Triple-S Management Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Triple-S Management Corporation (NYSE:GTS) reported third quarter 2021 results, highlighting a net income of $8.2 million ($0.35 per diluted share), down from $23.6 million ($1.02 per diluted share) a year earlier. Operating revenue increased by 10.8% to $1.0 billion, driven by growth in Managed Care premiums, notably a 25.4% rise in Medicaid. The consolidated loss ratio rose to 86.2%, reflecting normalized utilization post-pandemic. The company will not provide a fourth-quarter outlook due to a pending transaction with GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation.

Positive

• Operating revenue increased by 10.8% to $1.0 billion, driven by growth in Managed Care premiums.
• Medicaid premiums earned rose 25.4%, attributed to an increase in enrollment and higher premium rates.
• Managed Care operating expenses decreased by 12.4% to $109.4 million.

Negative

• Net income decreased to $8.2 million from $23.6 million year-over-year.
• Consolidated loss ratio increased by 370 basis points to 86.2%, indicating higher costs and normalized utilization.
• Medical loss ratio (MLR) rose to 88.7%, up 400 basis points from the prior-year period.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Nov. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Triple-S Management Corporation (NYSE:GTS), a leading healthcare services company in Puerto Rico, today announced its third quarter 2021 results.

Roberto Garcia-Rodriguez, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We had a solid third quarter performance as we continued to record double-digit revenue growth year-over-year, driven by our Medicaid offering along with solid growth at our Life and P&C segments.  Moving forward, we continue to progress in our integrated healthcare strategy, enabling us to deliver additional attractive products, along with the high-quality care and superior service to which our members have become accustomed."

Third Quarter 2021 Consolidated Results and Other Highlights

• Net income of $8.2 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, compared with $23.6 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, in the prior year period.
• Adjusted net income of $9.6 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, versus $14.2 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, in the prior-year period.
• Operating revenue of $1.0 billion, a 10.8% increase from the prior-year period, primarily reflecting higher Managed Care net premiums earned.
• Consolidated loss ratio of 86.2%, an increase of 370 basis points compared with the third quarter of 2020, reflecting normalized Managed Care utilization patterns in the third quarter of 2021.
• Medical loss ratio (MLR) of 88.7%, 400 basis points higher than the same period last year.
• Consolidated operating income of $11.5 million, compared with $22.3 million in the prior-year period.

Selected Segment Quarterly Details

Managed Care

• Managed Care premiums earned were $939.7 million, up 10.6% year-over-year.
• Medicare premiums earned were $423.1 million, an increase of 5.6% from the prior-year period. The increase was largely due to higher premium rates resulting from a rise in the premium rate benchmark and membership risk score and higher enrollment.
• Medicaid premiums earned were $302.2 million, an increase of 25.4% from the prior-year period, primarily reflecting an increase in enrollment of approximately 210,000 member months and higher average premium rates. In addition, following a reconciliation process with ASES this quarter, the Company recognized premiums corresponding to prior periods. These increases were partially offset by the elimination of the HIP fee pass-through in 2021.
• Commercial premiums earned were $214.4 million, an increase of 2.9% from the prior-year period, mainly reflecting higher average premium rates in the 2021 period, partially offset by the elimination of the HIP fee pass-through in 2021.
• Reported MLR was 88.7%, an increase of 400 basis points from the prior-year period, primarily reflecting the elimination of the HIP fee in 2021, normalized utilization of services compared with the low utilization in the prior-year quarter due to the pandemic, higher costs associated with COVID-19-related testing, treatment costs and the waiver of medical and payment policies, and increased benefits in the Medicare product offering in 2021.
• Managed Care operating expenses were $109.4 million, a decrease of $15.5 million, or 12.4%, from the prior-year quarter, primarily reflecting the elimination of the HIP fee in 2021 and lower business promotion expenses, partially offset by higher personnel costs. The segment operating expense ratio was 11.6%, a 300 basis-point improvement from the prior-year quarter.

