Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

 

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File Number: 000-22313

 


 

AMERIPATH, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware   65-0642485
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

7289 Garden Road, Suite 200,

Riviera Beach, Florida

  33404
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(561) 845-1850

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 


 

Not Applicable

(Former Name, Former Address and Formal Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) 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  ¨    No  x *

 

*See explanatory note following index.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act)    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

Number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of November 14, 2003: 100

 



Table of Contents

AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

INDEX

 

              Page

EXPLANATORY NOTE

    

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    
   

    Item 1.

   Financial Statements     
         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2003 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2002    1
         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002    2
         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002    3
         Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)    4
   

    Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    16
   

    Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    31
   

    Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    31

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

    
   

    Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    32
   

    Item 6.

   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K    32

SIGNATURES

   33


Table of Contents

EXPLANATORY NOTE:

 

AmeriPath, Inc. is not currently subject to the periodic reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is not required by any rules or regulations of the SEC to file this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Notwithstanding the foregoing, AmeriPath, Inc. is required to file certain periodic reports with the SEC (to the extent such reports are accepted by the SEC) pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing its outstanding 10 1/2% senior subordinated notes due 2013. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is being filed solely pursuant to the terms of the indenture.


Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 

     September 30,
2003


   December 31,
2002


     (Unaudited)
ASSETS              

CURRENT ASSETS:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 28,596    $ 964

Restricted cash

     13,218      8,453

Accounts receivable, net

     81,272      90,886

Inventories

     1,721      1,823

Prepaid income taxes

     6,384      7,596

Deferred tax asset, net

     9,148      9,149

Other current assets

     3,585      5,237
    

  

Total current assets

     143,924      124,108
    

  

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

     27,336      26,126
    

  

OTHER ASSETS:

             

Goodwill, net

     532,630      277,337

Identifiable intangibles, net

     187,025      275,219

Other

     25,436      5,670
    

  

Total other assets

     745,091      558,226
    

  

Total Assets

   $ 916,351    $ 708,460
    

  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY              

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

             

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 53,700    $ 54,218

Accrued interest

     14,872      181

Current portion of long-term debt

     5,072      433

Other current liabilities

     1,595      5,491
    

  

Total current liabilities

     75,239      60,323
    

  

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

             

Long-term debt

     499,267      115,684

Capital lease obligations, less current portion

     243      136

Other liabilities

     1,041      1,547

Deferred tax liabilities, net

     10,844      79,444
    

  

Total long-term liabilities

     511,395      196,811
    

  

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

             

STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY:

             

Common stock

     1      307

Additional paid-in capital

     328,535      321,658

Retained earnings

     1,181      129,361
    

  

Total stockholder’s equity

     329,717      451,326
    

  

Total Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity

   $ 916,351    $ 708,460
    

  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

NET REVENUES:

                                

Net patient service revenue

   $ 115,986     $ 117,049     $ 343,516     $ 336,983  

Net management service revenue

     6,059       6,692       17,389       20,389  
    


 


 


 


Total net revenues

     122,045       123,741       360,905       357,372  
    


 


 


 


OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:

                                

Cost of services:

                                

Net patient service revenue

     59,263       57,361       175,594       162,770  

Net management service revenue

     3,887       3,889       11,017       11,705  
    


 


 


 


Total cost of services

     63,150       61,250       186,611       174,475  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     21,730       21,852       65,915       62,542  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     20,888       14,759       53,795       42,873  

Amortization expense

     2,463       2,892       8,665       8,477  

Merger-related charges

     —         —         12,414       —    

Restructuring costs

     —         —         3,240       —    

Asset impairment & related charges

     —         2,753       —         2,753  

Write-off of deferred financing costs

     —         —         957       —    
    


 


 


 


Total operating costs and expenses

     108,231       103,506       331,597       291,120  
    


 


 


 


INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     13,814       20,235       29,308       66,252  
    


 


 


 


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                                

Interest expense

     (11,132 )     (1,129 )     (24,322 )     (3,259 )

Write-off of Genomics investment

     —         (1,000 )     —         (1,000 )

Other income, net

     146       403       194       534  
    


 


 


 


Total other expense, net

     (10,986 )     (1,726 )     (24,128 )     (3,725 )
    


 


 


 


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     2,828       18,509       5,180       62,527  

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

     1,108       7,343       4,475       24,950  
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME

   $ 1,720     $ 11,166     $ 705     $ 37,577  
    


 


 


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

(Unaudited)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September


 
     2003

    2002

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net income

   $ 705     $ 37,577  

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

                

Depreciation

     6,554       5,859  

Amortization

     10,004       8,477  

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

     41       (30 )

Gain on sale of managed practice

     —         (254 )

Asset impairment & related charges

     —         2,753  

Write-off of Genomics investment

     —         1,000  

Write-off of deferred financing costs

     957       —    

Deferred income taxes

     (1,326 )     (5,000 )

Provision for doubtful accounts

     53,795       42,873  

Merger-related charges

     —         (116 )

Changes in assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions):

                

Increase in accounts receivable

     (44,181 )     (54,668 )

Decrease in inventories

     102       723  

Decrease (increase) in other current assets

     2,864       (4,553 )

(Increase) decrease in other assets

     (734 )     790  

Increase in accrued interest

     14,691       —    

(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (297 )     17,686  
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     43,175       53,117  
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Acquisitions of property and equipment

     (7,341 )     (5,877 )

Acquisition and merger-related charges paid

     (1,439 )     (1,910 )

Cash paid for acquisitions and acquisition costs, net of cash acquired

     (1,694 )     (14,949 )

Proceeds from sale of managed practice

     —         2,700  

Increase in restricted cash

     (4,765 )     —    

Payments of contingent notes

     (30,749 )     (32,365 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (45,988 )     (52,401 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants

     268       2,163  

Debt issuance costs

     (21,611 )     (220 )

Net borrowings (payments) on long-term debt and capital leases

     2,180       (226 )

Proceeds from term-loan facility

     225,000       —    

Repayments under term-loan facility

     (1,125 )     (4,000 )

Proceeds from senior offering

     275,000       —    

Payments on former credit facility

     (113,190 )     —    

Proceeds from AmeriPath Holdings, Inc.

     296,222       —    

Proceeds from contingent note fund

     8,870       —    

Purchase of common stock

     (629,554 )     —    

Financing costs paid

     (11,655 )     —    

Tax benefit of exercise of stock options

     40       2,218  
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     30,445       (65 )
    


 


INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     27,632       651  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     964       4,808  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 28,596     $ 5,459  
    


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                

Contingent stock issued

   $ —       $ 822  

Rollover of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe IX, L.P. (“WCAS”) equity

   $ 23,445     $ —    

Property and equipment acquired pursuant to capital leases

   $ 456     $ —    

Net change in intangible assets and goodwill based on purchase price valuation

   $ 80,969     $ —    

Net change in goodwill and deferred taxes based on purchase price valuation

   $ 63,382     $ —    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

(in thousands, unless otherwise indicated)

 

Note 1—Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of AmeriPath, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “AmeriPath” or the “Company”), have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, such interim financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations and cash flows for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year.

 

The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited condensed consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 8-K dated March 3, 2003 for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

In order to maintain consistency and comparability between periods presented, certain amounts in the prior year’s financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the financial statement presentation of the current period.

 

Note 2—The Transaction

 

On December 8, 2002, Amy Holding Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Amy Acquisition Corp., entered into a merger agreement with AmeriPath, pursuant to which Amy Acquisition Corp. merged with and into AmeriPath, with AmeriPath continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Transaction”). The Transaction was approved by the Company’s stockholders and subsequently consummated on March 27, 2003. As a result of the Transaction, AmeriPath became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amy Holding Company, which was renamed AmeriPath Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”).

 

Amy Holding Company and Amy Acquisition Corp. were Delaware corporations formed at the direction of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe IX, L.P. (“WCAS”). WCAS and its related investors own 100% of the outstanding common stock of Holdings.

 

The funds necessary to consummate the Transaction were approximately $801.9 million, including approximately $629.6 million to pay the stockholders and option holders of AmeriPath (other than WCAS and its affiliates) all amounts due under the merger agreement, approximately $127.5 million to refinance existing indebtedness and approximately $44.8 million to pay related fees and expenses. Prior to the merger, the 1,534,480 shares of AmeriPath common stock owned by WCAS and its affiliates were contributed to Holdings in exchange for shares of Holdings’ common stock. These shares were cancelled without payment of any merger consideration. The Transaction was financed by a cash common equity investment by WCAS and its related equity investors of $296.2 million in Holdings, which funds were contributed by Holdings to AmeriPath in exchange for shares of AmeriPath’s common stock, $225.0 million in term loan borrowings under its new credit facility, the issuance of $275.0 million in senior subordinated notes and existing AmeriPath cash.

 

The Transaction has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting prescribed in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 “Business Combinations,” (SFAS No. 141), with intangible assets recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS No. 142). In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142, no amortization of indefinite-lived intangible assets or goodwill will be recorded.

 

Generally accepted accounting principles require that any amounts recorded or incurred (such as goodwill or debt) by our parent as a result of the Transaction be “pushed down” and recorded on our financial statements. The following table summarizes the final allocation of the Transaction based upon a valuation completed by an independent third-party valuation firm during October 2003.

 

Cash and Equity Contributed by WCAS

   $ 319,667  

Total Liabilities Assumed

     587,801  

Fair Value of Assets Acquired

     (676,458 )
    


Excess purchase price (goodwill)

   $ 231,010  
    


 

In addition, Holdings issued to WCAS Capital Partners III, L.P., an investment fund affiliated with WCAS, $67.0 million in principal amount of Holdings’ senior subordinated notes and an agreed-upon number of shares of its common stock, for an aggregate

 

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AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

purchase price of $67.0 million. The proceeds from this transaction were deposited into a Holdings company cash collateral account, which cash, subject to some exceptions, will be contributed to the Company from time to time to fund up to $67.0 million of future payments under the Company’s contingent notes relating to acquisitions consummated prior to the Transaction. As of September 30, 2003, approximately $8.9 million of the $67.0 million has been contributed to the Company to fund contingent note payments. The lenders under the Company’s new credit facility have a first-priority security interest in all funds held in such cash collateral account.

 

Note 3—Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections” (“SFAS No. 145”), which, among other things, rescinded SFAS No. 4, “Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt.” Previously under SFAS No. 4, all gains and losses from extinguishments of debt were required to be aggregated and, if material, classified as an extraordinary item in the statements of operations. SFAS No. 145 requires that gains and losses from extinguishments of debt be classified as extraordinary items only if they meet the criteria in APB Opinion No. 30, “Reporting the Results of Operations-Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions.” Any gains or losses on extinguishment of debt that were presented as extraordinary items in prior periods but which do not qualify for classification as an extraordinary item under Opinion No. 30, are to be reclassified. Companies are required to adopt SFAS No. 145 in fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002. The Company adopted SFAS No. 145 effective January 1, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 145 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations for the periods presented.

 

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”, (“SFAS No.146”), which addresses the recognition, measurement, and reporting of costs associated with exit or disposal activities. SFAS No. 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity, including those related to employee termination benefits and obligations under operating leases or other contracts, be recognized when the liability is incurred, and not necessarily the date of an entity’s commitment to an exit plan. The provisions of SFAS No. 146 are effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. The Company adopted SFAS No. 146 effective January 1, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 146 did not have a significant impact on the Company.

 

In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, including indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (“FIN 45”). The provisions of FIN 45 require that a liability be recorded in the guarantor’s balance sheet at fair value upon issuance of a guarantee. The recognition provisions of FIN 45 are effective for guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The Company does not have any guarantees that would require current disclosure or further recognition under FIN 45.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure” (“SFAS No. 148”). The provisions of SFAS No. 148 amended SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, to provide alternative methods of transition to the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation, and to require disclosure in the summary of significant accounting policies of the effects of an entity’s accounting policy with respect to stock-based employee compensation on reported net income and earnings per share in annual and interim financial statements. SFAS No. 148 does not amend SFAS No. 123 to require companies to account for their employee stock-based awards using the fair value method. However, the disclosure provisions are required for all companies with stock-based employee compensation, regardless of whether they utilize the fair value method of accounting described in SFAS No. 123 or the intrinsic value method described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB No. 25”). The Company has elected to follow APB No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its employee stock options. The Company also follows the disclosure provisions required by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation and SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure”.

 

As part of the Transaction, all options that were outstanding at March 27, 2003 were repurchased by WCAS. During the first nine months of 2003, Holdings granted approximately 7.6 million options to purchase shares of Holdings common stock to certain directors and employees of the Company. The options were granted with an exercise price of $6.00 per share and most vest ratably over 5 years. Because Holdings is the principal shareholder in the Company, FASB Financial Interpretation No. (FIN) 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation”, requires that the Company account for option grants in Holdings stock as if the Company itself granted such options. No expense has been incurred related to these options since the exercise price of all such grants exceeded the fair value of Holdings’ common stock on the respective grant dates.

