# HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA)

Informational only - not investment advice.

CIK: 0000860730
SIC: 8062 Services-General Medical & Surgical Hospitals, NEC
SIC breadcrumb: [Services](/division/I/) > [SIC Major Group 80](/major-group/80/) > [SIC 8062 Services-General Medical & Surgical Hospitals, NEC](/industry/8062/)
Latest 10-K filed: 2026-02-10
SEC page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=860730
Filing source: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/860730/000119312526044769/hca-20251231.htm

## Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
| --- | ---: | --- | ---: | --- |
| Revenue | 75600000000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-10 |
| Net income | 6784000000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-10 |
| Assets | 60720000000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-10 |

## Financials

Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-10. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000860730.json. Derived margins are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.

| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Revenue |  |  |  | 51,336,000,000 | 51,533,000,000 | 58,752,000,000 | 60,233,000,000 | 64,968,000,000 | 70,603,000,000 | 75,600,000,000 |
| Net income | 2,890,000,000 | 2,216,000,000 | 3,787,000,000 | 3,505,000,000 | 3,754,000,000 | 6,956,000,000 | 5,643,000,000 | 5,242,000,000 | 5,760,000,000 | 6,784,000,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 7.30 | 5.95 | 10.66 | 10.07 | 10.93 | 21.16 | 19.15 | 18.97 | 22.00 | 28.33 |
| Assets | 33,758,000,000 | 36,593,000,000 | 39,207,000,000 | 45,058,000,000 | 47,490,000,000 | 50,742,000,000 | 52,438,000,000 | 56,211,000,000 | 59,513,000,000 | 60,720,000,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | -7,302,000,000 | -6,806,000,000 | -4,950,000,000 | -2,808,000,000 | 572,000,000 | -933,000,000 | -2,767,000,000 | -1,774,000,000 | -2,499,000,000 | -6,027,000,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 646,000,000 | 732,000,000 | 502,000,000 | 621,000,000 | 1,793,000,000 | 1,451,000,000 | 908,000,000 | 935,000,000 | 1,933,000,000 | 1,040,000,000 |
| Net margin |  |  |  | 6.83% | 7.28% | 11.84% | 9.37% | 8.07% | 8.16% | 8.97% |

## Macro Cross-References
- [CPIAUCSL](/indicator/CPIAUCSL/): Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- [UNRATE](/indicator/UNRATE/): Unemployment Rate
- [FEDFUNDS](/indicator/FEDFUNDS/): Federal Funds Effective Rate
- [CES0500000003](/indicator/CES0500000003/): Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- [DFEDTARU](/indicator/DFEDTARU/): Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- [DFEDTARL](/indicator/DFEDTARL/): Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- [DGS3MO](/indicator/DGS3MO/): Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- [DGS2](/indicator/DGS2/): Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- [DGS10](/indicator/DGS10/): Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- [DGS30](/indicator/DGS30/): Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- [T10Y2Y](/indicator/T10Y2Y/): 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- [CPILFESL](/indicator/CPILFESL/): Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- [CPIUFDSL](/indicator/CPIUFDSL/): Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- [CPIENGSL](/indicator/CPIENGSL/): Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- [CUSR0000SAH1](/indicator/CUSR0000SAH1/): Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- [PCEPI](/indicator/PCEPI/): Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- [PCEPILFE](/indicator/PCEPILFE/): Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- [PPIACO](/indicator/PPIACO/): Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- [T10YIE](/indicator/T10YIE/): 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- [U6RATE](/indicator/U6RATE/): Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- [PAYEMS](/indicator/PAYEMS/): All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- [CIVPART](/indicator/CIVPART/): Labor Force Participation Rate
- [EMRATIO](/indicator/EMRATIO/): Employment-Population Ratio
- [UNEMPLOY](/indicator/UNEMPLOY/): Unemployed
- [CE16OV](/indicator/CE16OV/): Employment Level
- [ICSA](/indicator/ICSA/): Initial Claims
- [JTSJOL](/indicator/JTSJOL/): Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- [JTSQUR](/indicator/JTSQUR/): Quits: Total Nonfarm
- [GDPC1](/indicator/GDPC1/): Real Gross Domestic Product
- [A191RL1Q225SBEA](/indicator/A191RL1Q225SBEA/): Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- [INDPRO](/indicator/INDPRO/): Industrial Production: Total Index
- [TCU](/indicator/TCU/): Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- [HOUST](/indicator/HOUST/): New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- [PERMIT](/indicator/PERMIT/): New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- [RSAFS](/indicator/RSAFS/): Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- [PCE](/indicator/PCE/): Personal Consumption Expenditures
- [DSPIC96](/indicator/DSPIC96/): Real Disposable Personal Income
- [PSAVERT](/indicator/PSAVERT/): Personal Saving Rate
- [M2SL](/indicator/M2SL/): M2
- [BOPGSTB](/indicator/BOPGSTB/): U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance

## Latest 10-K MD&A

Extracted between Item 7 and the next Item 7A/8 heading after HTML sanitization.
Confidence: high

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The accompanying consolidated financial statements present certain information with respect to the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of HCA Healthcare, Inc. which should be read in conjunction with the following discussion and analysis. The terms “HCA,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us,” as used herein, refer to HCA Healthcare, Inc. and its affiliates. The term “affiliates” means direct and indirect subsidiaries of HCA Healthcare, Inc. and partnerships and joint ventures in which such subsidiaries are partners.

