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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
_______
FORM 10-K
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended Commission File No.
December 31, 1997 333-37185
_______
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION, SUCCESSOR BY
MERGER TO NATIONAL HEALTHCARE L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Corporate Charter)
Delaware 52-2057472
(State of Formation) (I.R.S. Employer I.D. No.)
100 Vine Street
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130
(Address of principal executive offices)
Telephone Number: 615-890-2020
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Name of Each Exchange on
Title of Each Class which Registered
_________________________________________________________________________
Units of Limited Partnership Interest,
Now Shares of Common Stock American Stock Exchange
Senior Subordinated Convertible Debentures
Due 2000 (6%) American Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Same
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (a) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days:
Yes x No___
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [x]
The aggregate market of voting shares held by nonaffiliates of the
registrant was $204,953,100 as of February 28, 1998.
Number of Shares outstanding as of February 28, 1998: 10,559,613
Page 1 of 86 Pages
Exhibit Index Page 55
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<PAGE>
PART 1
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ITEM 1
BUSINESS
GENERAL
National HealthCare Corporation (NHC or the Company) is the successor by
merger to National HealthCare L.P. effective 11:59 p.m., December 31, 1997.
This 10-K, then, is descriptive of time periods when the investors in the
Company were "partners", the Company itself was a "Partnership", the common
voting securities were identified as "units" rather than as "shares", and
references to the "Board of Directors" were to the board of the then Managing
General Partner of the Partnership rather than directly of the Company. For
consistency, and because the Company is now a corporation, these partnership
references have been changed into corporate terminology. NHC is a corporation
organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. It principally operates
long-term health care centers and home health care programs in the
southeastern United States. The Company's health care centers provide
subacute, skilled and intermediate nursing and rehabilitative care. At
December 31, 1997, the Company operated 111 long-term health care centers with
a total of 14,071 licensed beds. Of the 111 centers operated, 40 are leased
from National Health Investors, Inc. (NHI), 18 are leased from National Health
Realty, Inc. (NHR) and 53 are managed for other owners. The Company serves as
a compensated Investment Advisor to both NHI and NHR. The Company's homecare
programs provide rehabilitative care at a patient's residence. During 1997,
the Company operated 36 homecare programs and provided 731,349 homecare
patient visits. NHC also operates 387 retirement apartments located in one
managed and three retirement centers leased from NHI. Additionally, the
Company operates 729 assisted living units at twelve leased centers (eight
from NHI and four from NHR)and two managed centers.
During 1997 NHC opened 1,189 new health care beds, 721 in owned/leased
centers and 468 in managed centers. Bed growth in leased centers was due to
opening five new centers and purchasing another. All were transferred to and
then leased from National Health Realty, Inc. effective January 1, 1998.
Managed center bed growth was realized with the expansion of two existing
operations, each by 60 beds, plus commencing management on six centers.
During the year, construction started on one new center with 60 beds,
expansion of four leased centers (157 beds), and a total of 27 managed beds in
two locations. A total of 384 beds were under construction at year end.
Finally, NHC has obtained certificates of need for the construction of 447
beds at nine owned, leased or managed locations, all of which are expected to
start construction in 1998.
As of December 31, 1997, the Company operated specialized care units
such as Alzheimer's Disease care units (16), sub-acute nursing units (12) and
a number of in house pharmacies. Similar specialty units are under
development or consideration at a number of the Company's centers, as well as
free standing projects.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES. The Company plans to continue to expand its
continuum of care for the elderly by offering a comprehensive and increasing
range of services through related or separately structured health care
centers, homecare programs, specialized care units, pharmacy operations,
rehabilitative services, assisted living centers and retirement centers.
Highlights of these activities during 1997 were as follows:
<PAGE>
A. HOMECARE PROGRAMS. The Company's policy has been to affiliate
each of its licensed and certified homecare programs with a
Company operated health care center. Although the existing
programs have decreased their total number of visits from 764,000
in 1996 to 731,349 in 1997, NHC has applied for and received
Certificates of Need to expand the program services in both
Florida and South Carolina, as well as pursuing a number of
acquisition opportunities. Such acquired or new programs are not
presently planned to be operated out of a health care center.
Additional certificate of need applications will be filed during
1998. The new reimbursement program for homecare services under
the Medicare program will pay for a fixed amount for each
recipient irrespective of the number of visits, thus the Company
is now focusing on its homecare patient census rather than number
of visits.
B. REHABILITATIVE SERVICES. The Company has long operated an
intensive offering of physical, speech, and occupational therapy
provided by center specific therapists. NHC increased its staff
of professionally licensed therapists from 983 in 1996 to 1,155 in
1997. The Company operates a separate rehabilitation subsidiary
known as NHC Rehabilitation. Because of the Company's extensive
network of health care centers in the Southeastern United States,
the Company is better able to attract, employ, and retain
therapists. It is also greatly expanding its customer service
base by providing contract services to 629 health care providers
owned by third parties. Provision of these services is not
covered under the Company's contracts to manage health care
centers and must be renegotiated annually with the center owner.
The Company's rates for these services are competitive with other
market rates. Major Medicare reimbursement changes will occur for
therapy services in 1998 and 1999 - reimbursement will be limited
to published "salary equivalents" effective April 1, 1998, then
licensed skilled nursing centers must bill Medicare directly
commencing July 1, 1998. In 1999 skilled nursing centers Medicare
per diems will become prospective and will include no separate
payment for therapy services. This system will be phased in over
a four year period. The Company anticipates a substantial
decrease in third party contracts as a result of these changes.
C. MEDICAL SPECIALTY UNITS. The Company has required all of its
centers to participate in the Medicare program since 1973, and has
continually expanded its range of offerings by the creation of
center-specific medical specialty units such as the Company's 16
Alzheimer's disease care units and 12 subacute nursing units. The
services are provided not only at each NHC operated center, but
also at existing specialized care units.
D. PHARMACY OPERATIONS. The Company's policy has been to have an
in-house pharmacy located in each health care center in those states
where licensure permits the operation of an in-house pharmacy. In
other states, pharmaceutical services have been provided by third
party contracts. NHC continues to review opportunities for
regional pharmacy operations and now operates four, one in east
Tennessee, one in South Carolina, and two in central Florida.
These pharmacy operations operate out of a central office and
<PAGE>
supply (on a separate contractual basis) pharmaceutical services
and supplies which were formerly purchased by each center from
local vendors. The regional pharmacy operations now have 5,574
skilled nursing home beds under contract.
E. ASSISTED LIVING PROJECTS. The Company presently owns, leases or
manages fourteen assisted living projects, eight of which are
located within the physical structure of a long-term health care
center or retirement complex. The Company has identified the
assisted living market as an expanding area for the delivery of
health care and hospitality services and has a planned market
review process in its states of operation for the construction of
free-standing assisted living centers. Three owned freestanding
assisted living projects opened in 1997 with a total of 252 units
and one 50 apartment complex was leased in 1997. One additional
free standing assisted living project is under construction which
will open in 1998. It is anticipated that the Company will start
construction on four additional free-standing assisted living
apartments during 1998. Assisted living units provide basic room
and board functions for the elderly with the on-staff availability
to assist in minor medical needs on an as needed basis.
F. MANAGED CARE CONTRACTS. The Company operates seven regional
contract management offices, staffed by experienced case managers
who contract with managed care organizations (MCO's) and insurance
carriers for the provision of subacute and other medical specialty
services within a regional cluster of centers. Managed care days
have increased from 30,226 in 1995 and 50,113 in 1996 to 71,606 in
1997.
In fiscal year 1997, 96% of the Company's net revenues were derived from
health care services and 4% from other sources.
LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE CENTERS
The health care centers operated by the Company provide in-patient
skilled and intermediate nursing care services and in-patient and out-patient
rehabilitation services. Skilled nursing care consists of 24-hour nursing
service by registered or licensed practical nurses and related medical
services prescribed by the patient's physician. Intermediate nursing care
consists of similar services on a less intensive basis principally provided by
non-licensed personnel. These distinctions are generally found in the
long-term health care industry although for Medicaid reimbursement purposes,
some states in which the Company operates have additional classifications,
while in other states the Medicaid rate is the same regardless of patient
classification. Rehabilitative services consist of physical, speech, and
occupational therapies, which are designed to aid the patient's recovery and
enable the patient to resume normal activities.
Each health care center has a licensed administrator responsible for
supervising daily activities, and larger centers have assistant
administrators. All have medical directors, a director of nurses and
full-time registered nurse coverage. All centers provide physical therapy and
most have other rehabilitative programs, such as occupational or speech
therapy. Each facility is located near at least one hospital and is qualified
<PAGE>
to accept patients discharged from such hospitals. Each center has a full
dining room, kitchen, treatment and examining room, emergency lighting system,
and sprinkler system where required. Management believes that all centers are
in compliance with the existing fire and life safety codes.
The Company has developed a quality certification program which it
utilizes in each of its health care centers to verify that high standards of
care are maintained. An integral part of the program is a computerized
patient assessment system which aids in placing the patient in the appropriate
section of each center (skilled or intermediate) and monitors the health care
needs of the patient, number and frequency of medications and other essential
medical information. The data derived from this system is used not only to
assure that appropriate care is given to each individual patient, but also to
ascertain the appropriate amount of staffing of each section of the center.
Additionally, the Company requires a patient care survey to be performed at
least quarterly by the regional and home office nursing support team, and a
"consumer view" survey by senior management at least twice a year. The
Company developed and promotes a "customer satisfaction" rating system, using
1993 as a bench mark, and requires significant improvement in the ratings by
each center as a condition of participation in the Company's overall
"Excellence Program".
The Company provides centralized management and support services to the
Company's health care nursing centers. The management and support services
include operational support through the use of regional vice presidents and
regional nurses, accounting and financial services, cash management, data
processing, legal, consulting and services in the area of rehabilitative care.
All personnel are employed by the Company's administrative services affiliate,
National Health Corporation, which is also responsible for overall services in
the area of personnel, loss control, insurance, education and training. The
Company reimburses the administrative services contractor by paying all the
costs of personnel employed for the benefit of the Company as well as a fee.
National Health Corporation (National) is wholly owned by the National Health
Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan and provides its services only to
the Company. National was the Administrative General Partner during the
eleven years the Company's organizational form was as a publicly traded
partnership.
The Company provides identical management services to centers operated
under management contracts as it provides to centers owned or leased by the
Company. The term of each contract and the amount of the management fee are
determined on a case-by-case basis. Typically, the Company charges 6% of net
revenues. The initial term of the contracts range from five years to twenty
years. The Company maintains a right of first refusal should any owner desire
to sell a managed center and, in certain situations, special termination
payments have been negotiated should an owner sell to a third party or
terminate or non-renew a management contract.
All health care centers operated by the Company are licensed by the
appropriate state and local agencies. All except two are certified as
providers for Medicaid patients, and all are certified as Medicare providers.
All of the Company's centers are subject to state and federal licensure and
certification surveys. These surveys, from time to time, may produce
statements of deficiencies. In response to such a statement, if any, the
staff at each center would file a plan of correction after consultation with
<PAGE>
the Regional Vice President and any alleged deficiencies would be corrected.
Presently, none of the Company's facilities are operating under material
statements of deficiencies. The Company has a significant monetary bonus to
employees attached to passing these surveys with few or no deficiencies.
HEALTH CARE CENTERS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The following table sets forth the long-term health care centers or
additions to existing centers currently under construction which the Company
owns, leases or manages:
Number Owned/Leased/ Projected
Location of Beds Managed Opening Date
-------- ------- ------------- ------------
Farragut, TN 60 Leased May 1998
Dunlap, TN 60* Leased January 1998
Naples, FL 30* Leased February 1998
Columbia, SC 32* Leased August 1998
Franklin, TN 113 Leased November 1998
Blue Water Bay, FL 60* Managed December 1998
Moulton, AL 29* Leased November 1998
Total 384
*Expansion of existing center
CONSTRUCTION STARTS IN 1998
The following table sets forth the new beds authorized by governmental
certificates of need which are anticipated to start construction in 1998.
Number Number of Number of
of Beds New Centers Existing Centers
------- ----------- ----------------
Owned 112 1 0
Leased 137 0 4
Managed 198 0 4
Total 447 1 8
OCCUPANCY RATES
The following table shows certain information relating to occupancy
rates for the Company's continuing owned and leased long-term health care
centers:
Year Ended December 31
1997 1996 1995
Overall census 92.2% 93.0% 92.8%
Census excluding acquisitions
and new openings 94.6% 93.0% 94.5%
Occupancy rates are calculated by dividing the total number of days of
patient care provided by the number of patient days available (which is
determined by multiplying the number of licensed beds by 365 or 366).
<PAGE>
HOMECARE PROGRAMS
The Company's home health programs (called "Homecare" by the Company)
provide nursing and rehabilitative services to individuals in their residences
and are licensed by the Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida state
governments and certified by the federal government for participation in the
Medicare program. Each of the Company's 36 Medicare certified homecare
programs and its one private duty program is managed by a registered nurse,
with speech, occupational and physical therapists either employed by the
program or on a contract basis. Homecare visits decreased from 754,000 visits
in 1996 to 731,000 visits in 1997. The new reimbursement program for
homecare services under the Medicare program will pay for a fixed amount for
each recipient irrespective of the number of visits, thus the Company is now
focusing on its homecare patient census rather than number of visits.
The Company has homecare programs in Tennessee, Florida, and South
Carolina. It opened two new program offices in Tennessee and one in Florida
in 1997. The Company's Tennessee homecare programs are associated with its
long-term health care centers and, historically, are based within the health
care center. The Company's new homecare programs are separately based in an
effort to continually expand NHC's market leadership in these services. The
Company's experience in this field indicates that homecare is not a substitute
for institutional care in a hospital or health care center. Instead, the
Company's homecare programs provide an additional level of health care because
its centers can provide services to patients after they have been discharged
from the center or prior to their admission.
ASSISTED LIVING UNITS
The Company presently leases and manages fourteen assisted living units,
eight of which are located within the physical structure of a long-term health
care center or retirement center and six of which are freestanding. Four of
those six were opened during 1997. These openings increased NHC's assisted
living units from 337 in 1996 to 729 in 1997. The Company plans to add at
least four free standing assisted living projects each year with the first
priority being to serve markets in which the Company already operates health
care centers. Assisted living units provide basic room and board functions
for the elderly with the on-staff availability to assist in minor medical
needs on an as needed basis. Certificates of Need are not necessary to build
these projects and the Company believes that overbuilding has occurred in some
of its markets. The Company will open one and expects to start construction
on four free standing projects in 1998.
RETIREMENT CENTERS
NHC's retirement centers offer specially designed residential units for
the active and ambulatory elderly and which complexes provide various
ancillary services for their residents, including restaurants, activity rooms
and social areas. In most cases, retirement centers also include long-term
health care facilities, either in contiguous or adjacent licensed health care
centers. Charges for services are paid from private sources without
assistance from governmental programs. Retirement centers may be licensed and
regulated in some states, but do not require the issuance of a Certificate of
Need such as is required for health care centers. NHC has, in most cases,
<PAGE>
developed retirement centers adjacent to its health care properties with an
initial construction of 15 to 40 units and which units are rented by the
month; thus these centers offer an expansion of the Company's continuum of
care. The projects are designed, however, to be expandable if the demand
justifies. The Company believes these retirement units offer a positive
marketing aspect of the Company's health care centers.
Another type of retirement center which the Company offers is that of
"continuing care communities", where the resident pays a substantial endowment
fee and a monthly maintenance fee. The resident then receives a full range of
services - including nursing home care - without additional charge.
One such continuing care community, the 137 unit Richland Place
Retirement Center, was opened in January, 1993 and is fully occupied. The
Company is currently constructing and marketing an additional continuing care
retirement community in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and marketing a proposed
independent living center in Farragut, Tennessee. The Company has land under
contract for similar communities in Franklin, Tennessee, and Charleston, South
Carolina.
SOURCES OF REVENUE
The Company's revenues are primarily derived from its health care
centers. The source and amount of the revenues are determined by (i) the
licensed bed capacity of its health care centers, (ii) the occupancy rate of
those centers, (iii) the extent to which the rehabilitative and other skilled
ancillary services provided at each center are utilized by the patients in the
centers, (iv) the mix of private pay, Medicare and Medicaid patients, and (v)
the rates paid by private paying patients and by the Medicare and Medicaid
programs.
The following table sets forth sources of patient revenues from health
care centers and homecare services for the periods indicated:
Year Ended Dec 31
Source 1997 1996 1995
Private 28% 28% 28%
Medicare 38% 38% 38%
Medicaid/Skilled 9% 9% 9%
Medicaid/Intermediate 24% 24% 24%
VA and Other 1% 1% 1%
Total 100% 100% 100%
GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAMS
The federal health insurance program for the aged is Medicare, which is
administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. State programs
for medical assistance to the indigent are known as Medicaid in states which
the Company operates. All health care centers operated by the Company are
certified to participate in Medicare and all but two participate in Medicaid.
Eligibility for participation in these programs depends upon a variety of
factors, including, among others, accommodations, services, equipment, patient
<PAGE>
care, safety, physical environment and the implementation and maintenance of
cost controls and accounting procedures. In addition, some of the Company's
centers have entered into separate contracts with the United States Veterans
Administration which provides reimbursement for care to veterans transferred
from Veterans Administration hospitals.
Historically, government health care reimbursement programs make
payments under a cost based reimbursement system. Although general
similarities exist due to federal mandates, each state operates under its own
specific system. Medicare, however, is uniform nationwide and pays, as
defined by the program, the reasonable direct and indirect cost of services
furnished to Medicare patients, including depreciation, interest and overhead.
Medicare payments have previously been limited by ceilings which, pursuant to
the 1993 Tax Reform Act, were frozen at their 1993 level for 1994, and 1995.
During 1997 the Company had 46 owned or leased centers which operated at
Medicare costs higher than the ceiling. The Company will file "exception
requests" with the fiscal intermediary for substantially all of these centers.
Revenues therefrom will not be booked until paid and audited by the
appropriate payors. Private paying patients, private insurance carriers and
the Veterans Administration generally pay on the basis of the center's charges
or specifically negotiated contracts. Average per capita daily room and board
revenue from private paying patients is higher than from Medicare and Medicaid
patients, while the average per capita daily revenue from Medicare patients is
higher than from Medicaid patients. The Company attempts to attract an
increased percentage of private and Medicare patients by providing
rehabilitative services and increasing its marketing of those services through
market areas and "Managed Care Offices", of which seven were open at year end.
These services are designed to speed the patient's recovery and allow the
patient to return home as soon as is practical. In addition to educating
physicians and patients to the advantages of the rehabilitative services, the
Company also has implemented incentive programs which provide for the payment
of bonuses to its regional and center personnel if they are able to obtain
private and Medicare goals at their centers.
Items eligible for payment under the Medicare program consist of nursing
care, room and board, social services, physical and speech therapy, drugs and
other supplies, and other necessary services of the type provided by skilled
nursing facilities. Routine service costs for extended care facilities are
subject to certain per diem costs limits. Medicare patients are entitled to
have payment made on their behalf to a skilled nursing facility for up to 100
days during each calendar year and a prior 3-day hospital stay is required. A
patient must be certified for entitlement under the Medicare program before
the skilled nursing facility is entitled to receive Medicare payments and
patients are required to pay approximately $95.00 per day after the first 20
days of the covered stay. Under the Medicare program, the federal government
pays directly to the skilled nursing facility the reasonable direct and
indirect costs of the services furnished. The Medicare program only
reimburses for skilled nursing services, which generally afford a more
intensive level of care. This program is undergoing significant changes. For
details see the section "Health Care Reform".
Medicaid programs provide funds for payment of medical services obtained
by "medically indigent persons". These programs are operated by state
agencies which adopt their own medical reimbursement formulas and standards,
but which are entitled to receive supplemental funds from the federal
government if their programs comply with certain federal government
regulations. In all states in which the Company operates, the Medicaid
programs authorize reimbursement at a fixed rate per day of service. The
<PAGE>
fixed rate is established on the basis of a predetermined average cost of
operating nursing centers in the state in which the facility is located or
based upon the center's actual cost. The rate is adjusted annually based upon
changes in historical costs and/or actual costs and a projected cost of living
factor. The 1997 Balanced Budget Act eliminated a federally mandated
requirement that Medicaid rates paid by the states must be sufficient to
reimburse in full the costs of an "efficiently and reasonably operated"
nursing home (the Boron Amendment"). The Company and the nursing home
industry in general are concerned about this deletion and are monitoring the
activities in state legislature budgetary processes.
During the fiscal year, each facility receives payments under the
applicable government reimbursement program. Medicaid payments are generally
"prospective" in that the payment is based upon the prior years actual costs.
Medicare payments are "retrospective" in that current year payments are
designed to reasonably approximate the facility's reimbursable costs during
that year. Payments under Medicare are adjusted to actual allowable costs
each year. The actual costs incurred and reported by the facility under the
Medicare program are subject to audit with respect to proper application of
the various payment formulas. These audits can result in retroactive
adjustments of interim payments received from the program. If, as a result of
such audits, it is determined that overpayment of benefits were made, the
excess amount must be repaid to the government. If, on the other hand, it is
determined that an underpayment was made, the government agency makes an
additional payment to the operator. The Company books as receivables the
amounts which it expects to receive under the Medicare and Medicaid programs
and books into profit or loss any differences in amounts actually received.
