NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORP - Quarter Report: 2017 June (Form 10-Q)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(unaudited – in thousands)

The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited – in thousands)

The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

Note 1 – Description of Business

National HealthCare Corporation (“NHC” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of senior health care services. As of June 30, 2017, we operate or manage, through certain affiliates, 76 skilled nursing facilities with a total of 9,597 licensed beds, 25 assisted living facilities, five independent living facilities, and 36 homecare programs. We operate specialized care units within certain of our healthcare centers such as Alzheimer's disease care units and sub-acute nursing units. We also have a non-controlling ownership interest in a hospice care business that services NHC owned health care centers and others. In addition, we provide insurance services, management and accounting services, and we lease properties to operators of skilled nursing facilities. We operate in 10 states and are located primarily in the southeastern United States.

Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The listing below is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all our significant accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by generally accepted accounting principles, with limited need for management’s judgment in their application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result. See our audited December 31, 2016 consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which contain accounting policies and other disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. Our audited December 31, 2016 consolidated financial statements are available at our web site: www.nhccare.com.

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements to which these notes are attached include all normal, recurring adjustments which are necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of NHC. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all entities controlled by NHC. The Company presents noncontrolling interest within the equity section of its consolidated balance sheets. The Company presents the amount of consolidated net income (loss) that is attributable to NHC and the noncontrolling interest in its consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

We assume that users of these interim financial statements have read or have access to the audited December 31, 2016 consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and that the adequacy of additional disclosure needed for a fair presentation, except in regard to material contingencies, may be determined in that context. Accordingly, footnotes and other disclosures which would substantially duplicate the disclosure contained in our most recent annual report to stockholders have been omitted. This interim financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year for a variety of reasons.

Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and could cause our reported net income to vary significantly from period to period.

Change in Accounting Principle

Effective December 31, 2016, the Company retrospectively adopted a change in accounting principle related to the early adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016–18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)—Restricted Cash—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force. The updated guidance requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. As such, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included in the “beginning–of–period” and “end–of–period” total amounts shown on the statements of cash flows.

As described in the guidance for accounting changes under ASC Topic 250, the comparative consolidated statement of cash flows of prior periods are adjusted to apply the new accounting method retrospectively. The following table presents the effect on the interim condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ending June 30, 2016 for the accounting change that was retrospectively adopted on December 31, 2016:

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2016–18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)—Restricted Cash—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force”. This revised standard is an effort by the FASB to reduce diversification in practice by providing specific guidance on the presentation of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The updated guidance requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. As such, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included in the “beginning–of–period” and “end–of–period” total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The effective date for this standard is for years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. Effective December 31, 2016, the Company elected to early adopt this standard. The adoption of this standard represented a change in accounting principle which was applied retrospectively; see the paragraphs above under “Change in Accounting Principle” for further discussion on the adoption of ASU No. 2016–18.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” ASU 2016-09 simplifies the accounting for share-based payment award transactions including: income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. On January 1, 2017, the Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-09. As a result of the adoption, the Company has recognized $123,000 and $244,000 of excess tax benefits related to share-based payments in our provision for income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. These items were historically recorded in additional paid-in capital. In addition, cash flows related to excess tax benefits are now classified as an operating activity along with other income tax related cash flows. The Company elected to apply the change in presentation of excess tax benefits in the statements of cash flows on a prospective basis.

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted      

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." The objective of this update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods and is to be applied utilizing a modified retrospective approach. We anticipate this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Additionally, we are currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on our policies and procedures and internal control framework.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (Topic 825)”. ASU No. 2016-01 revises the classification and measurement of investments in certain equity investments and the presentation of certain fair value changes for certain financial liabilities measured at fair value. ASU No. 2016-01 requires the change in fair value of many equity investments to be recognized in net income.  ASU No. 2016-01 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted.   Adopting ASU No. 2016-01 may result in a cumulative effect adjustment to the Company’s retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. We are currently evaluating the potential effects of adopting the provisions of ASU No. 2016-01.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014–09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, also known as the “New Revenue Standard”. This update is the result of a collaborative effort by the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to simplify revenue recognition guidance, remove inconsistencies in the application of revenue recognition, and to improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to receive for those goods or services. The New Revenue Standard is applied through the following five-step process:

1. Identify the contract(s) with a customer.

2. Identify the performance obligation in the contract.

3. Determine the transaction price.

4. Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.

5. Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

For a public entity, this update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period.

