Community Health Systems, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2018 Results with Net Operating Revenues of $3.451 Billion

Oct 29, 2018 04:15 pm
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- 

Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE: CYH) (the “Company”) today announced financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The following highlights the financial and operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

  • Net operating revenues totaled $3.451 billion.
  • Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders was $(325) million, or $(2.88) per share (diluted), compared with net loss of $(110) million, or $(0.98) per share (diluted), for the same period in 2017. Excluding the adjusting items as presented in the table in footnote (h) on page 15, net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders was $(1.64) per share (diluted), compared with $(0.79) per share (diluted) for the same period in 2017.
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $372 million.
  • Net cash provided by operating activities was $346 million, compared with $114 million for the same period in 2017.
  • On a same-store basis, admissions decreased 2.3 percent and adjusted admissions decreased 0.8 percent, compared with the same period in 2017.

Net operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2018, totaled $3.451 billion, a 5.9 percent decrease, compared with $3.666 billion for the same period in 2017.

Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders was $(325) million, or $(2.88) per share (diluted), for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared with $(110) million, or $(0.98) per share (diluted), for the same period in 2017. Excluding the adjusting items as presented in the table in footnote (h) on page 15, net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders was $(1.64) per share (diluted), for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared with $(0.79) per share (diluted) for the same period in 2017. Weighted-average shares outstanding (diluted) were 113 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, and 112 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2018, was $372 million compared with $331 million for the same period in 2017, representing a 12.4 percent increase.

The consolidated operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2018, reflect a 12.4 percent decrease in total admissions, and a 12.2 percent decrease in total adjusted admissions, compared with the same period in 2017. On a same-store basis, admissions decreased 2.3 percent and adjusted admissions decreased 0.8 percent during the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared with the same period in 2017. On a same-store basis, net operating revenues increased 3.2 percent during the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared with the same period in 2017.

Net operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, totaled $10.702 billion, a 13.0 percent decrease, compared with $12.295 billion for the same period in 2017.

Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders was $(460) million, or $(4.08) per share (diluted), for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared with $(446) million, or $(3.99) per share (diluted), for the same period in 2017. Excluding the adjusting items as presented in the table in footnote (h) on page 15, net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders was $(1.52) per share (diluted) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared with net loss of $(0.98) per share (diluted) for the same period in 2017. Weighted-average shares outstanding (diluted) were 113 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, and 112 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, was $1.223 billion compared with $1.294 billion for the same period in 2017, representing a 5.5 percent decrease.

The consolidated operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, reflect a 16.5 percent decrease in total admissions, and a 16.9 percent decrease in total adjusted admissions, compared with the same period in 2017. On a same-store basis, admissions decreased 2.4 percent and adjusted admissions decreased 0.9 percent during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared with the same period in 2017. On a same-store basis, net operating revenues increased 2.6 percent during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared with the same period in 2017.

On September 25, 2018, the Company issued a press release to announce a global resolution and settlement agreements ending the U.S. Department of Justice investigation into certain conduct of Health Management Associates, Inc. (“HMA”) and its affiliated entities and settling qui tam lawsuits that were initiated and pending, and known to the Company, before the Company’s acquisition by merger of HMA in 2014. The Company previously recorded an estimated liability at fair value of the remaining underlying claims that are covered by the CVR agreement as part of the acquisition accounting for HMA. This liability has been adjusted as of September 30, 2018, to take into account the settlement amount contemplated by the global settlement agreements, including interest, of $266 million and has been reclassified as a current liability in other accrued liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2018. This settlement amount will be paid in the fourth quarter of 2018. In addition, certain components of the settlement payment are not considered deductible for income taxes because of recent changes to the U.S. tax code from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017, which resulted in approximately $23 million in deferred tax expense during the third quarter of 2018 from the write-off of the related deferred tax assets.

Commenting on the results, Wayne T. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Community Health Systems, Inc., said, “We are pleased with the progress we made in the third quarter, and we are encouraged by the momentum we are seeing from strategic and operational initiatives that have been implemented across our portfolio of hospitals. We are especially pleased with same store performance in many of our core markets. We believe our overall performance will continue to improve as we complete additional divestitures and direct our investments into markets where we have the greatest opportunities for growth.”

During 2018, the Company has completed nine hospital divestitures. In addition, the Company has entered into definitive agreements to sell five additional hospitals, which divestitures have not yet been completed. The Company is pursuing additional interests for sale transactions involving hospitals, which, together with the hospitals that are currently subject to definitive agreements and the hospitals that have been divested during 2018, had a combined total of at least $2.0 billion in annual net operating revenues and combined mid-single digit Adjusted EBITDA margins during 2017. These sale transactions are currently in various stages of negotiation with potential buyers. There can be no assurance that these potential divestitures (or the potential divestitures currently subject to definitive agreements) will be completed, or if they are completed, the ultimate timing of the completion of these divestitures. The Company continues to receive interest from potential acquirers for certain of its hospitals.

Financial and statistical data for 2018 and 2017 presented in this press release includes the operating results of divested hospitals through the effective closing date of each respective divestiture. Same-store operating results exclude the results of the hospitals divested in 2018 and 2017.

