UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

or

For the transition period from            to           

Commission file number 0-19291

 

CORVEL CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (949) 851-1473

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

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

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☑

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, as of October 31, 2018, was 18,748,292.

 

 

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CORVEL CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

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Part I - Financial Information

Item 1 - Financial Statements

CORVEL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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CORVEL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS – UNAUDITED

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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CORVEL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS – UNAUDITED

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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CORVEL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – UNAUDITED

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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CORVEL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2018

 

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation: The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements herein have been prepared by CorVel Corporation (“the Company”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  The accompanying interim unaudited financial statements have been prepared under the presumption that users of the interim financial information have either read or have access to the audited consolidated financial statements for the latest fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.  Accordingly, note disclosures which would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the March 31, 2018 audited consolidated financial statements have been omitted from these interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

The Company evaluated all subsequent events and transactions through the date of filing this report.  During the period subsequent to the quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 81,308 shares of common stock for $4,599,000 at an average of $56.56 per share of common stock.  These shares of common stock were repurchased under the Company’s share repurchase program described in Note 4.

Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three and six months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.  For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on June 8, 2018.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases”, which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases. This classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for using an approach that is similar to the existing guidance for operating leases.  The standard is effective April 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The standard is to be applied using a modified retrospective transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

Guidance Adopted: On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 regarding ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This standard provides principles for recognizing revenue for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers with the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB approved a one-year delay of the effective date of this new revenue recognition standard. The guidance will now be effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning April 1, 2018. The Company has adopted this standard as of April 1, 2018.  Refer to Note 2 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a description of the impact of the adopted guidance.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 regarding Subtopic 825-10, “Financials Instruments — Overall: Recognition and Measurements of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. The standard addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. It requires that most equity investments be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted this guidance prospectively on April 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows”, which reduces diversity in the practice of how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows.  The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance prospectively on April 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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CORVEL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2018

 

Note 2 – Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method for those contracts which were not substantially completed as of the transition date. The reported results for the three and six months ended September 30, 2018 reflect the application of the guidance of ASC 606 while the reported results for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017 were prepared under the guidance of ASC 605.

There was no material impact to any of the line items within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income or Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of applying ASC 606 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2018.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Revenue is recognized when control of the promised services are transferred to the Company’s customers in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be entitled to in exchange for those services. As the Company completes its performance obligations which are identified below, it has an unconditional right to consideration as outlined in the Company’s contracts. Generally, the Company’s accounts receivable are expected to be collected in 30 days in accordance with the underlying payment terms.

The Company generates revenue through its patient management and network solutions service lines. The Company operates in one reportable operating segment, managed care.

Patient Management Service Line

The patient management service line provides services primarily related to Workers’ Compensation claims management and case management. This service line also includes additional services such as accident and health claims programs. Each claim referred by the customer is considered an additional optional purchase of claims management services under the agreement with the customer. The transaction price is readily available from the contract and is fixed for each service. Revenue is recognized over time as services are provided as the performance obligations are satisfied through the effort expended to research, investigate, evaluate, document, and report the claim and control of these services are transferred to the customer. Revenue is recognized based on historical claim closure rates and claim type applied utilizing a portfolio approach based on time elapsed for these claims, generally between three and fifteen months. The Company believes this approach reasonably reflects the transfer of the claims management services to its customer.

The Company’s obligation to manage claims and cases under the patient management service line can range from less than one year to multi-year contracts. They are generally one year under the terms of the contract; however, many of these contracts contain auto-renewal provisions and the Company’s customer relationships can span multiple years. Under certain claims management agreements, the Company receives consideration from a customer at contract inception prior to transferring services to the customer, however, it would begin performing services immediately. The period between a customer’s payment of consideration and the completion of the promised services is generally less than one year. There is no difference between the amount of promised consideration and the cash selling price of the promised services. The fee is billed upfront by the Company in order to provide customers with simplified and predictable ways of purchasing its services.

The patient management service line also offers case managers who provide administration services by proactively managing medical treatment for claimants while facilitating an understanding of and participation in their rehabilitation process. Revenue for case management services are recognized over time as the performance obligations are satisfied through the effort expended to manage the medical treatment for claimants and control of these services are transferred to the customer. Case management services are generally billed based on time incurred, are considered variable consideration, and revenue is recognized at the amount in which the Company has the right to invoice for services performed. The Company believes this approach reasonably reflects the transfer of the case management service to the customer.

 

 

Network Solutions Service Line

Network solutions services consist primarily of medical bill review and third-party services. Medical bill review services provide an analysis of medical charges for customers’ claims to identify opportunities for savings. Medical bill review services revenues are recognized at a point in time when control of the service is transferred to the customer. Revenue is recognized based upon the transfer of the results of the medical bill review service to the customer as this is the most accurate depiction of the transfer of the service to the customer. Medical bill review revenues are variable, generally based on performance metrics set forth in the underlying contracts. Each period, the Company bases its estimates on a contract-by-contract basis. The Company makes its best estimate of amounts the Company has earned and expects to be collected using historical averages and other factors to project such revenues. Variable consideration is recognized when the Company concludes that it is probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur in future periods.

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CORVEL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2018

 

Third-party services revenue includes pharmacy, directed care services and other services, and includes amounts received from customers compensating the Company for certain third-party costs associated with providing its integrated network solutions services. The Company is considered the principal in these transactions as it directs the third party, controls the specified service, performs program utilization review, directs payment to the provider, accepts the financial risk of loss associated with services rendered and combines the services provided into an integrated solution, as specified within the Company’s client contracts. The Company has the ability to influence contractual fees with clients and possess the financial risk of loss in certain contractual obligations. These factors indicate the Company is the principal and, as such, it is required to recognize revenue gross and service partner vendor fees in the operating expense in the Company’s Consolidated Income Statements.

The following table presents revenues disaggregated by service line for the three and six months ended September 30, 2018:

 

 

Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations

 

For many of the Company’s services, the Company typically has one performance obligation; however, it also provides the customer with an option to acquire additional services. The Company offers multiple services under its patient management and network solutions service lines.  The Company typically provides a menu of offerings from which the customer may choose to purchase. The price of each service is separate and distinct and provides a separate and distinct value to the customer. Pricing is generally consistent for each service irrespective of the other services or quantities requested by the customer.

 

Contract Balances

 

The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in billed accounts receivables, contract assets (reported as unbilled revenues at estimated billable amounts) and contract liabilities (reported as deferred revenues) on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unbilled revenues is a contract asset for revenue that has been recognized in advance of billing the customer, resulting from professional services delivered that the Company expects and is entitled to receive as consideration under certain contracts. Billing requirements vary by contract but substantially all unbilled revenues are billed within one year.

 

 

When the Company receives consideration from a customer prior to transferring services to the customer under the terms of certain claims management agreements, it records deferred revenues on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, which represents a contract liability.