As we progress with our implementation efforts to adopt the New Revenue Standard, management continues to evaluate and refine its estimates of the anticipated impacts it will have on our revenue recognition policies, procedures, financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financial disclosures and control framework.  Specifically, the Company is continuing to evaluate its population of revenue sources to determine the potential effects the New Revenue Standard will have on the amount or timing of certain industry-specific healthcare revenue sources, which, at this time, includes revenue recorded from our CCRC, settlements with third party payors, and our bundled and risk-sharing payments. 

Revenue Recognition – Third Party Payors

Approximately 65% of our net patient revenues are derived from Medicare, Medicaid, and other government programs. Amounts earned under these programs are subject to review by the Medicare and Medicaid intermediaries or their agents. In our opinion, adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from these reviews. Any differences between our original estimates of reimbursements and subsequent revisions are reflected in operations in the period in which the revisions are made often due to final determination or the period of payment no longer being subject to audit or review. We have recorded liabilities of approximately $17,950,000 and $17,019,000 as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, for various Medicare and Medicaid current and prior year cost reports and claims reviews.

Revenue Recognition – Private Pay

For private pay patients in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities, we bill room and board in advance with payment being due in the month the services are performed. Charges for ancillary, pharmacy, therapy and other services to private patients are billed in the month following the performance of services; however, all billings are recognized as revenue when the services are performed.

Revenue Recognition – Subordination of Fees and Uncertain Collections

We provide management services to certain senior care facilities and to others we provide accounting and financial services. We generally charge 6% to 7% of net operating revenues for our management services and a predetermined fixed rate per bed for the accounting and financial services. Our policy is to recognize revenues associated with both management services and accounting and financial services on an accrual basis as the services are provided. However, under the terms of our management contracts, payments for our management services are subject to subordination to other expenditures of the long–term care center being managed. Furthermore, for certain of the third parties with whom we have contracted to provide services and which we have determined that collection is not reasonably assured; our policy is to recognize income only in the period in which the amounts are realized. We may receive payment for the unpaid and unrecognized management fees in whole or in part in the future only if cash flows from the operating and investing activities of the centers or proceeds from the sale of the centers are sufficient to pay the fees. There can be no assurance that such future cash flows will occur. The realization of such previously unrecognized revenue could cause our reported net income to vary significantly from period to period.

We agree to subordinate our fees to the other expenses of a managed center because we believe we know how to improve the quality of patient services and finances of a senior healthcare center. We believe subordinating our fees demonstrates to the owner and employees of the managed center how confident we are of the impact we can have in making the center operations successful. We may continue to provide services to certain managed centers despite not being fully paid currently so that we may be able to collect unpaid fees in the future from improved operating results and because the incremental savings from discontinuing services to a center may be small compared to the potential benefit. Also, we may benefit from providing other ancillary services to the managed center.

Segment Reporting

In accordance with the provisions of ASC 280, “Segment Reporting”, the Company is required to report financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments. Beginning in the first quarter of 2017 with the leadership change of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, we reassessed and realigned our reportable operating segments to coincide with the way our new leadership and chief operating decision maker ("CODM") measures Company performance and allocates resources. The Company now has two reportable operating segments: (1) inpatient services, which includes the operation of skilled nursing facilities and assisted and independent living facilities, and (2) homecare services. The Company also reports an “all other” category that includes revenues from rental income, management and accounting services fees, insurance services, and costs of the corporate office. See Note 5 for further disclosure of the Company’s operating segments.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses include the costs of care and services that we provide to the residents of our facilities and the costs of maintaining our facilities. Our primary patient care costs include drugs, medical supplies, purchased professional services, food, and professional liability insurance and licensing fees. The primary facility costs include utilities and property insurance.

General and Administrative Costs

With the Company being a healthcare provider, the majority of our expenses are "cost of revenue" items. Costs that could be classified as "general and administrative" by the Company would include its corporate office costs, excluding stock-based compensation, which were $15,262,000 and $14,364,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method over the expected useful lives of the assets estimated as follows: buildings and improvements, 20-40 years and equipment and furniture, 3-15 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over periods that do not exceed the non-cancelable respective lease terms using the straight-line method.

Capital leases are recorded at the lower of fair market value or the present value of future minimum lease payments. Capital leases are amortized in accordance with the provision codified within Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 840-30, Leases – Capital Leases. Amortization of capital lease assets is included in depreciation and amortization expense.

Accrued Risk Reserves  

We are self–insured for risks related to health insurance and have wholly–owned limited purpose insurance companies that insure risks related to workers’ compensation and general and professional liability insurance claims. The accrued risk reserves include a liability for reported claims and estimates for incurred but unreported claims. Our policy is to engage an external, independent actuary to assist in estimating our exposure for claims obligations (for both asserted and unasserted claims). We reassess our accrued risk reserves on a quarterly basis.