Forward-Looking Statements

This annual report on Form 10-K includes certain disclosures that contain “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding expected capital expenditures, expected dividends, expected share repurchases, expected net claim payments, expected inflationary pressures and all other statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and can be identified by the use of words like “may,” “believe,” “will,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “initiative” or “continue.” These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown uncertainties and risks, many of which are beyond our control, which could significantly affect current plans and expectations and our future financial position and results of operations. These factors include, but are not limited to, (1) changes in or related to general economic or business conditions nationally and regionally in our markets, including inflation and the impact of trade policies, including changes in, or the imposition of, tariffs and/or trade barriers; changes in revenues resulting from declining patient volumes; changes in payer mix (including increases in uninsured and underinsured patients); potential increased expenses related to labor, pharmaceuticals, supply chain or other expenditures; workforce disruptions; supply and pharmaceutical shortages and disruptions (including as a result of tariffs or geopolitical disruptions); and the impact of federal government shutdowns, holds on or cancellations of congressionally authorized spending and interruptions in the distribution of governmental funds, (2) the impact of current and future health care public policy developments and the implementation of new, and possible changes to existing, federal, state or local laws and regulations affecting the health care industry, including the expiration at the end of 2025 of enhanced premium tax credits (“EPTCs”) for eligible individuals purchasing insurance coverage through federal and state-based health insurance marketplaces, changes in the structure and administration of, and funding for, federal and state agencies and programs, and effects of the 2025 Federal Budget Act (the “FBA”), (3) the impact of our significant indebtedness and the ability to refinance such indebtedness on acceptable terms, (4) the effects related to the implementation of sequestration spending reductions required under the Budget Control Act of 2011, related legislation extending these reductions, and the potential for future deficit or other spending reduction legislation that may alter current spending reductions, which include cuts to Medicare payments, or impose additional spending reductions, (5) the ability to achieve operating and financial targets, develop and execute resiliency plans to offset to the extent possible impacts from the FBA, the expiration of EPTCs and tariffs, attain expected levels of patient volumes and revenues, and control the costs of providing services, (6) possible reductions or other changes in Medicare, Medicaid and other state programs, including Medicaid supplemental payment programs, Medicaid waiver programs and state directed payment arrangements, any of which may negatively impact reimbursements to health care providers and insurers and the size of the uninsured or underinsured population, (7) the results of our efforts to use technology and resilience initiatives, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to drive efficiencies, better outcomes and an enhanced patient experience, (8) increases in the amount and risk of collectability of uninsured accounts and deductibles and copayment amounts for insured accounts, (9) personnel-related capacity constraints, increases in wages and the ability to attract, utilize and retain qualified management and other personnel, including affiliated physicians, nurses and medical and technical support personnel, (10) the highly competitive nature of the health care business, (11) changes in service mix, revenue mix and service volumes, including potential declines in the population covered under third-party payer agreements, the ability to enter into and renew third-party payer provider agreements on acceptable terms and the impact of consumer-driven health plans and physician utilization trends and practices, (12) the efforts of health insurers, health care providers, large employer groups and others to contain health care costs, (13) the outcome of our continuing efforts to monitor, maintain and comply with appropriate laws, regulations, policies and procedures, (14) the availability and terms of capital to fund the expansion of our business and improvements to our existing facilities, (15) changes in accounting practices, (16) the emergence of and effects related to pandemics, epidemics and outbreaks of infectious diseases or other public health crises, (17) future divestitures which may result in charges and possible impairments of long-lived assets, (18) changes in business strategy or development plans, (19) delays in receiving payments for services provided, (20) the outcome of pending and any future tax audits, disputes and litigation associated with our tax positions, (21) the impact of known and unknown government investigations, litigation and other claims that may be made against us, (22) the impact of actual and potential cybersecurity incidents or security breaches involving us or our vendors and other third parties, (23) our ongoing ability to demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record technology and the impact of interoperability requirements, (24) the impact of natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods, including Hurricanes Milton and Helene, physical risks from changing global weather patterns or similar events beyond our control on our assets and activities and the communities we serve, (25) changes in U.S. federal, state, or foreign tax laws, interpretations of tax laws by taxing authorities, other standard setting bodies or judicial decisions, (26) changes to, and the timing and amount of future approvals (if any) of, state Medicaid directed and supplemental payments and (27) other risk factors described in this annual report on Form 10-K. As a consequence, current plans, anticipated actions and future financial position and results of operations may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of HCA. You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this report, which forward-looking statements reflect management’s views only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

57

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

2025 Operations Summary

Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc. totaled $6.784 billion, or $28.33 per diluted share, for 2025, compared to $5.760 billion, or $22.00 per diluted share, for 2024. The 2025 and 2024 results include gains on sales of facilities of $37 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, and $14 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, respectively. The 2024 results also include additional expenses and losses of revenues estimated at approximately $250 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, related to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which impacted our facilities in North Carolina and certain facilities in Florida. Our provisions for income taxes for 2025 and 2024 include tax benefits of $61 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, and $102 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, respectively, related to employee equity award settlements. All “per diluted share” disclosures are based upon amounts net of the applicable income taxes. Shares used for diluted earnings per share were 239.495 million shares and 261.806 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. During 2025 and 2024, we repurchased 26.739 million and 17.798 million shares, respectively, of our common stock.