Life Insurance Segment

• Premiums earned, net were $55.1 million, a 10.0% increase from the prior-year period, resulting from higher sales across all lines of business, particularly in the Individual Life and Cancer lines of business. Operating income was $5.6 million, compared to $5.7 million in the prior-year period.

Property and Casualty Segment

• Premiums earned, net were $26.3 million, an increase of 10.0% from the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to higher premiums in Personal Package, Commercial Liability, Commercial Auto and Commercial Property products, partially offset by a decrease in Commercial Package products.
• Operating income was $2.0 million, compared with $4.4 million in the prior-year period, primarily driven by higher losses and operating expenses in the 2021 quarter. Losses during the 2020 period were lower due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

• As of September 30, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $122.7 million and investments of $1.9 billion on its consolidated balance sheet.

2021 Outlook and Conference Call

Due to the pending transaction with GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation announced on August 24, 2021, the Company will not be hosting a conference call or providing an updated outlook for the fourth quarter or full year 2021. The Company's previously issued full year 2021 outlook should no longer be relied upon. Please visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investors.triplesmanagement.com for the latest releases and information.

About Triple-S Management Corporation

Triple-S Management, a health services company, serves more than 1 million customers in Puerto Rico, which represents nearly one-third of the island's population. With over 60 years of experience, it is the premier insurance and managed care brand, with the largest customer base and broadest provider networks on the island. Triple-S Management has the exclusive right to use the Blue Cross Blue Shield name and mark throughout Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla, and offers a broad portfolio of managed care and related products in the commercial, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid segments. Triple-S Management is also a well-known brand in the life insurance and property and casualty insurance segments in Puerto Rico, with strong customer relationships and a significant market share. For more information about Triple-S Management, visit www.triplesmanagement.com or contact investorrelations@ssspr.com. 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release presents information about the Company's adjusted net income, which is a non-GAAP financial metric provided as a complement to the results provided in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). A reconciliation of adjusted net income to net income, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, is provided in the accompanying tables found at the end of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future sales, results of operations, developments, regulatory approvals or other circumstances. Sentences that include "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "may", "will", "shall", "should" and similar expressions, whether in the positive or negative, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements in this news release reflect management's current views about future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed here as a result of various factors, including all the risks discussed and identified in public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In addition, the Company operates in a highly competitive, constantly changing environment, influenced by very large organizations that have resulted from business combinations, aggressive marketing and pricing practices of competitors, and regulatory oversight. The following factors, if markedly different from the Company's planning assumptions (either individually or in combination), could cause Triple-S Management's results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements shared here:

• Trends in health care costs and utilization rates
• Ability to secure sufficient premium rate increases
• Competitor pricing below market trends of increasing costs
• Re-estimates of policy and contract liabilities and reserves
• Changes in government laws and regulations of managed care, life insurance or property and casualty insurance
• Significant acquisitions or divestitures by major competitors
• Introduction and use of new prescription drugs and technologies
• A downgrade in the Company's financial strength ratings
• Litigation or legislation targeted at managed care, life insurance or property and casualty insurance companies
• Ability to contract with providers and government agencies consistent with past practice
• Ability to successfully implement the Company's disease management, utilization management and Star ratings programs
• Ability to maintain Federal Employees, Medicare and Medicaid contracts
• Volatility in the securities markets and investment losses and defaults
• General economic downturns, major disasters and epidemics

This list is not exhaustive. Management believes the forward-looking statements in this release are reasonable. However, there is no assurance that the actions, events or results anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if any of them do, what impact they will have on the Company's results of operations or financial condition. In view of these uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations. In addition, forward-looking statements are based on information available the day they are made, and (other than as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States) the Company does not intend to update or revise any of them in light of new information or future events.

Readers are advised to carefully review and consider the various disclosures in the Company's SEC reports.

