CORVEL CORP (CRVL) FY 2024 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 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,” “should,” as well as 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); general industry and economic conditions, including a decreasing number of national claims due to a decreasing number of injured workers; competition from other managed care companies and third party administrators; the ability to expand certain areas of the Company’s business; growth in the Company’s sale of TPA services; 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; cost of capital and capital requirements; dependence on key personnel; the impact of possible cybersecurity incidents; existing and possible litigation and legal liability in the course of operations and the Company’s ability to resolve such litigation; governmental and public policy changes, including but not limited to legislative and administrative law and rule implementation or change; the impact of recently issued accounting standards on the Company’s consolidated financial statements; the continued availability of financing in the amounts and at the terms necessary to support the Company’s future business and the other risks identified in Part I, Item 1A of this annual report, “Risk Factors.”
Overview
The Company is an independent nationwide provider of medical cost containment and managed care services designed to address the escalating medical costs of workers’ compensation benefits, automobile insurance claims, and group health insurance benefits. The Company’s services are provided to insurance companies, TPAs, governmental entities, and self-administered employers to assist them in managing the medical costs and monitoring the quality of care associated with healthcare claims.
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), including imaging, physical therapy, durable medical equipment, and translation and transportation.
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.
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.
32
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 (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“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 production and distribution.
Because we believe we meet each of the criteria set forth above and each of our regions have similar economic characteristics, we aggregate our results of operations in one reportable operating segment, managed care.
Number of Working Days
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 Fiscal 2024 Annual Results
The Company had revenues of $795 million in fiscal 2024, an increase of $77 million, or 11%, compared to $719 million for fiscal 2023. This increase was due to an increase in revenues from both patient management and network solutions activity primarily with existing customers.
During fiscal 2024, the Company’s gross profit increased to $172 million from $158 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of $13 million, or 9%. This increase was primarily due to the increase of 11% in revenue mentioned above. This was offset by an increase in salaries of 10% resulting from increased average headcount of 8% in field operations.
During fiscal 2024, the Company’s general and administrative expenses increased to $76.6 million from $73.7 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of $2.9 million, or 4%. This increase was primarily due to an increase in corporate system development costs.
During fiscal 2024, the Company’s net income before tax increased to $95.1 million from $84.6 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of $10.5 million, or 12.5%. The increase in revenues was offset by a slight decrease in gross profit margin.
During fiscal 2024, the Company’s income tax expense increased to $18.8 million from $18.2 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of $0.7 million, or 3.6%. The increase was due to an increase in income before income taxes. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 20% for fiscal year 2024 and 22% for fiscal year 2023.
Diluted weighted average shares were 17.3 million shares in fiscal 2024 and 17.6 million shares in fiscal 2023, with a decrease of 245,000 shares, or 1.4%. This decrease was primarily due to the repurchase of 215,313 shares of common stock in fiscal 2024. Since commencing this program in the fall of 1996, the Company has repurchased 38,033,179 shares of its common stock through March 31, 2024, at a cost of $794 million. These repurchases were funded primarily from the Company’s operating cash flows.
Diluted earnings per share increased to $4.40 per share in fiscal 2024 from $3.77 per share in fiscal 2023, an increase of $0.63 per share, or 16.7%. The increase in diluted earnings per share was primarily due to an increase in net income and a decrease in diluted weighted average common and common equivalent shares.
33
Results of Operations
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. 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. Network solutions services include fee schedule auditing, hospital bill auditing, pharmacy, independent medical examinations, directed care services, diagnostic imaging review services and preferred provider referral services. The percentages of total revenues attributable to patient management and network solutions services for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 are listed below.
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patient management services | 66.6 | % | 66.6 | % | 65.6 | % | ||||||
| Network solutions services | 33.4 | % | 33.4 | % | 34.4 | % | ||||||
| 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
As noted in the table above, patient management services and network solutions services have grown at the same rate, from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2024.
The following table shows the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 and the dollar changes, as well as the percentage changes for each fiscal year. The following amounts are in thousands, except per share data and percentages.
