HCA Reports Fourth Quarter 2015 Results

Provides 2016 Guidance

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HCA Reports Fourth Quarter 2015 Results

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--()--HCA Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HCA) today announced financial and operating results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015.

Key fourth quarter metrics (all percentage changes compare 4Q 2015 to 4Q 2014 unless noted):

  • Revenues totaled $10.249 billion, an increase of 6.4 percent
  • Net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc. totaled $582 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, compared to $527 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2014
  • Adjusted EBITDA totaled $2.131 billion, an increase of 8.9 percent
  • Cash flows from operating activities totaled $1.558 billion, compared to $1.627 billion in the prior year’s fourth quarter
  • Same facility equivalent admissions increased 2.9 percent, while same facility admissions increased 1.6 percent
  • Same facility revenue per equivalent admission increased 2.6 percent

Revenues in the fourth quarter totaled $10.249 billion, compared to $9.636 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014. Fourth quarter 2014 results included a $68 million increase in Medicaid revenues related to the reversal of the Texas Medicaid Waiver Program adjustment to reduce revenues that was recorded in the third quarter of 2014.

Net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc. totaled $582 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, compared to $527 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2014. Results for the fourth quarter of 2015 include losses on sales of facilities of $7 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, losses on retirement of debt of $10 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, and legal claim costs of $172 million, or $0.26 per diluted share. Results for the fourth quarter of 2014 included gains on sales of facilities of $9 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, and losses on retirement of debt of $109 million, or $0.15 per diluted share.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2015 increased 8.9 percent to $2.131 billion compared to $1.956 billion in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. A table providing supplemental information on Adjusted EBITDA and reconciling net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc. to Adjusted EBITDA is included in this release.

Fourth quarter revenue growth was driven by solid volume and higher revenue per equivalent admission, as same facility case mix, or acuity, increased 2.1 percent compared to the prior year. Same facility equivalent admissions increased 2.9 percent while same facility admissions increased 1.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. Same facility emergency room visits increased 3.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the prior year period.

Same facility revenue per equivalent admission increased 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015. During the fourth quarter same facility inpatient surgeries increased 1.5 percent while same facility outpatient surgeries increased 2.2 percent compared to the prior year period.

The Company’s same facility operating expense per equivalent admission, excluding electronic health record (“EHR”) and equity income, increased 1.2 percent from the prior year’s fourth quarter. During the fourth quarter of 2015, salaries and benefits, supplies and other operating expenses totaled $8.127 billion, or 79.3 percent of revenues, compared to $7.719 billion, or 80.1 percent of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $39.678 billion compared to $36.918 billion for 2014. Net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc. for 2015 was $2.129 billion, or $4.99 per diluted share, compared to $1.875 billion, or $4.16 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2014. Results for the year ended December 31, 2015 include losses on retirement of debt of $135 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, and legal claims costs of $249 million, or $0.37 per diluted share. Results for 2014 included gains on sales of facilities of $29 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, losses on retirement of debt of $335 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, and legal claim costs of $78 million, or $0.11 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA for 2015 increased to $7.915 billion compared to $7.428 billion in 2014.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of December 31, 2015, HCA Holdings, Inc.’s balance sheet reflected cash and cash equivalents of $741 million, total debt of $30.488 billion, and total assets of $32.744 billion. During the fourth quarter of 2015, capital expenditures totaled $804 million, excluding acquisitions. During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company repurchased approximately 14.362 million shares of its common stock, at a cost of $1.011 billion. The Company had approximately $2.603 billion remaining under its $3 billion repurchase authorization at year end. The Company had approximately 398.739 and 420.478 million shares outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2015 totaled $1.558 billion compared to $1.627 billion in the prior year’s fourth quarter.

As of December 31, 2015, HCA operated 168 hospitals and 116 freestanding surgery centers.

