Chemed Reports Fourth-Quarter 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Chemed Corporation (CHE) reported fourth-quarter 2021 financial results, highlighting a 1.4% revenue increase to $541 million. GAAP diluted EPS stood at $4.81, with adjusted diluted EPS rising 2.3% to $5.25. VITAS segment experienced a 4.8% revenue decline to $316 million, with a notable drop in admissions of 9.5%. In contrast, Roto-Rooter achieved an 11.8% revenue increase to $225 million and adjusted EBITDA grew 14.2%. The company anticipates a 1.5% to 2.5% revenue decline for VITAS in 2022, while Roto-Rooter projects 8% to 9.5% growth.

Positive

• Roto-Rooter revenue increased 11.8% to $225 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA for Roto-Rooter grew 14.2%.
• Share repurchase program continued, with $246 million spent on repurchasing shares.

Negative

• VITAS revenue declined 4.8% to $316 million.
• Net Income for VITAS dropped 14.4% to $49.7 million.
• Average Daily Census (ADC) decreased 4.2%, reflecting operational challenges.

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Chemed Corporation (Chemed) (NYSE: CHE), which operates VITAS Healthcare Corporation (VITAS), one of the nation’s largest providers of end-of-life care, and Roto-Rooter, the nation’s largest commercial and residential plumbing and drain cleaning services provider, reported financial results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021, versus the comparable prior-year period, as follows:

Consolidated operating results:

• Revenue increased 1.4% to $541 million
• GAAP Diluted Earnings-per-Share (EPS) of $4.81
• Adjusted Diluted EPS of $5.25, an increase of 2.3%

VITAS segment operating results:

• Net Patient Revenue of $316 million, a decline of 4.8%
• Average Daily Census (ADC) of 17,935, a decline of 4.2%
• Admissions of 16,250, a decline of 9.5%
• Net Income, excluding certain discrete items, of $49.7 million, a decline of 14.4%
• Adjusted EBITDA, excluding Medicare Cap, of $69.3 million, a decline of 11.9%
• Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding Medicare Cap, of 21.7%, a decrease of 179-basis points

Roto-Rooter segment operating results:

• Revenue of $225 million, an increase of 11.8%
• Net Income, excluding certain discrete items, of $44.2 million, an increase of 16.5%
• Adjusted EBITDA of $62.2 million, an increase of 14.2%
• Adjusted EBITDA margin of 27.7%, an increase of 58-basis points

VITAS

VITAS net revenue was $316 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, which is a decline of 4.8%, when compared to the prior-year period. This revenue decline is comprised primarily of a 4.2% decline in days-of-care partially offset by a geographically weighted average Medicare reimbursement rate increase of approximately 1.1%. Acuity mix shift had a net impact of reducing revenue approximately $7.1 million, or 2.1%, in the quarter when compared to the prior-year revenue and level-of-care mix. The combination of Medicare Cap and other contra revenue changes offset a portion of this revenue decline by approximately 40-basis points.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, VITAS accrued $3.0 million in Medicare Cap billing limitations. This compares to $2.5 million in Medicare Cap billing limitation in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Of VITAS’ 30 Medicare provider numbers, 25 provider numbers have a Medicare Cap cushion of 10% or greater, two provider numbers have a cap cushion between 5% and 10%, one provider number has cushion between 0% and 5% and two provider numbers have an estimated fiscal 2022 Medicare Cap billing limitation liability.

Average revenue per patient per day in the fourth quarter of 2021 was $196.26, which, including acuity mix shift, is 105-basis points below the prior-year period. Reimbursement for routine home care and high acuity care averaged $172.16 and $1,005.47, respectively. During the quarter, high acuity days-of-care were 2.9% of total days of care, 55-basis points less than the prior-year quarter.

The fourth quarter 2021 gross margin, excluding Medicare Cap and increased costs directly related to operating during the pandemic, was 28.5%. This is a 109-basis point margin decline when compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.

Selling, general and administrative expense, excluding increased costs directly related to operating during the pandemic, was $21.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and compares to $19.3 million incurred in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA, excluding Medicare Cap, totaled $69.3 million in the quarter, a decrease of 11.9%. Adjusted EBITDA margin in the quarter, excluding Medicare Cap, was 21.7%, which is 179-basis points less than the prior-year period.

Roto-Rooter

Roto-Rooter generated quarterly revenue of $225 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of $23.8 million, or 11.8%, when compared to the prior-year quarter.

Roto-Rooter branch commercial revenue in the quarter totaled $53.9 million, an increase of $6.9 million, or 14.8%, over the prior year. This aggregate commercial revenue growth consisted of drain cleaning revenue increasing 17.0%, plumbing increasing 18.0% and excavation expanding 10.5%. Water restoration increased 4.5%.