Information About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, is EBITDA adjusted to add back net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and to exclude the effect of discontinued operations, loss (gain) from early extinguishment of debt, impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, gain on sale of investments in unconsolidated affiliates, expense incurred related to the spin-off of QHC, expense incurred related to the sale of a majority ownership interest in the Company’s home care division, expense (income) related to government and other legal settlements and related costs, expense related to employee termination benefits and other restructuring charges, expense (income) from settlement and fair value adjustments on the CVR agreement liability related to the HMA legal proceedings and related legal expenses, and the overall impact of the change in estimate related to net patient revenue recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017 resulting from the increase in contractual allowances and the provision for bad debts.

For information regarding why the Company believes Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors, and for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders, see footnote (e) to the Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data below.

Additionally, the Company has provided adjusted loss from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders per share (diluted) and adjusted net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders per share (diluted) to reflect the impact on earnings per share from the selected items used in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA. For a presentation and reconciliation of these measures, see footnote (h) to the Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data below.

Included on pages 17, 18, 19 and 20 of this press release are tables setting forth the Company’s 2018 updated annual earnings guidance. The 2018 guidance is based on the Company’s historical operating performance, current trends and other assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable at this time, and reflects the impact of planned divestitures in 2018.

Community Health Systems, Inc. is one of the largest publicly traded hospital companies in the United States and a leading operator of general acute care hospitals in communities across the country. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns, leases or operates 117 affiliated hospitals in 20 states with an aggregate of approximately 19,000 licensed beds.

The Company’s headquarters are located in Franklin, Tennessee, a suburb south of Nashville. Shares in Community Health Systems, Inc. are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CYH.” More information about the Company can be found on its website at www.chs.net.

Community Health Systems, Inc. will hold a conference call on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. Central, 11:00 a.m. Eastern, to review financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018. Investors will have the opportunity to listen to a live Internet broadcast of the conference call by clicking on the Investor Relations link of the Company’s website at www.chs.net. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least fifteen minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call and will continue to be available through November 30, 2018. Copies of this press release and conference call slide show, as well as the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (including this press release), will be available on the Company’s website at www.chs.net.

               
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Financial Highlights (a)(b)(c)(d)
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2018 2017 2018 2017
 
Net operating revenues (k) $ 3,451 $ 3,666 $ 10,702 $ 12,295
Loss from continuing operations (f), (i), (j) (308 ) (88 ) (405 ) (380 )

Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders

(325 ) (110 ) (460 ) (446 )
Adjusted EBITDA (e) 372 331 1,223 1,294
Net cash provided by operating activities 346 114 440 617
 

Basic loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:

Continuing operations (f), (i), (j) $ (2.88 ) $ (0.96 ) $ (4.08 ) $ (3.91 )
Discontinued operations   -     (0.02 )   -     (0.08 )
Net loss $ (2.88 ) $ (0.98 ) $ (4.08 ) $ (3.99 )
 

Diluted loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:

Continuing operations (f), (h), (i), (j) $ (2.88 ) $ (0.96 ) $ (4.08 ) $ (3.91 )
Discontinued operations   -     (0.02 )   -     (0.08 )
Net loss (h) $ (2.88 ) $ (0.98 ) $ (4.08 ) $ (3.99 )
 
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (g):
Basic 113 112 113 112
Diluted 113 112 113 112
 

____

For footnotes, see pages 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

 
               
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss (a)(b)(c)(d)
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
2018 2017
Amount

% of Net Operating
Revenues

Amount

% of Net Operating
Revenues

Operating revenues (net of contractual allowances and discounts) $ 4,333
Provision for bad debts   667    
Net operating revenues (k) $ 3,451 100.0 %   3,666   100.0 %
 
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits 1,585 45.9 % 1,724 47.0 %
Supplies 565 16.4 % 610 16.6 %
Other operating expenses 858 24.9 % 911 24.9 %
Government and other legal settlements and related costs (j) 2 0.1 % 1 - %
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement (1 ) - % (2 ) - %
Rent 83 2.4 % 93 2.5 %
Depreciation and amortization 173 5.0 % 206 5.6 %
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net (i)   112   3.2 %   33   0.9 %
Total operating costs and expenses   3,377   97.9 %   3,576   97.5 %
 
Income from operations (f), (i), (j) 74 2.1 % 90 2.5 %
Interest expense, net 256 7.3 % 238 6.5 %
Loss from early extinguishment of debt 27 0.8 % 4 0.1 %
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates   (5 ) (0.1 )%   (5 ) (0.1 )%
 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (204 ) (5.9 )% (147 ) (4.0 )%
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes   104   3.0 %   (59 ) (1.6 )%
Loss from continuing operations (f), (i), (j)   (308 ) (8.9 )%   (88 ) (2.4 )%
 
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
Loss from operations of entities sold or held for sale - - % (1 ) - %
Impairment of hospitals sold or held for sale   -   - %   (1 ) - %
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes   -   - %   (2 ) (0.1 )%
Net loss (308 ) (8.9 )% (90 ) (2.5 )%
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   17   0.5 %   20   0.5 %
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders $ (325 ) (9.4 )% $ (110 ) (3.0 )%
 

Basic loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:

