CHE Chemed Corporation

Chemed Corporation (Chemed) (NYSE: CHE), which operates VITAS Healthcare Corporation (VITAS), one of the nation’s largest providers of end-of-life care, and Roto-Rooter, the nation’s largest commercial and residential plumbing and drain cleaning services provider, reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2019, versus the comparable prior-year period, as follows:

Consolidated operating results:

• Revenue increased 5.2% to $462 million
• GAAP Diluted Earnings-per-Share (EPS) of $2.70
• Adjusted Diluted EPS of $2.92, an increase of 7.4%

VITAS segment operating results:

• Net Patient Revenue of $307 million, an increase of 5.1%
• Average Daily Census (ADC) of 18,345, an increase of 6.6%
• Admissions of 17,758, a decline of 2.9%
• Net Income, excluding certain discrete items, of $34.6 million, an increase of 7.3%
• Adjusted EBITDA, excluding cap, of $49.7 million, an increase of 16.0%

Roto-Rooter segment operating results:

• Revenue of $155 million, an increase of 5.5%
• Net Income, excluding certain discrete items, of $23.3 million, an increase of 1.8%
• Adjusted EBITDA of $33.5 million, a slight decline of 1.1%
• Adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.6%, a decrease of 145-basis points

VITAS

VITAS net revenue was $307 million in the first quarter of 2019, which is an increase of 5.1%, when compared to the prior-year period. This revenue increase is comprised primarily of a geographically weighted average Medicare reimbursement rate increase of approximately 0.6% and a 6.6% increase in days-of-care. This growth was partially offset by a Medicare Cap billing limitation that decreased revenue growth by 1.8% as well as the combination of acuity mix shift, fluctuations in net room and board and contractual adjustments, the combination of which negatively impacted revenue growth 0.4%, when compared to the prior-year period.

In the first quarter of 2019, VITAS accrued $3.4 million in Medicare Cap billing limitations. At March 31, 2019, VITAS had 30 Medicare provider numbers, three of which have an estimated 2019 calendar year Medicare Cap billing limitation of approximately $10 million.

Of VITAS’ 30 Medicare provider numbers, on a trailing 12-month basis, 25 provider numbers have a Medicare Cap cushion of 10% or greater, one provider number has a cap cushion between 5% and 10%, one provider number has a cap cushion between 0% and 5%, and three provider numbers have a Medicare Cap billing limitation.

Average revenue per patient per day in the quarter was $191.20, which is 0.2% above the prior-year period. Reimbursement for routine home care and high acuity care averaged $165.31 and $750.13, respectively. During the quarter, high acuity days-of-care were 4.4% of total days of care, 22-basis points less than the prior-year quarter.

The first quarter of 2019 gross margin, excluding Medicare Cap, was 22.7%, which is a 102-basis point increase when compared to the first quarter of 2018.

Selling, general and administrative expense was $21.5 million in the first quarter of 2019, which is an increase of 5.0% compared to the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA, excluding Medicare Cap, totaled $49.7 million in the quarter, an increase of 16.0%. Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding Medicare Cap, was 16.0% in the quarter, which is a 126-basis point increase when compared to the prior-year period.

Roto-Rooter

Roto-Rooter generated quarterly revenue of $155 million for the first quarter of 2019, an increase of $8.1 million, or 5.5%, over the prior-year quarter. Revenue from the water restoration service segment totaled $27.7 million, a decrease of 0.3%, when compared to the prior-year quarter. Approximately 90% of the water restoration revenue is generated from residential customers and the remaining 10% is generated from commercial accounts.

Commercial drain cleaning revenue increased 8.3%, commercial plumbing and excavation increased 5.3% and commercial water restoration declined 26.4%. Overall, commercial revenue increased 3.4%.

Residential drain cleaning increased 5.8%, plumbing and excavation increased 7.5% and residential water restoration increased 3.8%. Aggregate residential sales increased 5.9%.

Roto-Rooter’s gross margin in the quarter was 47.0%, a 44-basis point decline when compared to the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2019 totaled $33.5 million, a decrease of 1.1%. The Adjusted EBITDA margin in the quarter was 21.6% which is a 145-basis point decline over the prior year.

