LifeCare Holdings, Inc. Announces 2011 Year-end Results

PLANO, Texas, March 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LifeCare Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") today announced its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2011.  

During 2011, the Company accomplished a number of strategic objectives, including the refinancing of its senior term loan and revolving credit facility as of February 1, 2011; the acquisition of seven long term acute care hospitals, which operate 335 beds, from HealthSouth Corporation ("HealthSouth") on August 1, 2011; and the acquisition of selected assets of a long term acute care hospital operation in the Dallas, Texas, market from Vibra Specialty Hospital ("Vibra") on December 1, 2011.  Additionally, on September 11, 2011, the Company opened its first transitional care unit, which operates 40 beds, in one of its hospitals located in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, market. These acquisitions and the opening of the transitional care unit represent a 35% increase in the licensed bed capacity of the Company.

Phillip B. Douglas, Chairman and CEO of the Company, commented, "The achievement of these strategic objectives during 2011 has further enhanced the Company's position as one of the leading long term acute hospital providers nationally and has positioned the Company for continued growth over the next several quarters. We are excited about the Company's future and will continue to explore opportunities to further increase the scope of our Company and the services we provide."

Three Months Ended December 31, 2011

Net Revenues

Our net patient service revenue of $121.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011, increased by $34.8 million, or 39.9%, from the comparable period in 2010. Patient days increased by 22,711, or 40.2%, while admissions increased by 838, or 40.7%, for the three months ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the same period in 2010. On a same store basis, which excludes the hospitals acquired from HealthSouth and the new transitional care unit, patient days increased by 3,784, or 6.7%, and admissions increased by 122, or 5.9%, for the three months ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the same period in 2010.

The increase of $34.8 million in net patient service revenue was attributable to an increase of $25.6 million from the recently acquired hospitals and the new transitional care unit and an increase of $9.2 million on a same store basis. The net increase on a same store basis was comprised of a favorable variance of $5.9 million attributable to an increase in patient days, a net increase of $1.0 million attributable to favorable adjustments related to changes in estimates and settlements on cost reports filed with the Medicare program, and a favorable variance of $2.3 million as the result of the increase in net patient service revenue on a per patient day basis. During the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we recorded an increase in net patient service revenue of $0.4 million and a reduction in net patient service revenue of $0.6 million, respectively, related to changes in estimates and settlements on cost reports filed with the Medicare program.

Our net patient service revenue per patient day during the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, was $1,538 and $1,541, respectively. However, exclusive of the cost report reimbursement adjustments and results of the new hospitals and the new transitional care unit, net patient service revenue per patient day for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, was $1,590 and $1,552, respectively.

Expenses

Total expenses increased by $45.6 million to $134.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the same period in 2010. A portion of this increase was attributable to the addition of the recently acquired hospitals and new transitional care unit. On a same store basis, total expenses increased $19.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the same period in 2010.

The same store increase of $19.5 million in expenses was primarily attributable to an increase of $9.9 million in net interest expense and a $5.3 million loss related to the exit cost and write off of disposed assets related to the relocation of one of our facilities. The remaining $4.3 million increase in expenses was principally attributable to an increase of $4.1 million in salary, wages and benefits during the 2011 period. This increase was the result of an increase of $0.8 million in employee healthcare cost during the period, the increase in patient days during the period and other annual inflationary increases. The $9.9 million increase in net interest expense was the result of the higher margin rate associated with the new senior secured credit agreement and interest on the additional borrowing related to the purchase of the new hospitals.  The term loan facility at December 31, 2011 and 2010, was $313.2 million and $241.6 million, respectively, and had an average interest rate of 13.63% and 4.60% for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Net Earnings

We reported a net loss of $13.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011, as compared to a net loss of $1.9 million during the three months ended December 31, 2010.  The difference between the 2011 and 2010 periods was primarily attributable to the result of higher net interest expense, exit cost and the write off of disposed assets as previously discussed.

Year Ended December 31, 2011

Net Revenues

Our net patient service revenue of $415.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, increased by $57.2 million, or 16.0%, from the comparable period in 2010. Patient days increased by 36,079, or 15.7%, while admissions increased by 1,262, or 15.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the same period in 2010. On a same store basis, which excludes the hospitals acquired from HealthSouth and the new transitional care unit, patient days increased by 5,991, or 2.6%, and admissions increased by 160, or 2.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the same period in 2010.

The increase of $57.2 million in net patient service revenue was attributable to an increase of $41.7 million from the recently acquired hospitals and the new transitional care unit and an increase of $15.5 million on a same store basis. The net increase on a same store basis was comprised of a favorable variance of $9.4 million attributable to an increase in patient days, a net increase of $3.4 million attributable to a decrease in adjustments related to changes in estimates and settlements on cost reports filed with the Medicare program, and a favorable variance of $2.7 million as the result of the increase in net patient service revenue on a per patient day basis. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we recorded reductions in net patient service revenue of $0.9 million and $4.3 million, respectively, related to changes in estimates and settlements on cost reports filed with the Medicare program.

Our net patient service revenue per patient day during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, was $1,561 and $1,558, respectively. However, exclusive of the cost report reimbursement adjustments and results of the new hospitals and the new transitional care unit, net patient service revenue per patient day for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, was $1,587 and $1,576, respectively.

Expenses

Total expenses increased by $93.9 million to $449.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the same period in 2010. A portion of this increase was attributable to the addition of the recently acquired hospitals and new transitional care unit. On a same store basis, total expenses increased $51.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the same period in 2010.

