HCA Healthcare Reports First Quarter 2023 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) reported robust first-quarter results for 2023, with revenues reaching $15.591 billion, up from $14.945 billion year-over-year. Net income increased to $1.363 billion or $4.85 per diluted share, compared to $1.273 billion or $4.14 in 2022. Adjusted EBITDA rose to $3.172 billion, compared to $2.944 billion in the previous year. Same facility admissions grew by 4.4%, and emergency room visits increased by 10.3%. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.60 per share, payable on June 30, 2023. HCA revised its 2023 guidance, projecting revenues between $62.5 billion and $64.5 billion and net income between $4.750 billion and $5.160 billion.

Positive

• Revenues increased to $15.591 billion, a 4.3% rise from last year.
• Net income rose to $1.363 billion, or $4.85 per diluted share, up from $1.273 billion or $4.14.
• Adjusted EBITDA improved to $3.172 billion, a significant increase from $2.944 billion.
• Same facility admissions increased by 4.4% and emergency room visits increased by 10.3%.
• Quarterly dividend declared at $0.60 per share.
• Revised 2023 guidance provides higher revenue and net income projections.

Negative

• Same facility revenue per equivalent admission declined by 2.3%.
• Faced losses on sale of facilities amounting to $15 million, or $0.08 per diluted share.

Revises 2023 Guidance

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA), today announced financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Key first quarter metrics (all percentage changes compare 1Q 2023 to 1Q 2022 unless otherwise noted):

• Revenues totaled $15.591 billion
• Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc. totaled $1.363 billion, or $4.85 per diluted share
• Adjusted EBITDA totaled $3.172 billion
• Cash flows from operating activities totaled $1.803 billion
• Same facility admissions increased 4.4 percent and same facility equivalent admissions increased 7.5 percent

“Once again this quarter, our colleagues demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and deliver value across all of our stakeholder groups. Their efforts produced solid results that reflected strong demand for our services. Additionally, the investments we continued to make in our colleagues through various programs contributed to further improvements in key metrics. I want to thank them for their dedication, their hard work, and their overall effectiveness in providing high-quality care in the communities we serve,” said Sam Hazen, Chief Executive Officer of HCA Healthcare, Inc.

Revenues in the first quarter of 2023 increased to $15.591 billion, compared to $14.945 billion in the first quarter of 2022. Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc. totaled $1.363 billion, or $4.85 per diluted share, compared to $1.273 billion, or $4.14 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2022. Results for the first quarter of 2023 included losses on sales of facilities of $15 million, or $0.08 per diluted share. Results for the first quarter of 2022 included gains on sales of facilities of $10 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. During the first quarter of 2023, we recorded $145 million of revenues, or $0.40 per diluted share, related to resolving certain disputed claims from prior years with a commercial payer.

For the first quarter of 2023, Adjusted EBITDA totaled $3.172 billion, compared to $2.944 billion in the first quarter of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. A table providing supplemental information on Adjusted EBITDA and reconciling net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc. to Adjusted EBITDA is included in this release.

Same facility admissions increased 4.4 percent and same facility equivalent admissions increased 7.5 percent in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the prior year period. Same facility emergency room visits increased 10.3 percent in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the prior year period. Same facility inpatient surgeries increased 3.6 percent while same facility outpatient surgeries increased 5.1 percent in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period of 2022. Same facility revenue per equivalent admission declined 2.3 percent in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the first quarter of 2022. The year over year comparison of same facility revenue per equivalent admission was impacted by higher COVID-19 volumes and reimbursement in the prior year. COVID-19 represented 3.1 percent of same facility admissions in the first quarter of 2023 versus 9.7 percent in the prior year quarter.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows from Operations

As of March 31, 2023, HCA Healthcare, Inc.’s balance sheet reflected cash and cash equivalents of $842 million, total debt of $38.856 billion, and total assets of $52.711 billion. During the first quarter of 2023, capital expenditures totaled $1.197 billion, excluding acquisitions. Cash flows provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2023 totaled $1.803 billion, compared to $1.345 billion in the first quarter of 2022.

During the first quarter of 2023, the Company repurchased 3.340 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $846 million. The Company had $3.740 billion remaining under its repurchase authorizations as of March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had $3.795 billion of availability under its credit facilities.

Dividend

HCA today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.60 per share on the Company’s common stock. The dividend will be paid on June 30, 2023 to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 16, 2023.

The declaration and payment of any future dividend will be subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and contractual restrictions. Future dividends are expected to be funded by cash flows from operations.

