Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2013 |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ' |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | ' |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: |
Organization and Description of Business— |
HealthSouth Corporation, incorporated in Delaware in 1984, including its subsidiaries, is the largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States in terms of patients treated and discharged, revenues, and number of hospitals. We operate inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and provide specialized rehabilitative treatment on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. While our national network of inpatient hospitals stretches across 28 states and Puerto Rico, we are concentrated in the eastern half of the United States and Texas. As of December 31, 2013, we operated 103 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals (including two hospitals that operate as joint ventures which we account for using the equity method of accounting). We are the sole owner of 72 of these hospitals. We retain 50.0% to 97.5% ownership in the remaining 31 jointly owned hospitals. We also had 20 outpatient rehabilitation satellite clinics (operated by our hospitals) and 25 licensed, hospital-based home health agencies. In addition to HealthSouth hospitals, we manage three inpatient rehabilitation units through management contracts. |
Reclassifications— |
Certain immaterial amounts have been revised to conform to the current year presentation. In our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, we reclassified amounts previously reported as Other long-term liabilities to a combination of Capital in excess of par value, noncurrent Deferred income tax assets, and Redeemable noncontrolling interests. These amounts relate to a joint venture entity where the partner’s noncontrolling interest includes redemption features that are not solely within our control. This adjustment decreased liabilities by $6.2 million, decreased shareholders’ equity by $0.6 million, increased assets by $0.4 million, and increased amounts in the mezzanine section of our consolidated balance sheet by $7.2 million. See Note 11, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests. |
Out-of-Period Adjustments— |
During 2011, we recorded additional income tax expense of approximately $7 million for out-of-period adjustments primarily related to corrections to our 2010 deferred tax assets associated with our net operating losses (“NOLs”) and the corresponding valuation allowance. We corrected the errors in our financial statements by increasing our Provision for income tax expense, which resulted in a reduction of Income from continuing operations and Net income for the year ended December 31, 2011. We do not believe the errors or their corrections are material to the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2011 or to any prior years’ consolidated financial statements. See Note 16, Income Taxes. |
See also Note 17, Earnings per Common Share. |
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation— |
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of HealthSouth and its subsidiaries were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and include the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses of all wholly owned subsidiaries, majority-owned subsidiaries over which we exercise control, and, when applicable, entities in which we have a controlling financial interest. |
We use the equity method to account for our investments in entities we do not control, but where we have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. Consolidated Net income attributable to HealthSouth includes our share of the net earnings of these entities. The difference between consolidation and the equity method impacts certain of our financial ratios because of the presentation of the detailed line items reported in the consolidated financial statements for consolidated entities compared to a one line presentation of equity method investments. |
We use the cost method to account for our investments in entities we do not control and for which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. In accordance with the cost method, these investments are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, as appropriate. |
We also consider the guidance for consolidating variable interest entities. |
We eliminate all significant intercompany accounts and transactions from our financial results. |
Use of Estimates and Assumptions— |
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but not limited to: (1) allowance for contractual revenue adjustments; (2) allowance for doubtful accounts; (3) asset impairments, including goodwill; (4) depreciable lives of assets; (5) useful lives of intangible assets; (6) economic lives and fair value of leased assets; (7) income tax valuation allowances; (8) uncertain tax positions; (9) fair value of stock options and restricted stock containing a market condition; (10) fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests; (11) reserves for self-insured healthcare plans; (12) reserves for professional, workers’ compensation, and comprehensive general insurance liability risks; and (13) contingency and litigation reserves. Future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty; accordingly, our accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements will change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained, and as our operating environment changes. We evaluate and update our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and may employ outside experts to assist in our evaluation, as considered necessary. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
Risks and Uncertainties— |
As a healthcare provider, we are required to comply with extensive and complex laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local government levels. These laws and regulations relate to, among other things: |
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• | licensure, certification, and accreditation; | | | | | | | |
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• | policies, either at the national or local level, delineating what conditions must be met to qualify for reimbursement under Medicare (also referred to as coverage requirements); | | | | | | | |
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• | coding and billing for services; | | | | | | | |
