UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008.

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		33-0861263 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

(949) 487-9500
(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

N/A
(Former Name, Former Address and Former 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. þ Yes o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer þ		Smaller reporting company o
				(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 or the Exchange Act). o Yes þ No

As of October 24, 2008, 20,552,880 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

 

 

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited):
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007			3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007			4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007			5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			6
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			23
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			42
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures			43
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings			43
Item 1A. Risk Factors			43
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			69
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities			69
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders			69
Item 5. Other Information			69
Item 6. Exhibits			70
Signatures			71
Exhibit 31.1
Exhibit 31.2
Exhibit 32.1
Exhibit 32.2

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

		September 30,				December 31,
		2008				2007
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	56,407			$	51,732
Accounts receivable—less allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,325 and $7,454 at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively			44,597				50,615
Prepaid income taxes			2,177				5,835
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			4,750				5,319
Deferred tax asset—current			6,663				6,862
Total current assets			114,594				120,363
Property and equipment, net			141,893				124,861
Insurance subsidiary deposits			11,035				8,810
Deferred tax asset			4,119				4,865
Restricted and other assets			3,586				3,273
Intangible assets, net			4,502				2,335
Goodwill			2,882				2,882
Total assets		$	282,611			$	267,389
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	12,267			$	14,699
Accrued wages and related liabilities			21,897				21,141
Accrued self-insurance liabilities—current			6,997				7,424
Other accrued liabilities			10,869				11,137
Current maturities of long-term debt			1,089				2,993
Total current liabilities			53,119				57,394
Long-term debt—less current maturities			59,735				60,577
Accrued self-insurance liability			19,214				17,236
Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities			1,887				2,505
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock; $0.001 par value; 75,000 shares authorized; 21,225 and 20,553 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2008, respectively, and 21,196 and 20,480 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2007, respectively			21				21
Additional paid-in capital			63,681				62,142
Retained earnings			89,304				72,119
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 672 and 716 shares at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively			(4,350	)			(4,605	)
Total stockholders’ equity			148,656				129,677
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	282,611			$	267,389

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2008				2007				2008				2007
Revenue		$	116,328			$	104,092			$	345,425			$	302,339
Expense:
Cost of services (exclusive of facility rent and depreciation and amortization shown separately below)			94,297				86,176				278,364				247,177
Facility rent—cost of services			3,282				4,177				11,229				12,511
General and administrative expense			4,565				3,995				14,628				11,638
Depreciation and amortization			2,350				1,818				6,513				5,004
Total expenses			104,494				96,166				310,734				276,330
Income from operations			11,834				7,926				34,691				26,009
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(1,183	)			(1,288	)			(3,553	)			(3,637	)
Interest income			239				275				1,094				973
Other expense, net			(944	)			(1,013	)			(2,459	)			(2,664	)
Income before provision for income taxes			10,890				6,913				32,232				23,345
Provision for income taxes			4,093				2,447				12,582				9,047
Net income		$	6,797			$	4,466			$	19,650			$	14,298
Net income per share:
Basic		$	0.33			$	0.32			$	0.96			$	1.04
Diluted		$	0.33			$	0.26			$	0.95			$	0.85
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			20,525				13,506				20,512				13,463
Diluted			20,777				16,878				20,667				16,887

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2008				2007
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	19,650			$	14,298
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			6,524				5,013
Amortization of deferred financing fees			51				—
Deferred income taxes			945				(3,497	)
Provision for doubtful accounts			3,050				2,139
Stock-based compensation			1,329				1,207
Excess tax benefit from share based compensation			(128	)			—
Loss on disposition of property and equipment			212				14
Change in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable			2,968				(4,493	)
Prepaid income taxes			3,747				—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			569				(1,648	)
Insurance subsidiary deposits			(2,225	)			(1,179	)
Accounts payable			(2,432	)			(520	)
Accrued wages and related liabilities			756				(2,935	)
Other accrued liabilities			(340	)			(905	)
Accrued self-insurance			1,551				3,459
Deferred rent liability			(628	)			36
Net cash provided by operating activities			35,599				10,989
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment			(23,511	)			(15,785	)
Cash payment for business acquisitions			(2,005	)			(9,452	)
Restricted assets			(468	)			(510	)
Other assets			155				44
Net cash used in investing activities			(25,829	)			(25,703	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on long term debt			(2,746	)			(700	)
Issuance of treasury stock upon exercise of options			255				57
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options			121				32
Dividends paid			(2,468	)			(1,973	)
Payments of deferred offering costs			—				(1,690	)
Excess tax benefit from share based compensation			128				—
Payments of deferred financing costs			(385	)			(84	)
Purchase of treasury stock			—				(1	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(5,095	)			(4,359	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			4,675				(19,073	)
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period			51,732				25,491
Cash and cash equivalents end of period		$	56,407			$	6,418
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest		$	3,526			$	3,225
Income taxes		$	8,224			$	14,617
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Conditional asset retirement obligations under FIN 47		$	—			$	113

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

The Company — The Ensign Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries (collectively, Ensign or the Company), provides skilled nursing and rehabilitative care services through the operation of 62 facilities as of September 30, 2008, located in California, Arizona, Texas, Washington, Utah and Idaho. All of these facilities are skilled nursing facilities, other than three stand-alone assisted living facilities in Arizona and Texas and four campuses that offer both skilled nursing and assisted living services located in California, Arizona and Utah. The Company’s facilities, each of which strives to be the facility of choice in the community it serves, provide a broad spectrum of skilled nursing and assisted living services, physical, occupational and speech therapies, and other rehabilitative and healthcare services, for both long-term residents and short-stay rehabilitation patients. The Company’s facilities have a collective licensed capacity of over 7,500 skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living beds. As of September 30, 2008 the Company owned 28 of its 62 facilities, operated an additional 34 facilities through long-term lease arrangements, and had options to purchase 8 of those 34 facilities.

The Ensign Group, Inc. is a holding company with no direct operating assets, employees or revenue. All of the Company’s facilities are operated by separate, wholly-owned, independent subsidiaries, each of which has its own management, employees and assets. One of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, referred to as the Service Center, provides centralized accounting, payroll, human resources, information technology, legal, risk management and other centralized services to the other operating subsidiaries through contractual relationships with such subsidiaries. The Company also has a wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary (the Captive) that provides some claims-made coverage to the Company’s operating subsidiaries for general and professional liability, as well as coverage for certain workers’ compensation insurance liabilities.

Like the Company’s facilities, the Service Center and the Captive are operated by separate, wholly-owned, independent subsidiaries that have their own management, employees and assets. References herein to the consolidated “Company” and “its” assets and activities, as well as the use of the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and similar verbiage in this quarterly report is not meant to imply that The Ensign Group, Inc. has direct operating assets, employees or revenue, or that any of the facilities, the Service Center or the Captive are operated by the same entity.

Other Information — The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2008 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (collectively, the Interim Financial Statements), are unaudited. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted, as permitted under applicable rules and regulations. Readers of the Interim Financial Statements should refer to the Company’s audited consolidated statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2007 which are included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, File No. 001-33757 (the Annual Report) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Management believes that the Interim Financial Statements reflect all adjustments which are of a normal and recurring nature necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position and results of operations in all material respects. The results of operations presented in the Interim Financial Statements are not necessarily representative of operations for the entire year.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation — The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Company is the sole member or shareholder of various consolidated limited liability companies and corporations; each established to operate various acquired skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Estimates and Assumptions — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. The most significant estimates in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements relate to revenue, allowance for doubtful accounts, intangible assets and goodwill, impairment of long-lived assets, patient liability, general and professional liability, worker’s compensation, and healthcare claims included in accrued self-insurance liabilities, stock-based compensation and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Business Segments — The Company has a single reporting segment—long-term care services, which includes the operation of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, and related ancillary services at the facilities. The Company’s single reporting segment is made up of several individual operating segments grouped together principally based on their geographical locations within the United States. Based on the similar economic and other characteristics of each of the operating segments, management believes the Company meets the criteria for aggregating its operating segments into a single reporting segment.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, insurance subsidiary deposits, accounts payable and borrowings. The Company believes all of the financial instruments’ recorded values approximate fair values because of their nature and respective durations. The Company’s fixed-rate debt instruments do not actively trade in an established market. The fair values of this debt are estimated by discounting the principal and interest payments at rates available to the Company for debt with similar terms and maturities.