Chemed Consolidated

As of March 31, 2019, Chemed had total cash and cash equivalents of $9 million and debt of $100 million.

In June 2018, Chemed entered into a five-year Amended and Restated Credit Agreement that consists of a $450 million revolving credit facility. The interest rate on this facility has a floating rate that is currently LIBOR plus 100-basis points. At March 31, 2019, the Company had approximately $314 million of undrawn borrowing capacity under this credit agreement.

During the quarter, the Company repurchased 150,000 shares of Chemed stock for $49.2 million, which equates to a cost per share of $328.33. On February 22, 2019, Chemed’s Board of Directors authorized an additional $150 million for stock repurchase under Chemed’s existing share repurchase program. As of March 31, 2019, there was approximately $147 million of remaining share repurchase authorization under this plan.

Chemed restarted its share repurchase program in 2007. Since that time Chemed has repurchased over 14 million shares, aggregating approximately $1.2 billion at an average share cost of $83.56. Including dividends over this period, Chemed has returned approximately $1.3 billion to shareholders.

Guidance for 2019

Revenue growth for VITAS in 2019, prior to Medicare Cap, is estimated to be in the range of 5.5% to 6.0%. Admissions are estimated to expand approximately 3.0% to 4.0% and Average Daily Census in 2019 is estimated to expand approximately 4.0% to 5.0%. Full-year Adjusted EBITDA margin, prior to Medicare Cap, is estimated to be 15.9%. We are currently estimating $10 million for Medicare Cap billing limitations in calendar 2019.

Roto-Rooter is forecasted to achieve full-year 2019 revenue growth of 9.0% to 10.0%. This revenue estimate is based upon increased job pricing of approximately 2%, continued growth in core plumbing and drain cleaning services as well as continued but slowing revenue growth from water restoration services. Roto-Rooter’s Adjusted EBITDA margin for 2019 is estimated at 23.7%.

Based upon the above, full-year 2019 adjusted earnings per diluted share, excluding non-cash expense for stock options, tax benefits from stock options, costs related to litigation, and other discrete items, is estimated to be in the range of $12.65 to $12.85. This 2019 guidance assumes an effective corporate tax rate of 25.2%. Chemed’s 2018 reported adjusted earnings per diluted share was $11.93.

Conference Call

Chemed will host a conference call and webcast at 10 a.m., ET, on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, to discuss the Company's quarterly results and to provide an update on its business. The dial-in number for the conference call is (844) 743-2500 for U.S. and Canadian participants and +1 (661) 378-9533 for international participants. The participant passcode/Conference ID is 5375966. A live webcast of the call can be accessed on Chemed's website at www.chemed.com by clicking on Investor Relations Home.

A taped replay of the conference call will be available beginning approximately 24 hours after the call's conclusion. It can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 for U.S. and Canadian callers and +1 (404) 537-3406 for international callers and will be available for one week following the live call. The replay Conference ID is 5375966. An archived webcast will also be available at www.chemed.com.

Chemed Corporation operates in the healthcare field through its VITAS Healthcare Corporation subsidiary. VITAS provides daily hospice services to approximately 18,500 patients with severe, life-limiting illnesses. This type of care is focused on making the terminally ill patient's final days as comfortable and pain-free as possible.

Chemed operates in the residential and commercial plumbing and drain cleaning industry under the brand name Roto-Rooter. Roto-Rooter provides plumbing, drain cleaning, and water cleanup services through company-owned branches, independent contractors and franchisees in the United States and Canada. Roto-Rooter also has licensed master franchisees in the republics of Indonesia and Singapore, and the Philippines.