Revenues increased to $75.600 billion for 2025 from $70.603 billion for 2024. Revenues increased 7.1% and 6.6%, respectively, on a consolidated basis and on a same facility basis for 2025, compared to 2024. The consolidated revenues increase can be primarily attributed to the combined impact of a 2.9% increase in equivalent admissions and a 4.0% increase in revenue per equivalent admission. The same facility revenues increase resulted primarily from the combined impact of a 2.4% increase in equivalent admissions and a 4.1% increase in revenue per equivalent admission. Our revenues from Medicaid state directed and supplemental payment programs totaled approximately $6.2 billion and $5.5 billion in 2025 and 2024, respectively.

During 2025, consolidated admissions increased 2.7% and same facility admissions increased 2.3%, compared to 2024. Inpatient surgical volumes increased 0.9% on a consolidated basis and 0.4% on a same facility basis during 2025, compared to 2024. Outpatient surgical volumes declined 0.2% on a consolidated basis and 0.5% on a same facility basis during 2025, compared to 2024. Emergency room visits increased 1.6% on a consolidated basis and 1.8% on a same facility basis during 2025, compared to 2024.

The estimated cost of total uncompensated care increased $239 million for 2025, compared to 2024. Consolidated and same facility uninsured admissions increased 1.9% and 1.2%, respectively, and consolidated and same facility uninsured emergency room visits each declined 0.6% for 2025, compared to 2024.

Interest expense totaled $2.248 billion for 2025, compared to $2.061 billion for 2024. The $187 million increase in interest expense for 2025 was primarily due to an increase in the average debt balance.

Cash flows from operating activities increased $2.122 billion, from $10.514 billion for 2024 to $12.636 billion for 2025. The increase in cash flows from operating activities was related primarily to the combined impact of a $1.319 billion increase in net income, excluding gains on sales of facilities and depreciation and amortization, positive changes in working capital of $524 million and a decline in income taxes paid of $104 million.

Business Strategy

We are committed to providing the communities we serve with high quality, convenient and cost-effective health care while growing our business and creating long-term value for our stockholders. We strive to be the health care system of choice in the communities we serve by developing comprehensive networks locally and supporting these networks with enterprise expertise and economies of scale. Our strategy is organized around a framework that seeks to drive sustained growth by delivering operational excellence, attracting exceptional physicians and other health care professionals, developing comprehensive services, creating greater access, and coordinating higher quality care for patients. To achieve these objectives, we align our efforts around the following growth agenda:

Grow Our Presence in Existing Markets. We believe we are well positioned in a number of large and growing markets that will allow us the opportunity to generate long-term, attractive growth through the expansion of our presence in these markets. We plan to continue recruiting and strategically collaborating with the physician community and developing comprehensive service lines such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, orthopedics and women’s services. Additional components of our growth strategy include providing access and convenience through developing various outpatient facilities, including, but not limited to surgery centers, urgent care clinics, freestanding emergency care facilities, imaging centers and home health and hospice services, as well as seeking to improve coordination of care and patient retention across our markets.

58

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Business Strategy (continued)

Achieve Industry-Leading Performance in Clinical, Operational and Satisfaction Measures. Achieving high levels of patient safety, patient satisfaction and clinical quality are central goals of our business. To achieve these goals, we have implemented a number of initiatives including infection reduction initiatives, hospitalist programs, advanced health information technology and evidence-based medicine programs. We routinely analyze operational practices from our best-performing hospitals to identify ways to implement organization-wide performance improvements and reduce clinical variation. We believe these initiatives will continue to improve patient care, help us achieve cost efficiencies and favorably position us in an environment where our constituents are increasingly focused on quality, efficacy and efficiency.

Recruit and Retain Physicians and Other Health Care Professionals to Meet the Need for High Quality Health Services. We depend on the quality and dedication of the health care providers and other team members who serve at our facilities. We believe a critical component of our growth strategy is our ability to successfully recruit and strategically collaborate with physicians and other health care professionals to provide high quality care. We attract and retain physicians and other health care professionals by providing high quality, convenient facilities with advanced technology, by expanding our specialty services and by building our outpatient operations. We believe our continued investment in the employment, recruitment and retention of physicians and other health care professionals will improve the quality of care at our facilities.