Continuing operations (f), (i), (j) $ (2.88 ) $ (0.96 )
Discontinued operations   -     (0.02 )
Net loss $ (2.88 ) $ (0.98 )
 

Diluted loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:

Continuing operations (f), (h), (i), (j) $ (2.88 ) $ (0.96 )
Discontinued operations   -     (0.02 )
Net loss (h) $ (2.88 ) $ (0.98 )
 
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (g):
Basic   113     112  
Diluted   113     112  

 

____

For footnotes, see pages 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

 
               
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss (a)(b)(c)(d)
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2018 2017
Amount

% of Net Operating
Revenues

Amount

% of Net Operating
Revenues

Operating revenues (net of contractual allowances and discounts) $ 14,323
Provision for bad debts   2,028  
Net operating revenues (k) $ 10,702 100.0%   12,295 100.0%
 
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits 4,850 45.3% 5,704 46.4%
Supplies 1,773 16.6% 2,056 16.7%
Other operating expenses 2,646 24.7% 2,984 24.3%
Government and other legal settlements and related costs (j) 9 0.1% (32) (0.3)%
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement (2) -% (25) (0.2)%
Rent 257 2.4% 306 2.5%
Depreciation and amortization 531 5.0% 665 5.4%
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net (i)   314 2.9%   363 3.0%
Total operating costs and expenses   10,378 97.0%   12,021 97.8%
 
Income from operations (f), (i), (j) 324 3.0% 274 2.2%
Interest expense, net 720 6.7% 706 5.7%
(Gain) loss from early extinguishment of debt (32) (0.3)% 35 0.3%
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates   (17) (0.2)%   (13) (0.1)%
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (347) (3.2)% (454) (3.7)%
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes   58 0.6%   (74) (0.6)%
Loss from continuing operations (f), (i), (j)   (405) (3.8)%   (380) (3.1)%
 
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
Loss from operations of entities sold or held for sale - -% (4) -%
Impairment of hospitals sold or held for sale   - -%   (6) -%
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes   - -%   (10) (0.1)%
Net loss (405) (3.8)% (390) (3.2)%
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   55 0.5%   56 0.4%
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders $ (460) (4.3)% $ (446) (3.6)%
 

Basic loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:

Continuing operations (f), (i), (j) $ (4.08) $ (3.91)
Discontinued operations   -   (0.08)
Net loss $ (4.08) $ (3.99)
 

Diluted loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:

Continuing operations (f), (h), (i), (j) $ (4.08) $ (3.91)
Discontinued operations   -   (0.08)
Net loss (h) $ (4.08) $ (3.99)
 
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (g):
Basic   113   112
Diluted   113   112
 

____

For footnotes, see pages 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

 
               
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2018 2017 2018 2017
 
Net loss $ (308 ) $ (90 ) $ (405 ) $ (390 )
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax 2 5 26 8
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax - 2 (2 ) 7

Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax

  -     1     1     2  
Other comprehensive income   2     8     25     17  
Comprehensive loss (306 ) (82 ) (380 ) (373 )
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests   17     20     55     56  

Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders

$ (323 ) $ (102 ) $ (435 ) $ (429 )
 

____

For footnotes, see pages 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

 
 
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Operating Data (a)(c)
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
                       
Three Months Ended September 30,
Consolidated Same-Store
2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
Number of hospitals (at end of period) 118 133 117 117
Licensed beds (at end of period) 19,684 22,012 19,558 19,562
Beds in service (at end of period) 17,294 19,616 17,184 17,369
Admissions 150,730 171,994 -12.4 % 148,786 152,261 -2.3 %
Adjusted admissions 330,681 376,597 -12.2 % 326,969 329,566 -0.8 %
Patient days 669,035 756,186 661,106 671,487
Average length of stay (days) 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4
Occupancy rate (average beds in service) 41.7 % 41.8 % 41.8 % 42.0 %
Net operating revenues (k) $ 3,451 $ 3,666 -5.9 % $ 3,434 $ 3,329 3.2 %

Net inpatient revenues as a % of net operating revenues

47.1 % 47.6 % 47.0 % 47.8 %

Net outpatient revenues as a % of net operating revenues

52.9 % 52.4 % 53.0 % 52.2 %
Income from operations (f), (i), (j) $ 74 $ 90 -17.8 %

Income from operations as a % of net operating revenues

2.1 % 2.5 %
Depreciation and amortization $ 173 $ 206
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates $ (5 ) $ (5 )

Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders

$ (325 ) $ (110 ) -195.5 %

Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders as a % of net operating revenues

-9.4 % -3.0 %
Adjusted EBITDA (e) $ 372 $ 331 12.4 %

Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net operating revenues

10.8 % 9.0 %
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 346 $ 114 203.5 %
 

____

For footnotes, see pages 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

 
 
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Operating Data (a)(c)
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
                       
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Consolidated Same-Store
2018 2017 % Change 2018 2017 % Change
Number of hospitals (at end of period) 118 133 117 117
Licensed beds (at end of period) 19,684 22,012 19,558 19,562
Beds in service (at end of period) 17,294 19,616 17,184 17,369
Admissions 478,919 573,671 -16.5 % 459,100 470,345 -2.4 %
Adjusted admissions 1,031,390 1,241,327 -16.9 % 990,839 1,000,241 -0.9 %
Patient days 2,150,553 2,569,587 2,069,294 2,105,434
Average length of stay (days) 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5
Occupancy rate (average beds in service) 43.6 % 43.5 % 44.0 % 44.4 %
Net operating revenues (k) $ 10,702 $ 12,295 -13.0 % $ 10,396 $ 10,131 2.6 %

