HCA Healthcare Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

HCA Healthcare reported its Q3 2020 financial results, showing revenues of $13.311 billion, a 4.9% increase from $12.694 billion in Q3 2019. Net income rose to $668 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, up from $612 million, or $1.76 per diluted share, the previous year. However, the company reversed $822 million in CARES Act stimulus funds, impacting adjusted EBITDA, which fell to $2.053 billion from $2.285 billion in Q3 2019.

Same facility admissions decreased by 3.8%, with emergency room visits down 20.3%. Cash flows from operations reached $2.717 billion, reflecting a solid operational performance.

Positive

• Revenue increased to $13.311 billion from $12.694 billion year-over-year.
• Net income rose to $668 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, compared to $612 million in Q3 2019.
• Cash flows from operating activities improved to $2.717 billion, up from $2.126 billion in Q3 2019.

Negative

• Reversal of $822 million in CARES Act stimulus income negatively impacted earnings.
• Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $2.053 billion from $2.285 billion in Q3 2019.
• Same facility admissions and equivalent admissions declined by 3.8% and 9.0%, respectively.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: HCA) today announced its completed financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020.

Key third quarter metrics (all percentage changes compare 3Q 2020 to 3Q 2019 unless otherwise noted):

• Revenues totaled $13.311 billion
• Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc. totaled $668 million, or $1.95 per diluted share
• Adjusted EBITDA totaled $2.053 billion
• Results include reversal of $822 million, or $1.72 per diluted share, in government stimulus income from CARES Act funds
• Cash flows from operating activities totaled $2.717 billion
• Same facility admissions and same facility equivalent admissions declined 3.8 percent and 9.0 percent, respectively

Consistent with the Company’s preview of third quarter 2020 results, revenues in the third quarter of 2020 increased to $13.311 billion, compared to $12.694 billion in the third quarter of 2019. Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc. totaled $668 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, compared to $612 million, or $1.76 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2019. Results for the third quarter of 2020 include a reversal of $822 million, or $1.72 per diluted share, in government stimulus income recorded in the second quarter of 2020 related to general distribution funds received from the Provider Relief Fund established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act and $14 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, of gains on sales of facilities. Third quarter of 2019 results included losses on retirement of debt of $211 million, or $0.47 per diluted share.

For the third quarter of 2020, Adjusted EBITDA totaled $2.053 billion, compared to $2.285 billion in the third quarter of 2019. 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 and equivalent admissions declined 3.8 percent and 9.0 percent, respectively, in the third quarter of 2020, compared to the prior year period. Same facility emergency room visits declined 20.3 percent in the third quarter of 2020, compared to the prior year period. Same facility inpatient surgeries declined 6.8 percent, and same facility outpatient surgeries declined 6.3 percent in the third quarter of 2020, compared to the same period of 2019. Same facility revenue per equivalent admission increased 14.8 percent in the third quarter of 2020, compared to the third quarter of 2019, due to increases in acuity of patients treated and favorable payer mix in the quarter.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 totaled $37.240 billion, compared to $37.813 billion in the same period of 2019. Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc. was $2.328 billion, or $6.79 per diluted share, compared to $2.434 billion, or $6.98 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2019. Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 include losses on sales of facilities of $6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, and losses on retirement of debt of $295 million, or $0.66 per diluted share. Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 included gains on sales of facilities of $17 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, and losses on retirement of debt of $211 million, or $0.47 per diluted share.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows from Operations

As of September 30, 2020, HCA Healthcare, Inc.’s balance sheet reflected cash and cash equivalents of $6.588 billion, total debt of $30.964 billion, and total assets of $51.016 billion. During the third quarter of 2020, capital expenditures totaled $489 million, excluding acquisitions. Cash flows provided by operating activities in the third quarter totaled $2.717 billion, compared to $2.126 billion in the third quarter of 2019.

CARES Act

During the early days of the pandemic, the Company took a conservative approach which included a number of actions to meet the operational and financial challenges this global health crisis was expected to present. Many aspects of our approach were outlined in our first quarter release.

As noted in our October 8, 2020 release, HCA Healthcare will return, or repay early, all of its share of Provider Relief Fund distributions of approximately $1.6 billion and approximately $4.4 billion in Medicare accelerated payments. The Company is working with the appropriate government agencies to arrange the payment of these funds. The Company expects to fund the entire amount of such payments from available cash and future cash flows from operations.