 

Options granted by the Company during 2002 were to Company employees or members of the Board of Directors with an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. No options have been granted during

 

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AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

2003 that are exercisable into AmeriPath common stock. Accordingly, no stock-based employee compensation expense is reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for options.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s pro forma consolidated results of operations as though the provisions of SFAS No. 123 had been used:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


   Nine Months Ended
September 30,


     2003

   2002

   2003

    2002

Net income

                            

As reported

   $ 1,720    $ 11,166    $ 705     $ 37,577

Deduct: total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under SFAS No. 123 for all awards, net of related tax effect

     343      1,051      2,278       3,284
    

  

  


 

Pro forma net income (loss)

   $ 1,377    $ 10,115    $ (1,573 )   $ 34,293
    

  

  


 

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of ARB No. 51” (“FIN 46”). FIN 46 requires certain variable interest entities to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if the equity investors in the entity do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN 46 is effective for all new variable interest entities created or acquired after January 31, 2003. For variable interest entities created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003, the Company must apply the provisions of FIN 46 for the first interim or annual period beginning after June 15, 2004. The Company is in the process of determining the impact of FIN 46, but has not fully completed its evaluation.

 

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS No. 149”). SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities. It is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003. Management expects that the adoption of SFAS No. 149 will not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” (“SFAS No. 150”). This statement established standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS No. 150 must be applied immediately to instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and to all other instruments that exist as of the beginning of the first interim financial reporting period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In May 2003, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) finalized EITF 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” This pronouncement addresses certain aspects of the accounting by a vendor for arrangements under which it will perform multiple revenue-generating activities. Specifically, this issue addresses how to determine whether an arrangement involving multiple deliverables contains more than one unit of accounting. This pronouncement is effective for revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. Adoption of the provisions of EITF 00-21 did not have any effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Note 4—Acquisitions

 

During the first nine months of 2003, the Company acquired a start-up operation with no existing revenues in Charleston, South Carolina and an existing practice in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The operations of the lab in South Carolina began in the third quarter of 2003 and the Oklahoma City practice was acquired effective July 1, 2003. The total consideration paid by the Company in connection with these acquisitions consisted of cash and contingent notes. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company made contingent note payments of $5.5 million and $30.7 million, respectively, relating to previous acquisitions.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of the Company’s 2002 acquisitions (“2002 acquisitions”) accounted for under the purchase method from the dates acquired through September 30, 2003.

 

The following unaudited pro forma information presents the consolidated results of the Company’s operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 as if the 2002 acquisitions had been consummated on January 1, 2002. Such unaudited pro forma information is based on historical financial information with respect to the acquisitions and does not include operational or other

 

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AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

changes that might have been effected by the Company. The unaudited pro forma information presented below is for illustrative information purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of results which would have been achieved or results which may be achieved in the future. There is no pro forma information presented for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, because of the immateriality of the acquisitions consummated during 2003, one of which was a start-up operation with no existing revenue base.

 

     Pro Forma (Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2002


Net revenues

   $ 371,318

Net income

   $ 40,884

 

Note 5—Goodwill and Identifiable Intangibles

 

Intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization and amortization periods are set forth below:

 

     September 30,
2003


    December 31,
2002


    Range

  

Sept. 30, 2003

Amortization

Periods

(Weighted
Average
Years)


Hospital contracts

   $ 129,939     $ 225,558     25    25

Accumulated amortization

     (2,584 )     (29,975 )         

Client lists

     3       89,798     10    10

Accumulated amortization

     —         (17,987 )         

Laboratory contracts

     240       1,300     1    1

Accumulated amortization

     (120 )     (812 )         

Management service agreements

     8,000       8,972     20    20

Accumulated amortization

     (200 )     (1,635 )         

Non-compete and employment agreements

     18,000       —       3-5    3-5

Accumulated amortization

     (2,653 )     —             

Payor contracts

     9,200       —       —       

Trade names

     27,200       —       —       
    


 


      

Identifiable intangibles, net

   $ 187,025     $ 275,219          17.8
    


 


        

Goodwill

   $ 532,630     $ 300,536           

Accumulated amortization

     —         (23,199 )         
    


 


        

Goodwill, net

   $ 532,630     $ 277,337           
    


 


        

 

In September 2003, the Company finalized the recording of the fair value of the identifiable intangibles acquired and the amount of goodwill recorded as a result of the Transaction. Fair value was determined based upon a valuation completed by an independent third-party valuation firm. As a result, in the third quarter, the Company recorded additional goodwill of approximately $81.0 million, recorded non-compete and employment agreements of $18.0 million, trade names of $27.2 million and payor contracts of $9.2 million. In addition, the Company also reduced the carrying value of its hospital contracts by $65.3 million and client lists by $70.7 million. The change in the value of the Company’s hospital contracts was primarily a result of changes in valuation assumptions that reflected lower projected profitability levels being received from these contracts, an increase in contributed capital as a result of an increase in the value of other separately identifiable intangibles and the utilization of a decay curve based on turnover statistics. Client list were not valued because they did not meet the separability criteria as defined in EITF 02-17 Recognition of Customer Relationship Intangible Assets Acquired in a Business Combination. Prior to the Transaction, the Company amortized hospital contracts over periods ranging from 25-40 years. As part of the valuation, the Company reviewed the lives of its intangible assets and estimated the remaining life of its hospital contracts to be 25 years and reduced the life of its management service agreements from 25 years to 20 years. The Company considered the effects of demand, competition, the expected useful life and other economic factors in determining the useful lives. The changes in the fair values of the Company’s intangible assets as well as the changes in the estimated useful lives, discussed above, will reduce amortization expense in future periods by approximately $1.3 million annually.

 

Amortization expense of identifiable intangibles was $2.5 million and $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Amortization expense of identifiable intangibles was $8.7 million and $8.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The change in fair value of the Company’s definite lived intangibles did not have a material impact on amortization expense for any period presented.

 

Amortization expense related to identifiable intangibles for each of the five succeeding fiscal years and thereafter as of September 30, 2003 is as follows:

 

Remainder of 2003

   $ 2,786

2004

     10,965

2005

     10,904

2006

     7,705

2007

     6,638

2008

     5,858

Thereafter

   $ 105,769

 

7


Table of Contents

AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

Note 6—Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:

 

     September 30, 2003

   December 31, 2002

Accounts payable

   $ 13,919    $ 18,180

Accrued compensation

     20,811      19,477

Accrued medical malpractice and IBNR

     15,008      13,846

Accrued acquisition costs

     1,783      2,187

Provision for income taxes

     1,775      —  

Other accrued expenses

     404      528
    

  

Total

   $ 53,700    $ 54,218
    

  

 

Note 7—Merger-Related Charges

 

In connection with the Transaction and the Company’s numerous acquisitions, the Company has recorded reserves for transaction costs, employee-related costs (including severance agreement payouts) and various exit costs associated with the consolidation of certain operations, including the elimination of duplicate facilities and certain exit and restructuring costs as it relates to the Inform DX acquisition. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company recorded merger-related charges of approximately $12.4 million as a result of the Transaction.

 

A reconciliation of activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 with respect to the merger-related reserves is as follows:

 

     Balance
December 31,
2002


    Balance
Sheet
Charges


   Statement of
Operations
Charges


   Payments

    Balance
September 30,
2003


 

Transaction costs

   $ 2,692     $ 10,201    $ 12,414    $ (25,237 )   $ 70  

Employee termination costs

     1,480       —        —        (1,139 )     341  

Lease commitments

     1,748       —        —        (312 )     1,436  

Other exit costs

     130       —        —        (45 )     85  
    


 

  

  


 


Total

     6,050     $ 10,201    $ 12,414    $ (26,733 )     1,932  
            

  

  


       

Less: portion included in current liabilities

     (4,503 )                           (891 )
    


                       


Total included in other liabilities

   $ 1,547                           $ 1,041  
    


                       


 

Note 8—Restructuring Costs

 

In the first quarter of 2003, we incurred certain restructuring costs as promulgated by SFAS No. 146 of approximately $1.2 million for employee severance costs in connection with a reduction in workforce at our Southern California, Philadelphia, Central Florida and North Texas laboratories. We incurred an additional $2.0 million during the second quarter of 2003 for remaining severance costs and the closure of our Southern California laboratory. The Southern California laboratory was closed as a result of a loss of revenues from Quest Diagnostics, Inc., which historically accounted for a significant portion of this laboratory’s revenues. It is estimated that these restructuring costs will rationalize excess capacity at certain laboratories. Management does not expect any additional significant restructuring costs for the remainder of 2003.

 

Note 9—Long-term Debt

 

Term Loan Facility—On March 27, 2003, in connection with our consummation of the Transaction, the Company terminated its existing credit facility and entered into a new credit facility (the “New Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of financial institutions led by Credit Suisse First Boston and Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. The write-off of the unamortized debt costs related to the former credit facility was approximately $1.0 million and is reflected in our statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

The New Credit Facility provides for senior secured financing of up to $290.0 million, consisting of a $225.0 million term loan facility with a maturity of seven years that was drawn in full in connection with the consummation of the Transaction and a $65.0 million revolving credit facility with a maturity of six years.

 

 

8


Table of Contents

AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

The interest rates per annum applicable to loans under the New Credit Facility are, at the Company’s option, equal to either an alternate base rate or an adjusted LIBOR for a one, two, three or six month interest period chosen by the Company, or a nine or twelve month period if agreed to by all participating lenders, plus an applicable margin percentage in each case.

 

The alternate base rate is the greater of (1) the prime rate or (2) one-half of 1% over the weighted average of rates on overnight federal funds as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The adjusted LIBOR will be determined by reference to settlement rates established for deposits in dollars in the London interbank market for a period equal to the interest period of the loan and the maximum reserve percentages established by the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve to which our lenders are subject. Beginning approximately six months after the closing of the Transaction, the applicable margin percentage under the revolving loan facility will be subject to adjustments based upon the ratio of our total indebtedness to our consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the new credit facility) being within certain defined ranges. The interest rate at September 30, 2003 was 5.62%. The facility also requires a commitment fee to be paid quarterly equal to 0.50% of any unused commitments under the revolving loan facility.

 

Subject to exceptions, the New Credit Facility requires mandatory prepayments of term loans in amounts equal to 100% of the net cash proceeds from asset sales which are not reinvested by the Company within specific periods, 50% of the net cash proceeds from the issuance of equity securities by the Company or Holdings, 100% of the net cash proceeds from the issuance of debt securities by the Company or Holdings, and 65% of our annual excess cash flow, which percentage may be reduced to 50% if the ratio of the Company’s total indebtedness to its consolidated EBITDA is less than or equal to 3:1.

 

The New Credit Facility requires scheduled quarterly payments on the term loan in amounts equal to $562,500 on each of June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31, beginning on June 30, 2003. On September 30, 2003, the Company made a principal payment of $562,500 on the New Credit Facility.

 

Indebtedness under the New Credit Facility is guaranteed by all of the Company’s current restricted subsidiaries, certain of its future restricted subsidiaries and by Holdings. It is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company’s existing and future property and assets, including accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, general intangibles, intellectual property, investment property, other personal property, owned and material leased real property, cash and cash proceeds of the foregoing and a first priority pledge of the Company’s capital stock and the capital stock of the guarantor subsidiaries.

 

The New Credit Facility requires that the Company comply on a quarterly basis with certain financial covenants, including an interest coverage ratio calculation, a fixed charge coverage ratio calculation and a maximum leverage ratio calculation, which become more restrictive over time. In addition, the New Credit Facility includes negative covenants restricting or limiting the Company’s ability and the ability of its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur, assume or permit to exist additional indebtedness or guarantees; incur liens and engage in sale leaseback transactions; make capital expenditures; make loans and investments; declare dividends, make payments or redeem or repurchase capital stock; engage in mergers, acquisitions and other business combinations; prepay, redeem or purchase certain indebtedness; amend or otherwise alter terms of our indebtedness; sell assets; transact with affiliates and alter the business that it conducts.

 

Such negative covenants are subject to exceptions, including, with respect to restrictions on dividends from the Company to Holdings, certain allowable dividends to pay cash interest on its parent’s holding company notes beginning in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004.

 

The Company has recently amended the New Credit Facility as of September 30, 2003. The amendment increased the maximum permitted leverage ratios through 2004, permitted certain bad debt and contractual allowance charges taken in the second and third quarters of 2003 to be excluded in the computation of EBITDA for the leverage ratios and provided lenders consent for potential acquisitions.

 

Senior Subordinated Notes—On March 27, 2003, in connection with the Transaction, Amy Acquisition Corp. issued $275.0 million of 10½% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013. The Company assumed Amy Acquisition Corp’s obligations with respect to the notes upon consummation of the Transaction. Interest became payable semi-annually in arrears beginning in October 2003. The notes are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally and on an unsecured senior subordinated basis, by certain of the Company’s current and former subsidiaries. The notes and guarantees rank junior to all of the Company’s and the subsidiary guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness, on par with all of the Company’s and the subsidiary guarantors’ existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness and senior to all of the Company’s and the subsidiary guarantors’ existing and future subordinated indebtedness. On October 1, 2003, the Company made a semi-annual interest payment of approximately $14.8 million.