Professional liability remains an area of particular concern to us. The long-term care industry has seen an increase in personal injury/wrongful death claims based on alleged negligence by skilled nursing facilities and their employees in providing care to residents. As of June 30, 2017, we and/or our managed centers are defendants in 61 such claims inclusive of years 2005 through June 30, 2017. It remains possible that those pending matters plus potential unasserted claims could exceed our reserves, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. It is also possible that future events could cause us to make significant adjustments or revisions to these reserve estimates and cause our reported net income to vary significantly from period to period.

We are principally self-insured for incidents occurring in all centers owned or leased by us. The coverages include both primary policies and excess policies. In all years, settlements, if any, in excess of available insurance policy limits and our own reserves would be expensed by us.

Continuing Care Contracts and Refundable Entrance Fee

We have one continuing care retirement center (“CCRC”) within our operations. Residents at this retirement center may enter into continuing care contracts with us. The contracts provide that 10% of the resident entry fee becomes non-refundable upon occupancy, and the remaining refundable portion of the entry fee is calculated using the lessor of the price at which the apartment is re-assigned or 90% of the original entry fee, plus 40% of any appreciation if the apartment exceeds the original resident’s entry fee. In each case, we amortize the non-refundable part of these fees into revenue over the actuarially determined remaining life of the resident, which is the expected period of occupancy by the resident. We pay the refundable portion of our entry fees to residents when they relocate from our community and the apartment is re-occupied. Refundable entrance fees are classified as non-current liabilities and non-refundable entrance fees are classified as deferred revenue in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The balances of refundable entrance fees as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were $9,167,000 and $9,924,000, respectively.

Obligation to Provide Future Services

We annually estimate the present value of the cost of future services and the use of facilities to be provided to the current CCRC residents and compare that amount with the balance of non-refundable deferred revenue from entrance fees received. If the present value of the cost of future services exceeds the related anticipated revenues, a liability is recorded (obligation to provide future services) with a corresponding charge to income. As of June 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, we have recorded a future service obligation in the amount of $3,236,000.

Other Noncurrent Liabilities

Other noncurrent liabilities include reserves primarily related to various uncertain income tax positions.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue includes the deferred gain on the sale of assets to National Health Corporation (“National”), the non-refundable portion (10%) of CCRC entrance fees being amortized over the remaining life expectancies of the residents, and premiums received within our workers’ compensation and professional liability companies that are not yet earned.

Noncontrolling Interest

The noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is presented within total equity in the Company's interim condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company presents the noncontrolling interest and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to NHC in its interim condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and net income per share is calculated based on net income attributable to NHC’s stockholders. The carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest is adjusted based on an allocation of subsidiary earnings based on ownership interest.

Variable Interest Entities

We have equity interests in unconsolidated limited liability companies that operate various post-acute and senior healthcare businesses. We analyze our investments in these limited liability companies to determine if the company is considered a VIE and would require consolidation. To the extent that we own interests in a VIE and we (i) are the sole entity that has the power to direct the activities of the VIE and (ii) have the obligation or rights to absorb the VIE's losses or receive its benefits, then we would be determined to be the primary beneficiary and would consolidate the VIE. To the extent we own interests in a VIE, then at each reporting period, we re-assess our conclusions as to which, if any, party within the VIE is considered the primary beneficiary.

The Company's maximum exposure to losses in its investments in unconsolidated VIEs cannot be quantified and may or may not be limited to its investment in the unconsolidated VIE. The investments in unconsolidated VIEs are classified as “investments in limited liability companies” in the consolidated balance sheets.

Note 3 – Other Revenues

Other revenues are outlined in the table below. Revenues from management and accounting services include management and accounting fees provided to managed healthcare facilities. Revenues from rental income include health care real estate properties owned by us and leased to third party operators. Revenues from insurance services include premiums for workers’ compensation and professional liability insurance policies that our wholly–owned limited purpose insurance subsidiaries have written for certain health care centers to which we provide management or accounting services. "Other" revenues include miscellaneous health care related earnings.

Other revenues include the following:

Management Fees from National

We manage five skilled nursing facilities owned by National. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017, we recognized management fees and interest on management fees of $989,000 and $1,925,000 from these centers, respectively. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, we recognized management fees and interest on management fees of $926,000 and $1,895,000 from these centers.