This press release contains information about Chemed’s EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS, which are not measures derived in accordance with GAAP and which exclude components that are important to understanding Chemed’s financial performance. In reporting its operating results, Chemed provides EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS measures to help investors and others evaluate the Company’s operating results, compare its operating performance with that of similar companies that have different capital structures and evaluate its ability to meet its future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Chemed’s management similarly uses EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS to assist it in evaluating the performance of the Company across fiscal periods and in assessing how its performance compares to its peer companies. These measures also help Chemed’s management to estimate the resources required to meet Chemed’s future financial obligations and expenditures. Chemed’s EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. We calculated Adjusted EBITDA Margin by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by service revenue and sales. A reconciliation of Chemed’s net income to its EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS is presented in the tables following the text of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release and the accompanying tables are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "hope," "anticipate," "plan" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Chemed does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve various risks and uncertainties, which could cause Chemed's actual results to differ from those expressed in such forward-looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties arise from, among other things, possible changes in regulations governing the hospice care or plumbing and drain cleaning industries; periodic changes in reimbursement levels and procedures under Medicare and Medicaid programs; difficulties predicting patient length of stay and estimating potential Medicare reimbursement obligations; challenges inherent in Chemed's growth strategy; the current shortage of qualified nurses, other healthcare professionals and licensed plumbing and drain cleaning technicians; Chemed’s dependence on patient referral sources; and other factors detailed under the caption "Description of Business by Segment" or "Risk Factors" in Chemed’s most recent report on form 10-Q or 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements and there are no assurances that the matters contained in such statements will be achieved.

                 

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)(unaudited)

  Three Months Ended March 31, 2019   2018 Service revenues and sales $ 462,034   $ 439,176   Cost of services provided and goods sold 321,951 304,536 Selling, general and administrative expenses (aa) 74,029 69,000 Depreciation 9,710 9,267 Amortization 519 27 Other operating (income)/expense   6,353     (51 ) Total costs and expenses   412,562     382,779   Income from operations 49,472 56,397 Interest expense (1,124 ) (1,207 ) Other income--net (bb)   2,439     1,018   Income before income taxes 50,787 56,208 Income taxes   (6,120 )   (11,212 ) Net income $ 44,667   $ 44,996     Earnings Per Share Net income $ 2.80   $ 2.79   Average number of shares outstanding   15,954     16,100     Diluted Earnings Per Share Net income $ 2.70   $ 2.66   Average number of shares outstanding   16,525     16,887                             (aa) Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses comprise (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018

SG&A expenses before long-term incentive compensation and the impact of market value adjustments related to deferred compensation trusts

$ 70,203 $ 66,220 Market value gains related to deferred compensation trusts 2,338 860 Long-term incentive compensation   1,488     1,920   Total SG&A expenses $ 74,029   $ 69,000     (bb) Other income--net comprises (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Market value gains related to deferred compensation trusts $ 2,338 $ 860 Interest income   101     158   Total other income--net $ 2,439   $ 1,018                          

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share data)(unaudited)

  March 31, 2019   2018 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,768 $ 13,686 Accounts receivable 119,575 111,332 Inventories 6,315 5,274 Prepaid income taxes 5,349 16,160 Prepaid expenses   19,148     15,047   Total current assets 159,155 161,499 Investments of deferred compensation plans held in trust 70,632 66,163 Properties and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation 164,629 144,706 Lease right of use assets 87,811 - Identifiable intangible assets less accumulated amortization 67,868 55,163 Goodwill 510,598 477,964 Other assets   9,138     7,161   Total Assets $ 1,069,831   $ 912,656     Liabilities Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 39,737 $ 42,639 Current portion of long-term debt - 10,000 Income taxes 3,922 - Accrued insurance 48,477 48,303 Accrued compensation 52,526 49,685 Accrued legal 8,163 1,643 Short-term lease liability 30,699 - Other current liabilities   33,576     25,027   Total current liabilities 217,100 177,297 Deferred income taxes 18,108 13,832 Long-term debt 100,000 132,500 Deferred compensation liabilities 70,934 65,289 Long-term lease liability 67,960 - Other liabilities   7,719     16,779   Total Liabilities   481,821     405,697   Stockholders' Equity Capital stock 35,521 34,885 Paid-in capital 803,701 712,991 Retained earnings 1,265,485 1,078,690 Treasury stock, at cost (1,519,077 ) (1,321,843 ) Deferred compensation payable in Company stock   2,380     2,236   Total Stockholders' Equity   588,010     506,959   Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 1,069,831   $ 912,656                                        