 

Certain services, such as claims management, are provided under fixed-fee service agreements and require the Company to manage claims over a contract period, typically for one year with the option for auto renewal, with the fixed fee renewing on the anniversary date of such contracts.  The Company recognizes deferred revenues as revenues as it performs services and transfers control of the services to the customer and satisfies the performance obligation which it determines utilizing a portfolio approach. For all fixed fee service agreements, revenues are recognized over the expected service periods, by type of claim.

 

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CORVEL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2018

 

The table below presents the deferred revenues balance as of the transition date and the significant activity affecting deferred revenues during the six months ended September 30, 2018:

 

 

Remaining Performance Obligations

 

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $50.6 million of remaining performance obligations related to claims and non-claims services for which the price is fixed. Remaining performance obligations consist of deferred revenues as well as certain unbilled receivables that are considered contract assets. The Company expects to recognize approximately 78% of its remaining performance obligations as revenues within one year and the remaining balance thereafter. See the discussion below regarding the practical expedients elected for the disclosure of remaining performance obligations.

 

Costs to Obtain a Contract

 

The Company has an internal sales force compensation program where remuneration is based solely on the revenues recognized in the period and does not represent an incremental cost to the Company which provides a future benefit expected to be longer than one year and would meet the criteria to be capitalized and presented as a contract asset on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Practical Expedients Elected

 

As a practical expedient, the Company does not adjust the consideration in a contract for the effects of a significant financing component. It expects, at contract inception, that the period between a customer’s payment of consideration and the transfer of promised services to the customer will be one year or less.

 

For patient management services that are billed on a time-and-expense incurred or per unit basis and revenue is recognized over time, the Company recognizes revenue at the amount to which it has the right to invoice for services performed.

 

The Company does not disclose the value of remaining performance obligations for (i) contracts for which it recognizes revenue at the amount to which it has the right to invoice for services performed, and (ii) contracts with variable consideration allocated entirely to a single performance obligation.

Note 3 — Stock-Based Compensation and Stock Options

Under the Company’s Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan (formerly the Restated 1988 Executive Stock Option Plan) (“the Plan”) as in effect at September 30, 2018, options exercisable for up to 19,865,000 shares of the Company’s common stock may be granted over the life of the Plan to key employees, non-employee directors, and consultants at exercise prices not less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the Plan are non-statutory stock options and generally vest 25% one year from the date of grant with the remaining 75% vesting ratably each month for the next 36 months. The options granted to employees and the Company’s Board of Directors expire at the end of five years and ten years from date of grant, respectively.  All options granted in the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were granted with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date and are non-statutory stock options.

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CORVEL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2018

 

The Company records compensation expense for employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the assumptions included in the table below. The Company uses historical data, among other factors, to estimate the expected volatility, the expected dividend yield and the expected option life. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimating expected forfeitures.  The risk-free rate is based on the interest rate paid on a U.S. Treasury issue with a term similar to the estimated life of the option.  The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model:

 

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded share-based compensation expense of $908,000 and $607,000, respectively.  For the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded share-based compensation expense of $2,087,000 and $1,529,000, respectively.  The table below shows the amounts recognized in the unaudited consolidated financial statements for stock compensation expense for time-based options and performance-based options during the three and six months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.  

 

 

 

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CORVEL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2018

 

The following table summarizes information for all stock options for the three and six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the status of stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2018:

 

 

The following table summarizes the status of all outstanding options at September 30, 2018, and changes during the three months then ended:

 

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CORVEL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2018

 

 

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, was $20.75 and $17.15, respectively.

Included in the above-noted stock option grants and stock compensation expense are performance-based stock options which vest only upon the Company’s achievement of certain earnings per share targets on a calendar year basis, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors.  These options were valued in the same manner as the time-based options. However, the Company only recognizes stock compensation expense to the extent that the targets are determined to be probable of being achieved, which triggers the vesting of the performance options.  The Company recognized $270,000 and $13,000 of stock compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for performance-based stock options.  

 

Note 4 — Treasury Stock

 

The Company’s Board of Directors approved the commencement of a share repurchase program in the fall of 1996.  In February 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 1,000,000 share expansion to the Company’s existing stock repurchase program, increasing the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock approved for repurchase over the life of the program to 36,000,000 shares.  Since the commencement of the share repurchase program, the Company has spent $442 million on the repurchase of 35,081,057 shares of its common stock, equal to 65% of the outstanding common stock had there been no repurchases.  The average price of these repurchases was $12.61 per share. These repurchases were funded primarily by the net earnings of the Company, along with proceeds from the exercise of common stock options.  During the three and six months ended September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 133,425 shares of its common stock for $7.8 million at an average price of $58.58 per share and 199,978 shares of the Company’s common stock for $11.3 million at an average price of $56.52 per share, respectively.  The Company had 18,826,375 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2018, net of the 35,081,057 shares in treasury.   During the period subsequent to the quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 81,308 shares of its common stock for $4,599,000 at an average price of $56.56 per share.

 

 

Note 5 — Weighted Average Shares and Net Income Per Share

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding increased to 18,877,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from 18,759,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.  Diluted weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding increased to 19,089,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from 18,966,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.  Basic weighted average common shares outstanding increased to 18,899,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2018 from 18,785,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2017.  Diluted weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding increased to 19,095,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2018 from 18,983,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2017.

Net income per common and common equivalent share was computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common and common share equivalents outstanding during the quarter.  The following table sets forth the calculations of the basic and diluted weighted average shares for the three and six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

 

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CORVEL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

Note 6 — Shareholder Rights Plan

During fiscal year 1997, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the adoption of a shareholder rights plan (the “Shareholder Rights Plan”). The Shareholder Rights Plan provides for a dividend distribution to the Company’s shareholders of one preferred stock purchase right for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock held by such shareholder (as used in this Note, the “right” or the “rights”), only in the event of certain takeover-related events.  In November 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Shareholder Rights Plan to extend the expiration date of the rights to February 10, 2022.

The rights are designed to assure that all shareholders receive fair and equal treatment in the event of a proposed takeover of the Company, and to encourage a potential acquirer to negotiate with the Company’s Board of Directors prior to attempting a takeover. The rights are not exercisable until the occurrence of certain takeover-related events, at which time they can be exercised at an exercise price of $118 per share of common stock which carries the right, subject to subsequent adjustments. The rights trade with the Company’s common stock.

 

Generally, the Shareholder Rights Plan provides that if a person or group acquires 15% or more of the Company’s common stock without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, subject to certain exceptions, the holders of the rights, other than the acquiring person or group, would, under certain circumstances, have the right to purchase additional shares of the Company’s common stock having a market value equal to two times the then-current exercise price of the right.

In addition, if the Company is thereafter merged into another entity, or if 50% or more of the Company’s consolidated assets or earning power are sold, then the right will entitle its holder to buy common shares of the acquiring entity having a market value equal to two times the then-current exercise price of the right. The Company’s Board of Directors may exchange or redeem the rights under certain conditions.