Roto-Rooter branch residential revenue in the quarter totaled $152 million, an increase of $15.3 million, or 11.2%, over the prior-year period. This aggregate residential revenue growth consisted of drain cleaning increasing 10.6%, plumbing expanding 13.5%, excavation increasing 12.0%, and water restoration increasing 9.2%.

Roto-Rooter’s gross margin in the quarter, excluding the impact from COVID, was 52.7%, a 77-basis point increase when compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2021 totaled $62.2 million, an increase of 14.2%. The Adjusted EBITDA margin in the quarter was 27.7%, which is a 58-basis point improvement when compared to the prior year. The fourth quarter of 2021 included approximately $1.9 million for increased casualty and health care insurance claims expense. In addition, there was approximately $1.2 million of increased eMarketing, repairs & maintenance and payroll fringes not anticipated to be incurred in future quarters. Combined, this spike in fourth quarter expenses negatively impacted fourth quarter 2021 adjusted EBITDA margin by approximately 138-basis points.

Chemed Consolidated

As of December 31, 2021, Chemed had total cash and cash equivalents of $33 million and $185 million of long-term debt.

In June 2018, Chemed entered into a five-year Amended and Restated Credit Agreement that consists of a $450 million revolving credit facility. The interest rate on this facility has a floating rate that is currently LIBOR plus 100-basis points. At December 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $219 million of undrawn borrowing capacity under this credit agreement.

During the quarter, the Company repurchased 495,529 shares of Chemed stock for $246 million which equates to a cost per share of $496.65. As of December 31, 2021, there was approximately $202 million of remaining share repurchase authorization under this plan.

Chemed restarted its share repurchase program in 2007. Since that time, Chemed has repurchased approximately 15.7 million shares, aggregating approximately $2.0 billion at an average share cost of $125.14. Including dividends over this period, Chemed has returned approximately $2.2 billion to shareholders.

Guidance for 2022

Historically, Chemed earnings guidance has been developed using previous years’ key operating metrics which are then modeled and projected out for the calendar year. Critical within these projections is the understanding of traditional patterned correlations among key operating metrics. This modeling exercise also takes into consideration anticipated industry and macro-economic issues outside of management’s control but are somewhat predictable in terms of timing and impact on our business segments’ operating results.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made accurate modeling and providing meaningful earnings guidance exceptionally challenging. Since the start of the pandemic, Chemed has been able to successfully navigate within this rapidly changing environment and produce operating results that we believe provide us with the ability to issue earnings guidance for the 2022 calendar year. However, this guidance should be taken with the recognition the pandemic will continue to disrupt our healthcare system and general economy to such an extent that future rules, regulations and government mandates could materially impact the company’s ability to achieve this guidance.

Statistically, patients residing in senior housing are identified as hospice appropriate earlier into their terminal prognosis and have a much greater probability of having a length of stay in excess of 90 days. Hospice patients referred from hospitals, oncology practices and similar referral sources are generally more acute and have a significantly lower probability of lengths-of-stay exceeding 90 days. According to data released by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, COVID-19 continues to adversely affect senior housing occupancy. This reduced occupancy in senior housing has had a corresponding reduction in VITAS nursing home admissions. Nursing home patients represented 15.6% of VITAS’ fourth-quarter 2021 patient census. This compares to nursing home patients averaging 18.2% of total census just prior to the pandemic.

A November 2021 article in US News and World Report estimated that approximately 20% of all health care workers in the US have left the industry since the start of the pandemic. This shortage of licensed healthcare workers will generate short-term to medium-term pressure on VITAS’ labor costs and related margins.

Medicare hospice reimbursement rate increases are based on a government formula that utilizes the Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ measurement of healthcare wage inflation reflected in the hospital wage index basket. However, this formulaic methodology is based upon healthcare wage inflation and increased CPI measured from April 1 through March 31 to determine the following October 1 reimbursement rates. This methodology effectively delays actual wage inflation from impacting hospice reimbursement by 12 to 18 months.

VITAS anticipates that senior housing will continue to have weak occupancy rates at least through the first half of 2022. Accordingly, VITAS anticipates senior housing hospice referrals will not have meaningful growth until the second half of 2022. Labor cost increases and related margin pressure are anticipated to continue through all of 2022 with some moderation starting with the next reimbursement increase on October 1, 2022.

Based upon the above discussion, VITAS 2022 revenue, prior to Medicare Cap, is estimated to decline 1.5% to 2.5% when compared to 2021. A portion of the estimated revenue reduction, approximately $15 million, is the result of the phase out of sequestration relief over the first half of 2022 compared to a full year of sequestration relief in 2021. ADC is estimated to decline 1.0% to 1.5%. Full year adjusted EBITDA margin, prior to Medicare Cap, is estimated to be 15.5% to 16.0%. We are currently estimating $12 million for Medicare Cap billing limitations in calendar year 2022.