Because the amount collectable cannot be reasonably determined when the management services are provided, and because we cannot estimate the timing or amount of expected future collections, the unpaid fees from the five centers owned by National will be recognized as revenues only when the collectability of these fees can be reasonably assured. Under the terms of our management agreement with National, the payment of these fees to us may be subordinated to other expenditures of the five long–term care centers. We continue to manage these centers so that we may be able to collect our fees in the future and because the incremental savings from discontinuing services to a center may be small compared to the potential benefit. We may receive payment for the unrecognized management fees in whole or in part in the future only if cash flows from the operating and investing activities of the five centers or the proceeds from the sale of the centers are sufficient to pay the fees. There can be no assurance that such future improved cash flows will occur.

Insurance Services

For workers’ compensation insurance services, the premium revenues reflected in the interim condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017 were $1,409,000 and $2,688,000. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, the workers' compensation premium revenues reflected in the interim condensed consolidated statements of income were $1,150,000 and $2,383,000, respectively. Associated losses and expenses are reflected in the interim condensed consolidated statements of income as "Salaries, wages and benefits."

For professional liability insurance services, the premium revenues reflected in the interim condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2017 were $678,000 and $956,000, respectively. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, the professional liability insurance premium revenues reflected in the interim condensed consolidated statements of income were $665,000 and $1,356,000, respectively. Associated losses and expenses including those for self–insurance are included in the interim condensed consolidated statements of income as "Other operating costs and expenses".

Note 4 – Non–Operating Income

Non–operating income is outlined in the table below. Non–operating income includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments, dividends and other realized gains and losses on marketable securities, and interest income. Our most significant equity method investment is a 75.1% noncontrolling ownership interest in Caris HealthCare L.P. (“Caris”), a business that specializes in hospice care services.

Note 5 – Business Segments

The Company has two reportable operating segments: (1) inpatient services, which includes the operation of skilled nursing facilities and assisted and independent living facilities, and (2) homecare services. These reportable operating segments are consistent with information used by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, as CODM, to assess performance and allocate resources.

The Company also reports an “all other” category that includes revenues from rental income, management and accounting services fees, insurance services, and costs of the corporate office. The Company has presented the financial information for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 on a comparative basis to conform with the current year segment presentation. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company made changes to the way it discloses its business segment information. The primary effect of the change was to allocate certain expenses within the Inpatient Services and Homecare business segments to the All Other category to accurately reflect the allocation of certain corporate office expenses. For additional information on these reportable segments see Note 1 - “Description of Business”.

The Company’s CODM evaluates performance and allocates capital resources to each segment based on an operating model that is designed to improve the quality of patient care and profitability of the Company while enhancing long-term shareholder value. The CODM does not review assets by segment in his resource allocation and therefore, assets by segment are not disclosed below.

The following table sets forth the Company’s interim condensed consolidated statements of income by business segment (in thousands):

Note 6 – Long-Term Leases

Capital Leases

Fixed assets recorded under the capital leases, which are included in property and equipment in the interim condensed consolidated balance sheets, are as follows:

Operating Leases

At June 30, 2017, NHC leases from National Health Investors, Inc. (“NHI”) the real property of 35 skilled nursing facilities, seven assisted living facilities and three independent living facilities under two separate lease agreements. Base rent expense under both lease agreements totals $34,200,000 annually with rent thereafter escalating by 4% of the increase in facility revenue over the base year. Total facility rent expense to NHI was $9,314,000 and $9,480,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Total facility rent expense to NHI was $18,628,000 and $18,960,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Minimum Lease Payments

The approximate future minimum lease payments required under all leases that have remaining non-cancelable lease terms at June 30, 2017 are as follows:

Note 7 – Earnings per Share

Basic net income per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each period presented. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that would have occurred if securities to issue common stock were exercised, converted, or resulted in the issuance of common stock that would have then shared in our earnings.

The following table summarizes the earnings and the weighted average number of common shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts):

In the above table, options to purchase 1,124,689 and 12,120 shares of our common stock have been excluded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, due to their anti–dilutive impact.

Note 8 – Investments in Marketable Securities

Our investments in marketable securities are classified as available for sale securities. Realized gains and losses from securities sales are recognized in results of operations upon disposition of the securities using the specific identification method on a trade date basis. Refer to Note 9 for a description of the Company's methodology for determining the fair value of marketable securities.

Marketable securities and restricted marketable securities consist of the following:

Included in the available for sale marketable equity securities are the following (in thousands, except share amounts):

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities classified as available for sale, by contractual maturity, are as follows:

Gross unrealized gains related to available for sale securities are $119,086,000 and $108,730,000 as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Gross unrealized losses related to available for sale securities are $1,396,000 and $3,157,000 as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. For the marketable securities in gross unrealized loss positions, (a) it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the investment securities before recovery of the unrealized losses, and (b) the Company expects that the contractual principal and interest will be received on the investment securities. As a result, the Company recognized no other-than-temporary impairment during the six months ended June 30, 2017 or for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Proceeds from the sale of securities during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were $44,756,000 and $25,697,000, respectively. Investment gains of $238,000 and $540,000 were realized on these sales during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Note 9 – Fair Value Measurements

The accounting standard for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This accounting standard establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 – The valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.