To date, adjustments have not had a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company believes that its payment formulas have been properly applied and
that any future adjustments will not be materially adverse. Effective January
1, 1999, the Medicare program will become prospective in nature. See "Health
Care Reform".
In November 1996, two NHC managed facilities in Florida were audited by
representatives of the regional office of the Office of Inspector General
("OIG"). As part of these audits, the OIG reviewed various records of the
facilities relating to allocation of nursing hours and contracts with outside
suppliers of services. The OIG completed its audit of one facility, and
indicated during an exit conference that it had no further questions. At the
second facility, the OIG determined certain records were insufficient and NHC
is in the process of supplying additional information. The OIG has agreed to
review these additional documents when received. Florida is one of the states
in which governmental officials are conducting Operation Restore Trust, a
federal-state program aimed at detecting and eliminating fraud and abuse by
providers in the Medicare and Medicaid Programs. The OIG has increased its
investigative actions in Florida as a part of Operation Restore Trust. NHC
will continue to monitor the progress of this audit and cannot predict whether
the OIG will take further action or request additional information as a result
of either of these audits. A so-called "whistleblower" lawsuit is also
outstanding against the Company. For further information, see "Item 3: Legal
Proceedings".
<PAGE>
REGULATION
Health care centers are subject to extensive federal, state and in some
cases, local regulatory, licensing, and inspection requirements. These
requirements relate, among other things, to the adequacy of physical buildings
and equipment, qualifications of administrative personnel and nursing staff,
quality of nursing provided and continued compliance with laws and regulations
relating to the operation of the centers. In all states in which the Company
operates, before the facility can make a capital expenditure exceeding certain
specified amounts or construct any new long-term health care beds, approval of
the state health care regulatory agency or agencies must be obtained and a
Certificate of Need issued. The appropriate state health planning agency must
determine that a need for the new beds or expenditure exists before a
Certificate of Need can be issued. A Certificate of Need is generally issued
for a specific maximum amount of expenditure and the project must be completed
within a specific time period. There is no advance assurance that the Company
will be able to obtain a certificate of need in any particular instance. In
some states, approval is also necessary in order to purchase existing health
care beds, although the purchaser is normally permitted to avoid a full scale
certificate of need application procedure by giving advance written notice of
the acquisition and giving written assurance to the state regulatory agency
that the change of ownership will not result in a change in the number of beds
or the services offered at the facility.
While there are currently no significant legislative proposals to
eliminate certificates of need pending in the states in which the Company does
business, deregulation in the certificate of need area would likely result in
increased competition among nursing home companies and could adversely affect
occupancy rates and the supply of licensed and certified personnel.
HEALTH CARE REFORM
Government at both the federal and state levels has continued in its
efforts to reduce, or at least limit the growth of, spending for health care
services, including the type of services provided by NHC. On August 5, 1997,
President Clinton signed into law the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 ("BBA"),
which contains numerous Medicare and Medicaid cost-saving measures, as well as
new anti-fraud provisions. The BBA has been projected to save $115 billion in
Medicare spending over the next five years, and $13 billion in the Medicaid
program. Section 4711 of BBA, entitled "Flexibility in Payment Methods for
Hospital, Nursing Facility, ICF/MR, and Home Health Services", repealed the
Boren Amendment, which has required that state Medicaid programs pay to
nursing home providers amounts adequate to enable them to met government
quality and safety standards; the Boren Amendment was previously the
foundation of litigation by nursing homes seeking rate increases. In place of
the Boren Amendment, the BBA requires only that, for services and items
furnished on or after October 1, 1997, a state Medicaid program must provide
for a public process for determination of Medicaid rates of payment for
nursing facility services, under which proposed rates, the methodologies
underlying the establishment of such rates, and justifications for the
proposed rates are published, and which given providers, beneficiaries and
other concerned state residents a reasonable opportunity for review and
comment on the proposed rates, methodologies and justifications. Several of
the states in which NHC operates are actively seeking ways to reduce Medicaid
spending for nursing home care by such methods as capitated payments and
substantial reductions in reimbursement rates.
<PAGE>
The BBA also requires that nursing homes transition to a prospective
payment system under the Medicare program during a three-year "transition
period" commencing with the first cost reporting period beginning on or after
July 1, 1998. In addition, the BBA creates a managed care Medicare Program
called "Medicare + Choice", which allows Medicare beneficiaries to participate
in either the original Medicare fee-for-service program or to enroll in a
coordinated care plan such as health maintenance organizations ("HMOs"). Such
coordinated care plans would allow HMOs to enter into risk-based contracts
with the Medicare program, and the HMO's would then contract with providers
such as the Company. No assurances can be given that the facilities to be
operated by the Company will be successful in negotiating favorable contracts
with Medicare + Choice managed care organizations. The BBA also contains
several new antifraud provisions. Given the recent enactment of the BBA, the
Company is unable to predict the impact of the BBA and potential changes in
state Medicaid reimbursement methodologies on its operations; however, any
significant reduction in either Medicare or Medicaid payments could adversely
affect the Company.
Changes in certification and participation requirements of the Medicare
and Medicaid programs have restricted, and are likely to continue to restrict
further, eligibility for reimbursement under those programs. Failure to
obtain and maintain Medicare and Medicaid certification at the Company's
facilities will result in denial of Medicare and Medicaid payments which could
result in a significant loss of revenue to the Company. In addition, private
payors, including managed care payors, increasingly are demanding that
providers accept discounted fees or assume all or a portion of the financial
risk for the delivery of health care services. Such measures may include
capitated payments whereby the Company is responsible for providing, for a
fixed fee, all services needed by certain patients. Capitated payments can
result in significant losses if patients require expensive treatment not
adequately covered by the capitated rate. Efforts to impose reduced payments,
greater discounts and more stringent cost controls by government and other
payors are expected to continue. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997,
NHC derived 38% and 33% of its net patient revenues from the Medicare and
Medicaid programs, respectively. Any reforms that significantly limit rates
of reimbursement under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, therefore, could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's profitability. The Company is
unable to predict what reform proposals or reimbursement limitations will be
adopted in the future or the effect such changes will have on its operations.
No assurance can be given that such reforms will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company.
Nursing homes and home health agencies have recently been the target of
health care reform, from both fraud and reimbursement perspectives. Operation
Restore Trust, a demonstration project which has been conducted by the
Department of Health and Human Services in five states, is expanding to a
dozen more states. "ORT Plus" will continue its focus on fraud in the areas
of home health, nursing home and DME suppliers, as well as adding new anti-
fraud and abuse targets. The Company will operate nursing homes and home
health agencies in five ORT Plus states and could be subject to increased
scrutiny. Although NHC's management believes that its home care and nursing
home operations are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, there
can be no assurance that the Company, its home care and nursing home
operations will not be the subject of an investigation nor that they will be
found to be in compliance if investigated. See "Item 3-Legal Proceedings".
<PAGE>
OTHER BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
A. NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES. The Company owns a medical support
services business, which primarily provides nutritional enteral,
parenteral feeding materials, urological and medical supplies to
patients in the Company's facilities as well as in other long-term
care or home settings. This company is headquartered in
Knoxville, Tennessee and is known as Nutritional Support Services
(NSS). Revenues from this subsidiary accounted for from 4.0% to
5.5% of the Company's net revenues in 1997, 1996 and 1995.
B. MEDICAL SPECIALTY UNITS. The Company has required all of its
centers to participate in the Medicare program since 1973, and has
continually expanded its range of offerings by the creation of
center-specific medical specialty units such as the Company's 16
Alzheimer's disease care units and 12 subacute nursing units. The
services are actually provided not only at each NHC operated
center, but also at existing specialized care units.
C. PHARMACY OPERATIONS. The Company's policy has been to have an in-
house pharmacy located in each health care center in those states
where licensure permits the operation of an in-house pharmacy. In
other states, pharmaceutical services have been provided by third
party contracts. NHC is now creating wholly owned regional
pharmacy operations and currently operates one in east Tennessee,
one in South Carolina and two in central Florida. These regional
pharmacies operate out of a central office and supply (on a
separate contractual basis) pharmaceutical services and supplies
which were formerly purchased by each center from local vendors.
The regional pharmacy operations had 5,574 nursing home beds under
contract by December 31, 1997.
D. ADVISORY SERVICES TO NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC. In 1991 the
Company formed National Health Investors, Inc., as a wholly-owned
subsidiary. It then transferred to NHI certain healthcare
facilities then owned by NHC and then distributed the shares of
NHI to NHC's unitholders. The distribution had the effect of
separating NHC and NHI into two independent public companies. As
a result of the distribution, all of the outstanding shares of NHI
were distributed to the then NHC investors.
NHI entered into an Advisory, Administrative Services and
Facilities Agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") with NHC pursuant
to which NHC provides NHI, for a fee, with investment advice,
office space, personnel and other services. For its services
under the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor is entitled to a base
annual compensation of $1,625,000. Compensation paid to executive
officers of NHI is credited against this Advisory Fee. NHC
executive officers W. Andrew Adams, Robert G. Adams and Richard F.
LaRoche, Jr. serve as executive officers of NHI. For 1993 and
later years in which per share Funds From Operations of NHI exceed
per share Funds From Operations during 1992, the $1,625,000 annual
compensation increased by the same percentage that per share Funds
From Operations in such later year exceed those in 1992. NHC
earned approximately $3,100,000 in 1997.
<PAGE>
The Advisory Agreement provides that the Advisor shall pay all
expenses incurred in performing its obligations thereunder,
without regard to the amount of compensation received under the
Agreement. Expenses specifically listed as expenses to be borne
by the Advisor without reimbursement include: the cost of
accounting, statistical or bookkeeping equipment necessary for the
maintenance of NHI's books and records; employment expenses of the
officers and directors and personnel of the Advisor and all
expenses.
E. ADVISORY SERVICES TO NATIONAL HEALTH REALTY, INC. On December 31,
1997, NHC transferred certain assets including mortgage notes
receivable (total book value of $94,439,000), the real property of
17 long-term health care centers, six assisted living facilities
and one retirement center (total book value of $144,615,000) and
related liabilities (total book value of $86,414,000) to National
Health Realty, Inc. ("NHR"), a publicly traded Maryland
corporation qualified as a real estate investment trust under
federal laws, and its operating subsidiary NHR/OP, L.P. (the
"Operating Partnership"). NHR/OP, L.P. is a Delaware limited
partnership which is the operating entity of NHR. In exchange for
the assets transferred, NHC received shares of common stock of
NHR. NHC distributed the common stock of NHR to NHC's unitholders
at the rate of one share for each unit outstanding on the record
date of December 31, 1997. In order to protect the REIT status of
NHR, certain NHC unitholders received 1,310,194 units of the
Operating Partnership rather than NHR shares.
NHR was incorporated on September 26, 1997 as a wholly-owned
subsidiary of NHC for the purpose of consummating the transactions
described above. The distribution of NHR's common stock to NHC
unitholders effectively separated NHC and NHR into two independent
public companies, although the Board of Directors are identical
save for one additional member for NHC.
NHC has entered into an Advisory Agreement with NHR whereby
services related to investment activities and day-to-day
management and operations are provided to NHR by NHC as Advisor.
The Advisor is subject to the supervision of and policies
established by NHR's Board of Directors.
Either party may terminate the Advisory Agreement on 90 days
notice at any time after January 1, 2000. NHR may terminate the
Advisory Agreement for cause at any time.
For its services under the Advisory Agreement, NHC is entitled to
annual compensation of the greater of 2% of NHR's gross
consolidated revenues or the actual expenses incurred by NHC.
The Advisory Agreement provides that prior to the earlier to occur
of (i) termination, for any reason, of the Advisory Agreement or
(ii) NHC ceasing to be actively engaged as the investment advisor
for NHI, NHR will not (without the prior approval of NHI) transact
business with any party, person, company or firm other than NHC.
It is the intent of the foregoing restriction that NHR will not be
<PAGE>
actively or passively engaged in the pursuit of additional
investment opportunities, but rather will focus upon its
capacities as landlord and note holder of those certain assets
conveyed to it.
F. MANAGED CARE CONTRACTS. The Company has identified a number of
potential regional offices, which will be staffed by experienced
case managers contracting with health maintenance organizations
(HMO's) and insurance carriers for the provision of subacute and
other medical specialty services within its regional cluster of
centers. Seven case managers were in place by year end 1997.
Managed care days have increased from 30,226 in 1995 and 50,113 in
1996 to 71,606 in 1997.
G. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The Company maintains its home office staff in
Murfreesboro, Tennessee in a building owned by a limited
partnership, which is 69.7% owned by NHC.
COMPETITION
In most of the communities in which the health care centers are operated
by the Company, there are other health care centers with which the Company
competes. The Company operates 111 long-term health care facilities, all of
which are located in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana,
Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Each of these
states are certificate of need states which generally requires the state to
approve the opening of any new long-term health care facilities. There are
hundreds of operators of long-term health care facilities in each of these
states and no single operator, including the Corporation, dominates any of
these state's long-term health care markets, except for some small rural
markets which might have only one long-term health care facility. In
competing for patients and staff with these centers, the Company depends upon
referrals from acute care hospitals, physicians, residential care facilities,
church groups and other community service organizations. The reputation in
the community and the physical appearance of the Company's health care centers
are important in obtaining patients, since members of the patient's family
generally participate to a greater extent in selecting health care centers
than in selecting an acute care hospital. The Company believes that by
providing and emphasizing rehabilitative as well as skilled care services at
its centers, it will be able to broaden is patient base and to differentiate
its centers from competing health care centers.
As the Company expands into the assisted living market, it constantly
monitors proposed or existing competing assisted living centers. The
Company's development goal is to link its health care centers with its
assisted living centers, thereby obtaining a competitive advantage for both.
In certain markets where the Company operates health care centers, the Company
believes the assisted living centers in the area to be sufficient or over
sufficient for current population, and does not plan current entry in those
markets.
The Company experiences competition in employing and retaining nurses,
technicians, aides and other high quality professional and non-professional
employees. In order to enhance its competitive position, the Company has an
educational tuition loan program, an American Dietary Association approved
<PAGE>
internship program, a specially designed nurse's aide training class, and
makes financial scholarship aid available to physical therapy vocational
programs and The Foundation for Geriatric Education. The Company also
maintains an "Administrator in Training" course, 24 months in duration, for
the professional training of administrators. Presently, the Company has 12
full-time individuals in this program. Four of its eight regional vice
presidents and 54 of its 112 health care center administrators have graduated
therefrom.
NHC's employee benefit package offers a tuition reimbursement program.
The goal of the program is to insure a well trained qualified work force to
meet future demands. While the program is offered to all disciplines, special
emphasis has been placed on supporting students in nursing and physical
therapy programs. Students are reimbursed at the end of each semester after
presenting tuition receipts and grades to management. The program has been
successful in providing a means for many bright students to pursue a formal
education.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1997, the Company's Administrative Services
Contractor plus the Company's managed centers had approximately 16,000 full
and part time employees, who are called "Partners" by the Company. This
nomenclature will continue even though the Company is now in corporate rather
than partnership form. No employees are presently represented by a bargaining
unit. The Company believes its current relations with its employees are good.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
ITEM 2
PROPERTIES
LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE CENTERS
<CAPTION> Total Beds under Development Joined
State City Center Affiliation Beds and Special Care Units NHC
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alabama
Anniston NHC HealthCare, Anniston Leased 151(1) 55 bed Alzheimer's unit 1973
Moulton NHC HealthCare, Moulton Leased 136(1) 29 beds under development 1973
Florida
Brooksville Brooksville Nursing Manor Managed 180 30 bed Alzheimer's unit 1993
Clearwater Palm Garden of Clearwater Managed(3) 120 1987
Coconut Creek NHC HealthCare, Coconut Creek Leased(2) 120 1997
Crystal River Cypress Cove Care Center Managed 120 1993
Dade City Royal Oak Nursing Center Managed 120 1993
Daytona Beach NHC HealthCare, Daytona Beach Leased(2) 60 1996
Ft. Lauderdale NHC of Ft. Lauderdale Managed 169 1984
Gainesville Palm Garden of Gainesville Managed(3) 120 30 bed subacute care unit 1987
Hudson Bear Creek Nursing Center Managed 120 1993
Hudson NHC HealthCare, Hudson Leased(1) 180 50 bed subacute care unit 1986
Jacksonville Palm Garden of Jacksonville Managed(3) 120 1990
Lake City Palm Garden of Lake City Managed(3) 120 28 bed Alzheimer's unit 1992
Largo Palm Garden of Largo Managed(3) 140 1987
Largo Palm Garden of Pinellas Managed(3) 120 36 bed subacute care unit 1991
Madison Lake Park of Madison Managed 79 40 beds under development 1995
Merritt Island NHC HealthCare, Merritt Island Leased(1) 180 22 bed Alzheimer's unit 1990
Miami The Nursing Center at Mercy Managed 120 1995
Naples NHC HealthCare, Imperial Leased(2) 60 30 beds under development 1994
Naples NHC HealthCare, Naples Leased(2) 60 1996
New Port
Richey Heather Hill Nursing Home Managed 120 1993
Niceville The Manor at Blue Water Bay Managed 60 60 beds under development 1993
N. Miami Beach Palm Garden of N. Miami Beach Managed(3) 120 1988
Ocala Palm Garden of Ocala Managed(3) 180 60 bed subacute care unit 1987
Ocoee Ocoee Health Care Center Managed 120 1990
Orlando Palm Garden of Orlando Managed(3) 120 1987
Orlando NHC HealthCare, Orlando Leased(2) 120 30 bed Alzheimer's unit 1997
20 bed subacute care unit
Palatka Palatka Health Care Center Managed 180 20 bed Alzheimer's unit 1989
Panama City NHC of Panama City Managed 120 1986
Pensacola Palm Garden of Pensacola Managed(3) 180 22 bed Alzheimer's unit 1987
Plant City NHC HealthCare, Plant City Leased(1) 171 1 bed under development 1985
Port Charlotte NHC HealthCare, Port Charlotte Leased(2) 180 60 bed subacute care unit
30 bed Alzheimer's unit 1994
<PAGE>
Port St. Lucie Palm Garden of Port St. Lucie Managed(3) 120 1988
St. Cloud Osceola Health Care Center Managed 120 1991
St. Petersburg NHC HealthCare, St. Petersburg Managed 159 1984
Sarasota Sarasota Health Care Center Managed 120 1990
Stuart NHC HealthCare, Stuart Leased(1) 118 24 bed Alzheimer's unit 1989
35 beds under development
Sun City Palm Garden of Sun City Managed(3) 120 1991
Tampa Palm Garden of Tampa Managed(3) 120 1987
Trenton Medic-Ayers Nursing Center Managed 120 30 bed Alzheimer's unit 1993
Vero Beach Palm Garden of Vero Beach Managed(3) 173 7 beds under development 1987
W. Palm Beach Palm Garden of West Palm Beach Managed(3) 162 1988
Winter Haven Palm Garden of Winter Haven Managed(3) 120 1987
Georgia
Ft Oglethorpe NHC HealthCare, Fort Oglethorpe Owned(4) 135 1989
Rossville NHC HealthCare, Rossville Leased(1) 112 1971
Indiana
Brownsburg Brownsburg Health Care Center Managed 178 20 bed Alzheimer's unit 1990
Castleton Castleton Health Care Center Managed 120 18 bed Alzheimer's unit 1990
Evansville Center for Geriatric Nursing Managed 156 1997
Ladoga Ladoga Health Care Center Managed 95 1990
Logansport Camelot Care Center Managed 75 1997
Markle Markle Health Care Managed 66 1997
Plainfield Plainfield Health Care Center Managed 199 22 bed Alzheimer's unit 1990