Roto-Rooter is forecasted to achieve full-year 2022 revenue growth of 8.0% to 9.5%. Roto-Rooter’s adjusted EBITDA margin for 2022 is expected to be 28.5% to 29.5%.

Based upon the above, full-year 2022 earnings per diluted share, excluding non-cash expense for stock options, tax benefits from stock option exercises, costs related to litigation and other discrete items, is estimated to be in the range of $19.10 to $19.50. This 2022 guidance assumes an effective corporate tax rate on adjusted earnings of 25.1% and a diluted share count of 15.25 million shares. Chemed’s 2021 reported adjusted earnings per diluted share was $19.33.

Conference Call

Chemed will host a conference call and webcast at 10 a.m., ET, on Friday, February 25, 2022, to discuss the Company's quarterly results and to provide an update on its business. The dial-in number for the conference call is (844) 743-2500 for U.S. and Canadian participants and +1 (661) 378-9533 for international participants. The Conference ID is 3267032. A live webcast of the call can be accessed on Chemed's website at www.chemed.com by clicking on Investor Relations Home.

A taped replay of the conference call will be available beginning approximately 24 hours after the call's conclusion. It can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 for U.S. and Canadian callers and +1 (404) 537-3406 for international callers and will be available for one week following the live call. The replay Conference ID is 3267032. An archived webcast will also be available at www.chemed.com.

Chemed Corporation operates in the healthcare field through its VITAS Healthcare Corporation subsidiary. VITAS provides daily hospice services to approximately 18,000 patients with severe, life-limiting illnesses. This type of care is focused on making the terminally ill patient's final days as comfortable and pain-free as possible.

Chemed operates in the residential and commercial plumbing and drain cleaning industry under the brand name Roto-Rooter. Roto-Rooter provides plumbing, drain cleaning, and water cleanup services through company-owned branches, independent contractors and franchisees in the United States and Canada. Roto-Rooter also has licensed master franchisees in the republics of Indonesia and Singapore, and the Philippines.

This press release contains information about Chemed’s EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS, which are not measures derived in accordance with GAAP and which exclude components that are important to understanding Chemed’s financial performance. In reporting its operating results, Chemed provides EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS measures to help investors and others evaluate the Company’s operating results, compare its operating performance with that of similar companies that have different capital structures and evaluate its ability to meet its future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Chemed’s management similarly uses EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS to assist it in evaluating the performance of the Company across fiscal periods and in assessing how its performance compares to its peer companies. These measures also help Chemed’s management to estimate the resources required to meet Chemed’s future financial obligations and expenditures. Chemed’s EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. We calculated Adjusted EBITDA Margin by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by service revenue and sales. A reconciliation of Chemed’s net income to its EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS is presented in the tables following the text of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release and the accompanying tables are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "hope," "anticipate," "plan" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Chemed does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve various risks and uncertainties, which could cause Chemed's actual results to differ from those expressed in such forward-looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties arise from, among other things, possible changes in regulations governing the hospice care or plumbing and drain cleaning industries; periodic changes in reimbursement levels and procedures under Medicare and Medicaid programs; difficulties predicting patient length of stay and estimating potential Medicare reimbursement obligations; challenges inherent in Chemed's growth strategy; the current shortage of qualified nurses, other healthcare professionals and licensed plumbing and drain cleaning technicians; Chemed’s dependence on patient referral sources; and other factors detailed under the caption "Description of Business by Segment" or "Risk Factors" in Chemed’s most recent report on form 10-Q or 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements and there are no assurances that the matters contained in such statements will be achieved.