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• | requirements of the 60% compliance threshold under The Medicare, Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Extension Act of 2007; | | | | | | | |
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• | relationships with physicians and other referral sources, including physician self-referral and anti-kickback laws; | | | | | | | |
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• | quality of medical care; | | | | | | | |
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• | use and maintenance of medical supplies and equipment; | | | | | | | |
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• | maintenance and security of patient information and medical records; | | | | | | | |
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• | acquisition and dispensing of pharmaceuticals and controlled substances; and | | | | | | | |
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• | disposal of medical and hazardous waste. | | | | | | | |
In the future, changes in these laws or regulations or the manner in which they are enforced could subject our current or past practices to allegations of impropriety or illegality or could require us to make changes in our hospitals, equipment, personnel, services, capital expenditure programs, operating procedures, and contractual arrangements. |
If we fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could be subjected to liabilities, including (1) criminal penalties, (2) civil penalties, including monetary penalties and the loss of our licenses to operate one or more of our hospitals, and (3) exclusion or suspension of one or more of our hospitals from participation in the Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal and state healthcare programs which, if lengthy in duration and material to us, could potentially trigger a default under our credit agreement. Because Medicare comprises a significant portion of our Net operating revenues, it is important for us to remain compliant with the laws and regulations governing the Medicare program and related matters including anti-kickback and anti-fraud requirements. Reductions in reimbursements, substantial damages, and other remedies assessed against us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operation, and cash flows. Even the assertion of a violation, depending on its nature, could have a material adverse effect upon our stock price or reputation. |
Historically, the United States Congress and some state legislatures have periodically proposed significant changes in regulations governing the healthcare system. Many of these changes have resulted in limitations on the increases in and, in some cases, significant roll-backs or reductions in the levels of payments to healthcare providers for services under many government reimbursement programs. Additionally, concerns held by federal policymakers about the federal deficit, national debt levels, and reforming the sustainable growth rate formula used to pay physicians who treat Medicare beneficiaries (the so called “Doc Fix”) could result in enactment of further federal spending reductions, further entitlement reform legislation affecting the Medicare program, and/or further reductions to provider payments. There can be no assurance that future governmental initiatives will not result in pricing roll-backs or freezes or reimbursement reductions. Because we receive a significant percentage of our revenues from Medicare, such changes in legislation might have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, if any such changes were to occur. |
Pursuant to legislative directives and authorizations from Congress, the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) developed and instituted various Medicare audit programs. We undertake significant efforts through training and education to ensure compliance with coding and medical necessity coverage rules. Despite our belief that our coding and assessment of patients is accurate, audits may lead to assertions that we have been underpaid or overpaid by Medicare or submitted improper claims in some instances, require us to incur additional costs to respond to requests for records and defend the validity of payments and claims, and ultimately require us to refund any amounts determined to have been overpaid. We cannot predict when or how these programs will affect us. |
In addition, there are increasing pressures from many third-party payors to control healthcare costs and to reduce or limit increases in reimbursement rates for medical services. Our relationships with managed care and nongovernmental third-party payors are generally governed by negotiated agreements. These agreements set forth the amounts we are entitled to receive for our services. We could be adversely affected in some of the markets where we operate if we are unable to negotiate and maintain favorable agreements with third-party payors. |
Our third-party payors may also, from time to time, request audits of the amounts paid, or to be paid, to us. We could be adversely affected in some of the markets where we operate if the auditing payor alleges that substantial overpayments were made to us due to coding errors or lack of documentation to support medical necessity determinations. |
As discussed in Note 18, Contingencies and Other Commitments, we are a party to a number of lawsuits. We cannot predict the outcome of litigation filed against us. Substantial damages or other monetary remedies assessed against us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. |
Net Operating Revenues— |
We derived consolidated Net operating revenues from the following payor sources: |
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| For the Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Medicare | 74.5 | % | | 73.4 | % | | 72 | % |
Medicaid | 1.2 | % | | 1.2 | % | | 1.6 | % |
Workers' compensation | 1.2 | % | | 1.5 | % | | 1.6 | % |
Managed care and other discount plans, including Medicare Advantage | 18.5 | % | | 19.3 | % | | 19.8 | % |
Other third-party payors | 1.8 | % | | 1.8 | % | | 2 | % |
Patients | 1.1 | % | | 1.3 | % | | 1.2 | % |
Other income | 1.7 | % | | 1.5 | % | | 1.8 | % |
Total | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