2023 Revised Guidance

The 2023 guidance ranges for the year have been revised from our fourth quarter release as follows:

		Previous 2023 Guidance Range as of January 27, 2023		2023 Guidance Range as of April 21, 2023
Revenues		$61.5 to 63.5 billion		$62.5 to $64.5 billion
Net Income Attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.		$4.525 to $4.895 billion		$4.750 to $5.160 billion
Adjusted EBITDA		$11.8 to $12.4 billion		$12.1 to $12.7 billion
EPS (diluted)		$16.40 to $17.60 per diluted share		$17.25 to $18.55 per diluted share

Capital expenditures for 2023, excluding acquisitions, are estimated to be approximately $4.6 billion.

The Company’s 2023 guidance contains a number of assumptions, including, among others, the Company’s current expectations regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as general economic conditions, including inflation, and excludes the impact of items such as, but not limited to, gains or losses on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt, legal claims costs and impairment of long-lived assets.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. A table reconciling forecasted net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc. to forecasted Adjusted EBITDA is included in this release.

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.”

Earnings Conference Call

HCA Healthcare will host a conference call for investors at 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight 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 through the Company’s Investor Relations web page at https://investor.hcahealthcare.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx.

About the Company

As of March 31, 2023, HCA operated 180 hospitals and approximately 2,300 ambulatory sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care centers and physician clinics, in 20 states and the United Kingdom.

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 the Company’s financial guidance for the year ending December 31, 2023, as well as other 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) changes in or related to general economic conditions nationally and regionally in our markets, including inflation and economic and business conditions (and the impact thereof on the economy, financial markets and banking industry); changes in revenues due to declining patient volumes; changes in payer mix (including increases in uninsured and underinsured patients); potential increased expenses related to labor, supply chain or other expenditures; workforce disruptions; and supply shortages and disruptions, (2) developments related to COVID-19, including, without limitation, the length and severity of COVID-19-related impacts and the spread of virus strains with new epidemiological characteristics; the volume of canceled or rescheduled procedures and the volume and acuity of COVID-19 patients cared for across our health systems; and measures we are taking to respond to COVID-19, (3) the impact of our substantial indebtedness and the ability to refinance such indebtedness on acceptable terms, (4) the impact of current and future federal and state health reform initiatives and possible changes to other federal, state or local laws and regulations affecting the health care industry, including, but not limited to, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, the “Affordable Care Act”), additional changes to the Affordable Care Act, its implementation, or interpretation (including through executive orders and court challenges), and proposals to expand coverage of federally-funded insurance programs as an alternative to private insurance or establish a single-payer system (such reforms often referred to as “Medicare for All”), (5) the effects related to the implementation of sequestration spending reductions required under the Budget Control Act of 2011, related legislation extending these reductions and those required under the Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 as a result of the federal budget deficit impact of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, 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, (6) increases in the amount and risk of collectability of uninsured accounts and deductibles and copayment amounts for insured accounts, (7) the ability to achieve operating and financial targets, and attain expected levels of patient volumes and control the costs of providing services, (8) possible changes in Medicare, Medicaid and other state programs, including Medicaid supplemental payment programs or Medicaid waiver programs, that may impact reimbursements to health care providers and insurers and the size of the uninsured or underinsured population, (9) personnel-related capacity constraints, increases in wages and the ability to attract, utilize and retain qualified management and other personnel, including affiliated physicians, nurses and medical and technical support personnel, (10) the highly competitive nature of the health care business, (11) changes in service mix, revenue mix and surgical volumes, including potential declines in the population covered under third-party payer agreements, the ability to enter into and renew third-party payer provider agreements on acceptable terms and the impact of consumer-driven health plans and physician utilization trends and practices, (12) the efforts of health insurers, health care providers, large employer groups and others to contain health care costs, (13) the outcome of our continuing efforts to monitor, maintain and comply with appropriate laws, regulations, policies and procedures, (14) the availability and terms of capital to fund the expansion of our business and improvements to our existing facilities, (15) changes in accounting practices, (16) the emergence of and effects related to pandemics, epidemics and infectious diseases, (17) future divestitures which may result in charges and possible impairments of long-lived assets, (18) changes in business strategy or development plans, (19) delays in receiving payments for services provided, (20) the outcome of pending and any future tax audits, disputes and litigation associated with our tax positions, (21) potential adverse impact of known and unknown government investigations, litigation and other claims that may be made against us, (22) the impact of potential cybersecurity incidents or security breaches, (23) our ongoing ability to demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record (“EHR”) technology and the impact of interoperability requirements, (24) the impact of natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods, physical risks from climate change or similar events beyond our control, (25) changes in U.S. federal, state, or foreign tax laws including interpretive guidance that may be issued by taxing authorities or other standard setting bodies, and (26) other risk factors described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 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 Healthcare” as used throughout this release refer to HCA Healthcare, Inc. and its affiliates.