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)(unaudited)
		Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Years Ended December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Service revenues and sales		$	540,978			$	533,289				2,139,261			$	2,079,583
Cost of services provided and goods sold			336,328				335,049				1,369,458				1,378,197
Selling, general and administrative expenses (aa)			92,073				86,805				366,727				330,218
Depreciation			11,840				11,835				49,011				46,596
Amortization			2,510				2,511				10,040				9,987
Other operating expense/(income)			198				(46,160	)			987				(75,095	)
Total costs and expenses			442,949				390,040				1,796,223				1,689,903
Income from operations			98,029				143,249				343,038				389,680
Interest expense			(525	)			(350	)			(1,868	)			(2,355	)
Other (expense)/income--net (bb)			(1,377	)			2,942				9,144				8,665
Income before income taxes			96,127				145,841				350,314				395,990
Income taxes			(21,502	)			(32,089	)			(81,764	)			(76,524	)
Net income		$	74,625			$	113,752			$	268,550			$	319,466
Earnings Per Share
Net income		$	4.89			$	7.12			$	17.14			$	20.02
Average number of shares outstanding			15,266				15,973				15,671				15,955
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Net income		$	4.81			$	6.96			$	16.85			$	19.48
Average number of shares outstanding			15,513				16,348				15,938				16,398
(aa) Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses comprise (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Years Ended December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
SG&A expenses before long-term incentive compensation
and the impact of market value adjustments related to
deferred compensation plans		$	89,875			$	80,551			$	349,250			$	313,348
Long-term incentive compensation			3,658				3,414				9,167				8,937
Market value adjustments related to deferred
compensation trusts			(1,460	)			2,840				8,310				7,933
Total SG&A expenses		$	92,073			$	86,805			$	366,727			$	330,218
(bb) Other (expense)/income--net comprises (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Years Ended December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Market value adjustments related to deferred
compensation trusts		$	(1,460	)		$	2,840			$	8,310			$	7,933
Interest income			89				109				377				757
Other			(6	)			(7	)			457				(25	)
Total other (expense)/income--net		$	(1,377	)		$	2,942			$	9,144			$	8,665

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share data)(unaudited)
		December 31,
		2021				2020
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	32,895			$	162,675
Accounts receivable less allowances			137,217				126,853
Inventories			10,109				7,095
Prepaid income taxes			17,377				6,603
Prepaid expenses			32,688				26,177
Total current assets			230,286				329,403
Investments of deferred compensation plans held in trust			98,884				88,811
Properties and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation			193,680				187,820
Lease right of use asset			125,048				123,448
Identifiable intangible assets less accumulated amortization			108,096				118,085
Goodwill			578,591				578,585
Other assets			8,138				8,759
Total Assets		$	1,342,723			$	1,434,911
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	73,024			$	54,234
Income taxes			41				9,464
Accrued insurance			55,918				54,703
Accrued compensation			95,598				91,282
Accrued legal			872				10,632
Short-term lease liability			37,913				36,200
Other current liabilities			39,033				42,593
Total current liabilities			302,399				299,108
Deferred income taxes			23,183				20,664
Long-term debt			185,000				-
Deferred compensation liabilities			98,597				88,456
Long-term lease liability			100,629				99,210
Other liabilities			9,642				26,273
Total Liabilities			719,450				533,711
Stockholders' Equity
Capital stock			36,514				36,259
Paid-in capital			1,044,341				961,404
Retained earnings			1,970,311				1,723,777
Treasury stock, at cost			(2,430,094	)			(1,822,579	)
Deferred compensation payable in Company stock			2,201				2,339
Total Stockholders' Equity			623,273				901,200
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity		$	1,342,723			$	1,434,911

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)(unaudited)
		For the Years Ended December 31,
		2021				2020
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income		$	268,550			$	319,466
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			59,051				56,583
Stock option expense			22,502				18,422
Deferred payroll taxes			(18,175	)			36,350
Litigation settlements			(9,440	)			2,684
Noncash long-term incentive compensation			7,745				7,208
Provision for deferred income taxes			2,400				1,433
Noncash directors' compensation			1,173				1,171
Amortization of debt issuance costs			306				306
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding
amounts acquired in business combinations:
(Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable			(8,431	)			12,773
(Increase)/decrease in inventories			(3,014	)			367
Increase in prepaid expenses			(6,511	)			(3,027	)
Increase in accounts payable and
other current liabilities			9,832				19,096
Change in current income taxes			(20,401	)			13,525
Net change in lease assets and liabilities			(44	)			1,206
Increase in other assets			(10,305	)			(11,834	)
Increase in other liabilities			12,074				12,323
Other sources			1,285				1,237
Net cash provided by operating activities			308,597				489,289
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures			(58,675	)			(58,831	)
Business combinations			-				(3,600	)
Other sources			918				871
Net cash used by investing activities			(57,757	)			(61,560	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Purchases of treasury stock			(576,042	)			(175,594	)
Proceeds from revolving line of credit			210,300				174,900
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			35,848				50,382
Payments on revolving line of credit			(25,300	)			(264,900	)
Dividends paid			(22,016	)			(21,079	)
Capital stock surrendered to pay taxes on stock-based compensation			(15,129	)			(25,328	)
Change in cash overdrafts payable			11,884				(9,849	)
Other (uses)/sources			(165	)			256
Net cash used by financing activities			(380,620	)			(271,212	)
(Decrease)/Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents			(129,780	)			156,517
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			162,675				6,158
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	32,895			$	162,675