 

 

Note 7 — Other Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes other intangible assets at September 30, 2018:

 

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CORVEL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2018

 

 

The following table summarizes other intangible assets at March 31, 2018:

 

 

 

Note 8 — Line of Credit

In September 2018, the Company renewed its line of credit agreement with a financial institution, which provides a revolving credit facility with borrowing capacity of up to $10 million. Borrowings under the credit agreement, as amended, bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a fixed LIBOR-based rate plus 1.00% or at a fluctuating rate determined by the financial institution to be 1.00% above the daily one-month LIBOR rate. The loan covenants require the Company to (i) maintain a current assets to liabilities ratio of at least 1.25:1, (ii) maintain a current debt to tangible net worth ratio of not greater than 1.25:1 and (iii) have positive net income.  The Company is in compliance with all these covenants.  There were no outstanding revolving loans as of September 30, 2018, but letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $4.5 million have been issued separately from the line of credit, and therefore do not reduce the amount of borrowings available under the revolving credit facility. The renewed credit agreement expires in September 2019.

 

 

Note 9 — Contingencies and Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that resolution of these matters will not result in any payment that, individually or in the aggregate, would be material to the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the Company.

Note 10 — Accounts and Taxes Payable and Accrued Liabilities

The following table sets forth accounts payable, income taxes payable, and accrued liabilities at September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018:

 

 

 

 

 

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Item 2 - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This report may include certain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including (without limitation) statements with respect to anticipated future operating and financial performance, growth and acquisition opportunities and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “potential,” “continue,” “strive,” “ongoing,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” and “should” and variations of these words and similar expressions, are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements made by the Company and its management are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions of management at the time of such statements and are not guarantees of future performance.

The Company disclaims any obligations to update or revise any forward-looking statement based on the occurrence of future events, the receipt of new information or otherwise. Actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements made by the Company and its management as a result of a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Representative examples of these factors include (without limitation) changes in interpretations or application of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act through regulations and guidance that may be issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury; general industry and economic conditions, including a decreasing number of national claims due to a decreasing number of injured workers; cost of capital and capital requirements; existing and  possible litigation and legal liability in the course of operations and the Company’s ability to resolve such litigation; competition from other managed care companies; the ability to expand certain areas of the Company’s business; shifts in customer demands; the ability of the Company to produce market-competitive software; changes in operating expenses including employee wages, benefits, and medical inflation; governmental and public policy changes, including but not limited to legislative and administrative law and rule implementation or change; dependence on key personnel; the impact of recently issued accounting standards on the Company’s consolidated financial statements; the Company’s ability to continue to grow its sales of third party administrator, or TPA, services and the other risks identified in Part II, Item 1A of this report.

Overview

CorVel Corporation is an independent nationwide provider of medical cost containment and managed care services designed to address the escalating medical costs of workers’ compensation benefits, mobile insurance claims, and group health insurance benefits. The Company’s services are provided to insurance companies, third party administrators, or TPA’s, governmental entities, and self-administered employers to assist them in managing the medical costs and monitoring the quality of care associated with healthcare claims.  In November 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a decrease in the occupational injury and illness incidence rates for 2016. This is a continuance of a long term trend of a decrease in the injury rates in the United States and, therefore, fewer claims could lead to fewer medical dollars to be reviewed.

Network Solutions Services

The Company’s network solutions services are designed to reduce the price paid by its customers for medical services rendered in workers’ compensation cases, automobile insurance policies, and group health insurance policies. The network solutions services offered by the Company include automated medical fee auditing, preferred provider management and reimbursement services, retrospective utilization review, facility claim review, professional review, pharmacy services, directed care services, Medicare solutions, clearinghouse services, independent medical examinations, and inpatient medical bill review. Network solutions services also includes revenue from the Company’s directed care network (known as CareIQ), which includes imaging, physical therapy and durable medical equipment.

Patient Management Services

In addition to its network solutions services, the Company offers a range of patient management services, which involve working one-on-one with injured employees and their various healthcare professionals, employers and insurance company adjusters. Patient management services include claims management and all services sold to claims management customers, case management, 24/7 nurse triage, utilization management, vocational rehabilitation, and life care planning.  The services are designed to monitor the medical necessity and appropriateness of healthcare services provided to workers’ compensation and other healthcare claimants and to expedite return to work. The Company offers these services on a stand-alone basis, or as an integrated component of its medical cost containment services.  Patient management services include the processing of claims for self-insured payors with respect to property and casualty insurance.

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Organizational Structure

The Company’s management is structured geographically with regional vice presidents who are responsible for all services provided by the Company in his or her particular region and responsible for the operating results of the Company in multiple states. These regional vice presidents have area and district managers who are also responsible for all services provided by the Company in their given area and district.

Business Enterprise Segments

The Company operates in one reportable operating segment, managed care. The Company’s services are delivered to its customers through its local offices in each region and financial information for the Company’s operations follows this service delivery model. All regions provide the Company’s patient management and network solutions services to customers.  Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standard Codification, or ASC, 280- 10, “Segment Reporting”, establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in annual and interim consolidated financial statements. The Company’s internal financial reporting is segmented geographically, as discussed above, and managed on a geographic rather than service line basis, with virtually all of the Company’s operating revenue generated within the United States.

Under FASB ASC 280-10, two or more operating segments may be aggregated into a single operating segment for financial reporting purposes if aggregation is consistent with the objective and basic principles, if the segments have similar economic characteristics, and if the segments are similar in each of the following areas: (i) the nature of products and services; (ii) the nature of the production processes; (iii) the type or class of customer for their products and services; and (iv) the methods used to distribute their products or provide their services. The Company believes each of its regions meet these criteria as each provides similar services and products to similar customers using similar methods of productions and similar methods to distribute the services and products.

Seasonality

While we are not directly impacted by seasonal shifts, we are affected by the change in working days in a given quarter. There are generally fewer working days for our employees to generate revenue in the third fiscal quarter due to employee vacations, inclement weather, and holidays.

Summary of Quarterly Results

The Company’s revenues increased to $148.2 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from $136.4 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $11.7 million, or 8.6%.  This increase was due to an increase in patient management services was due to an increase in services for claims management customers.

Cost of revenues increased to $116.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from $110.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $6.0 million, or 5.4%.   This increase was primarily due to an increase of 8.6% in revenue mentioned above. The increase in cost of revenues was due to an increase in salaries, which was due to an increase in headcount in field operations.

General and administrative expense increased to $15.1 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from $13.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $1.4 million, or 10.4%.  This increase was primarily due to an increase in legal expenses and corporate systems costs.

Income tax expense decreased to $3.6 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from $3.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 2.2%.  Income before income tax provision increased to $16.4 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from $12.1 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $4.3 million, or 35.7%, which was offset by a decrease in the tax rate to 22% compared to 30.5% in the prior year period, due to the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was signed into law on December 22, 2017.

Weighted diluted shares increased to 19.1 million shares in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from 19.0 million shares in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 123,000 shares, or 0.6%, due to the weighted impact of options exercised partially offset by the weighted impact of shares repurchased.  

Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.67 per share in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from $0.44 per share in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $0.23 per share, or 52.3%. The increase in diluted earnings per share was primarily due to an increase in net income.

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Results of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

The Company derives its revenues from providing patient management and network solutions services to payors of workers’ compensation benefits, automobile insurance claims, and group health insurance benefits.  The Company adopted the new accounting standard related to revenue from contracts with customers as of April 1, 2018, as described in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The percentages of total revenues attributable to patient management and network solutions services for the quarters ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 are as follows:

 

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the dollar amounts, dollar and percent changes, share changes, and the percentage of revenues represented by certain items reflected in the Company’s unaudited consolidated income statements for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017. The Company’s past operating results are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.

 

 

Revenues

Change in revenue from the quarter ended September 30, 2018 to the quarter ended September 30, 2017

Revenues increased to $148.2 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from $136.4 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $11.7 million, or 8.6%.  The increase in revenues was due to an increase in patient management services, which increased to $91.9 million from $78.2 million, an increase of 17.6%.  The increase in patient management services was due to an increase in services for claims management customers.  Patient management services increased to 62.1% of total revenue in the current quarter, up from 57.3% in the prior year quarter, due to higher revenue from the Company’s claims management customers, the fastest growing portion of the Company’s revenue. Network solutions services decreased to $56.2 million from $58.2 million, a decrease of 3.4%.  The decrease was due to a 22.2% decrease in the number of pharmacy services bills the Company reviewed during the quarter ended September 30, 2018.

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Cost of Revenues

The Company’s cost of revenues consists of direct expenses, costs directly attributable to the generation of revenue, and indirect costs which are incurred to support the operations in the field offices which generate the revenue. Direct expenses primarily include (i) case manager and bill review analyst salaries, along with related payroll taxes and fringe benefits, and (ii) costs associated with independent medical examinations (known as IME), prescription drugs, and MRI providers. Most of the Company’s revenues are generated in offices which provide both patient management services and network solutions services. The largest of the field indirect costs are (i) manager salaries and bonuses, (ii) account executive base pay and commissions, (iii) salaries of administrative and clerical support, field systems personnel and PPO network developers, along with related payroll taxes and fringe benefits, (iv) office rent, and (v) telephone expenses. Approximately 38% of the costs incurred in the field are considered field indirect costs, which support both the patient management services and network solutions operations of the Company’s field operations.

Change in cost of revenues from the quarter ended September 30, 2018 to the quarter ended September 30, 2017

Cost of revenues increased to $116.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from $110.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $6.0 million, or 5.4%. The increase in cost of revenues was primarily due to an increase in total revenues of 8.6%.  This increase was due to an increase in salaries, which was due to an increase in headcount in field operations.

General and Administrative Expense

For the quarter ended September 30, 2018, general and administrative expense consisted of approximately 54% of corporate systems costs, which include corporate systems support, implementation and training, rules engine development, national information technology (“IT”) strategy and planning, depreciation of hardware costs in the Company’s corporate offices and backup data center, the Company’s nationwide area network, and other systems related costs. The Company includes all IT-related costs managed by the corporate office in general and administrative expense whereas the field IT-related costs are included in the cost of revenues.  The remaining general and administrative costs consist of national marketing, national sales support, corporate legal, corporate insurance, human resources, accounting, product management, new business development, and other general corporate expenses.

Change in general and administrative expense from the quarter ended September 30, 2018 to the quarter ended September 30, 2017

General and administrative expense increased to $15.1 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from $13.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $1.4 million, or 10.4%.  The increase in general and administrative expense was primarily due to an increase in legal expenses and corporate systems costs.

Income Tax Provision

Change in income tax expense from the quarter ended September 30, 2018 to the quarter ended September 30, 2017

Income tax expense decreased to $3.6 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from $3.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 2.2%. Income before income tax provision increased to $16.4 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 from $12.1 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $4.3 million, or 35.7%, which was offset by a decrease in the tax rate to 22% compared to 30.5% in the prior year period, due to the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was signed into law on December 22, 2017.

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Results of Operations for the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the dollar amounts, dollar and percent changes, share changes, and the percentage of revenues represented by certain items reflected in the Company’s consolidated income statements for the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.  The Company adopted the new accounting standard related to revenue from contracts with customers as of April 1, 2018, as described in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  The Company’s past operating results are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.

 

 

Revenues

Change in revenue from the six months ended September 30, 2018 to the six months ended September 30, 2017

Revenues increased to $298.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018 from $274.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $24.5 million, or 9.0%. The increase in revenues was due to an increase in patient management services, which increased by 16.3%, from $154.6 million to $179.8 million.  The increase in patient management services was due to an increase in services for claims management customers, which was offset by a decrease in case management services.

Cost of Revenues

Change in cost of revenues from the six months ended September 30, 2018 to the six months ended September 30, 2017

Cost of revenues increased to $235.7 million in the six months ended September 30, 2018 from $219.5 million in the six months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $16.2 million, or 7.4%.  The increase in cost of revenues was primarily due to revenue increases in lower margin TPA services. Additionally, there was an increase of $11.8 million in salaries, due to an increase in headcount in field operations.  

General and Administrative Expense

Change in general and administrative expense from the six months ended September 30, 2018 to the six months ended September 30, 2017

General and administrative expense increased to $31.0 million in the six months ended September 30, 2018 from $28.3 million in the six months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $2.7 million, or 9.7%.  The increase in general and administrative expense was primarily due to an increase in legal expenses and corporate systems costs.

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Income Tax Provision

Change in income tax expense from the six months ended September 30, 2018 to the six months ended September 30, 2017

Income tax expense decreased to $7.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018 from $9.1 million for the six months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 20.1%.  The decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to a decrease in the effective tax rate for the six months ended September 30, 2018.  The rate decreased due to the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The income tax expense as a percentage of income before income taxes, also known as the effective tax rate, was 22.8% for the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 34.6% for the six months ended September 30, 2017.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has historically funded its operations and capital expenditures primarily from cash flow from operations, and to a lesser extent, proceeds from stock option exercises. Working capital increased to $88.6 million as of September 30, 2018 from $65.3 million as of March 31, 2018, an increase of $23.3 million. Cash increased to $90.1 million as of September 30, 2018 from $55.8 million as of March 31, 2018, an increase of $34.4 million. This is primarily due to an increase in net income and proceeds from stock options exercised, partially offset by cash used to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock.

The Company believes that cash from operations and funds from exercises of stock options granted to employees are adequate to fund existing obligations, repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock under its current stock repurchase program, introduce new services, and continue to develop the Company’s healthcare related services for at least the next twelve months. The Company regularly evaluates cash requirements for current operations, commitments, capital acquisitions, and other strategic transactions. The Company may elect to raise additional funds for these purposes, through debt or equity financings or otherwise, as appropriate. However, additional equity or debt financing may not be available when needed, with terms favorable to the Company or at all.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $90.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, invested primarily in short-term, interest-bearing, highly liquid investment-grade securities with maturities of 90 days or less.