Revenue Recognition — The Company follows the provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements (SAB 104), for revenue recognition. Under SAB 104, four conditions must be met before revenue can be recognized: (i) there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or service has been rendered; (iii) the price is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collection is reasonably assured.

The Company’s revenue is derived primarily from providing long-term healthcare services to residents and is recognized on the date services are provided at amounts billable to individual residents. For residents under reimbursement arrangements with third-party payors, including Medicaid, Medicare and private insurers, revenue is recorded based on contractually agreed-upon amounts on a per patient, daily basis.

Revenue from the Medicare and Medicaid programs accounted for approximately 74% and 75% of the Company’s revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 74% of the Company’s revenue for both periods during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. The Company records revenue from these governmental and managed care programs as services are performed at their expected net realizable amounts under these programs. The Company’s revenue from governmental and managed care programs is subject to audit and retroactive adjustment by governmental and third-party agencies. Consistent with healthcare industry accounting practices, any changes to these governmental revenue estimates are recorded in the period the change or adjustment becomes known based on final settlements. The Company recorded retroactive adjustments that increased revenue by $60 and $460, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and $80 and $848 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. The Company also records revenue from private pay patients as services are performed.

Accounts Receivable — Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts due from Medicare and Medicaid programs, other government programs, managed care health plans and private payor sources. Estimated provisions for doubtful accounts are recorded to the extent it is probable that a portion or all of a particular account will not be collected.

In evaluating the collectibility of accounts receivable, the Company considers a number of factors, including the age of the accounts, changes in collection patterns, the composition of patient accounts by payor type and the status of ongoing disputes with third-party payors. The percentages applied to the aged receivable balances are based on the Company’s historical experience and time limits, if any, for managed care, Medicare and Medicaid. The Company periodically refines its procedures for estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts based on experience with the estimation process and changes in circumstances.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term investments in bank term deposits, money market funds, and treasury bill related investments with original maturities of three months or less at time of purchase and therefore approximate fair value. The Company places its cash and short-term investments with high credit quality financial institutions.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — The Company reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets that are held and used in the Company’s operations for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is determined based upon expected undiscounted future net cash flows from the operations to which the assets relate, utilizing management’s best estimate, appropriate assumptions, and projections at the time. If the carrying value is determined to be unrecoverable from future operating cash flows, the asset is deemed impaired and an impairment loss would be recognized to the extent the carrying value exceeded the estimated fair value of the asset. The Company estimates the fair value of assets based on the estimated future discounted cash flows of the asset. Management has evaluated its long-lived assets and has not identified any impairment as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill — Intangible assets consist primarily of deferred financing costs, favorable lease, lease acquisition costs and trade names. Deferred financing costs are amortized over the term of the related debt, ranging from five to 26 years. Favorable leases and lease acquisition costs are amortized over the life of the lease of the facility, ranging from ten to 20 years. Trade names are amortized over 30 years.

Goodwill is accounted for under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141, Business Combinations (SFAS 141) and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (SFAS 142), goodwill is subject to annual testing for impairment. In addition, goodwill is tested for impairment if events occur or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company defines reporting units as the individual facilities. The Company performs its annual test for impairment during the fourth quarter of each year. The Company did not record any impairment charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 or in 2007.

Self-Insurance — The Company is partially self-insured for general and professional liability up to a base amount per claim (the self-insured retention) with an aggregate, one time deductible above this limit. Losses beyond these amounts are insured through third-party policies with coverage limits per occurrence, per location and on an aggregate basis for the Company. For claims made in 2008, the self-insured retention was $350 per claim with a $900 deductible. As of September 30, 2008, the third-party coverage above these limits was $1,000 per occurrence, $3,000 per facility with a $6,000 blanket aggregate.

The self-insured retention and deductible limits for general and professional liability and worker’s compensation are self-insured through the Captive, the related assets and liabilities of which are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Captive is subject to certain statutory requirements as an insurance provider. These requirements include, but are not limited to, maintaining statutory capital. The Company’s policy is to accrue amounts equal to the actuarially estimated costs to settle open claims of insureds, as well as an estimate of the cost of insured claims that have been incurred but not reported. The Company develops information about the size of the ultimate claims based on historical experience, current industry information and actuarial analysis, and evaluates the estimates for claim loss exposure on a quarterly basis. Accrued general liability and professional malpractice liabilities recorded on an undiscounted basis in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets were $18,700 and $18,596 as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

The Company’s operating subsidiaries are self-insured for workers’ compensation liability in California. To protect itself against loss exposure in California, with this policy, the Company has purchased individual stop-loss insurance coverage that insures individual claims that exceed $600 for each claim. In Texas, the operating subsidiaries have elected non-subscriber status for workers’ compensation claims. The Company’s operating subsidiaries in other states have third party guaranteed cost coverage. In California and Texas, the Company accrues amounts equal to the estimated costs to settle open claims, as well as an estimate of the cost of claims that have been incurred but not reported. The Company uses actuarial valuations to estimate the liability based on historical experience and industry information. Accrued workers’ compensation liabilities are recorded on an undiscounted basis in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and were $5,606 and $4,145 as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

During 2003 and 2004, the Company’s California and Arizona operating subsidiaries were insured for workers’ compensation liability by a third-party carrier under a policy where the retrospective premium was adjusted annually based on incurred developed losses and allocated expenses. Based on a comparison of the computed retrospective premium to the actual payments funded, amounts will be due to the insurer or insured. The term for this policy expired and all remaining balances were settled with the insurance carrier during the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The funded accrual in excess of the estimated liabilities is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and was $0 and $431 as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

The Company provides self-insured medical (including prescription drugs) and dental healthcare benefits to the majority of its employees. The Company is fully liable for all financial and legal aspects of these benefit plans. To protect itself against loss exposure with this policy, the Company has purchased individual stop-loss insurance coverage that insures individual claims that exceed $200 for each covered person, which resets every plan year or a lifetime maximum of $5,000 per each covered person’s lifetime on the PPO plan and unlimited on the HMO plan. The Company has also purchased aggregate stop-loss coverage that reimburses the plan up to $5,000 to the extent that paid claims exceed $7,225. The aforementioned coverage only applies to claims paid during the plan year. The Company’s accrued liability under these plans recorded on an undiscounted basis in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets was $1,905 and $1,919 at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

The Company believes that adequate provision has been made in the consolidated financial statements for liabilities that may arise out of patient care, workers’ compensation, healthcare benefits and related services provided to date. The amount of the Company’s reserves was determined based on an estimation process that uses information obtained from both company-specific and industry data. This estimation process requires the Company to continuously monitor and evaluate the life cycle of the claims. Using data obtained from this monitoring and the Company’s assumptions about emerging trends, the Company, with the assistance of an independent actuary, develops information about the size of ultimate claims based on the Company’s historical experience and other available industry information. The most significant assumptions used in the estimation process include determining the trend in costs, the expected cost of claims incurred but not reported and the expected costs to settle or pay damage awards with respect to unpaid claims. It is possible, however, that the actual liabilities may exceed the Company’s estimate of loss.

The self-insured liabilities are based upon estimates, and while management believes that the estimates of loss are reasonable, the ultimate liability may be in excess of or less than the recorded amounts. Due to the inherent volatility of actuarially determined loss estimates, it is reasonably possible that the Company could experience changes in estimated losses that could be material to net income. If the Company’s actual liability exceeds its estimate of loss, its future earnings and financial condition would be adversely affected.

Income Taxes — Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS 109). Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at tax rates expected to be in effect when such temporary differences are expected to reverse. The temporary differences are primarily attributable to compensation accruals, straight line rent adjustments and reserves for doubtful accounts and insurance liabilities. When necessary, the Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its net deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In considering the need for a valuation allowance against some portion or all of its deferred tax assets, the Company must make certain estimates and assumptions regarding future taxable income, the feasibility of tax planning strategies and other factors.