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Amount Change from Fiscal 2023 to 2024 | Amount Change from Fiscal 2022 to 2023 | Percent Change from Fiscal 2023 to 2024 | Percent Change from Fiscal 2022 to 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | $ | 795,311 | $ | 718,562 | $ | 646,230 | $ | 76,749 | $ | 72,332 | 10.7 | % | 11.2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | 623,618 | 560,303 | 494,116 | 63,315 | 66,187 | 11.3 | 13.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 171,693 | 158,259 | 152,114 | 13,434 | 6,145 | 8.5 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 76,592 | 73,705 | 67,602 | 2,887 | 6,103 | 3.9 | 9.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 95,101 | 84,554 | 84,512 | 10,547 | 42 | 12.5 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 18,849 | 18,189 | 18,102 | 660 | 87 | 3.6 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 76,252 | $ | 66,365 | $ | 66,410 | $ | 9,887 | $ | (45 | ) | 14.9 | % | (0.1 | %) | ||||||||||||
| Net income per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 4.45 | $ | 3.83 | $ | 3.74 | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.09 | 16.2 | % | 2.4 | % | |||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 4.40 | $ | 3.77 | $ | 3.66 | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.11 | 16.7 | % | 3.0 | % | |||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares used in net income per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 17,122 | 17,328 | 17,753 | (206 | ) | (425 | ) | (1.2 | %) | (2.4 | %) | ||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 17,347 | 17,592 | 18,127 | (245 | ) | (535 | ) | (1.4 | %) | (3.0 | %) |
As previously identified in Part I, Item 1A of this annual report, “Risk Factors,” the Company’s ability to maintain or grow revenues is subject to several risks including, but not limited to, changes in government regulations, exposure to litigation and the ability to add or retain customers. Any of these, or a combination of all of them, could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations going forward.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of revenues represented by certain items reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The Company’s past operating results are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. The percentages for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
| Income Statement Percentages | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||
| Cost of revenues | 78.4 | % | 78.0 | % | 76.5 | % | ||||||
| Gross profit | 21.6 | % | 22.0 | % | 23.5 | % | ||||||
| General and administrative | 9.6 | % | 10.3 | % | 10.5 | % | ||||||
| Income before income taxes | 12.0 | % | 11.7 | % | 13.0 | % | ||||||
| Income tax provision | 2.4 | % | 2.5 | % | 2.8 | % | ||||||
| Net income | 9.6 | % | 9.2 | % | 10.2 | % |
Revenue
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.
34
Change in Revenue
Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023
Revenues increased to $795 million in fiscal 2024 from $719 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of $77 million, or 11%. Patient management services increased to $530 million from $479 million, an increase of 11%. This increase is primarily due to higher revenue from the Company’s TPA and related services. Total new claims increased by 4% during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. Network solutions services revenues increased to $265 million from $240 million, an increase of 11%. This increase is primarily due to increases in enhanced bill review programs services, which resulted in higher revenue per bill. Most of the increase in revenues resulted from an increase in activity and services provided for existing customers.
Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
Revenues increased to $719 million in fiscal 2023 from $646 million in fiscal 2022, an increase of $72 million, or 11%. Patient management services increased to $479 million from $424 million, an increase of 13%. This increase is primarily due to higher revenue from the Company’s TPA and related services. Total new claims increased by 5% during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. Network solutions services revenues increased to $240 million from $222 million, an increase of 8%. This increase is primarily due to increases in enhanced bill review programs services, which resulted in higher revenue per bill. Most of the increase in revenues resulted from an increase in activity and services provided for existing customers and, to a lesser extent, an increase in new customers.
Cost of Revenue
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 analysts’ salaries, along with related payroll taxes and fringe benefits, and (ii) costs associated with independent medical examinations (known as IME), prescription drugs, and MRI, physical therapy, and durable medical equipment 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, and (iv) office rent. During fiscal 2024 and 2023, approximately 34% and 35%, respectively, of the costs incurred in the field were considered field indirect costs, which support both the patient management services and network solutions services operations of the Company’s field operations.
Change in Cost of Revenue
Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023
The Company’s cost of revenues increased to $624 million in fiscal 2024 from $560 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of $63 million, or 11%. The increase in cost of revenues was primarily due to the increase in total revenues of 11%. Just over half the Company's cost of revenue is labor cost. Additionally, there was an increase in salaries of 10% resulting from increased average headcount of 8% in field operations and growth in average annual salary increases due to wage inflation. Headcount increased due to an increase in business volume.
Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
The Company’s cost of revenues increased to $560 million in fiscal 2023 from $494 million in fiscal 2022, an increase of $66 million, or 13%. The increase in cost of revenues was primarily due to the increase in total revenues of 11%. Just over half the Company's cost of revenue is labor cost. There was an increase in salaries of 15% resulting from increased average headcount of 10% in field operations and growth in average annual salary increases due to wage inflation. Headcount has increased due to an increase in new business and business volume.