Net inpatient revenues as a % of net operating revenues

47.8 % 47.9 % 47.6 % 48.5 %

Net outpatient revenues as a % of net operating revenues

52.2 % 52.1 % 52.4 % 51.5 %
Income from operations (f), (i), (j) $ 324 $ 274 18.2 %

Income from operations as a % of net operating revenues

3.0 % 2.2 %
Depreciation and amortization $ 531 $ 665
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates $ (17 ) $ (13 )

 

Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders

$ (460 ) $ (446 ) -3.1 %

Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders as a % of net operating revenues

-4.3 % -3.6 %
Adjusted EBITDA (e) $ 1,223 $ 1,294 -5.5 %

Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net operating revenues

11.4 % 10.5 %
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 440 $ 617 -28.7 %
 

____

For footnotes, see pages 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

 
       
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In millions, except share data)
(Unaudited)
 
September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 335 $ 563
Patient accounts receivable (k) 2,347 2,384
Supplies 424 444
Prepaid income taxes 17 17
Prepaid expenses and taxes 191 198
Other current assets   410     462  
Total current assets   3,724     4,068  
Property and equipment, gross 10,986 11,497
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization   (4,416 )   (4,445 )
Property and equipment, net   6,570     7,052  
Goodwill   4,631     4,723  
Deferred income taxes   -     62  
Other assets, net   1,544     1,545  
Total assets $ 16,469   $ 17,450  
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 35 $ 33
Accounts payable 816 967
Accrued liabilities:
Employee compensation 630 685
Accrued interest 258 229
Other (b)   740     442  
Total current liabilities   2,479     2,356  
Long-term debt (l)   13,535     13,880  
Deferred income taxes   39     19  
Other long-term liabilities (b)   1,051     1,360  
Total liabilities   17,104     17,615  
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries   495     527  
STOCKHOLDERS DEFICIT
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders’ deficit:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; none issued - -

Common stock, $.01 par value per share, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 116,245,071 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2018, and 114,651,004 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017

1 1
Additional paid-in capital 2,011 2,014
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (8 ) (21 )
Accumulated deficit   (3,209 )   (2,761 )
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders’ deficit (1,205 ) (767 )
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries   75     75  
Total stockholders deficit   (1,130 )   (692 )
Total liabilities and stockholders deficit $ 16,469   $ 17,450  
 

____

For footnotes, see pages 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

 
       
COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2018 2017
 
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss $ (405 ) $ (390 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 531 665
Government and other legal settlements and related costs (j) 9 8
Stock-based compensation expense 10 20
Impairment of hospitals sold or held for sale - 6
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net (i) 314 363
(Gain) loss from early extinguishment of debt (32 ) 35
Other non-cash expenses, net 25 24
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Patient accounts receivable 38 229
Supplies, prepaid expenses and other current assets 14 (37 )
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income taxes (47 ) (215 )
Other   (17 )   (91 )
Net cash provided by operating activities   440     617  
 
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions of facilities and other related businesses (21 ) (4 )
Purchases of property and equipment (413 ) (428 )
Proceeds from disposition of hospitals and other ancillary operations 228 1,666
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 7 4
Purchases of available-for-sale securities and equity securities (50 ) (85 )
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities and equity securities 75 133
Increase in other investments   (76 )   (95 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities   (250 )   1,191  
 
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchase of restricted stock shares for payroll tax withholding requirements (1 ) (5 )
Deferred financing costs and other debt-related costs (93 ) (66 )
Proceeds from noncontrolling investors in joint ventures 2 5
Redemption of noncontrolling investments in joint ventures (27 ) (5 )
Distributions to noncontrolling investors in joint ventures (74 ) (79 )
Borrowings under credit agreements 24 839
Issuance of long-term debt 1,033 3,100
Proceeds from ABL and receivables facility 587 26
Repayments of long-term indebtedness   (1,869 )   (5,271 )
Net cash used in financing activities   (418 )   (1,456 )
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents (228 ) 352
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   563     238  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 335   $ 590  
 

____

For footnotes, see pages 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

 
 

Footnotes to Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data

 
(a)   Continuing operating results exclude discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Both financial and statistical results exclude entities in discontinued operations for all periods presented. In addition, financial and statistical results include the operating results of divested hospitals through the effective closing date of each respective divestiture. Same-store operating results exclude the results of the hospitals divested in 2018 and 2017.
 
(b) The contingent value right (“CVR”) was issued to shareholders of Health Management Associates, Inc. (“HMA”) as part of the merger consideration in the Company’s acquisition by merger of HMA in 2014 (the “HMA Merger”). The CVR entitles the holder to receive a cash payment up to $1.00 per CVR (subject to downward adjustment but not below zero), subject to the final resolution of certain legal matters pertaining to HMA, as defined in the CVR agreement. If the aggregate amount of applicable losses under the CVR agreement exceeds a deductible of $18 million, then the amount payable in respect of each CVR shall be reduced (but not below zero) by an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing: (a) the product of (i) all losses in excess of the deductible and (ii) 90%; by (b) the number of CVRs outstanding on the date on which final resolution of the existing litigation occurs.
 