HCA Healthcare, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statements
First Quarter
Unaudited
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
		2023				2022
		Amount	Ratio			Amount		Ratio
Revenues		$15,591	100.0	%		$14,945		100.0	%
Salaries and benefits		7,084	45.4			6,939		46.4
Supplies		2,423	15.5			2,321		15.5
Other operating expenses		2,894	18.7			2,752		18.5
Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliates		18	0.1			(11	)	(0.1	)
Depreciation and amortization		756	4.8			732		5.0
Interest expense		479	3.1			408		2.7
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities		15	0.1			(10	)	(0.1	)
		13,669	87.7			13,131		87.9
Income before income taxes		1,922	12.3			1,814		12.1
Provision for income taxes		379	2.4			349		2.3
Net income		1,543	9.9			1,465		9.8
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		180	1.2			192		1.3
Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.		$1,363	8.7			$1,273		8.5
Diluted earnings per share		$4.85				$4.14
Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (millions)		280.961				307.374
Comprehensive income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.		$1,383				$1,230

HCA Healthcare, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited
(Dollars in millions)
		March 31,			December 31,
		2023			2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$842			$908
Accounts receivable		8,657			8,891
Inventories		2,085			2,068
Other		1,957			1,776
		13,541			13,643
Property and equipment, at cost		55,463			54,757
Accumulated depreciation		(29,410	)		(29,182	)
		26,053			25,575
Investments of insurance subsidiaries		390			381
Investments in and advances to affiliates		786			823
Goodwill and other intangible assets		9,590			9,653
Right-of-use operating lease assets		2,032			2,065
Other		319			298
		$52,711			$52,438
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$3,769			$4,239
Accrued salaries		1,565			1,712
Other accrued expenses		3,316			3,581
Long-term debt due within one year		2,378			370
		11,028			9,902
Long-term debt, less debt issuance costs and discounts of $295 and $301		36,478			37,714
Professional liability risks		1,565			1,528
Right-of-use operating lease obligations		1,716			1,752
Income taxes and other liabilities		1,692			1,615
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Stockholders' deficit attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.		(2,495	)		(2,767	)
Noncontrolling interests		2,727			2,694
		232			(73	)
		$52,711			$52,438

HCA Healthcare, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
First Quarter
Unaudited
(Dollars in millions)
		2023			2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$1,543			$1,465
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Increase (decrease) in cash from operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		238			(427	)
Inventories and other assets		(214	)		(121	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(1,066	)		(771	)
Depreciation and amortization		756			732
Income taxes		372			346
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities		15			(10	)
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts		9			7
Share-based compensation		77			86
Other		73			38
Net cash provided by operating activities		1,803			1,345
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment		(1,197	)		(861	)
Acquisition of hospitals and health care entities		(115	)		(2	)
Sales of hospitals and health care entities		165			14
Change in investments		(13	)		10
Other		9			(6	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,151	)		(845	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuances of long-term debt		-			5,966
Net change in revolving credit facilities		1,240			(2,780	)
Repayment of long-term debt		(550	)		(66	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(187	)		(171	)
Payment of debt issuance costs		(3	)		(49	)
Payment of dividends		(175	)		(177	)
Repurchase of common stock		(846	)		(2,101	)
Other		(204	)		(197	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(725	)		425
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		7			(5	)
Change in cash and cash equivalents		(66	)		920
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		908			1,451
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$842			$2,371
Interest payments		$574			$408
Income tax payments, net		$7			$3