 

 

9


Table of Contents

AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

The Company may redeem any of the notes at any time and from time to time beginning on April 1, 2008, in whole or in part, in cash at the specified redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

 

If a change in control of the Company occurs, subject to certain conditions, the Company must give holders of the notes an opportunity to sell the notes to the Company at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the purchase of the notes by the Company.

 

The indenture governing the notes contains covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s ability and the ability of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, pay dividends or make other equity distributions, purchase or redeem capital stock, make certain investments, enter into arrangements that restrict dividends from subsidiaries, transfer and sell assets, engage in certain transactions with affiliates and effect a consolidation or merger.

 

Note 10—Commitments and Contingencies

 

During the fourth quarter of 2002, two civil actions were commenced in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida. The two actions were consolidated on February 14, 2003 and an Amended Complaint was filed on March 6, 2003. The Amended Complaint alleges a breach of duty to stockholders in connection with the Transaction. The plaintiffs seek to represent a putative class consisting of the public stockholders of AmeriPath. Named as defendants in the Amended Complaint are AmeriPath, Inc. and the members of the AmeriPath board of directors. The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that the consideration is inadequate, that the announcement was improperly timed, that AmeriPath was not properly auctioned, that the Transaction is unfair, that the proxy statement omits certain information that plaintiffs contend is material and that the AmeriPath directors breached their fiduciary duties. The Amended Complaint seeks injunctive relief against consummation of the merger, unspecified amounts of damages, costs and expenses related to their actions and other unspecified relief. We believe the Amended Complaint lacks merit and have filed a motion to dismiss it.

 

During the ordinary course of business, the Company has become and may in the future become subject to pending and threatened legal actions and proceedings. The Company may have liability with respect to its employees and its pathologists as well as with respect to hospital employees who are under the supervision of the hospital based pathologists. The majority of the Company’s pending legal proceedings involve claims of medical malpractice. Based upon current information, the Company believes the outcome of such pending legal actions and proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. If the Company is ultimately found liable under these medical malpractice claims, however, there can be no assurance that the Company’s medical malpractice insurance coverage will be adequate to cover any such liability, and thus, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity could suffer a material adverse effect. The Company may also, from time to time, be involved with legal actions related to the acquisition of and affiliation with physician operations, the prior conduct of such operations, or the employment (and restriction on competition) of physicians. There can be no assurance that any costs or liabilities for which the Company becomes responsible in connection with such claims or actions will not be material or will not exceed the limitations of any applicable indemnification provisions or the financial resources of the indemnifying parties.

 

Through June 30, 2002, the Company was insured for medical malpractice risks on a claims made basis under traditional indemnity insurance policies. Effective July 1, 2002, the Company formed a captive insurance company to partially self-insure for medical malpractice. The captive, combined with excess coverage, provides insurance on a per claim basis. The Company does not have aggregate stop loss protection. Accruals for settlement costs, claims expenses and incurred but not reported claims are made based on actuarial estimates. Actual costs in future periods could differ materially from actuarial studies, depending on the frequency and severity of actual claims experienced. For the period July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003, the Company expensed approximately $11.4 million for medical malpractice costs. For the period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004, the Company expects to incur approximately $12.4 million for medical malpractice costs of which $3.1 million was incurred in the three months ended September 30, 2003.

 

Self-Insured Health Benefits—Effective August 1, 2002, the Company began providing health care benefits to its employees through a self-insured plan. The Company records its estimate of the ultimate cost of, and reserves for, health care benefits based on computations using the Company’s loss history as well as industry statistics. Furthermore, in determining its reserves, the Company includes reserves for estimated claims incurred but not reported. The maximum liability for claims paid in a year, based upon open enrollment levels at September 30, 2003, is approximately $13.8 million. The ultimate cost of health care benefits will depend on actual costs incurred to settle claims and may differ from the amounts reserved by the Company for those claims. Net expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 was approximately $12.1 million.

 

10


Table of Contents

AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

Healthcare Regulatory Environment and Reliance on Government Programs—The healthcare industry in general, and the services that the Company provides, are subject to extensive federal and state laws and regulations. Failure to comply with any of these laws or regulations, the results of increased regulatory audits and adjustments, or changes in the interpretation of the coding of services or the amounts payable for the Company’s services under these programs could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The Company’s operations are continuously subject to review and inspection by regulatory authorities.

 

The Company has received subpoenas issued by the United States Attorney’s office in Tampa, Florida seeking information with respect to an investigation relating to Medicare billing and possible financial inducements in connection with a Florida physician who is not an AmeriPath pathologist but is a client of AmeriPath. The Company is providing information to the United States Attorney’s office and intends to cooperate in the investigation. The Company is also conducting its own internal investigation of the matter. It is not possible at this point in the investigation to determine whether the government will pursue action against AmeriPath or to assess the merits of possible defenses AmeriPath may have to any such action. Accordingly, no assurances can be given regarding the ultimate outcome of the investigation.

 

Employment Agreements—As part of the Transaction, the Company entered into new or amended employment agreements with certain of its management employees, which include, among other terms, non-competition provisions and salary continuation benefits. The Company also terminated employment contracts with certain of its management employees as a result of the Transaction, which resulted in change in control payments to those former employees which are included in merger-related costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

Quest Contracts—During the third quarter of 2002, Quest cancelled its contract with our Jacksonville laboratory, and during the first quarter of 2003, Quest cancelled its contract with our Orlando laboratory effective March 31, 2003. Quest is in the process of internalizing the anatomic pathology work currently subcontracted to us. Our revenues from Quest for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 were $0.2 million and $5.8 million, respectively. Our revenues from Quest for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 were $3.2 million and $19.0 million, respectively. The Company expects the amount of revenue from our Quest contracts to continue to decline during the remainder of 2003. As a result, we are attempting to broaden our customer base in these markets to mitigate the impact of the lost business.

 

Medicare Reimbursement—On June 28, 2002, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, issued proposed revisions to payment policies under the physician fee schedule for calendar year 2003. Under the proposed rule, reimbursement from Medicare for anatomic pathology services would have decreased in 2003. The proposed rule called for an estimated 4.4% reduction in the physician fee schedule conversion factor in order to comply with Congressional budget mandates. In addition, the proposed rule would have reduced the amount of money paid to pathologists for practice and overhead expenses through a reduction in the pathologists’ relative value unit factors. In December 2002, CMS published a final rule implementing a 4.4% reduction in the conversion factor mandated by Congress and reduced some pathology relative value unit factors. This rule was scheduled to take effect March 1, 2003. Congress, however, has since granted CMS the authority to recalculate the physician fee schedule conversion factor, which has the effect of rescinding the 4.4% conversion factor reduction and increasing the conversion factor by 1.6%.

 

Note 11—Comprehensive Income

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (“SFAS 130”), the Company is required to report and display certain information related to comprehensive income. As of September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002, net income equaled comprehensive income.

 

Note 12—Segment Reporting

 

The Company has two reportable segments, owned operations and managed operations. The segments were determined based on the type of service and customer. Owned operations provide anatomic pathology services to hospitals and referring physicians, while the Company’s managed operations provide management services to the affiliated physician groups. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of accounting policies in the Company’s year end audited financial statements. The Company evaluates performance based on net revenue and income from operations.

 

 

11


Table of Contents

AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

The following is a summary of financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, for the Company’s business segments and corporate offices:

 

     Three months ended
September 30,


    Nine months ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

Owned

                                

Net patient service revenue

   $ 115,986     $ 117,049     $ 343,516     $ 336,983  

Income from operations

     23,854       30,912       70,817       94,773  

Segment assets

                     818,709       484,243  

Managed

                                

Net management service revenue

   $ 6,059     $ 6,692     $ 17,389     $ 20,389  

Income from operations

     589       716       1,642       2,405  

Segment assets

                     23,711       21,901  

Corporate

                                

Loss from operations

   $ (10,629 )   $ (11,393 )   $ (43,151 )   $ (30,926 )

Segment assets

                     302,652       189,103  

Elimination of intercompany accounts

                     (228,721 )     (33,733 )

 

Note 13—Income Taxes

 

Our effective income tax rate was 39.2% and 39.7% for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Our effective income tax rate was approximately 86.4% and 39.9% for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. This rate increased significantly from the prior period primarily due to the non-deductibility of certain merger-related charges relating to the Transaction. The Company is currently analyzing all transaction-related charges and anticipates that additional amounts will be identified as being tax-deductible and thereby lowering the Company’s effective tax rate. The results of this analysis will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2003. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, excluding the non-deductibility of merger-related charges, would have been approximately 39.1%.

 

Note 14 - Internally Developed Computer Software Costs

 

In the third quarter of 2003, the Company capitalized approximately $0.6 million of payroll and benefit related costs pertaining to the capitalization of internally developed software costs. Projects being undertaken are the creation of software interfaces and various online reports, development of a standardized lab information reporting system and the development of a new website that will help the Company to operate more efficiently and service customers better. These costs are being incurred during the application development stage and are capitalized in accordance with SOP 98-1 “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use”. These costs are included in Property and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2003 and will be amortized over a three-year period.

 

Note 15—Subsequent Events

 

Subsequent to September 30, 2003, the Company paid approximately $1.8 million on contingent notes issued in connection with previous acquisitions.

 

On October 1, 2003, the Company made its first semi-annual interest payment on the Senior Subordinated Notes of approximately $14.8 million.

 

Note 16—Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

The following information is presented as required by regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Company’s 10½% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013. This information is not routinely prepared for use by management. The operating and investing activities of the separate legal entities included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements are fully interdependent and integrated. Accordingly, consolidating the operating results of those separate legal entities is not representative of what the actual operating results of those entities would be on a stand-alone basis. Operating expenses of those separate legal entities include intercompany charges for management fees and other services. Certain expense items and asset and liability balances that are applicable to the Company’s subsidiaries are typically recorded in the books and records of AmeriPath, Inc. For purposes of this footnote disclosure, such balances and amounts have been “pushed down” to the respective subsidiaries either on a specific identification basis, or when such items cannot be specifically attributed to an individual subsidiary, have been allocated on an incremental or proportional cost basis to AmeriPath, Inc. and the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

12


Table of Contents

AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

The following tables present condensed consolidating financial information at September 30, 2003, and December 31, 2002 and for the nine months ending September 30, 2003 and 2002 for (i) AmeriPath, (ii) on a combined basis, the subsidiaries of AmeriPath that are guarantors of the Company’s 10½% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) and (iii) on a combined basis, the subsidiaries of AmeriPath that are not guarantors of the Company’s 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”).

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets:

 

As of September 30, 2003


   AmeriPath,
Inc.


    Subsidiary
Guarantors


    Non—
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Consolidating
Adjustments


    Consolidated
Total


Assets

                                      

Current assets:

                                      

Cash

   $ —       $ 26,990`     $ 1,606             $ 28,596

Restricted cash

     —         13,218       —                 13,218

Accounts receivable, net

     37       65,352       15,883               81,272

Inventories

     234       1,487       —                 1,721

Other current assets

     812       13,339       4,966               19,117
    


 


 


         

Total current assets

     1,083       120,386       22,455               143,924

Property & equipment, net

     1,809       25,450       77               27,336

Goodwill, net

     —         410,871       121,759               532,630

Other identifiable intangibles, net

     20,400       131,343       35,282               187,025

Investment in subsidiaries

     649,719       (6,630 )     —         (643,089 )     —  

Other assets

     20,462       4,260       714               25,436
    


 


 


 


 

Total assets

   $ 693,473     $ 685,680     $ 180,287     $ (643,089 )   $ 916,351

Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity

                                      

Current liabilities:

                                      

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 20,533     $ 43,117     $ 4,922             $ 68,572

Current portion of long-term debt

     2,250       2,822       —                 5,072

Other current liabilities

     69       1,526       —                 1,595
    


 


 


         

Total current liabilities

     22,852       47,465       4,922               75,239

Long-term debt

     498,894       373       —                 499,267

Capital lease obligations, less current portion

     —         243       —                 243

Other liabilities

     —         1,041       —                 1,041

Deferred tax liabilities, net

     553       5,389       4,902               10,844
    


 


 


         

Total long-term liabilities

     499,447       7,046       4,902               511,395

Intercompany (receivable) payable

     296,873       (277,680 )     (19,193 )             0

Stockholder’s equity:

                                      

Common stock

     (1,938 )     1,934       28       (23 )     1

Additional paid-in capital

     313,875       14,659       1               328,535

Retained earnings (deficit)

     (437,636 )     892,256       189,627       (643,066 )     1,181
    


 


 


 


 

Total stockholder’s equity

     (125,699 )     908,849       189,656       (643,089 )     329,717
    


 


 


 


 

Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity

   $ 693,473     $ 685,680     $ 180,287     $ (643,089 )   $ 916,351
    


 


 


 


 

 

13


Table of Contents

AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

As of December 31, 2002


   AmeriPath,
Inc.