General and Administrative Expense
During fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022, approximately 51%, 49%, and 51%, respectively, of general and administrative costs consisted of corporate systems costs, which include the corporate systems support, implementation and training, rules engine development, national 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 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.
35
Change in General and Administrative Expense
Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023
General and administrative expenses increased to $76.6 million in fiscal 2024 from $73.7 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of $2.9 million, or 4%. This increase was was primarily due to an increase in corporate system costs due to an increase spending in developed software.
Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
General and administrative expenses increased to $73.7 million in fiscal 2023 from $67.6 million in fiscal 2022, an increase of $6.1 million, or 9%. This increase was primarily due to an increase in legal costs related to data privacy compliance. Additionally, there was an increase in corporate system costs due to an increase spending in developed software.
Income Tax Provision
Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023
The Company’s income tax expense increased to $18.8 million for fiscal 2024 from $18.2 million for fiscal 2023, an increase of $0.7 million. Income before income tax provision increased to $95.1 million in fiscal 2024 from $84.6 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of $10.5 million. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 20% for fiscal 2024 and 22% for fiscal 2023. The effective tax rate is less than the statutory tax rate primarily due to the impact of stock option exercises for both periods.
Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
The Company’s income tax expense increased to $18.2 million for fiscal 2023 from $18.1 million for fiscal 2022, an increase of $0.1 million. Income before income tax provision increased to $84.6 million in fiscal 2023 from $84.5 million in fiscal 2022, an increase of $0.1 million. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 22% for fiscal 2023 and 21% for fiscal 2022. The effective tax rate is less than the statutory tax rate primarily due to the impact of stock option exercises for both periods.
Net Income
Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023
The Company’s net income was $76.3 million in fiscal 2024 and $66.4 in fiscal 2023, an increase of $9.9 million, or 14.9%. The increase in revenues was offset by a slight decrease in gross profit margin. The increase in cost of revenue is due to an increase in headcount.
Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
The Company’s net income was $66.4 million in fiscal 2023 and 2022. The increase in revenues was offset by a decrease in gross profit margin. The increase in cost of revenue is due to an increase in labor rates and headcount.
Earnings per Share
Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023
The Company’s diluted earnings per share increased to $4.40 per share in fiscal 2024 from $3.77 per share in fiscal 2023, an increase of $0.63 per share, or 16.7%. This was primarily due to an increase in net income.
Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
The Company’s diluted earnings per share increased to $3.77 per share in fiscal 2023 from $3.66 per share in fiscal 2022, an increase of $0.11 per share, or 3.0%. This was primarily due to a decrease in diluted weighted average shares.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company manages its liquidity and financial position in the context of its overall business strategy. The Company continually forecasts and manages its cash, investments, working capital balances and capital structure to meet the short- and long-term obligations of its businesses while seeking to maintain liquidity and financial flexibility. Cash flows generated from operating activities are principally from earnings before non-cash expenses. The risk of decreased operating cash flow from a decline in earnings is partially
36
mitigated by the diversity of the Company’s services, geographies and customers, and the Company has had virtually no interest-bearing debt for the past 33 years.
The Company has historically funded its operations and capital expenditures primarily from cash flow from operations, and to a lesser extent, stock option exercises. The Company’s net accounts receivables have ranged from 39 to 44 days of average sales for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. The Company expects days sales outstanding (known as DSO) to remain in the low to mid 40-day range. The Company’s historical profit margins and historical ratio of investments in assets used in the business has allowed the Company to generate sufficient cash flow to repurchase $794 million of its common stock during the past 28 fiscal years, on inception-to-date net earnings of $808 million. The Company repurchases shares during periods of excess liquidity, which has occurred in all 33 years that the Company has been public. Should the Company have lower income or cash flows, it could reduce or eliminate repurchases under the stock repurchase program until earnings and cash flow improved. Working capital increased to $117.7 million at March 31, 2024 from $75.9 million at March 31, 2023. This is primarily due to the increase in net income, and to a lesser extent, a decrease in spending to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock under its stock repurchase program.
The Company is not a party to off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by 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 liabilities have been recorded for these obligations on the Company’s balance sheets for any of the periods presented.
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. Should the Company have lower income or cash flows, it could reduce or eliminate repurchases under the stock repurchase program until earnings and cash flow have returned to comfortable levels. 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 March 31, 2024, the Company had $105.6 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.
The Company believes that the cash balance at March 31, 2024 along with anticipated internally-generated funds will be sufficient to meet the Company’s expected cash requirements for at least the next twelve months and beyond.