Estimates and judgments regarding deferred tax assets and the associated valuation allowance, if any, are based on, among other things, knowledge of operations, markets, historical trends and likely future changes and, when appropriate, the opinions of advisors with knowledge and expertise in certain fields. However, due to the nature of certain assets and liabilities, there are risks and uncertainties associated with some of the Company’s estimates and judgments. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The net deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were $10,782 and $11,727, respectively. The Company expects to fully utilize these deferred tax assets; however, their ultimate realization is dependent upon the amount of future taxable income during the periods in which the temporary differences become deductible.

As of January 1, 2007, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 requires the Company to maintain a liability for underpayment of income taxes and related interest and penalties, if any, for uncertain income tax positions. In considering the need for and magnitude of a liability for uncertain income tax positions, the Company must make certain estimates and assumptions regarding the amount of income tax benefit that will ultimately be realized. The ultimate resolution of an uncertain tax position may not be known for a number of years, during which time the Company may be required to adjust these reserves, in light of changing facts and circumstances.

The Company used an estimate of its annual income tax rate to recognize a provision for income taxes in financial statements for interim periods. However, changes in facts and circumstances could result in adjustments to the Company’s effective tax rate in future quarterly or annual periods.

Stock-Based Compensation — As of January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123(R)), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options based on estimated fair values, ratably over the requisite service period of the award. Net income has been reduced as a result of the recognition of the fair value of all stock options issued on and subsequent to January 1, 2006, the amount of which is contingent upon the number of future options granted and other variables. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company accounted for stock-based awards to employees and directors using the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB 25) as allowed under SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123).

New Accounting Pronouncements — In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations (SFAS 141(R)), which replaces SFAS 141. The provisions of SFAS 141(R) are similar to those of SFAS 141; however, SFAS 141(R) requires companies to record most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and goodwill acquired in a business combination at “full fair value.” SFAS 141(R) also requires companies to record fair value estimates of contingent consideration and certain other potential liabilities during the original purchase price allocation and to expense acquisition costs as incurred. This statement applies to all business combinations, including combinations by contract alone. Further, under SFAS 141(R), all business combinations will be accounted for by applying the acquisition method. SFAS 141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Accordingly, any business combinations the Company engages in will be recorded and disclosed according to SFAS 141, until January 1, 2009. The Company expects SFAS 141(R) will have an impact on its consolidated financial statements when effective, but the nature and magnitude of the specific effects will depend upon the nature, terms and size of the acquisitions, if any, that the Company consummates after the effective date.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements (SFAS 160), which will require noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) to be treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability or other item outside of permanent equity. This Statement applies to the accounting for noncontrolling interests and transactions with non-controlling interest holders in consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 will be applied prospectively to all noncontrolling interests, including any that arose before the effective date except that comparative period information must be recast to classify noncontrolling interests in equity, attribute net income and other comprehensive income to noncontrolling interests, and provide other disclosures required by SFAS 160. SFAS 160 is effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS 160 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

In September 2008, the FASB finalized Staff Position (FSP) No. EITF 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities (FSP 03-6-1). The FSP affects entities that accrue cash dividends on share-based payment awards during the awards’ service period when the dividends do not need to be returned if the employees forfeit the awards. The FASB concluded that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders and therefore the issuing entity is required to apply the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share. The FSP is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that FSP 03-6-1 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements — In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157) which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. In February 2008 the FASB issued FSP 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 , which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for non-financial assets and liabilities, other than those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis, to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS 157 related to financial assets and liabilities had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS 157 may have on its future consolidated financial statements related to non-financial assets and liabilities.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 permits all entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value (fair value option). A business entity must report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. Upfront costs and fees related to items for which the fair value option is elected shall be recognized in earnings as incurred and not deferred. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company’s adoption of SFAS 159 at the beginning of fiscal 2008 had no impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In September 2007, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 06-11, Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards (EITF 06-11). This EITF prescribes that the tax benefit received on dividends associated with non-vested share-based awards that are charged to retained earnings should be recorded in additional paid-in capital and included in the pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb potential future tax deficiencies of share based payment awards. EITF 06-11 is effective for the tax benefits of dividends declared in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. The Company’s adoption of EITF 06-11 at the beginning of fiscal 2008 did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

3. COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common shares by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares for the period. The computation of diluted net income per share is similar to the computation of basic net income per share except that the denominator is increased to include contingently returnable shares and the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been issued. In addition, in computing the dilutive effect of convertible securities, the numerator is adjusted to add back (a) any convertible preferred dividends and (b) the after-tax amount of interest, if any, recognized in the period associated with any convertible debt.

A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the calculation of basic net income per common share follows:

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2008				2007				2008				2007
Numerator:
Net income		$	6,797			$	4,466			$	19,650			$	14,298
Preferred stock dividends			—				(110	)			—				(329	)
Net income available to common stockholders for basic net income per share		$	6,797			$	4,356			$	19,650			$	13,969
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding for basic net income per share(1)			20,525				13,506				20,512				13,463
Basic net income per common share		$	0.33			$	0.32			$	0.96			$	1.04

A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the calculation of diluted net income per common share follows:

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2008				2007				2008				2007
Numerator:
Net income		$	6,797			$	4,466			$	19,650			$	14,298
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding			20,525				13,506				20,512				13,463
Plus: incremental shares from assumed conversions(1)			252				3,372				155				3,424
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding			20,777				16,878				20,667				16,887
Diluted net income per common share		$	0.33			$	0.26			$	0.95			$	0.85

4. REVENUE AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, is summarized in the following tables:

		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2008								2007
						% of								% of
		Revenue				Revenue				Revenue				Revenue
Medicaid		$	48,790				41.9	%		$	47,213				45.4	%
Medicare			37,610				32.3				30,010				28.8
Total Medicaid and Medicare			86,400				74.2				77,223				74.2
Managed care			16,142				13.9				13,100				12.6
Private and other payors			13,786				11.9				13,769				13.2
Revenue		$	116,328				100.0	%		$	104,092				100.0	%

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2008								2007
						% of								% of
		Revenue				Revenue				Revenue				Revenue
Medicaid		$	143,194				41.5	%		$	134,560				44.5	%
Medicare			114,405				33.1				89,706				29.7
Total Medicaid and Medicare			257,599				74.6				224,266				74.2
Managed care			47,320				13.7				38,807				12.8
Private and other payors			40,506				11.7				39,266				13.0
Revenue		$	345,425				100.0	%		$	302,339				100.0	%

Accounts receivable consisted of the following:

		September 30,				December 31,
		2008				2007
Medicaid		$	17,324			$	20,842
Managed care			15,325				14,821
Medicare			13,351				14,521
Private and other payors			6,922				7,885
			52,922				58,069
Less allowance for doubtful accounts			(8,325	)			(7,454	)
Accounts receivable		$	44,597			$	50,615

5. ACQUISITIONS

The Company’s acquisition policy is to purchase and lease facilities to complement the Company’s existing portfolio of long-term care facilities. The operations of all the Company’s facilities are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements subsequent to the date of acquisition. Acquisitions are typically paid for in cash and are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with SFAS 141. Where the Company enters into facility operating lease agreements, the Company typically does not pay any material amount to the prior facility operator nor does the Company acquire any assets or assume any liabilities, other than rights and obligations under the operating lease and operations transfer agreement, as part of the transaction. Some operating leases include options to purchase the facilities. As a result, from time to time, the Company will acquire facilities that the Company has been operating under third-party leases.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company acquired one facility by purchasing and assuming the tenant’s rights to a long-term operating lease arrangement at below fair market lease rates for approximately $2,000. The facility is a 120-bed skilled nursing facility located in Orem, Utah. The Company did not acquire any material assets or assume any liabilities other than the prior tenant’s post-assumption rights and obligations under the lease. The Company also entered into a separate operations transfer agreement with the prior tenant as a part of this transaction, which is common. The Company paid for the prior tenant’s lease rights in cash. No goodwill was recognized in this transaction. The Company recognized approximately $2,000 in other intangible assets.

Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company purchased the underlying assets of two facilities that it was operating under long-term lease arrangements. The aggregate purchase price of these facilities was $8,222, which was entirely paid in cash. The cash outflow related to these purchases is included in the purchase of property and equipment under cash flows from investing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Typically, the purchase price is allocated to real property, equipment, intangible assets and goodwill based on the following valuation techniques:

	•		The fair value of land, buildings and improvements and equipment, furniture and fixtures (or tangible assets) was determined utilizing a cost approach. In the cost approach, the subject property is valued based upon the fair value of the land, as if vacant, by comparing recent sales or asking prices for similar land, to which the depreciated replacement cost of the building and improvements and equipment is added. The replacement cost of the building and improvements and equipment is adjusted for accrued depreciation resulting from physical deterioration, functional obsolescence and external or economic obsolescence.
	•		The customer base was valued under an income capitalization approach using an excess earnings method. Excess earnings are the earnings remaining after deducting the market rates of return on the estimated values of contributory assets including debt-free net working capital, tangible and intangible assets. The excess earnings are thereby calculated and discounted to a present value. The primary components of this method consist of the determination of excess earnings and an appropriate rate of return. To arrive at the excess earnings attribute to an intangible asset, earnings after taxes derived from that asset are projected. Thereafter, the returns on contributory debt-free net working capital, tangible and intangible assets are deducted from the earnings projections. After deducting returns on these contributory assets, the remaining earnings are attributable to the customer base. These remaining, or excess, earnings are then discounted to a present value utilizing an appropriate discount rate for that asset.
	•		Goodwill is calculated as the value that remains after subtracting the net asset value and the value of identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities for the respective business combination.

The Company’s acquisition strategy has been focused on identifying both opportunistic and strategic acquisitions within its target markets that offer strong opportunities for return on invested capital. The facilities acquired by the Company are frequently underperforming financially and can have regulatory and clinical challenges to overcome. Financial information, especially with underperforming facilities, is often inadequate, inaccurate or unavailable. Consequently, the Company believes that prior operating results are not meaningful and may be misleading as the information is not representative of the Company’s current operating results or indicative of the integration potential of its newly acquired facilities.

The one business acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was not a material acquisition to the Company. This acquisition has been included in the September 30, 2008 consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the operating results have been included in the condensed consolidated statement of income of the Company since May 1, 2008, the date the Company gained effective control. In addition to the one business acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, two facilities that were previously leased by the Company were purchased from the landlord and the respective leases were terminated. Therefore, the assets acquired have been included in the September 30, 2008 condensed consolidated balance sheet and the operating results have been included in the condensed consolidated statement of income since the inception of the lease. Accordingly, pro forma financial information is not presented.

6. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment are recorded at their historical cost. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets (ranging from 3 to 30 years). Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining lease term.

Property and equipment consist of the following:

		September 30,				December 31,
		2008				2007
Land		$	28,751			$	26,107
Buildings and improvements			89,419				76,262
Equipment			21,156				17,801
Furniture and fixtures			8,082				6,414
Leasehold improvements			14,289				10,771
Construction in progress			2,929				4,050
Less accumulated depreciation			(22,733	)			(16,544	)
Property and equipment, net		$	141,893			$	124,861

7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS—Net

		September 30, 2008																December 31, 2007
		Weighted
		Average				Gross												Gross
		Life				Carrying				Accumulated								Carrying				Accumulated
Intangible Assets		(Years)				Amount				Amortization				Net				Amount				Amortization				Net
Debt issuance costs			9.3			$	2,267			$	(844	)		$	1,423			$	1,808			$	(687	)		$	1,121
Lease acquisition costs			15.5				1,071				(592	)			479				1,071				(541	)			530
Favorable lease			20.0				1,976				(42	)			1,934				—				—				—
Customer base			0.3				242				(242	)			—				213				(213	)			—
Tradename			30.0				733				(67	)			666				733				(49	)			684
Total						$	6,289			$	(1,787	)		$	4,502			$	3,825			$	(1,490	)		$	2,335

The Company paid $423 in debt issuance costs in connection with the amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, as amended (the Revolver) to increase available borrowings. See additional discussion at Note 11. Amortization expense was $117 and $297 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and $92 and $292 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.

Goodwill

Pursuant to SFAS 142, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment analysis during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 for each reporting unit that constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is produced and reviewed by operating segment management and provides services that are distinct from the other components of the operating segment. The Company tests for impairment by comparing the net assets of each reporting unit to their respective fair values. The Company determines the estimated fair value of each reporting unit using a discounted cash flow analysis. In the event a unit’s net assets exceed its fair value, an implied fair value of goodwill must be determined by assigning the unit’s fair value to each asset and liability of the unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is measured by the difference between the goodwill carrying value and the implied fair value. The Company recorded no goodwill impairment for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 or the year ended December 31, 2007.

8. RESTRICTED AND OTHER ASSETS

Restricted and other assets consist primarily of capital reserves and deposits. Capital reserves are maintained as part of the mortgage agreements of the Company and certain of its landlords with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These capital reserves are restricted for capital improvements and repairs to the related facilities.

Restricted and other assets consist of the following:

		September 30,				December 31,
		2008				2007
Deposits with landlords		$	854			$	1,001
Capital improvement reserves with landlords and lenders			2,712				2,244
Other			20				28
		$	3,586			$	3,273

9. OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Other accrued liabilities consist of the following:

		September 30,				December 31,
		2008				2007
Quality assurance fee		$	1,968			$	1,853
Resident refunds payable			1,384				1,767
Deferred resident revenue			1,555				1,745
Cash held in trust for residents			1,135				1,152
Dividends payable			822				819
Property taxes			1,230				838
Other			2,775				2,963
Other accrued liabilities		$	10,869			$	11,137

Quality assurance fee represents amounts payable to the State of California in respect of a mandated fee based on resident days. Resident refunds payable includes amounts due to residents for overpayments and duplicate payments. Deferred resident revenue occurs when the Company receives payments in advance of services provided. Cash held in trust for residents reflects monies received from, or on behalf of, residents. Maintaining a trust account for residents is a regulatory requirement and, while the trust assets offset the liability, the Company assumes a fiduciary responsibility for these funds. The cash balance related to this liability is included in other current assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

10. INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 is summarized as follows:

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2008				2007				2008				2007
Current:
Federal		$	2,487			$	3,896			$	9,909			$	10,534
State			455				701				1,930				1,944
			2,942				4,597				11,839				12,478
Deferred:
Federal			1,167				(1,624	)			816				(2,824	)
State			281				(469	)			192				(626	)
			1,448				(2,093	)			1,008				(3,450	)
Interest income, gross of related tax effects			142				(57	)			97				(75	)
Interest expense, gross of related tax effects			(439	)			—				(362	)			94
Total		$	4,093			$	2,447			$	12,582			$	9,047

The Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are summarized as follows:

		September 30,				December 31,
		2008				2007
Deferred tax assets (liabilities):
Accrued expenses		$	9,123			$	9,243
Allowance for doubtful accounts			3,530				3,161
Tax credits			1,124				1,103
Total deferred tax assets			13,777				13,507
State taxes			(5	)			(199	)
Depreciation and amortization			(1,966	)			(563	)
Prepaid expenses			(1,024	)			(1,018	)
Total deferred tax liabilities			(2,995	)			(1,780	)
Net deferred tax assets		$	10,782			$	11,727

The Company adopted FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007 and, as of the date of adoption, had a net amount of unrecognized tax detriments of $36. As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the unrecognized tax benefits, net of their state tax benefits that would affect the Company’s effective tax rate were $33 and $44, respectively.

The Federal statute of limitations on the Company’s 2004 income tax year lapsed in the third quarter of 2008, which resulted in a reduction in unrecognized tax benefits of $11 for uncertain tax positions. The Company’s net interest income activity of $265 includes the impact of the 2004 Federal statute lapse. In the fourth quarter of 2008, the statute of limitations will lapse on the Company’s 2003 tax years for state purposes; however, the Company does not believe this lapse will significantly impact unrecognized tax benefits for any uncertain tax position. The Company is not aware of any other event that might significantly impact the balance of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.

The Company has historically classified interest and/or penalties on income tax liabilities or refunds as additional income tax expense or income and will continue to do so with the adoption of FIN 48. As of the adoption date of FIN 48, the Company recorded total accrued interest and penalties, gross of related tax benefit, of $253. For 2007, the Company reported $123 of interest income and $150 of interest expense, gross of related tax benefit, in the statement of income. As of December 31, 2007, the total amount of accrued interest and penalties in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet was $311. As of September 30, 2008, the total amount of accrued interest and penalties in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet was $54.

