NHC Reports First Quarter Earnings

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- National HealthCare Corporation (NYSE Amex: NHC) (NYSE Amex: NHC.PRA), a publicly traded long-term health care company, today announced net income available to common shareholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 of $10,508,000 compared to $16,556,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, a decrease of 36.5%. Net income was $0.76 per common share basic for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 compared to $1.21 per common share basic for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. For comparative purposes, operating expenses for the 2011 three-month period included favorable results within our accrued risk reserves of $10,500,000 (approximately $6,825,000 after income taxes or $0.50 per common share basic). Excluding this adjustment, the quarter ended March 31, 2012 would have reflected an increase of 8.0% in net income available to common shareholders compared to the same period in 2011.

Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2012 totaled $190,086,000 compared to $192,948,000 for the same three months of 2011, a decrease of 1.5%. Operating results for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the quarter last year were negatively affected by decreases in Medicare and Medicaid per diem rates and benefitted from an improved patient mix and cost saving measures.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. NHC cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. The risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in reports filed by NHC with the S.E.C., including Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K, and include, among others, the following: liabilities and other claims asserted against us and patient care liabilities, as well as the resolution of current litigation; availability of insurance and assets for indemnification; national and local economic conditions; including their effect on the availability and cost of labor, utilities and materials; the effect of government regulations and changes in regulations governing the healthcare industry, including our compliance with such regulations; changes in Medicare and Medicaid payment levels and methodologies and the application of such methodologies by the government and its fiscal intermediaries, the ability of third parties for whom we have guaranteed debt to refinance certain short term debt obligations; and other factors referenced or incorporated by reference in the S.E.C. filings. The risks included here are not exhaustive. All forward-looking statements represent NHC’s best judgment as of the date of this release.

About NHC

NHC affiliates operate for themselves and third parties 75 long-term health care centers with 9,450 beds. NHC affiliates also operate 37 homecare programs, six independent living centers and 17 assisted living communities. NHC’s other services include Alzheimer’s units, long-term care pharmacies, hospice, a rehabilitation services company, and providing management and accounting services to third parties. Other information about the company can be found on our web site at www.nhccare.com.

 
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
     
Three Months Ended
March 31
Revenues: 2012 2011
Net patient revenues $ 176,113 $ 177,553
Other revenues   13,973     15,395  
Net operating revenues   190,086     192,948  
 
Costs and Expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits 106,471 108,762
Other operating 51,528 41,389
Facility rent 9,847 9,865
Depreciation and amortization 7,380 6,962
Interest   118     89  
Total costs and expenses   175,344     167,067  
 
Income Before Non-Operating Income 14,742 25,881
Non-Operating Income   5,868     4,561  
 
Income Before Income Taxes 20,610 30,442
Income Tax Provision   (7,934 )   (11,718 )
 
Net Income 12,676 18,724
 
Dividends to Preferred Stockholders   (2,168 )   (2,168 )
 
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders $ 10,508   $ 16,556  
 
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic $ 0.76 $ 1.21
Diluted $ 0.76 $ 1.15
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic 13,840,079 13,680,135
Diluted 13,908,274 16,327,236
 
 
Balance Sheet Data
(in thousands) March 31 Dec. 31
2012 2011
Cash and marketable securities $ 291,181 $ 280,271
Current assets 371,258 362,186
Property and equipment, net 424,715 429,651
Total assets 874,282 865,672
Current liabilities 204,851 215,907
Long-term debt 10,000 10,000
Stockholders' equity 629,032 611,736
 
Selected Operating Statistics
 
Three Months Ended
March 31
2012 2011
Per Diems:
Medicare $ 429.01 $ 449.36
Managed Care $ 402.53 $ 417.07
Medicaid $ 157.45 $ 158.75
Private Pay and Other $ 191.01 $ 188.02
 
Patient Days:
Medicare 123,128 119,778
Managed Care 29,205 25,079
Medicaid 275,287 280,701
Private Pay and Other   148,731   148,281
576,351 573,839
 
Average Per Diem $ 236.54 $ 238.26



CONTACT:

National HealthCare Corporation
Gerald Coggin, 615-890-2020
Sr. VP of Corporate Relations

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Tennessee

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Health  Hospitals  Managed Care

MEDIA:

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