Operating Cash Flows
Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023
Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $99.2 million in fiscal 2024 from $82.3 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of $16.9 million. The increase in cash flow from operating activities was primarily due to an increase in net income of $9.9 million during fiscal 2024.
Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $82.3 million in fiscal 2023 from $67.2 million in fiscal 2022, an increase of $15.1 million. The increase in cash flow from operating activities was primarily due to the fact that during fiscal 2023, revenues increased while accounts receivable remained flat due to strong collections. During fiscal 2022, accounts receivable increased which caused a decrease in operating cash flow.
37
Investing Activities
Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023
Net cash flow used in investing activities increased to $29.2 million in fiscal 2024 from $26.3 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of $2.9 million. This increase in investing activity was primarily due to an increase in software development efforts. The Company expects future expenditures for property and equipment to increase if revenues increase.
Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
Net cash flow used in investing activities decreased to $26.3 million in fiscal 2023 from $29.8 million in fiscal 2022, a decrease of $3.5 million. The Company reduced its spending on furniture and leasehold improvements as the Company reduced its lease footprint.
Financing Activities
Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023
Net cash flow used in financing activities decreased to $35.8 million in fiscal 2024 from $82.1 million in fiscal 2023, a decrease of $46.4 million. During fiscal 2024, the Company spent $45.7 million to repurchase 215,313 shares of its common stock (at an average price of $212.29 per share). During fiscal 2023, the Company spent $93.7 million to repurchase 598,241 shares of its common stock (at an average price of $159.14 per share).
If the Company continues to generate cash flow from operating activities, the Company may continue to repurchase shares of its common stock on the open market, if authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors pursuant to the Company's stock repurchase program, or seek to identify other businesses to acquire. The Company has historically used cash provided by operating activities and from the exercise of stock options to repurchase stock. The Company expects that it may use some of the cash on the balance sheet at March 31, 2024 to repurchase additional shares of its common stock in the future.
Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022
Net cash flow used in financing activities increased to $82.1 million in fiscal 2023 from $79.6 million in fiscal 2022, an increase of $2.5 million. During fiscal 2023, the Company spent $93.7 million to repurchase 598,241 shares of its common stock (at an average price of $156.58 per share). During fiscal 2022, the Company spent $90 million to repurchase 566,073 shares of its common stock (at an average price of $159.14 per share).
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, in the aggregate, would be material to the consolidated 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. The Company does not believe these impacts were material to its revenues or net income in fiscal 2024; however, the Company believes inflation could have a material impact to pricing and operating expenses in future years due to the state of the economy and current inflation rates.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These accounting principles require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements.
We periodically evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those relating to revenue recognition, leases, allowance for uncollectible accounts, goodwill and long-lived assets, accrual for self-insured costs, accounting for income taxes, legal and other contingencies, share-based compensation, and software development costs. We base our estimates on historical experience and various assumptions that we believe to be reasonable based on specific circumstances. Such estimates and assumptions could change in the
38
future as more information becomes known, which could impact the amounts reported and disclosed herein. We believe the following significant accounting estimates may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity. The following is not intended to be a comprehensive list of our accounting policies. See Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for other significant accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recognized when control of the promised services is 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 billed accounts receivable are expected to be collected in 30 days in accordance with the underlying payment terms. 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. 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 in the amount that the Company concludes is probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur in future periods.
In transactions related to third-party service revenue, which includes pharmacy, directed care services and other services provided by the Company’s integrated network solutions services, the Company is considered the principal, 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 customer contracts. The Company has the ability to influence contractual fees with customers and possesses 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 cost of revenue in the Company’s consolidated income statements.
Leases: The Company determines if an arrangement includes a lease at inception. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term; and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the lease, renewal date of the lease or significant remodeling of the lease space based on the present value of the remaining future minimum lease payments. Leases with a term greater than one year are recognized on the balance sheet as right-of-use assets and short-term and long-term lease liabilities, as applicable.
Operating and financing lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are initially recorded based on the present value of lease payments over the expected remaining lease term. The interest rate implicit in lease contracts is typically not readily determinable. As a result, we utilize our incremental borrowing rate to discount lease payments, which reflects the fixed rate at which we could borrow on a collateralized basis the amount of the lease payments in the same currency, for a similar term, in a similar economic environment. The Company’s leases may include options to extend or terminate the lease which are included in the lease term when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise any such options. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Allowance for Expected Credit Losses: The Company determines its allowance for uncollectible accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the customers’ current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible.