We recognize net patient service revenues in the reporting period in which we perform the service based on our current billing rates (i.e., gross charges), less actual adjustments and estimated discounts for contractual allowances (principally for patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and managed care and other health plans). We record gross service charges in our accounting records on an accrual basis using our established rates for the type of service provided to the patient. We recognize an estimated contractual allowance and an estimate of potential subsequent adjustments that may arise from post-payment and other reviews to reduce gross patient charges to the amount we estimate we will actually realize for the service rendered based upon previously agreed to rates with a payor. Our patient accounting system calculates contractual allowances on a patient-by-patient basis based on the rates in effect for each primary third-party payor. Other factors that are considered and could further influence the level of our reserves include the patient’s total length of stay for in-house patients, each patient’s discharge destination, the proportion of patients with secondary insurance coverage and the level of reimbursement under that secondary coverage, and the amount of charges that will be disallowed by payors. Such additional factors are assumed to remain consistent with the experience for patients discharged in similar time periods for the same payor classes, and additional reserves are provided to account for these factors. Payors include federal and state agencies, including Medicare and Medicaid, managed care health plans, commercial insurance companies, employers, and patients. |
Management continually reviews the contractual estimation process to consider and incorporate updates to laws and regulations and the frequent changes in managed care contractual terms that result from contract renegotiations and renewals. Due to complexities involved in determining amounts ultimately due under reimbursement arrangements with third-party payors, which are often subject to interpretation, we may receive reimbursement for healthcare services authorized and provided that is different from our estimates, and such differences could be material. In addition, laws and regulations governing the Medicare and Medicaid programs are complex, subject to interpretation, and are routinely modified for provider reimbursement. All healthcare providers participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs are required to meet certain financial reporting requirements. Federal regulations require submission of annual cost reports covering medical costs and expenses associated with the services provided by each hospital to program beneficiaries. Annual cost reports required under the Medicare and Medicaid programs are subject to routine audits, which may result in adjustments to the amounts ultimately determined to be due to HealthSouth under these reimbursement programs. These audits often require several years to reach the final determination of amounts earned under the programs. If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and judgments, we may be exposed to gains or losses that could be material. |
CMS has been granted authority to suspend payments, in whole or in part, to Medicare providers if CMS possesses reliable information an overpayment, fraud, or willful misrepresentation exists. If CMS suspects payments are being made as the result of fraud or misrepresentation, CMS may suspend payment at any time without providing prior notice to us. The initial suspension period is limited to 180 days. However, the payment suspension period can be extended almost indefinitely if the matter is under investigation by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (the “HHS-OIG”) or the United States Department of Justice. Therefore, we are unable to predict if or when we may be subject to a suspension of payments by the Medicare and/or Medicaid programs, the possible length of the suspension period, or the potential cash flow impact of a payment suspension. Any such suspension would adversely impact our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. |
Pursuant to legislative directives and authorizations from Congress, CMS has developed and instituted various Medicare audit programs under which CMS contracts with private companies to conduct claims and medical record audits. One type of audit contractor, the Recovery Audit Contractors (“RACs”), began post-payment audit processes in late 2009 for providers in general. In connection with CMS approved and announced RAC audits related to IRFs, we received requests in 2013 to review certain patient files for discharges occurring from 2010 to 2013. These post-payment RAC audits are focused on medical necessity requirements for admission to IRFs rather than targeting a specific diagnosis code as in previous pre-payment audits. Medical necessity is a subjective assessment by an independent physician of a patient’s ability to tolerate and benefit from intensive multi-disciplinary therapy provided in an IRF setting. |
To date, the Medicare payments that are subject to these audit requests represent less than 1% of our Medicare patient discharges from 2010 to 2013, and not all of these patient file requests have resulted in payment denial determinations by the RACs. Because we have confidence in the medical judgment of both the referring and the admitting physicians who assess the treatment needs of their patients, we currently intend to appeal substantially all RAC denials arising from these audits using the same process we follow for appealing denials of certain diagnosis codes by Medicare Administrative Contractors (“MACs”) (see “Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts” below). Due to the delays announced by CMS in the related adjudication process, we believe the resolution of any claims that are subsequently denied as a result of these RAC audits could take in excess of two years. In addition, because we have limited experience with RACS in the context of post-payment reviews of this nature, we cannot provide assurance as to the future success of these disputes. As such, we make provisions for these claims based on our historical experience and success rates in the claim adjudication process. Because these reviews involve post-payment claims, there are no corresponding patient receivables in our consolidated balance sheet. As the ultimate results of these audits impact our estimates of amounts determined to be due to HealthSouth under these reimbursement programs, our provision for claims that are part of this post-payment review process are recorded to Net operating revenues. During 2013, we reduced our Net operating revenues by approximately $8 million for post-payment claims that are part of this review process. |