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 at: https://investor.hcahealthcare.com/events-and-presentations.

About the Company

As of September 30, 2020, HCA Healthcare operated 187 hospitals and approximately 2,000 sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care centers and physician clinics, in 21 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 capital allocation, 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) developments related to COVID-19, including, without limitation, related to the length and severity of the pandemic; the volume of canceled or rescheduled procedures and the volume of COVID-19 patients cared for across our health systems; measures we are taking to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact and terms of government and administrative regulation and stimulus (including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act and other enacted legislation); changes in revenues due to declining patient volumes, changes in payor mix and deteriorating macroeconomic conditions (including increases in uninsured and underinsured patients); potential increased expenses related to labor, supply chain or other expenditures; workforce disruptions; supply shortages and disruptions; and the timing and availability of effective medical treatments and vaccines, (2) the impact of our substantial indebtedness and the ability to refinance such indebtedness on acceptable terms, as well as risks associated with disruptions in the financial markets and the business of financial institutions as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic which could impact us from a financial perspective, (3) the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, the “Affordable Care Act”), including the effects of court challenges to, any repeal of, or changes to, the Affordable Care Act or additional changes to its implementation, the possible enactment of additional federal or state health care reforms and possible changes to other federal, state or local laws or regulations affecting the health care industry, including single-payer proposals (often referred to as “Medicare for All”), and also including any such laws or governmental regulations which are adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, (4) the effects related to the continued implementation of the sequestration spending reductions required under the Budget Control Act of 2011, and related legislation extending these reductions, and the potential for future deficit reduction legislation that may alter these spending reductions, which include cuts to Medicare payments, or create additional spending reductions, (5) increases in the amount and risk of collectability of uninsured accounts and deductibles and copayment amounts for insured accounts, (6) the ability to achieve operating and financial targets, and attain expected levels of patient volumes and control the costs of providing services, (7) 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, (8) the highly competitive nature of the health care business, (9) 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, (10) the efforts of health insurers, health care providers, large employer groups and others to contain health care costs, (11) the outcome of our continuing efforts to monitor, maintain and comply with appropriate laws, regulations, policies and procedures, (12) increases in wages and the ability to attract and retain qualified management and personnel, including affiliated physicians, nurses and medical and technical support personnel, (13) the availability and terms of capital to fund the expansion of our business and improvements to our existing facilities, (14) changes in accounting practices, (15) changes in general economic conditions nationally and regionally in our markets, including economic and business conditions (and the impact thereof on the financial markets and banking industry) resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, (16) the emergence of and effects related to other 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, or similar events beyond our control, (25) changes in the 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, 2019, our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 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
Third Quarter
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
			2020							2019
			Amount			Ratio				Amount			Ratio
Revenues			$	13,311		100.0		%		$	12,694		100.0	%
Salaries and benefits				6,097		45.8					5,971		47.0
Supplies				2,128		16.0					2,090		16.5
Other operating expenses				2,251		16.9					2,352		18.5
Government stimulus income reversal				822		6.2					-		-
Equity in earnings of affiliates				(40	)	(0.3	)				(4	)	-
Depreciation and amortization				694		5.2					647		5.1
Interest expense				385		2.9					448		3.5
Gains on sales of facilities				(14	)	(0.1	)				-		-
Losses on retirement of debt				-		-					211		1.7
				12,323		92.6					11,715		92.3
Income before income taxes				988		7.4					979		7.7
Provision for income taxes				209		1.5					215		1.7
Net income				779		5.9					764		6.0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests				111		0.9					152		1.2
Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.			$	668		5.0				$	612		4.8
Diluted earnings per share			$	1.95						$	1.76
Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (millions)				343.346							347.487
Comprehensive income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.			$	715						$	582

