MedCath Corporation Reports Second Fiscal Quarter Earnings

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MedCath Corporation (Nasdaq: MDTH), a healthcare provider focused on high acuity healthcare services, today announced operating results for its second fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011. On April 26, 2011, MedCath announced its intention to release the operating results for its second fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011 on Tuesday, May 10, 2011. MedCath elected to release its quarterly results today and simultaneously with today’s announcement that it has entered into definitive agreements relating to the sale of Arkansas Heart Hospital and Heart Hospital of New Mexico (MedCath Corporation Announces Entering Into Definitive Agreements Relating to the Sale of Arkansas Heart Hospital and Heart Hospital of New Mexico, May 9, 2011). The operating results of Arkansas Heart Hospital and Heart Hospital of New Mexico are included in the financial results for all periods included in this release.

Second Fiscal Quarter Highlights

Net revenue of $97.2 million, up 0.4% compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2010.
Loss from continuing operations of ($12.3) million and adjusted EBITDA of $9.8 million, up 8.2% compared to second quarter of fiscal 2010. Adjusted EBITDA margin up 80 basis points to 10.1% from 9.3%.
Diluted loss per share from continuing operations of ($0.61) and adjusted EPS of $0.05.
Total admissions decrease for the second fiscal quarter of 2011 of 0.3%, and adjusted admissions decrease of 0.4%, compared to second quarter of fiscal 2010.

Second Quarter of Fiscal 2011 Results Compared to Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010 Results

MedCath’s reported net revenue increased 0.4% to $97.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to $96.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Net loss was $(13.5) million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to $(11.2) million in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. MedCath’s income from continuing operations was $(8.9) million, or $(0.61) per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to $(6.8) million, or $(0.46) per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

MedCath’s second quarter of fiscal 2011 financial results include the following items:

$19.5 million, or ($0.59) per diluted share, in long-lived asset impairment expense related to two hospitals;
$1.6 million, or ($0.05) per diluted share, of professional fees and other expenses incurred in connection with MedCath’s strategic options process announced on March 1, 2010;
$0.9 million, or ($0.03) per diluted share, in share-based compensation expense; and
$0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, related to a gain on the sale of a small unconsolidated affiliate.

MedCath’s second quarter of fiscal 2010 financial results include the following items:

$14.7 million, or ($0.60) per diluted share, in impairment expense;
$1.2 million, or ($0.03) per diluted share, in share-based compensation expense; and
$1.5 million, or ($0.05) per diluted share, loss on a note receivable.

Adjusted EBITDA was $9.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to $9.0 million in the same period of the prior year. MedCath’s Adjusted EPS for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 was $0.05 compared with $0.23 in the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

Commenting on the quarter, O. Edwin French, MedCath President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “With a smaller number of operating units compared to the prior periods there’s potential for less predictability in this and future quarters. Our operating units were able to mitigate the risk this quarter with good cost management on soft admissions so I’m especially pleased with the earnings accretion we’re reporting.”

Operating Statistics and Cash Flow

MedCath’s financial results for the second fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011, reflect a 0.3% decrease in total admissions and a 0.4% decrease in adjusted admissions compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Hospital outpatient cases, including emergency department visits, totaled 15,469 in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, up 14.7% compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

Total uncompensated care, which includes charity care plus bad debt expense, equaled 13.0% of hospital division net patient revenue before the deduction for charity care in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to 12.5% in the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 was $(6.0) million compared to $9.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. This decline in net cash provided by operating activities primarily resulted from the payment of taxes during the quarter which were higher than amounts previously paid due to taxable gains incurred on asset sales in prior periods.

Impairment Expense

MedCath’s second quarter of fiscal 2011 results include a $19.5 million impairment charge related to the reduction in the carrying value of long-lived assets associated with its Hualapai Mountain Medical Center (“HMMC”) and Louisiana Medical Center and Heart Hospital (“LMCHH”). The impairment charge reduced income from continuing operations by $19.5 million and earnings per diluted share by ($0.59) in the second quarter of fiscal 2011. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, MedCath evaluates whether or not the carrying values of long lived assets exceed their fair values whenever indications of impairment arise. The fair values of long lived assets were determined by a review of current and anticipated operating performance and outlook, and market-based information. MedCath will continue to evaluate the carrying value of its long lived assets when and if new indications of impairment exist.