Cash and Cash Equivalents— |
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased. Carrying values of Cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. |
We maintain amounts on deposit with various financial institutions, which may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. However, management periodically evaluates the credit-worthiness of those institutions, and we have not experienced any losses on such deposits. |
Marketable Securities— |
We record all equity securities with readily determinable fair values and for which we do not exercise significant influence as available-for-sale securities. We carry the available-for-sale securities at fair value and report unrealized holding gains or losses, net of income taxes, in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, which is a separate component of shareholders’ equity. We recognize realized gains and losses in our consolidated statements of operations using the specific identification method. |
Unrealized losses are charged against earnings when a decline in fair value is determined to be other than temporary. Management reviews several factors to determine whether a loss is other than temporary, such as the length of time a security is in an unrealized loss position, the extent to which fair value is less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, industry, or geographic area and our ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. |
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts— |
We report accounts receivable at estimated net realizable amounts from services rendered from federal and state agencies (under the Medicare and Medicaid programs), managed care health plans, commercial insurance companies, workers’ compensation programs, employers, and patients. Our accounts receivable are geographically dispersed, but a significant portion of our revenues are concentrated by type of payors. The concentration of net patient service accounts receivable by payor class, as a percentage of total net patient service accounts receivable, is as follows: |
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| As of December 31, | | | |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | | |
Medicare | 67.4 | % | | 62.8 | % | | | |
Medicaid | 2 | % | | 2.1 | % | | | |
Workers' compensation | 2.6 | % | | 3 | % | | | |
Managed care and other discount plans, including Medicare Advantage | 22.4 | % | | 25.8 | % | | | |
Other third-party payors | 4 | % | | 4.3 | % | | | |
Patients | 1.6 | % | | 2 | % | | | |
Total | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | | |
While revenues and accounts receivable from the Medicare program are significant to our operations, we do not believe there are significant credit risks associated with this government agency. Because Medicare traditionally pays claims faster than our other third-party payors, the percentage of our Medicare charges in accounts receivable is less than the percentage of our Medicare revenues. We do not believe there are any other significant concentrations of revenues from any particular payor that would subject us to any significant credit risks in the collection of our accounts receivable. |
We provide for accounts receivable that could become uncollectible by establishing an allowance to reduce the carrying value of such receivables to their estimated net realizable value. Additions to the allowance for doubtful accounts are made by means of the Provision for doubtful accounts. We write off uncollectible accounts (after exhausting collection efforts) against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Subsequent recoveries are recorded via the Provision for doubtful accounts. |
The collection of outstanding receivables from Medicare, managed care payors, other third-party payors, and patients is our primary source of cash and is critical to our operating performance. While it is our policy to verify insurance prior to a patient being admitted, there are various exceptions that can occur. Such exceptions include instances where we are (1) unable to obtain verification because the patient’s insurance company was unable to be reached or contacted, (2) a determination is made that a patient may be eligible for benefits under various government programs, such as Medicaid, and it takes several days, weeks, or months before qualification for such benefits is confirmed or denied, and (3) the patient is transferred to our hospital from an acute care hospital without having access to a credit card, cash, or check to pay the applicable patient responsibility amounts (i.e., deductibles and co-payments). Based on our historical collection trends, our primary collection risks relate to patient accounts for which the patient was the primary payor or the primary insurance carrier has paid the amounts covered by the applicable agreement, but patient responsibility amounts remain outstanding. Changes in the economy, such as increased unemployment rates or periods of recession, can further exacerbate our ability to collect patient responsibility amounts. |
We estimate our allowance for doubtful accounts based on the aging of our accounts receivable, our historical collection experience for each type of payor, and other relevant factors so that the remaining receivables, net of allowances, are reflected at their estimated net realizable values. Accounts requiring collection efforts are reviewed via system-generated work queues that automatically stage (based on age and size of outstanding balance) accounts requiring collection efforts for patient account representatives. Collection efforts include contacting the applicable party (both in writing and by telephone), providing information (both financial and clinical) to allow for payment or to overturn payor decisions to deny payment, and arranging payment plans with self-pay patients, among other techniques. When we determine all in-house efforts have been exhausted or it is a more prudent use of resources, accounts may be turned over to a collection agency. Accounts are written off after all collection efforts (internal and external) have been exhausted. |