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)(unaudited)  

Three Months Ended

March 31,

2019

  2018 Cash Flows from Operating Activities Net income $ 44,667 $ 44,996

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization 10,229 9,294 Litigation settlement 6,000 - Stock option expense 4,089 3,653 Benefit for deferred income taxes (3,489 ) (2,807 ) Noncash long-term incentive compensation 1,119 1,721 Amortization of restricted stock awards - 291 Amortization of debt issuance costs 76 128 Changes in operating assets and liabilities (Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable (81 ) 1,591 (Increase)/decrease in inventories (610 ) 60 Decrease in prepaid expenses 6 1,045 Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable and other current liabilities 348 (7,911 ) Change in current income taxes 9,219 13,642 Increase in other assets (5,006 ) (4,263 ) Increase in other liabilities 6,459 3,758 Other sources/(uses)   559     (5 ) Net cash provided by operating activities   73,585     65,193   Cash Flows from Investing Activities Capital expenditures (13,866 ) (12,648 ) Business combinations - (1,450 ) Other (uses)/sources   (68 )   181   Net cash used by investing activities   (13,934 )   (13,917 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities Proceeds from revolving line of credit 125,100 134,300 Payments on revolving line of credit (114,300 ) (90,500 ) Purchase of treasury stock (49,250 ) (81,125 ) Change in cash overdrafts payable (13,303 ) (6,671 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 11,827 8,923 Capital stock surrendered to pay taxes on stock-based compensation (11,170 ) (6,377 ) Dividends paid (4,799 ) (4,533 ) Payments on other long-term debt - (2,500 ) Other sources/(uses)   181     (228 ) Net cash used by financing activities   (55,714 )   (48,711 ) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents 3,937 2,565 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   4,831     11,121   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 8,768   $ 13,686                        

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

(in thousands)(unaudited)   Chemed VITAS Roto-Rooter Corporate Consolidated 2019 Service revenues and sales (a) $ 306,781   $ 155,253   $ -   $ 462,034   Cost of services provided and goods sold 239,743 82,208 - 321,951 Selling, general and administrative expenses (a) 21,536 39,601 12,892 74,029 Depreciation 4,708 4,963 39 9,710 Amortization 18 501 - 519 Other operating expenses (a)   6,354     (1 )   -     6,353   Total costs and expenses   272,359     127,272     12,931     412,562   Income/(loss) from operations 34,422 27,981 (12,931 ) 49,472 Interest expense (47 ) (95 ) (982 ) (1,124 ) Intercompany interest income/(expense) 4,394 2,195 (6,589 ) - Other income-net   88     14     2,337   2,439   Income/(loss) before income taxes 38,857 30,095 (18,165 ) 50,787 Income taxes (a)   (9,569 )   (7,109 )   10,558     (6,120 ) Net income/(loss) $ 29,288   $ 22,986   $ (7,607 ) $ 44,667     2018 Service revenues and sales (b) $ 292,013   $ 147,163   $ -   $ 439,176   Cost of services provided and goods sold 227,256 77,280 - 304,536 Selling, general and administrative expenses (b) 20,510 36,098 12,392 69,000 Depreciation 4,797 4,443 27 9,267 Amortization - 27 - 27 Other operating expenses   (18 )   (33 )   -     (51 ) Total costs and expenses   252,545     117,815     12,419     382,779   Income/(loss) from operations 39,468 29,348 (12,419 ) 56,397 Interest expense (52 ) (91 ) (1,064 ) (1,207 ) Intercompany interest income/(expense) 3,095 1,677 (4,772 ) - Other income-net   142     16     860   1,018   Income/(loss) before income taxes 42,653 30,950 (17,395 ) 56,208 Income taxes (b)   (10,638 )   (8,012 )   7,438     (11,212 ) Net income/(loss) $ 32,015   $ 22,938   $ (9,957 ) $ 44,996   The "Footnotes to Financial Statements" are integral parts of this financial information.                              

