Humana Reports Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Results; Provides Full Year 2022 Financial Guidance
Humana reported a 4Q21 loss per common share of $0.11 on a GAAP basis, while adjusted EPS stood at $1.24. For FY 2021, GAAP EPS was $22.67, down from $25.31 in FY 2020. The company anticipates FY 2022 GAAP EPS of at least $23.08 and adjusted EPS of at least $24.00, considering a $1.00 negative COVID-19 impact. Humana plans to create $1 billion in value through cost savings and productivity initiatives, focusing on its Medicare Advantage business and healthcare services expansion.
- Adjusted EPS for 4Q21 was $1.24, improving from a loss of $2.30 in 4Q20.
- FY 2021 revenues increased to $83.064 billion, up from $77.155 billion in FY 2020.
- The company expects at least $23.08 GAAP EPS and $24.00 adjusted EPS for FY 2022.
- 4Q21 GAAP loss per share at $0.11 contrasts with a gain of $2.07 in 4Q20.
- Full-year GAAP EPS decreased from $25.31 in FY 2020 to $22.67 in FY 2021.
-
Reports 4Q21 loss per common share of
$0.11 $1.24 $22.67 $20.64 -
Announces FY 2022 EPS guidance of at least
$23.08 $24.00 $1.00 -
Commits to drive
$1 billion
Consolidated (loss) income before income taxes and equity in net earnings (pretax results) In millions |
4Q21 (a) |
4Q20 (b) |
FY 2021 (c) |
FY 2020 (d) |
||||
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) |
( |
) |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Amortization associated with identifiable intangibles |
17 |
|
22 |
|
65 |
|
88 |
|
Gain on Kindred at Home equity method investment |
— |
|
— |
|
(1,129 |
) |
— |
|
Put/call valuation adjustments associated with company's non-consolidating minority interest investments |
30 |
|
40 |
|
597 |
|
103 |
|
Transaction and integration costs associated with Kindred at Home acquisition |
35 |
|
— |
|
128 |
|
— |
|
Change in fair market value of publicly-traded equity securities |
144 |
|
(102 |
) |
341 |
|
(745 |
) |
Receipt of commercial risk corridor receivables previously written off, net |
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
(578 |
) |
Adjusted (non-GAAP) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
(Loss per common share) or diluted earnings per common share (EPS) |
4Q21 (a) |
4Q20 (b) |
FY 2021 (c) |
FY 2020 (d) |
||||
GAAP |
( |
) |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Amortization associated with identifiable intangibles |
0.10 |
|
0.13 |
|
0.39 |
|
0.51 |
|
Gain on Kindred at Home equity method investment |
— |
|
— |
|
(8.73 |
) |
— |
|
Put/call valuation adjustments associated with company's non-consolidating minority interest investments |
0.18 |
|
0.24 |
|
3.56 |
|
0.60 |
|
Transaction and integration costs associated with Kindred at Home acquisition |
0.21 |
|
— |
|
0.72 |
|
— |
|
Change in fair market value of publicly-traded equity securities |
0.86 |
|
(0.60 |
) |
2.03 |
|
(4.32 |
) |
Receipt of commercial risk corridor receivables previously written off, net |
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
(3.35 |
) |
Adjusted (non-GAAP) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
The company has included financial measures throughout this earnings release that are not in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that these measures, when presented in conjunction with the comparable GAAP measures, are useful to both management and its investors in analyzing the company’s ongoing business and operating performance. Consequently, management uses these non-GAAP (Adjusted) financial measures as indicators of the company’s business performance, as well as for operational planning and decision making purposes. Non-GAAP (Adjusted) financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. All financial measures in this press release are in accordance with GAAP unless otherwise indicated. Please refer to the footnotes for a detailed description of each item adjusted out of GAAP financial measures to arrive at a non-GAAP (Adjusted) financial measure. |
||||||||
“Humana's core operations remain strong as we continue to create value by growing our top-tier Medicare Advantage business, increasing the contribution of our Healthcare Services lines, improving the overall productivity of the organization, all while remaining focused on quality, as evidenced by 97 percent of our Medicare Advantage members in plans rated 4-stars or higher, and delivering a leading customer experience with our Net Promoter Score improving 930 basis points in 2021,” said
Year-over-Year Comparison Considerations
Results in 4Q21 and FY 2021 continued to be influenced by the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The year-over-year comparisons of quarter and full year GAAP consolidated pretax and EPS results were impacted by the following factors:
-
the unmitigated COVID-19 related headwind of
$1.00 -
$1.13 billion - the change in the fair market value of publicly-traded equity securities,
- the receipt of unpaid risk corridor payments that were previously written off (received in third quarter of 2020),
- put/call valuation adjustments associated with the company's non-consolidating minority interest investments, and
- transaction and integration costs associated with the Kindred at Home acquisition.