2016 Guidance

Today, HCA issued the following estimated guidance for 2016:

         

2016 Guidance Range

Revenues $41.5 to $42.5 billion
Adjusted EBITDA $8.15 to $8.45 billion
Adjusted EPS (diluted) $6.00 to $6.45 per diluted share
Capital Expenditures Approximately $2.7 billion
 

The Company’s 2016 guidance contains a number of assumptions, including:

  • EHR incentive income of approximately $6 million compared to EHR incentive income of $47 million in 2015; and
  • 2016 guidance excludes the impact of items such as, but not limited to, gains or losses on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt, legal claim costs and impairments of long-lived assets.

The Company’s guidance is based on current plans and expectations and is subject to a number of known and unknown uncertainties and risks, including those set forth below in the Company’s “Forward-Looking Statements.”

The Company’s 2016 annual stockholders’ meeting will be held in Nashville, Tennessee on April 28, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. local time for stockholders of record as of March 4, 2016.

Earnings Conference Call

HCA will host a conference call for investors at 9:00 a.m. Central Standard Time today. All interested investors are invited to access a live audio broadcast of the call via webcast. The broadcast also will be available on a replay basis beginning this afternoon. The webcast can be accessed at: https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1080621 or through the Company’s Investor Relations web page at www.hcahealthcare.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words like “may,” “believe,” “will,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “initiative” or “continue.” These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown uncertainties and risks, many of which are beyond our control, which could significantly affect current plans and expectations and our future financial position and results of operations. These factors include, but are not limited to, (1) the impact of our substantial indebtedness and the ability to refinance such indebtedness on acceptable terms, (2) the effects related to the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (collectively, the “Health Reform Law”), possible delays in or complications related to implementation of the Health Reform Law, court challenges, the possible enactment of additional federal or state health care reforms and possible changes to the Health Reform Law and other federal, state or local laws or regulations affecting the health care industry, (3) the effects related to the continued implementation of the sequestration spending reductions required under the Budget Control Act of 2011 (the “BCA”), and related legislation extending these reductions, and the potential for future deficit reduction legislation that may alter these spending reductions, which include cuts to Medicare payments, or create additional spending reductions, (4) increases in the amount and risk of collectability of uninsured accounts and deductibles and copayment amounts for insured accounts, (5) the ability to achieve operating and financial targets, and attain expected levels of patient volumes and control the costs of providing services, (6) possible changes in Medicare, Medicaid and other state programs, including Medicaid upper payment limit programs or waiver programs, that may impact reimbursements to health care providers and insurers, (7) the highly competitive nature of the health care business, (8) changes in service mix, revenue mix and surgical volumes, including potential declines in the population covered under managed care agreements, the ability to enter into and renew managed care provider agreements on acceptable terms and the impact of consumer driven health plans and physician utilization trends and practices, (9) the efforts of insurers, health care providers and others to contain health care costs, (10) the outcome of our continuing efforts to monitor, maintain and comply with appropriate laws, regulations, policies and procedures, (11) increases in wages and the ability to attract and retain qualified management and personnel, including affiliated physicians, nurses and medical and technical support personnel, (12) the availability and terms of capital to fund the expansion of our business and improvements to our existing facilities, (13) changes in accounting practices, (14) changes in general economic conditions nationally and regionally in our markets, (15) the emergence and effects related to infectious diseases; (16) future divestitures which may result in charges and possible impairments of long-lived assets, (17) changes in business strategy or development plans, (18) delays in receiving payments for services provided, (19) the outcome of pending and any future tax audits, disputes and litigation associated with our tax positions, (20) potential adverse impact of known and unknown government investigations, litigation and other claims that may be made against us, (21) our ongoing ability to demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record technology, and (22) other risk factors described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of the factors that will determine our future results are beyond our ability to control or predict. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements contained herein, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

All references to “Company” and “HCA” as used throughout this release refer to HCA Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates.