Continue to Utilize Economies of Scale to Grow the Company. We believe there is significant opportunity to continue to grow our company by fully utilizing the scale and scope of our organization. We continue to invest in initiatives such as care navigators, clinical data exchange and centralized patient transfer operations, which will enable us to improve coordination of care and patient retention across our markets. We believe our centrally managed business processes and ability to leverage cost-saving practices across our extensive network will enable us to continue to manage costs effectively. We continue to invest in our shared service platforms to deploy key components of our support infrastructure, including revenue cycle management, health care group purchasing, supply chain management and staffing functions.

Pursue a Disciplined Development Strategy. We continue to believe there are significant growth opportunities in our markets. We will continue to provide financial and operational resources to analyze and develop our in-market opportunities. To complement our in-market growth agenda and achieve cost savings and other benefits for the patients and communities we serve, we intend to focus on selectively developing and acquiring new hospitals, outpatient facilities and other health care service providers.

Our strategy also emphasizes investments that seek to advance our clinical systems and digital capabilities, transform care models with innovative care solutions, expand our workforce development programs and enhance our health care networks and partnerships.

Advance Our Digital and Artificial Intelligence Capabilities. We are investing in digital, data, and artificial intelligence capabilities to improve clinical quality, enhance the experience of our patients and colleagues, and drive operational efficiency at scale. We are focused on developing and deploying secure, enterprise-grade digital and AI-enabled solutions that support clinical decision-making, streamline workflows, reduce administrative burden, and improve the coordination of care. Our strategy emphasizes the use of standardized data platforms, advanced analytics, and responsible AI practices to enable scalable innovation across clinical, operational, and administrative functions, while maintaining appropriate governance, privacy, and security controls. We believe these investments will help us improve patient outcomes, address workforce challenges, enhance efficiencies, and strengthen our ability to deliver high-quality, cost-effective care over the long term. However, our ability to realize these expected benefits is subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties.

59

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Our estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis and make changes to the estimates and related disclosures as experience develops or new information becomes known. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Revenues

Revenues are recorded during the period the health care services are provided, based upon the estimated amounts due from payers. Estimates of contractual adjustments under managed care health plans are based upon the payment terms specified in the related contractual agreements. Laws and regulations governing the Medicare and Medicaid programs are complex and subject to interpretation. The estimated reimbursement amounts are made on a payer-specific basis and are recorded based on the best information available regarding management’s interpretation of the applicable laws, regulations and contract terms. Management continually reviews the contractual estimation process to consider and incorporate updates to laws and regulations and the frequent changes in managed care contractual terms resulting from contract renegotiations and renewals. We have invested significant resources to refine and improve our billing systems and the information system data used to make contractual adjustment estimates. We have developed standardized calculation processes and related employee training programs to improve the utility of our patient accounting systems.

Patients treated at hospitals for non-elective care who have income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level are eligible for charity care, and we limit the patient responsibility amounts for these patients to a percentage of their annual household income, computed on a sliding scale based upon their annual income and the applicable percentage of the federal poverty level. Patients treated at hospitals for non-elective care who have income above 400% of the federal poverty level are eligible for certain other discounts which limit the patient responsibility amounts for these patients to a percentage of their annual household income, computed on a sliding scale based upon their annual income and the applicable percentage of the federal poverty level. We apply additional discounts to limit patient responsibility for certain emergency services. The federal poverty level is established by the federal government and is based on income and family size. Because we do not pursue collection of amounts determined to qualify as charity care, they are not reported in revenues. We provide discounts to uninsured patients who do not qualify for Medicaid or charity care. We may provide assistance to uninsured patients to help determine whether they may qualify for Medicaid, other federal or state assistance, or charity care. If an uninsured patient does not qualify for these programs, the uninsured discount is applied.

Implicit price concessions relate primarily to amounts due directly from patients. Estimated implicit price concessions are recorded for all uninsured accounts, regardless of the age of those accounts. Accounts are written off when all reasonable collection efforts have been performed. The estimates for implicit price concessions are based upon management’s assessment of historical writeoffs and expected net collections, business and economic conditions, trends in federal, state and private employer health care coverage and other collection indicators. Management relies on the results of detailed reviews of historical writeoffs and collections at facilities that represent a majority of our revenues and accounts receivable (the “hindsight analysis”) as a primary source of information in estimating the collectability of our accounts receivable. We perform the hindsight analysis quarterly, utilizing rolling twelve-months accounts receivable collection and writeoff data. We believe our quarterly updates to the estimated implicit price concession amounts at each of our hospital facilities provide reasonable estimates of our revenues and valuations of our accounts receivable. These routine, quarterly changes in estimates have not resulted in material adjustments to the valuations of our accounts receivable or period-to-period comparisons of our revenues.