HCA Healthcare, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
			2020							2019
			Amount			Ratio				Amount			Ratio
Revenues			$	37,240		100.0		%		$	37,813		100.0		%
Salaries and benefits				17,545		47.1					17,455		46.2
Supplies				5,999		16.1					6,249		16.5
Other operating expenses				6,825		18.3					7,013		18.6
Equity in earnings of affiliates				(48	)	(0.1	)				(23	)	(0.1	)
Depreciation and amortization				2,059		5.6					1,902		4.9
Interest expense				1,201		3.2					1,386		3.7
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities				6		-					(17	)	-
Losses on retirement of debt				295		0.8					211		0.6
				33,882		91.0					34,176		90.4
Income before income taxes				3,358		9.0					3,637		9.6
Provision for income taxes				665		1.8					765		2.0
Net income				2,693		7.2					2,872		7.6
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests				365		0.9					438		1.2
Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.			$	2,328		6.3				$	2,434		6.4
Diluted earnings per share			$	6.79						$	6.98
Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (millions)				343.014							348.712
Comprehensive income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.			$	2,273						$	2,354

HCA Healthcare, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in millions)
										September 30,				June 30,				December 31,
											2020				2020				2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents										$	6,588			$	4,638			$	621
Accounts receivable											6,433				6,139				7,380
Inventories											1,950				1,834				1,849
Other											1,295				1,420				1,346
Total current assets											16,266				14,031				11,196
Property and equipment, at cost											48,775				48,484				47,235
Accumulated depreciation											(25,834	)			(25,413	)			(24,520	)
											22,941				23,071				22,715
Investments of insurance subsidiaries											390				364				315
Investments in and advances to affiliates											335				275				249
Goodwill and other intangible assets											8,570				8,578				8,269
Right-of-use operating lease assets											1,972				1,863				1,834
Other											542				527				480
										$	51,016			$	48,709			$	45,058
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable										$	3,270			$	2,882			$	2,905
Accrued salaries											1,971				1,631				1,775
Other accrued expenses											2,843				3,181				2,932
Government stimulus refund liability											6,123				4,999				-
Long-term debt due within one year											172				163				145
Total current liabilities											14,379				12,856				7,757
Long-term debt, less debt issuance costs and discounts of $245, $252 and $239											30,792				30,779				33,577
Professional liability risks											1,434				1,485				1,370
Right-of-use operating lease obligations											1,635				1,531				1,499
Income taxes and other liabilities											1,477				1,490				1,420
EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Stockholders' deficit attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.											(974	)			(1,786	)			(2,808	)
Noncontrolling interests											2,273				2,354				2,243
Total equity (deficit)											1,299				568				(565	)
										$	51,016			$	48,709			$	45,058

HCA Healthcare, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(Dollars in millions)
									2020				2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
		Net income						$	2,693			$	2,872
		Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
			Increase (decrease) in cash from operating assets and liabilities:
				Accounts receivable					930				(93	)
				Inventories and other assets					(36	)			(95	)
				Accounts payable and accrued expenses					542				(118	)
				Government stimulus refund liability					6,123				-
			Depreciation and amortization						2,059				1,902
			Income taxes						(114	)			51
			Losses (gains) on sales of facilities						6				(17	)
			Losses on retirement of debt						295				211
			Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts						22				23
			Share-based compensation						229				263
			Other						66				98
				Net cash provided by operating activities					12,815				5,097
Cash flows from investing activities:
		Purchase of property and equipment							(2,087	)			(2,884	)
		Acquisition of hospitals and health care entities							(380	)			(1,592	)
		Disposition of hospitals and health care entities							68				49
		Change in investments							(40	)			35
		Other							(44	)			17
				Net cash used in investing activities					(2,483	)			(4,375	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
		Issuance of long-term debt							2,700				6,451
		Net change in revolving credit facilities							(2,480	)			(30	)
		Repayment of long-term debt							(3,403	)			(5,289	)
		Distributions to noncontrolling interests							(393	)			(404	)
		Payment of debt issuance costs							(35	)			(71	)
		Payment of cash dividends							(153	)			(414	)
		Repurchase of common stock							(441	)			(759	)
		Other							(156	)			(145	)
				Net cash used in financing activities					(4,361	)			(661	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents									(4	)			(4	)
Change in cash and cash equivalents									5,967				57
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period									621				502
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period								$	6,588			$	559
Interest payments								$	1,230			$	1,492
Income tax payments, net								$	779			$	714