In September 2018, the Company renewed its line of credit agreement with a financial institution, which provides a revolving credit facility with borrowing capacity of up to $10 million. Borrowings under this credit agreement, as amended, bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a fixed LIBOR-based rate plus 1.00% or at a fluctuating rate determined by the financial institution to be 1.00% above the daily one-month LIBOR rate. The loan covenants require the Company to (i) maintain a current assets to liabilities ratio of at least 1.25:1; (ii) maintain a current debt to tangible net worth ratio not greater than 1.25:1 and (iii) have positive net income.  The Company is in compliance with all these covenants. There were no outstanding revolving loans as of September 30, 2018, but letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $4.5 million have been issued separate from the line of credit and therefore do not reduce the amount of borrowings available under the revolving credit facility. The renewed credit agreement expires in September 2019.

The Company believes that the cash balance at September 30, 2018, along with anticipated internally generated funds and the availability of the credit facility, will be sufficient to meet the Company’s expected cash requirements for at least the next twelve months.

Operating Activities

Six months ended September 30, 2018 compared to six months ended September 30, 2017

Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $48.6 million in the six months ended September 30, 2018 from $30.6 million in the six months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $18.0 million. The increase in cash flow from operating activities was primarily due to an increase in net income and in accrued liabilities due to a change in payroll processes, which changed from semi-monthly to bi-weekly payroll.  

Investing Activities

Six months ended September 30, 2018 compared to six months ended September 30, 2017

Net cash flow used in investing activities decreased to $6.5 million in the six months ended September 30, 2018 from $11.4 million in the six months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $5.0 million.  Capital purchases were $6.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018 and $11.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2017.

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Financing Activities

Six months ended September 30, 2018 compared to six months ended September 30, 2017

Net cash flow used in financing activities decreased to $7.8 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018 from $9.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $1.9 million. The change is primarily due to an increase of $1.98 million in stock option exercises.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2018:

 

Operating leases are rents for the Company’s physical locations.

Litigation

The Company is involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that resolution of these matters will not result in any payment that, individually or in the aggregate, would be material to the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

Inflation

The Company experiences pricing pressures in the form of competitive prices. The Company is also impacted by rising costs for certain inflation-sensitive operating expenses such as labor, employee benefits, and facility leases.  However, the Company generally does not believe these impacts are material to its revenues or net income.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company is not a party to off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by the rules of the SEC. However, from time to time the Company enters into certain types of contracts that contingently require the Company to indemnify parties against third-party claims. The contracts primarily relate to: (i) certain contracts to perform services, under which the Company may provide customary indemnification for the purchases of such services, (ii) certain real estate leases, under which the Company may be required to indemnify property owners for environmental and other liabilities, and other claims arising from the Company’s use of the applicable premises, and (iii) certain agreements with the Company’s officers, directors and employees, under which the Company may be required to indemnify such persons for liabilities arising out of certain actions taken by such persons, acting in their respective capacities within the Company.

The terms of such customary 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, no material liabilities have been recorded for these obligations on the Company’s balance sheets for any of the periods presented.

Critical Accounting Policies

The SEC defines critical accounting policies as those that require application of management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.

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The Company’s significant accounting policies which have the greatest potential impact on its financial statements are more fully described in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on June 8, 2018. No changes in critical accounting policies have been made since the filing of that Annual Report on Form 10-K. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), with no need for management’s judgment in their application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting an available alternative would not produce a materially different result.  Actual results could differ from the estimates we use in applying our critical accounting policies.  We are not currently aware of any reasonably likely events or circumstances that would result in materially different amounts being reported.

Recent Accounting Standards Update

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases”, which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases. This classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for using an approach that is similar to the existing guidance for operating leases. The standard is effective April 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The standard is to be applied using a modified retrospective transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

Guidance Adopted

On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 regarding ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This standard provides principles for recognizing revenue for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers with the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB approved a one-year delay of the effective date of this new revenue recognition standard. The guidance will now be effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning April 1, 2018. The Company has adopted this standard as of April 1, 2018. Refer to Note 2 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a description of the impact of the adopted guidance.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 regarding Subtopic 825-10, “Financials Instruments — Overall: Recognition and Measurements of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. The standard addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. It requires that most equity investments be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted this guidance prospectively on April 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows”, which reduces diversity in the practice of how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows.  The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance prospectively on April 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

As of September 30, 2018, the Company held no market risk sensitive instruments for trading purposes, and the Company did not employ any derivative financial instruments, other financial instruments, or derivative commodity instruments to hedge any market risk. The Company had no debt outstanding as of September 30, 2018, and therefore, had no market risk related to debt.

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Item 4 – Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management has evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted by us under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal accounting officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Effective October 1, 2018, Brandon T. O’Brien replaced Kenneth S. Cragun as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, and a Form 8-K was filed to announce this change.  Certain control responsibilities have been reassigned to certain key personnel within the Company.  We have reviewed and will continue to monitor our internal controls to make sure there is no adverse impact.  There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting  (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the three months ended September 30, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that resolution of these matters will not result in any payment that, individually or in the aggregate, would be material to the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the Company.

Item 1A – Risk Factors

A restated description of the risk factors associated with our business is set forth below.  This description includes any and all changes (whether or not material) to, and supersedes, the description of the risk factors associated with our business previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on June 8, 2018.

Past financial performance is not necessarily a reliable indicator of future performance.  Investors in our common stock should not use historical performance to anticipate results or future period trends. Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Investors should consider carefully the following risk factors, as well as the other information in this report and our other filings with the SEC, including our audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes, before deciding whether to invest or maintain an investment in shares of our common stock. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, and results of operations would suffer. In this case, the trading price of our common stock would likely decline. The risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks that we currently do not know about or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also impair our business operations.

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If we fail to grow our business internally or through strategic acquisitions we may be unable to execute our business plan, maintain high levels of service, or adequately address competitive challenges.

Our strategy is to continue internal growth and, as strategic opportunities arise in the workers’ compensation managed care industry, to consider acquisitions of, or relationships with, other companies in related lines of business. As a result, we are subject to certain growth-related risks, including the risk that we will be unable to retain personnel or acquire other resources necessary to service such growth adequately. Expenses arising from our efforts to increase our market penetration may have a negative impact on operating results. In addition, there can be no assurance that any suitable opportunities for strategic acquisitions or relationships will arise or, if they do arise, that the transactions contemplated could be completed. If such a transaction does occur, there can be no assurance that we will be able to integrate effectively any acquired business. In addition, any such transaction would be subject to various risks associated with the acquisition of businesses, including, but not limited to, the following:

There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify or consummate any future acquisitions or other strategic relationships on favorable terms, or at all, or that any future acquisition or other strategic relationship will not have an adverse impact on our business or results of operations. If suitable opportunities arise, we may finance such transactions, as well as internal growth, through debt or equity financing. There can be no assurance, however, that such debt or equity financing would be available to us on acceptable terms when, and if, suitable strategic opportunities arise.