 
 
 
 
 
HCA Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statements
Fourth Quarter
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
      2015     2014

Amount

   

Ratio

Amount

   

Ratio

 
Revenues before provision for doubtful accounts $ 11,323 $ 10,468
Provision for doubtful accounts   1,074     832  
Revenues 10,249 100.0 % 9,636 100.0 %
 
Salaries and benefits 4,606 44.9 4,282 44.4
Supplies 1,686 16.4 1,659 17.2
Other operating expenses 1,835 18.0 1,778 18.5
Electronic health record incentive income (1 ) - (28 ) (0.3 )
Equity in earnings of affiliates (8 ) (0.1 ) (11 ) (0.1 )
Depreciation and amortization 480 4.6 459 4.7
Interest expense 410 4.0 429 4.5
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities 7 0.1 (9 ) (0.1 )
Losses on retirement of debt 10 0.1 109 1.1
Legal claim costs   172       1.7     -       -  
 
  9,197       89.7     8,668       89.9  
 
Income before income taxes 1,052 10.3 968 10.1
 
Provision for income taxes   314       3.1     292       3.1  
 
Net income 738 7.2 676 7.0
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   156       1.5     149       1.5  
 
Net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc. $ 582       5.7   $ 527       5.5  
 
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.40 $ 1.19
 
Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (millions) 415.918 443.866
 
Comprehensive income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc. $ 626   $ 410  
 
 
 
 
 
 
HCA Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
      2015     2014

Amount

   

Ratio

Amount

   

Ratio

 
Revenues before provision for doubtful accounts $ 43,591 $ 40,087
Provision for doubtful accounts   3,913     3,169  
Revenues 39,678 100.0 % 36,918 100.0 %
 
Salaries and benefits 18,115 45.7 16,641 45.1
Supplies 6,638 16.7 6,262 17.0
Other operating expenses 7,103 17.9 6,755 18.2
Electronic health record incentive income (47 ) (0.1 ) (125 ) (0.3 )
Equity in earnings of affiliates (46 ) (0.1 ) (43 ) (0.1 )
Depreciation and amortization 1,904 4.8 1,820 5.0
Interest expense 1,665 4.2 1,743 4.7
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities 5 - (29 ) (0.1 )
Losses on retirement of debt 135 0.3 335 0.9
Legal claim costs   249       0.6     78       0.2  
 
  35,721       90.0     33,437       90.6  
 
Income before income taxes 3,957 10.0 3,481 9.4
 
Provision for income taxes   1,261       3.2     1,108       3.0  
 
Net income 2,696 6.8 2,373 6.4
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   567       1.4     498       1.3  
 
Net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc. $ 2,129       5.4   $ 1,875       5.1  
 
Diluted earnings per share $ 4.99 $ 4.16
 
Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (millions) 426.721 450.352
 
Comprehensive income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc. $ 2,187   $ 1,809  
 
 
 
 
 
 
HCA Holdings, Inc.
Supplemental Non-GAAP Disclosures
Operating Results Summary
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
      For the Years
Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,

2015

 

2014

2015

 

2014

 
Revenues $ 10,249 $ 9,636 $ 39,678 $ 36,918
 
Net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc. $ 582 $ 527 $ 2,129 $ 1,875
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities (net of tax) 4 (7 ) 3 (18 )
Losses on retirement of debt (net of tax) 7 68 86 211
Legal claim costs (net of tax)   108   -     157   49  

Net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt and legal claim costs (a)

701 588 2,375 2,117
Depreciation and amortization 480 459 1,904 1,820
Interest expense 410 429 1,665 1,743
Provision for income taxes 384 331 1,404 1,250
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   156   149     567   498  
 
Adjusted EBITDA (a) $ 2,131 $ 1,956   $ 7,915 $ 7,428  
 
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc. $ 1.40 $ 1.19 $ 4.99 $ 4.16
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities 0.01 (0.01 ) - (0.04 )
Losses on retirement of debt 0.02 0.15 0.20 0.47
Legal claim costs   0.26   -     0.37   0.11  