Earnings Release Schedules and Supplemental Information

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets................................................................................. Exhibit I

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings..................................................................... Exhibit II

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows................................................................ Exhibit III

Segment Performance Supplemental Information..................................................................... Exhibit IV

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures...................................................................... Exhibit V

 

Exhibit I
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollar in thousands)
Unaudited
							September 30, 2021			December 31, 2020
Assets
Investments							$	1,940,745		$	1,874,024
Cash and cash equivalents								122,709			110,989
Premium and other receivables, net								496,477			488,840
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired								255,010			248,325
Property and equipment, net								137,762			131,974
Other assets								238,963			234,266
		Total assets					$	3,191,666		$	3,088,418
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Policy liabilities and accruals							$	1,588,117		$	1,550,798
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities								537,110			487,356
Short-term borrowings								-			30,000
Long-term borrowings								49,498			52,751
		Total liabilities						2,174,725			2,120,905
Stockholders' equity:
	Common stock							23,795			23,430
	Other stockholders' equity							993,879			944,800
		Total Triple-S Management Corporation stockholders' equity						1,017,674			968,230
Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary								(733)			(717)
Total stockholders' equity								1,016,941			967,513
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity							$	3,191,666		$	3,088,418

 

Exhibit II
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(dollar in thousands, except per share information)
Unaudited
								For the Three Months Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
								September 30,						September 30,
								2021			2020			2021			2020
Revenues
	Premiums earned, net							$	1,019,696		$	922,934		$	3,016,012		$	2,657,366
	Administrative service fees								3,875			3,752			9,316			8,755
	Net investment income								17,572			14,168			46,178			42,294
	Other operating revenues								3,925			2,052			8,518			6,394
		Total operating revenues							1,045,068			942,906			3,080,024			2,714,809
	Net realized investment gains (losses)								1,015			507			3,746			(180)
	Net unrealized investment (losses) gains on equity investments								(7,912)			11,040			13,383			(17,428)
	Other income, net								11,085			1,811			19,047			6,217
		Total revenues							1,049,256			956,264			3,116,200			2,703,418
Benefits and expenses
	Claims incurred, net of reinsurance								878,947			761,792			2,573,569			2,129,401
	Operating expenses								154,526			158,809			456,880			499,669
		Total operating costs							1,033,473			920,601			3,030,449			2,629,070
	Interest expense								2,016			2,096			6,225			5,813
		Total benefits and expenses							1,035,489			922,697			3,036,674			2,634,883
		Income before taxes							13,767			33,567			79,526			68,535
Income tax expense									5,607			9,989			24,505			27,520
Net income									8,160			23,578			55,021			41,015
	Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interest								7			3			16			20
Net income attributable to Triple-S Management Corporation								$	8,167		$	23,581		$	55,037		$	41,035
Earnings per share attributable to Triple-S Management Corporation:
	Basic net income per share							$	0.35		$	1.02		$	2.35		$	1.77
	Diluted net income per share							$	0.35		$	1.02		$	2.34		$	1.76
	Weighted average of common shares								23,494,415			23,073,511			23,402,622			23,215,840
	Diluted weighted average of common shares								23,610,672			23,193,980			23,546,277			23,318,069

 