    Subsidiary
Guarantors


    Non—
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Consolidating
Adjustments


    Consolidated
Total


Assets

                                      

Current assets:

                                      

Cash

   $ —       $ (25 )   $ 989             $ 964

Restricted cash

     —         8,453       —                 8,453

Accounts receivable, net

     92       72,913       17,881               90,886

Inventories

     312       1,511       —                 1,823

Other current assets

     1,852       18,203       1,927               21,982
    


 


 


         

Total current assets

     2,256       101,055       20,797               124,108

Property & equipment, net

     1,540       24,360       226               26,126

Goodwill, net

     —         250,834       26,503               277,337

Other identifiable intangibles, net

     —         244,827       30,392               275,219

Investment in subsidiaries

     443,797       (6,630 )     —         (437,167 )     —  

Other assets

     1,130       4,046       494               5,670
    


 


 


 


 

Total assets

   $ 448,723     $ 618,492     $ 78,412     $ (437,167 )   $ 708,460

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

                                      

Current liabilities:

                                      

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 4,683     $ 41,645     $ 9,058     $ (987 )   $ 54,399

Current portion of long-term debt

     15       418       —                 433

Other current liabilities

     2,692       1,812       —         987       5,491
    


 


 


 


 

Total current liabilities

     7,390       43,875       9,058       —         60,323

Long-term debt

     113,190       2,494       —                 115,684

Capital lease obligations, less current portion

     —         136       —                 136

Other liabilities

     —         1,547       —                 1,547

Deferred tax liabilities, net

     80       72,277       7,087               79,444
    


 


 


         

Total long-term liabilities

     113,270       76,454       7,087               196,811

Intercompany (receivable) payable

     242,823       (239,216 )     (3,607 )             —  

Stockholders’ equity:

                                      

Common stock

     620       1,616       27       (1,956 )     307

Additional paid-in capital

     306,870       14,954       1       (167 )     321,658

Retained earnings (deficit)

     (222,250 )     720,809       65,846       (435,044 )     129,361
    


 


 


 


 

Total stockholders’ equity

     85,240       737,379       65,874       (437,167 )     451,326
    


 


 


 


 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 448,723     $ 618,492     $ 78,412     $ (437,167 )   $ 708,460
    


 


 


 


 

 

Condensed Consolidating Income Statements:

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003


   AmeriPath,
Inc.


    Subsidiary
Guarantors


    Non—
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Consolidated
Total


 

Net revenues

   $ —       $ 278,395     $ 82,510     $ 360,905  

Cost of services

     —         (157,069 )     (29,542 )     (186,611 )

Selling, general and administrative expense

     (2,959 )     (101,810 )     (14,941 )     (119,710 )

Amortization expense

     —         (7,771 )     (894 )     (8,665 )

Merger-related charges

     (12,414 )     —         —         (12,414 )

Restructuring costs

     (127 )     (780 )     (2,333 )     (3,240 )

Write-off of deferred financing costs

     (957 )     —         —         (957 )
    


 


 


 


Total operating costs and expense

     (16,457 )     (267,430 )     (47,710 )     (331,597 )

(Loss) income from operations

     (16,457 )     10,965       34,800       29,308  

Other income (expense)

                                

Interest expense

     (24,124 )     (198 )     —         (24,322 )

Management fee (A)

     —         34,816       (34,816 )     —    

Other, net

     68       110       16       194  
    


 


 


 


Total other expenses

     (24,056 )     34,728       (34,800 )     (24,128 )
    


 


 


 


(Loss) income before income taxes

     (40,513 )     45,693       0       5,180  

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     12,606       (17,081 )     0       (4,475 )
    


 


 


 


Net (loss) income

   $ (27,907 )   $ 28,612     $ 0     $ 705  
    


 


 


 



(A) In accordance with the applicable management fee agreements, the Subsidiary Guarantors are the direct beneficiary of substantially all of the pre-tax income of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.

 

14


Table of Contents

AMERIPATH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2002


   AmeriPath,
Inc.


    Subsidiary
Guarantors


    Non—
Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Consolidated
Total


 

Net revenues

   $ —       $ 293,996     $ 63,376     $ 357,372  

Cost of services

     —         (148,327 )     (26,148 )     (174,475 )

Selling, general and administrative expense

     (2,910 )     (92,812 )     (9,693 )     (105,415 )

Amortization expense

     —         (7,625 )     (852 )     (8,477 )

Asset impairment & related charges

     —         (879 )     (1,874 )     (2,753 )
    


 


 


 


Total operating costs and expense

     (2,910 )     (249,643 )     (38,567 )     (291,120 )

(Loss) income from operations

     (2,910 )     44,353       24,809       66,252  

Other income (expense)

                                

Interest expense

     (3,055 )     (204 )     —         (3,259 )

Management fee (A)

     —         24,873       (24,873 )     —    

Write-off of Genomics investment

     (1,000 )     —         —         (1,000 )

Other, net

     87       383       64       534  
    


 


 


 


Total other expenses

     (3,968 )     25,052       (24,809 )     (3,725 )
    


 


 


 


(Loss) income before income taxes

     (6,878 )     69,405       —         62,527  

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     2,751       (27,661 )     (40 )     (24,950 )
    


 


 


 


Net (loss) income

   $ (4,127 )   $ 41,744     $ (40 )   $ 37,577  
    


 


 


 



(A) In accordance with the applicable management fee agreements, the Subsidiary Guarantors are the direct beneficiary of substantially all of the pre-tax income of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries.

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows:

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003


   AmeriPath,
Inc.


   

Subsidiary

Guarantors


   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries


    Consolidated
Total


 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                                

Net (loss) income

   $ (27,907 )   $ 28,612     $ —       $ 705  

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     3,096       56,042       10,887       70,025  

Changes in assets and liabilities which used cash, net of effects of acquisitions

     (1,344 )     (20,833 )     (5,378 )     (27,555 )
    


 


 


 


Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (26,155 )     63,821       5,509       43,175  

Cash flows from investing activities

     (2,112 )     (38,985 )     (4,891 )     (45,988 )

Cash flows from financing activities

     28,267       2,178       —         30,445  
    


 


 


 


Increase in cash and equivalents

     —         27,014       618       27,632  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     —         (24 )     988       964  
    


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ —       $ 26,990     $ 1,606     $ 28,596  
    


 


 


 


                                  

For the nine months ended September 30, 2002


   AmeriPath,
Inc.


   

Subsidiary

Guarantors


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Consolidated
Total


 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                                

Net (loss) income

   $ (4,127 )   $ 41,744     $ (40 )   $ 37,577  

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     2,214       43,875       9,589       55,678  

Changes in assets and liabilities which used cash, net of effects of acquisitions

     3,449       (36,959 )     (6,628 )     (40,138 )
    


 


 


 


Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     1,536       48,660       2,921       53,117  

Cash flows from investing activities

     (3,294 )     (46,407 )     (2,700 )     (52,401 )

Cash flows from financing activities

     161       (226 )     —         (65 )
    


 


 


 


Decrease in cash and equivalents

     (1,597 )     2,027       221       651  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     1,597       2,762       449       4,808  
    


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ —       $ 4,789     $ 670     $ 5,459  
    


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

15


Table of Contents
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

General

 

AmeriPath, Inc. (“AmeriPath” or the “Company”) is one of the leading anatomic pathology laboratory companies in the United States. We offer a broad range of anatomic pathology laboratory testing and information services used by physicians in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of cancer and other diseases and medical conditions. We service an extensive referring physician base through our 15 regional laboratories and 32 satellite laboratories, and we provide inpatient diagnostic and medical director services at more than 200 hospitals. Our services are performed by over 400 pathologists.

 

On December 8, 2002, AmeriPath Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”) formerly known as Amy Holding Company, and its wholly- owned subsidiary Amy Acquisition Corp., entered into a merger agreement providing for the merger of Amy Acquisition Corp. with and into AmeriPath, with AmeriPath continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings. The merger was consummated on March 27, 2003. We refer to the merger as the “Transaction”.

 

Because the laws of many states restrict corporations from directly employing physicians or owning corporations that employ physicians, we often conduct our business through affiliated entities that we manage and control but do not own. In states where we are under these restrictions, we perform only non-medical administrative and support services, do not represent to the public or our clients that we offer medical services and do not exercise influence or control over the practice of medicine by our physicians. Because of the degree of non-medical managerial control we exercise over our affiliated entities, we consolidate the financial results of these entities with those of our wholly-owned operations. We collectively refer to these consolidated entities and our wholly-owned operations as our “owned operations.” In addition, we have also entered into management agreements with a few anatomic pathology laboratory operations over which we do not exercise non-medical managerial control and, accordingly, do not consolidate with our owned operations. We refer to these operations as our “managed operations.” For the three months ended September 30, 2003, our revenues from owned operations and managed operations accounted for 95.0% and 5.0% of our total net revenues, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, our revenues from owned operations and managed operations accounted for 95.2% and 4.8% of our total net revenues, respectively.

 

Financial Statement Presentation

 

The following paragraphs provide a brief description of the most important items that appear in our financial statements and general factors that impact these items.

 

Net Revenues. Net revenues consist of revenues received from patients, third-party payors and others for services rendered. Our same store net revenue is affected by changes in customer volume, payor mix and reimbursement rates. References to “same store” refer to operations that have been included in our financial statements throughout the periods compared, as opposed to operations acquired or divested in one period, and which are not reflected for the entirety of both periods. The Company provides a discussion of period-to-period changes in same store net revenue in Results of Operations primarily to explain its effect on period-to-period changes in net revenue. Management believes that a presentation of same store net revenue is useful to investors regarding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations because it reflects revenue changes in the Company’s organic operations, as opposed to revenue changes resulting from acquisitions or divestitures. Management also uses same store net revenue as a measure when awarding sales commissions and bonuses to certain of the Company’s employees.

 

Cost of Services. Cost of services consists principally of the compensation and fringe benefits of pathologists, medical malpractice insurance, licensed technicians and support personnel, laboratory supplies, shipping and distribution costs and facility costs. Historically, acquisitions, and the costs associated with additional personnel and facilities, have been the most significant factor driving increases in our cost of services.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expense. Selling, general and administrative expense primarily includes the cost of field operations, corporate support, sales and marketing, information technology and billing and collections. As we have developed our national sales and marketing infrastructure, our selling, general and administrative expense has increased. In addition, spending on new information technology initiatives has historically contributed to increased expenses in this category.

 

Provision for Doubtful Accounts. Provision for doubtful accounts is affected by our mix of revenue from outpatient and inpatient services. Provision for doubtful accounts typically is higher for inpatient services than for outpatient services due primarily to a larger concentration of indigent and private pay patients, greater difficulty gathering complete and accurate billing information and longer billing and collection cycles for inpatient services. Management service revenue generally does not include a provision for doubtful accounts.

 

 

16


Table of Contents

Amortization Expense. Our acquisitions have resulted in significant net identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. We record net identifiable intangible assets at fair value on the date of acquisition and amortize these assets over periods ranging from 1 to 25 years. Effective January 1, 2002, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” which required us to cease amortizing goodwill and instead perform a transitional impairment test as of January 1, 2002 and an annual impairment analysis to assess the recoverability of goodwill. We continually evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that may warrant revisions to the carrying values of our goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets or to the estimated useful lives assigned to such assets. Any significant impairment recorded on the carrying values of our goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets would be recorded as a charge to income from operations and a reduction of intangible assets and could materially reduce our profitability in the period in which the charge is recorded.

 

Recent Trends and Events

 

Acquisitions—During the first nine months of 2003, we acquired a start-up operation in Charleston, South Carolina, and an existing lab in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The total consideration paid by us in connection with these acquisitions included cash and contingent notes. During the first nine months of 2003, we made contingent note payments of approximately $30.7 million relating to previous acquisitions.

 

Medical Malpractice Costs—Effective July 1, 2002, we replaced our existing medical malpractice insurance coverage with third party insurance companies with a new self-insurance, or captive, arrangement. We entered into this self-insurance arrangement because we were unable to renew our existing coverage at acceptable rates, which we believe was an industry-wide event. Under our self-insurance structure, we retain more risk for medical malpractice costs, including settlements and claims expense, than under our previous coverage. While we have obtained excess liability coverage for medical malpractice costs, we have no aggregate excess stop loss protection, meaning there is no aggregate limitation on the amount of risk we retain under these arrangements. Our medical malpractice costs are based on actuarial estimates of our medical malpractice settlement and claims expense and the costs of maintaining our captive insurance program and excess coverage. We periodically review the appropriateness of our accrued liability for medical malpractice costs and update such accrued liability accordingly. Because we retain these risks, in addition to an actual increase in claims or related expenses, a change in the actuarial assumptions upon which our medical malpractice costs are based could materially affect our results of operations in a particular period even if we do not experience an actual increase in claims or related expenses. For the period July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003, the Company expensed approximately $11.4 million for medical malpractice costs. For the period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004, the Company expects to incur approximately $12.4 million for medical malpractice costs

 

Quest Contracts—During the third quarter of 2002, Quest cancelled its contract with our Jacksonville laboratory, and during the first quarter of 2003, Quest cancelled its contract with our Orlando laboratory effective March 31, 2003. Quest is in the process of internalizing the anatomic pathology work currently subcontracted to us. Our revenues from Quest for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 were $0.2 million and $5.8 million, respectively. Our revenues from Quest for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 were $3.2 million and $19.0 million, respectively. The Company expects the amount of revenue from our Quest contracts to continue to decline during the remainder of 2003. As a result, we are attempting to broaden our customer base in these markets to mitigate the impact of the lost business.