On September 25, 2018, the Company issued a press release to announce a global resolution and settlement agreements ending the U.S. Department of Justice investigation into certain conduct of HMA and its affiliated entities and settling qui tam lawsuits that were initiated and pending, and known to the Company, before the HMA Merger. Since the HMA acquisition date of January 27, 2014, prior to giving effect to the global settlement as noted in the table below, approximately $36 million in costs have been incurred and approximately $30 million of settlements have been paid related to certain HMA legal matters, which collectively exceed the deductible of $18 million under the CVR agreement. The Company previously recorded an estimated liability at fair value of the remaining underlying claims that are covered by the CVR agreement as part of the acquisition accounting for HMA. This liability has been adjusted as of September 30, 2018, to take into account the settlement amount contemplated by the global settlement agreements, including interest, of $266 million and has been reclassified as a current liability in other accrued liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2018. This settlement amount will be paid in the fourth quarter of 2018. In addition, although future legal fees (which are expensed as incurred) and any attorney fees claimed for reimbursement by the relators associated with the HMA legal matters (including the global settlement noted above) have not been accrued or included in the table below, such legal fees and attorney fees are to be taken into account in determining the total amount of reductions applied to the amounts owed to CVR holders. The Company is currently in the process of reviewing the final payment amount required for the CVR as defined in the CVR agreement. However, based on the total costs incurred and settlements paid (including with respect to the global settlement) as summarized below, the Company anticipates that no payment will be due to the CVR holders.
 
The following table presents the impact of the paid and recorded amounts as described above as applied to the CVR and the $18 million deductible and 10% co-insurance amounts (in millions):
    As of
September 30,
2018
Legal and other related costs incurred to date $ 36
Settlements paid 30
Settlements accrued based on final amounts 266
Estimated liability for unresolved contingencies   -  

Costs incurred plus certain estimated liabilities for CVR-related matters

332
Allocated to:
CHS deductible of $18 million (18 )
CHS co-insurance at 10%   (29 )

Recorded amounts that reduce CVR value after giving effect to deductible and co-insurance

$ 285  
 
CVRs outstanding   265  
 
(c)   Included in discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, are three smaller hospitals, one of which is being actively marketed for sale (and is no longer separately presented as discontinued operations) and two hospitals that have been sold. The after-tax loss for the sold or held for sale hospitals, was approximately $2 million and $10 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.
 
 

Footnotes to Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data (Continued)

 
(d) The following table provides information needed to calculate loss per share, which is adjusted for income attributable to noncontrolling interests (in millions):
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2018     2017 2018     2017

Loss from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:

Loss from continuing operations, net of taxes $ (308 ) $ (88 ) $ (405 ) $ (380 )

Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes

  17     20     55     56  

Loss from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders — basic and diluted

$ (325 ) $ (108 ) $ (460 ) $ (436 )
 

Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:

Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes $ - $ (2 ) $ - $ (10 )

Less: Loss from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes

  -     -     -     -  

Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders — basic and diluted

$ -   $ (2 ) $ -   $ (10 )
 
(e)   EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure which consists of net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA, also a non-GAAP financial measure, is EBITDA adjusted to add back net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and to exclude the effect of discontinued operations, loss (gain) from early extinguishment of debt, impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, gain on sale of investments in unconsolidated affiliates, expense incurred related to the spin-off of QHC, expense incurred related to the sale of a majority ownership interest in the Company’s home care division, expense (income) related to government and other legal settlements and related costs, expense related to employee termination benefits and other restructuring charges, expense (income) from settlement and fair value adjustments on the CVR agreement liability related to the HMA legal proceedings and related legal expenses, and the overall impact of the change in estimate related to net patient revenue recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017 resulting from the increase in contractual allowances and the provision for bad debts. The Company has from time to time sold noncontrolling interests in certain of its subsidiaries or acquired subsidiaries with existing noncontrolling interest ownership positions. The Company believes that it is useful to present Adjusted EBITDA because it adds back the portion of EBITDA attributable to these third-party interests and clarifies for investors the Company’s portion of EBITDA generated by continuing operations. The Company reports Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure used by management to assess the operating performance of the Company’s hospital operations and to make decisions on the allocation of resources. Adjusted EBITDA is also used to evaluate the performance of the Company’s executive management team and is one of the primary targets used to determine short-term cash incentive compensation. In addition, management utilizes Adjusted EBITDA in assessing the Company’s consolidated results of operations and operational performance and in comparing the Company’s results of operations between periods. The Company believes it is useful to provide investors and other users of the Company’s financial statements this performance measure to align with how management assesses the Company’s results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA also is comparable to a similar metric called Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Company’s senior secured credit facility, which is a key component in the determination of the Company’s compliance with some of the covenants under the Company’s senior secured credit facility (including the Company’s ability to service debt and incur capital expenditures), and is used to determine the interest rate and commitment fee payable under the senior secured credit facility (although Adjusted EBITDA does not include all of the adjustments described in the senior secured credit facility).
 