For several years, under programs designated as “widespread probes,” certain of our MACs have conducted pre-payment claim reviews of our billings and denied payment for certain diagnosis codes based on medical necessity. We dispute, or “appeal,” most of these denials, and we have historically collected approximately 58% of all amounts denied. For claims we choose to take through all levels of appeal, up to and including administrative law judge hearings, we have historically experienced an approximate 70% success rate. The resolution of these disputes can take in excess of two years, and we cannot provide assurance as to our ongoing and future success of these disputes. As such, we make provisions against these receivables in accordance with our accounting policy that necessarily considers historical collection trends of the receivables in this review process as part of our Provision for doubtful accounts. Because we do not write-off receivables until all collection efforts have been exhausted, we do not write-off receivables related to denied claims while they are in this review process. When the amount collected related to denied claims differs from the net amount previously recorded, these collection differences are recorded in the Provision for doubtful accounts. As a result, the timing of these denials by MACs and their subsequent collection can create volatility in our Provision for doubtful accounts. |
If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and judgments, we may be exposed to gains or losses that could be material. Changes in general economic conditions, business office operations, payor mix, or trends in federal or state governmental and private employer healthcare coverage could affect our collection of accounts receivable, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. |
Property and Equipment— |
We report land, buildings, improvements, and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization and any asset impairments. We report assets under capital lease obligations at the lower of fair value or the present value of the aggregate future minimum lease payments at the beginning of the lease term. We depreciate our assets using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the assets or life of the lease term, excluding any lease renewals, unless the lease renewals are reasonably assured. Useful lives are generally as follows: |
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Buildings | 10 to 30 | | | | | |
Leasehold improvements | 2 to 15 | | | | | |
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment | 3 to 10 | | | | | |
Assets under capital lease obligations: | | | | | | |
Real estate | 15 to 20 | | | | | |
Equipment | 3 to 5 | | | | | |
Maintenance and repairs of property and equipment are expensed as incurred. We capitalize replacements and betterments that increase the estimated useful life of an asset. We capitalize pre-acquisition costs when they are directly identifiable with a specific property, the costs would be capitalizable if the property were already acquired, and acquisition of the property is probable. We capitalize interest expense on major construction and development projects while in progress. |
We retain fully depreciated assets in property and accumulated depreciation accounts until we remove them from service. In the case of sale, retirement, or disposal, the asset cost and related accumulated depreciation balances are removed from the respective accounts, and the resulting net amount, less any proceeds, is included as a component of income from continuing operations in the consolidated statements of operations. However, if the sale, retirement, or disposal involves a discontinued operation, the resulting net amount, less any proceeds, is included in the results of discontinued operations. |
We account for operating leases by recognizing escalated rents, including any rent holidays, on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. |
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets— |
We are required to test our goodwill for impairment at least annually, absent some triggering event that would accelerate an impairment assessment. Absent any impairment indicators, we perform our goodwill impairment testing as of October 1st of each year. |
We recognize an impairment charge for any amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. We present a goodwill impairment charge as a separate line item within income from continuing operations in the consolidated statements of operations, unless the goodwill impairment is associated with a discontinued operation. In that case, we include the goodwill impairment charge, on a net-of-tax basis, within the results of discontinued operations. |
We assess qualitative factors in our single reporting unit to determine whether it is necessary to perform the first step of the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. If, based on this qualitative assessment, we were to believe we must proceed to Step 1, we would determine the fair value of our reporting unit using generally accepted valuation techniques including the income approach and the market approach. The income approach includes the use of our reporting unit’s discounted projected operating results and cash flows. This approach includes many assumptions related to pricing and volume, operating expenses, capital expenditures, discount factors, tax rates, etc. Changes in economic and operating conditions impacting these assumptions could result in goodwill impairment in future periods. We reconcile the estimated fair value of our reporting unit to our market capitalization. When we dispose of a hospital, goodwill is allocated to the gain or loss on disposition using the relative fair value methodology. |
We amortize the cost of intangible assets with finite useful lives over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual value. As of December 31, 2013, none of our finite useful lived intangible assets has an estimated residual value. We also review these assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate we may not be able to recover the asset’s carrying amount. As of December 31, 2013, we do not have any intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. The range of estimated useful lives and the amortization basis for our other intangible assets are generally as follows: |
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and Amortization Basis | | | |
Certificates of need | 10 to 30 years using straight-line basis | | | |
Licenses | 10 to 20 years using straight-line basis | | | |