If we are unable to increase our market share among national and regional insurance carriers and large, self-funded employers, our results may be adversely affected.

Our business strategy and future success depend in part on our ability to capture market share with our cost containment services as national and regional insurance carriers and large, self-funded employers look for ways to achieve cost savings. We cannot assure you that we will successfully market our services to these insurance carriers and employers or that they will not resort to other means to achieve cost savings. Additionally, our ability to capture additional market share may be adversely affected by the decision of potential customers to perform services internally instead of outsourcing the provision of such services to us. Furthermore, we may not be able to demonstrate sufficient cost savings to potential or current customers to induce them not to provide comparable services internally or to accelerate efforts to provide such services internally.

If competition increases, our growth and profits may decline.

The markets for our network services and patient management services are also fragmented and competitive. Our competitors include national managed care providers, preferred provider networks, smaller independent providers and insurance companies. Companies that offer one or more workers’ compensation managed care services on a national basis are our primary competitors. We also compete with many smaller vendors who generally provide unbundled services on a local level, particularly companies with an established relationship with a local insurance company adjuster. In addition, several large workers’ compensation insurance carriers offer managed care services for their customers, either by performance of the services in-house or by outsourcing to organizations like ours. If these carriers increase their performance of these services in-house, our business may be adversely affected. In addition, consolidation in the industry may result in carriers performing more of such services in-house.

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Our sequential revenue may not increase and may decline. As a result, we may fail to meet or exceed the expectations of investors or analysts which could cause our common stock price to decline.

Our sequential revenue growth may not increase and may decline in the future as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control. If changes in our sequential revenue fall below the expectations of investors or analysts, the price of our common stock could decline substantially. Fluctuations or declines in sequential revenue growth may be due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, those listed below and identified throughout this “Risk Factors” section: the decline in manufacturing employment, the decline in workers’ compensation claims, the decline in healthcare expenditures, the considerable price competition in a flat-to-declining workers’ compensation market, litigation, the increase in competition, and the changes and the potential changes in state workers’ compensation and automobile-managed care laws which can reduce demand for our services. These factors create an environment where revenue and margin growth is more difficult to attain and where revenue growth is less certain than historically experienced. Additionally, our technology and preferred provider network face competition from companies that have more resources available to them than we do. Also, some customers may handle their managed care services in-house and may reduce the amount of services which are outsourced to managed care companies such as us. These factors could cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially. There can be no assurance that our growth rate in the future, if any, will be at or near historical levels.

In addition, the stock market has in the past experienced price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected companies in the healthcare and managed care markets resulting in changes in the market price of the stock of many companies, which may not have been directly related to the operating performance of those companies.

Due to the foregoing factors and the other risks discussed in this report, investors should not rely on period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations as an indication of our future performance.

The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile, which could result in rapid and substantial losses for our stockholders.

The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur.  The stock market has in the past experienced price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected companies in the healthcare and managed care markets resulting in changes in the market price of the stock of many companies, which may not have been directly related to the operating performance of those companies.  There can be no assurance that the market price of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future.

We cannot assure our stockholders that our stock repurchase program will enhance long-term stockholder value and stock repurchases, if any, could increase the volatility of the price of our common stock and will diminish our cash reserves.

In 1996, out Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program and, since then, has periodically increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase under the repurchase program.  The most recent increase occurred in February 2017 and brought the number of shares authorized for repurchase over the life of the program to 36,000,000 shares. There is no expiration date for the repurchase program. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased, if any, depend on a variety of factors including the timing of open trading windows, price, corporate and regulatory requirements, and other market conditions. The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. Repurchases pursuant to our stock repurchase program could affect our stock price and increase its volatility. The existence of a stock repurchase program could also cause our stock price to be higher than it would be in the absence of such a program and could potentially reduce the market liquidity for our stock. Additionally, repurchases under our stock repurchase program will diminish our cash reserves, which could impact our ability to pursue possible future strategic opportunities and acquisitions and could result in lower overall returns on our cash balances. There can be no assurance that any further stock repurchases will enhance stockholder value because the market price of our common stock may decline below the levels at which we repurchased shares of stock. Although our stock repurchase program is intended to enhance long-term stockholder value, short-term stock price fluctuations could reduce the program’s effectiveness.

If the referrals for our patient management services decline, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected.

In some years, we have experienced a general decline in the revenue and operating performance of patient management services. We believe that the performance decline has been due to the following factors: the decrease of the number of workplace injuries that have become longer-term disability cases; increased regional and local competition from providers of managed care services; a possible reduction by insurers on the types of services provided by our patient management business; the closure of offices and continuing consolidation of our patient management operations; and employee turnover, including management personnel, in our patient management business. In the past, these factors have all contributed to the lowering of our long-term outlook for our patient management services. If some or all of these conditions continue, we believe that revenues from our patient management services could decrease.

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Declines in workers’ compensation claims may materially harm our results of operations.

Within the past few years, as the labor market has become less labor intensive and more service oriented, there are fewer work-related injuries.  Additionally, employers are being more proactive to prevent injuries.  If declines in workers’ compensation costs occur in many states and persist over the long-term, it would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We provide an outsource service to payors of workers’ compensation benefits, automobile insurance claims, and group health insurance benefits. These payors include insurance companies, TPAs, municipalities, state funds, and self-insured, self-administered employers. If these payors reduce the amount of work they outsource, our results of operations would be materially adversely affected.

Healthcare providers are becoming increasingly resistant to the application of certain healthcare cost containment techniques; this may cause revenue from our cost containment operations to decrease.

Healthcare providers have become more active in their efforts to minimize the use of certain cost containment techniques and are engaging in litigation to avoid application of certain cost containment practices. Recent litigation between healthcare providers and insurers has challenged certain insurers’ claims adjudication and reimbursement decisions. These cases may affect the use by insurers of certain cost containment services that we provide and may result in a decrease in revenue from our cost containment business.

Matters relating to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including future changes in tax laws, rules and regulations, disagreements with taxing authorities and imposition of new taxes, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted into law. Among numerous provisions included in the new law was the reduction of the corporate federal income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. As a result of this federal income tax rate change, during the quarter ended September 30, 2018, we reported an effective tax rate of 22%. However, we continue to analyze and assess the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and believe that its impact on our business may not be fully known for some time. The final impact may differ, possibly materially, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations, assumptions made by us, the issuance of federal tax regulations and guidance, and actions we may take as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Taking into account the change in the statutory federal rate as well as other permanent items, we expect our effective combined federal and state tax rate will be approximately 24% to 26% for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019. This expected effective rate assumes projected financial results consistent with recent trends and applies the new statutory rate and the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act relative to permanent differences between book and tax income. If our assumption that projected financial results will be consistent with recent trends turns out to be incorrect, our effective combined federal and state tax rate could be higher for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019. In the absence of guidance on various uncertainties and ambiguities in the application of certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we will use what we believe are reasonable interpretations and assumptions in applying the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, but it is possible that the U.S. Department of Treasury could issue subsequent rules and regulations, or the Internal Revenue Service could issue subsequent guidance or take positions on audit, that differ from our prior interpretations and assumptions, which could have a material adverse effect on our cash, tax assets and liabilities, results of operations, and financial condition.

