Universal Health Services, Inc. Reports 2020 Second Quarter Financial Results

KING OF PRUSSIA, Penn., July 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS) announced today that its reported net income attributable to UHS was $251.9 million, or $2.95 per diluted share, during the second quarter of 2020, as compared to $238.3 million, or $2.66 per diluted share, during the comparable quarter of 2019.  Net revenues decreased 4.4% to $2.730 billion during the second quarter of 2020 as compared to $2.855 billion during the second quarter of 2019.

As reflected on the Schedule of Non-GAAP Supplemental Information ("Supplemental Schedule"), our adjusted net income attributable to UHS during the second quarter of 2020 was $250.2 million, or $2.93 per diluted share, as compared to $247.2 million, or $2.76 per diluted share, during the second quarter of 2019. 

Included in our reported and adjusted net income attributable to UHS during the three-month period ended June 30, 2020 was approximately $161.9 million, or $1.90 per diluted share, resulting from the recognition of approximately $218 million of net revenues recorded in connection with various governmental stimulus programs, most notably the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund grants, as provided for by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act"). Approximately $157 million of the governmental stimulus program net revenues were attributable to our acute care services and approximately $61 million were attributable to our behavioral health care services.  

As reflected on the Supplemental Schedule, included in our reported results during the second quarter of 2020, was a net aggregate favorable after-tax impact of $1.7 million, or $.02 per diluted share, consisting of the following: (i) an after-tax unrealized gain of $2.2 million, or $.03 per diluted share, ($2.9 million pre-tax which is included in "Other (income) expense, net"), resulting from an increase in the market value of shares of certain marketable securities held for investment and classified as available for sale, and; (ii) a unfavorable after-tax impact of $0.5 million, or $.01 per diluted share, resulting from our adoption of ASU 2016-09, "Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" ("ASU 2016-09").

As reflected on the Supplemental Schedule, included in our reported results during the second quarter of 2019, is an aggregate net unfavorable after-tax impact of $8.9 million, or $.10 per diluted share, resulting from: (i) an unfavorable after-tax impact of $8.4 million, or $.09 per diluted share, resulting from an $11.0 million pre-tax increase in the reserve ("DOJ Reserve") established in connection with the government's investigation of our behavioral health hospitals, (as previously disclosed, settlement agreements were finalized in early July, 2020 thereby resolving this matter), and; (ii) an unfavorable after-tax impact of $0.5 million, or $.01 per diluted share, resulting from our adoption of ASU 2016-09.

Included in our reported and our adjusted net income attributable to UHS during the second quarter of 2019 is a pre-tax unrealized gain of $6.9 million, or $.06 per diluted share (included in "Other (income) expense, net"), resulting from an increase in the market value of shares of certain marketable securities held for investment and classified as available for sale.  

As calculated on the attached Supplemental Schedule, our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation & amortization ("EBITDA net of NCI", NCI is net income attributable to noncontrolling interests), was $482.8 million during the second quarter of 2020, as compared to $471.5 million during the second quarter of 2019. Our adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation & amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA net of NCI"), which excludes the impact of other (income) expense, net, and the increase in the DOJ Reserve recorded during the second quarter of 2019, was $479.7 million during the second quarter of 2020 as compared to $474.8 million during the second quarter of 2019.

COVID-19

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began during the second half of March, 2020, has had a material unfavorable effect on our operations and financial results since that time.  Patient volumes at both our acute care and behavioral health care facilities were most significantly reduced in April. Our acute care and behavioral health facilities began experiencing gradual and continued improvement in patient volumes in May and June as various states eased stay-at-home restrictions and acute care hospitals were permitted to resume elective surgeries and procedures.  However, many of our acute care and behavioral health facilities are located in states that began experiencing significant increases in COVID-19 infections in June and continuing into July. We believe that the adverse impact that COVID-19 will have on our future operations and financial results will depend upon many factors, most of which are beyond our capability to control or predict. 

Consolidated Results of Operations, As Reported and As Adjusted  – Six-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

Reported net income attributable to UHS was $394.0 million, or $4.58 per diluted share, during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, as compared to $472.5 million, or $5.23 per diluted share, during the first six months of 2019.  Net revenues decreased 1.8% to $5.559 billion during the first six months of 2020 as compared to $5.660 billion during the comparable period of 2019.

As reflected on the Supplemental Schedule, our adjusted net income attributable to UHS during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020 was $400.4 million, or $4.65 per diluted share, as compared to $470.5 million, or $5.21 per diluted share, during the first six months of 2019. 

Our reported and adjusted net income attributable to UHS during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020 included approximately $161.9 million, or $1.89 per diluted share, resulting from the above-mentioned recognition of approximately $218 million of net revenues recorded in connection with governmental stimulus programs, most notably the CARES Act.    