11. Debt

The Company has an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, as amended (the Revolver) with General Electric Capital Corporation (the Lender) under which the Company may borrow up to the lesser of $50,000 or 85% of the eligible accounts receivable. The Company may elect from time to time to change the interest rate for all or any portion of the outstanding indebtedness thereunder to any of three options: (i) the one, two, three or six month LIBOR (at the Company’s option) plus 2.5%, or (ii) the greater of (a) prime plus 1.0% or (b) the federal funds rate plus 1.5% or (iii) a floating LIBOR rate plus 2.5%. The Revolver will expire on February 21, 2013. The Revolver contains typical representations and financial and non-financial covenants for a loan of this type, a violation of which could result in a default under the Revolver and could possibly cause the entire amount outstanding, under the Revolver and all amounts owed by the Company, including amounts due under the Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the Term Loan), to be declared immediately due and payable. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of September 30, 2008. At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolver. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the amount of borrowing capacity pledged to secure outstanding letters of credit was reduced from $8,449 to $2,133.

Long-term debt consists of the following:

		September 30,				December 31,
		2008				2007
Term Loan with the Lender, multiple-advance term loan, principal and interest of $203 payable monthly; interest is fixed at time of draw at 10-year Treasury Note rate plus 2.25% (rates in effect range from 6.95% to 7.50%), balance due September 2016, collateralized by deeds of trust on real property, assignments of rents, security agreements and fixture financing statements		$	54,319			$	54,929
Mortgage note, principal and interest of $54 payable monthly and continuing through February 2027, interest at fixed rate of 7.5%, collateralized by deed of trust on real property, assignment of rents and security agreement			6,505				6,612
Mortgage note, principal and interest of $18 payable monthly and continuing through September 2008, interest at fixed rate of 7.49%, collateralized by a deed of trust and security agreement and an assignment of rents			—				2,029
			60,824				63,570
Less current maturities			(1,089	)			(2,993	)
		$	59,735			$	60,577

Under the Term Loan, the Company is subject to standard reporting requirements and other typical covenants for a loan of this type. On a quarterly basis, the Company is subject to restrictive financial covenants, including average occupancy, Debt Service (as defined in the agreement) and Project Yield (as defined in the agreement). As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with such loan covenants.

The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt is considered to approximate the fair value of such debt for all periods presented based upon the interest rates that the Company believes it can currently obtain for similar debt.

12. OPTIONS AND WARRANTS

Stock-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS 123(R) consists of share-based payment awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options based on estimated fair values. Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 does not include compensation expense for share-based payment awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123 but does include compensation expense for the share-based payment awards granted on or subsequent to January 1, 2006 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the adoption provisions of SFAS 123(R). As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

The Company has three option plans, the 2001 Stock Option, Deferred Stock and Restricted Stock Plan (2001 Plan), the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (2005 Plan) and the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (2007 Plan) all of which have been approved by the stockholders. In the 2001 Plan and the 2005 Plan, options may be exercised for unvested shares of common stock, which have full stockholder rights including voting, dividend and liquidation rights. The Company retains the right to repurchase any or all unvested shares at the exercise price paid per share of any or all unvested shares should the optionee cease to remain in service while holding such unvested shares. The total number of shares available under all of the Company’s stock incentive plans was 1,180 as of September 30, 2008.

Approximately 646 options were granted during the nine month period ended September 30, 2008. The Company used the following assumptions for stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2008:

						Weighted												Weighted
						Average								Weighted				Average
		Options				Risk-Free				Expected				Average				Dividend
Plan		Granted				Rate				Life				Volatility				Yield
2007			375				2.9	%		6.5 years					45	%			1.45	%
2007			271				2.9	%		6.5 years					50	%			1.45	%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the following represents the Company’s weighted average exercise price, grant date intrinsic value and fair value displayed at grant date:

																						Weighted
														Weighted								Average
										Weighted				Average				Weighted				Fair
										Average				Grant Date				Average				Value of
						Options				Exercise				Intrinsic				Fair Value				Common
Plan		Grant Date				Granted				Price				Value				of Options				Stock
2007			1/22/2008				375			$	11.03			$	0.00			$	4.62			$	11.03
2007			4/18/2008				43			$	9.38			$	0.00			$	4.27			$	9.38
2007			6/6/2008				94			$	11.25			$	0.00			$	5.22			$	11.25
2007			7/31/2008				134			$	12.00			$	0.00			$	5.57			$	12.00

The following table represents the employee stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2008:

						Weighted								Weighted
		Number of				Average				Number of				Average
		Options				Exercise				Options				Exercise
		Outstanding				Price				Vested				Price
December 31, 2007			1,023			$	6.19				316			$	5.25
Granted			646			$	11.15
Forfeitures			(57	)		$	7.40
Exercised			(73	)		$	5.15
September 30, 2008			1,539			$	8.28				395			$	5.87

The following summary information reflects stock options outstanding, vesting and related details as of September 30, 2008:

		Options Outstanding																Options Vested
										Black-
										Scholes				Remaining				Number
		Number				Exercise				Fair				Contractual				Vested and				Exercise
Year of Grant		Outstanding				Price				Value				Life (Years)				Exercisable				Price
2003			43			$	0.67-0.81			$	33				5				33			$	0.67-0.81
2004			60			$	1.96-2.46				139				6				44			$	1.96-2.46
2005			262			$	4.99-5.75				1,489				7				103			$	4.99-5.75
2006			549			$	7.05-7.50				5,239				8				215			$	7.05-7.50
2008			625			$	9.38-12.00				3,057				10				—			$	9.38-12.00
Total			1,539								9,957								395

The Company recognized $576 and $1,329 in compensation expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively and $704 and $1,207 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. The Company will never recognize the Black-Scholes fair value for awards granted prior to January 1, 2006 unless such awards are modified as the Company adopted SFAS 123(R) utilizing the prospective method. In future periods, the Company expects to recognize approximately $6,045 in stock-based compensation expense over the next 2.8 weighted average years for unvested options that were outstanding as of September 30, 2008. There were 1,144 unvested and outstanding options at September 30, 2008, of which 974 are expected to vest. The weighted average contractual life for options vested at September 30, 2008 was 7.4 years.

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding, vested, expected to vest and exercised as of September 30, 2008 was approximately $13,556, $1,731, $7,865 and $871, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding, vested, expected to vest and exercised as of December 31, 2007 was approximately $8,392, $2,890, $4,509 and $404, respectively. The intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the market value and the exercise price of the options.

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases — The Company leases certain facilities and its Service Center office under non-cancelable operating leases, most of which have initial lease terms ranging from 5 to 20 years. The Company also leases certain of its equipment under non-cancelable operating leases with initial terms ranging from three to five years. Most of these leases contain options to renew or extend the lease term, some of which involve rent increases. Total rent expense, inclusive of straight-line rent adjustments, was $3,398 and $11,550 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $4,252 and $12,733 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.

Six of the Company’s facilities are operated under master lease arrangements and a breach at a single facility could subject multiple facilities covered by the same master lease to the same default risk. Under a master lease, the Company may lease a large number of geographically dispersed properties through an indivisible lease. Failure to comply with Medicare or Medicaid provider requirements is a default under several of the Company’s master lease and debt financing instruments. In addition, other potential defaults related to an individual facility may cause a default of an entire master lease portfolio and could trigger cross-default provisions in the Company’s outstanding debt arrangements and other leases. With an indivisible lease, it is difficult to restructure the composition of the portfolio or economic terms of the lease without the consent of the landlord. In addition, a number of the Company’s individual facility leases are held by the same or related landlords, and some of these leases include cross-default provisions that could cause a default at one facility to trigger a technical default with respect to others, potentially subjecting certain leases and facilities to the various remedies available to the landlords under separate but cross-defaulted leases.