The Company must make significant judgments and estimates in determining contractual and bad debt allowances in any accounting period. One significant uncertainty inherent in the Company’s analysis is whether its past experience will be indicative of future periods. Although the Company considers future projections when estimating contractual and bad debt allowances, the Company ultimately makes its decisions based on the best information available to it at the time the decision is made. Adverse changes in general economic conditions or trends in reimbursement amounts for the Company’s services could affect the Company’s contractual and bad debt allowance estimates, collection of accounts receivable, cash flows, and results of operations. One customer accounted for 10% or more of accounts receivable at March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets: Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets of the acquired business. Pursuant to ASC 350-10 through ASC 350-30, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” goodwill is tested annually for impairment or more frequently if circumstances indicate the potential for impairment. Also, management tests for impairment of its amortizable intangible assets and long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The impairment test is conducted at the company
39
level. The measurement of fair value is based on an evaluation of market capitalization. Management considers industry growth rates and trends and cost structure changes. Based on the Company’s tests and reviews, no impairment of its goodwill, intangible assets, or other long-lived assets existed at March 31, 2024 or March 31, 2023. However, future events or changes in current circumstances could affect the recoverability of the carrying value of goodwill and long-lived assets.
Accrual for Self-insurance Costs: The Company accrues for the group medical costs and workers’ compensation costs of its employees based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported as of each balance sheet date. The Company determines its estimated self-insurance reserves based upon historical trends along with outstanding claims information provided by its claims paying agents. However, it is possible that recorded accruals may not be adequate to cover the future payment of claims. Adjustments, if any, to estimated accruals resulting from ultimate claim payments will be reflected in earnings during the periods in which such adjustments are determined. The Company’s self-insured liabilities contain uncertainties because management is required to make assumptions and judgments to estimate the ultimate cost to settle reported claims and claims incurred but not reported at the balance sheet date.
The Company does not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions used to calculate its self-insured liabilities. However, if actual results are not consistent with these estimates or assumptions, the Company may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.
Accounting for Income Taxes: The Company records a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of its reported results of operations. The provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently-enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those tax assets are expected to be realized or settled. The Company records a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized.
The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Management believes it is more likely than not that forecasted income, including income that may be generated as a result of certain tax planning strategies, together with future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, will be sufficient to fully recover the deferred tax assets. In the event that the Company determines all or part of the net deferred tax assets are not realizable in the future, the Company will make an adjustment to the valuation allowance that would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. In addition, the calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of GAAP and complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with management’s expectations could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition and operating results. The significant assumptions and estimates described above are important contributors to our ultimate effective tax rate in each year.
Legal and Other Contingencies: As discussed in Part I, Item 3 of this annual report, “Legal Proceedings” and in Note 10, “Contingencies and Legal Proceedings” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements, the Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company records a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. There is significant judgment required in both the probability determination and as to whether an exposure can be reasonably estimated. The outcomes of legal proceedings and claims brought against the Company are subject to significant uncertainty.
Share-Based Compensation: The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation”. Under ASC 718, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the employee’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant). For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded share-based compensation expense of $4,982,000.
The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Key input assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the exercise price of the award, the expected option term, the expected volatility of the Company’s stock over the option’s expected term, the risk-free interest rate over the option’s term, and the Company’s expected annual dividend yield. The Company issues 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
40
targets are determined to be probable of being achieved, which triggers the vesting of the performance options. The Company’s management believes that this valuation technique and the approach utilized to develop the underlying assumptions are appropriate in calculating the fair values of the Company’s stock options granted in fiscal 2024. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by persons who receive equity awards.
The Company does not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to determine stock-based compensation expense. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to changes in stock-based compensation expense that could be material.
Software Development Costs: Development costs incurred in the research and development of new software products and enhancements to existing software products for internal use are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established. After technological feasibility is established, any additional external software development costs are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated economic life of the related product, which is typically five years. The Company performs an annual review of the estimated economic life and the recoverability of such capitalized software costs. If a determination is made that capitalized amounts are not recoverable based on the estimated cash flows to be generated from the applicable software, any remaining capitalized amounts are written off. Although the Company believes that its approach to estimates and judgments as described herein is reasonable, actual results could differ and the Company may be exposed to increases or decreases in revenue that could be material.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, a new accounting standard to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with retrospective application permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires more detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with retrospective application required. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
41