 

Medicare Reimbursement—On June 28, 2002, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, issued proposed revisions to payment policies under the physician fee schedule for calendar year 2003. Under the proposed rule, reimbursement from Medicare for anatomic pathology services would have decreased in 2003. The proposed rule called for an estimated 4.4% reduction in the physician fee schedule conversion factor in order to comply with Congressional budget mandates. In addition, the proposed rule would have reduced the amount of money paid to pathologists for practice and overhead expenses through a reduction in the pathologists’ relative value unit factors. In December 2002, CMS published a final rule implementing a 4.4% reduction in the conversion factor mandated by Congress and reduced some pathology relative value unit factors. This rule was scheduled to take effect March 1, 2003. Congress, however, has since granted CMS the authority to recalculate the physician fee schedule conversion factor, which has the effect of rescinding the 4.4% conversion factor reduction and increasing the conversion factor by 1.6%.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Intangible Assets. As of September 30, 2003, we had net identifiable intangible assets and goodwill of $187.0 million and $532.6 million, respectively. We continually assess whether an impairment in the carrying value of our intangible assets has occurred. If the undiscounted future cash flows over the remaining amortization period of an intangible asset indicates that the value assigned to the intangible asset may not be recoverable, we reduce the carrying value of the intangible asset. We would determine the amount of any such impairment by comparing anticipated discounted future cash flows from acquired businesses with the carrying value of the related assets. In performing this analysis, we consider such factors as current results, trends and future prospects, in addition to other relevant factors.

 

 

17


Table of Contents

Our identifiable intangible assets include hospital contracts, laboratory contracts, management service contracts, employment and non-compete agreements, and trade names acquired by us in connection with acquisitions. During September 2003, the Company finalized the recording of the fair value of the identifiable intangibles acquired and the amount of goodwill recorded as a result of the Transaction. Fair value was determined based upon a valuation completed by an independent third-party valuation firm. As a result, the Company recorded additional goodwill of approximately $81.0 million, recorded trade names of $27.2 million and payor contracts of $9.2 million. The Company reduced its carrying value of hospital contracts by $65.3 million and client lists by $70.7 million. The change in the value of the Company’s hospital contracts was primarily a result of changes in valuation assumptions that reflected lower projected profitability levels being received from these contracts, an increase in contributed capital as a result of an increase in the value of other separately identifiable intangibles and the utilization of a decay curve based on turnover statistics. Client lists were not valued because they did not meet the separability criteria as defined in EITF 02-17 Recognition of Customer Relationship Intangible Assets Acquired in a Business Combination. Prior to the Transaction, the Company amortized hospital contracts over periods ranging from 25-40 years. As part of the valuation, the Company reviewed the lives of its intangible assets and estimated the remaining life of its hospital contracts to be 25 years and reduced the life of its management service agreements from 25 years to 20 years. The Company considered the effects of demand, competition, the expected useful life and other economic factors in determining the useful lives. The changes in the fair values of the Company’s intangible assets as well as the changes in the estimated useful lives, discussed above, will reduce amortization expense in future periods by approximately $1.3 million annually.

 

Revenue Recognition. We recognize net patient service revenue at the time we perform services. We record unbilled receivables for services rendered during, but billed subsequent to, the reporting period. We report net patient service revenue at the estimated realizable amounts from patients, third-party payors and others for services rendered. Revenue under certain third-party payor agreements is subject to audit and retroactive adjustments. We estimate our provision for estimated third-party payor settlements and adjustments in the period the related services are rendered and adjust in future periods as final settlements are determined. We adjust the provision and the related allowance periodically, based upon our evaluation of historical collection experience with specific payors for particular services, anticipated collection levels with specific payors for new services, industry reimbursement trends and other relevant factors.

 

Captive Insurance Program. Through June 30, 2002, we were insured for medical malpractice risks on a claims made basis under traditional insurance policies. We formed a self-insurance, or captive, insurance company, on July 1, 2002 to partially self-insure for medical malpractice costs. The captive arrangement, combined with excess coverage, provides insurance on a per claim basis. We do not have any aggregate excess stop loss protection. We use actuarial estimates to determine accruals for settlement costs, claims expenses and incurred but not reported claims. Actual costs in future periods could differ materially from actuarial studies, depending on the frequency and severity of actual claims experienced.

 

Contingent Purchase Price. Our acquisitions generally have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The aggregate consideration paid, and to be paid, by us in connection with our acquisitions is based on a number of factors, including the acquired operation’s demographics, size, local prominence, position in the marketplace and historical cash flows from operations. Assessment of these and other factors, including uncertainties regarding the health care environment, results in our being unable to reach agreement on the final purchase price with sellers of acquired operations. As a result, when acquiring operations we generally have used as consideration a combination of cash, stock, assumed liabilities and contingent notes. Typically, the contingent notes have been structured to provide for payments to sellers upon the achievement of specified levels of operating income (as defined by the specific purchase agreement with the seller) by the acquired operations over three to five year periods from the date of acquisition. Some of our contingent notes have been structured to provide for payments to sellers contingent on the retention of specified hospital contracts by the acquired operations. In either case, the contingent notes are not contingent on the continued employment of the sellers. If a contingent note payment is earned, we are required to pay the specified amount and interest on this amount. The amount of the payments under our contingent notes cannot be determined until final determination of the operating income levels or other performance targets during the relevant periods specified in the respective agreements. Pursuant to SFAS No. 141, principal and interest payments made in connection with the contingent notes are accounted for as additional purchase price, which increases our recorded goodwill and, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, are not reflected in our results of operations.

 

Provision for Doubtful Accounts and Related Allowance. We estimate our provision for doubtful accounts in the period the related services are rendered and adjust in future accounting periods as necessary. We base the estimates for the provision and the related allowance on our evaluation of historical collection experience, the aging profile of the accounts receivable, the historical doubtful account write-off percentages, the revenue source (inpatient as opposed to outpatient), the payor classification, and other relevant factors.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

Our consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our owned operations. As part of the consolidation process, we have eliminated intercompany accounts and transactions. We do not consolidate the results of operations of our managed operations.

 

Segments

 

Our two reportable segments are our owned operations and our managed operations. We determine our segments based upon the type of service performed and our customers. Our owned operations provide anatomic pathology services to hospitals and referring physicians, while our managed operations provide management services to the affiliated physician groups.

 

18


Table of Contents

Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

 

The following table outlines, for the periods indicated, selected operating data as a percentage of net revenues.

 

     Three Months
Ended September 30,


        Nine Months
Ended September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

        2003

    2002

 

Net revenue

   100.0 %   100.0 %       100.0 %   100.0 %
    

 

     

 

Operating costs and expenses:

                            

Cost of services

   51.8 %   49.5 %       51.7 %   48.8 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   17.8 %   17.7 %       18.3 %   17.5 %

Provision for doubtful accounts

   17.1 %   11.9 %       14.9 %   12.0 %

Amortization expense

   2.0 %   2.3 %       2.4 %   2.4 %

Asset impairment & related charges

   —       2.2 %       —       0.8 %

Merger-related charges

   —       —           3.4 %   —    

Restructuring costs

   —       —           0.9 %   —    

Write-off of deferred financing costs

   —       —           0.3 %   —    
    

 

     

 

Total operating costs and expenses

   88.7 %   83.6 %       91.9 %   81.5 %
    

 

     

 

Income from operations

   11.3 %   16.4 %       8.1 %   18.5 %

Interest expense

   (9.1 )%   (0.9 )%       (6.7 )%   (0.9 )%

Write-off of Genomics investment

   —       (0.8 )%       —       (0.3 )%

Other income, net

   0.1 %   0.3 %       —       0.2 %
    

 

     

 

Income before income taxes

   2.3 %   15.0 %       1.4 %   17.5 %

Provision for income taxes

   0.9 %   5.9 %       1.2 %   7.0 %
    

 

     

 

Net income

   1.4 %   9.1 %       0.2 %   10.5 %
    

 

     

 

 

Net Revenues.

 

Net revenues decreased by $1.7 million, or 1.4%, from $123.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $122.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003. Revenues for the third quarter of 2003 were negatively impacted by a $2.2 million charge to revenues based on changes in our estimated contractual allowances resulting from the analysis of our managed care contracts. Same store net revenue decreased $4.4 million or 3.7% from $121.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $117.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003. Same store net revenue, excluding revenue from national laboratory companies, for the third quarter increased 1.2%, or $1.4 million, compared to the third quarter of 2002. For the third quarter, revenue from our contracts with national laboratory companies was $0.5 million, down from $6.4 million in the third quarter of 2002. The national labs continue to reduce the amount of volume they subcontract. Revenue from our contracts with national laboratory companies is expected to be minimal during the remainder of 2003. The remaining increase in net revenue resulted from acquired operations, less any dispositions, during the fourth quarter of 2002. Our mix of revenue for the third quarter of 2003 was 51.5% outpatient, 43.5% inpatient (hospital based), and 5.0% management services. This compares to a mix of 51.5% outpatient, 43.1% inpatient (hospital based) and 5.4% management services in the third quarter of 2002.

 

Net revenues increased by $3.5 million, or 1.0%, from $357.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $360.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were negatively impacted by a $4.5 million charge to revenues based on changes in our estimated contractual allowances resulting from the analysis of our managed care contracts. Same store net revenue decreased $4.7 million or 1.4% from $349.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $344.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Same store net revenue, excluding revenue from national laboratory companies, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 increased 3.1%, or $10.3 million, compared to the same period of 2002. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, revenue from our contracts with national laboratory companies was $4.0 million, down from $18.9 million for the same period of 2002. In addition, the nine months ended September 30, 2003 net revenue was negatively impacted by approximately $3.0 to $3.5 million as the result of severe weather conditions during the first quarter of 2003, which reduced the volume of specimens referred to our laboratories. The remaining increase in net revenue resulted from acquired operations, less any dispositions, during the fourth quarter of 2002. Our mix of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was 50.4% outpatient, 44.8% inpatient (hospital based) and 4.8% management services. This compares to a mix of 49.7% outpatient, 44.6% inpatient (hospital based) and 5.7% management services in the same period of 2002.

 

Cost of Services.

 

Cost of services increased by $1.9 million, or 3.1%, from $61.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $63.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003. The increase in cost of services was attributable primarily to an increase in

health insurance benefit costs, medical malpractice costs, physician salaries and excess lab capacity, as well as the impact of acquisitions. Cost of services as a percentage of net revenues increased from 49.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to 51.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2003. Gross margin decreased from 50.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to 48.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2003.

 

 

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Cost of services increased by $12.1 million, or 6.9%, from $174.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $186.6 million for the same period in 2003. The increase was due to an increase in medical malpractice costs of $3.5 million, excess lab capacity, increasing health insurance benefit costs, increase in physician costs and salaries, and acquisitions of $2.9 million. Cost of services, as a percentage of net revenues, increased from 48.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to 51.7% in the comparable period of 2003. Gross margin decreased from 51.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to 48.3% for the same period in 2003.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.

 

Selling, general and administrative expense decreased by $0.2 million, or 0.9%, from $21.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $21.7 million for the same period of 2003. As a percentage of net revenues, selling, general and administrative expense increased from 17.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to 17.8% for the same period of 2003.

 

Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $3.4 million, or 5.4%, from $62.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $65.9 million for the same period of 2003. As a percentage of net revenues, selling, general and administrative expense increased from 17.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to 18.3% for the same period of 2003. The increase is primarily due to investments in information technology and expansion of sales and marketing efforts.

 

Provision for Doubtful Accounts.

 

Our provision for doubtful accounts increased by $6.1 million, or 41.2%, from $14.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $20.9 million for the same period in 2003. The provision for doubtful accounts as a percentage of net revenues increased from 11.9% for the three months period ended September 30, 2002 to 17.1% for the same period in 2003. The provision for doubtful accounts for the three months ended September 30, 2003 included charges of $4.0 million related to a change in the net realizable value of certain receivables based on our analysis of the ability to collect historical revenues and billings associated with clinical professional component services.

 

Our provision for doubtful accounts increased by $10.9 million, or 25.4%, from $42.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $53.8 million for the same period in 2003. The provision for doubtful accounts as a percentage of net revenues increased from 12.0% for the nine months period ended September 30, 2002 to 14.9% for the same period in 2003. The provision for doubtful accounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 included charges of $6.5 million related to a change in the net realizable value of certain receivables based on our analysis of the ability to collect historical revenues and billings associated with clinical professional component services. Approximately $2.3 million of the increase is the result of increased hospital based revenues.