Westfield Westfield Village Health Care Managed 80 1997
Kentucky
Dawson Springs NHC HealthCare, Dawson Springs Leased(1) 80 1973
Glasgow NHC HealthCare, Glasgow Leased(1) 206 1971
Madisonville NHC HealthCare, Madisonville Leased(1) 94 1973
Missouri
Desloge NHC HealthCare, Desloge Leased(1) 120 1982
Joplin NHC HealthCare, Joplin Leased(1) 126 1982
Kennett NHC HealthCare, Kennett Leased(1) 160 10 beds under development 1982
Macon Macon Health Care Center Managed 120 1982
Osage Beach Osage Beach Health Care Center Managed 120 1982
St. Charles NHC HealthCare, St. Charles Leased(1) 120 1982
St. Louis NHC HealthCare, Maryland Heights Leased(1) 220 1987
Springfield Springfield Health Care Center Managed 120 1982
West Plains West Plains Health Care Center Leased(2) 120 1982
<PAGE>
South Carolina
Aiken Mattie C. Hall Health Care Center Managed 176 44 bed Alzheimer's unit 1982
Anderson NHC HealthCare, Anderson Leased(1) 290 1973
Clinton NHC HealthCare, Clinton Leased(2) 131 1993
Columbia NHC HealthCare, Parklane Leased(2) 120 30 bed Alzheimer's unit 1997
Greenwood NHC HealthCare, Greenwood Leased(1) 152 1973
Greenville NHC HealthCare, Greenville Leased(2) 176 1992
Laurens NHC HealthCare, Laurens Leased(1) 176 1973
Lexington NHC HealthCare, Lexington Leased(2) 88 12 bed subacute care unit 1994
32 beds under development
Mauldin NHC HealthCare, Mauldin Leased(2) 120 1997
Murrells Inlet NHC HealthCare, Garden City Leased(2) 88 1992
North Augusta NHC HealthCare, North Augusta Leased(2) 132 1991
Sumter NHC HealthCare, Sumter Managed 123 1985
Tennessee
Athens NHC HealthCare, Athens Leased(1) 98 1971
Carthage Smith County Health Care Center Managed 128 1997
Chattanooga NHC HealthCare, Chattanooga Leased(1) 212 20 bed sub-acute care 1971
Columbia NHC HealthCare, Columbia Leased(1) 120 12 bed subacute care unit 1973
Columbia NHC HealthCare, Hillview Leased(1) 98 1971
Columbia Maury Regional Hospital Managed 20 1997
Cookeville NHC HealthCare, Cookeville Managed 96 1975
Dickson NHC HealthCare, Dickson Leased(1) 197 1971
Dunlap NHC HealthCare, Sequatchie Leased(1) 60 60 beds under development 1976
Franklin Franklin Manor Leased(2) 47 1997
Franklin NHC HealthCare, Franklin Leased(1) 84 1979
Hendersonville NHC HealthCare, Hendersonville Leased(1) 117 1987
Johnson City NHC HealthCare, Johnson City Leased(1) 179 18 bed Alzheimer's unit 1971
Knoxville NHC HealthCare, Fort Sanders Owned(4) 180 12 bed subacute unit 1977
Knoxville NHC HealthCare, Knoxville Leased(1) 152 1971
Lawrenceburg NHC HealthCare, Lawrenceburg Managed 97 1985
Lawrenceburg NHC HealthCare, Scott Leased(1) 62 1971
Lewisburg NHC HealthCare, Lewisburg Leased(1) 95 1971
Lewisburg NHC HealthCare, Oakwood Leased(1) 62 1973
McMinnville NHC HealthCare, McMinnville Leased(1) 150 1971
Milan NHC HealthCare, Milan Leased(1) 129 1971
Murfreesboro AdamsPlace Leased(2) 40 20 beds under development 1997
Murfreesboro NHC HealthCare, Murfreesboro Managed 190 69 bed subacute care unit 1974
Nashville The Health Center of Richland Place Managed 98 1992
Nashville NHC HealthCare, Nashville Leased(1) 133 1975
Nashville West Meade Place Managed 120 1993
Oak Ridge NHC HealthCare, Oak Ridge Managed 130 1977
Pulaski NHC HealthCare, Pulaski Leased(1) 104 1971
<PAGE>
Smithville NHC HealthCare, Smithville Leased(1) 107 1971
Somerville NHC HealthCare, Somerville Leased(1) 72 1976
Sparta NHC HealthCare, Sparta Leased(1) 150 1975
Springfield NHC HealthCare, Springfield Leased(1) 112 1973
Virginia
Bristol NHC HealthCare, Bristol Leased(1) 120 1973
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
ASSISTED LIVING UNITS
<CAPTION>
State City Center Affiliation Assisted Living Units
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alabama
Anniston NHC Place/Anniston (free-standing) Leased(2) 68 bed assisted living unit
Florida
Merritt Island NHC Place/Merritt Island
(free-standing) Leased(2) 84 bed assisted living unit
Naples NHC HealthCare, Imperial Leased(2) 60 bed assisted living unit
Naples NHC HealthCare, Naples Leased(1) 36 bed assisted living unit
Stuart NHC Place/Stuart (free-standing) Leased(2) 84 bed assisted living unit
Vero Beach NHC Place/Vero Beach (free-standing) Leased(2) 84 bed assisted living unit
W. Palm Beach Palm Garden of West Palm Beach Managed(3) 25 bed assisted living unit
Missouri
St. Charles Lake St. Charles Retirement Center Leased(1) 25 bed assisted living unit
St. Peters NHC Place (free-standing) 100 bed assisted living unit
Tennessee
Dickson NHC HealthCare, Dickson Leased(1) 20 bed assisted living unit
Johnson City NHC HealthCare, Johnson City Leased(1) 15 bed assisted living unit
Murfreesboro AdamsPlace (free-standing) Leased(2) 84 bed assisted living unit
Nashville Richland Place Managed 32 bed assisted living unit
Somerville NHC HealthCare, Somerville Leased(1) 12 bed assisted living unit
RETIREMENT APARTMENTS
State City Retirement Apartments Affiliation Units Established
Missouri
St. Charles Lake St. Charles Retirement Apartments Leased(1) 155 1984
Tennessee
Chattanooga Parkwood Retirement Apartments Leased(1) 32 1986
Johnson City Colonial Hill Retirement Apartments Leased(1) 63 1987
Murfreesboro AdamsPlace Leased(2) 53 1997
Nashville Richland Place Retirement Apartments Managed 137 1993
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
HOMECARE PROGRAMS
<CAPTION>
State City Homecare Programs Affiliation Established
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Florida
Blountstown NHC HomeCare of Blountstown Owned 1994
Carrabelle NHC HomeCare of Carrabelle Owned 1994
Chipley NHC HomeCare of Chipley Owned 1994
Crawfordville NHC HomeCare of Crawfordville Owned 1994
Madison NHC HomeCare of Madison Owned 1994
Marianna NHC HomeCare of Marianna Owned 1994
Ocala NHC HomeCare of Ocala Owned 1996
Panama City NHC HomeCare of Panama City Owned 1994
Panama City NHC Private Nursing Owned 1994
Perry NHC HomeCare of Perry Owned 1994
Port St. Joe NHC HomeCare of Port St. Joe Owned 1994
Quincy NHC HomeCare of Quincy Owned 1994
Stuart NHC HomeCare of Stuart Owned 1996
Tallahassee NHC HomeCare of Tallahassee Owned 1994
Vero Beach NHC HomeCare of Vero Beach Owned 1997
South Carolina
Aiken NHC HomeCare of Aiken Owned 1996
Greenwood NHC HomeCare of Greenwood Owned 1996
Laurens NHC HomeCare of Laurens Owned 1996
Tennessee
Athens NHC HomeCare of Athens Owned 1984
Chattanooga NHC HomeCare of Chattanooga Owned 1985
Columbia NHC HomeCare of Columbia Owned 1977
Cookeville NHC HomeCare of Cookeville Owned 1976
Dickson NHC HomeCare of Dickson Owned 1977
Johnson City NHC HomeCare of Johnson City Owned 1978
Kingsport NHC HomeCare of Kingsport Owned 1997
Knoxville NHC HomeCare of Knoxville Owned 1977
Lawrenceburg NHC HomeCare of Lawrenceburg Owned 1977
Lebanon NHC HomeCare of Lebanon Owned 1997
Lewisburg NHC HomeCare of Lewisburg Owned 1977
McMinnville NHC HomeCare of McMinnville Owned 1976
Milan NHC HomeCare of Milan Owned 1977
Murfreesboro NHC HomeCare of Murfreesboro Owned 1976
Pulaski NHC HomeCare of Pulaski Owned 1985
Somerville NHC HomeCare of Somerville Owned 1983
Sparta NHC HomeCare of Sparta Owned 1984
Springfield NHC HomeCare of Springfield Owned 1984
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
(1) Leased from NHR
(2) Leased from NHR
(3) Managed by NHC for FCC. NHC and FCC are currently involved in litigation
regarding certain of these management agreements. See "Legal Proceedings."
(4) NHC HealthCare/Fort Oglethorpe and NHC HealthCare/Fort Sanders are
owned by separate limited partnerships. The Company owns approximately
80% of the partnership interest in Fort Oglethorpe and 25% of the
partnership interest in Fort Sanders.
(5) Currently under construction.
<PAGE>
ITEM 3
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In March 1996, Florida Convalescent Centers, Inc. (FCC), an independent
Florida corporation for whom NHC manages sixteen licensed nursing centers in
Florida, gave NHC notice of its intent not to renew a management contract at
one of the centers. Pursuant to written agreements between the parties, NHC
valued the center, offering to either purchase the center at the price so
valued or FCC could elect to pay NHC certain deferred compensation based upon
that value. FCC responded on March 26, 1996, by filing a Declaratory Judgment
suit in the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit in and for Sarasota
County, Florida, requesting the court to interpret the parties' rights under
their contractual arrangements, and naming NHC and its then general partners
as defendants.
In January 1997, FCC notified NHC that it intends to terminate its
management contracts with NHC as they become eligible for termination. Four
such contracts matured in 1997 and the expiration date of a fifth center is in
dispute; however, FCC has agreed that NHC will remain as manager of all
centers until a final decision is reached by the Sarasota Court. The balance
of the FCC contracts may be terminated in the years 2001-2003, although some
of those dates are in dispute.
Since the original suit was filed, FCC has amended its complaint five
times, the most recent amendment being in January 1998. These amendments
assert numerous claims against NHC including claims for breach of all
management agreements between the parties; for a declaration that FCC does not
owe any deferred contingent fees to NHC or, if so, a declaration that such
deferred fees constitute usurious interest; that the recorded mortgages
securing FCC's debt to NHC do not secure payment of the deferred contingent
fees; for breach of a 1994 loan agreement between FCC and defendants related
to the construction of a facility in Orlando; for business libel; for breach
of fiduciary duty arising from defendants' alleged obstruction of FCC's right
to audit; from defendants' alleged failure to properly manage FCC's
facilities; from defendants' alleged self dealing by causing FCC and
defendants or their affiliates to enter into contracts that are not customary
or usual in the industry; and (most recently) a breach resulting from NHC's
conversion from a publicly traded partnership into a publicly traded
corporation effective December 31, 1997. In addition to declaratory relief,
FCC asserts that it is entitled to unspecified damages and has the right to
terminate all of the management agreements between the parties for cause. The
defendants have answered denying all of FCC's claims and asserting a
counterclaim against FCC.
On November 5, 1997, the trial court ruled against FCC's Partial Motion
for Summary Judgment in which they asked the Court to order that the mortgages
securing NHC's loans and guarantees to FCC did not secure the deferred
compensation due upon termination of the contract. The Court stated as
follows: "Defendants (NHC) are not required to release the encumbered
properties from the mortgage liens until all secured amounts, including
deferred contingency fees, are paid". In January, 1998, FCC filed with the
Sarasota Court a Motion for Summary Judgment alleging all FCC management
contracts were breached upon NHC's conversion into a corporation. NHC has
responded to this motion with numerous affidavits and the Court has scheduled
a hearing on May 7, 1998. The Court has also set a trial date for the Fifth
Amended Complaint commencing October 26, 1998.
<PAGE>
The loss of management contract revenue on an individual FCC center
would not have a material impact on NHC, but the loss of the revenues from all
sixteen centers would have a material impact. This impact could be offset,
however, by the receipt by NHC of the deferred contingency fee and/or the fact
that NHC might purchase some or all of the facilities, thus allowing the
revenues to be operating income for NHC; provided such fees or rights are not
disallowed by the lawsuit.
NHC is also a defendant in a lawsuit styled Braeuning, et al vs.
National HealthCare L.P., et al filed "under seal" in the U.S. District Court
of the Northern District of Florida on April 9, 1996. The court removed the
seal from the complaint - but not the file itself - on March 20, 1997, and
service of process occurred on July 8, 1997, with the government participating
as an intervening plaintiff. By agreement, and with court approval, the suit
has been moved from the Pensacola District Court to the Tampa, Florida,
District Court. NHC has filed its Answer denying the allegations. The suit
alleges that NHC submitted cost reports and routine cost limit exception
requests containing "fraudulent allocation of routine nursing services to
ancillary service cost centers" and also alleges that NHC improperly allocated
of skilled nursing service hours in four managed centers, all in the state of
Florida. The suit was filed under the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal False
Claims Act, commonly referred to as the "Whistleblower Act". NHC has denied
all allegations and believes the facts will vindicate its position. The
individual plaintiff Braeuning has amended the suit to allege that he was
"retaliatory discharged" from his position due to the filing of the suit. In
an order (March 13, 1998) denying Braeuning's Motion for Summary Judgment on
this issue, the court stated, "That the defendants have submitted a legitimate
non-retaliatory reason for firing Mr. Braeuning casts significant doubt on Mr.
Braeuning's likelihood of success on the merits."
In regard to the substantive allegations contained in the lawsuit, NHC
believes that the cost report information of its centers has been either
appropriately filed or, upon appropriate amendment, will reflect adjustments
only for the correction of unintentional misallocations. Prior to the filing
of the suit, NHC had commenced an in-depth review of the nursing time
allocation process at its owned, leased and managed centers. A number of
amended cost reports have been filed and NHC will continue to schedule and
prepare revised cost reports and exception requests. NHC's self audit process
has been approved by the plaintiffs and NHC has retained a nationally
recognized accounting firm to review the self audit process. It is
anticipated that all cost report years in question will be reviewed prior to
there being further action in this matter at the judicial level. The cost
report periods under review include periods from 1991 through 1996, plus the
1997 reports as they are initially filed.
Adjustments to the reimbursable cost claimed will be the responsibility
of the center where costs were incurred, whether owned, leased or managed by
the Company. Negative adjustments to managed centers would reduce NHC's
management fee (6% of net revenue), while adjustments to owned or leased
centers would impact the Company's financial statements. NHC intends to
continue it's revenue policy which is not to reflect routine cost limit
exception requests as income until the process, including cost report audits,
until this matter is completed. NHC will continue to fully cooperate with
the government in an attempt to determine dollar amounts involved, and will
and is aggressively pursuing an amicable settlement. NHC cannot predict at
this time the ultimate outcome of the suit. An adverse determination in the
lawsuit could subject NHC to settlements which could have a material negative
impact on the financial position or results of operations of NHC.
<PAGE>
In October 1996, two managed centers in Florida were audited by
representatives of the regional office of the Office of the Inspector General
("OIG"). As part of these audits, the OIG reviewed various records of the
facilities relating to allocation of nursing hours and contracts with
suppliers of outside services. At one center the OIG indicated during an exit
conference that it had no further questions but has not yet issued a final
report. At the second facility, which is one of four named in the Braeuning
lawsuit, the OIG determined that certain records were insufficient and NHC
supplied the additional requested information. These audits have been
incorporated into the lawsuit. Florida is one of the states in which
governmental officials are conducting "Operation Restore Trust", a
federal/state program aimed at detecting and eliminating fraud and abuse by
providers in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The OIG has increased its
investigative actions in Florida (and has now opened a Tennessee office) as
part of Operation Restore Trust.
There is certain additional litigation incidental to NHC's business,
none of which, in management's opinion, would be material to the financial
position or results of operations of NHC.
ITEM 4
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
PART II
-------
ITEM 5
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
AND RELATED UNITHOLDER MATTERS
The partnership units of National HealthCare L.P. and the shares of
common stock of National HealthCare Corporation were and are traded on the
American Stock Exchange under the symbol NHC. The closing price for the NHC
units on Wednesday, December 31, 1997 was $56.00 and the price opened at
$39.375 on January 5, 1998 reflecting the spinoff of the National Health
Realty, Inc. shares. NHR opened trading for $17.00 per share that same day.
On December 31, 1997, NHC had approximately 4,713 unitholders, comprised of
2,171 unitholders of record and an additional 2,542 unitholders indicated by
security position listings. The following table sets out the quarterly high
and low sales prices of NHC's units of partnership interest. The cash
distributions per unit during each quarter are also shown.
<PAGE>
Unit Prices Cash Distributions
High Low Declared Per Unit
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
1st Quarter $41.125 $37.125 $ .52
2nd Quarter 41.375 34.875 .52
3rd Quarter 39.875 37.000 .52
4th Quarter 45.000 37.500 .60
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997
1st Quarter $47.250 $44.250 $ .60
2nd Quarter 46.188 40.750 .60
3rd Quarter 59.250 44.375 .60
4th Quarter 61.875 53.625 .60
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
NHC paid cash distributions on its outstanding partnership units related
to reporting years as follows: 1994, $1.35 per unit; 1995, $1.98 per unit;
1996, $2.16 per unit; and 1997, $2.40 per unit. The Company's policy while in
partnership form was to distribute 60% of its taxable income to its partners.
The Company has announced that it does not currently plan to declare dividends
as a corporation.
ITEM 6
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table represents selected financial information with
respect to the Company for the five years ended December 31, 1997. This
financial information has been derived from financial statements included
elsewhere in this Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with those
financial statements and accompanying footnotes.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
(in thousands, except unit and per unit data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating Data:
Revenue $463,477 $386,266 $349,398 $298,192 $269,858
Expenses 426,260 356,980 328,283 282,339 232,296
Income before
income taxes 37,217 29,286 21,115 15,853 37,562
Income taxes 209 --- --- --- ---
Net income 37,008 29,286 21,115 15,853 37,562
Earnings per unit:
Basic 4.17 $ 3.48 $ 2.67 $ 2.03 $ 4.85
Diluted 3.58 2.97 2.32 1.80 4.05
Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets $230,181 $404,740 $355,491 $396,133 $344,680
Long-term debt 60,227 124,678 100,871 104,243 54,625
Debt serviced by
other parties 16,676 32,857 40,771 89,764 112,116
Partners' capital --- 128,537 108,899 101,006 92,526
Shareowners' equity 37,736 --- --- --- ---
<PAGE>
Cash distributions
declared per unit/share:
Quarterly and
year end $ 2.40 $ 2.16 $ 1.98 $ 1.35 $ .88
Special --- --- --- --- 1.10
</TABLE>
ITEM 7
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview--
National HealthCare Corporation ("NHC" and formerly National HealthCare
L.P.) is a leading provider of long-term health care services. NHC operates
or manages 111 long-term health care centers with 14,071 beds in nine states.
NHC provides nursing care as well as ancillary therapy services to patients in
a variety of settings including long-term nursing centers, managed care
specialty units, subacute care units, Alzheimer's care units, homecare
programs, and facilities for assisted living. NHC also operates retirement
centers.
Results of Operations--
The following table and discussion sets forth items from the
consolidated statements of income as a percentage of net revenues for the
audited years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.
<TABLE>
PERCENTAGE OF NET REVENUES
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31 1997 1996 1995
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Net patient revenues 88.7% 88.5% 88.1%
Other revenues 11.3 11.5 11.9
Net revenues 100.0 100.0 100.0
Costs and expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits 55.8 54.3 54.1
Other operating 29.8 31.8 30.9
Depreciation and amortization 3.6 3.5 4.2
Interest 2.8 2.8 4.8
Total costs and expenses 92.0 92.4 94.0
Income before income taxes 8.0% 7.6% 6.0%
</TABLE>
The following table sets forth the increase in certain items from the
consolidated statements of income as compared to the prior period.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
Period to Period Increase (Decrease)
<CAPTION>
1997 vs. 1996 1996 vs. 1995
----------------- -----------------
(dollars in thousands) Amount Percent Amount Percent
------ ------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Net patient revenues $69,145 20.2% $33,849 11.0%
Other revenues 8,066 18.1 3,019 7.3
Net revenues 77,211 20.0 36,868 10.6
Costs and expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits 48,680 23.2 20,660 10.9
Other operating 15,155 12.3 15,090 14.0
Depreciation & amortization 3,185 23.3 (915) (6.3)
Interest 2,260 21.0 (6,138) (36.3)
Total costs and expenses 69,280 19.4 28,697 8.7
Income before income taxes $ 7,931 27.1% $ 8,171 38.7%
</TABLE>
NHC's owned or leased long-term health care centers and contract therapy
services provided 78% of net revenues in 1997 and 1996 and 76% in 1995.
Homecare programs provided 12% of net revenues in 1997, 13% in 1996 and 15% in
1995.
The overall census in owned or leased centers for 1997 was 92.2%
compared to 93.6% in 1996 and 93.0% in 1995. The census excluding
acquisitions and new openings was 94.4%, 93.8% and 93.0%, respectively, for
the same periods. NHC opened a net of 1,189 new owned, leased or managed
long-term care beds in 1997.
Approximately 56% (1997) and 60% (1996 and 1995) of NHC's net revenues
are derived from Medicare, Medicaid, and other government programs. Amounts
earned under these programs are subject to review by the third party payors.
In the opinion of management, adequate provision has been made for any
adjustments that may result from such reviews. NHC generally expects final
determinations to occur two to three years subsequent to the year in which
amounts are earned. Any differences between estimated settlements and final
determinations are reflected in operations in the year finalized. NHC has
submitted various requests for exceptions to Medicare routine cost limitations
for reimbursement. NHC has received approval on certain requests and others
are pending approval. NHC will record revenues associated with the approved
requests when such approvals, including cost report audits, are assured.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management 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.
<page
1997 Compared to 1996--
In 1997, NHC achieved strong annual growth in earnings, earnings per
unit, and revenues. Net income totaled $37,008,000, a 26% increase over the
comparable prior year amount. Basic earnings per unit totaled $4.17, a 20%
increase. Net revenues totaled $463,477,000, a 20% increase. NHC's pretax
net margin ratio, which is defined as pretax net income divided by net
revenues, increased to 8.0% from 7.6% in 1996 and 6.0% in 1995, illustrating
that NHC has been able to grow its revenues at a faster rate than its
expenses.
The growth in net patient revenues in 1997 occurred primarily in long-
term care services, rehabilitative care services, and homecare services.