The year-over-year changes in GAAP and Adjusted EPS for 4Q21 and FY 2021 further reflect the beneficial tax impact of the termination of the health insurance industry fee (HIF) in 2021 and a lower number of shares used to compute EPS, primarily reflective of share repurchases in 2020.
Please refer to the tables above, as well as the consolidated and segment highlight sections in the detailed earnings release for additional discussion of the factors impacting the year-over-comparisons.
In addition, below is a summary of key consolidated and segment statistics comparing 4Q21 to 4Q20 and FY 2021 to FY 2020.
|
4Q21 (a) |
4Q20 (b) |
FY 2021 (c) |
FY 2020 (d) |
||||
CONSOLIDATED |
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenues - GAAP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues - Adjusted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pretax (loss) income - GAAP |
( |
) |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Pretax income (loss) - Adjusted |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
(Loss per common share) diluted EPS - GAAP |
( |
) |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Diluted EPS (loss per common share) - Adjusted |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Benefits expense ratio - GAAP |
87.9 |
% |
88.3 |
% |
86.7 |
% |
83.1 |
% |
Benefits expense ratio - Adjusted |
87.9 |
% |
88.3 |
% |
86.7 |
% |
83.8 |
% |
Operating cost ratio - GAAP |
16.1 |
% |
16.3 |
% |
12.2 |
% |
13.2 |
% |
Operating cost ratio - Adjusted |
15.9 |
% |
16.3 |
% |
12.1 |
% |
13.3 |
% |
Operating cash flows - GAAP |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parent company cash and short term investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Debt-to-total capitalization |
43.7 |
% |
32.7 |
% |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
RETAIL SEGMENT |
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenues - GAAP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits expense ratio - GAAP |
89.0 |
% |
87.0 |
% |
87.9 |
% |
84.2 |
% |
Operating cost ratio - GAAP |
11.5 |
% |
14.0 |
% |
9.2 |
% |
11.0 |
% |
Segment (loss) earnings - GAAP |
( |
) |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Segment (loss) earnings - Adjusted |
( |
) |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
GROUP AND SPECIALTY SEGMENT |
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenues - GAAP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits expense ratio - GAAP |
86.6 |
% |
104.3 |
% |
82.5 |
% |
85.6 |
% |
Operating cost ratio - GAAP |
26.8 |
% |
28.1 |
% |
24.6 |
% |
25.0 |
% |
Segment (loss) earnings - GAAP |
( |
) |
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Segment (loss) earnings - Adjusted |
( |
) |
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
HEALTHCARE SERVICES SEGMENT |
|
|
|
|
||||
Revenues - GAAP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating cost ratio - GAAP |
94.9 |
% |
97.8 |
% |
95.4 |
% |
96.3 |
% |
Segment earnings attributable to Humana- GAAP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022 Earnings Guidance
The company provided its GAAP and Adjusted EPS guidance for the year ending
Humana's GAAP and Adjusted EPS guidance contemplates an explicit COVID-19 related headwind of
GAAP and Adjusted EPS results for FY 2021 are also shown for comparison.
Diluted earnings per common share |
FY 2022
|
FY 2021 (c) |
GAAP |
at least |
|
Amortization of identifiable intangibles |
0.42 |
0.39 |
Gain on Kindred at Home equity method investment |
— |
(8.73) |
Put/call valuation adjustments associated with company's non-consolidating minority interest investments |
— |
3.56 |
Transaction and integration costs associated with the Kindred at Home acquisition |
0.50 |
0.72 |
Change in fair market value of publicly-traded equity securities |
— |
2.03 |
Adjusted (non-GAAP) – FY 2022 projected; FY 2021 reported |
at least |
|
Value Creation Initiatives
In order to create capacity to fund growth and investment in its Medicare Advantage business and further expansion of its Healthcare Services capabilities in 2023, Humana is committing to drive
- performing a critical review of ongoing strategic initiatives across the company, intending to further focus investments on priorities where Humana has the greatest conviction of significant value potential,
- driving further organizational efficiencies by optimizing the company's workforce to increase speed, agility, and the pace at which Humana must work as a large, integrated healthcare organization,
- reducing and optimizing third-party spend, including significantly rationalizing its real estate portfolio, and
- driving greater operational efficiencies across the organization by modernizing, streamlining, and improving processes through automation and digital advancement.