Regulatory Matters — Laws and regulations governing Medicare and Medicaid programs are complex and subject to interpretation. Compliance with such laws and regulations can be subject to future governmental review and interpretation, as well as significant regulatory action including fines, penalties, and exclusion from certain governmental programs. The Company believes that it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

A significant portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from Medicaid and Medicare, for which reimbursement rates are subject to regulatory changes and government funding restrictions. Although the Company is not aware of any significant future rate changes currently passed into law, significant changes to the reimbursement rates could have a material effect on the Company’s operations.

Cost-Containment Measures — Both government and private payor sources have instituted cost-containment measures designed to limit payments made to providers of healthcare services, and there can be no assurance that future measures designed to limit payments made to providers will not adversely affect the Company.

Indemnities — From time to time, the Company enters into certain types of contracts that contingently require the Company to indemnify parties against third-party claims. These contracts primarily include (i) certain real estate leases, under which the Company may be required to indemnify property owners or prior facility operators for post-transfer environmental or other liabilities and other claims arising from the Company’s use of the applicable premises, (ii) operations transfer agreements, in which the Company agrees to indemnify past operators of facilities the Company acquires against certain liabilities arising from the transfer of the operation and/or the operation thereof after the transfer, (iii) certain lending agreements, under which the Company may be required to indemnify the lender against various claims and liabilities, (iv) agreements with certain lenders under which the Company may be required to indemnify such lenders against various claims and liabilities, and (v) certain agreements with the Company’s officers, directors and employees, under which the Company may be required to indemnify such persons for liabilities arising in the course of their duties for the Company. The terms of such obligations vary by contract and, in most instances, a specific or maximum dollar amount is not explicitly stated therein. Generally, amounts under these contracts cannot be reasonably estimated until a specific claim is asserted. Consequently, because no claims have been asserted, no liabilities have been recorded for these obligations on the Company’s balance sheets for any of the periods presented.

Litigation — The skilled nursing business involves a significant risk of liability given the age and health of the Company’s patients and residents and the services the Company provides. The Company and others in the industry are subject to an increasing number of claims and lawsuits, including professional liability claims, alleging that services have resulted in personal injury, elder abuse, wrongful death or other related claims. The defense of these lawsuits may result in significant legal costs, regardless of the outcome, and can result in large settlement amounts or damage awards.

In addition to the lawsuits and claims described above, the Company is also subject to potential lawsuits under the Federal False Claims Act and comparable state laws alleging submission of fraudulent claims for services to any healthcare program (such as Medicare) or payor. A violation may provide the basis for exclusion from federally-funded healthcare programs. Such exclusions could have a correlative negative impact on the Company’s financial performance. Some states, including California, Arizona and Texas, have enacted similar whistleblower and false claims laws and regulations. In addition, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 created incentives for states to enact anti-fraud legislation modeled on the Federal False Claims Act. As such, the Company could face increased scrutiny, potential liability and legal expenses and costs based on claims under state false claims acts in the markets in which it does business.

On September 5, 2006, a complaint was filed against the Company in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, purportedly on behalf of the United States, claiming that the Company violated the Medicare Secondary Payer Act. In the complaint, the plaintiff alleged that the Company inappropriately received and retained reimbursement from Medicare for treatment given to certain unidentified patients and residents of its facilities whose injuries were caused by the Company as a result of unidentified and unadjudicated incidents of medical malpractice. The plaintiff in this action is seeking damages of twice the amount that the Company was allegedly obligated to pay or reimburse to Medicare in connection with the treatment in question under the Medicare Secondary Payer Act, plus interest, together with plaintiff’s costs and fees, including attorneys’ fees. The plaintiff’s case was dismissed in the Company’s favor by the trial court, and the dismissal was appealed. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the plaintiff’s appeal was denied and the case was closed. The Company had not previously recorded an accrual for this matter.

The Company has been, and continues to be, subject to claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business including potential claims related to care and treatment provided at its facilities, as well as employment related claims. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. A significant increase in the number of these claims or an increase in amounts owing under successful claims could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Medicare Revenue Recoupments — The Company is subject to reviews relating to Medicare services, billings and potential overpayments. One facility was subject to probe review during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, which was subsequently concluded with a Medicare revenue recoupment, net of appeal recoveries, to the federal government and related resident copayments of approximately $4, which was paid during the second quarter of 2008. The Company anticipates that these probe reviews will increase in frequency in the future. In addition, two of the Company’s facilities are currently on prepayment review, and others may be placed on prepayment review in the future. If a facility fails prepayment review, the facility could then be subject to undergo targeted review, which is a review that targets perceived claims deficiencies. The Company has no facilities that are currently undergoing targeted review.

Other Matters — In March 2007, the Company and certain of its officers received a series of notices from the Company’s bank indicating that the United States Attorney (U.S. Attorney) for the Central District of California had issued an authorized investigative demand, a request for records similar to a subpoena, to the Company’s bank. The U.S. Attorney subsequently rescinded that demand. The rescinded demand requested documents from the Company’s bank related to financial transactions involving the Company, ten of its operating subsidiaries, an outside investor group, and certain of its current and former officers. Subsequently, in June of 2007, the U.S. Attorney sent a letter to one of the Company’s current employees requesting a meeting. The letter indicated that the U.S. Attorney and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General were conducting an investigation of claims submitted to the Medicare program for rehabilitation services provided at unspecified facilities. Although both the Company and the employee offered to cooperate, the U.S. Attorney later withdrew its meeting request. From these contacts, the Company believes that an investigation was underway, but to date the Company has been unable to determine the exact cause or nature of the U.S. Attorney’s interest in the Company or its subsidiaries.

On December 17, 2007, the Company was informed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm that the U.S. Attorney served a grand jury subpoena on Deloitte & Touche LLP, relating to the Company and several of its operating subsidiaries. The subpoena confirmed the Company’s previously reported belief that the U.S. Attorney was conducting an investigation involving facilities operated by certain of the Company’s operating subsidiaries. In February 2008, the U.S. Attorney contacted two additional current employees. Both the Company and the employees contacted have offered to cooperate and meet with the U.S. Attorney, however, to date, the U.S. Attorney has declined these offers. Based on these events, the Company believes that the U.S. Attorney may be conducting parallel criminal, civil and administrative investigations involving The Ensign Group and one or more of its skilled nursing facilities. To the Company’s knowledge, however, neither The Ensign Group, Inc. nor any of its operating subsidiaries or employees has been formally charged with any wrongdoing, served with any related subpoenas or requests, or been directly notified of any concerns or related investigations by the U.S. Attorney or any government agency. While the Company has no reason to believe that the assertion of criminal charges,

civil claims, administrative sanctions or whistleblower actions would be warranted, to date the U.S. Attorney’s office has declined to provide the Company with any specific information with respect to this matter, other than to confirm that an investigation is ongoing. The Company has periodically renewed its offer and request to meet with the U.S. Attorney to discuss the grand jury subpoena, the Company’s completed internal investigation and any specific allegations or concerns they may have. The Company cannot predict or provide any assurance as to the possible outcome of the investigation or any possible related proceedings, or as to the possible outcome of any qui tam litigation that may follow, nor can the Company estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result from any such proceedings and, therefore, the Company has not recorded any related accruals. To the extent the U.S. Attorney’s office elects to pursue this matter, or if the investigation has been instigated by a qui tam relator who elects to pursue the matter, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

In November 2006, the Company became aware of an allegation of possible reimbursement irregularities at one or more of its facilities. That same month, the Company retained outside counsel and initiated an internal investigation into these matters. The Company and its outside counsel concluded this investigation without identifying any systemic patterns or practices of fraudulent or intentional misconduct. The Company made observations at certain facilities regarding areas of potential improvement in some of its recordkeeping and billing practices and has implemented measures, some of which were already underway before the investigation began, that it believes will strengthen recordkeeping and billing processes. None of these additional findings or observations appears to be rooted in fraudulent or intentional misconduct. The Company continues to evaluate the measures implemented for effectiveness, and is continuing to seek ways to improve these processes.