The same store increase of $51.2 million in expenses was primarily attributable to an increase of $29.5 million in net interest expense, a $5.3 million loss related to the exit cost and write off of disposed assets related to the relocation of one of our facilities, a $2.8 million loss related to the write-off of deferred financing cost as a result of the refinancing of the senior secured credit facility during the period and $3.2 million of expenses associated with the acquisition of the new hospitals. The remaining $10.4 million increase in expenses was principally attributable to an increase of $10.9 million in salary, wages and benefits during the 2011 period. This increase was the result of an increase of $2.7 million in employee healthcare cost during the period, the increase in patient days during the period and other annual inflationary increases. The $29.5 million increase in net interest expense was the result of the higher margin rate associated with the new senior secured credit agreement and interest on the additional borrowing related to the purchase of the new hospitals.  The term loan facility at December 31, 2011 and 2010, was $313.2 million and $241.6 million, respectively, and had an average interest rate of 13.05% and 4.65% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Net Earnings

For the year ended December 31, 2011, we reported a net loss of $34.8 million as compared to net income of $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. As discussed previously, this change of $37.4 million was principally the result of higher net interest expense and the fees and expenses incurred associated with the debt refinancing and acquisitions occurring during the 2011 period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December 31, 2011, our outstanding indebtedness consisted of $119.3 million aggregate principal amount of senior subordinated notes due 2013, a $313.2 million senior secured term loan facility that was scheduled to mature in 2016, and our note payable to Vibra in an outstanding principal amount of $4.5 million, which was scheduled to mature in 2013. At December 31, 2011, the weighted average interest rate applicable to the $313.2 million under our term loan facility was 13.65%.

As a result of the impending maturities and increasingly more restrictive covenant requirements under our previous senior secured credit facility, we completed a refinancing of our previous senior secured credit facility with a new senior secured credit facility that consisted of an initial $257.5 million senior secured term loan (subject to paid-in-kind interest options as discussed below) and a new $30.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility on February 1, 2011 (the "Credit Agreement").  The proceeds of this new Credit Agreement along with cash on hand were utilized to pay off our previous senior secured credit facility, revolving credit facility and the fees and expenses associated with the new Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement also imposes certain financial covenants on us including: minimum cumulative consolidated EBITDA requirements that began with the first fiscal quarter of 2011 and continued through the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2011; a maximum ratio of 6.0x consolidated EBITDA to total senior secured indebtedness tested quarterly on a trailing 12 month basis, beginning on the last day of the fourth quarter of 2011; and a minimum ratio of 1.25x consolidated EBITDA to consolidated cash interest expense, tested quarterly on a trailing 12 month basis beginning on the last day of the fourth fiscal quarter of 2011. The maximum leverage ratio is scheduled to adjust to 5.75x beginning with the trailing four quarter period ending June 30, 2012. We are currently in compliance with the covenants under our senior secured credit facility for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2011.

The term loan and revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement have scheduled maturity dates of February 1, 2016, and February 1, 2015, respectively. However, if our outstanding senior subordinated notes are not refinanced, purchased or defeased in full by May 15, 2013, then the term loan and the then outstanding balance under the revolving credit facility will be due in full on May 15, 2013.

Borrowings under the term loan facility of the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, either (a) an alternate base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the prime rate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., (2) the federal funds rate in effect on such date plus 1/2 of 1% and (3) the LIBOR rate for a one month interest period plus 1% or (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the cost of funds for U.S. dollar deposits for the relevant interest period adjusted for certain additional costs. The applicable margin percentage is 12.25% for term loans that are alternate base rate loans and 13.25% for term loans based on the LIBOR rate. For the term loans, we may, in our discretion, elect for the relevant interest period (a) to pay the entire amount of interest in cash or (b) to pay 5.50% of such interest "in-kind" by adding such interest to the outstanding principal of the term loans as of the applicable interest payment date. The applicable margin percentage for revolving loans is 6.75% for alternate base loans and 7.75% for LIBOR loans.

We may not be able to continue to satisfy the covenant requirements in subsequent periods. In the event we are unable to comply with the covenants under the Credit Agreement, an event of default may occur. If we are unable to obtain waivers or amendments to cure such event of default, the lenders would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the Credit Agreement, terminating our access to our revolving credit facility and all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor. Acceleration under the Credit Agreement would further create a cross-default under our senior subordinated notes indenture. Such acceleration would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flow.

We are continuing to pursue operational and strategic objectives that may result in profitability and lower total indebtedness in order to remain in compliance with the financial covenants under the Credit Agreement. These objectives include, among other items, increasing the occupancy levels of our hospitals, reducing administrative and operating expenses, and reducing days of net patient service revenue in accounts receivable. We also continue to seek opportunities to refinance our senior subordinated notes and explore various strategic transactions, such as an acquisition, as a means to reduce our leverage and strengthen our operating and financial conditions.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding, among other items, operations, proposed regulations and their possible effect on the Company's results.  Such statements are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect current plans.  Furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those experienced or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks relating to operating in a regulated environment, implementing our business plan, maintaining relationships with physicians in our markets, availability of sufficient nurses and therapists, competition, retaining key management, ability to service our debt requirements, litigation matters and availability of insurance.  Further information about factors that could affect the Company's financial and other results is included in our Form 10-K as filed on March 30, 2012, which can be viewed on the SEC's website.  Many of the factors that will determine the Company's future results are beyond the ability of management to control or predict.  As a result, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's views only as the date hereof.  The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

LifeCare, based in Plano, Texas, operates 27 long-term acute care hospitals located in ten states. Long-term acute care hospitals specialize in the treatment of medically complex patients who typically require extended hospitalization. For more information on LifeCare, visit our website at www.lifecare-hospitals.com.

Contact:  Chris A. Walker    
469-241-2116

SOURCE LifeCare Holdings, Inc.