Improved revenues in long-term care were due primarily to increased
types and levels of services being offered and to increases in private pay and
third party billing rates. Additionally, the total number of owned or leased
beds increased by 468 beds from 6,221 beds at the end of 1996 to 6,689 beds at
the end of 1997. During 1997 and 1996, NHC had 46 and 48, respectively, owned
or leased centers which operated at Medicare costs higher than the routine
cost limits.
Revenues also improved during 1997 due to continued emphasis on
rehabilitative care services. To boost the ability to offer physical, speech
and occupational therapy to greater numbers of patients, NHC increased its
staff of professionally licensed therapists by 15% to 1,155 therapists in 1997
and by 26% to 1,005 therapists in 1996. Six hundred twenty-nine (629)
companies, including homecare companies, school systems, hospitals, a sports
medicine company and outpatient clinics contracted for NHC's rehabilitative
services in 1997, which number is up from 586 companies in 1996. Revenues from
therapy services in 1997 were also enhanced by the favorable resolution of
certain prior years cost report issues with fiscal intermediaries.
Homecare revenues improved due to increased payor rates, offset in part
by decreased numbers of visits at NHC's 36 Florida, Tennessee and South
Carolina homecare locations. There were 731,000 homecare visits in 1997
compared to 754,000 visits in 1996. The decreased number of visits is due
primarily to NHC's early adaptation to changes in Medicare reimbursement for
home health care services brought about by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
Other revenues, which increased 18.1% in 1997, are more fully detailed
in Note 6 to the financial statements. The majority of the increase in other
revenues is attributable to the increase in revenues from management services,
which grew 18.5% in 1997. The revenues from management services increased due
to the increased number of beds being managed for others, increased amounts
and types of management and other support services being offered, and
increased interest income from higher principal amounts on loans to managed
centers. In 1997, four long-term care centers and 517 long-term care beds
came under new management contracts. Management fees are generally based
<PAGE>
upon a percentage of net revenues of the managed center and therefore tend to
increase as a facility matures and as prices rise in general. NHC's
management contracts are generally long-term (up to ten years) and include
equity participation agreements and the right of first refusal upon the sale
of the property. (See "Transfers to National Health Realty" and "Litigation"
below for factors which may reduce future revenues from management services.)
Increases in salaries, wages and benefits in 1997 are attributable to
the increase in staffing levels due to long-term care bed additions, and the
expansion of assisted living services, rehabilitation services and homecare
services. Further contributing to higher costs of labor are inflationary
increases for salaries and the associated benefits. Salaries, wages and
benefits increased also due to forgiveness by NHC of the debt of certain key
employees related to stock options which had been exercised in previous years.
The debt forgiveness was to reward employees for prior years service and is
also contingent upon the employees remaining employed with NHC through certain
future dates. Labor costs are the most significant costs of NHC.
Operating costs have increased due to the increased numbers of long-term
care beds in operation, the expansion of assisted living services, the
expansion of rehabilitative services, the expansion of homecare services, and
the growth in management services.
Depreciation and amortization increased as a result of NHC's placing of
newly constructed or purchased assets in service and due to capital
improvements at existing properties.
Interest expense increased due to additional borrowing for newly
constructed long-term care beds and assisted living apartments.
1996 Compared to 1995--
In 1996, NHC achieved record earnings while growing in the variety and
quality of services offered. Results for 1996 included a 39% increase in net
income, a 30% increase in basic earnings per unit, and a 11% increase in net
revenues.
The growth in revenues in 1996 occurred in long-term care services, in
rehabilitative and managed care services and in management services.
Improved revenues in long-term care were due in part to increased
numbers of owned beds having been placed in service. In 1996, 130 beds were
opened or acquired in owned and leased centers. Furthermore, 111 long-term
care beds which had been added in 1995 had improved occupancy rates in 1996.
Also contributing to improved revenues in long-term care were increases in
types and levels of services being offered and in private pay and third party
payor rates. Increases in third party payor rates were held down in part by
the negative impact of routine cost limits for Medicare certified nursing
homes. During 1996 and 1995, NHC had 48 and 44, respectively, owned or leased
centers which operated at Medicare costs higher than the ceiling.
<PAGE>
Homecare revenues improved due to increased payor rates and number of
visits at NHC's 16 additional Tennessee locations. At all locations, there
were 754,000 visits in 1996 compared to 717,000 visits in 1995.
Revenues also improved during 1996 as a result of NHC's increased
emphasis on rehabilitative and managed care services. To boost the ability to
offer physical, speech and occupational therapy to greater numbers of
patients, NHC increased its staff of professionally licensed therapists from
nearly 800 last year to over 1,000 in 1996. Over 585 companies, including
school systems, hospitals, homecare companies and outpatient clinics
contracted for NHC's rehabilitative services in 1996, which number is up from
420 companies in 1995.
Revenues from management services, which are included in the Statements
of Income in Other Revenues, increased 13% in 1996 due to increased management
fees and increased interest income from higher principal amounts on loans to
managed centers. In 1996, 60 additional long-term care beds came under
management contract. Management fees are generally based upon a percentage of
net revenues of the managed center and therefore tend to increase as a
facility matures and as prices rise in general. (See "Transfers to National
Health Realty" and "Litigation" below for factors which may reduce future
revenues from management services.)
Increases in salaries, wages and benefits in 1996 were attributable to
the increase in staffing levels due to long-term care bed additions and the
increased emphasis on rehabilitative services. Also contributing to higher
costs of labor were inflationary increases for salaries and the associated
benefits.
Operating costs increased due to the increased numbers of beds in
operation, the expansion of rehabilitative and managed care services, the
growth in management services provided to others, and due to the increase in
rent expense as explained below.
Depreciation expense and interest expense both decreased compared to
last year due primarily to capital transactions which occurred in 1995.
During December 1995, National Health Investors, Inc. ("NHI") prepaid debt on
which NHC had also been obligated in the amount of $20,544,000. In addition,
NHC was released from its obligation on approximately $25,324,000 of debt
which had been transferred to NHI in 1991. Since NHC is no longer obligated on
transferred debt in the amount of $45,868,000, debt serviced by other parties
and assets under arrangement with other parties was reduced by $45,868,000.
The leases with NHI provide that NHC shall continue to make non-obligated
debt service rent payments equal to the debt service including
principal and interest on the obligated debt which was prepaid and from which
NHC has been released as a direct obligor. As a result, other operating
expenses are increased by the amount of the rent payments, depreciation is
decreased by the amount of depreciation formerly charged on assets under
arrangement with other parties and interest expense is decreased by the amount
of interest expense formerly associated with the debt serviced by other
parties. <PAGE>
Growth and Development--
NHC plans to continue to expand its continuum of care to the elderly by
offering a comprehensive range of services through related or separately
structured health care centers, homecare programs, specialized care units,
pharmacy operations, rehabilitative services, assisted living centers and
retirement centers.
During 1997, NHC grew its long-term health care business by acquiring or
constructing additions totaling 721 licensed beds at six owned or leased
health care centers and totaling 468 licensed beds at five managed health care
centers. All in all, 1,189 owned, leased or managed long-term care beds were
added in 1997. These additions increased the total number of owned, leased or
managed centers from 100 centers to 111 centers and the total number of
licensed beds from 12,882 beds to 14,071 beds.
At December 31, 1997, NHC had under construction 447 long-term care beds
at four new or existing owned or leased centers, all of which are expected to
open during 1998. NHC also has been granted governmental certificates of need
to permit construction of 356 beds at seven owned or leased locations and 137
beds at five managed locations which are expected to start construction during
1998.
NHC has identified the assisted living market as an expanding area for
the delivery of health care and hospitality services. Assisted living centers
provide basic room and board functions for the elderly with on-staff
availability to assist in minor medical and living needs on an as needed
basis. NHC currently operates 14 assisted living projects, nine of which are
located within the physical structure of a long-term care center or retirement
center and five of which are freestanding. It is expected that NHC will
complete construction of one assisted living project with 84 units and start
construction of four additional assisted living projects with 264 units in
1998. Certificates of need are not required to build assisted living
projects.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Condition--
During 1997, NHC spent approximately $34,827,000 on construction,
acquisitions and routine capital expenditures, $21,021,000 on cash
distributions to partners, $30,286,000 as principal payments and financing
costs on debt, and $38,436,000 to invest in notes receivable. These and other
cash needs were financed through cash on hand; cash flow from operations of
$35,224,000; the collection of long-term notes receivable, loan participation
agreements, investments and receivables related to stock options of
$41,787,000; the issuance of $65,319,000 of debt and convertible notes and the
issuance of partnership units for $2,344,000.
NHC is committed to spend approximately $17,105,000 for ongoing
construction contracts. NHC has also guaranteed approximately $68,499,000 of
debt of certain health care centers which NHC manages for others. At December
31, 1997, NHC expects to have no additional liability as a result of its debt
guarantees.
<PAGE>
For all financial instruments except the subordinated convertible notes,
NHC believes that the financial statement carrying amounts approximate fair
value at December 31, 1997. The fair value of the subordinated convertible
notes were estimated based on quoted market prices.
Transfers to National Health Realty--
At December 31, 1997, NHC transferred certain assets, liabilities and
equity to National Health Realty, Inc. ("NHR"), a real estate investment
trust. NHC received in exchange all of the common stock or other equity
interests of NHR, which was transferred to NHC's unitholders. Concurrent with
the transfer to NHR, NHC leased from NHR the real property which had been
transferred.
Effect of the Transfer on Results of Operations--
Because the transfer of assets and liabilities to NHR occurred at the
end of the year, the transfer had no material effect on 1997 results of
operations. Had the transfer occurred at the beginning of the year, interest
income would have been reduced for the interest income on notes receivable
transferred ($9,263,000) and operating expenses would have been increased by
the rent expense on the property transferred ($12,417,000). These reductions
in net income would have been offset in part by the reduction of interest
expense on debt transferred ($4,943,000), by the reduction of depreciation
expense on assets transferred ($4,695,000) and by the receipt of an advisory
fee from NHR under an advisory agreement ($433,000).
The net effect of these transactions would have been to reduce pretax
net income by approximately $11,609,000 from $37,217,000 as reported to
approximately $25,608,000 and to reduce diluted earnings by $1.07 per share
from $3.58 per share as reported to $2.51 per share.
Effect of the Transfer on Liquidity and Financial Condition--
Assets transferred to NHR included mortgage notes receivable (total book
value of $94,439,000), as well as the real property of 17 long-term health
care centers, six assisted living facilities and one retirement center (total
book value of $144,615,000) and related liabilities (total book value of
$86,414,000).
Equity transferred to NHR totaled $152,640,000. The transfer changed
the ratio of long-term debt to equity from 1.0:1 prior to the transfer to
2.5:1 after the transfer. Subordinated convertible debentures in the amount
of $19,152,000 may be converted at a price of $15.2063 per share into
1,259,478 shares of both NHC and NHR. Conversion of the subordinated
convertible debentures would change the ratio of long-term debt to equity to
1.4:1. The current ratio is 1.6:1 at December 31, 1997 and working capital is
$44,498,000.
<PAGE>
NHC's current cash on hand, marketable securities, short-term notes
receivable, operating cash flows and, as needed, its borrowing capacity are
expected to be adequate to finance NHC's operating requirements and growth and
development plans for 1998 and into 1999.
Restructure from Limited Partnership to Corporation--
Under the Revenue Act of 1987, NHC and certain other similar publicly
traded partnerships were permitted to be taxed as partnerships and not as
corporations through the 1997 tax year. Effective with the 1998 tax year,
however, NHC will be subject to federal income taxes. In response to the
governmentally mandated loss of partnership tax status, the holders of NHC
general and limited partnership units approved a plan of restructure whereby,
on December 31, 1997, NHC converted from a limited partnership to a
corporation. All partnership units outstanding on December 31, 1997 were
effectively converted into shares of common stock. The restructure from a
limited partnership to a corporation had no effect on the liquidity or
financial condition of NHC.
Cash Dividends--
NHC may pay dividends at the discretion of the Board of Directors. NHC,
as restructured, does not anticipate initially paying dividends.
New Accounting Pronouncements--
In 1997 NHC adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128
"Earnings Per Share" and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 129
"Disclosure of Information About Capital Structure". The adoption of the
provisions of these accounting pronouncements did not have a material impact
on NHC's financial condition or results of operations.
Impact of Inflation--
Reimbursement rates under the Medicare and Medicaid programs generally
reflect the underlying increases in costs and expenses resulting from
inflation. For this reason, the impact of inflation on profitability has not
been significant.
Health Care Legislation--
During 1997, the Federal government enacted the Balanced Budget Act of
1997 ("BBA"), which contains numerous Medicare and Medicaid cost-saving
measures. The BBA requires that nursing homes transition to a prospective
payment system under the Medicare program during a three year "transition
period" commencing with the first cost reporting period beginning on or after
July 1, 1998. Home health agencies must also transition from a cost-based
reimbursement system to a prospective payment system beginning in 1999. The
BBA also contains certain measures that could lead to future reductions in
<PAGE>
Medicare therapy cost reimbursement and Medicaid payment rates. Given the
recent enactment of the BBA, NHC is unable to predict the ultimate impact of
the BBA on its future operations. However, any reductions in government
spending for long-term health care would likely have an adverse effect on the
operating results and cash flows of NHC. NHC will attempt to increase
nongovernmental revenues and continue the expansion of its service component
income in order to offset any loss of governmental revenues as a result of the
enactment of the BBA. The President's 1998-99 budget proposal also calls for
the imposition of new provider paid service fees.
Litigation--
As discussed in more detail in Note 15 to the financial statements, NHC
is a defendant in a lawsuit filed under the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal
False Claims Act, commonly referred to as the "Whistleblower Act", with the
government participating as an intervening plaintiff. The suit alleges that
NHC has submitted cost reports and routine cost limit exception requests
containing "fraudulent allocation of routine nursing services to ancillary
cost centers" and improper allocation of skilled nursing service hours in four
managed centers. NHC is cooperating fully with the government and is
aggressively pursuing an amicable settlement. Adjustments to the reimbursable
cost claimed will be the responsibility of the center where costs were
incurred, whether owned, leased or managed by the Company. Negative
adjustments to managed centers would reduce NHC's management fee (6% of net
revenue), while adjustments to owned or leased centers would impact the
Company's financial statement. An adverse determination in the lawsuit could
subject NHC to repayments which could have a material negative impact on the
financial position or results of operations of NHC.
Also as discussed in more detail in Note 15 to the financial statement,
NHC is a defendant in a lawsuit filed by Florida Convalescent Centers, Inc.
("FCC"), an independent Florida corporation for whom NHC manages 16 licensed
nursing centers in Florida. Under the suit, FCC seeks to terminate all of its
management agreements with NHC. NHC has filed an answer denying all of FCC's
claims and asserting a counterclaim against FCC.
The loss of management contract revenue on an individual FCC center
would not have a material impact on NHC, but the loss of the revenues from all
sixteen centers would have a material impact. This impact could be offset,
however, by the receipt by NHC of the deferred contingency fee and/or the fact
that NHC might purchase some or all of the facilities, thus allowing the
revenues to be maintained by NHC; provided such fees or rights are not
disallowed by the law suit.
Year 2000 Compliance--
NHC is currently in the process of evaluating its information technology
infrastructure for Year 2000 compliance. NHC does not expect that the cost to
modify its information technology infrastructure to be Year 2000 compliant
will be material to its financial condition or results of operations. NHC
does not anticipate any material disruption in its operations as a result of
<PAGE>
any failure by NHC to be in compliance. NHC does not currently have any
information concerning Year 2000 compliance status of its suppliers, customers
and third party payors. In the event that any of NHC's significant suppliers,
customers or third party payors do not successfully and timely achieve Year
2000 compliance, NHC's business or operations could be adversely affected.
ITEM 8
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The following table sets forth selected quarterly financial data for the
two most recent fiscal years.
<TABLE>
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
<CAPTION>
(unaudited, in thousands, except per unit amounts)
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter(A)
1997 ------- ------- ------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Revenues $105,863 $106,191 $111,989 $139,434
Net Income 6,958 7,342 9,377 13,331
Basic Earnings Per Unit .790 .830 1.060 1.480
Diluted Earnings Per Unit .690 .720 .910 1.230
1996
Net Revenues $ 92,155 $ 91,629 $ 95,818 $106,664
Net Income 5,465 6,007 8,070 9,744
Basic Earnings Per Unit .650 .710 .960 1.150
Diluted Earnings Per Unit .560 .620 .810 .990
</TABLE>
Note A: In the fourth quarters of 1996 and 1997 net revenues and income
were increased by approximately $2,400,000 ($.28 per unit, basic and $.23 per
unit, diluted) and by $4,000,000 ($.45 per unit, basic and $.36 per unit,
diluted), respectively, due to enhanced retroactive Medicare and Medicaid
reimbursement which, if known, would have been reported periodically
throughout the year.
The financial statements are included as Exhibit 13 and are incorporated
in this Item 8 by reference.
<PAGE>
ITEM 9
DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
There were no disagreements on accounting and financial disclosure.
PART III
--------
ITEM 10
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS: The Company is managed by its Board of
Directors, all but one of which were on the Board of Directors of the
Company's Managing General Partner when the Company was organized as a public
partnership. The Board of Directors is divided into three classes. The
Directors hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which their
term expires and until their successor is elected and qualified. As each of
their terms expire, the successor shall be elected to a three-year term. A
director may be removed from office for cause only. Officers serve at the
pleasure of the Board of Directors for a term of one year. The following
table sets forth the directors and the executive officers and vice presidents
of the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Director of
Position Managing Officer of
with the General Managing
Company Partner or Current General
or Managing Company's Term as Partner or
General Predecessor Director Predecessor
Name Age Partner Since Expires Since
- ---- --- ------- ----------- ------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
W. Andrew Adams 52 Chairman of
the Board/ 1994(CEO) 1999 1973
President 1974(Pres.)
J.K. Twilla 71 Director 1972 2001 ---
Olin O. Williams 67 Director 1971 2000 ---
Ernest G. Burgess, III 58 Director 1992 1999 1975
Robert G. Adams 51 S. Vice
President/
Director 1993 2000 1985
Lawrence C. Tucker 55 Director 1998 2001 ---
Richard F. LaRoche, Jr. 52 Sr. Vice President/
Secretary and
General Counsel -- -- 1974
Charlotte Swafford 49 Treasurer -- -- 1985
Donald K. Daniel 51 Vice President/
Controller -- -- 1977
Julia W. Powell 48 Vice President/
Patient Services -- -- 1985
Joanne G. Batey 53 Vice President/
HomeCare -- -- 1989
D. Gerald Coggin 46 Vice President/
Government and
Rehabilitative -- -- 1994
<PAGE>
David L. Lassiter 43 Vice President/
Corporate
Affairs -- -- 1995
Steven A. Strawn 40 Vice President/
Operations -- -- 1995
Kenneth D. DenBesten 45 Vice President/
Finance -- -- 1992
</TABLE>
Drs. Twilla and Williams were physicians in private practice in
Tennessee for more than 30 years each. Dr. Williams serves as Chairman of the
Board of the Bank of Murfreesboro, Murfreesboro, Tennessee and both are
Directors of National Health Realty, Inc.
Mr. W. Andrew Adams has been President since 1974 and Chairman of the
Board since 1994. He was president from 1981 until 1983 of the National
Council of Health Centers, the trade association for multi-facility long-term
health care center companies, and served as Chairman of the Multi-facility
Committee of the American Health Care Association from 1992 through 1994. He
has an M.B.A. degree from Middle Tennessee State University. Mr. Adams serves
on the Board of Trust of David Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee, is
President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Health Investors,
Inc., and National Health Realty, Inc. and serves on the Board of SunTrust
Bank in Nashville, Tennessee.
Mr. Robert Adams (Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and
Director) has served both as Administrator and as Regional Administrator,
holding the last position from 1977 to 1985. He has a B.S. degree from Middle
Tennessee State University. He serves as Chief Operations Officer for the
Company. He is on the Board of Directors of National Health Realty, Inc. Mr.
Robert Adams and Mr. W. Andrew Adams are brothers.
Mr. Burgess (Director) served as the Company's Senior Vice President for
Operations from 1975 through 1994. He has an M.S. degree from the University
of Tennessee. He is on the Board of Directors of National Health Realty, Inc.
Mr. Tucker (Director) has been with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
("BBH&Co."), a private banking company, for 31 years and became a general
partner in January 1979. Mr. Tucker currently serves as a member of the
Steering Committee of BBH&Co. He is responsible for the corporate finance
activities of BBH&Co., including management of the 1818 Fund's private equity
investing partnerships with committed capital exceeding $1 billion. Mr.
Tucker is a director of WorldCom, Inc., Riverwood International Corporation
and WellCare Management Company, Inc. Mr. Tucker has a B.S. degree from
Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from the Wharton School of the
University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. LaRoche (Senior Vice President) has been Senior Vice President since
1985, Secretary since 1974 and General Counsel since 1971. He has a law
degree from Vanderbilt University and an A.B. degree from Dartmouth College.
His responsibilities include acquisitions and finance. Mr. LaRoche also
serves on the Board of National Health Investors, Inc.
Mr. Strawn (Vice President/Operations) has been with the Company since
1979. He trained in NHC's A.I.T. program and then served both as
administrator and Regional Vice President before being appointed to the
present position in 1995. He has a B.S. degree from Middle Tennessee State
University.