As a byproduct of its investigation, the Company identified a limited number of selected Medicare claims for which adequate back-up documentation could not be located or for which other billing deficiencies existed. The Company, with the assistance of independent consultants experienced in Medicare billing, completed a billing review on these claims. To the extent missing documentation was not located, the Company treated these claims as overpayments. Consistent with healthcare industry accounting practices, the Company records any charge for refunded payments against revenue in the period in which the claim adjustment becomes known. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company accrued a liability of approximately $224, plus interest, for selected Medicare claims for which documentation had not been located or for other billing deficiencies identified to date. These claims have been submitted for settlement with the Medicare Fiscal Intermediary. If additional reviews result in identification and quantification of additional amounts to be refunded, the Company would accrue additional liabilities for claim costs and interest and repay any amounts due in normal course. If future investigations ultimately result in findings of significant billing and reimbursement noncompliance which could require the Company to record significant additional provisions or remit payments, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Concentrations

Credit Risk —The Company has significant accounts receivable balances, the collectibility of which is dependent on the availability of funds from certain governmental programs, primarily Medicare and Medicaid. These receivables represent the only significant concentration of credit risk for the Company. The Company does not believe there is significant credit risks associated with these governmental programs. The Company believes that an adequate allowance has been recorded for the possibility of these receivables proving uncollectible, and continually monitors and adjusts these allowances as necessary. The Company’s receivables from Medicare and Medicaid payor programs accounted for approximately 58% and 61% of its total accounts receivable as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Revenue from reimbursements under the Medicare and Medicaid programs accounted for approximately 74% and 75% of the Company’s revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 74% for both periods during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.

Cash in Excess of FDIC Limits —The Company currently has bank deposits with financial institutions in the U.S. and Canada that exceed FDIC and CDIC insurance limits. FDIC and CDIC insurance provides protection for bank deposits up to $250 and $100, respectively.

14. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

The Company has a 401(k) defined contribution plan (the 401(k) Plan), whereby eligible employees may contribute up to 15% of their annual basic earnings. Additionally, the 401(k) Plan provides for discretionary matching contributions (as defined in the 401(k) Plan) by the Company. The Company contributed $72 and $222 to the 401(k) Plan during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and $68 and $200 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. Beginning in 2007, the Company’s 401(k) Plan allowed eligible employees to contribute up to 90% of their eligible compensation, subject to applicable annual Internal Revenue Code limits.

15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 28, 2008, four subsidiaries of the Company purchased the underlying assets of one of its leased long-term care facilities in California and three of its long-term care facilities in Texas. These facilities were purchased for an aggregate price of approximately $10.4 million, which was paid in cash from the Company’s IPO proceeds. The lease agreements associated with these properties did not contain purchase options. Taking into account these purchases, the Company owns 32 facilities and operates an additional 30 facilities under long-term lease arrangements, and has options to purchase 8 of those 30 facilities.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Report. The information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is not a complete description of our business or the risks associated with an investment in our common stock. We urge you to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this Report and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K (Annual Report), which discusses our business and related risks in greater detail, as well as subsequent reports we may file from time to time on Forms 10-Q and 8-K, for additional information. The section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in Part II, Item 1A of this Report, and similar discussions in our other SEC filings, also describe some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity. You should carefully consider those risks, in addition to the other information in this Report and in our other filings with the SEC, before deciding to purchase, hold or sell our common stock.

This Report contains forward-looking statements, which include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, budgets, capital expenditures, competitive positions, growth opportunities and plans and objectives of management. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, some of which are listed under the section “Risk Factors” contained in Part II, Item 1A of this Report. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Report, and are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry and business, management’s beliefs, and certain assumptions made by us, all of which are subject to change. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as otherwise required by law. As used in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, the words, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to The Ensign Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. All of our facilities, the Service Center and the wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary (the Captive) are operated by separate, wholly-owned, independent subsidiaries that have their own management, employees and assets. The use of “we”, “us”, “our” and similar verbiage in this quarterly report is not meant to imply that any of our facilities or the Service Center are operated by the same entity. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Annual Report.

Overview

We are a provider of skilled nursing and rehabilitative care services through the operation of 62 facilities located in California, Arizona, Texas, Washington, Utah and Idaho. All of these facilities are skilled nursing facilities, other than three stand-alone assisted living facilities in Arizona and Texas and four campuses that offer both skilled nursing and assisted living services in California, Arizona and Utah. Our facilities provide a broad spectrum of skilled nursing and assisted living services, physical, occupational and speech therapies, and other rehabilitative and healthcare services, for both long-term residents and short-stay rehabilitation patients. We encourage and empower our facility leaders and staff to make their facility the “facility of choice” in the community it serves. This means that our facility leaders and staff are generally free to discern and address the unique needs and priorities of healthcare professionals, customers and other stakeholders in the local community or market, and then work to create a superior service offering and reputation for that particular community or market to encourage prospective customers and referral sources to choose or recommend the facility. As of September 30, 2008, we owned 28 of our facilities and operated an additional 34 facilities under long-term lease arrangements, and had options to purchase 8 of those 34 facilities. The following table summarizes our facilities and licensed and independent living beds by ownership status as of September 30, 2008:

						Leased				Leased
						(with a				(without a
						Purchase				Purchase
		Owned				Option)				Option)				Total
Number of facilities			28				8				26				62
Percent of total			45.2	%			12.9	%			41.9	%			100	%
Licensed skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living beds(1)			3,517				991				3,080				7,588
Percent of total			46.3	%			13.1	%			40.6	%			100	%
Operational skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living beds(1)			3,269				974				2,996				7,239
Percent of total			45.2	%			13.4	%			41.4	%			100	%

The Ensign Group, Inc. is a holding company with no direct operating assets, employees or revenues. All of our facilities are operated by separate, wholly-owned, independent subsidiaries, which have their own management, employees and assets. In addition, one of our wholly-owned independent subsidiaries, which we call our Service Center, provides centralized accounting, payroll, human resources, information technology, legal, risk management and other services to each operating subsidiary through contractual relationships between such subsidiaries. In addition, we have the Captive that provides some claims-made coverage to our operating subsidiaries for general and professional liability, as well as for certain workers’ compensation insurance liabilities. References herein to the consolidated “Company” and “its” assets and activities, as well as the use of the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and similar verbiage in this quarterly report is not meant to imply that The Ensign Group, Inc. has direct operating assets, employees or revenue, or that any of the facilities, the Service Center or the captive insurance subsidiary are operated by the same entity.

2008 Developments

On February 21, 2008, we amended our Revolver by extending the term to 2013, increasing the available credit thereunder up to the lesser of $50.0 million or 85% of the eligible accounts receivable, and changing the interest rate for all or any portion of the outstanding indebtedness thereunder to any of three options, as we may elect from time to time, (i) the 1, 2, 3 or 6 month LIBOR (at our option) plus 2.5%, or (ii) the greater of (a) prime plus 1.0% or (b) the federal funds rate plus 1.5% or (iii) a floating LIBOR rate plus 2.5%. The Revolver contains typical representations and financial and non-financial covenants for a loan of this type, a violation of which could result in a default under the Revolver and could possibly cause all amounts owed by us, including amounts due under the Term Loan, to be declared immediately due and payable.

On May 1, 2008, we assumed an existing lease for a 120-bed skilled nursing facility in Orem, Utah. We purchased the tenant’s rights under the lease agreement from the prior tenant and operator for approximately $2.0 million. We did not acquire any material assets or assume any liabilities other than the prior tenant’s post-assumption rights and obligations under the lease. We also entered into a separate operations transfer agreement with the prior tenant as a part of this transaction, which is common. We paid for the prior tenant’s lease rights in cash from our IPO proceeds. Also on May 1, 2008, under the terms of a purchase option contained in the original lease agreement, we purchased the underlying assets of one of our leased long-term care facilities in Scottsdale, Arizona. This facility was purchased for approximately $5.2 million, which was paid in cash from our IPO proceeds. Lastly, on May 14, 2008, we purchased the underlying assets of one of our leased long-term care facilities in Draper, Utah. This facility was purchased for approximately $3.0 million, which was paid in cash from our IPO proceeds.

In July 2008, our Utah and Idaho facilities, which had been supported by our Keystone Care portfolio subsidiary since we first moved into those markets beginning in July 2006, were reorganized in anticipation of becoming their own standalone portfolio company known as Milestone Healthcare, Inc. Milestone’s eventual emergence as a self-contained portfolio company will not only allow us to focus more closely on the growth and development of our Utah/Idaho markets, it will also allow our key leadership in Keystone, which is based in and covers the state of Texas, to focus more rigorously on operational excellence and growth in that important market as well. During a transitional period our Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Christensen, will serve as interim President of Milestone, as he did for the latter part of 2007 and early 2008 in our Flagstone portfolio subsidiary, until a permanent leader for Milestone is identified and installed. Resources will be deployed from other areas of the organization to provide needed support. We expect the transition to be completed in the near term.

