Evaluation of Strategic Alternatives in AAC’s Real Estate Portfolio
The Company has commenced a process to explore strategic alternatives to generate additional value from its real estate portfolio consisting of treatment centers located across the United States. Management’s goal is to leverage the portfolio to create additional liquidity, lower its cost of capital and enhance shareholder value. Real estate strategic alternatives could include further sale leasebacks of individual facilities or larger portions of the company’s real estate portfolio.
Cost Savings Initiatives
The Company has enacted a series of cost savings initiatives during the fourth quarter for 2018 and into the first quarter of 2019 which is expected to result in over $30 million of annualized cost savings. These initiatives have included reductions in the Company’s corporate expenses, consolidation of its Las Vegas market, consolidation of the its southern California market, the sale of the Company’s New Orleans operations, and the consolidation of its lab operations.
Incremental Term Loan and Amendment of Existing Credit Facility
The Company has closed a $30 million incremental term loan with its existing lenders. In addition, the Company amended its existing secured credit facility to, among other items, provide increased flexibility with respect to certain financial covenants.
AdCare Acquisition
On March 1, 2018, AAC acquired AdCare, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“AdCare”). AdCare offers treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and includes, among other things,a 114-bed hospital and 5 outpatient centers in Massachusetts, as well asa 59-bed residential inpatient treatment center and 2 outpatient centers in Rhode Island. AdCare was purchased for total consideration of $85.0 million, subject to adjustments.
Fourth Quarter 2018 Operational Results
New admissions increased 39% to 4,184 from 3,018 in the same period in the prior year. The increase in new admissions was related to the acquisition of AdCare on March 1, 2018. New admissions excluding AdCare decreased 19.7%, to 2,422 from 3,018.
Total average daily census (“ADC”) was 1,002 compared to 995 in the same period in the prior year. The increase in ADC was related to the acquisition of AdCare on March 1, 2018. ADC excluding AdCare decreased 14.3%, to 853 from 995.
Outpatient visits increased 104% to 44,165 from 21,651 in the same period in the prior year. The increase in outpatient visits was primarily related to the acquisition of AdCare on March 1, 2018. Outpatient visits excluding AdCare decreased 19.6%, to 17,411 from 21,651.
Full Year 2018 Operational Results
New admissions increased 47.2% to 18,099 from 12,299 in the prior-year period. The increase in new admissions was related to the acquisition of AdCare on March 1, 2018. New admissions excluding AdCare decreased 5.8%, to 11,588 from 12,299.
Total ADC was 1,080 compared to 972 in the prior-year period. The increase in ADC was related to the acquisition of AdCare on March 1, 2018. ADC excluding AdCare decreased 2.1%, to 952 from 972.
Outpatient visits increased 141.3% to 174,123 from 72,155 in the prior year period. The increase in outpatient visits was primarily related to the acquisition of AdCare on March 1, 2018. Outpatient visits excluding AdCare increased 13.0%, to 81,532 from 72,155.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flows
As of December 31, 2018, AAC Holdings’ unaudited balance sheet reflected cash and cash equivalents of $5.4 million, net property and equipment of $166.9 million and total debt of $319.2 million (current and long-term portions). In March 2019, we closed on a $30 million incremental term loan that provides the company with additional liquidity. Management believes current cash flow, cash on hand, along with anticipated access to debt and capital markets or anticipated proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions will be sufficient to fund our expected future liquidity needs.
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