<PAGE>
Mr. Daniel (Vice President and Controller) joined the Company in 1977 as
Controller. He received a B.A. degree from Harding University and an M.B.A.
from the University of Texas. He is a certified public accountant.
Mr. Lassiter (Vice President/Corporate Affairs) joined the Company in
1995. From 1988 to 1995, he was Executive Vice President, Human Resources and
Administration for Vendell Healthcare. From 1980-1988, he was in human
resources positions with Hospital Corporation of America and HealthTrust
Corporation. Mr. Lassiter has a B.S. and an M.B.A. from the University of
Tennessee.
Ms. Swafford (Treasurer) has been Treasurer of the Company since 1985.
She joined the Company in 1973 and has served as Staff Accountant, Accounting
Supervisor and Assistant Treasurer. She has a B.S. degree from Tennessee
Technological University.
Ms. Powell (Vice President/Patient Services) has been with the company
since 1974. She has served as a nurse consultant and director of patient
assessment computerized services for NHC. Ms. Powell has a bachelor of
science in nursing from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and a master's
of art in sociology with an emphasis in gerontology from Middle Tennessee
State University. She co-authored Patient Assessment Computerized in 1980
with Dr. Carl Adams, the Company's founder.
Ms. Batey (Vice President/Homecare) has been with the company since
1976. She served as homecare coordinator for five years before being named
Vice President in 1989. Prior to that she was director of communication
disorders services. Ms. Batey received her bachelor's and master's degrees in
speech pathology from Purdue University.
Mr. Coggin (Vice President/Governmental and Rehabilitative Services) has
been employed by NHC since 1973. He has served as both Administrator and
Regional Vice President before being appointed to the present position. He
received a B.A. degree from David Lipscomb University and a M.P.H. degree from
the University of Tennessee. He is responsible for the Company's
rehabilitation, managed care and legislative activities.
Mr. DenBesten (Vice President/Finance) has served as Vice President of
Finance since 1992. From 1987 to 1992, he was employed by Physicians Health
Care, most recently as Chief Operating Officer. From 1984-1986, he was
employed by Health America Corporation as Treasurer, Vice President of Finance
and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. DenBesten received a B.S. in business
administration and an M.S. in Finance from the University of Arizona.
The above officers serve in identical capacities for the Company and its
administrative services contractor, National Health Corporation.
Outside directors receive $2,500 per meeting attended. In addition,
outside directors will receive a stock option to purchase 10,000 shares of
REIT common stock at a purchase price equal to the closing price of the
Corporation Shares on the initial date of trading and will be automatically
granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Corporation common stock at the
closing price on the date of the Corporation's annual meeting. There were
five Board meetings during 1997 and no Board member missed a meeting.
<PAGE>
ITEM 11
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
INTRODUCTION:
The Board of Directors have elected to continue unchanged the Company's
prior compensation and bonus plans. Their goals in executive compensation and
compensation at all levels within the Company are derived from the following
priorities: First, to encourage the achievement of the highest levels of
quality in its fields of endeavor; and second, to provide the strongest
incentive possible in order to average, over a five year period, a 20% return
on shareholder's equity. With these goals in mind, the Company's executive
compensation program is based on employee performance rewarded as follows:
(1) the achievement of a return on investment for shareholders; (2) returns
generated from stock performance based incentive plans; and (3) from base
salary. The following text and tables describe the various components of this
plan as were attained and applied during 1997.
TOTAL COMPENSATION:
Table I sets forth certain information concerning the total compensation
paid by the administrative general partner and reimbursed to it by the Company
for the year ended December 31, 1997 to the three executive officers of the
Company.
OPTION PLANS:
At the 1994 Annual Meeting, the 1994 Option Plan was adopted and
approved. A total of 1,200,000 units were reserved for issuance upon exercise
of options to be granted by the Board of Directors.
No options were granted to key employees during 1997, however, pursuant
to the Plan, non employee directors each receive an option to purchase 5,000
shares on the date of the Annual Meeting and for the closing share price that
day. 15,000 units were granted to the three non-employee Directors at $46.25
per share on March 20, 1997.
At December 31, 1997, options to purchase 2,500 shares at $11.25 per
share are outstanding, an option to purchase 5,000 units at $24.88 per share
is outstanding to one director, options to purchase 6,500 units at $25.12 per
share are outstanding to six employees, options to purchase 15,000 shares are
outstanding at $38.625 per share to three directors. during 1997, 31 key
employees exercised options to purchase 361,000 shares at $31.00 per share.
The Company's Board of Directors and the then sole shareholder of the
Company have adopted the 1997 Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Rights Plan
(the "1997 Stock Option Plan"), under which options to purchase shares of the
Company's common stock are available for grant to consultants, advisors,
directors and employees of the Company, providing an equity interest in the
Company and additional compensation based on appreciation of the value of such
stock.
<PAGE>
The 1997 Stock Option Plan allows for options to purchase in the
aggregate up to 1,000,000 shares of NHC common stock to be granted by the
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion grant
incentive stock options ("ISO's"), non-qualified stock options or stock
appreciation rights ("SAR's")
In addition, the 1997 Stock Option Plan provides that the non-employee
directors will receive a non-qualified stock option to purchase 10,000 shares
of common stock at a purchase price equal to the closing price of the Shares
on the initial date of trading and will be automatically granted an option to
purchase 10,000 shares of common stock annually on the date of the Company's
annual meeting with an exercise price equal to the closing price on the date
of such annual meeting.
The 1997 Stock Option Plan provides that the exercise price of an ISO
option must not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the
trading day next preceding the date of the grant. Payment for shares of
common stock to be issued upon exercise of an option may be made either in
cash, Company common stock or any combination thereof, at the discretion of
the option holder. Options are nontransferable, other than by will, the laws
of descent and distribution; assignable to family partnerships, trusts or
immediate family members; or pursuant to certain domestic relations orders.
Common stock subject to options granted under the 1997 Stock Option Plan that
expire, terminate or are canceled without having been exercised in full become
available again for option grants.
The 1997 Stock Option Plan is administered by the Board of Directors,
or, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a committee of directors.
Subject to certain limitations, the Board and its committee have the authority
to determine the recipients, as well as the exercise prices, exercise periods,
length and other terms of stock options granted pursuant to the 1997 Stock
Option Plan and Company repurchase options upon termination of a recipients
employment. In making such determinations, the Board may take into account
the nature of the services rendered or to be rendered by option recipients,
and their past, present or potential contributions to the Company.
The number of shares of common stock that may be granted under the 1997
Stock Option Plan or under any outstanding options granted thereunder will be
proportionately adjusted, to the nearest whole share, in the event of any
stock dividend, stock split, share combination or similar recapitalization
involving the common stock or any spin-off, spin-out or other significant
distribution of the Company's assets to its stockholders for which the Company
receives no consideration.
Generally, in the event an option holder is terminated as an employee by
reason of disability or death, the holder or his or her representative may
exercise the option for a period of 12 months following such termination
unless the Board of Directors elects, in its sole discretion, to extend the
exercise period. If the employment of an option holder is terminated for
"cause," as defined in the 1997 Stock Option Plan, the unexercised options
expire. In the event the option holder is terminated as an employee for any
reason other than disability, death or cause, the holder may not exercise his
or her option unless authorized by agreement of the Company.
<PAGE>
In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company or a merger
or consolidation or acquisition in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation, each outstanding option will become fully exercisable and each
holder will have the right, within 60 days prior to such dissolution,
liquidation, merger, consolidation or acquisition, to exercise his or her
options, in whole or in part.
Either non-qualified or incentive stock options may be granted under the
1997 Stock Option Plan. No federal income tax consequences occur to either
the Company or the optionee upon the Company's grant or issuance of a non-
qualified stock option. Upon an optionee's exercise of a non-qualified stock
option, the optionee will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the
difference between the fair market value of the common stock purchased
pursuant to the exercise of the option and the exercise price of the option.
However, if the common stock purchased upon exercise of the option is not
transferable or is subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, then the
optionee will not recognize income until the stock becomes transferable or is
no longer subject to such a risk of forfeiture (unless the optionee makes an
election under Internal Revenue Code Section 83(b) to recognize the income in
the year of exercise, which election must be made within 30 days of the option
exercise). The Company will be entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to
the ordinary income recognized by the optionee in the year in which such
income is recognized by the optionee. Upon a subsequent disposition of the
shares of common stock, the optionee will recognize a capital gain to the
extent the sales proceeds exceed the optionee's cost of the shares plus the
previously recognized ordinary income.
Incentive stock options granted under the 1997 Stock Option Plan are
intended to qualify for a favorable tax treatment under Internal Revenue Code
Section 422. No individual may be granted incentive stock options under the
Corporation Stock Option Plan exercisable for the first time during any
calendar year and having an aggregate fair market value in excess of $100,000.
If the recipient of an incentive stock option disposes of the underlying
shares before the end of certain holding periods (essentially the later of one
year after the exercise date or two years after the grant date), he or she
will generally recognize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an
amount equal to the difference between his or her purchase price and the fair
market value of the Corporation common stock on the exercise date. If a
disposition does not occur until after the expiration of the holding periods,
the recipient will generally recognize a capital gain equal to the excess of
the disposition price over the price paid by the recipient on the exercise
date. The Company generally will not be entitled to a tax deduction for
compensation expense on account of the original sales to employees, but may be
entitled to deduction if a participant disposes of stock received upon
exercise of an incentive stock option under the 1997 Stock Option Plan prior
to the expiration of the holding periods.
The Company has also established several non-qualified deferred
compensation plans for its key employees similar to the plans offered by
NHC, one of which provides a matching contribution (15%) for all deferred
compensation used to purchase shares of common stock held by an independent
trustee. The matching contribution is forfeited to the Company unless the
employee achieves eight years of vesting service before withdrawing funds from
the Trustee account. The Company grants credit to employees for years of
service with the prior partnership.
<PAGE>
Table II shows as to the three executive officers: (i) the number of
shares as to which options have been granted from January 1, 1996 through
December 31, 1997 under the 1994 Option Plan; (ii) the percentage of all
shares granted represented by these individuals (iii) the option exercise
price per share and the expiration date; and (iv) the potential realizable
value of these options assuming both a five percent and ten percent share
price appreciation over the next four years.
Table III identifies for the same three person group all options
exercised during 1997, the value realized upon exercise, and the unrealized
value of the balance of options outstanding.
The Company maintains several non-qualified deferred compensation plans
for its key employees, one of which provides a matching contribution (15%) for
all deferred compensation used to purchase shares interest held by an
independent trustee. The matching contribution is forfeited to the company
unless the employee achieves eight years of vesting service before withdrawing
funds from the Trustee account. Mr. LaRoche participated in this plan during
1997. Other than as described herein or as identified in Tables I, II and
III, the Company has no other long-term incentive plans for its executive
officers.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
TABLE I
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
1997-1995
<CAPTION>
Long Term Compensation
---------------------------------
Annual Compensation<F1> Awards Payouts
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ -------
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i)
Other annual Restricted LTIP All Other
Name and Principal Compensation Stock Options/SARs Payouts Compensa.
Position Year Salary Bonus($)<F4> ($)<F2> Awards($) (#)<F3> ($) ($)
- ------------------ ---- ------ ----------- ------- ---- ------------ ------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
W. Andrew Adams 1997 126,806 1,786,842 26,115 -0- -0- -0- -0-
President & CEO 1996 129,757 1,850,026 8,147 -0- -0- -0- -0-
1995 129,964 579,200 121,350 -0- 40,000 -0- -0-
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert G. Adams 1997 140,553 882,626 3,817 -0- -0- -0- -0-
Senior V. P. 1996 140,279 1,238,857 8,269 -0- -0- -0- -0-
& COO 1995 145,647 646,227 6,452 -0- 30,000 -0- -0-
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard F.
LaRoche, Jr. 1997 135,159 1,086,355 14,904 -0- -0- -0- -0-
Sr. VP & Secretary 1996 135,784 1,012,096 18,823 -0- -0- -0- -0-
1995 142,639 380,365 8,453 -0- 30,000 -0- -0-
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<F1>Compensation deferred at the election of an executive has been included in
salary column (d).
<F2>Includes (a) life insurance benefit, (b) 401-K matching contribution,
(c) nonqualified deferred compensation matching contribution, (d) ESOP
contribution.
<F3>The 1995 awards are NHC Unit Options issued at $31.00 per unit.
These officers also received stock options from National Health Investors,
Inc. in 1993, 1995, and 1997 which are disclosed in that Company's Form 10-K.
<F4>These officers also received bonuses from National Health Investors, Inc.
and National Health Realty, Inc. which are disclosed in those Company's Form
10-K or proxy statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
TABLE II
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
December 31, 1997
<CAPTION>
Potential Realizable Value at
Assumed Annual Rates of Unit Price
Appreciation for Option Term<F2>
Individual Grants
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g)
% of Total
Options/SARs
Granted to Exercise
Options/SARs Employees in or Base Expiration
Executive Officers Granted(#)<F1> Fiscal Year Price ($/Sh) Date 5%($) 10%($)
- -------------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ---------- ----- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
W. Andrew Adams,
President & CEO -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0-
Robert G. Adams,
Sr. VP -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0-
Richard F. LaRoche, Jr.,
Sr. VP -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<F1>No options were awarded during 1997 to Executive Officers
<F2>Based on remaining option term (if any) and annual compounding.
<TABLE>
TABLE III
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
December 31, 1997
<CAPTION>
Number of Unexercised Value of Unexercised In-the-
Options/SARs at FY-End (#) Money Options/SARs at FY-
End ($)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Acquired on Value Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Executive Officers Exercise(#) Realized($)<F1> Unexercisable Unexercisable
- ---------------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
W. Andrew Adams, 40,000 560,000 -0- -0-
President & CEO
Robert G. Adams, 30,000 420,000 -0- -0-
Sr. VP
Richard F. LaRoche, Jr., 30,000 420,000 -0- -0-
Sr. VP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<F1>Market value of underlying securities at exercise date, minus the
exercise or base price.
<PAGE>
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN:
In 1986 National Health Corporation ("National"), the former
partnership's Administrative General Partner adopted as its Employee Stock
Ownership Plan and Trust ("ESOP") the ESOP previously sponsored by the
Company's corporate predecessor. The ESOP is a qualified pension plan under
Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. National makes contributions to
the ESOP for all employees and is reimbursed for same by the Company.
Employees make no contributions. All contributions are used by the ESOP to
purchase "qualifying employer securities" which is the Common Stock of
National. These securities are allocated among National's employees who
participate in the ESOP in the ratio of the employee's wages to the total
wages of all participating employees during that fiscal year. Participating
employees are all employees, including officers, who have earned one year of
service by working more than 1,000 hours during the fiscal year.
On January 20, 1988, National formed a Leveraged Employee Stock Purchase
Plan (Leveraged ESOP). During 1988, the Leveraged ESOP borrowed, in two
separate transactions, $88.5 million from four commercial banks, the proceeds
of which were used to purchase additional stock from National. National, in
turn, purchased eight (8) health care centers from the Company and contracted
with the Company to manage these centers for a 20-year period. National also
loaned $8.5 million to City Center, Ltd. to construct a 15-story office
building in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, approximately 67% of which is occupied by
the Company. In late 1988, National entered into a Loan Agreement with the
Company and advanced $50,000,000 to the Company to be used by the Company to
pay off its existing $30,000,000 revolving line of credit, with the balance to
be used for acquisition, development and general working capital needs. In
September of 1988, the original ESOP was merged into the Leveraged ESOP so
that as of December 31, 1997, the employees still participated in only one
qualified plan. On December 28, 1990, the Leveraged ESOP borrowed $50,000,000
from three commercial lenders, the proceeds of which were used as an equity
contribution to National, which in turn loaned said proceeds to the company
at 8.48% fixed rate of interest. The proceeds were used for acquisition and
new construction.
The Leveraged ESOP is administered by an Administrative Committee,
currently consisting of Ernest G. Burgess, III (Director), Donald K. Daniel
and Charlotte Swafford (officers of the Company), which is appointed by
National's Board of Directors. The Trustees of the Leveraged ESOP are Dr.
Olin O. Williams, a director, and Richard F. LaRoche, Jr., the Company's
Senior Vice President and General Counsel.
The amounts contributed to the ESOP in 1997 and allocated to the
Company's executive officers are included in Table I, and total $10,107.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN:
The Company has established its Employee Stock Purchase Plan for
employees. Pursuant to the Plan, eligible employees may purchase Company
common stock through payroll deductions at the lesser of the closing asked
price of the common stock as reported on the American Stock Exchange on the
<PAGE>
first trading or the last trading day of each year. At the end of each year,
funds accumulated in the employee's account will be used to purchase the
maximum number of shares at the above price. The Company makes no
contribution to the purchase price. 23,198 shares were issued pursuant to the
Plan in January, 1998, with all payroll deductions being made in 1997.
All employees (including officers and directors) may elect to
participate in the Plan if they meet minimum employment requirements. The
maximum payroll deduction is the employee's normal monthly pay. Participating
employee's rights under the plan are nontransferable. Prior to the end of a
year, a participant may elect to withdraw from the Plan and the amount
accumulated as a result of his payroll deductions shall be returned to him
without interest. Any terminated employee immediately ceases to be a
participant and also receives his or her prior contributions.
In no event may a participant in the Plan purchase thereunder during a
calendar year, common stock having a fair market value more than $25,000.
The stock purchased pursuant to the Plan are freely tradeable, except
for any shares held by an "affiliate" of the Company, which would be subject
to the limitations of Rule 144.
Only Mr. LaRoche and Mr. Robert Adams of the Company's executive
officers participated in this Plan during 1997 and the positive spread between
the purchase price and the then fair market price for these individuals is
included in Table I.
1975 PERFORMANCE BONUS PLAN:
In 1975 the Company implemented a Performance Bonus Plan which was
reaffirmed and readopted by the shareholders in 1994. This plan provides for
the Chairman of the Board to allocate, with the approval of the non-employee
directors, the bonus at the end of each fiscal year. The total amount
available for bonuses under the plan is 20% of the Company's net income
(without regard to NHI lease payments or Advisory fee income) after a 20%
return on partners' equity as determined at the beginning of that fiscal year.
Bonuses of $4,166,509 were paid under this plan to a total of 142 employees
for fiscal year 1997.
401(K) PLAN:
The Company and its affiliates offer a 401(K) Plan for all employees who
are over 18 years of age. The Board of Directors has authorized a matching
contribution to be made for 50% of contributions with contributions being
matched up to 2.5% of quarterly gross wages. No employee may contribute more
than 15% of wages to the Plan, and employees who earn more than $66,000 were
limited to a contribution of no more than $3,500. These matching funds will
be used to purchase Company stock on the open market, which shares will vest
in the employees account only after the employee has achieved five years of
vesting service. A total of $1,388,878 was contributed to the Plan as matching
contributions for 1997.
<PAGE>
EMPLOYEE LOAN AND BONUS PROGRAMS:
The Company has for many years participated in an Employee Stock
Financing Plan (the "Financing Plan"). The Plan was designed to enable key
employees of the Company to finance the exercise of stock options granted to
them by the Board of Directors and only if authorized by the Board. Under the
Plan, the Company may (but is not required)finance the exercise of any stock
options by the acceptance of the employees' full recourse promissory note
bearing interest at a fixed rate equal to 2.5% below New York prime on the
date of the note, with interest payable quarterly and principal due and
payable on ninety days notice, but no longer than 60 months. The notes are
secured by company common stock having a fair market value equal to twice the
note amount.
The following tables shows, as to each executive officer whose
indebtedness exceeded $60,000, the largest aggregate amount of such
indebtedness since December 31, 1996 and the present outstanding balance.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Financing Plan
------------------------------
Largest Balance out-
Aggregate standing as of
Indebtedness 12/31/97
------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
W. Andrew Adams Pres. & CEO $ 4,101,131 $1,641,920
Robert G. Adams Sr. VP & Dir. 2,426,309 1,206,950
Richard F. LaRoche, Jr. Sr. VP & Sec. 2,418,076 1,181,200
Ernest G. Burgess Director 1,309,368 802,031
J. K. Twilla Director 84,375 ---
Olin O. Williams Director 679,463 369,000
All Executive Officers
& Directors as a Group (6) $11,018,722 $5,201,101
</TABLE>
Obligations to repay the Financing Plan loans are an asset of the Company, but
are not reflected as increasing shareholder equity until paid.
1997 RETENTION BONUS:
From time to time the Board has declared a special key employee bonus,
directing that the proceeds of same be used to retire some or all of these
financing plan notes. These bonuses are included in Table I. Bonuses paid in
1997 to retire principal on these notes carry with them a covenant of
continued employment. The Company retains the option to require a payment
equal to the note repayment bonus from any employee who terminates employment
with the Company prior to April 2002. Bonuses totaling $16,346,797 were paid
to 149 key employees in 1997.