MedCath has intercompany notes outstanding with HMMC and LMCHH as of March 31, 2011. The net realizable value of those notes is the carrying value of the underlying assets that serve as collateral on the notes, which was approximately $44.7 million at March 31, 2011 after taking into consideration the impairment charges.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Included in this press release and the supplemental financial information furnished herewith are certain financial measures that are not calculated and presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP measures”), such as adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (“Adjusted EPS”). The supplemental financial information furnished herewith provides a quantitative reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS based on the following calculations as and for the periods identified below.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second fiscal quarter of 2011 represents MedCath’s income (loss) from continuing operations, net of taxes attributable to MedCath’s common stockholders; income tax benefit, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests; equity in net earnings of unconsolidated affiliates; interest and other income; gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliates, interest expense; loss on disposal of property, equipment and other assets; impairment on long-lived assets; depreciation; share-based compensation expense, and professional fees associated with MedCath’s exploration of strategic options. Adjusted EPS for the second fiscal quarter of fiscal 2011 represents MedCath’s diluted loss per share from continuing operations adjusted for gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliates, professional fees associated with MedCath’s consideration of strategic options; impairment on long-lived assets and share-based compensation expense.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first six months of fiscal quarter of 2011 represents MedCath’s income (loss) from continuing operations, net of taxes attributable to MedCath’s common stockholders; income tax benefit, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests; equity in net earnings of unconsolidated affiliates; interest and other income; gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliates, interest expense; loss on disposal of property, equipment and other assets; impairment on long-lived assets; depreciation; share-based compensation expense; sales tax refunds, and professional fees associated with MedCath’s exploration of strategic options. Adjusted EPS for the first six months of fiscal quarter of fiscal 2011 represents MedCath’s diluted loss per share from continuing operations adjusted for gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliates, professional fees associated with MedCath’s consideration of strategic options; impairment on long-lived assets; sales tax refunds, and share-based compensation expense.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second fiscal quarter of 2010 represents MedCath’s income (loss) from continuing operations, net of taxes attributable to MedCath’s common stockholders, income tax benefit; net income attributable to noncontrolling interests; equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates; interest and other income, net; interest expense; loss on disposal of property, equipment and other assets; depreciation; share-based compensation expense, impairment on long-lived assets, and loss on note receivable. Adjusted EPS for the second fiscal quarter of fiscal 2010 represents MedCath’s diluted loss per share from continuing operations adjusted for share-based compensation expense; impairment loss on long-lived assets, and loss on note receivable.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first six months of fiscal quarter of 2010 represents MedCath’s income (loss) from continuing operations, net of taxes attributable to MedCath’s common stockholders, income tax benefit; net income attributable to noncontrolling interests; equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates; interest and other income, net; interest expense; loss on disposal of property, equipment and other assets; depreciation; share-based compensation expense, impairment on long-lived assets; pre-opening expense, and loss on note receivable. Adjusted EPS for the first six months of fiscal quarter of fiscal 2010 represents MedCath’s diluted loss per share from continuing operations adjusted for share-based compensation expense; impairment loss on long-lived assets; pre-opening expense, and loss on note receivable.

MedCath’s management uses Adjusted EBITDA to measure the performance of MedCath’s various operating entities, to compare actual results to historical and budgeted results and to make capital allocation decisions. Management provides Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS to investors to assist them in performing their analyses of MedCath’s historical operating results. Further, management believes that many investors in MedCath also invest in, or have knowledge of, other healthcare companies that use Adjusted EBITDA and/or Adjusted EPS as a financial performance measure. Because Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP measures, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS, as defined above, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. MedCath has included a supplemental schedule with the financial statements that accompanies this press release that reconciles historical Adjusted EBITDA to MedCath’s income from continuing operations attributable to MedCath’s common stockholders and Adjusted EPS to diluted EPS from continuing operations.

This press release and the financial information included therewith will be accessible on the web, by going to www.medcath.com, “Investor Relations,” then clicking on “News.”

MedCath Corporation, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is a healthcare provider focused on high acuity services with the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease being a primary service offering. MedCath owns an interest in and operates six hospitals with a total of 533 licensed beds, located in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas.