Our failure to compete successfully could make it difficult for us to add and retain customers and could reduce or impede the growth of our business.

We face competition from PPOs, TPAs, and other managed healthcare companies. We believe that as managed care techniques continue to gain acceptance in the workers’ compensation marketplace, our competitors will increasingly consist of nationally-focused workers’ compensation managed care service companies, insurance companies, HMOs and other significant providers of managed care products. Legislative reform in some states has been considered, but not enacted to permit employers to designate health plans such as HMOs and PPOs to cover workers’ compensation claimants. Because many health plans have the ability to manage medical costs for workers’ compensation claimants, such legislation may intensify competition in the markets served by us. Many of our current and potential competitors are significantly larger and have greater financial and marketing resources than we do, and there can be no assurance that we will continue to maintain our existing customers, maintain our past level of operating performance, or be successful with any new products or in any new geographical markets we may enter.

A breach of security may cause our customers to curtail or stop using our services.

We rely largely on our own security systems, confidentiality procedures, and employee nondisclosure agreements to maintain the privacy and security of our and our customers’ proprietary information. Accidental or willful security breaches or other unauthorized access by third parties to our information systems, the existence of computer viruses in our data or software and misappropriation of our proprietary information could expose us to a risk of information loss, litigation, and other possible liabilities which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. If security measures are

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breached because of third-party action, employee error, malfeasance, or otherwise, or if design flaws in our software are exposed and exploited, and, as a result, a third party obtains unauthorized access to any customer data, our relationships with our customers and our reputation will be damaged, our business may suffer, and we could incur significant liability. Because techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or to sabotage systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures.

Exposure to possible litigation and legal liability may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We, through our utilization management services, make recommendations concerning the appropriateness of providers’ medical treatment plans of patients throughout the country, and as a result, could be exposed to claims for adverse medical consequences. We do not grant or deny claims for payment of benefits and we do not believe that we engage in the practice of medicine or the delivery of medical services. There can be no assurance, however, that we will not be subject to claims or litigation related to the authorization or denial of claims for payment of benefits or allegations that we engage in the practice of medicine or the delivery of medical services.

In addition, there can be no assurance that we will not be subject to other litigation that may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, including but not limited to being joined in litigation brought against our customers in the managed care industry. We maintain professional liability insurance and such other coverages as we believe are reasonable in light of our experience to date. If such insurance is insufficient or unavailable in the future at reasonable cost to protect us from liability, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely affected.

If lawsuits against us are successful, we may incur significant liabilities.

We provide to insurers and other payors of healthcare costs managed care programs that utilize preferred provider organizations and computerized bill review programs. Health care providers have brought, against us and our customers, individual and class action lawsuits challenging such programs. If such lawsuits are successful, we may incur significant liabilities.

We make recommendations about the appropriateness of providers’ proposed medical treatment plans for patients throughout the country. As a result, we could be subject to claims arising from any adverse medical consequences. Although plaintiffs have not, to date, subjected us to any claims or litigation relating to the granting or denial of claims for payment of benefits or allegations that we engage in the practice of medicine or the delivery of medical services, we cannot assure you that plaintiffs will not make such claims in future litigation. We also cannot assure you that our insurance will provide sufficient coverage or that insurance companies will make insurance available at a reasonable cost to protect us from significant future liability.

If the utilization by healthcare payors of early intervention services continues to increase, the revenue from our later-stage network and healthcare management services could be negatively affected.

The performance of early intervention services, including injury occupational healthcare, first notice of loss, and telephonic case management services, often result in a decrease in the average length of, and the total costs associated with, a healthcare claim. By successfully intervening at an early stage in a claim, the need for additional cost containment services for that claim often can be reduced or even eliminated. As healthcare payors continue to increase their utilization of early intervention services, the revenue from our later stage network and healthcare management services will decrease.

An interruption in our ability to access critical data may cause customers to cancel their service and/or may reduce our ability to effectively compete.

Certain aspects of our business are dependent upon our ability to store, retrieve, process, and manage data and to maintain and upgrade our data processing capabilities. Interruption of data processing capabilities for any extended length of time, loss of stored data, programming errors or other system failures could cause customers to cancel their service and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

In addition, we expect that a considerable amount of our future growth will depend on our ability to process and manage claims data more efficiently and to provide more meaningful healthcare information to customers and payors of healthcare. There can be no assurance that our current data processing capabilities will be adequate for our future growth, that we will be able to efficiently upgrade our systems to meet future demands, or that we will be able to develop, license or otherwise acquire software to address these market demands as well or as timely as our competitors.

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We face competition for staffing, which may increase our labor costs and reduce profitability.

We compete with other healthcare providers in recruiting qualified management and staff personnel for the day-to-day operations of our business, including nurses and other case management professionals. In some markets, the scarcity of nurses and other medical support personnel has become a significant operating issue to healthcare providers. This shortage may require us to enhance wages to recruit and retain qualified nurses and other healthcare professionals. Our failure to recruit and retain qualified management, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, or to control labor costs could have a material adverse effect on profitability.

The increased costs of professional and general liability insurance may have an adverse effect on our profitability.

The cost of commercial professional and general liability insurance coverage has risen significantly in the past several years, and this trend may continue. In addition, if we were to suffer a material loss, our costs may increase over and above the general increases in the industry. If the costs associated with insuring our business continue to increase, it may adversely affect our business. We believe our current level of insurance coverage is adequate for a company of our size engaged in our business.  Additionally, we may have difficulty getting carriers to pay under coverage in certain circumstances.

Sustained increases in the cost of our employee benefits could materially reduce our profitability.

The cost of our current employees’ medical and other benefits, substantially affects our profitability. In the past, we have occasionally experienced significant increases in these costs as a result of macro-economic factors beyond our control, including increases in health care costs.  Although we have actively sought to control increases in these costs, there can be no assurance that we will succeed in limiting future cost increases, and continued upward pressure in these costs could materially reduce our profitability.

Changes in government regulations could increase our costs of operations and/or reduce the demand for our services.

Many states, including a number of those in which we transact business, have licensing and other regulatory requirements applicable to our business. Approximately half of the states have enacted laws that require licensing of businesses which provide medical review services such as ours. Some of these laws apply to medical review of care covered by workers’ compensation. These laws typically establish minimum standards for qualifications of personnel, confidentiality, internal quality control, and dispute resolution procedures. These regulatory programs may result in increased costs of operation for us, which may have an adverse impact upon our ability to compete with other available alternatives for healthcare cost control. In addition, new laws regulating the operation of managed care provider networks have been adopted by a number of states. These laws may apply to managed care provider networks having contracts with us or to provider networks which we may organize. To the extent we are governed by these regulations, we may be subject to additional licensing requirements, financial and operational oversight and procedural standards for beneficiaries and providers.

