These increases were somewhat offset by decreases related to increased capacity utilization, economies of scale, and productivity enhancements during the six months ended February 28, 2006 compared to the six months ended February 28, 2005.
We anticipate that cost of services for the remainder of fiscal 2006 will increase over fiscal 2005 primarily as a result of share-based payments required to be expensed under SFAS No. 123(R) and other long-term employee incentive costs, operating costs related to the MHS pilots, increases in operating staff required for expected increases in demand for our services, increases in indirect staff costs associated with the continuing development and implementation of our health and care support services, and increases in information technology and other support staff and costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues for the three and six months ended February 28, 2006 increased to 10.9% and 11.0%, respectively, compared to 9.7% and 9.2% for the same periods in fiscal 2005. These increases are primarily related to the following costs:
Excluding the costs above, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues would have decreased to 8.3% for the three and six months ended February 28, 2006, compared to 9.5% and 9.0%, respectively, for the same periods in fiscal 2005 primarily due to our ability to more effectively leverage our selling, general and administrative expenses as a result of growth in our operations.
We anticipate that selling, general and administrative expenses for the remainder of fiscal 2006 will increase over fiscal 2005 primarily due to share-based payments required to be expensed under SFAS No. 123(R) and other long-term employee incentive costs, anticipated investments in international initiatives, and increases in indirect support costs for our existing and anticipated new and expanded health plan contracts.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense for the three and six months ended February 28, 2006 increased 6.0% and 4.9%, respectively, over the same periods in fiscal 2005 primarily due to increased depreciation and amortization expense associated with equipment, software, leasehold improvements, and computer-related capital expenditures. We made these capital expenditures to enhance our health plan information technology capabilities, expand our corporate office, and increase calling capacity at existing care enhancement centers.
We anticipate that depreciation and amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 2006 will increase over fiscal 2005 primarily as a result of additional capital expenditures associated with expected increases in demand for our services and growth and improvement in our information technology capabilities.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for the three and six months ended February 28, 2006 decreased 45.6% and 54.0%, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended February 28, 2005 primarily due to a reduction in our long-term debt balance resulting from net repayments of $18.0 million of revolving debt since February 28, 2005.
We anticipate that interest expense for the remainder of fiscal 2006 will decrease over fiscal 2005 primarily as a result of a lower balance of long-term debt.
Income Tax Expense
Our effective tax rate increased to 39.7% for the three and six months ended February 28, 2006 compared to 39.5% for the three months ended February 28, 2005 and 39.7% for the six months ended February 28, 2005, primarily as a result of our geographic mix of earnings, which impacts our average state income tax rate, and other factors. The differences between the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% and our effective tax rate are due primarily to the impact of state income taxes and certain non-deductible expenses for income tax purposes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Operating activities for the six months ended February 28, 2006 generated cash flows of $31.9 million compared to $18.4 million for the six months ended February 28, 2005. The increase in operating cash flow of $13.5 million resulted primarily from 1) payments during the six months ended February 28, 2005 related to accounts payable accrued at August 31, 2004 associated with capital expenditures for upgrades to hardware in support of core business functions and 2) an increase in cash collections recorded to contract billings in excess of earned revenue for the six months ended February 28, 2006 compared to the same period in fiscal 2005, primarily related to the MHS pilots. These increases were somewhat offset by a higher employee bonus payment during the six months ended February 28, 2006 compared to the six months ended February 28, 2005.
Investing activities during the six months ended February 28, 2006 used $10.2 million in cash, which primarily consisted of the purchase of property and equipment associated with the addition of information technology hardware and software.
Financing activities for the six months ended February 28, 2006 generated $16.6 million in cash primarily due to proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the related tax benefit. In addition, the
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entire $3.8 million that was previously classified as restricted cash and held in escrow due to contractual requirements with a customer was released from escrow and reclassified to cash and cash equivalents as our first-year results were validated with the customer.
On September 19, 2005, we amended and restated the First Amended Credit Agreement and entered into the Second Amended Credit Agreement, which provides us with a $250.0 million revolving credit facility, including a swingline sub facility of $10.0 million and a $75.0 million sub facility for letters of credit, together with an uncommitted incremental accordion facility of $50.0 million, and expires on September 19, 2010. As of February 28, 2006, our available line of credit totaled $249.3 million.
The Second Amended Credit Agreement requires us to repay the principal on any loans at the maturity date of September 19, 2010. Borrowings under the Second Amended Credit Agreement generally bear interest, at our option, at LIBOR plus a spread of 0.875% to 1.5% or at the prime rate. The Second Amended Credit Agreement also provides for a fee ranging between 0.175% and 0.3% of unused commitments. The Second Amended Credit Agreement is secured by guarantees from our active domestic subsidiaries and by security interests in substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets.
The First Amended Credit Agreement provided us with up to $150.0 million in borrowing capacity and contained various financial covenants, which required us to maintain, as defined, ratios or levels of (i) total funded debt to EBITDA, (ii) interest coverage, (iii) fixed charge coverage, and (iv) net worth. The Second Amended Credit Agreement contains similar financial covenants with the exclusion of the interest coverage ratio. Both agreements restrict the payment of dividends and limit the amount of repurchases of the Company’s common stock. As of February 28, 2006, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenant requirements of the Second Amended Credit Agreement.
As of February 28, 2006, there were letters of credit outstanding under the Second Amended Credit Agreement totaling $0.7 million primarily to support our requirement to repay fees under one health plan contract in the event we do not perform at established target levels and do not repay the fees due in accordance with the terms of the contract.