As a result of this work, the company anticipates that it will experience certain one-time restructuring charges in FY 2022 that will impact its GAAP results, but will be adjusted for non-GAAP purposes.
Detailed Press Release
Humana’s full earnings press release including the statistical pages has been posted to the company’s Investor Relations site and may be accessed at https://humana.gcs-web.com/ or via a current report on Form 8-K filed by the company with the
Conference Call
Humana will host a conference call at
To participate via phone, please register in advance at this link - http://www.directeventreg.com/registration/event/5176725. Upon registration, telephone participants will receive a confirmation email detailing how to join the conference call, including dial-in number, event passcode, and unique registrant ID that can be used to access the call. A webcast of the 4Q21 earnings call may also be accessed via Humana’s Investor Relations page at humana.com. The company suggests participants for both the conference call and those listening via the web dial in or sign on at least 15 minutes in advance of the call.
For those unable to participate in the live event, the archive will be available in the Historical Webcasts and Presentations section of the Investor Relations page at humana.com, approximately two hours following the live webcast. Telephone replays will be available from approximately
Footnotes
(a) 4Q21 Adjusted results exclude the following:
-
Amortization expense for identifiable intangibles of approximately
$17 million $0.10 $4 million $1 million -
Put/call valuation adjustments of approximately
$30 million $0.18 -
Transaction and integration costs associated with the Kindred at Home acquisition of approximately
$35 million $0.21 -
Change in fair market value of publicly-traded equity securities of
$144 million $0.86
(b) 4Q20 Adjusted results exclude the following:
-
Amortization expense for identifiable intangibles of approximately
$22 million $0.13 $3 million $1 million -
Put/call valuation adjustments of approximately
$40 million $0.24 -
Change in fair market value of publicly-traded equity securities of
$102 million $0.60
(c) FY 2021 Adjusted results exclude the following:
-
Amortization expense for identifiable intangibles of approximately
$65 million $0.39 $16 million $5 million -
Gain associated with Kindred at Home equity method investment of approximately
$1,129 million $8.73 August 2021 . GAAP measures affected in this release include consolidated pretax and EPS. -
Put/call valuation adjustments of approximately
$597 million $3.56 April 27, 2021 . GAAP measures affected in this release include consolidated pretax and EPS. -
Transaction and integration costs associated with the Kindred at Home acquisition of approximately
$128 million $0.72 -
Change in fair market value of publicly-traded equity securities of
$341 million $2.03
(d) FY 2020 Adjusted results exclude the following:
-
Amortization expense for identifiable intangibles of approximately
$88 million $0.51 $15 million $4 million -
Put/call valuation adjustments of approximately
$103 million $0.60 -
Change in fair market value of publicly-traded equity securities of
$745 million $4.32 -
Net adjustment of
$578 million $3.35
(e) The Healthcare Services segment Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) includes GAAP segment earnings attributable to Humana with adjustments to add back depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense, and income taxes. The Adjusted EBITDA includes results from all lines of business within the segment. The Adjusted EBITDA also includes the impact of Humana’s minority interest related to the strategic partnership with
Healthcare Services segment results (in millions) |
4Q21 |
4Q20 |
FY 2021 |
FY 2020 |
GAAP segment earnings attributable to Humana |
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization expense |
50 |
52 |
190 |
203 |
Interest and taxes |
— |
16 |
39 |
85 |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
|
|
(f) FY 2022 Adjusted EPS projections exclude the following:
-
Amortization expense for identifiable intangibles of
$0.42 -
Transaction and integration costs associated with the Kindred at Home acquisition of approximately
$0.50 - FY 2022 GAAP EPS guidance excludes the impact of future value changes of the put/call options associated with Humana's non-consolidating minority interest investments as the future value changes cannot be estimated.