Net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt and legal claim costs(a)

$ 1.69 $ 1.33   $ 5.56 $ 4.70  
 
Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (millions) 415.918 443.866 426.721 450.352
 
     
 
(a) Net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt and legal claim costs, and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as measures of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). We believe net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt and legal claim costs, and Adjusted EBITDA are important measures that supplement discussions and analysis of our results of operations. We believe it is useful to investors to provide disclosures of our results of operations on the same basis used by management. Management relies upon net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt and legal claim costs, and Adjusted EBITDA as the primary measures to review and assess operating performance of its health care facilities and their management teams.
 
Management and investors review both the overall performance (including net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt and legal claim costs, and GAAP net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc.) and operating performance (Adjusted EBITDA) of our health care facilities. Adjusted EBITDA and the Adjusted EBITDA margin (Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenues) are utilized by management and investors to compare our current operating results with the corresponding periods during the previous year and to compare our operating results with other companies in the health care industry. It is reasonable to expect that losses (gains) on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt and legal claim costs will occur in future periods, but the amounts recognized can vary significantly from period to period, do not directly relate to the ongoing operations of our health care facilities and complicate period comparisons of our results of operations and operations comparisons with other health care companies.
 
Net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt and legal claim costs, and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under GAAP, and should not be considered as alternatives to net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc. as a measure of operating performance or cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as a measure of liquidity. Because net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt and legal claim costs, and Adjusted EBITDA are not measurements determined in accordance with GAAP and are susceptible to varying calculations, net income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt and legal claim costs, and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
 
 
 
 
 
 
HCA Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
    December 31,     September 30,     December 31,
2015 2015 2014
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 741 $ 588 $ 566

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,326, $5,111 and $5,011

5,889 5,827 5,694
Inventories 1,439 1,379 1,279
Deferred income taxes - 412 366
Other   1,163     1,015     1,025  
Total current assets 9,232 9,221 8,930
 
Property and equipment, at cost 34,614 34,207 32,980
Accumulated depreciation   (19,600 )   (19,503 )   (18,625 )
15,014 14,704 14,355
 
Investments of insurance subsidiaries 432 409 494
Investments in and advances to affiliates 178 186 165
Goodwill and other intangible assets 6,731 6,540 6,416
Other   1,157     836     620  
 
$ 32,744   $ 31,896   $ 30,980  
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 2,170 $ 1,877 $ 2,035
Accrued salaries 1,233 1,358 1,370
Other accrued expenses 1,880 1,701 1,737
Long-term debt due within one year   233     1,377     338  
Total current liabilities 5,516 6,313 5,480
 
Long-term debt, less net debt issuance costs of $167, $160 and $219 30,255 28,375 29,088
Professional liability risks 1,115 1,117 1,078
Income taxes and other liabilities 1,904 1,903 1,832
 
EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Stockholders' deficit attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc. (7,599 ) (7,294 ) (7,894 )
Noncontrolling interests   1,553     1,482     1,396  
Total deficit   (6,046 )   (5,812 )   (6,498 )
$ 32,744   $ 31,896   $ 30,980  
 
 
 
 
 
 
HCA Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
              2015     2014
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 2,696 $ 2,373
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash from operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (4,114 ) (3,645 )
Provision for doubtful accounts   3,913     3,169  
Accounts receivable, net (201 ) (476 )
Inventories and other assets (314 ) (232 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 192 444
Depreciation and amortization 1,904 1,820
Income taxes (160 ) (83 )
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities 5 (29 )
Losses on retirement of debt 135 335
Legal claim costs 149 78
Amortization of debt issuance costs 35 42
Share-based compensation 239 163
Other   54     13  
 
Net cash provided by operating activities   4,734     4,448  
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment (2,375 ) (2,176 )
Acquisition of hospitals and health care entities (351 ) (766 )
Disposition of hospitals and health care entities 73 51
Change in investments 63 (37 )
Other   7     10  
 