HCA Healthcare, Inc.
Operating Statistics
																	For the Nine Months
									Third Quarter								Ended September 30,
										2020				2019				2020				2019
	Operations:
		Number of Hospitals								187				184				187				184
		Number of Freestanding Outpatient Surgery Centers								121				125				121				125
		Licensed Beds at End of Period								49,473				48,588				49,473				48,588
		Weighted Average Licensed Beds								49,479				48,535				49,333				48,335
	Reported:
		Admissions								506,756				527,284				1,487,992				1,568,733
		% Change								-3.9	%							-5.1	%
		Equivalent Admissions								835,576				918,964				2,477,747				2,712,339
		% Change								-9.1	%							-9.8	%
		Revenue per Equivalent Admission							$	15,930			$	13,814			$	15,214			$	13,941
		% Change								15.3	%							9.1	%
		Inpatient Revenue per Admission							$	16,265			$	14,192			$	15,531			$	14,297
		% Change								14.6	%							8.6	%
		Patient Days								2,593,139				2,530,221				7,476,794				7,667,666
		% Change								2.5	%							-2.5	%
		Equivalent Patient Days								4,275,481				4,410,715				12,299,326				13,257,395
		% Change								-3.1	%							-7.2	%
		Inpatient Surgery Cases								133,492				143,215				387,228				421,051
		% Change								-6.8	%							-8.0	%
		Outpatient Surgery Cases								232,493				249,177				629,723				743,464
		% Change								-6.7	%							-15.3	%
		Emergency Room Visits								1,813,661				2,269,364				5,594,484				6,810,141
		% Change								-20.1	%							-17.9	%
		Outpatient Revenues as a
		Percentage of Patient Revenues								35.5	%			39.0	%			35.0	%			38.7	%
		Average Length of Stay (days)								5.117				4.799				5.025				4.888
		Occupancy								57.0	%			56.7	%			55.3	%			58.1	%
	Same Facility:
		Admissions								493,466				513,170				1,448,444				1,529,423
		% Change								-3.8	%							-5.3	%
		Equivalent Admissions								809,284				889,324				2,371,103				2,630,608
		% Change								-9.0	%							-9.9	%
		Revenue per Equivalent Admission							$	15,721			$	13,691			$	15,024			$	13,836
		% Change								14.8	%							8.6	%
		Inpatient Revenue per Admission							$	16,239			$	14,209			$	15,525			$	14,325
		% Change								14.3	%							8.4	%
		Inpatient Surgery Cases								129,831				139,345				376,189				409,556
		% Change								-6.8	%							-8.1	%
		Outpatient Surgery Cases								224,496				239,530				607,904				716,274
		% Change								-6.3	%							-15.1	%
		Emergency Room Visits								1,767,372				2,217,713				5,467,829				6,668,965
		% Change								-20.3	%							-18.0	%

HCA Healthcare, Inc.
Supplemental Non-GAAP Disclosures
Operating Results Summary
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
																			For the Nine Months
											Third Quarter								Ended September 30,
												2020				2019				2020				2019
Revenues											$	13,311			$	12,694			$	37,240			$	37,813
Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.											$	668			$	612			$	2,328			$	2,434
	Losses (gains) on sales of facilities (net of tax)											(10	)			-				9				(13	)
	Losses on retirement of debt (net of tax)											-				162				227				162
Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on
sales of facilities and losses on retirement of debt (a)												658				774				2,564				2,583
	Depreciation and amortization											694				647				2,059				1,902
	Interest expense											385				448				1,201				1,386
	Provision for income taxes											205				264				730				810
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests											111				152				365				438
	Adjusted EBITDA (a)										$	2,053			$	2,285			$	6,919			$	7,119
	Adjusted EBITDA margin (a)											15.4	%			18.0	%			18.6	%			18.8	%
Diluted earnings per share:
	Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.										$	1.95			$	1.76			$	6.79			$	6.98
	Losses (gains) on sales of facilities											(0.03	)			-				0.03				(0.04	)
	Losses on retirement of debt											-				0.47				0.66				0.47
		Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on
		sales of facilities and losses on retirement of debt (a)									$	1.92			$	2.23			$	7.48			$	7.41
	Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (millions)											343.346				347.487				343.014				348.712

(a)		Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc., excluding losses (gains) on sales of facilities and losses on retirement of debt, 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 losses on retirement of debt, 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 losses on retirement of debt, 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 losses on retirement of debt, 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 and losses on retirement of debt 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 losses on retirement of debt, 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 losses on retirement of debt, 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 losses on retirement of debt, and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures presented by other companies.