Noncompete agreements | 3 to 18 years using straight-line basis | | | |
Tradenames | 10 to 20 years using straight-line basis | | | |
Internal-use software | 3 to 7 years using straight-line basis | | | |
Market access assets | 20 years using accelerated basis | | | |
We capitalize the costs of obtaining or developing internal-use software, including external direct costs of material and services and directly related payroll costs. Amortization begins when the internal-use software is ready for its intended use. Costs incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages, as well as maintenance and training costs, are expensed as incurred. |
Our market access assets are valued using discounted cash flows under the income approach. The value of the market access assets is attributable to our ability to gain access to and penetrate an acquired facility’s historical market patient base. To determine this value, we first develop a debt-free net cash flow forecast under various patient volume scenarios. The debt-free net cash flow is then discounted back to present value using a discount factor, which includes an adjustment for company-specific risk. As noted in the above table, we amortize these assets over 20 years using an accelerated basis that reflects the pattern in which we believe the economic benefits of the market access will be consumed. |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Intangible Assets— |
We assess the recoverability of long-lived assets (excluding goodwill) and identifiable acquired intangible assets with finite useful lives, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate we may not be able to recover the asset’s carrying amount. We measure the recoverability of assets to be held and used by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the expected net future cash flows to be generated by that asset, or, for identifiable intangibles with finite useful lives, by determining whether the amortization of the intangible asset balance over its remaining life can be recovered through undiscounted future cash flows. The amount of impairment of identifiable intangible assets with finite useful lives, if any, to be recognized is measured based on projected discounted future cash flows. We measure the amount of impairment of other long-lived assets (excluding goodwill) as the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair market value of the asset, which is generally determined based on projected discounted future cash flows or appraised values. We classify long-lived assets to be disposed of other than by sale as held and used until they are disposed. We report long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale as held for sale and recognize those assets in the balance sheet at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell, and we cease depreciation. |
Investments in and Advances to Nonconsolidated Affiliates— |
Investments in entities we do not control but in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee are accounted for under the equity method. Equity method investments are recorded at original cost and adjusted periodically to recognize our proportionate share of the investees’ net income or losses after the date of investment, additional contributions made, dividends or distributions received, and impairment losses resulting from adjustments to net realizable value. We record equity method losses in excess of the carrying amount of an investment when we guarantee obligations or we are otherwise committed to provide further financial support to the affiliate. |
We use the cost method to account for equity investments for which the equity securities do not have readily determinable fair values and for which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence. Under the cost method of accounting, private equity investments are carried at cost and are adjusted only for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, additional investments, or distributions deemed to be a return of capital. |
Management periodically assesses the recoverability of our equity method and cost method investments and equity method goodwill for impairment. We consider all available information, including the recoverability of the investment, the earnings and near-term prospects of the affiliate, factors related to the industry, conditions of the affiliate, and our ability, if any, to influence the management of the affiliate. We assess fair value based on valuation methodologies, as appropriate, including discounted cash flows, estimates of sales proceeds, and external appraisals, as appropriate. If an investment or equity method goodwill is considered to be impaired and the decline in value is other than temporary, we record an appropriate write-down. |
Financing Costs— |
We amortize financing costs using the effective interest method over the expected life of the related debt. The related expense is included in Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees in our consolidated statements of operations. |
We accrete discounts and amortize premiums using the effective interest method over the expected life of the related debt, and we report discounts or premiums as a direct deduction from, or addition to, the face amount of the financing. The related income or expense is included in Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees in our consolidated statements of operations. |
Fair Value Measurements— |
Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. |
The basis for these assumptions establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: |
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• | Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; | | | | | | | |
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• | Level 2 – Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and | | | | | | | |
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• | Level 3 – Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. | | | | | | | |
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of three valuation techniques. The three valuation techniques are as follows: |
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• | Market approach – Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; | | | | | | | |
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• | Cost approach – Amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (i.e., replacement cost); and | | | | | | | |