As reflected on the Supplemental Schedule, included in our reported results during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, was a net aggregate unfavorable after-tax impact of $6.4 million, or $.07 per diluted share, consisting of the following: (i) an after-tax unrealized loss of $5.1 million, or $.06 per diluted share, ($6.7 million pre-tax which is included in "Other (income) expense, net"), resulting from a decrease in the market value of shares of certain marketable securities held for investment and classified as available for sale, and; (ii) an unfavorable after-tax impact of $1.3 million, or $.01 per diluted share, resulting from our adoption of ASU 2016-09.

As reflected on the Supplemental Schedule, included in our reported results during the six-month period ended June 30, 2019, is an aggregate net favorable after-tax impact of $2.0 million, or $.02 per diluted share, resulting from: (i) an unfavorable after-tax impact of $8.4 million, or $.09 per diluted share, resulting from the above-mentioned $11.0 million pre-tax increase in the DOJ Reserve, and; (ii) a favorable after-tax impact of $10.4 million, or $.11 per diluted share, resulting from our adoption of ASU 2016-09.

Included in our reported and our adjusted net income attributable to UHS during the six-month period ended June 30, 2019 is a pre-tax unrealized gain of $2.6 million, or $.02 per diluted share (included in "Other (income) expense, net"), resulting from an increase in the market value of shares of certain marketable securities held for investment and classified as available for sale.  

As calculated on the attached Supplemental Schedule, our EBITDA net of NCI was $831.9 million during the first six months of 2020, as compared to $924.3 million during the first six months of 2019. Our Adjusted EBITDA net of NCI, which excludes the impact of other (income) expense, net, and the increase in the DOJ Reserve recorded during the first six months of 2019, was $838.3 million during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020 and $932.0 million during the comparable period of 2019.

Acute Care Services – Three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

During the second quarter of 2020, at our acute care hospitals owned during both periods ("same facility basis"), adjusted admissions (adjusted for outpatient activity) decreased 24.8% and adjusted patient days decreased 18.1%, as compared to the second quarter of 2019. At these facilities, excluding the governmental stimulus revenues of approximately $157 million recorded during the second quarter of 2020, net revenue per adjusted admission increased 12.7% while net revenue per adjusted patient day increased 3.5% during the second quarter of 2020 as compared to the second quarter of 2019. During the second quarter of 2020, as compared to the second quarter of 2019, net revenues generated from our acute care services on a same facility basis decreased 3.5% including the governmental stimulus revenues, and decreased 14.0% excluding the governmental stimulus revenues.

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, at our acute care hospitals on a same facility basis, adjusted admissions decreased 14.4% and adjusted patient days decreased 9.1%, as compared to the first six months of 2019. At these facilities, excluding the governmental stimulus revenues of approximately $157 million recorded during the first six months of 2020, net revenue per adjusted admission increased 7.7% while net revenue per adjusted patient day increased 1.3% during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the comparable six-month period of 2019. During the first six months of 2020, as compared to the first six months of 2019, net revenues generated from our acute care services on a same facility basis decreased 1.6% including the governmental stimulus revenues, and decreased 6.8% excluding the governmental stimulus revenues.

Behavioral Health Care Services – Three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

During the second quarter of 2020, at our behavioral health care facilities on a same facility basis, adjusted admissions decreased 15.4% while adjusted patient days decreased 10.4% as compared to the second quarter of 2019. At these facilities, excluding the governmental stimulus revenues of approximately $61 million recorded during the second quarter of 2020, net revenue per adjusted admission increased 8.1% while net revenue per adjusted patient day increased 2.0% during the second quarter of 2020 as compared to the comparable quarter in 2019. During the second quarter of 2020, as compared to the second quarter of 2019, net revenues generated from our behavioral health care services on a same facility basis decreased 3.8% including the governmental stimulus revenues, and decreased 8.5% excluding the governmental stimulus revenues.     

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, at our behavioral health care facilities on a same facility basis, adjusted admissions decreased 8.6% and adjusted patient days decreased 5.9%, as compared to the first six months of 2019. At these facilities, excluding the governmental stimulus revenues of approximately $61 million recorded during the first six months of 2020, net revenue per adjusted admission increased 5.9% while net revenue per adjusted patient day increased 2.8% during the first six months of 2020 as compared to the comparable period of 2019. During the first six months of 2020, as compared to the first six months of 2019, net revenues generated from our behavioral health care services on a same facility basis decreased 0.8% including the governmental stimulus revenues, and decreased 3.2% excluding the governmental stimulus revenues.

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities and Liquidity:

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, our net cash provided by operating activities increased to $1.451 billion as compared to $673 million generated during the first six months of 2019.