 

Footnotes to Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data (Continued)

 
Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under U.S. GAAP. It should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, operating income, or any other performance measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and evaluating financial performance. The Company believes such adjustments are appropriate as the magnitude and frequency of such items can vary significantly and are not related to the assessment of normal operating performance. Additionally, this calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
 
The following table reflects the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, as defined, to net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders as derived directly from the condensed consolidated financial statements (in millions):
               
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2018 2017 2018 2017

Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders

$ (325 ) $ (110 ) $ (460 ) $ (446 )
Adjustments:
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 104 (59 ) 58 (74 )
Depreciation and amortization 173 206 531 665
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 17 20 55 56
Loss from discontinued operations - 2 - 10
Interest expense, net 256 238 720 706
Loss (gain) from early extinguishment of debt 27 4 (32 ) 35
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net 112 33 314 363

Expense (income) from government and other legal settlements and related costs

2 1 9 (32 )

Expense (income) from settlement and fair value adjustments and legal expenses related to cases covered by the CVR

4 (6 ) 13 6
Expense related to the sale of a majority interest in home care division - - - 1

Expense related to employee termination benefits and other restructuring charges

  2     2     15     4  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 372   $ 331   $ 1,223   $ 1,294  
 
(f)   Included in non-same-store loss from operations and loss from continuing operations are pre-tax charges related to acquisition costs of less than $1 million for both the three-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and $2 million and $1 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
 
(g) The following table sets forth components reconciling the basic weighted-average number of shares to the diluted weighted-average number of shares (in millions):
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2018     2017 2018     2017

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic

113 112 113 112
Add effect of dilutive securities:
Stock awards and options - - - -

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted

113 112 113 112
 
  The Company generated a loss from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, so the effect of dilutive securities is not considered because their effect would be antidilutive. If the Company had generated income from continuing operations, the effect of restricted stock awards on the diluted shares calculation would have been an increase of 4,001 shares and 148,768 shares during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and 41,705 shares and 147,618 shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
 
 

Footnotes to Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data (Continued)

 
(h) The following supplemental tables reconcile loss from continuing operations and net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders, as reported, on a per share (diluted) basis, with the adjustments described herein (total per share amounts may not add due to rounding). The Company believes that the presentation of non-GAAP adjusted loss from continuing operations per share (diluted) and non-GAAP adjusted net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders presents useful information to investors through highlighting the impact on earnings per share of selected items used in calculating Adjusted EBITDA.
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2018     2017 2018     2017
 
Loss from continuing operations, as reported $ (2.88 ) $ (0.96 ) $ (4.08 ) $ (3.91 )
Adjustments:
Loss (gain) from early extinguishment of debt 0.19 0.02 (0.22 ) 0.20
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net 0.79 0.19 2.32 2.87

Expense (income) from government and other legal settlements and related costs

0.01 0.01 0.06 (0.19 )
Expense (income) from settlement and fair value adjustments
and legal expenses related to cases covered by the CVR 0.03 (0.04 ) 0.09 0.05

Expense related to employee termination benefits and other restructuring charges

0.02 0.01 0.11 0.03
Tax effect of non-deductible portion of HMA legal settlement   0.21     -     0.21     -  

Loss from continuing operations, excluding adjustments

$ (1.64 ) $ (0.77 ) $ (1.52 ) $ (0.95 )
 
 
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2018 2017 2018 2017
 
Net loss, as reported $ (2.88 ) $ (0.98 ) $ (4.08 ) $ (3.99 )
Adjustments:
Loss (gain) from early extinguishment of debt 0.19 0.02 (0.22 ) 0.20
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net 0.79 0.19 2.32 2.87

Expense (income) from government and other legal settlements and related costs

0.01 0.01 0.06 (0.19 )

Expense (income) from settlement and fair value adjustments and legal expenses related to cases covered by the CVR

0.03 (0.04 ) 0.09 0.05

Expense related to employee termination benefits and other restructuring charges

0.02 0.01 0.11 0.03
Tax effect of non-deductible portion of HMA legal settlement 0.21 - 0.21 -
Impairment of long-lived assets in discontinued operations   -     0.01     -     0.05  
Net loss, excluding adjustments $ (1.64 ) $ (0.79 ) $ (1.52 ) $ (0.98 )
 
 

Footnotes to Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data (Continued)

 
(i) Both income from operations and loss from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, included non-cash expense of approximately $112 million and $314 million, respectively, related to impairment charges to reduce the value of long-lived assets, including allocated goodwill, at hospitals that the Company has identified for sale or sold. Both income from operations and loss from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, included non-cash expense of approximately $33 million and $363 million, respectively, related to impairment charges to reduce the value of long-lived assets, including allocated goodwill, at hospitals that the Company has identified for sale or sold. These impairment charges do not have an impact on the calculation of the Company’s financial covenants under the Company’s Credit Facility.
 