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATING SUMMARY OF EBITDA

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

(in thousands)(unaudited)   Chemed VITAS Roto-Rooter Corporate Consolidated 2019 Net income/(loss) $ 29,288 $ 22,986 $ (7,607 ) $ 44,667 Add/(deduct): Interest expense 47 95 982 1,124 Income taxes 9,569 7,109 (10,558 ) 6,120 Depreciation 4,708 4,963 39 9,710 Amortization   18     501     -     519   EBITDA 43,630 35,654 (17,144 ) 62,140 Add/(deduct): Intercompany interest income/(expense) (4,394 ) (2,195 ) 6,589 - Interest income (88 ) (14 ) - (102 ) Litigation settlement 6,000 - - 6,000 Non cash ASC 842 expenses/(benefit) 656 55 (163 ) 548 Medicare cap sequestration adjustment 515 - - 515 Acquisition expenses - - 120 120 Stock option expense - - 4,089 4,089 Long-term incentive compensation   -     -     1,488     1,488   Adjusted EBITDA $ 46,319   $ 33,500   $ (5,021 ) $ 74,798     2018 Net income/(loss) $ 32,015 $ 22,938 $ (9,957 ) $ 44,996 Add/(deduct): Interest expense 52 91 1,064 1,207 Income taxes 10,638 8,012 (7,438 ) 11,212 Depreciation 4,797 4,443 27 9,267 Amortization   -     27     -     27   EBITDA 47,502 35,511 (16,304 ) 66,709 Add/(deduct): Intercompany interest income/(expense) (3,095 ) (1,677 ) 4,772 - Interest income (142 ) (16 ) - (158 ) Amortization of stock awards 70 65 156 291 Medicare cap sequestration adjustment 352 - - 352 Stock option expense - - 3,653 3,653 Long-term incentive compensation   -     -     1,920     1,920   Adjusted EBITDA $ 44,687   $ 33,883   $ (5,803 ) $ 72,767   The "Footnotes to Financial Statements" are integral parts of this financial information.                    

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)(unaudited)  

Three Months Ended March 31,

2019   2018 Net income as reported $ 44,667 $ 44,996   Add/(deduct) pre-tax cost of: Litigation settlement 6,000 - Stock option expense 4,089 3,653 Long-term incentive compensation 1,488 1,920 Non cash ASC 842 expenses 548 - Medicare cap sequestration adjustment 515 352 Amortization of acquired and cancelled franchise agreements 441 - Acquisition expenses 120 - Add/(deduct) tax impacts: Tax impact of the above pre-tax adjustments (1) (2,961 ) (1,272 ) Excess tax benefits on stock compensation   (6,732 )   (3,798 ) Adjusted net income $ 48,175   $ 45,851         Diluted Earnings Per Share As Reported Net income $ 2.70   $ 2.66   Average number of shares outstanding   16,525     16,887     Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share Adjusted net income $ 2.92   $ 2.72   Average number of shares outstanding   16,525     16,887  

(1)

 

The tax impact of pre-tax adjustments was calculated using the effective tax rate of the operating unit for which each adjustment is associated.

 

The "Footnotes to Financial Statements" are integral parts of this financial information.

                                 

CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

OPERATING STATISTICS FOR VITAS SEGMENT

(unaudited)   Three Months Ended March 31, OPERATING STATISTICS 2019 2018 Net revenue ($000) (c) Homecare $ 258,847 $ 241,031 Inpatient 22,570 22,108 Continuous care 32,244 30,766 Other   2,010     1,741   Subtotal $ 315,671 $ 295,646 Room and board, net (2,542 ) (2,618 ) Contractual allowances (2,948 ) (2,833 ) Medicare cap allowance   (3,400 )   1,818   Net Revenue $ 306,781   $ 292,013  