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
(in thousands)(unaudited)
														Chemed
		VITAS				Roto-Rooter				Corporate				Consolidated
2021 (a)
Service revenues and sales		$	316,112			$	224,866			$	-			$	540,978
Cost of services provided and goods sold			229,023				107,305				-				336,328
Selling, general and administrative expenses			21,491				56,246				14,336				92,073
Depreciation			5,365				6,456				19				11,840
Amortization			18				2,492				-				2,510
Other operating expense/(income)			221				(23	)			-				198
Total costs and expenses			256,118				172,476				14,355				442,949
Income/(loss) from operations			59,994				52,390				(14,355	)			98,029
Interest expense			(31	)			(132	)			(362	)			(525	)
Intercompany interest income/(expense)			4,601				2,064				(6,665	)			-
Other income—net			58				26				(1,461	)			(1,377	)
Income/(loss) before income taxes			64,622				54,348				(22,843	)			96,127
Income taxes			(15,621	)			(12,519	)			6,638				(21,502	)
Net income/(loss)		$	49,001			$	41,829			$	(16,205	)		$	74,625
2020 (b)
Service revenues and sales		$	332,190			$	201,099			$	-			$	533,289
Cost of services provided and goods sold			237,812				97,237				-				335,049
Selling, general and administrative expenses			20,305				49,679				16,821				86,805
Depreciation			5,546				6,257				32				11,835
Amortization			18				2,493				-				2,511
Other operating expense			(46,929	)			769				-				(46,160	)
Total costs and expenses			216,752				156,435				16,853				390,040
Income/(loss) from operations			115,438				44,664				(16,853	)			143,249
Interest expense			(29	)			(68	)			(253	)			(350	)
Intercompany interest income/(expense)			5,434				1,834				(7,268	)			-
Other income—net			95				7				2,840				2,942
Income/(loss) before income taxes			120,938				46,437				(21,534	)			145,841
Income taxes			(29,419	)			(11,007	)			8,337				(32,089	)
Net income/(loss)		$	91,519			$	35,430			$	(13,197	)		$	113,752
The "Footnotes to Financial Statements" are integral parts of this financial information.
CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
(in thousands)(unaudited)
														Chemed
		VITAS				Roto-Rooter				Corporate				Consolidated
2021 (a)
Service revenues and sales		$	1,261,246			$	878,015			$	-			$	2,139,261
Cost of services provided and goods sold			953,420				416,038				-				1,369,458
Selling, general and administrative expenses			87,585				215,036				64,106				366,727
Depreciation			23,114				25,816				81				49,011
Amortization			71				9,969				-				10,040
Other operating expense			876				111				-				987
Total costs and expenses			1,065,066				666,970				64,187				1,796,223
Income/(loss) from operations			196,180				211,045				(64,187	)			343,038
Interest expense			(160	)			(595	)			(1,113	)			(1,868	)
Intercompany interest income/(expense)			18,125				7,180				(25,305	)			-
Other income—net			712				123				8,309				9,144
Income/(loss) before income taxes			214,857				217,753				(82,296	)			350,314
Income taxes			(52,426	)			(51,420	)			22,082				(81,764	)
Net income/(loss)		$	162,431			$	166,333			$	(60,214	)		$	268,550
2020 (b)
Service revenues and sales		$	1,334,667			$	744,916			$	-			$	2,079,583
Cost of services provided and goods sold			1,010,693				367,504				-				1,378,197
Selling, general and administrative expenses			85,445				188,268				56,505				330,218
Depreciation			22,168				24,292				136				46,596
Amortization			71				9,916				-				9,987
Other operating (income)/expense			(78,590	)			3,495				-				(75,095	)
Total costs and expenses			1,039,787				593,475				56,641				1,689,903
Income/(loss) from operations			294,880				151,441				(56,641	)			389,680
Interest expense			(166	)			(340	)			(1,849	)			(2,355	)
Intercompany interest income/(expense)			19,897				6,256				(26,153	)			-
Other income—net			644				75				7,946				8,665
Income/(loss) before income taxes			315,255				157,432				(76,697	)			395,990
Income taxes			(76,473	)			(37,038	)			36,987				(76,524	)
Net income/(loss)		$	238,782			$	120,394			$	(39,710	)		$	319,466
The "Footnotes to Financial Statements" are integral parts of this financial information.