Exhibit III
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(dollar in thousands)
Unaudited
							For the Nine Months Ended
							September 30,
							2021			2020
Net cash provided by operating activities							$	100,699		$	223,681
Cash flows from investing activities:
	Proceeds from investments sold or matured:
		Securities available-for-sale:
			Fixed-maturities sold					140,866			94,557
			Fixed-maturities matured/called					18,271			37,450
		Securities held-to-maturity - fixed-maturities matured/called						747			1,079
		Equity investments sold						99,951			80,152
		Other invested assets sold						19,652			13,231
	Acquisition of investments:
		Securities available-for-sale - fixed-maturities						(129,066)			(206,387)
		Securities held-to-maturity - fixed-maturities						(751)			(1,087)
		Equity investments						(199,046)			(201,324)
		Other invested assets						(9,317)			(25,442)
	(Decrease) increase in other investments							(4,470)			(3,924)
	Net change in policy loans							(21)			240
	Net capital expenditures							(16,948)			(52,549)
	Capital contribution on equity method investees							-			(7,083)
				Net cash used in investing activities				(80,132)			(271,087)
Cash flows from financing activities:
	Change in outstanding checks in excess of bank balances							20,594			16,814
	Net change in short-term borrowings							(30,000)			28,500
	Proceeds of long-term borrowings							-			30,841
	Repayments of long-term borrowings							(3,370)			(2,760)
	Repurchase and retirement of common stock							-			(14,980)
	Proceeds from policyholder deposits							12,594			21,586
	Surrender of policyholder deposits							(8,665)			(12,829)
				Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities				(8,847)			67,172
				Net increase in cash and cash equivalents				11,720			19,766
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period								110,989			109,837
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period							$	122,709		$	129,603

 

Exhibit IV
Segment Performance Supplemental Information
(Unaudited)						Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(dollar in millions)						2021	2020	Percentage Change		2021	2020	Percentage Change
Premiums earned, net:
	Managed Care:
		Medicare				$      423.1	$      400.7	5.6%		$   1,233.8	$   1,160.9	6.3%
		Medicaid				302.2	240.9	25.4%		916.7	682.9	34.2%
		Commercial				214.4	208.4	2.9%		631.0	605.3	4.2%
			Total Managed Care			939.7	850.0	10.6%		2,781.5	2,449.1	13.6%
	Life Insurance					55.1	50.1	10.0%		161.6	144.9	11.5%
	Property and Casualty					26.3	23.9	10.0%		76.9	66.9	14.9%
	Other					(1.4)	(1.0)	(40.0%)		(4.0)	(3.5)	(14.3%)
				Consolidated premiums earned, net		$   1,019.7	$      923.0	10.5%		$   3,016.0	$   2,657.4	13.5%
Operating revenues: 1
	Managed Care					$      951.7	$      858.2	10.9%		$   2,810.6	$   2,473.7	13.6%
	Life Insurance					61.9	57.0	8.6%		181.5	165.5	9.7%
	Property and Casualty					28.8	26.1	10.3%		83.7	73.5	13.9%
	Other					2.6	1.6	62.5%		4.2	2.1	100.0%
				Consolidated operating revenues		$   1,045.0	$      942.9	10.8%		$   3,080.0	$   2,714.8	13.5%
Operating income (loss): 2
	Managed Care					$         8.5	$        13.0	(34.6%)		$        34.5	$        56.5	(38.9%)
	Life Insurance					5.6	5.7	(1.8%)		17.8	20.2	(11.9%)
	Property and Casualty					2.0	4.4	(54.5%)		7.8	10.9	(28.4%)
	Other					(4.6)	(0.8)	(475.0%)		(10.6)	(1.9)	(457.9%)
				Consolidated operating income		$        11.5	$        22.3	(48.4%)		$        49.5	$        85.7	(42.2%)
Operating margin: 3
	Managed Care					0.9%	1.5%	-60 bp		1.2%	2.3%	-110 bp
	Life Insurance					9.0%	10.0%	-100 bp		9.8%	12.2%	-240 bp
	Property and Casualty					6.9%	16.9%	-1,000 bp		9.3%	14.8%	-550 bp
	Consolidated					1.1%	2.4%	-130 bp		1.6%	3.2%	-160 bp
Depreciation and amortization expense						$         3.6	$         3.1	16.1%		$        10.7	$        10.9	(1.8%)

1 Operating revenues include premiums earned, net, administrative service fees and net investment income.

2 Operating income or loss include operating revenues minus operating costs. Operating costs include claims incurred and operating expenses.