Level 2 – The valuation is based on observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model–based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level 3 – The valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by minimal or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the instrument. Level 3 valuations are typically performed using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques that incorporate management’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the instrument, or valuations that require significant management judgment or estimation.

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Valuation of Marketable Securities

The Company determines fair value for marketable securities with Level 1 inputs through quoted market prices. The Company determines fair value for marketable securities with Level 2 inputs through broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Our Level 2 marketable securities have been initially valued at the transaction price and subsequently valued, at the end of each month, typically utilizing third party pricing services or other market observable data. The pricing services utilize industry standard valuation models, including both income and market based approaches and observable market inputs to determine value. These observable market inputs include reportable trades, benchmark yields, credit spreads, broker/dealer quotes, bids, offers, and other industry and economic events.

We validated the prices provided by our broker by reviewing their pricing methods, obtaining market values from other pricing sources, analyzing pricing data in certain instances and confirming that the relevant markets are active. After completing our validation procedures, we did not adjust or override any fair value measurements provided by our broker as of June 30, 2017. We did not have any transfers of assets between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value measurement hierarchy during the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Other

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short–term nature. The estimated fair value of notes receivable approximates the carrying value based principally on their underlying interest rates and terms, maturities, collateral and credit status of the receivables. Our long–term debt approximates fair value due to variable interest rates, but fair value is also determined using Level 2 inputs through alternative pricing sources. At June 30, 2017, there were no material differences between the carrying amounts and fair values of NHC’s financial instruments.

The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

Note 10 – Long–Term Debt

Long–term debt consists of the following:

The $10 million unsecured term note payable to National is due January 1, 2018. The Company intends to extend the note payable beyond the current due date. If the Company is not able to extend the note payable with National, the $175 million credit facility is available to provide financing.

$175,000,000 Credit Facility

In October 2015, we entered into a $175 million credit facility that has a five year maturity date (October 2020). Loans bear interest at either (i) LIBOR plus 1.40% or (ii) the base rate plus 0.40%. The base rate is defined as the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus ½ of 1%, (b) the Bank of America prime rate, and (c) LIBOR plus 1.00%. The credit facility is available for general corporate purposes, including working capital and acquisitions. NHC is permitted, upon required notice to the lender, to prepay the loans outstanding under the credit facility at any time, without penalty.

The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and financial covenants, including covenants that restrict, among other things, asset dispositions, mergers and acquisitions, dividends, restricted payments, debt, liens, investments and affiliate transactions. The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default.

Note 11 - Stock Repurchase Program

In August 2016, the Board of Directors authorized a new common stock purchase program. The program will allow for repurchases of up to $25 million of its common stock. The new stock repurchase plan began on September 1, 2016 and will expire on August 31, 2017. No repurchases of common stock have been executed under this current program.

Note 12 – Stock–Based Compensation

NHC recognizes stock–based compensation expense for all stock options and restricted stock granted over the requisite service period using the fair value for these grants as estimated at the date of grant either using the Black–Scholes pricing model for stock options or the quoted market price for restricted stock.

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“the Committee”) has the authority to select the participants to be granted options; to designate whether the option granted is an incentive stock option (“ISO”), a non–qualified option, or a stock appreciation right; to establish the number of shares of common stock that may be issued upon exercise of the option; to establish the vesting provision for any award; and to establish the term any award may be outstanding. The exercise price of any ISO’s granted will not be less than the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date granted and the term of an ISO may not be any more than ten years. The exercise price of any non–qualified options granted will not be less than the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date granted unless so determined by the Committee.

In May 2015, our stockholders voted to amend the 2010 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (“the 2010 Plan”) to increase the number of shares of our common stock authorized under the Plan from the original 1,200,000 shares to 2,575,000 shares. The shares granted during the six months ended June 30, 2017 consisted of 1,062,500 shares to employees of the Company, 52,500 shares to the Directors of the Company, and 9,689 shares for the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  At June 30, 2017, 568,744 shares were available for future grants under the amended 2010 Plan.

Compensation expense is recognized only for the awards that ultimately vest. Stock–based compensation totaled $740,000 and $208,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Stock–based compensation totaled $832,000 and $494,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Stock–based compensation is included in “Salaries, wages and benefits” in the interim condensed consolidated statements of income.