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATING SUMMARIES OF EBITDA
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
(in thousands)(unaudited)
														Chemed
		VITAS				Roto-Rooter				Corporate				Consolidated
2021
Net income/(loss)		$	49,001			$	41,829			$	(16,205	)		$	74,625
Add/(deduct):
Interest expense			31				132				362				525
Income taxes			15,621				12,519				(6,638	)			21,502
Depreciation			5,365				6,456				19				11,840
Amortization			18				2,492				-				2,510
EBITDA			70,036				63,428				(22,462	)			111,002
Add/(deduct):
Intercompany interest expense/(income)			(4,601	)			(2,064	)			6,665				-
Interest income			(63	)			(26	)			-				(89	)
Stock option expense			-				-				6,159				6,159
Long-term incentive compensation			-				-				3,659				3,659
Direct costs related to COVID-19			959				884				-				1,843
Adjusted EBITDA		$	66,331			$	62,222			$	(5,979	)		$	122,574
2020
Net income/(loss)		$	91,519			$	35,430			$	(13,197	)		$	113,752
Add/(deduct):
Interest expense			29				68				253				350
Income taxes			29,419				11,007				(8,337	)			32,089
Depreciation			5,546				6,257				32				11,835
Amortization			18				2,493				-				2,511
EBITDA			126,531				55,255				(21,249	)			160,537
Add/(deduct):
Intercompany interest expense/(income)			(5,434	)			(1,834	)			7,268				-
Interest income			(102	)			(7	)			-				(109	)
CARES Act grant			(48,041	)			-				-				(48,041	)
Stock option expense			-				-				5,127				5,127
Direct costs related to COVID-19			3,257				520				-				3,777
Long-term incentive compensation			-				-				3,413				3,413
Litigation settlements			-				544				-				544
Adjusted EBITDA		$	76,211			$	54,478			$	(5,441	)		$	125,248
The "Footnotes to Financial Statements" are integral parts of this financial information.

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATING SUMMARIES OF EBITDA
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
(in thousands)(unaudited)
														Chemed
		VITAS				Roto-Rooter				Corporate				Consolidated
2021
Net income/(loss)		$	162,431			$	166,333			$	(60,214	)		$	268,550
Add/(deduct):
Interest expense			160				595				1,113				1,868
Income taxes			52,426				51,420				(22,082	)			81,764
Depreciation			23,114				25,816				81				49,011
Amortization			71				9,969				-				10,040
EBITDA			238,202				254,133				(81,102	)			411,233
Add/(deduct):
Intercompany interest expense/(income)			(18,125	)			(7,180	)			25,305				-
Interest income			(253	)			(124	)			-				(377	)
Stock option expense			-				-				22,502				22,502
Direct costs related to COVID-19			16,296				2,435				38				18,769
Long-term incentive compensation			-				-				9,167				9,167
Litigation settlements			-				(98	)			-				(98	)
Other			-				-				218				218
Adjusted EBITDA		$	236,120			$	249,166			$	(23,872	)		$	461,414
2020
Net income/(loss)		$	238,782			$	120,394			$	(39,710	)		$	319,466
Add/(deduct):
Interest expense			166				340				1,849				2,355
Income taxes			76,473				37,038				(36,987	)			76,524
Depreciation			22,168				24,292				136				46,596
Amortization			71				9,916				-				9,987
EBITDA			337,660				191,980				(74,712	)			454,928
Add/(deduct):
Intercompany interest expense/(income)			(19,897	)			(6,256	)			26,153				-
Interest income			(668	)			(76	)			(13	)			(757	)
CARES Act grant			(80,225	)			-				-				(80,225	)
Direct costs related to COVID-19			35,441				3,819				-				39,260
Stock option expense			-				-				18,422				18,422
Long-term incentive compensation			-				-				8,937				8,937
Litigation settlements			-				3,639				-				3,639
Medicare cap sequestration adjustment			619				-				-				619
Adjusted EBITDA		$	272,930			$	193,106			$	(21,213	)		$	444,823
The "Footnotes to Financial Statements" are integral parts of this financial information.

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)(unaudited)
		Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Years Ended December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Net income as reported		$	74,625			$	113,752			$	268,550			$	319,466
Add/(deduct) pre-tax cost of:
Stock option expense			6,159				5,127				22,502				18,422
Direct costs related to COVID-19			1,843				3,777				18,769				39,260
Amortization of reacquired franchise agreements			2,352				2,352				9,408				9,408
Long-term incentive compensation			3,659				3,413				9,167				8,937
Facility relocation expenses			-				-				1,855				-
Litigation settlements			-				544				(98	)			3,639
Other			-				-				218				-
CARES Act grant			-				(48,041	)			-				(80,225	)
Medicare cap sequestration adjustments			-				-				-				619
Add/(deduct) tax impacts:
Tax impact of the above pre-tax adjustments (1)			(2,606	)			9,141				(12,480	)			2,976
Excess tax benefits on stock compensation			(4,579	)			(6,146	)			(9,884	)			(26,089	)
Adjusted net income		$	81,453			$	83,919			$	308,007			$	296,413
Diluted Earnings Per Share As Reported
Net income		$	4.81			$	6.96			$	16.85			$	19.48
Average number of shares outstanding			15,513				16,348				15,938				16,398
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
Adjusted net income		$	5.25			$	5.13			$	19.33			$	18.08
Average number of shares outstanding			15,513				16,348				15,938				16,398
(1) The tax impact of pre-tax adjustments was calculated using the effective tax rate of the operating unit for which each adjustment is associated.
The "Footnotes to Financial Statements" are integral parts of this financial information.