In conjunction with contractual requirements under one contract that began on March 1, 2004, we funded an escrow account in the amount of approximately $3.8 million, which was classified as restricted cash. We were required to deposit a percentage of all fees received from this customer during the first year of the contract into the escrow account to be used to repay fees under the contract in the event we did not perform at target levels. In accordance with the terms of the contract, in January 2006 the entire $3.8 million was released from escrow and reclassified to cash and cash equivalents as our first-year results were validated with the customer.
We believe that cash flow from operating activities, our available cash, and our available credit under the Second Amended Credit Agreement will continue to enable us to meet our contractual obligations and to fund the current level of growth in our operations for the foreseeable future. However, if expanding our operations requires significant additional financing resources, such as capital expenditures for technology improvements, additional care enhancement centers and/or letters of credit or other forms of financial assurance to guarantee our performance under the terms of new contracts, or if we are required to refund performance-based fees pursuant to contract terms, we may need to raise additional capital by expanding our existing credit facility and/or issuing debt or equity. If we face a limited ability to arrange such financing, it may restrict our ability to expand our operations.
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In addition, if contract development accelerates or acquisition opportunities arise that would expand our operations, we may need to issue additional debt or equity to provide the funding for these increased growth opportunities. We may also issue equity in connection with future acquisitions or strategic alliances. We cannot assure you that we would be able to issue additional debt or equity on terms that would be acceptable to us.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are subject to market risk related to interest rate changes, primarily as a result of the Second Amended Credit Agreement and the First Amended Credit Agreement, which bear interest based on floating rates. Borrowings under the First Amended Credit Agreement bore interest, at our option, at the prime rate plus a spread of 0.0% to 1.0% or LIBOR plus a spread of 1.25% to 2.25%, or a combination thereof. Borrowings under the Second Amended Credit Agreement generally bear interest, at our option, at LIBOR plus a spread of 0.875% to 1.5% or at the prime rate. We do not execute transactions or hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
Because there was no variable rate debt outstanding during the six months ended February 28, 2006, a one-point interest rate change would not have caused interest expense to fluctuate for the six months ended February 28, 2006.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) as of February 28, 2006. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures effectively and timely provide them with material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended February 28, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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Part II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
In June 1994, a former employee whom we dismissed in February 1994 filed a “whistle blower” action on behalf of the United States government. Subsequent to its review of this case, the federal government determined not to intervene in the litigation. The employee sued Healthways, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiary, American Healthways Services, Inc. (“AHSI”), as well as certain named and unnamed medical directors and one named client hospital, West Paces Medical Center (“WPMC”), and other unnamed client hospitals.
Healthways, Inc. has since been dismissed as a defendant; however, the case is still pending against AHSI before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. In addition, WPMC has settled claims filed against it as part of a larger settlement agreement that WPMC’s parent organization, HCA Inc., reached with the United States government.
The complaint alleges that AHSI, the client hospitals and the medical directors violated the federal False Claims Act by entering into certain arrangements that allegedly violated the federal anti-kickback statute and provisions of the Social Security Act prohibiting physician self-referrals. Although no specific monetary damage has been claimed, the plaintiff, on behalf of the federal government, seeks treble damages plus civil penalties and attorneys’ fees. The plaintiff also has requested an award of 30% of any judgment plus expenses. In February 2006, WPMC filed an arbitration claim seeking indemnification from us for certain costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with the case. Substantial discovery has taken place to date and additional discovery is expected to occur. No trial date has been set. The parties have had initial discussions regarding their respective positions in the case; however, no resolution of this case has been reached or can be assured prior to the case proceeding to trial.
We believe that we have conducted our operations in full compliance with applicable statutory requirements and that we have meritorious defenses to the claims made in the case the related arbitration proceeding, and intend to contest the claims vigorously. Nevertheless, it is possible that resolution of these legal matters could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations in a particular financial reporting period. We believe that we will continue to incur legal expenses associated with the defense of these matters, which may be material to our consolidated results of operations in a particular financial reporting period. We believe that any resolution of this case and all related matters will not have a material effect on our liquidity or financial condition.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Not Applicable.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Not Applicable.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Not Applicable.
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Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
(a) The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Healthways, Inc. was held on January 19, 2006.
(c) The following proposals were voted upon at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
| (i) | Nominations to elect Henry D. Herr, Dr. Jay Bisgard, and Dr. Mary Jane England as Directors of the Company. The results of the election of the above-mentioned nominees were as follows: |
| For
| Against
| Withheld
|
---|
Henry D. Herr | | 28,929,038 | | | -- | 3,094,733 | |
|
Dr. Jay Bisgard | | 30,898,816 | | | -- | 1,124,955 | |
|
Dr. Mary Jane England | | 30,899,875 | | | -- | 1,123,896 | |
|
| (ii) | Approval to amend the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and change the name of the Company from American Healthways, Inc. to “Healthways, Inc.” The voting results of the above-mentioned amendment were as follows: |
For
| | Against
| | Abstain from Voting
|
---|
31,210,311 | | 800,784 | | 12,676 |
| (iii) | Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The voting results were as follows: |
For
| | Against
| | Abstain from Voting
|
---|
31,962,683 | | 43,849 | | 17,239 |
Item 5. Other Information.
Not Applicable.
Item 6. Exhibits.
| 10 | 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended |
| 11 | Earnings Per Share Reconciliation |
| 31.1 | Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 made by Ben R. Leedle, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer |
| 31.2 | Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 made by Mary A. Chaput, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
| 32 | Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 made by Ben R. Leedle, Jr., President |
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| | and Chief Executive Officer and Mary A. Chaput, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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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.
| | | Healthways, Inc. —————————————— (Registrant) |
| | | |
Date April 7, 2006 —————————— | | By | /s/ Mary A. Chaput —————————————— Mary A. Chaput Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
| | | |
Date April 7, 2006 —————————— | | By | /s/ Alfred Lumsdaine —————————————— Alfred Lumsdaine Senior Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) |
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