Net revenue as a percent of total before Medicare cap allowance

Homecare 82.0 % 81.5 Inpatient 7.1 7.5 Continuous care 10.2 10.4 Other   0.7   0.6   Subtotal 100.0 100.0 Room and board, net (0.9 ) (0.9 ) Contractual allowances (1.0 ) (0.9 ) Medicare cap allowance   (0.9 )   0.6   Net Revenue   97.2 % 98.8   Average daily census ("ADC") (days) Homecare 14,243 13,162 Nursing home   3,254     3,215   Routine homecare 17,497 16,377 Inpatient 360 352 Continuous care   488     480   Total   18,345     17,209     Total Admissions 17,758 18,279 Total Discharges 17,339 17,558 Average length of stay (days) 91.3 87.9 Median length of stay (days) 15.0 15.0 ADC by major diagnosis Neurological 19.9 % 18.5 Cerebro 35.6 36.2 Cancer 13.1 13.9 Cardio 16.9 16.4 Respiratory 8.2 8.2 Other   6.3     6.8   Total   100.0 % 100.0   Admissions by major diagnosis Neurological 12.8 % 11.4 Cerebro 20.7 22.6 Cancer 28.0 28.0 Cardio 16.3 15.5 Respiratory 12.0 11.7 Other   10.2     10.8   Total   100.0 % 100.0   Direct patient care margins (d) Routine homecare 52.7 % 52.1 Inpatient 6.5 7.5 Continuous care 18.2 17.7 Homecare margin drivers (dollars per patient day) Labor costs $ 59.42 $ 58.63

Combined drug, home medical equipment and medical supplies cost

13.08 14.47 Inpatient margin drivers (dollars per patient day) Labor costs $ 364.62 $ 362.75 Continuous care margin drivers (dollars per patient day) Labor costs $ 582.54 $ 567.51

Estimated uncollectible accounts as a percent of revenues

1.0 % 1.0 Accounts receivable -- Days of revenue outstanding- excluding unapplied Medicare payments 34.9 32.6 Days of revenue outstanding- including unapplied Medicare payments 23.3 22.6 The "Footnotes to Financial Statements" are integral parts of this financial information.     CHEMED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES FOOTNOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

(unaudited)

  (a)

Included in the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019, are the following significant credits/(charges) which may not be indicative of ongoing operations (in thousands):

                      VITAS Roto-Rooter Corporate Total Service revenues and sales: Medicare cap sequestration adjustment $ (515 ) $ - $ - $ (515 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses: Non cash ASC 842 (expenses)/benefit (656 ) (55 ) 163 (548 ) Amortization of acquired and cancelled franchise agreements - (441 ) - (441 ) Acquisition expense - - (120 ) (120 ) Stock option expense - - (4,089 ) (4,089 ) Long term incentive compensation - - (1,488 ) (1,488 ) Other operating expenses: Litigation settlement   (6,000 )   -     -     (6,000 ) Pretax impact on earnings (7,171 ) (496 ) (5,534 ) (13,201 ) Excess tax benefits on stock compensation - - 6,732 6,732 Income tax benefit on the above   1,819     132     1,010     2,961   After-tax impact on earnings $ (5,352 ) $ (364 ) $ 2,208   $ (3,508 )   (b)

Included in the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018, are the following significant credits/(charges) which may not be indicative of ongoing operations (in thousands):

  VITAS Corporate Total Service revenues and sales: Medicare cap sequestration adjustment $ (352 ) $ - $ (352 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses: Stock option expense - (3,653 ) (3,653 ) Long-term incentive compensation   -     (1,920 )   (1,920 ) Pretax impact on earnings (352 ) (5,573 ) (5,925 ) Excess tax benefits on stock compensation - 3,798 3,798 Income tax benefit on the above   89     1,183     1,272   After-tax impact on earnings $ (263 ) $ (592 ) $ (855 )   (c)

VITAS has 12 large (greater than 450 ADC), 18 medium (greater than 200 but less than 450 ADC) and 17 small (less than 200 ADC) hospice programs. Of VITAS' 30 unique Medicare provider numbers, 25 provider numbers have a Medicare cap cushion of 5% or greater, two provider number has a cap cushion between 0% and 5% and three provider numbers have a Medicare cap billing limitation for the 2019 Medicare cap period.

 

(d) Amounts exclude indirect patient care and administrative costs, as well as Medicare Cap billing limitation.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005574/en/

David P. Williams(513) 762-6901