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
OPERATING STATISTICS FOR VITAS SEGMENT
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Years Ended December 31,
OPERATING STATISTICS	2021				2020				2021				2020
Net revenue ($000) (c)
Homecare	$	272,949			$	279,410			$	1,069,766			$	1,106,358
Inpatient		27,291				28,973				113,187				114,956
Continuous care		20,680				30,175				94,338				136,011
Other		2,902				2,984				12,142				11,164
Subtotal	$	323,822			$	341,542			$	1,289,433			$	1,368,489
Room and board, net		(2,609	)			(2,858	)			(10,060	)			(12,174	)
Contractual allowances		(2,101	)			(3,994	)			(11,530	)			(14,970	)
Medicare cap allowance		(3,000	)			(2,500	)			(6,597	)			(6,678	)
Net Revenue	$	316,112			$	332,190			$	1,261,246			$	1,334,667
Net revenue as a percent of total before Medicare cap allowance
Homecare		84.3	%			81.8	%			83.0	%			80.8	%
Inpatient		8.4				8.5				8.8				8.4
Continuous care		6.4				8.8				7.3				9.9
Other		0.9				0.9				0.9				0.9
Subtotal		100.0				100.0				100.0				100.0
Room and board, net		(0.9	)			(0.8	)			(0.8	)			(0.9	)
Contractual allowances		(0.6	)			(1.2	)			(0.9	)			(1.1	)
Medicare cap allowance		(0.9	)			(0.7	)			(0.5	)			(0.5	)
Net Revenue		97.6	%			97.3	%			97.8	%			97.5	%
Days of care
Homecare		1,338,955				1,404,532				5,347,170				5,597,213
Nursing home		257,416				253,261				993,322				1,097,493
Respite		5,894				4,971				21,403				20,387
Subtotal routine homecare and respite		1,602,265				1,662,764				6,361,895				6,715,093
Inpatient		25,556				27,811				107,685				112,718
Continuous care		22,154				31,493				101,539				141,693
Total		1,649,975				1,722,068				6,571,119				6,969,504
Number of days in relevant time period		92				92				365				366
Average daily census ("ADC") (days)
Homecare		14,554				15,267				14,649				15,293
Nursing home		2,798				2,753				2,721				2,999
Respite		64				54				59				55
Subtotal routine homecare and respite		17,416				18,074				17,429				18,347
Inpatient		278				302				295				308
Continuous care		241				342				279				387
Total		17,935				18,718				18,003				19,042
Total Admissions		16,250				17,960				68,823				71,328
Total Discharges		16,684				18,570				69,411				72,009
Average length of stay (days)		97.9				97.2				95.7				94.0
Median length of stay (days)		15.0				14.0				13.0				14.0
ADC by major diagnosis
Cerebro		36.5	%			35.5	%			36.7	%			35.8	%
Neurological		23.0				22.4				22.6				21.9
Cancer		11.5				12.3				11.9				12.5
Cardio		15.6				15.9				15.5				15.8
Respiratory		7.5				7.9				7.5				8.1
Other		5.9				6.0				5.8				5.9
Total		100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%
Admissions by major diagnosis
Cerebro		22.5	%			20.9	%			21.5	%			21.1	%
Neurological		12.7				12.6				12.3				12.9
Cancer		26.6				26.7				26.9				27.6
Cardio		14.8				13.8				14.5				14.3
Respiratory		11.0				10.4				10.9				10.6
Other		12.4				15.6				13.9				13.5
Total		100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%			100.0	%
Estimated uncollectible accounts as a percent of revenues		0.7	%			1.2	%			0.9	%			1.1	%
Accounts receivable --
Days of revenue outstanding-excluding unapplied Medicare payments		33.8				36.0				n.a.				n.a.
Days of revenue outstanding-including unapplied Medicare payments		28.1				25.6				n.a.				n.a.
The "Footnotes to Financial Statements" are integral parts of this financial information.

