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Pharmacy Services
Pharmacy services revenue (before intersegment eliminations) increased $90 million, or 8%, to $1,224.4 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002 compared to $1,134.4 million for twelve months ended September 30, 2001. Revenues from intersegment customers, which are eliminated in consolidation, increased $2.4 million, or 2%, to $100.5 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002 compared to $98.1 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in pharmacy service revenues with external customers increased $87.6 million, or 8%, due to favorable changes in bed mix and patient acuity, and increased product pricing.
Cost of sales (before intersegment eliminations) increased $61.3 million, or 9%, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002, to $764 million from $702.7 million for the same period in the prior year. Of this growth, $55.7 million is attributed to pharmacy and medical supply revenue growth, and $5.6 million is due to margin compression related changes in payor mix and reductions in reimbursement rates. As a percentage of revenue, cost of sales for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 was 62%. Other operating expenses for this segment, including salaries, wages and benefits, increased $17 million, or 5%, to $348.1 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002 compared to $331.1 million for the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of revenue, other operating costs declined to 28% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002 from 29% for the comparable period in the prior year. This decline is attributed to improved cost control and the leveraging of fixed costs against increased revenues.
As a result of the factors described above, operating income increased $11.7 million, or 12% to $112.3 million for twelve months ended September 30, 2002 from $100.6 million for the same period in the prior year. Operating income margin improved to 9.2% in the twelve months ended September 30, 2002 from 8.9% in the same period in the current year. Operating income of our segments does not include an allocation of corporate overhead costs and certain other adjustments.
Fiscal 2001 Compared to Fiscal 2000:
Consolidated Results
Revenues
For the twelve months ended September 30, 2001, net revenues increased $124.6 million, or 5%, to $2,452.2 million from $2,327.6 million. Of this growth, external pharmacy services revenue increased by $86.4 million, inpatient service revenue increased $28.3 million and all other business lines grew $9.9 million. See “Segment Results” discussed further in this section.
Salaries, wages and benefits for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 increased $10.1 million, or 1%, to $1,045.4 million from $1,035.3 million for the same period in the prior year. This increase is offset by net reductions of $24.3 million resulting from divested eldercare centers exited and new eldercare centers under operation in the twelve months ended September 30, 2000. Salaries, wages and benefits cost, considering the impact of divested and new eldercare centers, increased $34.4 million or 3% driven by operational growth, inflationary cost increases and the relative mix of employed labor versus agency labor costs. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, adjusted on a same-store-basis for the impact of divested and new eldercare centers, salaries, wages and benefits decreased for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 to 42.6% compared to 44.6% for the same period in the prior year. This decrease as a percentage of revenue resulted from net revenue growth in our pharmacy segment which is our least labor intensive business, and therefore did not require proportional increases in labor related costs.
Cost of sales increased $68.8 million, or 12%, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 to $642.8 million from $574 million in the same period in the prior year. Of this increase, $52.2 million is attributed primarily to pharmacy revenue growth, with the remaining $16.6 million attributed to margin compression related to changes in payor and product mix.
Our other operating expenses, including our general and administrative expenses, decreased $171.2 million, or 21%, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 to $637.4 million from $808.6 million in the prior year. Of the net decrease, $213.8 million is attributed to a decrease in certain charges for the twelve month periods ended September 30, 2001 and 2000 equaling $101.6 million and $315.4 million, respectively (included in other operating expenses and described more fully in the paragraphs and tables that follow). In addition, operating expense was reduced by approximately $18.6 million for the net operating cost savings resulting from divested and new eldercare centers. Agency labor costs, including nursing agency costs, increased approximately $12.8 million in the twelve months September 30, 2001. The remaining operating cost growth of $48.5 million is attributed to operational growth and general inflationary cost increases.
During fiscal 2001, we recorded costs in connection with certain uncollectible receivables, insurance related costs and other charges included in other operating expenses. The following table and discussion provides additional information on these charges (in thousands):
| 2001 | |
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Notes receivable, advances, and trade receivables, due from affiliated businesses formerly owned or managed deemed uncollectible | $ | 30,048 | |
Uncollectible trade receivables | | 39,249 | |
Self-insured and related program costs | | 15,110 | |
Other charges | | 17,231 | |
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Total uncollectible receivable, insurance related and other charges included in other operating expenses | $ | 101,638 | |
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In fiscal 2001, we performed periodic assessments of the collectibility of amounts due from certain affiliated businesses in light of the adverse impact of PPS on their liquidity and profitability. As a result of our assessment, the carrying value of notes receivable, advances and trade receivables due from affiliates was written down by $30 million.
In fiscal 2001, we performed a re-evaluation of our allowance for doubtful accounts triggered by deteriorations in the agings of certain categories of receivables. We believe that such deteriorations in the agings were due to several prolonged negative factors related to the operational effects of the bankruptcy filings such as personnel shortages and the time demands required in normalizing relations with vendors and addressing a multitude of bankruptcy issues. As a result of this re-evaluation, we determined that an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts of $39.2 million was necessary.