Regulation in the healthcare and workers’ compensation fields is constantly evolving. We are unable to predict what additional government initiatives, if any, affecting our business may be promulgated in the future. Our business may be adversely affected by failure to comply with existing laws and regulations, failure to obtain necessary licenses and government approvals, or failure to adapt to new or modified regulatory requirements. Proposals for healthcare legislative reforms are regularly considered at the federal and state levels. To the extent that such proposals affect workers’ compensation, such proposals may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

In addition, changes in workers’ compensation, automobile insurance, and group healthcare laws or regulations may reduce demand for our services, require us to develop new or modified services to meet the demands of the marketplace, or reduce the fees that we may charge for our services.

The introduction of software products incorporating new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards could render our existing software products less competitive, obsolete, or unmarketable.

There can be no assurance that we will be successful in developing and marketing new software products that respond to technological changes or evolving industry standards. If we are unable, for technological or other reasons, to develop and introduce new software products cost-effectively, in a timely manner and in response to changing market conditions or customer requirements, our business, results of operations, and financial condition may be adversely affected.

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Developing or implementing new or updated software products and services may take longer and cost more than expected. We rely on a combination of internal development, strategic relationships, licensing and acquisitions to develop our software products and services. The cost of developing new healthcare information services and technology solutions is inherently difficult to estimate. Our development and implementation of proposed software products and services may take longer than originally expected, require more testing than originally anticipated and require the acquisition of additional personnel and other resources. If we are unable to develop new or updated software products and services cost-effectively on a timely basis and implement them without significant disruptions to the existing systems and processes of our customers, we may lose potential sales and harm our relationships with current or potential customers.

The failure to attract and retain qualified or key personnel may prevent us from effectively developing, marketing, selling, integrating, and supporting our services.

We are dependent, to a substantial extent, upon the continuing efforts and abilities of certain key management personnel. In addition, we face competition for experienced employees with professional expertise in the workers’ compensation managed care area. The loss of key personnel, especially V. Gordon Clemons, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Michael Combs, our President, or the inability to attract qualified employees, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

If we lose several customers in a short period, our results may be materially adversely affected.

Our results may decline if we lose several customers during a short period. Most of our customer contracts permit either party to terminate without cause. If several customers terminate, or do not renew or extend their contracts with us, our results could be materially and adversely affected. Many organizations in the insurance industry have consolidated and this could result in the loss of one or more of our customers through a merger or acquisition. Additionally, we could lose customers due to competitive pricing pressures or other reasons.

We are subject to risks associated with acquisitions of intangible assets.

Our acquisition of other businesses may result in significant increases in our intangible assets and goodwill. We regularly evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred indicating that any portion of our intangible assets and goodwill may not be recoverable. When factors indicate that intangible assets and goodwill should be evaluated for possible impairment, we may be required to reduce the carrying value of these assets. We cannot currently estimate the timing and amount of any such charges.

If we are unable to leverage our information systems to enhance our outcome-driven service model, our results may be adversely affected.

To leverage our knowledge of workplace injuries, treatment protocols, outcomes data, and complex regulatory provisions related to the workers’ compensation market, we must continue to implement and enhance information systems that can analyze our data related to the workers’ compensation industry. We frequently upgrade existing operating systems and are updating other information systems that we rely upon in providing our services and financial reporting. We have detailed implementation schedules for these projects that require extensive involvement from our operational, technological, and financial personnel. Delays or other problems we might encounter in implementing these projects could adversely affect our ability to deliver streamlined patient care and outcome reporting to our customers.

Our Internet-based services are dependent on the development and maintenance of the Internet infrastructure.

The Internet has experienced a variety of outages and other delays as a result of damages to portions of its infrastructure, and it could face outages and delays in the future. These outages and delays could reduce the level of Internet usage, as well as the availability of the Internet to us for delivery of our Internet-based services. In addition, our customers who use our Web-based services depend on Internet service providers, online service providers, and other website operators for access to our website. All of these providers have experienced significant outages in the past and could experience outages, delays, and other difficulties in the future due to system failures unrelated to our systems. Any significant interruptions in our services or increases in response time could result in a loss of potential or existing users, and, if sustained or repeated, could reduce the attractiveness of our services.

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A cybersecurity attack could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and reputation.

We rely on information technology to support our business activities. Cybersecurity breaches of any of the systems on which we rely may result from circumvention of security systems, denial-of-service attacks or other cyber-attacks, hacking, “phishing” attacks, computer viruses, ransomware, malware, employee or insider error, malfeasance, social engineering, physical breaches or other actions. We have from time to time experienced cybersecurity breaches, such as computer viruses, unauthorized parties gaining access to our information technology systems and similar incidents, which to date have not had a material impact on our business. In the future, any material breaches of cybersecurity, or media reports of the same, even if untrue, could cause us to experience reputational harm, loss of clients and revenue, loss of proprietary data, regulatory actions and scrutiny, sanctions or other statutory penalties, litigation, liability for failure to safeguard clients’ information, financial losses or  drop in our stock price.  Such losses may not be insured against or not fully covered through insurance we maintain.  We have invested and continue to invest in technology security initiatives, policies and resources and employee training. The cost and operational consequences of implementing, maintaining and enhancing further system protections measures could increase significantly as cybersecurity threats increase. As these threats evolve, cybersecurity incidents will be more difficult to detect, defend against and remediate. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and reputation.

We are sensitive to regional weather conditions that may adversely affect our operations.

Our operations are directly affected in the short term by the weather conditions in certain regions of operation. Therefore our business is sensitive to the weather conditions of these regions. Unusually inclement weather, including significant rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain, or ice can temporarily affect our operations if customers are forced to close operational centers.  Accordingly, our operating results may vary from quarter to quarter, depending on the impact of these weather conditions.

Natural and other disasters may adversely affect our business.

We may be vulnerable to damage from severe weather conditions or natural disasters, including hurricanes, fires, floods, earthquakes, power loss, communications failures, and similar events, including the effects of war or acts of terrorism.  If a disaster were to occur, our ability to operate our business could be seriously or completely impaired or destroyed. The insurance we maintain may not be adequate to cover our losses resulting from disasters or other business interruptions.

Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

There were no sales of unregistered equity securities during the period covered by this report. The following table sets forth the repurchases of the Company’s common stock made by or on behalf of the Company in open-market transactions for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 pursuant to its publicly announced stock repurchase plan.

 

 

In 1996, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program for up to 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company’s Board of Directors has periodically increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase under the repurchase program.  In February 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors increased the number of shares of common stock authorized to be repurchased over the life of the program by 1,000,000 shares of common stock to 36,000,000 shares of common stock. There is no expiration date for the repurchase program.  As of September 30, 2018, the Company had repurchased 35,081,057 shares of its common stock over the life of the program.

Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities – None.

Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures – Not applicable.

Item 5 – Other Information – None.

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Item 6 – Exhibits

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

November 2, 2018

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