SHAREHOLDER RETURN:
Table IV is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in the
cumulative shareholder return on the Company's shares against the cumulative
total return of the S & P composite S & P 500 and the Health
Care-Miscellaneous Index for the five-year period ended on December 31, 1997.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
TABLE IV
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
AND ITS PREDECESSOR
Comparison of Cumulative Total Return
<CAPTION>
[GRAPH]
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
National HealthCare
Corporation 165.1 165.8 251.2 283.4 366.6
S & P 500 110.0 111.4 153.1 188.3 251.1
S & P Health Care Diverse 73.1 62.6 98.9 95.7 110.0
</TABLE>
Assumes $100 Invested December 31, 1992 in NHC, S&P 500 and S&P Health Care
Diversified
<PAGE>
ITEM 12
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information as to the number of
shares of the Company beneficially owned as of December 31, 1997 (a) by each
person (including any "group" as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the
Exchange Act) who is known to the Company to own beneficially 5% or more of
the outstanding units (9,547,617 as of December 31, 1997), (b) by each
director, and (c) by all executive officers and directors of the Company as a
group. Members of management of the Company listed below are all members of
management and/or the Board of Directors, but they disclaim that they are
acting as a "group" and the table below is not reflective of them acting as a
group:
Names and Addresses Number of Units(1) Percentage of
of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned Total Units
------------------- ------------------ -------------
W. Andrew Adams, President &
Chief Executive Officer 1,067,064 11.17%
801 Mooreland Lane
Murfreesboro, TN 37128
Dr. J.K. Twilla, Director 83,392 .87%
525 Golf Club Lane
Smithville, TN 37166
Dr. Olin O. Williams, Director 109,392 1.15%
2007 Riverview Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Robert G. Adams, Director, Sr. V.P. 431,299 4.52%
and Chief Operating Officer
2217 Tomahawk Trace
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Ernest G. Burgess, Director 189,299 1.98%
2239 Shannon Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Richard F. LaRoche, Jr., Sr. V.P. 377,201 3.95%
2103 Shannon Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
National Health Corporation 1,400,840 14.67%
P.O. Box 1398
Murfreesboro, TN 37133
Lawrence C. Tucker, Director 690,155(2) 7.23%
1818 Fund, II
59 Wall Street
New York NY 10005
<PAGE>
Albert O. Nicholas 443,600 4.65%
6002 North Highway 83
Hartland, WI 53029
All Executive Officers,
Directors 4,348,916 45.55%
as a Group
(1) Assumes exercise of stock options and convertible subordinated
debentures outstanding. See "Option Plans".
(2) Mr. Tucker, as a general partner of the 1818 Fund II, is attributed the
ownership of the 1818 Fund II shares, but does not claim beneficial
ownership thereof.
ITEM 13
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
W. ANDREW ADAMS
NHC has developed the preeminent continuing care retirement community in
Nashville, Tennessee (Richland Place) and is pursuing similar projects in
Tennessee. Having identified Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee as a
viable market, the Company invited a number of potential residents to serve as
a focus group to assist in the location and design of the project. After
reviewing a number of potential locations, management and the focus group
chose a twenty-two acre tract with extensive frontage on US Highway 231 as the
optimum location. This site was owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. W. Andrew
Adams, NHC's chief executive officer. After negotiations and appraisal, the
Company acquired in 1993 and 1994 (by exchange of like kind property and cash)
the site from Mr. and Mrs. Adams for a total valuation of $1,500,000, which
the Company believes to be equal to or even less than comparable property in
the market.
NATIONAL HEALTH CORPORATION ("NATIONAL")
In January, 1988, NHC sold the assets of eight health care centers
(1,121 licensed beds) to National for a total consideration of $40,000,000.
The consideration consisted of $30,000,000 in cash and a $10,000,000 note
receivable due December 31, 2007. The note receivable earns interest at 8.5%
per annum. NHC has agreed to manage the centers under a 20-year management
contract for management fees comparable to those in the industry. NHC has a
receivable from National for management fees of approximately $4.5 million at
December 31, 1997. As of December 31, 1997, National had borrowed $2,028,000
form NHC to finance the construction of additions at two health care centers.
These notes are unsecured, mature in 2008 and require monthly principal and
interest payments, with interest at the prime rate.
In January, 1988, NHC obtained long-term financing of $8.5 million from
National for its new headquarters building. The note requires quarterly
principal and interest payments with interest at 9%. At December 31, 1997,
the outstanding balance was approximately $5.1 million. The building is owned
by a separate partnership of which NHC is the general partner and the other
<PAGE>
building tenants are limited partners. NHC has guaranteed the debt service of
the building partnership. In addition, NHC's bank credit facility and the
senior secured notes were financed through National and National's ESOP.
NHC's interest costs, financing expenses and principal payments are equal to
those incurred by National. In October 1991, NHC borrowed $10.0 million from
National. This term note requires quarterly interest payments at 8.5% with
the entire principal due at maturity in 2008.
Contemporaneous with the merger of National HealthCare L.P. into NHC,
the Company and National have entered into an Employee Services Agreement (the
"Services Agreement") whereby NHC leases all of its employees from National.
Pursuant to the Service Agreement, NHC will reimburse National for the gross
payroll of employees provided to the Company plus a monthly fee equal to two
percent of such month's gross payroll, but in no event shall such fee be less
than the actual cost of administering the payroll and personnel department.
The Services Agreement may be terminated by either at anytime with or without
notice.
National will be responsible for: the employment of all persons
necessary to conduct the business of the Corporation and set all wages and
salaries; the provision of all fringe benefits; the utilization of any
qualified leveraged employee stock ownership plan; the payment of pensions,
and establishment or continue and carry out pension, profit sharing, bonus,
purchase, option, savings, thrift and other incentive and employee benefit
plans; the purchase and payment of insurance; the indemnification and purchase
of insurance on behalf of any fiduciary of any employee benefit plans and
health insurance on behalf of any fiduciary of such plans.
In the Services Agreement, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and
hold harmless National from any damages caused by a misrepresentation by the
Company, litigation arising from the acts or failure to act of the Company or
its agents in accordance with law or the Services Agreement, any employment
matters relating to the employees as a result of gross negligence or
intentional misconduct by the Company or the failure of the Company to obtain
and/or follow specific advice and direction from National in matters of
employee separation and/or discipline. In addition, National agrees to
indemnify and defend and hold harmless the Company from any damages caused by
reason of or resulting from or relating to employee separation and/or
discipline of National employees.
PART IV
-------
ITEM 14
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES,
AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
a) (i) Financial Statements:
The Financial Statements are included as Exhibit 13 and are filed as
part of this report.
<PAGE>
(ii) Exhibits:
Reference is made to the Exhibit Index, which is found on page 46 of
this Form 10-K Annual Report.
b) Reports on Form 8-K: None.
For the purposes of complying with the amendments to the rules governing
Form S-8 (effective July 13, 1990) under the Securities Act of 1933, the
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows, which undertaking shall
be incorporated by reference into registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-8 File No. 33-9881 (filed December 28, 1987):
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant
will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
To National HealthCare Corporation:
We have audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards, the financial statements included in this Form 10-K of National
HealthCare Corporation (formerly National HealthCare L.P.), and have issued
our report thereon dated February 12, 1998. Our audits were made for the
purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a
whole. The financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index is
the responsibility of the Company's management and is presented for purposes
of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and
regulations under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and is not otherwise
a required part of the basic financial statements. The financial statement
schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits
of the basic financial statements, and in our opinion, fairly states in all
material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Nashville, Tennessee
February 12, 1998
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995
(in thousands)
<CAPTION>
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E
- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Additions
--------------------
Balance- Charged to Charged Balance
Beginning Costs and to other -End of
Description of Period Expenses Accounts Deductions<F1> Period
- ----------- --------- ---------- -------- ------------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
For the year ended
December 31,
1995 - Allowance
for doubtful
accounts $3,367 $2,182 $ --- $1,108 $4,441
For the year ended
December 31,
1996 - Allowance
for doubtful
accounts $4,441 $1,654 $ --- $1,356 $4,739
For the year ended
December 31,
1997 - Allowance
for doubtful
accounts $4,739 $1,688 $ --- $ 949 $5,478
</TABLE>
__________
<F1> Amounts written off, net of recoveries.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
BY:/s/ Richard F. LaRoche, Jr.
Richard F. LaRoche, Jr.
Secretary
Date: March 25, 1998
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below on March 25, 1998, by the following persons
on behalf of the registrant in the capacities indicated. Each director of the
registrant whose signature appears below hereby appoints W. Andrew Adams and
Richard F. LaRoche, Jr., and each of them severally, as his Attorney in Fact
to sign in his name on his behalf as a director of the registrant and to file
with the Commission any and all amendments of this report on Form 10-K.
/s/ W. Andrew Adams /s/ Olin O. Williams
W. Andrew Adams, President Olin O. Williams, M.D., Director
Executive and Financial
Officer
/s/ Robert G. Adams /s/ J. K. Twilla
Robert G. Adams, Senior Vice J.K. Twilla, M.D., Director
President, Director
/s/ Ernest G. Burgess /s/ Donald K. Daniel
Ernest G. Burgess, Director Donald K. Daniel, Vice President
and Principal Accounting Officer
<PAGE>
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1997
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description Page No. or Location
- ----------- ------------ ---------------------
3.1 Charter Specifically incorporated
by reference to Exhibit A
attached to Form S-4, (Proxy
Statement-Prospectus), amended,
Registration No. 333-37185,
(December 5, 1997)
3.2 By-laws Specifically incorporated
by reference to Exhibit A
attached to Form S-4, (Proxy
Statement-Prospectus), amended,
Registration No. 333-37185,
(December 5, 1997)
4.1 Form of Common Stock Specifically incorporated
by reference to Exhibit A
attached to Form S-4, (Proxy
Statement-Prospectus), amended,
Registration No. 333-37185,
(December 5, 1997)
10 Material Contracts Incorporated by reference
from Exhibits 10.1 thru
10.9 attached to Form
S-4, (Proxy Statement-
Prospectus), as amended,
Registration No. 333-37185
(December 5, 1997)
10.11 Employee Stock Specifically incorporated
Purchase Plan by reference to Exhibit A
attached to Form S-4, )Proxy
Statement-Prospectus), amended,
Registration No. 333-37185,
(December 5, 1997)
10.12 1997 Stock Option Incorporated by reference
Plan from 1997 Proxy Statement/
Prospectus filed on
December 5, 1997
12 Statements Re: Computation
of Ratios Page 57
13 Report of Independent Public
Accountants Exhibit 13 beginning
Consolidated State- on Page 58
ments of Income
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Partners'
Capital
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements
<PAGE>
22 Subsidiaries of
Registrant Specifically incorporated
by reference to Exhibit A
attached to Form S-4, (Proxy
Statement-Prospectus), amended,
Registration No. 333-37185,
(December 5, 1997)
23 Consent of Independent Page 86
Public Accountants
27 Financial Data Schedule (for SEC purposes only)
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
EXHIBIT 12
STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF RATIOS
AS REQUIRED BY ITEM 601(b)(12) OF REGULATION S-K
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
<CAPTION>
December 31
-----------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current Assets $125,293 $ 80,094 $ 89,440 $ 97,506 $109,291
Current Liabilities $ 80,795 $ 72,803 $ 59,047 $ 55,038 $ 39,798
Current Ratio 1.55 1.10 1.51 1.78 2.75
Long-Term Debt and Debt
Serviced by Other
Parties $ 76,903 $157,535 $141,642 $194,007 $166,741
Equity $ 37,736 $128,537 $108,899 $101,006 $ 92,526
Long-Term Debt and Debt
Serviced by Other
Parties to Equity 2.04 1.23 1.30 1.92 1.80
Net Income $ 37,008 $ 29,286 $ 21,115 $ 15,853 $ 37,562
Average Equity $159,457 $118,718 $104,953 $ 96,766 $ 80,224
Return on Average
Equity 23.2% 24.7% 20.1% 16.4% 46.8%
Total Liabilities $177,613 $260,037 $231,501 $279,847 $237,306
Partners' Capital and
Deferred Income $ 52,568 $144,703 $123,990 $116,286 $107,374
Total Liabilities to
Partners' Capital/Share-
owners' Equity and
and Deferred Income 3.38 1.8 1.9 2.4 2.2
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 13
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Report of Independent Public Accountants 59
Consolidated Statements of Income 60
Consolidated Balance Sheets 61-62
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 63-64
Consolidated Statements of Shareowners' Equity
and Partners' Capital 65
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 66-85
<PAGE>
To National HealthCare Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of National
HealthCare Corporation (a Delaware partnership and formerly National
HealthCare L.P.) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
related consolidated statements of income, shareowners' equity and partners'
capital, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of National HealthCare Corporation's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on
a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of National
HealthCare Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and
the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Nashville, Tennessee
February 12, 1998
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except unit amounts)
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31 1997 1996 1995
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Net patient revenues $ 410,963 $ 341,818 $ 307,969
Other revenues 52,514 44,448 41,429
Net revenues 463,477 386,266 349,398
Costs and Expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits 258,325 209,645 188,985
Other operating 138,103 122,948 107,858
Depreciation and amortization 16,819 13,634 14,549
Interest 13,013 10,753 16,891
Total costs and expenses 426,260 356,980 328,283
Income Before Income Taxes 37,217 29,286 21,115
Income Tax Provision 209 --- ---
Net Income $ 37,008 $ 29,286 $ 21,115
Earnings Per Unit:
Basic $ 4.17 $ 3.48 $ 2.67
Diluted 3.58 2.97 2.32
Weighted Average Units Outstanding:
Basic 8,874,627 8,421,523 7,920,795
Diluted 10,838,567 10,496,407 9,933,157
Net Income Allocable to Partners:
General Partners $ 370 $ 293 $ 211
Limited Partners 36,638 28,993 20,904
$ 37,008 $ 29,286 $ 21,115
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these consolidated statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share amounts)
<CAPTION>
December 31 1997 1996
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 17,205 $ 1,881
Cash held by trustees 3,834 2,274
Marketable securities 19,579 17,968
Accounts receivable, less allowance for
doubtful accounts of $5,478 and
$4,739, respectively 71,564 50,902
Notes receivable 6,992 2,515
Inventory, at lower of cost (first-in,
first-out method) or market 3,948 3,572
Deferred income taxes 1,618 ---
Prepaid expenses and other assets 553 982
Total current assets 125,293 80,094
Property, Equipment and Assets Under Arrangement
With Other Parties:
Property and equipment, at cost 104,597 234,934
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (41,171) (48,171)
Assets under arrangement with other parties, net 4,853 22,538
Net property, equipment and assets
under arrangement with other parties 68,279 209,301
Other Assets:
Bond reserve funds, mortgage replacement
reserves and other deposits 506 141
Unamortized financing costs 1,278 1,601
Notes receivable 11,044 95,206
Notes receivable from National 12,028 12,153
Deferred income taxes 2,922 ---
Minority equity investments and other 8,831 6,244
Total other assets 36,609 115,345
$230,181 $404,740
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share amounts)
<CAPTION>
December 31 1997 1996
Liabilities, Shareowners' Equity and Partners' Capital
<S> <C> <C>
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt $ 2,682 $ 8,574
Trade accounts payable 12,810 11,835
Accrued payroll 38,123 28,963
Distributions payable 5,388 --
Amount due to third party payors 6,789 13,135
Accrued interest 596 501
Other current liabilities 14,407 9,795
Total current liabilities 80,795 72,803
Long-Term Debt, Less Current Portion 60,227 124,678
Debt Serviced by Other Parties, Less Current Portion 16,676 32,857
Minority Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries 763 791
Subordinated Convertible Notes 19,152 28,908
Deferred Income 14,832 16,166
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
Shareowners' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value;
10,000,000 shares authorized;
none issued or outstanding -- --
Common stock, $.01 par value;
30,000,000 shares authorized;
10,103,172 shares, issued and
outstanding 101 --
Capital in excess of par value, less notes receivable 33,248 --
Retained earnings -- --
Unrealized gains on securities 4,387 --
Total shareowners' equity 37,736 --
Partners' Capital:
General partners -- 1,408
Limited partners, less notes receivable -- 124,958
Unrealized gains on securities -- 2,171
Total partners' capital -- 128,537
$230,181 $404,740
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these consolidated statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31 1997 1996 1995
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income $ 37,008 $ 29,286 $ 21,115
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation 15,665 12,453 14,081
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable 1,688 1,654 2,182
Amortization of intangibles and deferred charges 598 1,083 1,845
Amortization of deferred income (1,334) (295) (497)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments (201) (313) (347)
Distributions from unconsolidated investments
and other 160 210 236
Deferred income taxes (4,540) --- ---
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable (22,350) (5,271) (1,095)
Increase in inventory (376) (497) (123)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and
other assets 389 (89) 680
Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable 975 5,693 (10,910)
Increase in accrued payroll 9,160 5,087 5,232
Increase (decrease) in amounts due to
third party payors (6,346) 3,335 5,404
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest 116 (1,321) (401)
Increase in other current liabilities 4,612 946 2,456
Net cash provided by operating activities 35,224 51,961 39,858
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Additions to and acquisitions of property and
equipment, net (34,827) (69,970) (29,435)
Investments in long-term notes receivable and loan
participation agreements (38,436) (20,170) (30,694)
Collections of long-term notes receivable and loan
participation agreements 23,807 38,862 39,157
(Increase) decrease in minority equity investments
and other (2,827) (441) 210
(Increase) decrease in marketable securities, net 605 (14,628) 2,361
Sales of investments --- 1,900 ---
Net cash used in investing activities (51,678) (64,447) (18,401)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from debt issuance 45,319 29,183 2,368
Proceeds from issuance of subordinated
convertible notes 20,000 --- ---
Increase in cash held by trustees (1,560) (553) (117)
Increase (decrease) in minority interests
in subsidiaries (28) (21) 10
Issuance of partnership units 2,344 1,378 820
Collections of receivables from exercise
of options 17,375 3,522 795
(Increase) decrease in bond reserve funds, mortgage
replacement reserves and other deposits (365) 1,648 (69)
Payments on debt (30,007) (8,138) (6,767)
Cash distributions to partners (21,021) (17,466) (14,702)
Increase in financing costs (279) (21) (402)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities 31,778 9,532 (18,064)
Net Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents 15,324 (2,954) 3,393
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period 1,881 4,835 1,442
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period $ 17,205 $ 1,881 $ 4,835
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31 1997 1996 1995
(in thousands, except share and unit amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Supplemental Information:
Cash payments for interest expense $ 12,918 $ 12,074 $ 17,292
During 1997 and 1996 $29,756 and $1,092
respectively, of convertible subordinated
notes were converted into 1,197,119 and 71,810
of NHC's partnership units and common stock
Subordinated convertible notes $(29,756) $ (1,092)$ --
Financing costs 131 -- --
Accrued interest 320 -- --
Partners' capital and shareowners' equity 29,305 1,092 --
During 1997, 1996 and 1995, NHC was released from
its liability on debt serviced by others by the
respective lenders
Debt serviced by other parties $(15,569) $ (5,136)$(45,868)
Assets under arrangement with other parties $ 15,569 $ 5,136 $ 45,868
The Company transferred certain assets, related
liabilities and equity to National Health Realty,
Inc., a real estate investment trust
Net book value of assets transferred $239,054 $ -- $ --
Mortgage notes payable transferred 86,414 -- --
Equity transferred $152,640 $ -- $ --
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part
of these consolidated statements.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Shareowners' Equity and Partners' Capital
(in thousands, except share and unit amounts)
<CAPTION>
Unrealized Total Share
Receivables Gains owners' Eq.
Common Stock/Units from Sale Paid in Retained (Losses) on General Limited Partners'
Shares/Units Amount of Units Capital Earnings Securities Partners Partners Capital
------------ ------ -------- ------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at 12/31/94 7,826,165 $ --- $(14,697) $ --- $ --- $ 480 $ 1,095 $114,128 $101,006
Net income --- --- --- --- --- --- 211 20,904 21,115
Collection of
receivables --- --- 795 --- --- --- --- --- 795
Units sold 526,949 --- (12,294) --- --- --- 131 12,983 820
Unrealized losses
on securities --- --- --- --- --- (135) --- --- (135)
Cash distributions declared
($1.88 per unit) --- --- --- --- --- --- (147) (14,555) (14,702)
Balance at 12/31/95 8,353,114 --- (26,196) --- --- 345 1,290 133,460 108,899
Net income --- --- --- --- --- --- 293 28,993 29,286
Collection of receiv-
ables --- --- 3,522 --- --- --- --- --- 3,522
Units sold 43,035 --- --- --- --- --- --- 1,378 1,378
Units issued in conversion of
convertible debentures to
partnership units 71,810 --- --- --- --- --- --- 1,092 1,092
Unrealized gains on
securities --- --- --- --- --- 1,826 --- --- 1,826
Cash distributions declared
($2.08 per unit) --- --- --- --- --- --- (175) (17,291) (17,466)
Balance at 12/31/96 8,467,959 --- (22,674) --- --- 2,171 1,408 147,632 128,537
Net income --- --- --- --- --- --- 370 36,638 37,008
Collection of
receivables --- --- 17,375 --- --- --- --- --- 17,375
Units sold 438,094 --- (11,576) --- --- --- --- 13,920 2,344
Units issued in conversion of
convertible debentures to
partnership
units 1,197,119 --- --- --- --- --- --- 29,305 29,305
Unrealized gains on
securities --- --- --- --- --- 2,216 --- --- 2,216
Equity transferred to National
Health Realty, Inc. --- --- --- --- --- --- (1,514) (151,126) (152,640)
Cash distributions declared
($3.00 per unit) --- --- --- --- --- --- (264) (26,145) (26,409)
10,103,172 --- (16,875) --- --- 4,387 --- 50,224 37,736
Effect of reorganization from
limited partnership to
corporation --- 101 --- 50,123 --- --- --- (50,224) ---
Balance at
12/31/97 10,103,172 $ 101 $(16,875) $50,123 $ --- $4,387 $ --- $ --- $ 37,736
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these consolidated statements.