60

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates (continued)

Revenues (continued)

To quantify the total impact of and trends related to uninsured patient accounts, we believe it is beneficial to view total uncompensated care, which is comprised of charity care, uninsured discounts and implicit price concessions. A summary of the estimated cost of total uncompensated care for the years ended December 31, follows (dollars in millions):

2025

2024

2023

Patient care costs (salaries and benefits, supplies, other operating

   expenses and depreciation and amortization)

$

63,635

$

60,056

$

55,341

Cost-to-charges ratio (patient care costs as percentage of gross

   patient charges)

9.6

%

10.1

%

10.5

%

Total uncompensated care

$

47,966

$

43,231

$

35,426

Multiply by the cost-to-charges ratio

9.6

%

10.1

%

10.5

%

Estimated cost of total uncompensated care

$

4,605

$

4,366

$

3,720

Management expects a continuation of the challenges related to collection of patient due accounts. Adverse changes in the percentage of our patients having adequate health care coverage, increases in patient responsibility amounts under certain health care coverages, general economic conditions, patient accounting service center operations, payer mix, or trends in federal, state, and private employer health care coverage could affect the collection of accounts receivable, cash flows and results of operations. See Item 1, “Business — Developments in Health Care Public Policy.”

Professional Liability Reserves

We, along with virtually all health care providers, operate in an environment with professional liability risks. Our facilities are insured by one of our insurance subsidiaries for losses up to $110 million per occurrence ($120 million effective January 1, 2026), subject, in most cases, to a $15 million per occurrence self-insured retention. The insurance subsidiary has obtained reinsurance for professional liability risks generally above a retention level of either $25 million or $35 million per occurrence, depending on the jurisdiction for the related claim. We purchase excess insurance on an occurrence reported basis for losses in excess of amounts insured by our insurance subsidiary. Provisions for losses related to professional liability risks were $651 million, $627 million and $619 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Reserves for professional liability risks represent the estimated ultimate cost of all reported and unreported losses incurred through the respective consolidated balance sheet dates. The estimated ultimate cost includes estimates of direct expenses and fees paid to outside counsel and experts, but does not include the general overhead costs of our insurance subsidiary or corporate office. Individual case reserves are established based upon the particular circumstances of each reported claim and represent our estimates of the future costs that will be paid on reported claims. Case reserves are reduced as claim payments are made and are adjusted upward or downward as our estimates regarding the amounts of future losses are revised. Once the case reserves for known claims are determined, information is stratified by loss layers and retentions, accident years, reported years, and geographic location of our hospitals. Several actuarial methods are employed to utilize this data to produce estimates of ultimate losses and reserves for incurred but not reported claims, including: paid and incurred extrapolation methods utilizing paid and incurred loss development to estimate ultimate losses; frequency and severity methods utilizing paid and incurred claims development to estimate ultimate average frequency (number of claims) and ultimate average severity (cost per claim); and Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods which add expected development to actual paid or incurred experience to estimate ultimate losses. These methods use our company-specific historical claims data and other information. Company-specific claim reporting and payment data collected over an approximate 20-year period is used in our reserve estimation process. This company-specific data includes information regarding our business, including historical paid losses and loss adjustment expenses, historical and current case loss reserves, actual and projected hospital statistical data, professional liability retentions for each policy year, geographic information and other data.

61

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates (Continued)

Professional Liability Reserves (continued)

Reserves and provisions for professional liability risks are based upon actuarially determined estimates. The estimated reserve ranges, net of amounts receivable under reinsurance contracts, were $1.883 billion to $2.251 billion at December 31, 2025 and $1.855 billion to $2.221 billion at December 31, 2024. Our estimated reserves for professional liability risks may change significantly if future claims differ from expected trends. We perform sensitivity analyses which model the volatility of key actuarial assumptions and monitor our reserves for adequacy relative to all our assumptions in the aggregate. Based on our analysis, we believe the estimated professional liability reserve ranges represent the reasonably likely outcomes for ultimate losses. We consider the number and severity of claims to be the most significant assumptions in estimating reserves for professional liabilities. A 2.5% change in the expected frequency trend could be reasonably likely and would increase the reserve estimate by $33 million or reduce the reserve estimate by $32 million. A 2.5% change in the expected claim severity trend could be reasonably likely and would increase the reserve estimate by $126 million or reduce the reserve estimate by $117 million. We believe adequate reserves have been recorded for our professional liability risks; however, due to the complexity of the claims, the extended period of time to resolve the claims and the wide range of potential outcomes, our ultimate liability for professional liability risks could change by more than the estimated sensitivity amounts and could change materially from our current estimates.

The reserves for professional liability risks cover approximately 2,360 and 2,120 individual claims at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and estimates for unreported potential claims. The time period required to resolve these claims can vary depending upon the jurisdiction and whether the claim is settled or litigated. The average time period between the occurrence and final resolution for our professional liability claims is approximately five years, although the facts and circumstances of each individual claim can result in an occurrence-to-resolution timeframe that varies from this average. The estimation of the timing of payments beyond a year can vary significantly.