In fiscal 2001, as a result of adverse claims development we re-evaluated the levels of reserves established for certain self–insured health and workers’ compensation benefits and other insurance related programs. These charges were $15.1 million.
In addition, we incurred charges of $17.2 million during fiscal 2001, principally related to contract and litigation matters and settlements, and certain other charges.
During fiscal 2000, we recorded charges in connection with the impairment of long-lived assets and other impairments and charges. The following table and discussion provides additional information on these charges (in thousands):
| 2000 | |
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Impairment of long-lived assets | $ | 174,715 | |
Exit costs and write-off of unrecoverable assets of six eldercare centers closed or leases terminated | | 28,363 | |
Investments in information systems development abandoned in fiscal 2000 | | 19,200 | |
Uncollectible trade and notes receivable due to customer bankruptcy or other liquidity issues | | 41,955 | |
Other charges, including third party appeal issues and other cost settlement balances deemed uncollectible and insurance related adjustments | | 51,181 | |
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Total asset impairments and other charges included in other operating expenses | $ | 315,414 | |
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During fiscal 2000, in connection with our budget preparations for the forthcoming year and in accordance with Statement of Accounting Standards No. 121 “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of” (“SFAS No. 121”), we reviewed the current and projected undiscounted cash flows of our eldercare centers and our NeighborCare pharmacy operations. This review indicated that the assets of certain eldercare centers were impaired. The fair market value of businesses deemed potentially impaired were then estimated and compared to the carrying values of the long-lived assets. Any excess long-lived asset carrying value over the estimated fair value was written-off. Fair value was estimated using a per bed value determined by us. The total loss for SFAS No. 121 impairments of $174.7 million is associated with 48 eldercare centers. No impairment charge was assessed on the long-lived assets of our NeighborCare pharmacy operations. The impairment charge recorded resulted in the write-off of $125.7 million of goodwill and $34.6 million of property, plant and equipment.
During fiscal 2000, we closed or were in the process of closing or terminating the leases of six underperforming eldercare centers with 842 combined beds. As a result, a charge of $28.4 million was recorded to account for certain impaired and abandoned assets of these eldercare centers.
As a result of our Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and curtailment in funding availability, we assessed the recoverability of our investment in certain information systems developed internally for the operating needs of our institutional pharmacy and infusion therapy businesses. Our assessment determined that $19.2 million of the carrying value of our investment in these systems was unrecoverable through estimated future product sales to third parties and future operating efficiencies.
During fiscal 2000, we performed periodic assessments of the collectibility of amounts due from certain affiliated businesses in light of the adverse impact of PPS on their liquidity and profitability. In certain cases, customers filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. As a result of our assessment, the carrying value of notes receivable, advances and trade receivables due from these customers was written down $42 million.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, we performed an assessment of the collectibility of certain aged amounts due from third party payors and concluded that $12.5 million was unrecoverable. In addition, as a result of adverse claims development we reevaluated the levels of reserves established for certain self-insured and other programs, including workers’ compensation and general liability insurance, resulting in a charge of $35.2 million.
Capital costs and other
During the twelve months ended September 30, 2001, we sold an idle 232 bed eldercare center for cash consideration of $7 million, resulting in a net gain of $1.8 million; and we sold an underperforming 121 bed eldercare center for cash consideration of $0.5 million, resulting in a net loss of $2.3 million. The impact of these transactions was a net loss on sale of eldercare centers of $0.5 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2000, effective May 31, 2000, Multicare sold 14 eldercare centers with 1,128 beds located in the state of Ohio for $33 million. As a result of this transaction, we recorded a loss on sale of the Ohio properties of $7.9 million.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $8.5 million, principally attributed to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000 write-off of impaired goodwill and property, plant and equipment and the sale, closure or lease terminations of certain eldercare centers.
Lease expense decreased $2.8 million, of which $2.2 million is attributed to the closures or lease terminations of certain eldercare centers, offset by an increase of $1.2 million attributed to the consolidation of two newly leased eldercare centers. The remaining decrease of $1.8 million is principally attributed to a decline in the weighted average borrowing rate associated with a lease financing facility.
Interest expense decreased $105.2 million. In accordance with SOP 90-7, we ceased accruing interest following the petition date, June 22, 2000, on certain long-term debt instruments classified as liabilities subject to compromise. Our contractual interest expense for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 was $214 million, leaving $95.4 million of interest expense unaccrued for that period as a result of the Chapter 11 filings. Contractual interest expense for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 decreased by $17.5 million compared to $231.5 million for the same period in the prior year. Approximately, $34.4 million of the decrease is primarily attributed to a lower weighted average borrowing rate, offset by additional net capital and working capital borrowings under the Genesis debtor-in-possession financing facility resulting in additional interest expense of $16.9 million.
During the twelve month periods ending September 30, 2001 and 2000 we recorded charges in connection with debt restructuring and reorganization costs of $1,064.8 million and $458.5 million, respectively. In the twelve months ended September 30, 2001, we recorded legal, bank, accounting and other costs of $59.4 million in connection with the Chapter 11 cases; $16.8 million for certain bankruptcy related salary and benefit related costs, principally for a court approved special recognition program; $5.9 million of costs associated with the divestiture of certain businesses and fresh-start valuation adjustments of $982.7 million. Fresh-start valuation adjustments were recorded pursuant to the provisions of SOP 90-7, which require entities to record their assets and their liabilities at estimated fair values. The fresh-start valuation adjustment as described relates only to continuing operations and is principally the result of the elimination of predecessor company goodwill and the revaluation of property, plant and equipment to estimated fair values. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2000, we recorded legal, bank, accounting and other costs of $29.9 million in connection with the Chapter 11 cases and $4.5 million for certain bankruptcy related salary and benefit related costs, principally for a court approved special recognition program. Also during the twelve months ended September 30, 2000, as a result of the nonpayment of interest under our then existing credit facility, certain provisions under existing interest rate swap arrangements with Citibank were triggered. Citibank notified us that they elected to force early termination of the interest rate swap arrangements, and asserted a $28.3 million obligation. The Company recorded $395.7 million for the accretion of allowed claims representing the accelerated accretion of the carrying value of certain debt and preferred stock instruments to the amount of such instruments contractual value upon the Company’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Equity in net loss of unconsolidated affiliates for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 was $10.2 million compared to $2.4 million for the comparable period in the prior year. This increase of $7.8 million is attributed to changes in the earnings / losses reported by our unconsolidated affiliates.
Minority interests increased $3.6 million during the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 to $2.2 million compared to a loss of $1.4 million for the comparable period in the prior year.
As a result of the consummation of our joint plan of reorganization, and in accordance with the provisions of SOP 90–7, we recorded a $1,509.9 million extraordinary gain on the discharge of certain of our indebtedness in the twelve months ended September 30, 2001.
Effective October 1, 1999, we adopted the provisions of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant’s Statement of Position 98-5 “Reporting on the Costs of Start-Up Activities” (“SOP 98-5”) which requires start-up costs be expensed as incurred. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2000, the cumulative effect of expensing all unamortized start-up costs at October 1, 1999 was $16.4 million pre tax and $10.4 million after tax.
Preferred stock dividends decreased $9.8 million to $45.6 million during the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 compared to $55.4 million for the comparable period in the prior year. This decrease is principally attributed to the accretion of preferred dividends on our predecessor company preferred stock during the twelve months ended September 30, 2000 to its face value prior to our filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Segment Results
Inpatient Services
Inpatient service revenue increased $28.3 million in the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 to $1,255.5 million from $1,227.3 million in the prior year. Of this increase, $71.4 million is principally attributed to increased payment rates. Our average rate per patient day for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 was $169 compared to $153 for the comparable period in the prior year. This increase in the average rate per patient day is principally driven by the effect of the implementation of the Balanced Budget Refinement Act and the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act on our average Medicare rate per patient day ($326 in 2001 versus $291 in 2000). Our non-Medicaid revenue mix (“Quality Mix”) for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 was 50.0% compared to 49.3% for the comparable period in the prior year. Our rate increases are offset by a net decrease in revenue of $43.1 million resulting from eldercare center divestitures and new eldercare centers under operation. Total patient days decreased 438,318 to 7,419,914 during the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 compared to 7,858,232 during the comparable period last year. Of this decrease, 374,373 patient days are attributed to eldercare center divestitures, offset by the consolidation of new eldercare centers under operation. A decrease of 20,329 patient days compared to the comparable period in the prior year is attributed to one additional calendar day in fiscal 2000 due to a leap year. The remaining decrease of 43,616 is the result of a decrease in overall occupancy.
During fiscal 2000, the majority of our eldercare centers located in the state of New Jersey transferred their hospitality function from in-house employees to agency labor employed by our wholly-owned hospitality services business. That fundamental change resulted in a significant reduction in the salaries, wages and benefits expense of the inpatient segment and a corresponding increase in agency purchased services recorded as a component of other operating expenses. Consequently, the ensuing discussion of operating expenses includes both salaries, wages and benefits and other operating costs on a consolidated basis for ease of analysis when comparing the 2001 and 2000 fiscal periods. Operating expenses for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 increased $43.2 million to $1,110.7 million from $1,067.5 million for the same period in the prior year. In fiscal 2001, as a result of adverse claims development we reevaluated the levels of reserves established for certain self-insured health and workers’ compensation benefits and other insurance related programs. For the inpatient services segment, these charges were $5.5 million. These increases are reduced by net operating cost savings of approximately $36.8 million for eldercare center divestitures and new eldercare centers under operation. Considering the impact of divested and new eldercare centers and self–insured benefit program charges, operating expenses increased $74.5 million, or 7%, driven by inflationary cost increases and continued pressure on wage and benefit related costs, including a greater reliance on agency labor (primarily nursing costs) in fiscal 2001 compared to fiscal 2000.
As a result of the factors described above, operating income declined $14.9 million, or 9%, to $144.9 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 from $159.8 million in the prior year. Operating income margin declined to 11.5% in the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 compared to 13% for the same period in the prior year. Operating income of our segments does not include an allocation of corporate overhead costs and certain other adjustments.
Pharmacy Services
Pharmacy services revenue (before intersegment eliminations) increased $84.6 million, or 8%, to $1,134.4 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 compared to $1,049.8 million for twelve months ended September 30, 2000. Revenues from intersegment customers, which are eliminated in consolidation, decreased $1.8 million, or 2%, to $98.1 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 compared to $99.9 million for the same period in the prior year, due to eldercare center divestitures. The increase in pharmacy service revenues with external customers was $86.4 million or 9% due to favorable changes in bed mix and patient acuity, and increased product pricing.
Cost of sales (before intersegment eliminations) increased $70.1 million, or 11%, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001, to $702.7 million from $632.6 million for the same period in the prior year. Of this growth, $51 million is attributed to pharmacy services revenue growth, and $19.1 million is due to margin compression, related changes in payor mix and reductions in reimbursement rates. As a percentage of revenue, cost of sales for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000 were 62% and 60%, respectively. Other operating expenses for this segment, including salaries, wages and benefits, increased $2.9 million, or 1%, to $331.1 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 compared to $328.2 million for the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of revenue, other operating costs declined to 29% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 from 31% for the comparable period in the prior year. This decline is attributed to improved cost control and the leveraging of fixed costs against increased revenues.
As a result of the factors described above, operating income increased $11.7 million, or 13% to $100.6 million for twelve months ended September 30, 2001 from $88.9 million for the same period in the prior year. Operating income margin improved to 8.9% in the twelve months ended September 30, 2001 from 8.5% for the same period in the prior year. Operating income of our segments does not include an allocation of corporate overhead costs and certain other adjustments.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working Capital and Cash Flows
At September 30, 2002, we had cash and equivalents of $148 million, net working capital of $449 million and $149.1 million of unused commitment under our $150 million Revolving Credit Facility.
At September 30, 2002, we had restricted investments in marketable securities of $86.1 million, which are held by Liberty Health Corp. LTD., referred to as LHC, our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary incorporated under the laws of Bermuda. The investments held by LHC are restricted by statutory capital requirements in Bermuda. In addition, certain of these investments are pledged as security for letters of credit issued by LHC. As a result of such restrictions and encumbrances, we and LHC are precluded from freely transferring funds through intercompany loans, advances or cash dividends.
Our cash flow from operations before debt restructuring and reorganization costs for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002 generated cash of $233.4 million compared to $51.7 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2001, principally due to higher levels of operating income, reduced interest and lease payments following our reorganization, improvement in the collection of accounts receivable, receipt of $21.9 million in cash proceeds for an arbitration award and the timing of vendor payments and employee wages. During the second quarter of fiscal 2002, we borrowed $42 million from the Delayed Draw Term Loan to finance the repayment of all trade balances due to NeighborCare® Pharmacy’s primary supplier of pharmacy products. This change in credit terms resulted in reduced pharmacy product acquisition costs, partially offset by an increase in interest expense on the incremental Delayed Draw Term Loan borrowings. Assuming no future changes in variable rates of interest, the net impact of this transaction is positive to our cash flows. Cash payments for debt restructuring and reorganization costs were $54.2 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002 compared to $44.4 million for the same period in the prior year. We believe that cash flow from operations, along with available borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, are sufficient to meet our current liquidity needs.
Our days sales outstanding at September 30, 2002 was 54 days compared to 60 days at September 30, 2001. This reduction is principally due to improvement in the collection of accounts receivable.
Our net cash used in investing activities for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002 was $94.8 million, and includes $51.6 million of capital expenditures. Capital expenditures consist primarily of betterments and expansion of eldercare centers and investments in computer hardware and software. In order to maintain our physical properties in a suitable condition to conduct our business and meet regulatory requirements, we expect to continue to incur capital expenditure costs at levels at or above those for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002 for the foreseeable future.
Our investing activities for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002 also include $33.9 million in net investments in restricted investments in marketable securities, representing the current period funding of self-insured workers’ compensation and general / professional liability insurance retentions held by LHC, and $10.5 million in connection with the exercise of an option to purchase three formerly leased eldercare centers.
Our cash flows from investing activities for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 include $3 million and $7 million, respectively, of cash proceeds from the sale of eldercare center assets.
Our financing activities for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002, resulted in net cash inflows of $31.5 million, and include $80 million of cash proceeds from borrowings under the Delayed Draw Term Loan, of which $10 million were used to finance the price of the purchase option to purchase three previously leased eldercare centers, and $28 million was used to refinance several mortgages at more favorable rates of interest. The Delayed Draw Term Loan was amended in December 2001 to allow $42 million of available credit under that loan to be used to restructure credit terms with NeighborCare pharmacy’s primary supplier of pharmacy products, as previously discussed. The Delayed Draw Term Loan is fully drawn at September 30, 2002 and is being repaid with no additional borrowings available under the Delayed Draw Term Loan.
The Senior Credit Facility requires that we achieve certain levels of fixed versus variable interest rate exposure. We were required to either enter into interest rate swap agreements that effectively fix or cap the interest cost on at least 50% of our consolidated debt or refinance such debt to achieve a mix of fixed rate debt of at least 50%. In order to meet this requirement, we entered into interest rate swap agreements that effectively convert underlying variable rate debt into fixed rate debt, as well as a cap agreement. At September 30, 2002, after considering the $275 million notional principal amount of these agreements, our effective debt mix is 48% variable rate and 52% fixed rate. See — “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”
The Senior Credit Facility contains an annual excess cash flow payment requirement. At the end of each fiscal year, we are required to prepare an excess cash flow calculation as defined in the senior credit agreement. Of the amount determined as excess cash flow, 75% is to be paid to our senior lenders in the form of a mandatory payment by December 31 of each year. As of September 30, 2002, we estimate that $27 million will be paid on or near December 31, 2002 pursuant to the excess cash flow recapture provision, and as a result, this estimated level of payment has been classified in our consolidated balance sheet under the current installments of long-term debt.
The agreements and instruments governing our existing debt contain, and the agreements and instruments governing Genesis’ future debt may contain, various restrictive covenants that, among other things, require us to comply with or maintain certain financial tests and ratios and restrict our ability to:
| • | incur more debt;
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| • | pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions;
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| • | make certain investments;
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| • | create liens;
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| • | enter into transactions with affiliates;
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| • | make acquisitions;
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| • | merge or consolidate; and
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| • | transfer or sell assets. |
The Senior Credit Facility requires us to maintain compliance with certain financial and non–financial covenants, including minimum EBITDAR (as defined); limitations on capital expenditures, maximum leverage ratios, minimum fixed charge coverage ratios and minimum net worth.
On October 2, 2001 and in connection with the consummation of our joint plan of reorganization, we entered an indenture agreement in the principal amount of $242.6 million (the “Senior Secured Notes”). The Senior Secured Notes bear interest at LIBOR plus 5.0% (6.79% at September 30, 2002), and amortize one percent each year and mature on April 2, 2007. The Senior Secured Notes are secured by a junior lien on real property and related fixtures of substantially all of the our subsidiaries, subject to liens granted to the lenders’ interests subject to the Senior Credit Facility. The Senior Secured Notes may be prepaid at any time without penalty, subject to restrictions in place under the Senior Credit Facility. Compliance with certain financial and non-financial covenants is required, but they are less restrictive than those required by the Senior Credit Facility.
For the twelve months ended September 30, 2002, we incurred $41.3 million of lease obligation costs and expect to continue to incur lease costs at or above levels approximating those for the twelve months ended September 30, 2002 for the foreseeable future. We classify operating lease costs associated with our eldercare centers and corporate office sites as lease expense in the consolidated statement of operations, while the operating lease costs of pharmacy and other health service sites are included within other operating expenses. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2002, our lease expense was reduced $5 million in connection with the amortization of net unfavorable lease credits established in fresh-start reporting. Consequently, our cash basis lease cost was $45.8 million.
We believe that we have adequate capital resources at our disposal to fund currently anticipated capital expenditures as well as current and projected debt service requirements.
Proposed NCS Transaction
In connection with our proposed merger with NCS, we incurred legal, bank and transaction related costs. Such costs do not exceed the $22 million break-up fee we anticipate receiving in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2003. We will recognize a gain in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 representing the $22 million break-up fee less the costs we incurred in connection with the proposed NCS Transaction.
We have future obligations for debt repayments, capital leases and future minimum rentals under operating leases. The obligations as of September 30, 2002 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
| | | | Payments Due by Period | |
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Contractual Obligation | Total | | Less than 1 year | | 1-3 years | | 4-5 years | | Thereafter | |
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Long-term debt | $ | 679,402 | | $ | 37,011 | | $ | 19,616 | | $ | 566,278 | | $ | 56,497 | |
Capital lease obligations | | 10,281 | | | 3,733 | | | 4,568 | | | 1,980 | | | – | |
Operating leases | | 217,901 | | | 41,290 | | | 73,757 | | | 52,180 | | | 50,674 | |
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| $ | 907,584 | | $ | 82,034 | | $ | 97,941 | | $ | 620,438 | | $ | 107,171 | |
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Certain of our underlying long-term debt and lease obligations require us to maintain compliance with financial and non–financial covenants, including minimum EBITDAR (as defined); limitations on capital expenditures, maximum leverage ratios, minimum fixed charge coverage ratios and minimum net worth. Failure to meet these covenants or the occurrence of other defaults, such as non-payment, could result in the acceleration of the maturity of such obligations.
We also have contingent obligations related to outstanding lines of credit, letters of credit and guarantees. These commitments as of September 30, 2002 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
| | | | Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period | |
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Off-Balance Sheet Commitments | Total | | Less than 1 year | | 1-3 years | | 4-5 years | | Thereafter | |
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Lines of credit | $ | 4,960 | | $ | – | | $ | – | | $ | – | | $ | 4,960 | |
Letters of credit | | 894 | | | 894 | | | – | | | – | | | – | |
Guarantees | | 22,856 | | | – | | | 5,778 | | | 265 | | | 16,813 | |
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| $ | 28,710 | | $ | 894 | | $ | 5,778 | | $ | 265 | | $ | 21,773 | |
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Requests for providing commitments to extend financial guarantees and extend credit are reviewed and approved by senior management. Management regularly reviews all outstanding commitments, letters of credit and financial guarantees, and the results of these reviews are considered in assessing the need for any reserves for possible credit and guarantee loss.
We have extended $7.4 million in working capital lines of credit to certain jointly owned and managed companies, of which $5.0 million were unused at September 30, 2002. Credit risk represents the accounting loss that would be recognized at the reporting date if the affiliate companies were unable to repay any amounts utilized under the working capital lines of credit. Commitments to extend credit to third parties are conditional agreements generally having fixed expiration or termination dates and specific interest rates and purposes.
We have posted $0.9 million of outstanding letters of credit. The letters of credit guarantee performance to third parties of various trade activities. The letters of credit are not recorded as liabilities on our balance sheet unless they are probable of being utilized by the third party. The financial risk approximates the amount of outstanding letters of credit.
We are a party to joint venture partnerships whereby our ownership interests are 50% or less of the total capital of the partnerships. We account for these partnerships using the equity method of accounting and, therefore, the assets, liabilities and operating results of these partnerships are not consolidated with ours. The carrying value of our investment in joint venture partnerships is $14.1 million at September 30, 2002. Our share of the income (loss) of these partnerships for the years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000 was $1.6 million, $(10.2) million and $(2.4) million, respectively. Although we are not contractually obligated to fund operating losses of these partnerships, in certain cases, we have extended credit to such joint venture partnerships in the past and may decide to do so in the future in order to realize economic benefits from our joint venture relationship. Management assesses the creditworthiness of such partnerships in the same manner it does other third–parties. We have provided $11.5 million of financial guarantees related to loan commitments of four jointly owned and managed companies. We have also provided $11.3 million of financial guarantees related to lease obligations of one jointly–owned and managed company that operates four eldercare centers. The guarantees are not recorded as liabilities on our balance sheet unless we are required to perform under the guarantee. Credit risk represents the accounting loss that would be recognized at the reporting date if counter–parties failed to perform completely as contracted. The credit risk amounts are equal to the contractual amounts, assuming that the amounts are fully advanced and that no amounts could be recovered from other parties.
Our business activities do not include the use of unconsolidated special purpose entities.
Warrants
In connection with our reorganization, we issued warrants to purchase 4,559,475 shares of our common stock. This represents 11% of the common stock issued in connection with our joint plan of reorganization. The warrants, which expired on October 2, 2002, had an exercise price of $20.33 per share of common stock.
Income Taxes
Pursuant to the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002, which extended the net operating loss carryback period to five years, we were able to carryback certain net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards originating in the year ended September 30, 2001. This enabled us to recover $10.3 million in federal tax refunds during the twelve months ended September 30, 2002, which offset tax expense calculated at our estimated effective tax rate of approximately 39%.
Following consummation of our joint plan of reorganization, and after reduction for (1) the aforementioned NOL carrybacks and (2) cancellation of prepetition indebtedness as provided under Section 108 of the Internal Revenue Code, we had NOL carryforwards of $278 million, which expire between September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2021. Under applicable limitations imposed by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, our ability to utilize these loss carryforwards became subject to annual limitation of $43.3 million, inclusive of a separate limitation for Multicare. During the year ended September 30, 2002, we utilized $8 million of loss carryforwards. Pursuant to SOP 90-7, the income tax benefit of the NOL utilization served to reduce goodwill. We have NOL carryforwards of $270 million remaining at September 30, 2002. There can be no assurances that we will be able to utilize these NOL’s and, consequently, a 100% valuation allowance against these NOL’s has been provided. Other deferred tax assets include $3.3 million for built-in losses recognized by Multicare during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002 in excess of its separate limitation under Section 382.
Revenue Sources
We receive revenues from Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, self-pay residents, other third party payors and long-term care facilities which utilize our pharmacy and other specialty medical services. The healthcare industry is experiencing the effects of the federal and state governments’ trend toward cost containment, as government and other third party payors seek to impose lower reimbursement and utilization rates and negotiate reduced payment schedules with providers. These cost containment measures, combined with the increasing influence of managed care payors and competition for patients, have resulted in reduced rates of reimbursement for services we provide.
On December 15, 2000, Congress passed the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act that increased the nursing component of federal PPS rates by 16.7% for the period from April 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002. The legislation also changed the 20% add-on to 3 of the 14 rehabilitation RUG categories to a 6.7 % add-on to all 14 rehabilitation RUG categories beginning April 1, 2001. The Part B consolidated billing provision of Balanced Budget Refinement Act was repealed except for Medicare Part B therapy services and the moratorium on the $1,500 therapy caps was extended through calendar year 2002. These changes have had a positive impact on operating results.
A number of provisions of the Balanced Budget Refinement Act and the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act enactments providing additional funding for Medicare participating skilled nursing facilities expired on September 30, 2002. The expiration of these provisions has reduced our Medicare per diems per beneficiary, on average, by $34.
The prospects for legislative relief are uncertain. The 107th Congress adjourned without resolving Medicare provider issues. The 108th Congress begins January 7, 2003. During the 107th Congress, the House of Representatives passed a package of Medicare amendments (late June 2002). Under the House-passed measure, portions of the expiring provisions would be retained. The Balanced Budget Refinement Act increase of 4% would expire, and the 16.6% add-on of the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act to the nursing portion of the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system rates would be reduced to 12% in 2003, 10% in 2004, and 8% in 2005. Under this proposal, fiscal year 2003 rates would be 5.2% lower than those of the current year. Several attempts were made to secure Senate consideration of a slightly more favorable package of legislative amendments. Prospects for expeditious action by the incoming Congress are uncertain.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued notice of fiscal year 2003 rates for Skilled Nursing Facility PPS in the Federal Register, July 31, 2002. Effective October 1, 2002, rates were increased by a 2.6% annual market basket adjustment. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that, even with this upward adjustment, average Medicare rates will be 8.8% lower than the current year because of the reduced payment caused by the expiring statutory add-ons.
Our estimate of the impact of the “Skilled Nursing Facilities Medicare Cliff”, factoring in the administrative decision not to proceed with changes in the case-mix refinements at this time and without factoring in any additional Congressional action, exposes the skilled nursing facility sector to a 10% reduction. For us, this reduction could have an adverse impact to annual revenue and operating income from continuing operations beginning October 1, 2002 of approximately $28 million after taking into consideration the 2.6% annual market basket adjustment. There may be additional provisions in the Medicare legislation affecting our other businesses. Congress may consider changes affecting pharmacy, rehabilitation therapy, diagnostic services and the payment for services in other health settings. There are two issues in particular that could have measurable negative impact, practitioner fee schedules and caps on Medicare Part B therapies. Absent Congressional action, the formula driven payment structure for calendar year 2003 physician and non-physician fee schedules will be reduced by 4.4%. This reduction affects not only doctors, but also payment for most professional practitioners including licensed rehabilitation professionals. Moreover, absent Congressional action, the moratorium on implementing payment caps on therapy services expires. Medicare Part B therapy services in calendar year 2003 will be subject to the caps and are expected to reduce our revenues and operating income by approximately $17 million and $3 million, respectively.
A number of states have enacted or are considering containment initiatives. Many have focused on reducing what the state Medicaid program will pay for drug acquisition costs. Most states have lowered payment to a negative percentage of average wholesale price. Some have attempted to impose more stringent pricing standards. Institutional pharmacies are often paid a dispensing fee over and above the payment for the drug. To the extent that changes in the payment for drugs are not accompanied by an increase in the dispensing fee, margins could erode. Some states have explored efforts to restrict utilization (preferred drug lists, prior-authorization, formularies). A few states have attempted to extend the preferred Medicaid pricing to all Medicare beneficiaries.
NeighborCare has joined with other leading multi-state institutional pharmacy companies to form the Alliance for Long Term Care Pharmacy (LTCPA) in an effort to influence the outcomes of both federal and state-specific legislative and regulatory activities. In this collaboration, LTCPA provides leadership to responding to specific issues. Presently, LTCPA has engaged representation in 23 states and Washington, DC. Such efforts are augmented by the government relations specialists of the various companies and by active grassroots efforts of pharmacy professionals. These proactive steps have been successful in an number of instances, but given the budgetary concerns of both federal and state governments. There can be no assurance that changes in payment formulas and delivery requirements will not have a negative impact going forward.
It is not possible to quantify fully the effect of potential legislative changes, the interpretation or administration of such legislation or any other governmental initiatives on our business. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the impact of these changes or any future healthcare legislation will not further adversely affect our business. There can be no assurance that payments under governmental and private third-party payor programs will be timely, will remain at levels comparable to present levels or will, in the future, be sufficient to cover the costs allocable to patients eligible for reimbursement pursuant to such programs. Our financial condition and results of operations may be affected by the reimbursement process, which in the healthcare industry is complex and can involve lengthy delays between the time that revenue is recognized and the time that reimbursement amounts are settled.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 145, “Recission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13 and Technical Corrections as of April 2002” (“SFAS 145”). SFAS 145 rescinds SFAS No. 4, “Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt”, which required that gains and losses from extinguishment of debt that were included in the determination of net income be aggregated and, if material, classified as an extraordinary item, net of the related income tax effect. Under SFAS 145, gains or losses from extinguishment of debt should be classified as extraordinary items only if they meet the criteria in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 (“APB 30”), “Reporting Results of Operations – Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business.”Applying the criteria in APB 30 will distinguish transactions that are part of an entity’s recurring operations from those that are unusual or infrequent or that meet the criteria for classification as an extraordinary item. SFAS 145 is effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002 for provisions related to SFAS No. 4, effective for all transactions occurring after May 15, 2002 for provisions related to SFAS No. 13 and effective for all financial statements issued on or after May 15, 2002 for all other provisions of SFAS 145. Beginning in our fiscal year 2003, we expect the most significant impact of the adoption of SFAS 145 will be the change in classification of any gains or losses on the extinguishment of debt that were classified as extraordinary items in prior periods that do not meet the new criteria of APB 30 for classification as extraordinary items. This reclassification will include the $1,509.9 million extraordinary gain recognized in fiscal 2001 in connection with the discharge of liabilities subject to compromise upon emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146 “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities” (“SFAS No. 146”). SFAS No. 146 addresses significant issues regarding the recognition, measurement, and reporting of costs associated with exit and disposal activities, including restructuring activities. SFAS No. 146 also addresses recognition of certain costs related to terminating a contract that is not a capital lease, costs to consolidate facilities or relocate employees, and termination benefits provided to employees that are involuntarily terminated under the terms of a one–time benefit arrangement that is not an ongoing benefit arrangement or an individual deferred compensation contract. SFAS No. 146 is effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002.
In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others”(the Interpretation), which addresses the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under guarantees. The Interpretation also requires the recognition of a liability by a guarantor at the inception of certain guarantees. The new requirements are effective for interim and annual financial statements ending after December 15, 2002. The Interpretation requires the guarantor to recognize a liability for the non-contingent component of the guarantee. This is the obligation to stand ready to perform in the event that specified triggering events or conditions occur. The initial measurement of this liability is the fair value of the guarantee at inception. The recognition of the liability is required even if it is not probable that payments will be required under the guarantee or if the guarantee was issued with a premium payment or as part of a transaction with multiple elements. We will apply the recognition and measurement provisions for all guarantees entered into or modified after December 31, 2002. In addition, we will adopt the disclosure requirements of the Interpretation for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. We do not expect the adoption of the Interpretation to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
In December 2001, the SEC issued Financial Reporting Release No. 60, “Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies,” referred to as “FR 60,” suggesting that companies provide additional disclosure and commentary on those accounting policies considered most critical. FR 60 considers an accounting policy to be critical if it is important to the registrant’s financial condition and results, and requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application. Our critical accounting estimates and the related assumptions are evaluated periodically as conditions warrant, and changes to such estimates are recorded as new information or changed conditions require revision. Application of the critical accounting policies requires management's significant judgments, often as the result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. If actual results were to differ materially from the estimates made, the reported results could be materially affected. Our senior management has reviewed these critical accounting policies and estimates with our audit committee. We believe that the following represents our critical accounting policies as contemplated by FR 60. For a summary of all of our significant accounting policies, including critical accounting policies discussed below, see note 1 –“Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our consolidated financial statements.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We utilize the “Aging Method” to evaluate the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts. This method is based upon applying estimated standard allowance requirement percentages to each accounts receivable aging category for each type of payor. We have developed estimated standard allowance requirement percentages by utilizing historical collection trends and our understanding of the nature and collectibility of receivables in the various aging categories and the various segments of our business. The standard allowance percentages are developed by payor type as the accounts receivable from each payor type have unique characteristics. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined utilizing the aging method described above while also considering accounts specifically identified as uncollectible. Accounts receivable that we specifically estimate to be uncollectible, based upon the age of the receivables, the results of collection efforts or other circumstances, are fully reserved for in the allowance for doubtful accounts until they are written–off.
In fiscal 2001, we performed a re–evaluation of our allowance for doubtful accounts triggered by deterioration in the agings of certain categories of receivables. We believe that such deteriorations were due to several prolonged negative factors related to the operational effects of our bankruptcy filings, personnel shortages, the time demands required in normalizing relations with vendors and addressing a multitude of other bankruptcy issues. As a result of this re–evaluation, we determined that an increase to the allowance for doubtful accounts of $39.2 million was necessary, and certain changes to the aging method resulting in higher levels of allowance for doubtful accounts requirements were also necessary.
In fiscal 2000, we performed a specific account review for certain large customers in light of the adverse impact of PPS on their liquidity and profitability. In certain cases, these customers filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. As a result of these assessments, we determined that an increase to the allowance for doubtful accounts of $42 million was necessary. Because such adjustments were based upon a specific account review of several high risk customers, no significant changes to the aging method were deemed necessary.