- The future value of publicly-traded equity securities, their impact on GAAP EPS, and the related non-GAAP adjustment will fluctuate on the public trading value of the stock. The guidance set forth herein assumes no further change in the fair value of these investments.
Cautionary Statement
This news release includes forward-looking statements regarding Humana within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in investor presentations, press releases,
These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including, among other things, information set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the company’s
- If Humana does not design and price its products properly and competitively, if the premiums Humana receives are insufficient to cover the cost of healthcare services delivered to its members, if the company is unable to implement clinical initiatives to provide a better healthcare experience for its members, lower costs and appropriately document the risk profile of its members, or if its estimates of benefits expense are inadequate, Humana’s profitability could be materially adversely affected. Humana estimates the costs of its benefit expense payments, and designs and prices its products accordingly, using actuarial methods and assumptions based upon, among other relevant factors, claim payment patterns, medical cost inflation, and historical developments such as claim inventory levels and claim receipt patterns. The company continually reviews estimates of future payments relating to benefit expenses for services incurred in the current and prior periods and makes necessary adjustments to its reserves, including premium deficiency reserves, where appropriate. These estimates involve extensive judgment, and have considerable inherent variability because they are extremely sensitive to changes in claim payment patterns and medical cost trends. Accordingly, Humana's reserves may be insufficient.
- If Humana fails to effectively implement its operational and strategic initiatives, particularly its Medicare initiatives and state-based contract strategy, the company’s business may be materially adversely affected, which is of particular importance given the concentration of the company’s revenues in these products. In addition, there can be no assurances that the company will be successful in maintaining or improving its Star ratings in future years.
- If Humana fails to properly maintain the integrity of its data, to strategically maintain existing or implement new information systems, to protect Humana’s proprietary rights to its systems, or to defend against cyber-security attacks or prevent other privacy or data security incidents that result in security breaches that disrupt our operations or in the unintentional dissemination of sensitive personal information or proprietary or confidential information, the company’s business may be materially adversely affected.
- Humana is involved in various legal actions, or disputes that could lead to legal actions (such as, among other things, provider contract disputes and qui tam litigation brought by individuals on behalf of the government), governmental and internal investigations, and routine internal review of business processes any of which, if resolved unfavorably to the company, could result in substantial monetary damages or changes in its business practices. Increased litigation and negative publicity could also increase the company’s cost of doing business.
- As a government contractor, Humana is exposed to risks that may materially adversely affect its business or its willingness or ability to participate in government healthcare programs including, among other things, loss of material government contracts; governmental audits and investigations; potential inadequacy of government determined payment rates; potential restrictions on profitability; including by comparison of profitability of the company’s Medicare Advantage business to non-Medicare Advantage business; or other changes in the governmental programs in which Humana participates. Changes to the risk-adjustment model utilized by CMS to adjust premiums paid to Medicare Advantage, or MA, plans according to the health status of covered members, including proposed changes to the methodology used by CMS for risk adjustment data validation audits that fail to address adequately the statutory requirement of actuarial equivalence, if implemented, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial position and cash flows.
- Humana's business activities are subject to substantial government regulation. New laws or regulations, or legislative, judicial, or regulatory changes in existing laws or regulations or their manner of application could increase the company's cost of doing business and have a material adverse effect on Humana’s results of operations (including restricting revenue, enrollment and premium growth in certain products and market segments, restricting the company’s ability to expand into new markets, increasing the company’s medical and operating costs by, among other things, requiring a minimum benefit ratio on insured products, lowering the company’s Medicare payment rates and increasing the company’s expenses associated with a non-deductible health insurance industry fee and other assessments); the company’s financial position (including the company’s ability to maintain the value of its goodwill); and the company’s cash flows.
- Humana’s failure to manage acquisitions, divestitures and other significant transactions successfully may have a material adverse effect on the company’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
- If Humana fails to develop and maintain satisfactory relationships with the providers of care to its members, the company’s business may be adversely affected.
- Humana faces significant competition in attracting and retaining talented employees. Further, managing succession for, and retention of, key executives is critical to the Company’s success, and its failure to do so could adversely affect the Company’s businesses, operating results and/or future performance.
- Humana’s pharmacy business is highly competitive and subjects it to regulations and supply chain risks in addition to those the company faces with its core health benefits businesses.
- Changes in the prescription drug industry pricing benchmarks may adversely affect Humana’s financial performance.