 

Amortization Expense.

 

Amortization expense decreased by $0.4 million, or 13.8%, from $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $2.5 million for the same period of 2003. The decrease was primarily due to an adjustment to amortization expense of $0.7 million related to the final allocation of the purchase price of the Transaction, partially offset by amortization of new acquisitions. The $0.7 million adjustment was based upon a reduction in amortizable assets, partially offset by a change in intangible asset lives.

 

Amortization expense increased by $0.2 million, or 2.4%, from $8.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $8.7 million for the same period of 2003, largely due to identifiable intangibles acquired in conjunction with acquisitions completed during the last quarter of 2002, partially offset by an adjustment to amortization expense of $0.7 million related to the final allocation of the purchase price of the Transaction.

 

Merger-related Charges.

 

The merger-related charges of $12.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 relate to the Transaction. These costs were primarily legal, accounting, advisory services and employee change in control payments related to the Transaction. There were no merger-related costs for the three months ended September 30, 2003.

 

Restructuring Costs.

 

In the first quarter of 2003, we incurred certain restructuring costs as promulgated by SFAS No. 146 of approximately $1.2 million for employee severance costs in connection with a reduction in workforce at our Southern California, Philadelphia, Central Florida and North Texas laboratories. We incurred an additional $2.0 million during the second quarter of 2003 for remaining severance costs and the closure of our Southern California laboratory. The Southern California laboratory was closed as a result of a loss of Quest revenues which historically accounted for a significant portion of revenues for this individual lab. It is estimated that these restructuring costs will rationalize excess capacity at certain laboratories and save approximately $12 to $14 million in annual

 

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operating costs. There were no restructuring costs for the third quarter of 2003 and management does not expect any additional significant restructuring costs for the remainder of 2003.

 

Write-off of Deferred Financing Costs.

 

In March 2003, the Company wrote off the remaining balance of its deferred financing costs of approximately $1.0 million related to the termination of its former credit facility as part of the Transaction.

 

Asset Impairment & Related Charges

 

In the third quarter of 2002, the Company recognized an impairment charge on the intangible asset value of our Quest lab contracts. The Company recorded a pre-tax charge of approximately $2.1 million, which is reflected on our consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002. In addition, during the third quarter 2002, the management service agreement contract with a managed practice in Georgia was terminated resulting in a pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $700,000.

 

Interest Expense.

 

Interest expense increased by $10.0 million from $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to $11.1 million for the same period in 2003. This increase was attributable to interest of $7.1 million on the senior subordinated notes outstanding, interest of $3.2 million on the new credit facility, along with a higher effective interest rate. Our effective interest rate was 8.8% and 4.7% for the three month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Interest expense increased by $21.0 million, from $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $24.3 million for the same period in 2003. This increase was attributable to interest of $14.8 million on the senior subordinated notes outstanding, interest of $6.7 million on the new credit facility, along with a higher effective interest rate. Our effective interest rate was 9.1% and 4.4% for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Write-off of Genomics Investment

 

In September 2000, the Company made a $1.0 million investment in Genomics Collaborative, Inc (“GCI”). GCI is a privately held, start-up, company which has a history of operating losses. Based on the nature of the securities, our investment in GCI was classified as a security available for sale.

 

In September 2002, the Company determined that there was an other than temporary decline in the fair value of this investment. As a result, we recorded a write down of $1.0 million to reduce our investment in GCI to its net realizable value.

 

Income Taxes.

 

Our effective income tax rate was 39.2% and 39.7% for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. This rate decreased from the prior period primarily due to an adjustment to the effective tax rate calculation due to non-deductibility of certain charges.

 

Our effective income tax rate was approximately 86.4% and 39.9% for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. This rate increased significantly from the prior period primarily due to the non-deductibility of certain charges relating to the Transaction. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, excluding the non-deductibility of merger related charges, would have been approximately 39.1%.

 

Net Income.

 

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2003, was $1.7 million, compared with net income of $11.2 million for the same period in 2002.

 

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, was $0.7 million, compared with net income of $37.6 million for the same period in 2002.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At September 30, 2003, we had working capital of approximately $68.7 million, an increase of $4.9 million from working capital of $63.8 million at December 31, 2002. The increase in working capital for the first nine months of 2003 was due primarily to

 

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increases in cash and cash equivalents of $27.6 million, partially offset by decreases in accounts receivable of $9.6 million and an increase in accrued interest of $14.7 million.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, our cash flows provided by operations were $43.2 million, and $53.1 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, cash flows from operations, borrowings under our new credit facility and the issuance of senior subordinated notes and proceeds from equity contributions from Holdings related to the Transaction were used to buy back $629.6 million of our publicly held shares of stock, pay off the remaining debt under the former credit facility of $127.5 million, pay debt issuance costs of $21.6 million and make contingent note payments of $30.7 million.

 

Our new credit facility provides for senior secured financing of up to $290.0 million, consisting of a $225.0 million term loan facility with a maturity of seven years that was drawn in full in connection with the consummation of the Transaction and a $65.0 million revolving loan facility with a maturity of six years.

 

The interest rates per annum applicable to loans under our new credit facility are, at our option, equal to either an alternate base rate or an adjusted LIBOR for a one, two, three or six month interest period chosen by us, or a nine or twelve month period if agreed by all participating lenders, in each case, plus an applicable margin percentage. In the third quarter, the Company amended its credit agreement with its lender banks. The amendment increases the leverage ratios through 2004, permits certain charges (contractual allowances and provision for bad debt) to be excluded in the computation of EBITDA for the leverage ratios and provides lenders consent for potential acquisitions.

 

On March 27, 2003, in connection with the Transaction, Amy Acquisition Corp. issued $275.0 million of 10½% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013. We assumed Amy Acquisition Corp.’s obligations under these notes upon consummation of the Transaction. Interest became payable semi-annually in arrears beginning in October 2003. The notes are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally and on an unsecured senior subordinated basis, by certain of our current and former subsidiaries. The notes and guarantees rank junior to all of our and the guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness, on par with all of our and the guarantors’ existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness and senior to all of our and the guarantors’ existing and future subordinated indebtedness.

 

The indenture governing the notes contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, pay dividends or make other equity distributions, purchase or redeem capital stock, make certain investments, enter into arrangements that restrict dividends from subsidiaries, transfer and sell assets, engage in certain transactions with affiliates and effect a consolidation or merger.

 

In connection with our acquisitions, we generally agree to pay a base purchase price plus additional contingent purchase price consideration to the sellers of the acquired operations. The additional payments generally are contingent upon the achievement of specified levels of income from operations (as defined by the specific purchase agreements with the seller) by the acquired operations over periods of three to five years from the date of acquisition. In certain cases, the payments are contingent upon other factors such as the retention of certain hospital contracts or relationships for periods ranging from three to five years. The amount of the payments cannot be determined until the final determination of the income from operations levels or other performance targets during the relevant periods of the respective agreements. If the maximum specified levels of income from operations for all acquired operations are achieved, we estimate that we would make aggregate maximum principal payments of approximately $114.1 million over the next five years. A lesser amount or no payments at all would be made if the stipulated levels of income from operations or other evaluation factors specified in each agreement were not met. During the first nine months of 2003, we made contingent note payments, including interest, aggregating $30.7 million. In addition, we intend to fund future payments under our contingent payment obligations relating to acquisitions completed prior to the transaction from contributions made to us by Holdings out of the funds from the remaining cash collateral account balance of $58.4 million and, if needed, cash flows from operations.

 

Historically, our capital expenditures have been primarily for laboratory equipment, information technology equipment and leasehold improvements. Total capital expenditures were $7.3 million and $5.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

We intend to fund our ongoing capital and working capital requirements, including our internal growth and acquisitions, through a combination of cash flows from operations and borrowings under our new $65.0 million revolving loan facility. In addition, we intend to fund payments under our contingent payment obligations from contributions made to us by our parent out of the funds that will be held in the cash collateral account and, if needed, cash flows from operations.

 

We expect to use our new revolving loan facility to fund internal growth and acquisitions and for working capital. We anticipate that funds generated by operations, funds available under our new revolving loan facility and funds in the cash collateral account will be sufficient to meet working capital requirements and anticipated contingent note obligations and to finance capital expenditures over the next twelve months. Further, in the event payments under the contingent payment obligations exceed the amounts held in the cash collateral account, we believe that the incremental cash generated from operations would exceed the cash required to satisfy those additional payments. Such additional payments, if any, will result in a corresponding increase in goodwill.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

The following is a summary of our contractual cash obligations, excluding contingent payments as of September 30, 2003 (in millions):

 

     Payments Due By Period

Contractual Obligations


   1 year

   1-2
years


   3-5
years


   After 5
years


   Total

Term loans under our new credit facility

   $ 2.2    $ 2.2    $ 6.8    $ 212.7    $ 223.9

Other indebtedness

     2.8      2.7      0.2      —        5.7

Operating leases

     5.0      4.8      12.6      17.2      39.6

Senior subordinated notes

     —        —        —        275.0      275.0
    

  

  

  

  

Total contractual cash obligations

   $ 10.0    $ 9.7    $ 19.6    $ 504.9    $ 544.2
    

  

  

  

  

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

We are subject to market risk associated principally with changes in interest rates. Our principal interest rate exposure relates to the term loans outstanding under our new credit facility. We have $223.9 million of outstanding term loans subject to variable rates. Each quarter point increase or decrease in the applicable interest rate would change our interest expense by approximately $0.6 million per year. In the future, we may enter into interest rate swaps, involving the exchange of floating for fixed rate interest payments, to reduce interest rate volatility.

 

Inflation

 

Inflation was not a material factor in either revenue or operating expenses during the first nine months of 2003 or the first nine months of 2002.

 

Qualification of Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Form 10-Q that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of AmeriPath, and its subsidiaries. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events.

 

These forward-looking statements are based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events affecting us. They are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know whether our expectations will prove correct. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors mentioned in our discussion in this Form 10-Q, including the risks outlined under “Risk Factors,” will be important in determining future results.

 

Because of these factors, we caution that investors should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and except as required by law we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

You should carefully consider each of the following risks and all of the other information set forth in this Form 10-Q. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. You should also review the risk factors and cautionary statements we make in other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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We have a substantial amount of outstanding indebtedness which could adversely affect our financial condition.

 

We have a significant amount of indebtedness. As of September 30, 2003, our total debt is $504.6 million, excluding unused revolving loan commitments under our new credit facility. This debt does not include our obligations under our existing contingent payment obligations.

 

Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition including:

 

  increasing our vulnerability to adverse general economic and industry conditions,

 

  requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, our contingent payments, research and development efforts and other general corporate purposes,

 

  limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate,

 

  placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt and

 

  limiting our ability to borrow additional funds.

 

Despite our level of indebtedness, we will be able to incur substantially more debt. This could further increase the risks to our financial condition described above.

 

We will be able to incur significant additional indebtedness in the future. Although the indenture governing the notes and the credit agreement governing our new credit facility contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. The restrictions also do not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness. Our new credit facility provides for $225.0 million of term loan and revolving loan commitments of up to an additional $65.0 million. To the extent the new debt is added to our current debt levels, the substantial leverage risks described above would increase.

 

The terms of our new credit facility and the indenture relating to the notes may restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to changes or to take certain actions.

 

Our new credit facility contains a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and may limit our ability to engage in acts that may be in our long-term best interests. Our new credit facility includes covenants restricting, among other things, our ability to:

 

  incur additional debt,

 

  pay dividends and make restricted payments,

 

  create liens,

 

  use the proceeds from sales of assets and subsidiary stock,

 

  enter into sale and leaseback transactions,

 

  make capital expenditures,

 

  change our business,

 

  enter into transactions with affiliates and

 

  transfer all or substantially all of our assets or enter into merger or consolidation transactions.

 

The indenture relating to the notes also contains numerous operating and financial covenants including, among other things, restrictions on our ability to:

 

  incur additional debt,

 

  pay dividends or purchase our capital stock,

 

  make investments,

 

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  enter into transactions with affiliates,

 

  sell or otherwise dispose of assets and

 

  merge or consolidate with another entity.

 

Our new credit facility also includes financial covenants, including requirements that we maintain:

 

  a minimum interest coverage ratio,

 

  a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and

 

  a maximum leverage ratio.

 

These financial covenants become more restrictive over time.

 

A failure by us to comply with the covenants contained in our new credit facility or the indenture could result in an event of default. In the event of any default under our new credit facility, the lenders under our new credit facility could elect to declare all borrowings outstanding, together with accrued and unpaid interest and fees, to be due and payable, enforce their security interest, require us to apply all of our available cash to repay these borrowings (even if the lenders have not declared a default) or prevent us from making debt service payments on the notes, any of which would result in an event of default under the notes. In addition, future indebtedness could contain financial and other covenants more restrictive than those applicable to our new credit facility and the notes.

 

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations.