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• | Income approach – Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing models, and lattice models). | | | | | | | |
Our financial instruments consist mainly of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, restricted marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable, letters of credit, and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair value of our letters of credit is deemed to be the amount of payment guaranteed on our behalf by third-party financial institutions. We determine the fair value of our long-term debt using quoted market prices, when available, or discounted cash flows based on various factors, including maturity schedules, call features, and current market rates. |
On a recurring basis, we are required to measure our available-for-sale restricted marketable securities. The fair values of our available-for-sale restricted marketable securities are determined based on quoted market prices in active markets or quoted prices, dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources supported by observable inputs in markets that are not considered to be active. |
On a nonrecurring basis, we are required to measure property and equipment, goodwill, other intangible assets, investments in nonconsolidated affiliates, and assets and liabilities of discontinued operations at fair value. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges or similar adjustments made to the carrying value of the applicable assets. The fair value of our property and equipment is determined using discounted cash flows and significant unobservable inputs, unless there is an offer to purchase such assets, which could be the basis for determining fair value. The fair value of our intangible assets, excluding goodwill, is determined using discounted cash flows and significant unobservable inputs. The fair value of our investments in nonconsolidated affiliates is determined using quoted prices in private markets, discounted cash flows or earnings, or market multiples derived from a set of comparables. The fair value of our assets and liabilities of discontinued operations is determined using discounted cash flows and significant unobservable inputs unless there is an offer to purchase such assets and liabilities, which would be the basis for determining fair value. The fair value of our goodwill is determined using discounted projected operating results and cash flows, which involve significant unobservable inputs. |
See also the “Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests” section of this note. |
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliates— |
The consolidated financial statements include all assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses of less-than-100%-owned affiliates we control. Accordingly, we have recorded noncontrolling interests in the earnings and equity of such entities. We record adjustments to noncontrolling interests for the allocable portion of income or loss to which the noncontrolling interests holders are entitled based upon their portion of the subsidiaries they own. Distributions to holders of noncontrolling interests are adjusted to the respective noncontrolling interests holders’ balance. |
Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock— |
Our Convertible perpetual preferred stock contains fundamental change provisions that allow the holder to require us to redeem the preferred stock for cash if certain events occur. As redemption under these provisions is not solely within our control, we have classified our Convertible perpetual preferred stock as temporary equity. |
Because our Convertible perpetual preferred stock is indexed to, and potentially settled in, our common stock, we also examined whether the embedded conversion option in our Convertible perpetual preferred stock should be bifurcated. Based on our analysis, we determined bifurcation is not necessary. |
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests— |
Certain of our joint venture agreements contain provisions that allow our partners to require us to purchase their interests in the joint venture at fair value at certain points in the future. Because these noncontrolling interests provide for redemption features that are not solely within our control, we classify them as Redeemable noncontrolling interests outside of permanent equity in our consolidated balance sheets. At the end of each reporting period, we compare the carrying value of the Redeemable noncontrolling interests to their estimated redemption value. If the estimated redemption value is greater than the current carrying value, the carrying value is adjusted to the estimated redemption value, with the adjustments recorded through equity in the line item Capital in excess of par value. |
The fair value of our Redeemable noncontrolling interests is determined primarily using the income approach. The income approach includes the use of the hospital’s projected operating results and cash flows discounted using a rate that reflects market participant assumptions for the applicable hospitals, or Level 3 inputs. The projected operating results use management’s best estimates of economic and market conditions over the forecasted periods including assumptions for pricing and volume, operating expenses, and capital expenditures. |
Share-Based Payments— |
HealthSouth has shareholder-approved stock-based compensation plans that provide for the granting of stock-based compensation to certain employees and directors. All share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the financial statements based on their estimated grant-date fair value and amortized on a straight-line basis over the applicable requisite service period. |
Litigation Reserves— |
We accrue for loss contingencies associated with outstanding litigation for which management has determined it is probable a loss contingency exists and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If the accrued amount associated with a loss contingency is greater than $5.0 million, we also accrue estimated future legal fees associated with the loss contingency. This requires management to estimate the amount of legal fees that will be incurred in the defense of the litigation. These estimates are based on our expectations of the scope, length to complete, and complexity of the claims. In the future, additional adjustments may be recorded as the scope, length, or complexity of outstanding litigation changes. |