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Presentation--
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National
HealthCare Corporation and its subsidiaries ("NHC" and formerly National
HealthCare L.P.). Investments are accounted for on either the cost or equity
method. All material intercompany balances, profits, and transactions have
been eliminated in consolidation, and minority interests are reflected in
consolidation. Investments in entities in which NHC lacks control but has the
ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial
policies are accounted for on the equity method. Investments in entities in
which NHC lacks the ability to exercise significant influence are included in
the consolidated financial statements at the cost of NHC's investment.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1995 and 1996 financial
statements to conform to the 1997 presentation.
Use of Estimates--
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management 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.
Health Care Revenues--
NHC's principal business is operating and managing long-term health care
centers, including the provision of routine and ancillary services.
Approximately 56% of NHC's net revenues in 1997 and 60% in 1996 and 1995 are
from participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs. Amounts paid under
these programs are generally based on a facility's allowable costs or a fixed
rate subject to program cost ceilings. Revenues are recorded at standard
billing rates less allowances and discounts principally for patients covered
by Medicare, Medicaid and other contractual programs. These allowances and
discounts were $99,273,000, $110,795,000 and $103,186,000 for 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively. Amounts earned under the Medicare, Medicaid and other
governmental programs are subject to review by the third party payors. In the
opinion of management, adequate provision has been made for any adjustments
that may result from such reviews. NHC generally expects final determinations
to occur two to three years subsequent to the year in which amounts are
earned. Any differences between estimated settlements and final
determinations are reflected in operations in the year finalized. NHC has
submitted various requests for exceptions to Medicare routine cost limitations
for reimbursement. NHC has received approval on certain requests, and others
are pending approval. NHC will record revenues associated with the approved
requests when such approvals, including cost report audits, are assured.
Provision for Doubtful Accounts--
Provisions for estimated uncollectible accounts and notes receivable are
included in other operating expenses.
<PAGE>
Property, Equipment and Assets Under Arrangement with Other Parties--
NHC uses the straight-line method of depreciation over the expected
useful lives of property and equipment estimated as follows: buildings and
improvements, 20-40 years; equipment and furniture, 3-15 years; and properties
under arrangement with other parties, 10-20 years. The provision for
depreciation includes the amortization of properties under capital leases and
properties under arrangement with National Health Investors, Inc. ("NHI") (See
Note 4).
Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged against income as
incurred. Betterments are capitalized. NHC removes the costs and related
allowances from the accounts for properties sold or retired, and any resulting
gains or losses are included in income. NHC includes interest costs incurred
during construction periods in the cost of buildings ($1,277,000 in 1997 and
$1,428,000 in 1996).
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121,
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets
To Be Disposed Of" ("SFAS 121"), NHC evaluates the recoverability of the
carrying values of its properties on a property by property basis.
Investments in Marketable Securities--
NHC considers its investments in marketable securities as available for
sale securities and unrealized gains and losses are recorded in shareowners'
equity in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115,
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities" ("SFAS
115").
Intangible Assets--
Any excess of cost over net assets of companies purchased is amortized
generally over 40 years using the straight-line method. Deferred financing
costs are amortized principally by the interest method over the terms of the
related loans.
Income Taxes--
During 1997 and since 1987, NHC was a publicly traded limited
partnership. Accordingly, NHC was not a taxable entity and the earnings of
NHC were taxable to the individual partners. Effective December 31, 1997, NHC
became a taxable corporate entity. In accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"),
effective December 31, 1997, NHC recognized deferred income taxes for the
consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates
for differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax
bases of existing assets and liabilities.
Concentration of Credit Risks--
NHC's credit risks primarily relate to cash and cash equivalents, cash
held by trustees, accounts receivable, marketable securities and notes
receivable. Cash and cash equivalents are primarily held in bank accounts and
overnight investments. Cash held by trustees is primarily invested in
commercial paper and certificates of deposit with financial institutions.
<PAGE>
Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts due from patients (funded
approximately 78% through Medicare, Medicaid, and other contractual programs
and approximately 22% through private payors) in the states of Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia
and from other health care companies for management services. NHC performs
continual credit evaluations of its clients and maintains allowances for
doubtful accounts on these accounts receivable. Marketable securities are
held primarily in two accounts with brokerage institutions. Notes receivable
relate primarily to secured loans with health care facilities and to secured
notes receivable from officers, directors and supervisory employees as
discussed in Notes 16 and 17. NHC also has notes receivable from National
Health Corporation as discussed in Note 5.
NHC's financial instruments, principally its notes receivable, are
subject to the possibility of loss of the carrying values as a result of
either the failure of other parties to perform according to their contractual
obligations or changes in market prices which may make the instruments less
valuable. NHC obtains various collateral and other protective rights, and
continually monitors these rights, in order to reduce such possibilities of
loss. NHC evaluates the need to provide for reserves for potential losses on
its financial instruments based on management's periodic review of its
portfolio on an instrument by instrument basis. See Notes 16 and 17 for
additional information on the notes receivable.
Cash and Cash Equivalents--
Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with an original
maturity of less than three months.
New Accounting Pronouncements--
During 1997 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" ("SFAS 128") and
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 129, "Disclosure of
Information about Capital Structure" ("SFAS 129"). NHC adopted the provisions
of SFAS 128 and SFAS 129 during the fourth quarter of 1997. The adoption of
SFAS 128 and SFAS 129 did not have a material effect on NHC's financial
statements. See Note 7 for calculation of NHC's earnings per unit and Notes
12, 13, and 17 for discussion of NHC's capital structure.
During 1997 the Financial Accounting Standards Board also issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income" ("SFAS 130") and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131,
"Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" ("SFAS
131"). NHC will adopt the provisions of SFAS 130 and SFAS 131 in 1998 and
does not expect that the adoption of these new accounting pronouncements will
have a material effect on NHC's financial statements.
NOTE 2 - RESTRUCTURE FROM LIMITED PARTNERSHIP TO CORPORATION:
Under the Revenue Act of 1987, NHC and certain other similar publicly
traded partnerships were permitted to be taxed as partnerships and not as
corporations through the 1997 tax year. Effective with the 1998 tax year,
however, NHC will be subject to federal income taxes. In response to the
<PAGE>
governmentally mandated loss of partnership tax status, the holders of NHC
general and limited partnership units approved a plan of restructure whereby,
on December 31, 1997, NHC converted from a limited partnership to a
corporation. All partnership units outstanding on December 31,1997 were
effectively converted into shares of common stock. The restructure from a
limited partnership to a corporation had no effect on the liquidity or
financial condition of NHC.
NOTE 3 - RELATIONSHIP WITH NATIONAL HEALTH REALTY, INC.:
Transfer of Assets--
On December 31, 1997, NHC transferred certain assets including mortgage
notes receivable (total book value of $94,439,000), the real property of 17
long-term health care centers, six assisted living facilities and one
retirement center (total book value of $144,615,000) and related liabilities
(total book value of $86,414,000) to National Health Realty, Inc. ("NHR"), a
publicly traded Maryland corporation qualified as a real estate investment
trust ("REIT") under federal laws, and NHR/OP, L.P. (the "Operating
Partnership"). NHR/OP, L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership which is the
operating entity of NHR. In exchange for the assets transferred, NHC received
8,237,423 shares of common stock of NHR, which is all of the outstanding
common stock of NHR. NHC distributed the common stock of NHR to NHC's
unitholders at the rate of one share for each unit outstanding on the record
date December 31, 1997. In order to protect the REIT status of NHR, certain
NHC unitholders received 1,310,194 units of the Operating Partnership rather
than NHR shares.
NHR was incorporated on September 26, 1997 as a wholly-owned subsidiary
of NHC for the purpose of consummating the transactions described herein. The
distribution of NHR's common stock to NHC unitholders effectively separated
NHC and NHR into two independent public companies, although the Boards of
Directors are identical save for one additional member on NHC's Board.
Leases--
Concurrent with NHC's conveyance of the real property to NHR, NHC leased
from NHR each of the 24 facilities. Each lease is for an initial term
expiring December 31, 2007, with two additional five year renewal terms at the
option of NHC, assuming no defaults. NHC accounts for the leases as operating
leases.
During the initial term and each renewal term, NHC is obligated to pay
NHR annual base rent on all 24 facilities of $12,417,000. In addition to base
rent, in each year after 1999, NHC must pay percentage rent to NHR equal to 3%
of the amount by which gross revenues of each facility in such later year
exceeds the gross revenues of such facility in 1999. Each lease with NHR is a
"triple net lease" under which NHC is responsible for paying all taxes,
utilities, insurance premium costs, repairs and other charges relating to the
ownership of the facilities. NHC is obligated at its expense to maintain
adequate insurance on the facilities' assets.
NHC has a right of first refusal with NHR to purchase any of the
properties transferred from NHC should NHR receive an offer from an unrelated
party during the term of the lease or up to 180 days after termination of the
related lease.
<PAGE>
At December 31, 1997, the approximate future minimum base rent
commitments to be paid by NHC on non-cancelable operating leases with NHR are
as follows:
1998 $12,417,000
1999 12,417,000
2000 12,417,000
2001 12,417,000
2002 12,417,000
Thereafter 62,085,000
Advisory Agreement--
NHC has entered into an Advisory Agreement with NHR whereby services
related to investment activities and day-to-day management and operations are
provided to NHR by NHC as Advisor. The Advisor is subject to the supervision
of and policies established by NHR's Board of Directors.
Either party may terminate the Advisory Agreement on 90 days notice at
any time after January 1, 2000. NHR may terminate the Advisory Agreement for
cause at any time.
For its services under the Advisory Agreement, NHC is entitled to annual
compensation of the greater of 2% of NHR's gross consolidated revenues or the
actual expenses incurred by NHC.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, NHR has agreed that as long as both
the NHR Advisory Agreement and the NHI Advisory Agreement are obligations of
NHC, NHR will only do business with NHC and will not compete with NHI. As a
result, NHR is severely limited in its ability to grow and expand its
business. Furthermore, NHC will not seek additional investments to expand
NHR's investment portfolio.
Tax Treatment of the Transfer--
The transfer of assets was treated as a nontaxable exchange under
Section 351 of the Internal Revenue code of 1986, as amended. For federal
income tax purposes, no gain or loss was recognized by NHC or by its
unitholders upon the transfer of assets to NHR or upon the distribution of the
shares of NHR. The tax basis of shares of NHR received by NHC unitholders in
the distribution was $16.54 per share before a number of special tax
adjustments related to the price paid for NHC units and the length of time
such units were held. The tax basis in each share of NHR cannot exceed the
overall basis in NHC units.
Pro Forma Results--
The unaudited pro forma results of NHC for the year ended December 31,
1997 are presented as if the transaction with NHR had occurred on January 1,
1997 and include the following adjustments:
1) Advisory fee income from NHR,
2) Changes in interest income and interest expense related to
the transfer of mortgage notes receivable and debt to NHR,
3) Base rent expense related to real property transferred to
NHR, and
4) Decrease in depreciation expense related to real property
transferred to NHR.
<PAGE>
The unaudited pro forma results are as follows:
(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
(unaudited)
Net Revenues $454,647
Total cost and expenses 429,248
Net income $ 25,399
Earnings per unit
Basic $ 2.86
Diluted $ 2.51
NOTE 4 - RELATIONSHIP WITH NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.:
Leases--
On October 17, 1991, concurrent with NHC's conveyance of real property
to NHI, NHC leased from NHI the real property of 40 long-term care centers and
three retirement centers. Each lease is for an initial term expiring December
31, 2001, with two additional five-year renewal terms at the option of NHC,
assuming no defaults. NHC accounts for the leases as operating leases.
During the initial term and first renewal term of the leases, NHC is
obligated to pay NHI annual base rent on all 43 facilities of $15,238,000. If
NHC exercises its option to extend the leases for the second renewal term, the
base rent will be the then fair rental value as negotiated by NHC and NHI.
The leases also obligate NHC to pay as debt service rent all payments of
interest and principal due under each mortgage to which the conveyance of the
facilities was subject. The payments are required over the remaining life of
the mortgages as of the conveyance date, but only during the term of the
lease. Payments for debt service rent are being treated by NHC as payments of
principal and interest if NHC remains obligated on the debt ("obligated debt
service rent") and as operating expense payments if NHC has been relieved of
the debt obligation by the lender ("non-obligated debt service rent"). See
"Accounting Treatment of the Transfer" for further discussion.
In addition to base rent and debt service rent, in each year after 1992,
NHC must pay percentage rent to NHI equal to 3% of the amount by which gross
revenues of each facility in such later year exceed the gross revenues of such
facility in 1992. Percentage rent for 1997 and 1996 was approximately
$2,294,000 and $1,817,000, respectively.
Each lease with NHI is a "triple net lease" under which NHC is
responsible for paying all taxes, utilities, insurance premium costs, repairs
and other charges relating to the ownership of the facilities. NHC is
obligated at its expense to maintain adequate insurance on the facilities'
assets.
NHC has a right of first refusal with NHI to purchase any of the
properties transferred from NHC should NHI receive an offer from an unrelated
party during the term of the lease or up to 180 days after termination of the
related lease.
<PAGE>
Base rent expense to NHI was $15,238,000 in 1997, 1996 and 1995.
Non-obligated debt service rent to NHI was $5,430,000 in 1997 and $5,048,000 in
1996. At December 31, 1997, the approximate future minimum base rent and
non-obligated debt service rent commitments to be paid by NHC on non-cancelable
operating leases with NHI during the initial term are as follows:
1998 $20,354,000
1999 20,372,000
2000 20,409,000
2001 20,486,000
Thereafter ---
Advisory Agreement--
NHC has entered into an Advisory Agreement with NHI whereby services
related to investment activities and day-to-day management and operations are
provided to NHI by NHC as Advisor. The Advisor is subject to the supervision
of and policies established by NHI's Board of Directors.
Either party may terminate the Advisory Agreement on 90 days notice at
any time. NHI may terminate the Advisory Agreement for cause at any time.
For its services under the Advisory Agreement, NHC's annual compensation
is calculated to be $3,101,000, $3,100,000, and $2,827,000 in 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively. However, the payment of such annual compensation is
conditional upon NHI having sufficient funds from operations to pay annual
dividends of $2.00 per share and upon NHI paying such dividends. NHI met this
condition in 1997, 1996 and 1995.
Accounting Treatment of the Transfer--
NHC has accounted for the conveyance in 1991 of assets (and related
debt) to NHI and the subsequent leasing of the real estate assets as a
"financing/leasing" arrangement. Since NHC remains obligated on certain of
the transferred debt, the obligated debt and applicable asset balances have
been reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as "assets under arrangement
with other parties" and "debt serviced by other parties". The net book value
equity of the assets transferred has been transferred from NHC to NHI. As NHC
utilizes the applicable real estate over the lease term, its Consolidated
Statements of Income will reflect the continued depreciation of the applicable
assets over the lease term, the continued interest expenses on the obligated
debt balances and the additional base and non-obligated debt service rents (as
an operating expense) payable to NHI each year. NHC has recovery provisions
from NHI if NHC is required to service the debt through a default by NHI.
Release from Debt Serviced by Other Parties--
In 1997, 1996 and 1995, NHI prepaid or NHC was released from its
obligation on transferred debt in the amounts of $15,569,000, $5,136,000 and
$45,868,000, respectively. Since NHC is no longer obligated on this
transferred debt, debt serviced by other parties and assets under arrangement
with other parties have been reduced by $15,569,000, $5,136,000 and
$45,868,000 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The leases with NHI provide
that NHC shall continue to make non-obligated debt service rent payments equal
to the debt service including principal and interest on the obligated debt
which was prepaid and from which NHC has been released.
<PAGE>
NOTE 5 - RELATIONSHIP WITH NATIONAL HEALTH CORPORATION:
Sale of Health Care Centers--
On January 20, 1988, NHC sold the assets (inventory, property and
equipment) of eight health care centers (1,121 licensed beds) to National
Health Corporation ("National"), the administrative general partner of NHC at
the time of the sale, for a total consideration of $40,000,000. The
consideration consisted of $30,000,000 in cash and a $10,000,000 note
receivable due December 31, 2007. The note receivable earns interest at 8.5%.
NHC has agreed to manage the centers under a 20-year management contract for
management fees comparable to those in the industry. With the prior consent
of NHC, National sold one center to an unrelated third party in 1997; thus,
NHC now manages seven centers for National. NHC has a receivable from
National for management fees of approximately $4,512,000 and $3,184,000 at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
NHC's basis in the assets sold was approximately $24,255,000. The
resulting profit of $15,745,000 was deferred and will be amortized into income
beginning with the collection of the note receivable (up to $12,000,000) with
the balance ($3,745,000) of the profit being amortized into income on a
straight-line basis over the management contract period.
As of December 31, 1997, National had borrowed $2,028,000 from NHC to
finance the construction of additions at two health care centers. The notes
require monthly principal and interest payments. The interest rate is equal
to the prime rate, and the notes mature in 2008.
Financing Activities--
On January 20, 1988, NHC obtained long-term financing of $8,500,000 for
its new headquarters building from National through the National Health
Corporation Leveraged Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust (the "ESOP").
The note requires quarterly principal and interest payments with interest at
9%. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the outstanding balance on the note was
approximately $5,078,000 and $5,520,000, respectively. The building is owned
by a separate partnership of which NHC is the general partner and building
tenants are limited partners. NHC has guaranteed the debt service of the
building partnership.
In addition, NHC's $14,085,000 bank credit facility and the $9,383,000
senior secured notes described in Note 11 were financed through National and
the ESOP. NHC's interest costs, financing expenses and principal payments are
equal to those incurred by National. In October 1991, NHC borrowed
$10,000,000 from National. The term note payable requires quarterly interest
payments at 8.5%. The entire principal is due at maturity in 2008.
Payroll and Related Services--
The personnel conducting the business of NHC are employees of National,
which provides payroll services, provides employee fringe benefits, and
maintains certain liability insurance. NHC pays to National all the costs of
personnel employed for the benefit of NHC, as well as an administrative fee
($2,305,000 in 1997) equal to 1% of payroll costs.
National maintains and makes contributions to its ESOP for the benefit
of eligible employees.
<PAGE>
NOTE 6 - OTHER REVENUES:
Revenues from management services include management fees, interest
income on notes receivable, and revenues from other services provided to
managed long-term care centers. "Other" revenues include non-health care
related earnings.
(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31 1997 1996 1995
Revenues from managed services $38,339 $32,363 $28,719
Guarantee fees 628 693 814
Advisory fees from NHI 3,101 3,100 3,265
Dividends and other realized
gains on securities 1,728 932 450
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
investments 201 313 347
Interest income 4,333 4,386 6,457
Other 4,184 2,661 1,377
$52,514 $44,448 $41,429
NOTE 7 - EARNINGS PER UNIT:
In 1997 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" ("SFAS 128").
NHC adopted the provisions of SFAS 128 during the fourth quarter of 1997 and
has restated earnings per unit for 1996 and 1995.
Basic earnings per unit is based on the weighted average number of
common units outstanding during the year.
Diluted earnings per unit assumes the conversion of the subordinated
convertible notes and the exercise of all unit options using the treasury
stock method. Net income is increased for interest expense on the
subordinated convertible notes.
The following table summarizes the earnings and the average number of
common units used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per unit:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)
Year Ended December 31 1997 1996 1995
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Basic:
Weighted average common units 8,874,627 8,421,523 7,920,795
Net income $ 37,008 $ 29,286 $ 21,115
Earnings per common unit, basic $ 4.17 $ 3.48 $ 2.67
Diluted:
Weighted average common units 8,874,627 8,421,523 7,920,795
Stock options 5,565 148,685 39,496
Convertible subordinated notes 1,958,375 1,926,199 1,972,866
Assumed average common units
outstanding 10,838,567 10,496,407 9,933,157
<PAGE>
Net income $ 37,008 $ 29,286 $ 21,115
Interest expense on subordinated
convertible notes 1,809 1,850 1,892
Net income assuming conversion of
subordinated convertible notes $ 38,817 $ 31,136 $ 23,007
Earnings per common unit, diluted $ 3.58 $ 2.97 $ 2.32
</TABLE>
NOTE 8 - PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND ASSETS UNDER ARRANGEMENT WITH OTHER PARTIES:
Property and equipment, at cost, consist of the following:
(in thousands)
December 31 1997 1996
Land $ 3,404 $ 20,607
Buildings and improvements 38,173 99,564
Furniture and equipment 58,355 70,947
Construction in progress 4,665 43,816
$104,597 $234,934
Assets under arrangement with other parties, net of accumulated
depreciation, consist of the following:
(in thousands)
December 31 1997 1996
Land $ 556 $ 2,313
Buildings and improvements 1,336 15,885
Fixed equipment 285 1,664
Mortgage notes receivable 2,676 2,676
$ 4,853 $ 22,538
NOTE 9 - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS:
Supplemental information for statements of cash flows includes the
following:
During 1997 and 1996 $29,756 and $1,092
respectively, of convertible subordinated
notes were converted into 1,197,119 and
71,810 of NHC's partnership units and
common stock
Subordinated convertible notes $ (29,756) $ (1,092) $ ---
Financing costs 131 --- ---
Accrued interest 320 1,092 ---
Partners' capital and share-
owners' equity 29,305 1,092 ---
During 1997, 1996 and 1995, NHC was
released from its liability on debt
serviced by others by the respective
lenders
Debt serviced by other parties $ (15,569) $ (5,136) $(45,868)
Assets under arrangement with
other parties 15,569 5,136 $ 45,868
<PAGE>
At December 31, 1997, NHC transferred
certain assets, related liabilities
and equity to National Health Realty,
Inc., a real estate investment trust
Net book value of assets
transferred $ 239,054 $ --- $ ---
Mortgage notes payable
transferred (86,414) --- ---
Equity transferred $(152,640)$ --- $ ---
NOTE 10 - ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS:
In July 1996, NHC purchased, for total consideration of approximately
$4,680,000, a 120 bed long-term health care center located in West Plains,
Missouri. NHC had managed the health care center since its opening in 1982.