At June 30, 2017, the Company had $7,951,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock–based compensation awards. This unrecognized compensation cost will be amortized over an approximate five year period.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes the significant assumptions used to value the options granted for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The following table summarizes our outstanding stock options for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Note 13 – Income Taxes

The income tax provision for the three months ended June 30, 2017 is $6,758,000 (an effective income tax rate of 39.0%). The income tax provision and effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2017 were unfavorably impacted by adjustments to unrecognized tax benefits of $146,200 and nondeductible expenses of $84,000, but was favorably impacted by a tax benefit of $123,000 relating to the exercise of stock options, resulting in a net increase in the provision. The income tax provision for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $7,700,000 (an effective income tax rate of 39.4%). The income tax provision and effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2016 were unfavorably impacted by adjustments to unrecognized tax benefits of $190,000 and permanent differences including nondeductible expenses of $143,000 resulting in an increase in the provision.

The income tax provision for the six months ended June 30, 2017 is $14,757,000 (an effective income tax rate of 38.9%). The income tax provision and effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2017 were unfavorably impacted by adjustments to unrecognized tax benefits of $321,000 and nondeductible expenses of $133,400 but was favorably impacted by a tax benefit of $244,000 relating to the exercise of stock options, resulting in a net increase in the provision. The income tax provision for the six months ended June 30, 2016 is $16,398,000 (an effective income tax rate of 39.1%). The income tax provision and effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2016 were unfavorably impacted by adjustments to unrecognized tax benefits of $365,000 and permanent differences including nondeductible expenses of $229,000 resulting in an increase in the provision.

Interest and penalties expense related to U.S. federal and state income tax returns are included within income tax expense.

The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state examinations by tax authorities for years before 2013 (with certain state exceptions).

Note 14 – Contingencies and Commitments

Accrued Risk Reserves

We are self–insured for risks related to health insurance and have wholly–owned limited purpose insurance companies that insure risks related to workers’ compensation and general and professional liability insurance claims both for our owned or leased entities and certain of the entities to which we provide management or accounting services. The liability we have recognized for reported claims and estimates for incurred but unreported claims totals $94,541,000 and $91,162,000 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The liability is included in accrued risk reserves in the interim condensed consolidated balance sheets and is subject to adjustment for actual claims incurred. It is possible that these claims plus unasserted claims could exceed our insurance coverages and our reserves, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

As a result of the terms of our insurance policies and our use of wholly–owned limited purpose insurance companies, we have retained significant insurance risk with respect to workers’ compensation and general and professional liability. We consider the professional services of independent actuaries to assist us in estimating our exposures for claims obligations (for both asserted and unasserted claims) related to deductibles and exposures in excess of coverage limits, and we maintain reserves for these obligations. Such estimates are based on many variables including historical and statistical information and other factors.

Workers’ Compensation

For workers’ compensation, we utilize a wholly–owned Tennessee domiciled property/casualty insurance company to write coverage for NHC affiliates and for third–party customers. Policies are written for a duration of twelve months and cover only risks related to workers’ compensation losses. All customers are companies which operate in the senior care industry. Business is written on a direct basis. Direct business coverage is written for statutory limits and the insurance company’s losses in excess of $1,000,000 per claim are covered by reinsurance.

General and Professional Liability Lawsuits and Insurance

The senior care industry has experienced increases in both the number of personal injury/wrongful death claims and in the severity of awards based upon alleged negligence by nursing facilities and their employees in providing care to residents. As of June 30, 2017, we and/or our managed centers are currently defendants in 61 such claims.

Insurance coverage for both periods includes both primary policies and excess policies. The primary coverage is in the amount of $1.0 million per incident, $3.0 million per location with an annual primary policy aggregate limit that is adjusted on an annual basis. For 2016 and 2017, the excess coverage is $9.0 million per occurrence. Additional insurance is purchased through third party providers that serve to supplement the coverage provided through our wholly–owned captive insurance company.

Civil Investigative Demand

On December 19, 2013, the Company was served with a civil investigative demand (“CID”) from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee (“DOJ Investigation”) requesting the production of documents and interrogatory responses regarding the billing for and medical necessity of certain rehabilitative therapy services. Based upon our review, the CID appears to relate to services provided at our facilities based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

On October 7, 2014, the Company received a subpoena from the Office of Inspector General of the United Department of Health and Human Services (“OIG Subpoena”) related to the current DOJ Investigation.  The OIG Subpoena requests certain financial and organizational documents from the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and SNFs and medical records from certain of the Company’s Tennessee–based SNFs. 