Reserves for professional liability risks were $2.044 billion and $2.131 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The current portion of these reserves, $578 million and $587 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, is included in “other accrued expenses.” Obligations covered by reinsurance and excess insurance contracts are included in the reserves for professional liability risks, as we remain liable to the extent reinsurers and excess insurance carriers do not meet their obligations. Reserves for professional liability risks (net of $47 million and $80 million receivable under reinsurance and excess insurance contracts at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively) were $1.997 billion and $2.051 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The estimated total net reserves for professional liability risks at December 31, 2025 and 2024 are comprised of $1.124 billion and $1.059 billion, respectively, of case reserves for known claims and $873 million and $992 million, respectively, of reserves for incurred but not reported claims. The 2025 increase in case reserves for known claims and the corresponding decrease in reserves for incurred but not reported claims is the result of changes in case management processes at our insurance subsidiary that include establishing case reserve estimates earlier and resolving claims quicker.

Changes in our professional liability reserves, net of reinsurance recoverable, for the years ended December 31, are summarized in the following table (dollars in millions):

2025

2024

2023

Net reserves for professional liability claims, January 1

$

2,051

$

2,047

$

1,983

Provision for current year claims

525

545

573

Unfavorable development related to prior years’ claims

126

82

46

Total provision

651

627

619

Payments for current year claims

12

12

13

Payments for prior years’ claims

690

588

537

Total claim payments

702

600

550

Effect of new retroactive reinsurance contracts

(3

)

(23

)

(5

)

Net reserves for professional liability claims, December 31

$

1,997

$

2,051

$

2,047

62

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates (Continued)

Income Taxes

We calculate our provision for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized by identifying the temporary differences that arise from the recognition of items in different periods for tax and accounting purposes. Deferred tax assets generally represent the tax effects of amounts expensed in our income statement for which tax deductions will be claimed in future periods. Interest and penalties payable to taxing authorities are included as a component of our provision for income taxes. We have elected to treat taxes incurred on global intangible low-taxed income as a period expense.

Although we believe we have properly reported taxable income and paid taxes in accordance with applicable laws, federal, state or foreign taxing authorities may challenge our tax positions upon audit. Significant judgment is required in determining and assessing the impact of uncertain tax positions. We report a liability for unrecognized tax benefits from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in our income tax returns. During each reporting period, we assess the facts and circumstances related to uncertain tax positions. If the realization of unrecognized tax benefits is deemed probable based upon new facts and circumstances, the estimated liability and the provision for income taxes are reduced in the current period. Final audit results may vary from our estimates.

Results of Operations

Revenue/Volume Trends

Our revenues depend upon inpatient occupancy levels, the ancillary services and therapy programs ordered by physicians and provided to patients, the volume of outpatient procedures and the charge and negotiated payment rates for such services. Gross charges typically do not reflect what our facilities are actually paid. Our facilities have entered into agreements with third-party payers, including government programs and managed care health plans, under which the facilities are paid based upon the cost of providing services, predetermined rates per diagnosis, fixed per diem rates or discounts from gross charges. We do not pursue collection of amounts related to patients who meet our guidelines to qualify for charity care; therefore, they are not reported in revenues. We provide discounts to uninsured patients who do not qualify for Medicaid or charity care.

Revenues increased 7.1% to $75.600 billion for 2025 from $70.603 billion for 2024 and increased 8.7% for 2024 from $64.968 billion for 2023. The increase in revenues in 2025 can be primarily attributed to the combined impact of a 2.9% increase in equivalent admissions and a 4.0% increase in revenue per equivalent admission compared to the prior year. The increase in revenues in 2024 can be primarily attributed to the combined impact of a 5.3% increase in equivalent admissions and a 3.2% increase in revenue per equivalent admission compared to the prior year.

Same facility revenues increased 6.6% for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 and increased 7.9% for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The 6.6% increase for 2025 can be primarily attributed to the combined impact of a 2.4% increase in equivalent admissions and a 4.1% increase in revenue per equivalent admission. The 7.9% increase for 2024 can be primarily attributed to the combined impact of a 4.5% increase in equivalent admissions and a 3.2% increase in revenue per equivalent admission.

Consolidated admissions increased 2.7% during 2025 compared to 2024 and increased 5.0% during 2024 compared to 2023. Consolidated inpatient surgical volumes increased 0.9% during 2025 compared to 2024 and increased 2.2% during 2024 compared to 2023. Consolidated outpatient surgical volumes declined 0.2% during 2025 compared to 2024 and declined 1.9% during 2024 compared to 2023. Consolidated emergency room visits increased 1.6% during 2025 compared to 2024 and increased 4.8% during 2024 compared to 2023.

Same facility admissions increased 2.3% during 2025 compared to 2024 and increased 4.9% during 2024 compared to 2023. Same facility inpatient surgical volumes increased 0.4% during 2025 compared to 2024 and increased 2.2% during 2024 compared to 2023. Same facility outpatient surgical volumes declined 0.5% during 2025 compared to 2024 and declined 1.6% during 2024 compared to 2023. Same facility emergency room visits increased 1.8% during 2025 compared to 2024 and increased 4.9% during 2024 compared to 2023.

63

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Results of Operations (continued)

Revenue/Volume Trends (continued)

Same facility uninsured emergency room visits declined 0.6% and same facility uninsured admissions increased 1.2% during 2025 compared to 2024. Same facility uninsured emergency room visits increased 13.5% and same facility uninsured admissions increased 1.0% during 2024 compared to 2023.

The approximate percentages of our admissions related to Medicare, managed Medicare, Medicaid, managed Medicaid, managed care and insurers and the uninsured for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are set forth below.

Years Ended December 31,

2025

2024

2023

Medicare

19

%

20

%

21

%

Managed Medicare

27

26

25

Medicaid

4

4

4

Managed Medicaid

11

11

13

Managed care and insurers

32

32

30

Uninsured

7

7

7

100

%

100

%

100

%

The approximate percentages of our inpatient revenues related to Medicare, managed Medicare, Medicaid, managed Medicaid, and managed care and insurers for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are set forth below.

Years Ended December 31,

2025

2024

2023

Medicare

20

%

20

%

22

%

Managed Medicare

20

19

18

Medicaid

12

10

9

Managed Medicaid

5

6

6

Managed care and insurers

43

45

45

100

%

100

%

100

%

At December 31, 2025, we owned and operated 47 hospitals and 27 surgery centers in the state of Florida. Our Florida facilities’ revenues totaled $17.856 billion, $16.600 billion and $14.990 billion for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. At December 31, 2025, we owned and operated 55 hospitals and 38 surgery centers in the state of Texas. Our Texas facilities’ revenues totaled $20.962 billion, $19.832 billion and $17.871 billion for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During 2025, 2024 and 2023, 59%, 59% and 58%, respectively, of our admissions and 51%, 52% and 51%, respectively, of our revenues were generated by our Florida and Texas facilities. Uninsured admissions in Florida and Texas represented 73%, 74% and 73%, respectively, of our uninsured admissions during 2025, 2024 and 2023.

We receive a significant portion of our revenues from government health programs, principally Medicare and Medicaid, which are highly regulated and subject to frequent and substantial changes. Some states make additional payments to providers through the Medicaid program that are separate from base payments. These payments may be in the form of payments, such as upper payment limit payments, that are intended to address the difference between Medicaid fee-for-service payments and Medicare reimbursement rates, or payments under other programs that vary by state under waivers authorized by Section 1115 of the Social Security Act. In addition, many states have implemented state directed payment (“SDP”) arrangements to direct certain Medicaid managed care plan expenditures. These payments are generally authorized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) and subject to periodic extension or reapproval. Most states in which we receive payment have adopted statewide or local provider taxes to fund the non-federal share of Medicaid programs. SDP arrangements and other additional payments supplement Medicaid base rates, which combined are generally insufficient to cover the cost of care provided to Medicaid beneficiaries after accounting for the costs of financing the non-federal share of Medicaid payments, such as the state or local provider taxes levied.

64

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Results of Operations (continued)

Revenue/Volume Trends (continued)

We are aware these payment programs are currently being reviewed by certain government agencies, and some states requested modifications of their existing supplemental payment programs during the annual renewal process with CMS. It is possible these reviews and requests will result in the restructuring of such supplemental payment programs and could result in the payment programs being reduced or eliminated. Further, the FBA makes significant changes to Medicaid financing mechanisms, including limitations on provider taxes and SDP arrangements. However, the FBA grandfathers certain SDP arrangements, including those for which an application form was submitted to CMS prior to July 4, 2025, for the rating period occurring within 180 days of July 4, 2025, and those that received approval or made a good faith effort to receive approval from CMS prior to May 1, 2025. Certain states in which we operate have submitted application forms to CMS for approval where the grandfathered payments we receive could be impacted, and in some instances, increased. Beginning with the rating period on or after January 1, 2028, grandfathered payments will be reduced by 10 percentage points annually until they reach the allowable payment limits. Some states have received approval of grandfathered applications, but we are unable to predict the timing or extent of any additional approvals by CMS and the resulting recognition of the related revenues. Excluding the expected impact of any additional approvals, we expect revenues from SDP arrangements to decline in 2026 compared to 2025. We also expect certain administrative reforms relating to the Exchanges and the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025 to adversely affect our results of operations in 2026, offset in part by our ongoing resiliency efforts.

Key Performance Indicators

We present certain metrics and statistical information that management uses when assessing our results of operations. We believe this information is useful to investors as it provides insight to how management evaluates operational performance and trends between reporting periods. Information on how these metrics and statistical information are defined is provided in the following tables summarizing operating results and operating data.

65

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Results of Operations (continued)

Operating Results Summary

The following are comparative summaries of operating results and certain operating data for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in millions):

2025

2024

2023

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Revenues

$

75,600

100.0

$

70,603

100.0

$

64,968

100.0

Salaries and benefits

32,859

43.5

31,170

44.1

29,487

45.4

Supplies

11,367

15.0

10,755

15.2

9,902

15.2

Other operating expenses

15,886

21.0

14,819

21.0

12,875

19.8

Equity in earnings of affiliates

(78

)

(0.1

)

(23

)

—

(22

)

—

Depreciation and amortization

3,523

4.6

3,312

4.7

3,077

4.7

Interest expense

2,248

3.0

2,061

2.9

1,938

3.0

Losses (gains) on sales of facilities

(37

)

—

(14

)

—

5

—

65,768

87.0

62,080

87.9

57,262

88.1

Income before income taxes

9,832

13.0

8,523

12.1

7,706

11.9

Provision for income taxes

2,050

2.7

1,866

2.7

1,615

2.5

Net income

7,782

10.3

6,657

9.4

6,091

9.4

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

998

1.3

897

1.2

849

1.3

Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.