The $779 million net increase was due to: (i) a favorable change of $477 million resulting from the Medicare accelerated payments and deferred governmental stimulus grants; (ii) a favorable change of $233 million in accounts receivable; (iii) a favorable change of $134 million in accrued and deferred income taxes; (iv) an unfavorable change of $67 million resulting from a decrease in net income plus/minus depreciation and amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense and loss on sales of assets and businesses, and; (v) $2 million of other combined net favorable changes.

Liquidity:

As of June 30, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding pursuant to our $1 billion revolving credit facility or our $450 million accounts receivable securitization program.  As of that date, we had $1.375 billion of aggregate available borrowing capacity pursuant to the terms of these debt facilities, net of outstanding letters of credit.    

In addition, as of June 30, 2020, we had approximately $574 million of short-term cash investments.

Conference call information:

We will hold a conference call for investors and analysts at 9:00 a.m. eastern time on July 28, 2020. The dial-in number is 1-877-648-7971. 

A live broadcast of the conference call will be available on our website at www.uhsinc.com. Also, a replay of the call will be available following the conclusion of the live call and will be available for one full year.

General Information, Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors and Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

One of the nation's largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since our inception into an esteemed Fortune 500 corporation, our annual revenues were approximately $11.4 billion during 2019. In 2020, UHS was again recognized as one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune; in 2019 ranked #293 on the Fortune 500; and listed #330 in Forbes ranking of U.S.' Largest Public Companies.

Our operating philosophy is as effective today as it was 40 years ago, enabling us to provide compassionate care to our patients and their loved ones.  Our strategy includes building or acquiring high quality hospitals in rapidly growing markets, investing in the people and equipment needed to allow each facility to thrive, and becoming the leading healthcare provider in each community we serve.

Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has more than 90,000 employees and through its subsidiaries operates 26 acute care hospitals, 330 behavioral health facilities, 41 outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located in 37 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. It acts as the advisor to Universal Health Realty Income Trust, a real estate investment trust (NYSE:UHT).  For additional information on the Company, visit our web site: http://www.uhsinc.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current management expectations.  Numerous factors, including those disclosed herein, those related to the anticipated impact of COVID-19 on our operations and financial results, those related to healthcare industry trends and those detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (as set forth in Item 1A-Risk Factors and in Item 7-Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors in our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020), may cause the results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.  These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and therefore actual results may differ materially.  Readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements which reflect management's view only as of the date hereof.  We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Many of the factors that could affect our future results are beyond our control or ability to predict, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our future operations and financial results will likely be materially impacted by developments related to COVID-19 including, but not limited to, the length of time and severity of the spread of the pandemic; the volume of cancelled or rescheduled elective procedures and the volume of COVID-19 patients treated at our hospitals and other healthcare facilities; measures we are taking to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of government and administrative regulation and stimulus on the hospital industry and potential retrospective adjustment in future periods of governmental stimulus grants recorded as revenues in prior periods; declining patient volumes and unfavorable changes in payer mix caused by deteriorating macroeconomic conditions (including increases in uninsured and underinsured patients as the result of business closings and layoffs); potential disruptions to our clinical staffing and shortages and disruptions related to supplies required for our employees and patients; and potential increases to expenses related to staffing, supply chain or other expenditures; the impact of our substantial indebtedness and the ability to refinance such indebtedness on acceptable terms, as well as risks associated with disruptions in the financial markets and the business of financial institutions as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic which could impact us from a financing perspective; and changes in general economic conditions nationally and regionally in our markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. We are not able to fully quantify the impact that these factors will have on our future financial results, but expect developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic to materially affect our financial performance in 2020.

We believe that adjusted net income attributable to UHS, adjusted net income attributable to UHS per diluted share, EBITDA net of NCI and Adjusted EBITDA net of NCI, which are non-GAAP financial measures ("GAAP" is Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America), are helpful to our investors as measures of our operating performance. In addition, we believe that, when applicable, comparing and discussing our financial results based on these measures, as calculated, is helpful to our investors since it neutralizes the effect of material items impacting our net income attributable to UHS, such as, our adoption of ASU 2016-09, unrealized gains/losses resulting from changes in the market value of shares of certain marketable securities held for investment and classified as available for sale, and other potential material items that are nonrecurring or non-operational in nature including, but not limited to, impairments of long-lived and intangible assets, changes in the reserve established in connection with our discussions with the Department of Justice, reserves for various matters including settlements, legal judgments and lawsuits, costs related to extinguishment of debt, gains/losses on sales of assets and businesses, and other amounts that may be reflected in the current or prior year financial statements that relate to prior periods. To obtain a complete understanding of our financial performance these measures should be examined in connection with net income attributable to UHS, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and as presented in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in this report or in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including our Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020. Since the items included or excluded from these measures are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance under GAAP, these measures should not be considered to be alternatives to net income as a measure of our operating performance or profitability. Since these measures, as presented, are not determined in accordance with GAAP and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Investors are encouraged to use GAAP measures when evaluating our financial performance.