The Company is cooperating fully with these requests. We are unable to evaluate the outcome of this investigation at this time.  It is possible that this investigation could lead to a claim that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Caris HealthCare, L.P. Investigation

On December 9, 2014, Caris Healthcare, L.P., a business that specializes in hospice care services in Company–owned health care centers and in other settings, received notice from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the Attorney Generals’ Offices for the State of Tennessee and State of Virginia that those government entities were conducting an investigation regarding patient eligibility for hospice services provided by Caris precipitated by a qui tam lawsuit.  We have a 75.1% non–controlling ownership interest in Caris.

A qui tam lawsuit was filed on May 22, 2014, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee by a former Caris employee, Barbara Hinkle, and is captioned United States of America, State of Tennessee, and State of Virginia ex rel. Barbara Hinkle v. Caris Healthcare, L.P., No. 3:14–cv–212 (E.D. Tenn.).

On June 16, 2016, the State of Tennessee and the State of Virginia declined to intervene in the qui tam lawsuit.  On June 20, 2016, the Court ordered that the complaint be unsealed.  On October 11, 2016, the United States filed a Complaint in Intervention against Caris Healthcare, L.P. and Caris Healthcare, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caris Healthcare, L.P. The United States' complaint alleges that Caris billed the government for ineligible hospice patients between June 2013 and December 2013 and retained overpayments regarding ineligible hospice patients from April 2010 through June 2013. It seeks treble damages and civil penalties under the Federal False Claims Act and asserts claims for payment under mistake of fact, unjust enrichment, and conversion. The relator has filed a notice of voluntary dismissal without prejudice of the non–intervened claims asserted in her qui tam complaint. On May 30, 2017, the district court denied Caris’ motion to dismiss, and the parties are engaged in discovery. This matter is set for trial in March 2019.

Caris denies the allegations in the United States' complaint and intends to defend itself vigorously. Given the early stage of this action, we are unable to assess the probable outcome or potential liability, if any, arising from this action.  It is possible that this claim could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Financing Commitments

In conjunction with our management contract with National, we have entered into a line of credit arrangement whereby we may have amounts due from National from time to time. The maximum loan commitment under the line of credit is $2,000,000. At June 30, 2017, National did not have an outstanding balance on the line of credit.

Governmental Regulations

Laws and regulations governing the Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs are complex and subject to interpretation. Management believes that it is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in all material respects. However, compliance with such laws and regulations can be subject to future government review and interpretation as well as significant regulatory action including fines, penalties, and exclusions from the Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs.

Note 15 – Common Stock Authorized

On May 9, 2017, our Board of Directors and shareholders approved to increase our authorized common stock by 15,000,000 shares, from 30,000,000 shares to 45,000,000 shares, par value $0.01. The additional shares of common stock available for issue are part of the existing class of common stock. These shares have the same rights and privileges as the shares of common stock previously outstanding.

Overview

National HealthCare Corporation (“NHC” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of senior health care services. We operate or manage, through certain affiliates, 76 skilled nursing facilities with a total of 9,597 licensed beds, 25 assisted living facilities, five independent living facilities, and 36 homecare programs. We operate specialized care units within certain of our healthcare centers such as Alzheimer's disease care units and sub-acute nursing units. We also have a non-controlling ownership interest in a hospice care business that services NHC owned health care centers and others. In addition, we provide insurance services, management and accounting services, and we lease properties to operators of skilled nursing facilities. We operate in 10 states and are located primarily in the southeastern United States.

Summary of Goals and Areas of Focus

Earnings

To monitor our earnings, we have developed budgets and management reports to monitor labor, census, and the composition of revenues.

Occupancy

A primary area of management focus continues to be the rates of occupancy within our skilled nursing facilities. The overall census in owned and leased skilled nursing facilities for the six months ending June 30, 2017 was 90.4% compared to 89.6% for the same period a year ago. With the average length of stay decreasing for a skilled nursing patient, as well as the increased availability of assisted living facilities and home and community based services, the challenge of maintaining desirable patient census levels has been amplified. Management has undertaken a number of steps in order to best position our current and future health care facilities. This includes working internally to examine and improve systems to be most responsive to referral sources and payors. Additionally, NHC is in various stages of partnerships with hospital systems, payors, and other post–acute alliances in positioning ourselves to be an active participant in the health delivery systems as they develop.

Development and Growth

We are undertaking to expand our senior care operations while protecting our existing operations and markets. The following table lists our recent development activities.

For the project under construction at June 30, 2017, the 30-bed addition in Springfield, Missouri is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2017.