HCA Healthcare, Inc.
Operating Statistics
		First Quarter
		2023				2022
Operations:
Number of Hospitals			180				182
Number of Freestanding Outpatient Surgery Centers*			126				124
Licensed Beds at End of Period			48,891				48,892
Weighted Average Beds in Service			41,684				41,818
Reported:
Admissions			525,235				506,956
% Change			3.6	%
Equivalent Admissions			916,535				859,290
% Change			6.7	%
Revenue per Equivalent Admission		$	17,011			$	17,392
% Change			-2.2	%
Inpatient Revenue per Admission		$	17,828			$	17,694
% Change			0.8	%
Patient Days			2,637,903				2,681,718
% Change			-1.6	%
Equivalent Patient Days			4,603,141				4,545,512
% Change			1.3	%
Inpatient Surgery Cases			130,460				126,880
% Change			2.8	%
Outpatient Surgery Cases			255,971				247,421
% Change			3.5	%
Emergency Room Visits			2,252,669				2,056,389
% Change			9.5	%
Outpatient Revenues as a
Percentage of Patient Revenues			37.7	%			37.4	%
Average Length of Stay (days)			5.022				5.290
Occupancy**			74.0	%			74.7	%
Same Facility:
Admissions			525,235				503,101
% Change			4.4	%
Equivalent Admissions			915,485				851,247
% Change			7.5	%
Revenue per Equivalent Admission		$	16,991			$	17,388
% Change			-2.3	%
Inpatient Revenue per Admission		$	17,826			$	17,669
% Change			0.9	%
Inpatient Surgery Cases			130,460				125,894
% Change			3.6	%
Outpatient Surgery Cases			254,196				241,906
% Change			5.1	%
Emergency Room Visits			2,252,669				2,042,355
% Change			10.3	%
* Excludes freestanding endoscopy centers (22 centers at March 31, 2023 and 21 centers at March 31, 2022).
** Reflects the rate of occupancy (patient days and observations) based on weighted average beds in service.

HCA Healthcare, Inc.
Supplemental Non-GAAP Disclosures
Operating Results Summary
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
		First Quarter
		2023			2022
Revenues		$15,591			$14,945
Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.		$1,363			$1,273
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities (net of tax)		22			(8	)
Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities (a)		1,385			1,265
Depreciation and amortization		756			732
Interest expense		479			408
Provision for income taxes		372			347
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		180			192
Adjusted EBITDA (a)		$3,172			$2,944
Adjusted EBITDA margin (a)		20.3	%		19.7	%
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.		$4.85			$4.14
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities		0.08			(0.02	)
Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities (a)		$4.93			$4.12
Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (millions)		280.961			307.374

______________________
(a)	Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, 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 Healthcare, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, 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 Healthcare, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, 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 Healthcare, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, and GAAP net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, 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 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 Healthcare, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under GAAP, and should not be considered as alternatives to net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, 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 Healthcare, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, and Adjusted EBITDA are not measurements determined in accordance with GAAP and are susceptible to varying calculations, net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities, and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

HCA Healthcare, Inc.
Supplemental Non-GAAP Disclosures
2023 Operating Results Forecast
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
		For the Year Ending
		December 31, 2023
		Low		High
Revenues		$62,500		$64,500
Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc. (a)		$4,750		$5,160
Depreciation and amortization		3,070		3,100
Interest expense		1,960		1,980
Provision for income taxes		1,480		1,590
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		840		870
Adjusted EBITDA (a) (b)		$12,100		$12,700
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.		$17.25		$18.55
Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (millions)		278.000		278.000
The Company's forecasted guidance range is based on current plans and expectations and is subject to a number of known and unknown uncertainties and risks.

______________________
(a)	The Company does not forecast the impact of items such as, but not limited to, losses (gains) on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt, legal claim costs (benefits) and impairments of long-lived assets because the Company does not believe that it can forecast these items with sufficient accuracy.
(b)	Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). We believe Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure that supplements 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 Adjusted EBITDA as a primary measure 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 Healthcare, Inc.) and operating performance (Adjusted EBITDA) of our health care facilities. Adjusted EBITDA is 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.
	Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc. as a measure of operating performance or cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as a measure of liquidity. Because Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement determined in accordance with GAAP and is susceptible to varying calculations, Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

 

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INVESTOR CONTACT:

Frank Morgan

615-344-2688



MEDIA CONTACT:

Harlow Sumerford

615-344-1851

Source: HCA Healthcare

FAQ

What were HCA's financial results for Q1 2023?

HCA reported revenues of $15.591 billion and net income of $1.363 billion for Q1 2023.

What is HCA's new guidance for 2023?

HCA revised its 2023 guidance to revenues between $62.5 billion and $64.5 billion.

What was the dividend declared by HCA recently?

HCA declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.60 per share.

How much did HCA's Adjusted EBITDA increase in Q1 2023?

Adjusted EBITDA increased to $3.172 billion in Q1 2023.

What effects did COVID-19 have on HCA's Q1 2023 results?

COVID-19 represented 3.1% of same facility admissions in Q1 2023, down from 9.7% in the prior year.