Net cash used in investing activities   (2,583 )   (2,918 )
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of long-term debt 5,548 5,502
Net change in revolving credit facilities 150 440
Repayment of long-term debt (4,920 ) (5,164 )
Distributions to noncontrolling interests (495 ) (442 )
Payment of debt issuance costs (50 ) (73 )
Repurchase of common stock (2,397 ) (1,750 )
Income tax benefits 235 134
Other   (47 )   (25 )
 
Net cash used in financing activities   (1,976 )   (1,378 )
 
 
Change in cash and cash equivalents 175 152
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   566     414  
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 741   $ 566  
 
 
Interest payments $ 1,650 $ 1,758
Income tax payments, net $ 1,186 $ 1,057
 
 
 
 
 
 
HCA Holdings, Inc.
Operating Statistics
 
 
                For the Years
Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2015

   

2014

 
Operations:
Number of Hospitals 168 166 168 166
Number of Freestanding Outpatient Surgery Centers 116 113 116 113
Licensed Beds at End of Period 43,771 43,356 43,771 43,356
Weighted Average Licensed Beds 43,705 43,321 43,620 43,132
 
Reported:
Admissions 467,300 458,000 1,868,800 1,795,300

% Change

2.0 % 4.1 %
Equivalent Admissions 787,800 760,200 3,122,700 2,958,700

% Change

3.6 % 5.5 %
Revenue per Equivalent Admission $ 13,010 $ 12,676 $ 12,706 $ 12,478

% Change

2.6 % 1.8 %
Inpatient Revenue per Admission $ 12,634 $ 12,461 $ 12,407 $ 12,327

% Change

1.4 % 0.6 %
 
Patient Days 2,283,800 2,216,700 9,155,700 8,699,800

% Change

3.0 % 5.2 %
Equivalent Patient Days 3,850,500 3,679,000 15,299,100 14,337,200

% Change

4.7 % 6.7 %
 
Inpatient Surgery Cases 134,000 132,600 529,900 518,900

% Change

1.1 % 2.1 %
Outpatient Surgery Cases 240,200 233,400 909,400 891,600

% Change

2.9 % 2.0 %
 
Emergency Room Visits 2,037,700 1,949,200 8,050,200 7,450,700

% Change

4.5 % 8.0 %
 

Outpatient Revenues as a Percentage of Patient Revenues

40.5 % 38.9 % 39.6 % 38.1 %
 
Average Length of Stay 4.9 4.8 4.9 4.8
 
Occupancy 56.8 % 55.6 % 57.5 % 55.3 %
 
Same Facility:
Admissions 461,900 454,700 1,847,300 1,786,000

% Change

1.6 % 3.4 %
Equivalent Admissions 775,000 753,000 3,075,700 2,939,700

% Change

2.9 % 4.6 %
Revenue per Equivalent Admission $ 12,998 $ 12,666 $ 12,695 $ 12,479

% Change

2.6 % 1.7 %
Inpatient Revenue per Admission $ 12,675 $ 12,482 $ 12,449 $ 12,340

% Change

1.5 % 0.9 %
 
Inpatient Surgery Cases 132,800 130,900 524,200 513,400

% Change

1.5 % 2.1 %
Outpatient Surgery Cases 234,100 229,000 890,300 876,300

% Change

2.2 % 1.6 %
 
Emergency Room Visits 1,999,500 1,929,800 7,912,800 7,392,300

% Change

3.6 % 7.0 %
 
 
 
 

Contacts

HCA Holdings, Inc.
Investor Contact:
Mark Kimbrough, 615-344-2688
or
Media Contact:
Ed Fishbough, 615-344-2810

Contacts

HCA Holdings, Inc.
Investor Contact:
Mark Kimbrough, 615-344-2688
or
Media Contact:
Ed Fishbough, 615-344-2810