(j) The $(0.01) per share (diluted) and $(0.06) per share (diluted) of expense for “Government and other legal settlements and related costs” for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, is the net impact of several lawsuits settled in principle during the related periods, and related legal expenses. The $(0.01) per share (diluted) of expense for “Government and other legal settlements and related costs” for the three months ended September 30, 2017, is the settlement in principle of several lawsuits during the three months ended September 30, 2017, and related legal expenses. The $0.19 per share (diluted) of income for “Government and other legal settlements and related costs” for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, is primarily the impact of the shareholder derivative action settled during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, net of related legal expenses.
 
(k) On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new revenue recognition accounting standard issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and codified in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) as topic 606 (“ASC 606”). The revenue recognition standard in ASC 606 outlines a single comprehensive model for recognizing revenue as performance obligations, defined in a contract with a customer as goods or services transferred to the customer in exchange for consideration, are satisfied.
 
The Company applied the modified retrospective approach to all contracts when adopting ASC 606. As a result, the majority of what was previously classified as the provision for bad debts in the statement of loss is now reflected as implicit price concessions (as defined in ASC 606) and therefore included as a reduction to net operating revenues in 2018. For changes in credit issues not assessed at the date of service, the Company will prospectively recognize those amounts as a component of operating costs and expenses. For periods prior to the adoption of ASC 606, the provision for bad debts has been presented consistent with the previous revenue recognition standards that required it to be presented separately as a component of net operating revenues. Additionally, upon adoption of ASC 606 the allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $3.9 billion at December 31, 2017 was reclassified as a component of net patient accounts receivable.
 
(l) For the 12-month period ended September 30, 2018, the first lien net debt to consolidated EBITDA leverage ratio financial covenant under the Company’s Credit Facility limited the ratio of first lien net debt to consolidated EBITDA, as defined, to less than or equal to 5.0 to 1.00. We were in compliance with all such covenants at September 30, 2018, with a first lien net debt to consolidated EBITDA leverage ratio of approximately 4.6 to 1.00.
 

Regulation FD Disclosure

Set forth below is selected information concerning the Company’s projected consolidated operating results for the year ending December 31, 2018. These projections update selected guidance provided on July 26, 2018, and are based on the Company’s historical operating performance, current trends and other assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable at this time. The 2018 guidance should be considered in conjunction with the assumptions included herein. See pages 19 and 20 for a list of factors that could affect the future results of the Company or the healthcare industry generally.

The following is provided as guidance to analysts and investors:

    2018 Projection Range
Net operating revenues (in millions) $ 14,000   to   $ 14,200
Adjusted EBITDA (in millions) $ 1,600 to $ 1,650
Loss from continuing operations per share - diluted $ (2.25 ) to $ (2.10 )
Same-store hospital annual adjusted admissions (1.0 )% to - %
Weighted-average diluted shares 113 million
 

The following assumptions were used in developing the 2018 guidance provided above:

  • The 2018 projections include the impact of completed divestitures and announced divestitures subject to a definitive agreement expected to close in 2018.
  • The Company’s projections also exclude the following:
    • Effect of debt refinancing activities, including gains and losses from early extinguishment of debt;
    • Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets;
    • Gains or losses from the sales of businesses;
    • Employee termination benefits and restructuring costs;
    • Resolution of government investigations or other significant legal settlements, including the $266 million HMA legal global settlement that will be paid in the fourth quarter of 2018;
    • Costs incurred in connection with divestitures;
    • Insurance recoveries that may be received for property losses and business interruption coverage related to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Florence and Michael;
    • Changes in the estimated impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”) on our deferred tax assets and liabilities; and
    • Other significant gains or losses that neither relate to the ordinary course of business nor reflect the Company’s underlying business performance.

Other assumptions used in the above guidance:

  • Health Information Technology (HITECH) electronic health records incentive reimbursement will be zero for the year ending December 31, 2018.
  • Same-store hospital annual adjusted admissions decline of (1.0)% to 0.0% for 2018, which does not take into account service closures and weather-related or other unusual events.
  • Expressed as a percentage of net operating revenues, depreciation and amortization of approximately 5.0% for 2018. Additionally, this is a fixed cost and the percentages may change as revenue varies. Such amounts exclude the possible impact of any future hospital fixed asset impairments.
  • Interest expense, expressed as a percentage of net operating revenues, of approximately 7.0%; however, interest expense may vary as revenue varies. Interest expense has been adjusted to reflect the repayment of debt with proceeds from the divestitures noted above, based on the expected timing of those divestitures. Total fixed rate debt, including swaps, is expected to average approximately 90% to 95% of total debt during 2018.
  • Expressed as a percentage of net operating revenues, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of approximately 0.5% for 2018.
  • Expressed as a percentage of net operating revenues, provision for income taxes of approximately 0.7% to 0.8% for 2018.

A reconciliation of the Company’s projected 2018 Adjusted EBITDA, a forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure, to the Company’s projected net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, is shown below:

    Year Ending
December 31, 2018
Low     High

Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders (1)

$ (254 ) $ (237 )
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization 700 710
Interest expense, net 980 990
Provision for income taxes 104 112
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   70     75  
Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ 1,600   $ 1,650  
(1)   The Company does not include in this reconciliation the impact of certain items not included in the Company’s forecast set forth above that would be included in a reconciliation of historical net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders to Adjusted EBITDA such as, but not limited to, (gains) losses from early extinguishment of debt, impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, and expense (income) related to government and other legal settlements and related costs, in light of the fact that such items are not determinable, and/or the inherent difficulty in quantifying such projected amounts, on a forward-looking basis.
 