 

Our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to make scheduled payments on our debt obligations will depend on our future financial performance, which will be affected by a range of economic, competitive, regulatory, legislative and business factors, many of which are outside of our control. If we do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to satisfy our debt obligations, including payments on the notes, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our debt, selling assets, reducing or delaying capital investments or seeking to raise additional capital. We cannot assure you that any refinancing would be possible or that any assets could be sold on acceptable terms or otherwise. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our obligations on commercially reasonable terms, would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We conduct business in a heavily regulated industry and changes in regulations or violations of regulations may, directly or indirectly, reduce our revenues and harm our business.

 

The healthcare industry is highly regulated, and there can be no assurance that the regulatory environment in which we operate will not change significantly and adversely in the future. Several areas of regulatory compliance that may affect our ability to conduct business include:

 

  federal and state anti-kickback laws,

 

  federal and state self-referral and financial inducement laws, including the federal physician anti-self referral law, or the Stark Law,

 

  federal and state false claims laws,

 

  state laws regarding prohibitions on the corporate practice of medicine,

 

  state laws regarding prohibitions on fee-splitting,

 

  federal and state anti-trust laws,

 

  the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA,

 

  federal and state regulation of privacy, security and transmission of health information and

 

  federal, state and local laws governing the handling and disposal of medical and hazardous waste.

 

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These laws and regulations are extremely complex. In many instances, the industry does not have the benefit of significant regulatory or judicial interpretation of these laws and regulations. It is also possible that the courts could ultimately interpret these laws in a manner that is different from our interpretations. While we believe that we are currently in material compliance with applicable laws and regulations, a determination that we have violated these laws, or the public announcement that we are being investigated for possible violations of these laws, would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our business could be materially harmed by future interpretation or implementation of state laws regarding prohibitions on the corporate practice of medicine.

 

The manner in which licensed physicians can be organized to perform and bill for medical services is governed by state laws and regulations. Under the laws of some states, business corporations generally are not permitted to employ physicians or to own corporations that employ physicians or to otherwise exercise control over the medical judgments or decisions of physicians.

 

We believe that we currently are in compliance with the corporate practice of medicine laws in the states in which we operate in all material respects. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that regulatory authorities or other parties will not assert that we are engaged in the corporate practice of medicine or that the laws of a particular state will not change. If such a claim were successfully asserted in any jurisdiction, or as a result of such a change in law, we could be required to restructure our contractual and other arrangements, our company and our pathologists could be subject to civil and criminal penalties and some of our existing contracts, including non-competition provisions, could be found to be illegal and unenforceable. In addition, expansion of our operations to other states may require structural and organizational modification of our form of relationship with pathologists, operations or hospitals. These results or the inability to successfully restructure contractual arrangements would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We could be hurt by future interpretation or implementation of federal and state anti-kickback and anti-referral laws.

 

Federal and state anti-kickback laws prohibit the offer, solicitation, payment and receipt of remuneration in exchange for referrals of products and services for which payment may be made by Medicare, Medicaid or other federal and state healthcare programs. Federal and state anti-referral laws, including the Stark Law, ban payments to physicians for referrals of patients to health care providers with whom the physicians or their immediate family members have a financial relationship for services for which payment may be made by Medicare or Medicaid. A violation of any of these laws could result in monetary fines, civil and criminal penalties and exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid or other federal or state healthcare programs, which accounted for approximately 21% of our revenues in the first nine months of 2003.

 

We owe some of our physicians contingent payment obligations entered into in connection with acquisitions we have completed, some of our physicians are party to compensation arrangements with us and, prior to the Transaction, owned AmeriPath common stock. Although we believe that none of these arrangements constitute an unlawful kickback under federal and state anti-kickback laws, government authorities may take a contrary position. Furthermore, although we believe that our financial relationships with our physicians and our referral practices do not violate federal and state anti-referral laws, including the Stark Law, the government may take a contrary position, or a prohibited referral may be made by one of our physicians without our knowledge. If our financial relationships with our physicians were found to be unlawful or unlawful referrals were found to have been made, we or they could be fined, we could become subject to government recoupment of fees previously paid to us and forfeiture of revenues due to us or become subject to civil and criminal penalties. In such situations, we also may be excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal and state healthcare programs. Any one of these consequences could have an adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and results of operations.

 

Our business could be harmed by future interpretation or implementation of state law prohibitions on fee-splitting.

 

Many states prohibit the splitting or sharing of fees between physicians and non-physicians. We believe our arrangements with pathologists and operations comply in all material respects with the fee-splitting laws of the states in which we operate. Nevertheless, it is possible that regulatory authorities or other parties could claim we are engaged in fee-splitting. If such a claim were successfully asserted in any jurisdiction, our pathologists could be subject to civil and criminal penalties, including loss of licensure, and we could be required to restructure our contractual and other arrangements. In addition, expansion of our operations to new states with fee-splitting prohibitions may require structural and organizational modification to the form of our current relationships which may be less profitable. A claim of fee-splitting or modification of our business to avoid such a claim could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Federal and state regulation of privacy could cause us to incur significant costs.

 

The Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, pursuant to consumer protection laws, and the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, pursuant to HIPAA, regulate the use and disclosure of information we may have about our patients. Many states also have laws regarding privacy of health information. While we believe that we are in compliance with FTC and state laws regarding privacy, and with HIPAA privacy regulations, these laws are complex and will have an impact upon our operations. Violations of the privacy regulations are punishable by civil and criminal penalties. In addition, while individuals do not have a private right of action under HIPAA, the privacy regulations may be viewed by the courts as setting a standard of conduct, which the failure to meet could give rise to a private claim. In addition, HIPAA regulations regarding the security of health information and standards for electronic transactions have also been issued. Compliance with these regulations may require us to modify our systems and cause us to incur significant expense.

 

We are subject to significant professional or other liability claims and we cannot assure you that insurance coverage will be available or sufficient to cover such claims.

 

We may be sued under physician liability or other liability law for acts or omissions by our pathologists, laboratory personnel and hospital employees who are under the supervision of our hospital-based pathologists. We and our pathologists consequently periodically become involved as defendants in medical malpractice and other lawsuits, some of which are currently ongoing, and are subject to the attendant risk of substantial damage awards.

 

Through June 30, 2002, we were insured for medical malpractice risks on a claims made basis under traditional professional liability insurance policies. In July 2002, we began using a captive insurance program to partially self-insure our medical malpractice risk. Under the captive insurance program we retain more risk for medical malpractice costs, including settlements and claims expenses, than under our prior coverage. We have no aggregate excess stop loss protection under our captive insurance arrangements, meaning there is no aggregate limitation on the amount of risk we retain under these arrangements. Because of our self-insurance arrangements and our lack of aggregate excess stop loss protection, professional malpractice claims could result in substantial uninsured losses. In addition, it is possible that the costs of our captive insurance arrangements and excess insurance coverage will rise, causing us either to incur additional costs or to further limit the amount of our coverage. Further, our insurance does not cover all potential liabilities arising from governmental fines and penalties, indemnification agreements and certain other uninsurable losses. For example, from time to time we agree to indemnify third parties, such as hospitals and national clinical laboratories, for various claims that may not be covered by insurance. As a result, we may become responsible for substantial damage awards that are uninsured. We are currently subject to indemnity claims which, if determined adversely to us, could result in substantial uninsured losses. Therefore, it is possible that pending or future claims will not be covered by or will exceed the limits of our insurance coverage and indemnification agreements or that third parties will fail or otherwise be unable to comply with their obligations to us. For the period July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003, the Company expensed approximately $11.4 million for medical malpractice costs. For the period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004, the Company expects to incur approximately $12.4 million for medical malpractice costs.

 

Government programs account for approximately 21% of our revenues, so a decline in reimbursement rates from government programs would harm our revenues and profitability.

 

We derived approximately 21% of our net revenue in the first nine months of 2003 from payments made by government programs, principally Medicare and Medicaid. These programs are subject to substantial regulation by federal and state governments. Any changes in reimbursement policies, practices, interpretations or statutes that place limitations on reimbursement amounts or change reimbursement coding practices could materially harm our business by reducing revenues and lowering profitability. Increasing budgetary pressures at both the federal and state levels and concerns over escalating costs of healthcare have led, and may continue to lead, to significant reductions in healthcare reimbursements, which would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We incur financial risk related to collections as well as potentially long collection cycles when seeking reimbursement from third-party payors.

 

Substantially all of our net revenues are derived from services for which our operations charge on a fee-for-service basis. Accordingly, we assume the financial risk related to collection, including potential write-offs of doubtful accounts, and long collection cycles for accounts receivable, including reimbursements by third-party payors, such as governmental programs, private insurance plans and managed care organizations. Our provision for doubtful accounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was 14.9% of net revenues, with net revenues from inpatient services having a provision for doubtful accounts of approximately 24.7%. If our revenue from hospital-based services increases as a percentage of our total net revenues, our provision for doubtful accounts as a percentage of total net revenues may increase. Increases in write-offs of doubtful accounts, delays in receiving payments or potential retroactive adjustments and penalties resulting from audits by payors could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

 

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In addition to services billed on a fee-for-service basis, our hospital-based pathologists in their capacities as medical directors of hospitals’ clinical laboratories, microbiology laboratories and blood banking operations bill non-Medicare patients according to a fee schedule for their clinical professional component, or CPC, services. Our historical collection experience for CPC services is significantly lower than other anatomic pathology procedures. Hospitals and third party payors are continuing to increase pressure to reduce our revenue from CPC services, including but not limited to encouraging their patients not to pay us for such services.

 

The continued growth of managed care may have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

The number of individuals covered under managed care contracts or other similar arrangements has grown over the past several years and may continue to grow in the future. In addition, Medicare and Medicaid and other government healthcare programs may continue to shift to managed care. During the first nine months of 2003, approximately 61% of our net revenue was derived from reimbursements from managed care organizations and third party payors. Entities providing managed care coverage have reduced payments for medical services in numerous ways, including entering into arrangements under which payments to a service provider are capitated, limiting testing to specified procedures, denying payment for services performed without prior authorization and refusing to increase fees for specified services. These trends reduce our revenues and limit our ability to pass cost increases to our customers. Also, if these or other managed care organizations do not select us as a participating provider, we may lose some or all of that business, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

There has been an increasing number of state and federal investigations of healthcare companies, which may increase the likelihood of investigations of our business practices and the possibility that we will become subject to lawsuits.

 

Prosecution of fraudulent practices by healthcare companies is a priority of the United States Department of Justice, HHS’s Office of the Inspector General, or OIG, and state authorities. The federal government has become more aggressive in examining laboratory billing practices and seeking repayments and penalties allegedly resulting from improper billing practices, such as using an improper billing code for a test to realize higher reimbursement. While the primary focus of this initiative has been on hospital laboratories and on routine clinical chemistry tests, which comprise only a small portion of our revenues, the scope of this initiative could expand, and it is not possible to predict whether or in what direction the expansion might occur. In certain circumstances, federal and some state laws authorize private whistleblowers to bring false claim or qui tam suits against providers on behalf of the government and reward the whistleblower with a portion of any final recovery. In addition, the federal government has engaged a number of non-governmental audit organizations to assist in tracking and recovering false claims for healthcare services.

 

Since investigations relating to false claims have increased in recent years, it is more likely that companies in the healthcare industry, like us, could become the subject of a federal or state civil or criminal investigation or action. While we believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with federal and state fraud and abuse statutes and regulations, and we monitor our billing practices and hospital arrangements for compliance with prevailing industry practices under applicable laws, these laws are complex and constantly evolving, and it is possible that governmental investigators may take positions that are inconsistent with our practices. Moreover, even when the results of an investigation or a qui tam suit are favorable to a company, the process is time consuming and legal fees and diversion of company management focus are expensive. Any lengthy investigation could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Investigations of persons and entities with which we do business could adversely affect us.

 

HCA Inc., or HCA, has been under investigation with respect to fraud and abuse issues. As of September 30, 2003, we provided medical director services for 27 HCA hospital laboratories. As a result, the government’s investigation of HCA could result in investigations of one or more of our operations. Furthermore, we received subpoenas issued by the United States Attorney’s office in Tampa, Florida seeking information with respect to an investigation relating to Medicare billing and possible financial inducements in connection with a Florida physician who is not an AmeriPath pathologist but is a client of AmeriPath. We are providing information to the United States Attorney’s office and we intend to cooperate in the investigation. We are also conducting our own internal investigation of the matter. It is not possible at this point in the investigation to determine whether the government will pursue action against us or to assess the merits of possible defenses we may have to any such action. Accordingly, no assurances can be given regarding the ultimate outcome of the investigation.

 

We derive a significant portion of our revenues from short-term hospital contracts and hospital relationships that can be terminated without penalty.