Also in July 1996, NHC purchased, for total consideration of approximately
$6,500,000, a long-term health care center with assisted living apartments
located in Naples, Florida. There are 60 long-term health care beds and 36
assisted living apartments.
The purchase prices for the acquisitions above were allocated to the
underlying assets based on their relative fair market values. The
Consolidated Statements of Income for 1997 and 1996 include the results of
operations from the respective dates of acquisition.
NOTE 11 - INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES:
NHC considers its investments in marketable securities as available for
sale securities and unrealized gains and losses are recorded in shareowners'
equity in accordance with SFAS 115.
Proceeds from the sale of investments in debt and equity securities
during the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 were $854,000 and $1,669,000
respectively. Gross investment gains of $249,000 and $92,000 were realized on
these sales during the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996. Gross
investment losses of $41,000 were realized on these sales during the year
ended December 31, 1996. Realized gains and losses from securities sales are
determined on the specific identification of the securities.
NOTE 12 - DEBT AND LEASE COMMITMENTS:
Long-Term Debt--
Long-term debt and debt serviced by other parties consist of the
following:
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Weighted Average Final Debt Serviced by Long-Term
Interest Rate Maturities Other Parties Debt
---------------- ---------- ---------------- ---------
(in thousands)
December 31 1997 1996 1997 1996
-------- --------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Bank credit facility, interest
payable periodically, principal variable,
due at maturity 6.7% 1999 $ --- $ --- $ 20,000 $ ---
Bank revolving credit facility,
repaid in 1997 --- ---- --- --- --- 28,000
Bank credit facility, principal
and interest payable variable,
quarterly 6.0 2009 --- --- 14,085 14,831
Senior secured notes, principal
and interest payable semiannually 8.4 2005 --- 17,567 9,383 24,397
First mortgage notes, repaid in 1997 --- ---- --- --- --- 22,106
Notes and other obligations,
principal and interest payable
periodically 7.1 1997-2019 4,333 4,443 8,461 30,679
First mortgage revenue bonds,
principal payable periodically, variable,
interest payable monthly 5.0 2000-2010 13,323 14,086 --- ---
Unsecured term note payable to
National, interest payable quarterly,
principal payable at maturity 8.5 2008 --- --- 10,000 10,000
17,656 36,096 61,929 130,013
Less current portion (980) (3,239) (1,702) (5,335)
$16,676 $ 32,857 $ 60,227 $124,678
</TABLE>
The $14,085,000 bank credit facility and the $9,383,000 senior secured
notes were borrowed through National. NHC granted certain credits and
interest rate concessions related to its management fees from National in
obtaining these loans.
The debt identified above as senior secured notes is cross-defaulted
with other NHC, NHR and NHI liabilities and is cross-collateralized to the
extent of approximately $9,383,000 of other debt.
To obtain the consent of various lenders to the transfer of assets, NHI
guaranteed certain NHC debt which was not transferred to NHI. A default by
NHI under its obligations would default the debt or guarantees of NHC.
The aggregate maturities of long-term debt and debt serviced by others
for the five years subsequent to December 31, 1997 are as follows:
Long-Term Debt Serviced
Debt By Others Total
1998 $ 1,702,000 $ 980,000 $ 2,682,000
1999 22,157,000 716,000 22,873,000
2000 2,147,000 999,000 3,146,000
2001 2,231,000 894,000 3,125,000
2002 2,322,000 923,000 3,245,000
<PAGE>
Certain property and equipment of NHC and NHI are pledged as collateral
on long-term debt or capital lease obligations. Other property and assets are
available for use as collateral as needed.
Certain loan agreements require maintenance of specified operating
ratios as well as specified levels of cash held in escrow, working capital and
shareowners' equity by NHC and NHI. All such covenants have been met by NHC,
and management believes that NHI is in compliance with the loan covenants.
Lease Commitments--
Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995
include expenses for leased premises and equipment under operating leases of
$26,396,000, $25,036,000, and $18,820,000, respectively. See Notes 3 and 4
for the approximate future minimum rent commitments on non-cancelable
operating leases with NHR and NHI.
Construction and Financing Commitments--
NHC is committed to spend approximately $17,105,000 in 1998 for ongoing
construction contracts. NHC's cash on hand, marketable securities, short-term
notes receivable, operating cash flow and, as needed, its borrowing capacity
are expected to be adequate to fund these commitments.
NOTE 13 - SUBORDINATED CONVERTIBLE NOTES:
1997 Debentures--
On October 15, 1997 NHC issued $20,000,000 of 5.75% senior convertible
subordinated debentures (the "1997 debentures") due June 30, 2004. At
December 31, 1997, all of the 1997 debentures were converted into common
shares of NHC at a conversion price of $36.00 per share. NHC issued 555,555
shares of common stock for the 1997 debenture conversions.
Notes--
At December 31, 1997, $19,152,000 of 6% subordinated convertible notes
("the notes") remain outstanding. The notes mature July 1, 2000. Interest is
payable quarterly. The notes are convertible at the option of the holder at
any time into shares of NHC at a price of $15.2063 per share, subject to
adjustment for certain changes in the number of shares outstanding. After
December 31, 1997, the notes are convertible into NHC shares and also into an
equal number of NHR shares. The notes may be redeemed at the option of NHC
after December 31, 1997. During 1997, $9,756,000 of the notes were converted
into 641,564 units. NHC has reserved an additional 1,259,478 shares of stock
for conversion of the notes.
NOTE 14 - INCOME TAXES:
Effective December 31, 1997, NHC recorded a deferred tax benefit related
to the establishment of net deferred tax assets and liabilities in connection
with its reorganization from a partnership to a corporation. NHC also
recorded a current tax provision related to taxable income of corporate
subsidiaries and other contingencies. The provision (benefit) for income
taxes for the year ended December 31, 1997 is comprised of the following
components:
<PAGE>
For the Year Ended
December 31, 1997
Taxes Payable (in thousands)
Federal $ 4,736
State 13
4,749
Deferred Tax Benefit
Federal (3,859)
State (681)
(4,540)
Income Tax Provision $ 209
The deferred tax assets and liabilities, at the respective income tax
rates, as of December 31, 1997 are as follows:
December 31, 1997
Current deferred tax asset:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
receivable $ 1,766
Accrued liabilities 1,689
3,455
Current deferred tax liability:
Unrealized gains on marketable
securities (1,755)
Other (82)
(1,837)
Net current deferred tax asset $ 1,618
Noncurrent deferred tax asset:
Deferred gain on sale of assets 5,588
Deferred guaranty fees 1,146
Unearned insurance premium income 369
Other 244
7,347
Noncurrent deferred tax liability:
Tax depreciation in excess of financial
reporting depreciation (4,386)
Other (39)
(4,425)
Net noncurrent deferred tax asset $ 2,922
As NHC was not a taxable entity as of or for the years ended December
31, 1996 and 1995, no provisions or benefits for income taxes or deferred tax
assets and liabilities were recorded in those years.
<PAGE>
NOTE 15 - CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES:
Litigation--
In March 1996, Florida Convalescent Centers, Inc. (FCC), an independent
Florida corporation for whom NHC manages sixteen licensed nursing centers in
Florida, gave NHC notice of its intent not to renew a management contract at
one of the centers. Pursuant to written agreements between the parties, NHC
valued the center, offering to either purchase the center at the price so
valued or FCC could elect to pay NHC certain deferred compensation based upon
that value. FCC responded on March 26, 1996, by filing a Declaratory Judgment
suit in the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit in and for Sarasota
County, Florida, requesting the court to interpret the parties' rights under
their contractual arrangements, and naming NHC and its then general partners
as defendants.
In January 1997, FCC notified NHC that it intends to terminate its
management contracts with NHC as they become eligible for termination. Four
such contracts matured in 1997; however, FCC has agreed that NHC will remain
as manager until a final decision is reached by the Sarasota Court. The
balance of the FCC contracts may be terminated in the years 2001-2003,
although some dates are in dispute.
Since the original suit was filed, FCC has amended its complaint five
times, the most recent amendment being in January 1998. These amendments
assert numerous claims against NHC including claims for breach of all
management agreements between the parties; for a declaration that FCC does not
owe any deferred contingent fees to NHC or, if so, a declaration that such
deferred fees constitute usurious interest; that the recorded mortgages
securing FCC's debt to NHC do not secure payment of the deferred contingent
fees; for breach of a 1994 loan agreement between FCC and defendants related
to the construction of a facility in Orlando; for business libel; for breach
of fiduciary duty arising from defendants' alleged obstruction of FCC's right
to audit; from defendants' alleged failure to properly manage FCC's
facilities; from defendants' alleged self dealing by causing FCC and
defendants or their affiliates to enter into contracts that are not customary
or usual in the industry; and (most recently) a breach resulting from NHC's
conversion from a publicly traded partnership into a publicly traded
corporation effective December 31, 1997. In addition to declaratory relief,
FCC asserts that it is entitled to unspecified damages and has the right to
terminate all of the management agreements between the parties for cause. The
defendants have answered denying all of FCC's claims and asserting a
counterclaim against FCC.
On November 5, 1997, the trial court ruled against FCC's Partial Motion
for Summary Judgment in which they asked the Court to order that the mortgages
securing NHC's loans and guarantees to FCC did not secure the deferred
compensation due upon termination of the contract. The Court stated as
follows: "Defendants (NHC) are not required to release the encumbered
properties from the mortgage liens until all secured amounts, including
deferred contingency fees, are paid". In January, 1998, FCC filed with the
Sarasota Court a Motion for Summary Judgment alleging all FCC management
contracts were breached upon NHC's conversion into a corporation. NHC has
responded to this motion with numerous affidavits and the Court has scheduled
a hearing on March 23, 1998. The Court has also set a trial date for the
Fifth Amended Complaint commencing October 26, 1998.
<PAGE>
The loss of management contract revenue on an individual FCC center
would not have a material impact on NHC, but the loss of the revenues from all
sixteen centers would have a material impact. This impact could be offset,
however, by the receipt by NHC of the deferred contingency fee and/or the fact
that NHC might purchase some or all of the facilities, thus allowing the
revenues to be operating income for NHC; provided such fees or rights are not
disallowed by the lawsuit.
NHC is also a defendant in a lawsuit styled Braeuning, et al vs.
National HealthCare L.P., et al filed "under seal" in the U.S. District Court
of the Northern District of Florida on April 9, 1996. The court removed the
seal from the complaint - but not the file itself - on March 20, 1997 and
service of process occurred on July 8, 1997, with the government participating
as an intervening plaintiff. By agreement, and with court approval, the suit
has been moved from the Pensacola District Court to the Tampa, Florida,
District Court. NHC has filed its Answer denying the allegations. A case
management conference is scheduled for March 13, 1998. The suit alleges that
NHC has submitted cost reports and routine cost limit exception requests
containing "fraudulent allocation of routine nursing services to ancillary
service cost centers" and improper allocation of skilled nursing service hours
in four managed centers, all in the state of Florida. The suit was filed
under the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal False Claims Act, commonly
referred to as the "Whistleblower Act". The individual plaintiff Braeuning
has amended the suit to allege he was "retalitorily discharged" from his
position due to the filing of the suit. NHC has denied this and believes the
facts will vindicate its position.
In October 1996, two managed centers in Florida were audited by
representatives of the regional office of the Office of the Inspector General
("OIG"). As part of these audits, the OIG reviewed various records of the
facilities relating to allocation of nursing hours and contracts with
suppliers of outside services. At one center the OIG indicated during an exit
conference that it had no further questions but has not yet issued a final
report. At the second facility, which is one of four named in the Braeuning
lawsuit, the OIG determined that certain records were insufficient and NHC
supplied the additional requested information. These audits have been
incorporated into the lawsuit.
Florida is one of the states in which governmental officials are
conducting "Operation Restore Trust", a federal/state program aimed at
detecting and eliminating fraud and abuse by providers in the Medicare and
Medicaid programs. The OIG has increased its investigative actions in Florida
(and has now opened a Tennessee office) as part of Operation Restore Trust.
In regard to the substantive allegations contained in the lawsuit, NHC
believes that the cost report information of its centers has been either
appropriately filed or, upon appropriate amendment, will reflect adjustments
only for the correction of unintentional misallocations. Prior to the filing
of the suit, NHC had commenced an in-depth review of the nursing time
allocation process at its owned, leased and managed centers. A number of
amended cost reports have been filed and NHC will continue to schedule and
prepare revised cost reports and exception requests. NHC's self audit process
has been approved by the plaintiffs and NHC has retained a nationally
recognized accounting firm to review the self audit process. It is
anticipated that all cost report years in question will be reviewed prior to
there being further action in this matter at the judicial level. The cost
report periods under review include periods from 1991 through 1996, plus the
1997 reports as they are initially filed.
<PAGE>
NHC would be responsible for any settlement related to its owned or
leased facilities and to the extent that managed centers have settlements,
NHC's 6% management fee would be adversely impacted. NHC will continue its's
revenue policy which is not to reflect routine cost limit exception requests
as income until the process, including cost report audits, is completed. NHC
will continue to fully cooperate with the government in an attempt to
determine dollar amounts involved, and will and is aggressively pursuing an
amicable settlement. NHC cannot predict at this time the ultimate outcome of
the suit. An adverse determination in the lawsuit could subject NHC to
settlements which could have a material negative impact on the financial
position or results of operations of NHC.
There is certain additional litigation incidental to NHC's business,
none of which, in management's opinion, would be material to the financial
position or results of operations of NHC.
Health Care Legislation--
During 1997, the Federal government enacted the Balanced Budget Act of
1997 ("BBA"), which contains numerous Medicare and Medicaid cost-saving
measures. The BBA requires that nursing homes transition to a prospective
payment system under the Medicare program during a three year "transition
period" commencing with the first cost reporting period beginning on or after
July 1, 1998. Home health agencies must also transition from a cost-based
reimbursement system to a prospective payment system beginning in 1999. The
BBA also contains certain measures that could lead to future reductions in
Medicare therapy cost reimbursement and Medicaid payment rates. Given the
recent enactment of the BBA, NHC is unable to predict the ultimate impact of
the BBA on its future operations. However, any reductions in government
spending for long-term health care would likely have an adverse effect on the
operating results and cash flows of NHC. NHC will attempt to increase
nongovernmental revenues and continue the expansion of its service component
income in order to offset any loss of governmental revenues as a result of the
enactment of the BBA.
Professional Liability and Other Insurance--
NHC carries a professional liability insurance policy for coverage from
liability claims and losses incurred in its health care business. The policy
is a fixed premium and occurrence form policy and has no provisions for a
retrospective refund or assessment due to actual loss experience. In the
opinion of management, NHC's insurance coverage is adequate to cover
settlement of outstanding claims against NHC.
NHC has assumed certain risks related to health insurance and workers
compensation insurance claims of the employees of National and the managed
facilities. The liability for reported claims and estimates for incurred but
unreported claims of the managed facilities is $7,585,000 and $5,078,000 at
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively. The liability is
included in other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. NHC
remits for the claims with regards to National's employees utilized by NHC on
a monthly basis. The amounts are subject to adjustment for actual claims
incurred.
<PAGE>
Guarantees and Related Events--
In order to obtain management agreements and to facilitate construction
or acquisition of certain health care centers which NHC manages for others,
NHC has guaranteed some or all of the centers' first mortgage bond debt
(principal and interest). For this service, NHC charges an annual guarantee
fee of 1% to 2% of the outstanding principal balance guaranteed, which fee is
in addition to NHC's management fee. The principal amount outstanding under
the guarantees is approximately $68,499,000 (net of available debt service
reserves) at variable and fixed interest rates with a weighted average rate of
5.0% at December 31, 1997.
In management's opinion, these guarantee fees approximate fees that NHC
would currently charge to enter into similar guarantees.
All of the guaranteed indebtedness is secured by first mortgages,
pledges of personal property, accounts receivable and, in certain instances,
by the personal guarantees of the owners of the facilities. The borrower has
granted second mortgages over the relevant properties in favor of NHC. Such
rights may be enforced if NHC is required to pay under its guarantees.
NHI has guaranteed certain of the debts of NHC. NHC has agreed to
indemnify and hold harmless NHI against any and all loss, liability or harm
incurred by NHI as a result of having to perform under its guarantee of any or
all of the guaranteed debt.
NOTE 16 - NOTES RECEIVABLE:
Notes receivable generally consist of loans and accrued interest to
managed health care centers and retirement centers for construction costs,
development costs incurred during construction and working capital during
initial operating periods. The notes generally require monthly payments with
maturities beginning in 1998 through 2003. Interest on the notes is generally
at prime plus 2%. The collateral for the notes consists of first and second
mortgages, certificates of need and personal guarantees and stock pledges.
NOTE 17 - SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY:
NHC has Incentive Option Plans which provide for the granting of options
to key employees and directors to purchase shares of common stock at no less
than market value on the date of grant. The options may be exercised
immediately, but NHC may purchase the shares of stock at the grant price if
employment is terminated prior to six years from the date of grant. The
maximum term of the options is five years. The following table summarizes
option activity:
<PAGE>
Number of Weighted Average
Shares Exercise Price
Options outstanding December 31, 1994 490,500 $25.00
Options granted 376,000 30.76
Options exercised 489,000 25.14
Options outstanding December 31, 1995 377,500 30.56
Options granted 15,000 38.63
Options exercised 2,500 11.25
Options outstanding December 31, 1996 390,000 30.99
Options granted 20,000 46.25
Options exercised 376,000 31.13
Options expired 9,000 21.67
Options outstanding December 31, 1997 25,000 $40.05
At December 31, 1997, all options outstanding are exercisable. Exercise
prices on the exercisable options range from $24.88 to $46.25. The weighted
average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at December 31, 1997
is 3.3 years.
Additionally, NHC has an employee stock purchase plan which allows
employees to purchase shares of stock of NHC through payroll deductions. The
plan allows employees to terminate participation at any time.
In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-
Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"). SFAS 123 established new financial
accounting and reporting standards for stock-based compensation plans. NHC
has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS 123. As a result, no
compensation cost has been recognized in the Consolidated Statements of
Income for NHC's stock-based compensation plans. Management believes that any
compensation cost attributable to stock-based compensation plans is
immaterial.
In connection with the exercise of certain stock options, NHC has
received interest-bearing (ranging from 5.0% to 6.25%), full recourse notes in
the amount of $16,875,000 at December 31, 1997. The notes are secured by
shares of NHC or shares of NHI having a fair market value of not less than
150% of the amount of the note. The principal balances of the notes are
reflected as a reduction of shareowners' equity in the consolidated financial
statements.
NOTE 18 - DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair
value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practical to
estimate that value:
Cash and cash equivalents; Cash held by trustees; Accounts receivable; Bond
reserve funds, mortgage replacement reserves and other deposits; Accounts
payable and Accrued liabilities--
<PAGE>
The fair value approximates the carrying amount because of the short
maturity or the nature of these instruments.
Marketable securities--
The fair value is estimated based on quoted market prices and is the
same as the carrying amount.
Notes receivable--
The fair value of NHC's notes receivable is estimated based on the
current rates offered by NHC or comparable parties for the same or similar
types of notes receivable of the same or similar maturities and is
approximately the same as the carrying amount.
Long-term debt and debt serviced by other parties--
The fair value is estimated based on the current rates offered to NHC
for similar debt of the same maturities and is approximately the same as the
carrying amounts.
Subordinated convertible notes--
The fair values are estimated based on quoted market prices and
approximate $70,531,000 and $82,995,000 at December 31, 1997 and December 31,
1996, respectively, as compared to carrying values of $19,152,000 and
$28,908,000 at December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference of our reports on National HealthCare Corporation
(formerly National HealthCare L.P.) dated February 12, 1998, included in this
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, into the Company's previously
filed post-effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-4 on Form S-8 Registration
Statement No. 33-9881. It should be noted that we have not audited any
financial statements of the Company subsequent to December 31, 1997 or
performed any audit procedures subsequent to the date of our report.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Nashville, Tennessee
March 25, 1998
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<NAME> NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997
<CASH> 21,039,000
<SECURITIES> 19,579,000
<RECEIVABLES> 77,042,000
<ALLOWANCES> 5,478,000
<INVENTORY> 3,948,000
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<PP&E> 121,456,000
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<COMMON> 101,000
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