On October 28, 2008, four of our subsidiaries purchased the underlying assets of one of our leased long-term care facilities in California and three of our long-term care facilities in Texas. These facilities were purchased for an aggregate price of approximately $10.4 million, which was paid in cash from our IPO proceeds. The lease agreements associated with these properties did not contain purchase options. We anticipate the purchase of these assets will lower operating expenses and be immediately accretive to earnings. Taking into account these purchases, we own 32 facilities and operate an additional 30 facilities under long-term lease arrangements, and have options to purchase 8 of those 30 facilities.

Facility Acquisition History

																																						As of
		As of December 31,																																				September 30,
		1999				2000				2001				2002				2003				2004				2005				2006				2007				2008
Cumulative number of facilities			5				13				19				24				41				43				46				57				61				62
Cumulative number of licensed skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living beds(1)			710				1,645				2,244				2,919				5,147				5,401				5,780				6,940				7,448				7,588
Cumulative number of operational skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living beds(1)			665				1,571				2,155				2,751				4,959				5,213				5,585				6,667				7,105				7,239

The following table sets forth the location of our facilities and the number of skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living beds located at our facilities as of September 30, 2008:

		CA				AZ				TX				UT				WA				ID				Total
Number of facilities			31				12				10				5				3				1				62
Licensed skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living beds(1)			3,519				1,952				1,154				562				313				88				7,588
Operational skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living beds(1)			3,464				1,836				1,076				492				283				88				7,239

Key Performance Indicators

We manage our skilled nursing business by monitoring key performance indicators that affect our financial performance. These indicators and their definitions include the following:

	•		Routine revenue: Routine revenue is generated by the contracted daily rate charged for all contractually inclusive services. The inclusion of therapy and other ancillary treatments varies by payor source and by contract. Services provided outside of the routine contractual agreement are recorded separately as ancillary revenue, including Medicare Part B therapy services, and are not included in the routine revenue definition.
	•		Skilled revenue: The amount of routine revenue generated from patients in our skilled nursing facilities who are receiving care under Medicare or managed care reimbursement, referred to as “Medicare and managed care patients.” Skilled revenue excludes any revenue generated from our assisted living services.

	•		Skilled mix: The amount of our skilled revenue as a percentage of our total routine revenue. Skilled mix (in days) represents the number of days our Medicare and managed care patients are receiving services at our skilled nursing facilities divided by the total number of days patients from all payor sources are receiving services at our skilled nursing facilities for any given period.
	•		Quality mix: The amount of routine non-Medicaid revenue as a percentage of our total routine revenue. Quality mix (in days) represents the number of days our non-Medicaid patients are receiving services at our skilled nursing facilities divided by the total number of days patients from all payor sources are receiving services at our skilled nursing facilities for any given period.
	•		Average daily rates: The routine revenue by payor source for a period at our skilled nursing facilities divided by actual patient days for that revenue source for that given period.
	•		Occupancy percentage (Licensed beds): The total number of residents occupying a bed in a skilled nursing, assisted living or independent living facility as a percentage of the number of total licensed and independent living beds in a facility.
	•		Occupancy percentage (Operational beds): The total number of residents occupying a bed in a skilled nursing, assisted living or independent living facility as a percentage of the beds in a facility which are available for occupancy during the measurement period.
	•		Number of facilities and licensed beds: The total number of skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities that we own or operate and the total number of licensed and independent living beds associated with these facilities. Independent living beds do not have a licensing requirement.

Skilled and Quality Mix. Like most skilled nursing providers, we measure both patient days and revenue by payor. Medicare and managed care patients, whom we refer to as high acuity patients, typically require a higher level of skilled nursing and rehabilitative care. Accordingly, Medicare and managed care reimbursement rates are typically higher than from other payors. In most states, Medicaid reimbursement rates are generally the lowest of all payor types. Changes in the payor mix can significantly affect our revenue and profitability.

The following table summarizes our skilled mix and quality mix for the periods indicated as a percentage of our total routine revenue (less revenue from assisted living services) and as a percentage of total patient days:

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2008				2007				2008				2007
Skilled Mix:
Days			23.8	%			21.9	%			24.4	%			22.7	%
Revenue			46.3	%			41.7	%			47.0	%			42.9	%
Quality Mix:
Days			36.8	%			35.1	%			37.3	%			35.8	%
Revenue			56.2	%			52.4	%			56.7	%			53.3	%

Occupancy. We have historically defined occupancy as the ratio of actual patient days (one patient day equals one patient or resident occupying one bed for one day) during any measurement period to the number of licensed patient days for that period. Licensed patient days are determined by multiplying the total of officially licensed beds by the number of calendar days in the measurement period.

However, the number of licensed and independent living beds in a skilled nursing, assisted living or independent living facility that are actually operational and available for occupancy may be less than the total official licensed bed capacity. This sometimes occurs due to the permanent dedication of bed space to alternative purposes, such as enhanced therapy treatment space or other desirable uses calculated to improve service offerings and/or operational efficiencies in a facility. In some cases, three- and four-bed wards have been reduced to two-bed rooms for resident comfort, and larger wards have been reduced to conform to changes in Medicare requirements. These beds are seldom expected to be placed back into service. In addition, we occasionally acquire facilities with “banked” beds, for which valuable licensing rights have been retained, but have been voluntarily suspended under state regulations until the beds can be economically placed into service again. We define occupancy in operational beds as the ratio of actual patient days during any measurement period to the number of available patient days for that period. Available patient days are determined by subtracting non-operational licensed beds from total licensed beds, and multiplying the difference by the number of calendar days in the measurement period. Although we believe that reporting occupancy based on operational beds is consistent with industry practices and provides a more useful measure of actual occupancy performance from period to period, we intend to also continue reporting occupancy based on all licensed beds, whether they are in service or not, through at least fiscal year 2008.

The following table summarizes our occupancy statistics for the periods indicated:

		Three Months Ended								Nine months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2008				2007				2008				2007
Occupancy:
Licensed and independent living beds at end of period(1)			7,588				7,448				7,588				7,448
Operational beds at end of period(2)			7,239				7,105				7,239				7,105
Available patient days(2)			666,048				652,385				1,966,112				1,905,118
Licensed patient days			698,156				682,522				2,061,012				1,988,894
Actual patient days			535,237				532,459				1,594,616				1,546,083
Occupancy percentage (based on operational beds)			80.4	%			81.6	%			81.1	%			81.2	%
Occupancy percentage (based on licensed beds)			76.7	%			78.0	%			77.4	%			77.7	%

Revenue Sources

Our total revenue represents revenue derived primarily from providing services to patients and residents of skilled nursing facilities, and to a lesser extent from assisted living facilities and ancillary services. We receive service revenue from Medicaid, Medicare, private payors and other third-party payors, and managed care sources. The sources and amounts of our revenue are determined by a number of factors, including bed capacity and occupancy rates of our healthcare facilities, the mix of patients at our facilities and the rates of reimbursement among payors. Payment for ancillary services varies based upon the service provided and the type of payor. The following table sets forth our total revenue by payor source and as a percentage of total revenue for the periods indicated:

		Three Months Ended September 30,																Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2008								2007								2008								2007
		$				%				$				%				$				%				$				%
		(in thousands)
Revenue:
Medicare		$	37,610				32.3	%		$	30,010				28.8	%		$	114,405				33.1	%		$	89,706				29.7	%
Managed care			16,142				13.9				13,100				12.6				47,320				13.7				38,807				12.8
Private and other payors(1)			13,786				11.9				13,769				13.2				40,506				11.7				39,266				13.0
Medicaid			48,790				41.9				47,213				45.4				143,194				41.5				134,560				44.5
Total revenue		$	116,328				100.0	%		$	104,092				100.0	%		$	345,425				100.0	%		$	302,339				100.0	%