Advertising Costs— |
We expense costs of print, radio, television, and other advertisements as incurred. Advertising expenses, primarily included in Other operating expenses within the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, were $5.2 million, $5.0 million, and $4.3 million in each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. |
Professional Fees—Accounting, Tax, and Legal— |
In 2013, 2012, and 2011, Professional fees—accounting, tax, and legal related primarily to legal and consulting fees for continued litigation and support matters discussed in Note 18, Contingencies and Other Commitments. These expenses in 2012 also included legal and consulting fees for the pursuit of our remaining income tax benefits, as discussed in Note 16, Income Taxes. |
Income Taxes— |
We provide for income taxes using the asset and liability method. This approach recognizes the amount of income taxes payable or refundable for the current year, as well as deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequence of events recognized in the consolidated financial statements and income tax returns. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are adjusted to recognize the effects of changes in tax laws or enacted tax rates. |
A valuation allowance is required when it is more likely than not some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Realization is dependent on generating sufficient future taxable income in the applicable tax jurisdiction. On a quarterly basis, we assess the likelihood of realization of our deferred tax assets considering all available evidence, both positive and negative. Our most recent operating performance, the scheduled reversal of temporary differences, our forecast of taxable income in future periods by jurisdiction, our ability to sustain a core level of earnings, and the availability of prudent tax planning strategies are important considerations in our assessment. |
We evaluate our tax positions and establish assets and liabilities in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance on uncertainty in income taxes. We review these tax uncertainties in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, and adjust them accordingly. |
We use the with-and-without method to determine when we will recognize excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Under this method, we recognize these excess tax benefits only after we fully realize the tax benefits of net operating losses. |
HealthSouth and its corporate subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Some subsidiaries consolidated for financial reporting purposes are not part of the consolidated group for federal income tax purposes and file separate federal income tax returns. State income tax returns are filed on a separate, combined, or consolidated basis in accordance with relevant state laws and regulations. Partnerships, limited liability companies, and other pass-through entities we consolidate or account for using the equity method of accounting file separate federal and state income tax returns. We include the allocable portion of each pass-through entity’s income or loss in our federal income tax return. We allocate the remaining income or loss of each pass-through entity to the other partners or members who are responsible for their portion of the taxes. |
Assets and Liabilities in and Results of Discontinued Operations— |
Components of an entity that have been disposed of or are classified as held for sale and have operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the entity are reported as discontinued operations. In the period a component of an entity has been disposed of or classified as held for sale, we reclassify the results of operations for current and prior periods into a single caption titled (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax. In addition, we classify the assets and liabilities of those components as current and noncurrent assets and liabilities within Prepaid expenses and other current assets, Other long-term assets, Other current liabilities, and Other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. We also classify cash flows related to discontinued operations as one line item within each category of cash flows in our consolidated statements of cash flows. |
Earnings per Common Share— |
The calculation of earnings per common share is based on the weighted-average number of our common shares outstanding during the applicable period. The calculation for diluted earnings per common share recognizes the effect of all potential dilutive common shares, including warrants, that were outstanding during the respective periods, unless their impact would be antidilutive. The calculation of earnings per common share also considers the effect of participating securities. Stock-based compensation awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends and dividend equivalents, such as our nonvested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, are considered participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per common share pursuant to the two-class method. In applying the two-class method, earnings are allocated to both common stock shares and participating securities based on their respective weighted-average shares outstanding for the period. |
We use the if-converted method to include our Convertible perpetual preferred stock and convertible senior subordinated notes in our computation of diluted earnings per share. All other potential dilutive shares, including warrants, are included in our weighted-average diluted share count using the treasury stock method. |
Treasury Stock— |
Shares of common stock repurchased by us are recorded at cost as treasury stock. When shares are reissued, we use an average cost method to determine cost. The difference between the cost of the shares and the reissuance price is added to or deducted from Capital in excess of par value. We account for the retirement of treasury stock as a reduction of retained earnings. However, due to our Accumulated deficit, the retirement of treasury stock is currently recorded as a reduction of Capital in excess of par value. |
Comprehensive Income— |
Comprehensive income is comprised of Net income and changes in unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities and is included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements— |
We do not believe any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. |