- Humana’s ability to obtain funds from certain of its licensed subsidiaries is restricted by state insurance regulations.
- Downgrades in Humana’s debt ratings, should they occur, may adversely affect its business, results of operations, and financial condition.
- The securities and credit markets may experience volatility and disruption, which may adversely affect Humana’s business.
- The spread of, and response to, the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, underscores certain risks Humana faces, including those discussed above, and the ongoing, heightened uncertainty created by the pandemic precludes any prediction as to the ultimate adverse impact to Humana of COVID-19.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the premiums the company charges may prove to be insufficient to cover the cost of health care services delivered to its members, each of which could be impacted by many factors, including the impacts that Humana has experienced, and may continue to experience, to its revenues due to limitations on its ability to implement clinical initiatives to manage health care costs and chronic conditions of its members, and appropriately document their risk profiles, as a result of the company’s members being unable or unwilling to see their providers due to actions taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; increased costs that may result from higher utilization rates of medical facilities and services and other increases in associated hospital and pharmaceutical costs; and shifts in the company’s premium and medical claims cost trends to reflect the demographic impact of higher mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Humana is offering, and has been mandated by legislative and regulatory action (including the Families First Act and CARES Act) to provide, certain expanded benefit coverage to its members, such as waiving, or reimbursing, certain costs for COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and treatment. These measures taken by Humana, or governmental action, to respond to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 (including further expansion or modification of the services delivered to its members, the adoption or modification of regulatory requirements associated with those services and the costs and challenges associated with ensuring timely compliance with such requirements), and the potential for widespread testing, treatments and the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines, could adversely impact the company’s profitability.
The spread and impact of COVID-19 and additional variants, or actions taken to mitigate this spread, could have material and adverse effects on Humana’s ability to operate effectively, including as a result of the complete or partial closure of facilities or labor shortages. Disruptions in public and private infrastructure, including communications, availability of in-person sales and marketing channels, financial services and supply chains, could materially and adversely disrupt the company’s normal business operations. A significant subset of the company's and the company's third party providers' employee population are in a remote work environment in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, which may exacerbate certain risks to Humana’s business, including an increased demand for information technology resources, increased risk of phishing and other cybersecurity attacks, and increased risk of unauthorized dissemination of sensitive personal, proprietary, or confidential information. The continued COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted global economic activity, including the businesses of some of Humana’s commercial customers, and caused significant volatility and negative pressure in the financial markets. In addition to disrupting Humana’s operations, these developments may adversely affect the timing of commercial customer premium collections and corresponding claim payments, the value of the company’s investment portfolio, or future liquidity needs.
The ongoing, heightened uncertainty created by the pandemic precludes any prediction as to the ultimate adverse impact to Humana of COVID-19. Humana is continuing to monitor the spread of COVID-19, changes to the company’s benefit coverages, and the ongoing costs and business impacts of dealing with COVID-19, including the potential costs and impacts associated with lifting or reimposing restrictions on movement and economic activity, the timing and degree in resumption of demand for deferred healthcare services, the pace of administration of COVID-19 vaccines and the effectiveness of those vaccines, and related risks. The magnitude and duration of the pandemic remain uncertain, and its impact on Humana’s business, results of operations, financial position, and cash flows could be material.
In making forward-looking statements, Humana is not undertaking to address or update them in future filings or communications regarding its business or results. In light of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed herein may or may not occur. There also may be other risks that the company is unable to predict at this time. Any of these risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.
Humana advises investors to read the following documents as filed by the company with the
-
Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2020 ; -
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2021 ;June 30, 2021 ;September 30, 2021 ; and - Form 8-Ks filed during 2021 and 2022.
About Humana
To accomplish that, we support physicians and other health care professionals as they work to deliver the right care in the right place for their patients, our members. Our range of clinical capabilities, resources and tools – such as in-home care, behavioral health, pharmacy services, data analytics and wellness solutions – combine to produce a simplified experience that makes health care easier to navigate and more effective.
More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s website at humana.com, including copies of:
- Annual reports to stockholders
-
Securities and Exchange Commission filings - Most recent investor conference presentations
- Quarterly earnings news releases and conference calls
- Calendar of events
- Corporate Governance information
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220202005372/en/
Humana Investor Relations
(502) 580-2652
e-mail: LStamper@humana.com
(317) 753-0345
e-mail: MTaylor108@humana.com
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