3 Operating margin is defined as operating income or loss divided by operating revenues.

 

Managed Care Additional Data
						Three months ended September 30,			Nine months ended September 30,
(Unaudited)						2021	2020		2021	2020
Member months enrollment:
	Medicare Advantage					410,939	407,170		1,228,732	1,220,280
	Medicaid					1,342,953	1,132,626		3,972,136	3,278,098
	Commercial:
		Fully insured				966,002	966,906		2,871,788	2,920,460
		Self-insured				281,153	324,372		875,844	981,634
			Total Commercial			1,247,155	1,291,278		3,747,632	3,902,094
				Total member months		3,001,047	2,831,074		8,948,500	8,400,472
Claim liabilities (in millions)									$            533.7	$            417.6
Days claim payable									60	57
Premium PMPM:
	Managed Care					$       345.49	$      339.09		$          344.56	$          330.12
		Medicare Advantage				1,029.59	984.11		1,004.12	951.34
		Medicaid				225.03	212.69		230.78	208.32
		Commercial				221.95	215.53		219.72	207.26
Medical loss ratio:						88.7%	84.7%		88.0%	82.7%
	Medicare Advantage					82.5%	80.6%		85.1%	80.2%
	Medicaid					95.2%	94.0%		92.1%	92.7%
	Commercial					91.9%	81.9%		87.9%	76.1%
Adjusted medical loss ratio: 1						90.7%	81.8%		89.9%	81.1%
	Medicare Advantage					84.6%	75.0%		86.8%	77.4%
	Medicaid					99.2%	90.9%		95.6%	91.1%
	Commercial					90.5%	83.8%		87.8%	76.5%
Operating expense ratio:
	Consolidated					15.1%	17.1%		15.1%	18.7%
	Managed Care					11.6%	14.6%		11.7%	15.9%

1 The adjusted medical loss ratio accounts for subsequent adjustments to estimates, such as prior-period reserve developments and Medicare premium adjustments, and presents them in their corresponding period.

 

Managed Care Membership by Business
Managed Care Membership by Segment						As of September 30,
						2021	2020
Members:
	Medicare Advantage					136,459	136,135
	Medicaid					449,474	385,344
	Commercial:
		Fully insured				321,772	321,673
		Self-insured				94,261	107,830
			Total Commercial			416,033	429,503
				Total members		1,001,966	950,982

 

Exhibit V
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
						Adjusted Net Income
(Unaudited)						Three months ended September 30,			Nine months ended September 30,
(dollar in millions)						2021	2020		2021	2020
Net income						$          8.2	$         23.6		$       55.0	$       41.0
Less adjustments:
	Net realized investment gains (losses)					1.0	0.5		3.7	(0.2)
	Unrealized (losses) gains on equity investments					(7.9)	11.0		13.4	(17.4)
	Contingency accrual					-	-		-	(32.0)
	Private equity investment income					8.4	0.2		10.8	3.9
	GuideWell transaction costs					(1.8)	-		(1.8)	-
	Tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments					(1.095)	(2.3)		(6.80)	14.0
		Adjusted net income				$          9.6	$         14.2		$       35.7	$       72.7
		Diluted adjusted net income per share				$         0.41	$         0.61		$       1.52	$       3.12

Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial metric and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.  Management believes that the use of this adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share provides investors and management useful information about the earnings impact of realized and unrealized investment gains or losses, as well as other non-recurring items impacting the Company's results of operations.  The Company estimates tax impact of net realized and non-realized gains (losses), private equity investment income and contingency accrual at the applicable statutory tax rates.  These non-GAAP metrics do not consider all the items associated with the Company's operations as determined in accordance with GAAP.  As a result, one should not consider these measures in isolation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
AT THE COMPANY:	INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Victor J. Haddock-Morales	Mr. Garrett Edson
EVP and Chief Financial Officer	ICR
(787) 749-4949	(787) 792-6488

 

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SOURCE Triple-S Management Corporation