Parts of this announcement contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the evaluation of long lived assets and possible new indications of impairment. Although management believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant economic, regulatory and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and are beyond our control including, but not limited to, the implementation of healthcare reform legislation and future enactment of changes in federal law that would further limit physician hospital ownership. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We do not assume any obligation to update these statements in a news release or otherwise should material facts or circumstances change in ways that would affect their accuracy. The preparation of MedCath’s second quarter of fiscal 2011 operating results required management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of revenues and expenses. There is a reasonable possibility that actual results may vary significantly from those estimates.

These various risks and uncertainties are described in detail in “Risk Factors” in MedCath’s Annual Report or Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2010. Copies of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including exhibits, are available at www.sec.gov to review.

MEDCATH CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

			Three Months Ended March 31,		Six Months Ended March 31,
			2011	2010	2011	2010

Net revenue			$ 97,163	$ 96,777	$ 186,063	$ 184,607
Operating expenses:
	Personnel expense		33,859	33,150	66,313	64,786
	Medical supplies expense		23,189	23,581	42,411	45,688
	Bad debt expense		10,006	9,931	19,715	17,437
	Other operating expenses		22,843	22,296	46,959	44,640
	Pre-opening expenses		-	-	-	866
	Depreciation		4,630	6,124	9,517	12,064
	Impairment of long-lived assets		19,548	14,700	19,548	14,700
	Loss (gain) on disposal of property, equipment and other assets		178	(69)	271	27
		Total operating expenses	114,253	109,713	204,734	200,208
Loss from operations			(17,090)	(12,936)	(18,671)	(15,601)
Other income (expenses):
	Interest expense		(997)	(1,054)	(2,079)	(1,999)
	Interest and other income		50	15	539	85
	Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliates		179	-	15,570	-
	Loss on note receivable		-	(1,507)	-	(1,507)
	Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated affiliates		1,258	3,092	1,860	4,608
		Total other income (expense), net	490	546	15,890	1,187
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes			(16,600)	(12,390)	(2,781)	(14,414)
Income tax benefit			(7,695)	(5,639)	(3,213)	(6,976)
(Loss) income from continuing operations			(8,905)	(6,751)	432	(7,438)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes			(1,401)	(1,934)	37,727	(3,064)
Net (loss) income			(10,306)	(8,685)	38,159	(10,502)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			(3,189)	(2,524)	(14,615)	(3,364)
Net (loss) income attributable to MedCath Corporation			$ (13,495)	$ (11,209)	$ 23,544	$ (13,866)

Amounts attributable to MedCath Corporation common stockholders:
	Loss from continuing operations, net of taxes		$ (12,341)	$ (8,970)	$ (5,179)	$ (10,872)
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes		(1,154)	(2,239)	28,723	(2,994)
	Net (loss) income		$ (13,495)	$ (11,209)	$ 23,544	$ (13,866)

(Loss) earnings per share, basic
	Loss from continuing operations attributable to MedCath Corporation common stockholders		$ (0.61)	$ (0.46)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.55)
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations attributable to MedCath Corporation common stockholders		(0.06)	(0.11)	1.43	(0.15)
	(Loss) earnings per share, basic		$ (0.67)	$ (0.57)	$ 1.17	$ (0.70)

(Loss) earnings per share, diluted
	Loss from continuing operations attributable to MedCath Corporation common stockholders		$ (0.61)	$ (0.46)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.55)
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations attributable to MedCath Corporation common stockholders		(0.06)	(0.11)	1.43	(0.15)
	(Loss) earnings per share, diluted		$ (0.67)	$ (0.57)	$ 1.17	$ (0.70)

Weighted average number of shares, basic			20,208	19,829	20,075	19,786
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock			-	-	6	-
Weighted average number of shares, diluted			20,208	19,829	20,081	19,786

MEDCATH CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)

			March 31,	September 30,
			2011	2010
			(Unaudited)

Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$ 119,735	$ 33,141
	Accounts receivable, net		49,748	43,811
	Income tax receivable		-	6,188
	Medical supplies		10,373	10,550
	Deferred income tax assets		8,500	13,247
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		12,949	13,453
	Current assets of discontinued operations		46,619	47,920
		Total current assets	247,924	168,310
Property and equipment, net			153,469	182,222
Other assets			18,484	24,716
Non-current assets of discontinued operations			1,152	119,290
		Total assets	$ 421,029	$ 494,538

Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable		$ 16,633	$ 15,716
	Income tax payable		3,205	-
	Accrued compensation and benefits		14,775	16,418
	Other accrued liabilities		15,503	16,663
	Current portion of long-term debt and obligations
	under capital leases		32,793	16,672
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations		14,174	35,044
		Total current liabilities	97,083	100,513
Long-term debt			-	52,500
Obligations under capital leases			5,191	6,500
Other long-term obligations			2,804	5,053
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations			-	35,968
		Total liabilities	105,078	200,534

Commitments and contingencies

Redeemable noncontrolling interest			7,356	11,534

Stockholders' equity:
	Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized;
	none issued		-	-
	Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized;
	22,327,467 issued and 22,281,828 outstanding at March 31, 2011;
	22,423,666 issued and 20,469,305 outstanding at September 30, 2010		216	216
	Paid-in capital		458,573	457,725
	Accumulated deficit		(116,247)	(139,791)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss		-	(444)
	Treasury stock, at cost;
	1,954,361 shares at March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010		(44,797)	(44,797)
		Total MedCath Corporation stockholders' equity	297,745	272,909
Noncontrolling interest			10,850	9,561
Total equity			308,595	282,470
		Total liabilities and equity	$ 421,029	$ 494,538

MEDCATH CORPORATION
SELECTED OPERATING DATA
(In thousands, except per share data and selected operating data)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,			Six Months Ended March 31,
	2011	2010	% Change	2011	2010	% Change

Statement of Operations Data:
Net revenue	$ 97,163	$ 96,777	0.4%	$ 186,063	$ 184,607	0.8%
Adjusted EBITDA (1)	$ 9,770	$ 9,033	8.2%	$ 15,575	$ 13,882	12.2%
Loss from operations	$ (17,090)	$ (12,936)	32.1%	$ (18,671)	$ (15,601)	19.7%
Loss from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ (12,341)	$ (8,970)	37.6%	$ (5,179)	$ (10,872)	(52.4)%
Loss per share from continuing operations, basic	$ (0.61)	$ (0.46)	32.1%	$ (0.26)	$ (0.55)	(53.0)%
Loss per share from continuing operations, diluted	$ (0.61)	$ (0.46)	32.1%	$ (0.26)	$ (0.55)	(53.1)%

(1) See Supplemental Financial Disclosure-Reconciliation of GAAP Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures.


	Three Months Ended March 31,			Six Months Ended March 31,
	2011	2010	% Change	2011	2010	% Change

Selected Operating Data (a):
Number of hospitals	5	5		5	5
Licensed beds ( c )	421	421		421	421
Staffed and available beds ( d )	380	380		380	380
Admissions ( e )	4,905	4,918	(0.3)%	9,343	9,404	(0.6)%
Adjusted admissions ( f )	7,231	7,257	(0.4)%	14,074	13,745	2.4%
Patient days ( g )	18,840	18,690	0.8%	35,085	35,362	(0.8)%
Adjusted patient days ( h )	28,018	27,626	1.4%	53,194	51,905	2.5%
Average length of stay (days) ( i )	3.84	3.80	1.1%	3.76	3.76	0.0%
Occupancy ( j )	55.1%	54.6%		50.7%	51.1%
Inpatient catheterization procedures ( k )	1,940	2,054	(5.6)%	3,732	3,888	(4.0)%
Inpatient surgical procedures ( l )	1,187	1,171	1.4%	2,219	2,259	(1.8)%
Hospital net revenue	$ 94,996	$ 93,881	1.2%	$ 181,614	$ 178,263	1.9%

Combined Operating Data (b):
Number of hospitals	6	6		6	6
Licensed beds ( c )	533	533		533	533
Staffed and available beds ( d )	489	488		489	488
Admissions ( e )	6,658	6,933	(4.0)%	12,914	13,136	(1.7)%
Adjusted admissions ( f )	10,441	10,953	(4.7)%	20,608	20,622	(0.1)%
Patient days ( g )	24,514	24,883	(1.5)%	46,233	46,710	(1.0)%
Adjusted patient days ( h )	38,409	38,985	(1.5)%	73,593	72,817	1.1%
Average length of stay (days) ( i )	3.68	3.59	2.5%	3.58	3.56	0.6%
Occupancy ( j )	55.7%	56.7%		51.9%	52.6%
Inpatient catheterization procedures ( k )	2,129	2,286	(6.9)%	4,101	4,318	(5.0)%
Inpatient surgical procedures ( l )	1,603	1,553	3.2%	3,054	3,002	1.7%
Hospital net revenue	$ 122,606	$ 119,333	2.7%	$ 235,325	$ 227,980	3.2%

