are recognized only when the Company believes it is more likely than not that the tax position will be upheld on examination by the taxing authorities based on the merits of the position. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized income tax benefits in income tax expense. In December 2015, the Company adopted ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (ASU 2015-17). This standard simplifies the presentation of the deferred tax assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and requires companies to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. The Company prospectively applied this standard which had no impact on the consolidated balance sheets. Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Common Share The Company uses the two-class method to compute net loss per common share because the Company has issued securities, other than common stock, that contractually entitle the holders to participate in dividends and earnings of the Company. The two-class method requires earnings for the period to be allocated between common stock and participating securities based upon their respective rights to receive distributed and undistributed earnings. Holders of each series of the Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock were entitled to participate in distributions, when and if declared by the board of directors that are made to common stockholders, and as a result are considered participating securities. Under the two-class method, for periods with net income, basic net income per common share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Net income attributable to common stockholders is computed by subtracting from net income the portion of current year earnings that the participating securities would have been entitled to receive pursuant to their dividend rights had all of the year’s earnings been distributed. No such adjustment to earnings is made during periods with a net loss, as the holders of the participating securities have no obligation to fund losses. Diluted net loss per common share is computed under the two-class method by using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus, for periods with net income attributable to common stockholders, the potential dilutive effects of stock awards and warrants. In addition, the Company analyzes the potential dilutive effect of the outstanding participating securities under the “if-converted” method when calculating diluted earnings per share, in which it is assumed that the outstanding participating securities convert into common stock at the beginning of the period. The Company reports the more dilutive of the approaches (two-class or “if-converted”) as its diluted net income per share during the period. Due to net losses for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 basic and diluted loss per share were the same, as the effect of potentially dilutive securities would have been anti-dilutive. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which amends the revenue recognition requirements in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. This statement requires that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The statement shall be applied using one of two methods: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this statement recognized at the date of initial application. The Company has not yet determined which method it will apply. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018, with an option to early adopt. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial position and results of operations. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements- Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). ASU 2015-11 provides guidance in GAAP about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017. The Company does not believe the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” The amendments in this ASU require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods of public entities beginning after December 15, 2015, with an option to early adopt. The adoption of this standard will not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position. |