During 2017, we plan to apply for Certificates of Need for additional beds in certain of our markets. We also will evaluate the feasibility of expansion into new markets by building private pay health care centers or assisted living communities.

Accrued Risk Reserves

Our accrued professional liability and workers’ compensation reserves totaled $94,541,000 at June 30, 2017 and are a primary area of management focus. We have set aside restricted cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities to fund our estimated professional liability and workers’ compensation liabilities.

As to exposure for professional liability claims, we have developed performance certification criteria to measure and bring focus to the patient care issues most likely to produce professional liability exposure, including in–house acquired pressure ulcers, significant weight loss and numbers of falls. These programs for certification, which we regularly modify and improve, have produced measurable improvements in reducing these incidents. Our experience is that achieving goals in these patient care areas improves both patient and employee satisfaction.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

There were no significant changes during the six-month period ended June 30, 2017 to the items we disclosed as our critical accounting policies and estimates in our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in our December 31, 2016 Annual Report on Form 10–K filed with the SEC.

Government Program Financial Changes

Federal Health Care Reform  

In March 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACA" or, commonly, “ACA”) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 ("HCERA"), which represents significant changes to the current U.S. health care system (collectively the "Acts"). The primary goals of the Acts are to: (1) expand coverage to Americans without health insurance, (2) reform the delivery system to improve quality and drive efficiency, (3) and to lower the overall costs of providing health care. The timeline of the enacted provisions spans over several years – some of the provisions were effective immediately in 2010 and others may be phased in through 2020.

Since a significant goal of the ACA is to transform the delivery of health care by holding providers accountable for the cost and quality of care provided, Medicare and many commercial third-party payors are implementing Accountable Care Organization ("ACO") models in which groups of providers share in the benefit and risk of providing care to an assigned group of individuals. Other reimbursement methodology reforms in which we are participating or expect to participate in include value–based purchasing, in which a portion of provider reimbursement is redistributed based on relative performance on designated economic, clinical quality, and patient satisfaction metrics. Also, CMS is implementing demonstration programs to bundle acute care and post–acute care reimbursement to hold providers accountable for costs across a broader continuum of care. These reimbursement methodologies and similar programs are likely to continue and expand, both in public and commercial health plans. In 2015, CMS announced its goal by 2018 to have 50% of Medicare payments through alternative payment models such as ACOs or bundled payments. CMS also intends to tie 85% of fee-for-service Medicare reimbursements to quality or value by the end of 2017. Providers who respond successfully to these trends and are able to deliver quality care at lower costs are likely to benefit financially.

If the ACA is repealed, replaced, or modified, we cannot predict what the replacement plan or modifications would be or whether any of the existing provisions will remain in place. The potential repeal, replace or modification of the ACA on our business is subject to numerous variables and the potential impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations is currently unknown.

Medicare – Skilled Nursing Facilities

In July 2017, CMS released its final rule outlining the fiscal year 2018 Medicare payments and policy changes for skilled nursing facilities. The 2018 final rule provided for an approximate 1.0% rate update, which will begin October 1, 2017. CMS estimated a 2.7% market basket increase reduced by 0.4% for a multifactor productivity adjustment required by the ACA; however, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) mandated that all post-acute care providers receive a maximum market basket update of 1% in fiscal year 2018 to offset part of the cost of the legislation. CMS estimates the update will increase overall payments to skilled nursing facilities in fiscal year 2018 by $370 million compared to fiscal year 2017 levels. CMS also revised and rebased the market basket index by updating the base year from fiscal year 2010 to fiscal year 2014. 

In July 2016, CMS released its final rule outlining the fiscal year 2017 Medicare payments and policy changes for skilled nursing facilities. The 2017 final rule provided for an approximate 2.4% rate update, which began October 1, 2016. This estimated increase consists of a 2.7% market basket increase reduced by 0.3% for a multifactor productivity adjustment required by the ACA. CMS estimates the update will increase overall payments to skilled nursing facilities in fiscal year 2017 by $920 million compared to fiscal year 2016 levels. The policy changes in the 2017 final rule continue to shift skilled nursing facility Medicare payments from volume to value. The final rule makes changes to the SNF Quality Reporting Program and Value-Based Purchasing Program with some of these changes effective for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017.

For the first six months of 2017, our average Medicare per diem rate for skilled nursing facilities increased 3.3% compared to the same period in 2016.

Medicaid – Skilled Nursing Facilities

Effective July 1, 2016 and for the fiscal year 2017, the state of Tennessee implemented specific individual nursing facility rate increases. The resulting increase in revenue beginning July 1, 2016 was approximately $1,700,000 annually, or $425,000 per quarter.