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
FOOTNOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
(unaudited)
(a)	Included in the results of operations for 2021 are the following significant credits/(charges) which may not be indicative of ongoing operations
	(in thousands):
			Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
			VITAS				Roto-Rooter				Corporate				Consolidated
	Stock option expense		$	-			$	-			$	(6,159	)		$	(6,159	)
	Long-term incentive compensation			-				-				(3,659	)			(3,659	)
	Amortization of reacquired franchise agreements			-				(2,352	)			-				(2,352	)
	Direct costs related to COVID-19			(959	)			(884	)			-				(1,843	)
	Pretax impact on earnings			(959	)			(3,236	)			(9,818	)			(14,013	)
	Excess tax benefits on stock compensation			-				-				4,579				4,579
	Income tax benefit on the above			243				859				1,504				2,606
	After-tax impact on earnings		$	(716	)		$	(2,377	)		$	(3,735	)		$	(6,828	)
			For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
			VITAS				Roto-Rooter				Corporate				Consolidated
	Stock option expense		$	-			$	-			$	(22,502	)		$	(22,502	)
	Direct costs related to COVID-19			(16,297	)			(2,434	)			(38	)			(18,769	)
	Amortization of reacquired franchise agreements			-				(9,408	)			-				(9,408	)
	Long-term incentive compensation			-				-				(9,167	)			(9,167	)
	Facility relocation expenses			(1,855	)			-				-				(1,855	)
	Litigation settlements			-				98				-				98
	Other			-				-				(218	)			(218	)
	Pretax impact on earnings			(18,152	)			(11,744	)			(31,925	)			(61,821	)
	Excess tax benefits on stock compensation			-				-				9,884				9,884
	Income tax benefit on the above			4,611				3,112				4,757				12,480
	After-tax impact on earnings		$	(13,541	)		$	(8,632	)		$	(17,284	)		$	(39,457	)
(b)	Included in the results of operations for 2020 are the following significant credits/(charges) which may not be indicative of ongoing operations
	(in thousands):
			Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
			VITAS				Roto-Rooter				Corporate				Consolidated
	CARES Act grant		$	48,041			$	-			$	-			$	48,041
	Stock option expense			-				-				(5,127	)			(5,127	)
	Direct costs related to COVID-19			(3,257	)			(520	)			-				(3,777	)
	Long-term incentive compensation			-				-				(3,413	)			(3,413	)
	Amortization of reacquired franchise agreements			-				(2,352	)			-				(2,352	)
	Litigation settlements			-				(544	)			-				(544	)
	Pretax impact on earnings			44,784				(3,416	)			(8,540	)			32,828
	Excess tax benefits on stock compensation			-				-				6,146				6,146
	Income tax benefit on the above			(11,367	)			906				1,320				(9,141	)
	After-tax impact on earnings		$	33,417			$	(2,510	)		$	(1,074	)		$	29,833
			For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
			VITAS				Roto-Rooter				Corporate				Consolidated
	CARES Act grant		$	80,225			$	-			$	-			$	80,225
	Direct costs related to COVID-19			(35,441	)			(3,819	)			-				(39,260	)
	Stock option expense			-				-				(18,422	)			(18,422	)
	Amortization of reacquired franchise agreements			-				(9,408	)			-				(9,408	)
	Long-term incentive compensation			-				-				(8,937	)			(8,937	)
	Litigation settlements			-				(3,639	)			-				(3,639	)
	Medicare cap sequestration adjustment			(619	)			-				-				(619	)
	Pretax impact on earnings			44,165				(16,866	)			(27,359	)			(60	)
	Excess tax benefits on stock compensation			-				-				26,089				26,089
	Income tax benefit on the above			(11,209	)			4,469				3,764				(2,976	)
	After-tax impact on earnings		$	32,956			$	(12,397	)		$	2,494			$	23,053
(c)	VITAS has 9 large (greater than 450 ADC), 18 medium (greater than 200 but less than 450 ADC) and 25 small (less than 200 ADC) hospice programs. Of Vitas' 30 Medicare provider numbers, for the current cap year, 25 provider numbers have a Medicare cap cushion of greater than 10%, two providers have a cap cushion between 5% and 10%, one provider number has a cap cushion between 0% and 5%, and two provider numbers have a Medicare cap liability.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220216006198/en/

David P. Williams

(513) 762-6901

Source: Chemed Corporation

FAQ

What were Chemed's fourth-quarter 2021 earnings results for CHE?

Chemed reported a fourth-quarter 2021 revenue of $541 million, with GAAP diluted EPS of $4.81 and adjusted diluted EPS of $5.25.

How did VITAS perform in the fourth quarter of 2021?

VITAS reported a revenue decline of 4.8% to $316 million and a 9.5% drop in admissions.

What is Chemed's revenue forecast for VITAS in 2022?

VITAS anticipates a revenue decline of 1.5% to 2.5% compared to 2021.

What growth is expected for Roto-Rooter in 2022?

Roto-Rooter is forecasted to achieve revenue growth of 8.0% to 9.5% in 2022.

How much has Chemed returned to shareholders through share repurchases?

Since 2007, Chemed has returned approximately $2.2 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.