(a)	Selected operating data includes consolidated hospitals in operation as of the end of the period reported in continuing operations but does not include hospitals which are accounted for using the equity method or as discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements.
(b)	Combined operating data includes hospitals in operation as of the end of the period reported in continuing operations including hospitals which are accounted for using the equity method in our consolidated financial statements.
(c)	Licensed beds represent the number of beds for which the appropriate state agency licenses a facility regardless of whether the beds are actually available for patient use.
(d)	Staffed and available beds represent the number of beds that are readily available for patient use at the end of the period.
(e)	Admissions represent the number of patients admitted for inpatient treatment.
(f)	Adjusted admissions is a general measure of combined inpatient and outpatient volume. We computed adjusted admissions by dividing gross patient revenue by gross inpatient revenue and then multiplying the quotient by admissions.
(g)	Patient days represent the total number of days of care provided to inpatients.
(h)	Adjusted patient days is a general measure of combined inpatient and outpatient volume. We computed adjusted patient days by dividing gross patient revenue by gross inpatient revenue and then multiplying the quotient by patient days.
(i)	Average length of stay (days) represents the average number of days inpatients stay in our hospitals.
(j)	We computed occupancy by dividing patient days by the number of days in the period and then dividing the quotient by the number of staffed and available beds.
(k)	Inpatients with a catheterization procedure represent the number of inpatients with a procedure performed in one of the hospitals' catheterization labs during the period.
(l)	Inpatient surgical procedures represent the number of surgical procedures performed on inpatients during the period.

MEDCATH CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE - RECONCILIATION OF GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Unaudited)

The following table reconciles the loss from continuing operations, net of taxes attributable to MedCath Corporation's common stockholders as derived directly from MedCath Corporation's consolidated financial statements to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

		Three Months Ended March 31,		Six Months Ended March 31,
		2011	2010	2011	2010
		(in thousands)		(in thousands)

Loss from continuing operations, net of taxes		$ (12,341)	$ (8,970)	$ (5,179)	$ (10,872)
Add:
	Income tax (benefit) expense	(7,695)	(5,639)	(3,213)	(6,976)
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3,436	2,216	5,610	3,434
	Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(1,258)	(3,092)	(1,860)	(4,608)
	Interest and other income	(50)	(15)	(539)	(85)
	Loss on note receivable	-	1,507	-	1,507
	Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliates	(179)	-	(15,570)	-
	Interest expense	997	1,054	2,079	1,999
	Loss (gain) on disposal of property, equipment and other assets	178	(69)	271	27
	Impairment of long-lived assets	19,548	14,700	19,548	14,700
	Depreciation	4,630	6,124	9,517	12,064
	Pre-opening expenses	-	-	-	866
	Share-based compensation expense	922	1,217	2,854	1,826
	Professional fees for strategic options process	1,582	-	4,144	-
	Sales tax refunds, net	-	-	(2,087)	-
Adjusted EBITDA		$ 9,770	$ 9,033	$ 15,575	$ 13,882

The following table reconciles MedCath Corporation's diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations, net of taxes attributable to MedCath Corporation's common stockholders as derived directly from MedCath's consolidated financial statements to Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (inclusive of the effect of dilutive shares) for the three and six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

		Three Months Ended March 31,		Six Months Ended March 31,
		2011	2010	2011	2010

Diluted (loss) earnings per share		$ (0.61)	$ (0.46)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.55)
Add:
	Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliates	(0.01)	-	(0.47)	-
	Professional fees for strategic options process	0.05	-	0.13	-
	Sales tax refunds	-	-	(0.06)	-
	Impairment of long-lived assets	0.59	0.60	0.59	0.60
	Loss on note receivable	-	0.05	-	0.05
	Share-based compensation expense	0.03	0.04	0.09	0.06
	Pre-opening expense	-	-	-	0.02
Adjusted diluted earnings per share		$ 0.05	$ 0.23	$ 0.02	$ 0.18