• Capital expenditures are projected as follows (in millions):

      2018
  Guidance  
Total $ 500   to   $ 575
 
  • Net cash provided by operating activities, excluding the payment of the HMA legal global settlement noted above, and including accelerated interest payments of approximately $60 million and increased interest payments from higher interest rates of approximately $65 million associated with debt refinancing, is projected as follows (in millions):
      2018
  Guidance  
Total $ 550   to   $ 650
 
  • Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding are projected to be approximately 113.0 million for 2018.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risk and uncertainties. All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding projections, expected operating results, and other events that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or that include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “thinks,” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and may be beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, the Company cannot give any assurance that its expectations will in fact occur and cautions that actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. A number of factors could affect the future results of the Company or the healthcare industry generally and could cause the Company’s expected results to differ materially from those expressed in this press release.

These factors include, among other things:

  • general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in the regions in which we operate;
  • the impact of changes made to the Affordable Care Act, the potential for repeal or additional changes to the Affordable Care Act, its implementation or its interpretation (including through executive orders), as well as changes in other federal, state or local laws or regulations affecting our business;
  • the extent to which states support increases, decreases or changes in Medicaid programs, implement health insurance exchanges or alter the provision of healthcare to state residents through regulation or otherwise;
  • the future and long-term viability of health insurance exchanges and potential changes to the beneficiary enrollment process;
  • risks associated with our substantial indebtedness, leverage and debt service obligations, and the fact that a substantial portion of our indebtedness will mature and become due in the near future, including our ability to refinance such indebtedness on acceptable terms or to incur additional indebtedness;
  • demographic changes;
  • changes in, or the failure to comply with, governmental regulations;
  • potential adverse impact of known and unknown government investigations, audits, and federal and state false claims act litigation and other legal proceedings;
  • our ability, where appropriate, to enter into and maintain provider arrangements with payors and the terms of these arrangements, which may be further affected by the increasing consolidation of health insurers and managed care companies and vertical integration efforts involving payors and healthcare providers;
  • changes in, or the failure to comply with, contract terms with payors and changes in reimbursement rates paid by federal or state healthcare programs or commercial payors;
  • any potential additional impairments in the carrying value of goodwill, other intangible assets, or other long-lived assets, or changes in the useful lives of other intangible assets;
  • changes in inpatient or outpatient Medicare and Medicaid payment levels and methodologies;
  • the effects related to the continued implementation of the sequestration spending reductions and the potential for future deficit reduction legislation;
  • increases in the amount and risk of collectability of patient accounts receivable, including decreases in collectability which may result from, among other things, self-pay growth and difficulties in recovering payments for which patients are responsible, including co-pays and deductibles;
  • the efforts of insurers, healthcare providers, large employer groups and others to contain healthcare costs, including the trend toward value-based purchasing;
  • our ongoing ability to demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record technology and recognize income for the related Medicare or Medicaid incentive payments, to the extent such payments have not expired;
  • increases in wages as a result of inflation or competition for highly technical positions and rising supply and drug costs due to market pressure from pharmaceutical companies and new product releases;
  • liabilities and other claims asserted against us, including self-insured malpractice claims;
  • competition;
  • our ability to attract and retain, at reasonable employment costs, qualified personnel, key management, physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers;
  • trends toward treatment of patients in less acute or specialty healthcare settings, including ambulatory surgery centers or specialty hospitals;
  • changes in medical or other technology;
  • changes in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles;
  • the availability and terms of capital to fund any additional acquisitions or replacement facilities or other capital expenditures;
  • our ability to successfully make acquisitions or complete divestitures, including the disposition of hospitals and non-hospital businesses pursuant to our portfolio rationalization and deleveraging strategy, our ability to complete any such acquisitions or divestitures on desired terms or at all (including to realize the anticipated amount of proceeds from contemplated dispositions), the timing of the completion of any such acquisitions or divestitures, and our ability to realize the intended benefits from any such acquisitions or divestitures;
  • the impact that changes in our relationships with joint venture or syndication partners could have on effectively operating our hospitals or ancillary services or in advancing strategic opportunities;
  • our ability to successfully integrate any acquired hospitals, or to recognize expected synergies from acquisitions;
  • the impact of seasonal severe weather conditions, including the timing and amount of insurance recoveries in relation to severe weather events;
  • our ability to obtain adequate levels of general and professional liability insurance;
  • timeliness of reimbursement payments received under government programs;
  • effects related to outbreaks of infectious diseases;
  • the impact of prior or potential future cyber-attacks or security breaches;
  • any failure to comply with the terms of the Corporate Integrity Agreement;
  • the concentration of our revenue in a small number of states;
  • our ability to realize anticipated cost savings and other benefits from our current strategic and operational cost savings initiatives;
  • changes in interpretations, assumptions and expectations regarding the Tax Act; and
  • the other risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2018, and our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The consolidated operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be experienced for any future periods. The Company cautions that the projections for calendar year 2018 set forth in this press release are given as of the date hereof based on currently available information. The Company undertakes 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.

Community Health Systems, Inc.
Thomas J. Aaron, 615-465-7000
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer