Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 6 Months Ended |
Feb. 28, 2015 |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The majority of the Company's expenses are "cost of revenue" items. Costs that could be classified as general and administrative by the Company would include the corporate office costs, including advertising and marketing expenses, which were approximately $ 1.1 1.0 2.0 1.9 |
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Certain previously reported financial information has been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. The impact of such reclassification was not significant to the prior period’s overall presentation. |
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less on the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. |
Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Investments in Available-for-Sale and Trading Securities The Company’s investments in debt instruments (corporate and municipal bonds) are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices that are traded in less active markets or priced using a quoted market price for similar investments or are priced using non-binding market consensus prices that can be corroborated by observable market data (Level 2). These investments are classified as available-for-sale securities. These investments are subject to default risk. Unrealized gains in the fair value are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related income tax effect. The Company regularly monitors its investment portfolio for any decline in fair value that is other than temporary and records any such impairment as an impairment loss. The determination of the gain or loss on the sale of any security is made using the specific identification method. The Company also invested in initial public offerings of equity securities on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. These investments are classified as trading securities, and were carried at fair value. These investments were subject to fluctuations in the market price. During the six months ended February 28, 2014, the Company had a net gain of $ 161,864 |
Investment In Real Estates And Notes Payable [Policy Text Block] | Notes Payable In November 2011, the Company borrowed $ 116,339 4.5 36 6,734 |
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Inventories, consisting primarily of medical supplies, are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined by use of the average cost method. |
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The most significant of the Company’s estimates is the determination of revenue to recognize for the services the Company provides and the determination of allowances, which includes the contractual allowance and the provision for doubtful accounts. See “Revenue Recognition” below for further discussion. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates used in the preparation of these financial statements. |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Fair Value of Financial Instruments The fair value of financial instruments is estimated based on market trading information, where available. Absent published market values for an instrument or other assets, management uses observable market data to arrive at its estimates of fair value. Management believes that the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value. Fair value is defined as 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 at the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-level fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows: Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted price for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other input that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs. Quoted prices in active Significant other Significant (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets Investments available-for-sale $ $ 17,885,213 $ The Company’s investments in Level 2 are in perpetual debt instruments (corporate and municipal bonds) traded on the European markets, at a cost of $ 7,984,646 |
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Background The Company's revenue recognition policy is significant because net patient service revenue is a primary component of its results of operations. Revenue is recognized as services are delivered. The determination of the amount of revenue to be recognized in connection with the Company's services is subject to significant judgments and estimates, which are discussed below. Revenue Recognition Policy The Company has established billing rates for its medical services which it bills as services are delivered. Gross billings are then reduced by the Company’s estimate of allowances, which includes the contractual allowance and the provision for doubtful accounts, to arrive at net patient service revenues. Net patient service revenues may not represent amounts ultimately collected. The Company adjusts current period revenue for differences in estimated revenue recorded in prior periods and actual cash collections. Three months ended February 28, Six months ended February 28, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Gross billed charges $ 8,059,057 $ 6,618,079 $ 16,317,829 $ 13,658,418 Allowances 6,304,169 4,386,692 12,244,263 9,167,784 Net revenue $ 1,754,888 $ 2,231,387 $ 4,073,566 $ 4,490,634 Allowance percentage 78 % 66 % 75 % 67 % Contractual Allowance The Company computes its contractual allowance based on the estimated collections on its gross billed charges. The Company computes its estimate by taking into account collections received, up to 30 For claims arising prior to the implementation of workers’ compensation networks and out of network claims, inpatient and outpatient surgical services are either reimbursed pursuant to the Acute Care In-Patient Hospital Fee Guideline or at a "fair and reasonable" rate for services in which the fee guideline is not applicable. Starting March 1, 2008, the Texas Workers’ Compensation 2008 Acute Care Hospital Outpatient and Inpatient Facility Fee Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) became effective. Under these Guidelines, the reimbursement amounts are determined by applying the most recently adopted and effective Medicare reimbursement formula and factors; however, if the maximum allowable reimbursement for the procedure performed cannot be calculated using these Guidelines, then reimbursement is determined on a fair and reasonable basis. Should we disagree with the amount of reimbursement provided by a third-party payer, we are required to pursue the medical dispute resolution (“MDR”) process at the TDWC to request proper reimbursement for services. From January 2007 to November 2008, the Company had been successful in its pursuit of collections regarding the stop-loss cases pending before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (“SOAH”), receiving positive rulings in over 90 75 40,000 A petition asking the Texas Supreme Court to review the Third Court of Appeals decision has been denied. Therefore, the Company is bound by the Third Court of Appeals decision. The Texas Supreme Court’s decision delayed final adjudication in these pending stop-loss cases. The uncertain outcome in these cases will depend on a very lengthy process. We anticipate further, lengthy litigation at the Travis County District Courts and the Texas Courts of Appeals. Because of this lengthy process and the uncertainty of recovery in these cases, collection of a material amount of funds in these pending stop-loss cases cannot be anticipated. Through February 2015, insurance carriers have voluntarily paid the awards in the decisions and orders issued by SOAH, plus interest, in approximately 180 11 130 4.2 47 4.2 300,000 300,000 4,476,097 During the time that the carriers’ petitions seeking refunds were pending, because of the uncertainty of the results at that time, as of February 28, 2015, the Company has accrued the total potential refund amount of $ 11.3 3.7 Due to the uncertainties associated with these stop-loss fee dispute cases, the Company recognized increases in the contractual allowance at our Pasadena facility of $ 10,254,990 149,875 779,583 136,542 Some claims regarding payment for ambulatory surgical center and hospital outpatient services remain pending at the TDWC and/or SOAH. It is expected that these remaining claims will be adjudicated at SOAH and possibly in the Texas district and appellate courts. The basis for reimbursement for these services made the subject of these pending cases is the same as it was for the other ASC and outpatient cases that have been either tried or settled: the determination of “fair and reasonable” charges. In 2007, the Company received unfavorable rulings from SOAH in all of its appeals of unfavorable decisions related to services provided in 2001 and 2002. The 179 178 80 Due to the uncertainties regarding the accounts receivable in the MDR process, the 2008 and 2010 Third Court of Appeals’ opinions and our legal counsel’s advice that settlements with insurance carriers in stop-loss cases have virtually stopped, the Company had fully reserved all accounts receivable related to the MDR process as of August 31, 2008. The Company has had settlement negotiations with insurance carriers for ambulatory surgical center and hospital outpatient cases. Some of these negotiations have been successful. Any monies collected for these MDR accounts receivable is recorded as current period’s net patient service revenues. Provision for Doubtful Accounts Although outcomes vary, our policy is to attempt to collect amounts due from patients, including co-payments and deductibles due from patients with insurance, at the time of service while complying with all federal and state laws and regulations. In non-emergency circumstances or for elective procedures and services, it is our policy to verify insurance prior to a patient being treated; however, there are various exceptions that can occur. The Company computes its allowance s Accounts receivable represent net receivables for services provided by the Company. At each balance sheet date management reviews the accounts receivable for collectibility and provides full allowance reserves for any accounts receivable deemed uncollectible. The allowances stated as a percentage of gross receivables at the balance sheet dates is larger than the allowance percentage used to reduce gross billed charges due to the application of partial cash collections to the outstanding gross receivable balances, without any adjustment being made to the allowances. The allowance amounts netted against gross receivables are not adjusted until such time as the final collections on an individual receivable are recognized. The focal point of our business is providing patient care services, including complex orthopedic and bariatric procedures. The Company pursues optimal reimbursement from third-party payers for these services. In some instances, we do not have contractual arrangements with third-party payers which provide for “prompt payment” which may result in additional time to collect the expected reimbursement. The collection process may also be extended due to our efforts to obtain all optimal reimbursement available to the Company. Specifically, for medical services provided to injured workers, the Company may initially receive reimbursement that may not be within the fee guidelines or regulatory guidelines mandating reimbursement. The Company reviews and pursues those particular claims that are determined to warrant additional reimbursement pursuant to the fee or regulatory guidelines. The Company's pursuit of additional reimbursement amounts that it believes are due under fee or regulatory guidelines may be accomplished through established dispute resolution procedures with applicable regulatory authorities. |
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Recent Accounting Pronouncements No recent accounting pronouncements or other authoritative guidance has been issued that management considers likely to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. |