 

Many of our hospital contracts may be terminated prior to the expiration of the initial or any renewal term by either party with relatively short notice and without cause. We also have business relationships with hospitals that are not governed by written contracts and may be terminated by the hospitals at any time. Loss of a hospital contract or relationship would not only result in a loss of net

 

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revenue but may also result in a loss of the outpatient net revenue derived from our association with the hospital and its medical staff. Any such loss could also result in an impairment of the balance sheet value of the assets we have acquired or may acquire, requiring substantial charges to earnings. Continuing consolidation in the hospital industry resulting in fewer hospitals and fewer laboratories enhances the risk that some of our hospital contracts and relationships may be terminated, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

If we cannot effectively implement our internal growth strategy, it will materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

Our focus on internal growth, which is based upon our existing relationships and services offered, is a departure from our prior focus on growth through acquisitions. The success of our strategy rests upon increasing testing volumes, improving the mix of our services and obtaining more favorable pricing, all of which will result in a greater focus on our sales and marketing function. The success of this strategy also is dependent upon our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel, including pathologists, to develop new areas of expertise and new customer relationships and to expand our current relationships with existing customers. There can be no assurance that we will be able to make our new strategy a success.

 

We may inherit significant liabilities from operations that we have acquired or acquire in the future.

 

We perform due diligence investigations with respect to potential liabilities of acquired operations and typically obtain indemnification from the sellers of such operations. Nevertheless, undiscovered claims may arise, and liabilities for which we become responsible may be material and may exceed either the limitations of any applicable indemnification provisions or the financial resources of the indemnifying parties. Claims or liabilities of acquired operations may include matters involving compliance with laws, including healthcare laws. While we believe, based on our due diligence investigations, that our acquired operations were generally in compliance with applicable healthcare laws prior to their acquisition, they may not have been in full compliance and we may become accountable for their non-compliance. A violation of the healthcare laws could result in monetary fines, government recoupment of fees previously paid to us, forfeiture of revenues due to us or civil and criminal penalties. In such situations, we may also be excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal and state healthcare programs. Any one of these consequences could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We have significant contingent liabilities payable to many of the sellers of operations that we have acquired.

 

In connection with our past acquisitions, we typically have agreed to pay the sellers additional consideration in the form of contingent payment obligations. Payment of these obligations typically depends upon the financial performance of the acquired operation or the retention of specified hospital contracts over periods ranging from three to five years after the acquisition. The amount of these contingent payments cannot be determined until the contingency periods terminate and the level of the performance is ascertainable. As of September 30, 2003, if the minimum performance that would result in the maximum amount being payable for existing contingent payment obligations were achieved, we would be obligated to make principal payments of approximately $114.1 million over the next five years. Lesser amounts would be paid if the maximum criteria are not met. Although we believe we will be able to make payments on contingent payment obligations existing prior to the consummation of the Transaction from the remaining cash collateral account balance of $58.4 million held by our parent as of September 30, 2003, it is possible that such payments, or payments on additional contingent payment obligations incurred as part of future acquisitions, could cause significant liquidity problems for us.

 

We have recorded a significant amount of intangible assets, which may never generate the returns we expect.

 

Our acquisitions have resulted in significant increases in net identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. Net identifiable intangible assets, which include hospital contracts, physician client lists, management service agreements and laboratory contracts acquired in acquisitions, were approximately $187.0 million at September 30, 2003, representing approximately 20.4% of our total assets. Goodwill, which relates to the excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets of the businesses acquired, was approximately $532.6 million at September 30, 2003, representing approximately 58.1% of our total assets. Goodwill and net identifiable intangible assets are recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition and, under Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 142, will be reviewed at least annually for impairment. Impairment may result from, among other things, deterioration in performance of the acquired company, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in applicable laws or regulations, including changes that restrict the activities of the acquired business, and a variety of other circumstances. The amount of any impairment must be written off. We evaluated our recorded goodwill and identifiable intangible assets as of September 30, 2003 and determined that there was no asset impairment charge required with respect to our intangible assets. We may not ever realize the full value of our intangible assets. Any future determination requiring the write-off of a significant portion of intangible assets would have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Our business is highly dependent on the recruitment and retention of qualified pathologists and the retention of our key executives.

 

Our business is dependent upon recruiting and retaining pathologists, particularly those with subspecialties, such as dermatopathology, hematopathology, immunopathology and cytopathology. While we have been able to recruit and retain pathologists in the past, we may be unable to continue to do so in the future as competition for the services of pathologists increases. In addition, we may need to provide more compensation to our pathologists in order to enhance our recruitment and retention efforts and may be unable to recover these increased costs through price increases. The relationship between the pathologists and their respective local medical communities is important to the operation and continued profitability of each of our local operations. Loss of even one of our pathologists could lead to the loss of hospital contracts or other sources of revenue derived from our relationship with the pathologist. For the year ending December 31, 2002, the turnover rate for our pathologists was 8.4%. If turnover rates were to increase, our revenues and earnings could be adversely affected.

 

In addition, we also rely on the leadership of our executive officers. Following the Transaction, Brian Carr, our former President, Greg Marsh, our former CFO, and Jim Billington, our former Vice President, terminated their employment with us. If other executives retire, resign or are terminated by us, we may be unable to replace them on a timely basis, which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

We may be unable to enforce non-competition provisions with departed pathologists.

 

We either directly employ our pathologists or control a physician-owned entity that employs our pathologists. Each of our pathologists typically enters into an employment agreement with us or a company we control. Most of these employment agreements prohibit the pathologist from competing with our company within a defined geographic area and prohibit solicitation of other pathologists, employees or clients for a period of one to two years after termination of employment. We attempt to structure all of these contracts in accordance with applicable laws and to maintain and enforce these contracts as necessary. However, agreements not to compete are subject to many limitations under state law and these limitations may vary from state to state. We cannot predict whether a court will enforce the non-competition covenants in our various employment agreements. A finding that these covenants are unenforceable could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Competition from other providers of pathology services may materially harm our business.

 

We have numerous competitors, including anatomic pathology practices, large physician group practices, hospital laboratories, specialized commercial laboratories and the anatomic pathology divisions of some national clinical laboratories. Moreover, companies in other healthcare segments, some of which have previously been customers of ours, such as hospitals, national clinical laboratories, managed care organizations and other third-party payors, may enter our markets and begin to compete with us. For example, we have experienced a substantial decline in the volume of business we receive from Quest Diagnostics, Incorporated, or Quest, a national clinical laboratory company and customer of ours, which has begun to compete with us in some markets. We expect that during 2003 Quest will finish internalizing the remainder of the anatomic pathology work subcontracted to us and will no longer be a customer of ours. Some of our competitors may have greater financial resources than us, which could further intensify competition. Increasing competition may erode our customer base, reduce our sources of revenue, cause us to reduce prices, enter into more capitated contracts in which we take on greater pricing risks or increase our marketing and other costs of doing business. Increasing competition may also impede our growth objectives by making it more difficult or more expensive for us to acquire or affiliate with additional pathology operations.

 

We depend on numerous complex information systems, and any failure to successfully maintain those systems or implement new systems could materially harm our operations.

 

We depend upon numerous information systems for operational and financial information, test reporting for our physicians and our complex billing operations. We currently have several major information technology initiatives underway, including the integration of information from our operations. No assurance can be given that we will be able to enhance existing or implement new information systems that can integrate successfully our disparate operational and financial information systems. In addition to their integral role in helping our operations realize efficiencies, these new systems are critical to developing and implementing a comprehensive enterprise-wide management information database. To develop an integrated network, we must continue to invest in and administer sophisticated management information systems. We may experience unanticipated delays, complications and expenses in implementing, integrating and operating our systems. Furthermore, our information systems may require modifications, improvements or replacements as we expand and as new technologies become available. These modifications, improvements or replacements may require substantial expenditures and may require interruptions in operations during periods of implementation. Moreover, implementation of these systems is subject to the availability of information technology and skilled personnel to assist us in creating and implementing the systems. The failure to successfully implement and maintain operation, financial, test reports, billing and physician practice information systems would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Failure to timely or accurately bill for our services may have a substantial negative impact on our revenues, cash flow and bad debt expense.

 

Billing for laboratory testing services involves numerous parties and complex issues and procedures. The industry practice is to perform tests in advance of payment and without certainty as to the outcome of the billing process. We bill various payors, such as patients, government programs, physicians, hospitals and managed care organizations. These various payors have different billing information requirements and typically reimburse us only for medically necessary tests and only after we comply with a variety of procedures, such as providing them with Current Procedural Terminology, or CPT, codes and other information. If we do not meet all of the payors’ stringent requirements, we may not be reimbursed, which would increase our bad debt expense.

 

Among many other factors complicating our billing are:

 

  disputes between payors as to which party is responsible for payment,

 

  disparity in coverage among various payors and

 

  difficulty satisfying the specific compliance requirements and CPT coding of and other procedures mandated by various payors.

 

The complexity of laboratory billing also tends to cause delays in our cash collections. Confirming incorrect or missing billing information generally slows down the billing process and increases the age of our accounts receivable. We assume the financial risk related to collection, including the potential write-off of doubtful accounts and delays due to incorrect or missing information.

 

Our tests and business processes may infringe on the intellectual property rights of others, which could cause us to engage in costly litigation, pay substantial damages or prohibit us from selling our services.

 

Other companies or individuals, including our competitors, may obtain patents or other property rights that would prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to develop, perform or sell our tests or operate our business. As a result, we may be involved in intellectual property litigation and may be found to infringe on the proprietary rights of others, which could force us to do one or more of the following:

 

  cease developing and performing services that incorporate the challenged intellectual property,

 

  obtain and pay for licenses from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right,

 

  redesign or reengineer our tests,

 

  change our business processes or

 

  pay substantial damages, court costs and attorneys’ fees, including potentially increased damages for any infringement determined to be willful.

 

Infringement and other intellectual property claims, whether with or without merit, can be expensive and time-consuming to litigate. In addition, any requirement to reengineer our tests or change our business processes could substantially increase our costs, force us to interrupt the delivery of our services or delay new test releases.

 

ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The Company is subject to market risk associated principally with changes in interest rates. Our principal interest rate exposure relates to the amount outstanding under the Company’s new credit facility. Currently the balances outstanding under the credit facility are at floating rates. Based on the outstanding balance of $223.9 million at September 30, 2003, each quarter point increase or decrease in the floating rate increases or decreases interest expense by approximately $0.6 million per year, respectively.

 

ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2003. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and

 

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procedures as of September 30, 2003 were effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2003 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

During the ordinary course of business, the Company has become and may in the future become subject to pending and threatened legal actions and proceedings. The Company may have liability with respect to its employees and its pathologists as well as with respect to hospital employees who are under the supervision of the hospital based pathologists. The majority of the Company’s pending legal proceedings involve claims of medical malpractice. Most of these relate to cytology services. Based upon current information, the Company believes the outcome of such pending legal actions and proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. If the Company is ultimately found liable under these medical malpractice claims, there can be no assurance that the Company’s medical malpractice insurance coverage will be adequate to cover any such liability, and thus, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity could suffer a material adverse effect. The Company may also, from time to time, be involved with legal actions related to the acquisition of and affiliation with physician operations, the prior conduct of such practices, or the employment (and restriction on competition of) physicians. There can be no assurance that any costs or liabilities for which the Company becomes responsible in connection with such claims or actions will not be material or will not exceed the limitations of any applicable indemnification provisions or the financial resources of the indemnifying parties.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2002, two civil actions were commenced in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida. The two actions were consolidated on February 14, 2003 and an Amended Complaint was filed on March 6, 2003. The Amended Complaint alleges a breach of duty to stockholders in connection with the Transaction. The plaintiffs seek to represent a putative class consisting of the public stockholders of AmeriPath. Named as defendants in the Amended Complaint are AmeriPath, Inc. and the members of the AmeriPath board of directors. The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that the consideration is inadequate, that the announcement was improperly timed, that AmeriPath was not properly auctioned, that the Transaction is unfair, that the proxy statement omits certain information that Plaintiffs contend is material and that the AmeriPath directors breached their fiduciary duties. The Amended Complaint seeks injunctive relief against consummation of the merger, unspecified amounts of damages, costs and expenses related to their actions and other unspecified relief. We believe the Amended Complaint lacks merit and have filed a motion to dismiss it.

 

ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

  (a) Exhibits

 

    Exhibit 10.1    Amendment No. 1 dated as of September 30, 2003, to the Credit Agreement dated as of March 27, 2003 among AmeriPath, Inc., (“the Borrower”), AmeriPath Holdings, Inc. the Lenders (as defined in Article I thereof) and Credit Suisse First Boston.
    Exhibit 31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
    Exhibit 31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
    Exhibit 32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
    Exhibit 32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

  (b) Reports on Form 8-K

 

A Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 14, 2003 was furnished pursuant to Item 12 of Form 8-K, by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2003, announcing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2003.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

            AMERIPATH, INC.
Date: November 14, 2003       By:   /S/    JAMES C. NEW        
         
               

James C. New

Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 14, 2003       By:   /S/    DAVID L. REDMOND        
         
               

David L. Redmond

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description


10.1

   Amendment No. 1 dated as of September 30, 2003, to the Credit Agreement dated as of March 27, 2003 among AmeriPath, Inc., (“the Borrower”), AmeriPath Holdings, Inc. the Lenders (as defined in Article I thereof) and Credit Suisse First Boston.

31.1

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2

   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002