$

6,784

9.0

$

5,760

8.2

$

5,242

8.1

% changes from prior year:

Revenues

7.1

%

8.7

%

7.9

%

Income before income taxes

15.4

10.6

(10.2

)

Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.

17.8

9.9

(7.1

)

Admissions(a)

2.7

5.0

2.7

Equivalent admissions(b)

2.9

5.3

4.9

Revenue per equivalent admission

4.0

3.2

2.8

Same facility % changes from prior year(c):

Revenues

6.6

7.9

7.6

Admissions(a)

2.3

4.9

3.3

Equivalent admissions(b)

2.4

4.5

4.8

Revenue per equivalent admission

4.1

3.2

2.7

(a)
Represents the total number of patients admitted to our hospitals and is used by management and certain investors as a general measure of inpatient volume.

(b)
Equivalent admissions are used by management and certain investors as a general measure of combined inpatient and outpatient volume. Equivalent admissions are computed by multiplying admissions (inpatient volume) by the sum of gross inpatient revenue and gross outpatient revenue and then dividing the resulting amount by gross inpatient revenue. The equivalent admissions computation “equates” outpatient revenue to the volume measure (admissions) used to measure inpatient volume, resulting in a general measure of combined inpatient and outpatient volume.

(c)
Same facility information excludes the operations of hospitals and their related facilities that were either acquired, divested or removed from service during the current and prior year.

66

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Results of Operations (continued)

Operating Results Summary (continued)

Operating Data:

2025

2024

2023

Number of hospitals at end of period

190

190

186

Number of freestanding outpatient surgery centers at end of period(a)

121

124

124

Number of licensed beds at end of period(b)

50,436

49,985

49,588

Weighted average beds in service(c)

42,901

42,633

41,873

Admissions(d)

2,297,065

2,236,595

2,130,728

Equivalent admissions(e)

4,107,152

3,990,085

3,788,434

Average length of stay (days)(f)

4.8

4.8

4.9

Average daily census(g)

29,899

29,581

28,721

Occupancy rate(h)

73

%

73

%

72

%

Emergency room visits(i)

9,946,962

9,789,265

9,342,783

Outpatient surgeries(j)

1,022,812

1,024,998

1,044,415

Inpatient surgeries(k)

545,405

540,704

528,845

Days revenues in accounts receivable(l)

51

54

53

Outpatient revenues as a % of patient revenues(m)

38

%

38

%

38

%

(a)
Excludes freestanding endoscopy centers (31 at December 31, 2025, 26 at December 31, 2024 and 24 at December 31, 2023).

(b)
Licensed beds are those beds for which a facility has been granted approval to operate from the applicable state licensing agency.

(c)
Represents the average number of beds in service, weighted based on periods owned.

(d)
Represents the total number of patients admitted to our hospitals and is used by management and certain investors as a general measure of inpatient volume.

(e)
Equivalent admissions are used by management and certain investors as a general measure of combined inpatient and outpatient volume. Equivalent admissions are computed by multiplying admissions (inpatient volume) by the sum of gross inpatient revenue and gross outpatient revenue and then dividing the resulting amount by gross inpatient revenue. The equivalent admissions computation “equates” outpatient revenue to the volume measure (admissions) used to measure inpatient volume, resulting in a general measure of combined inpatient and outpatient volume.

(f)
Represents the average number of days admitted patients stay in our hospitals.

(g)
Represents the average number of admitted patients in our hospital beds each day.

(h)
Represents the percentage of hospital beds in service that are occupied by patients (admitted and observations). Both average daily census and occupancy rate provide measures of the utilization of inpatient rooms.

(i)
Represents the number of patients treated in our emergency rooms.

(j)
Represents the number of surgeries performed on patients who were not admitted to our hospitals. Pain management and endoscopy procedures are not included in outpatient surgeries.

(k)
Represents the number of surgeries performed on patients who have been admitted to our hospitals. Pain management and endoscopy procedures are not included in inpatient surgeries.

(l)
Revenues per day is calculated by dividing the revenues for the fourth quarter of each year by the days in the quarter. Days revenues in accounts receivable is then calculated as accounts receivable at the end of the period divided by revenues per day.

(m)
Represents the percentage of patient revenues related to patients who are not admitted to our hospitals.

67

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Results of Operations (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024

Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc. totaled $6.784 billion, or $28.33 per diluted share, for 2025, compared to $5.760 billion, or $22.00 per diluted share, for 2024. The 2025 and 2024 results include gains on sales of facilities of $37 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, and $14 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, respectively. The 2024 results also include additional expenses and losses of revenues estimated at approximately $250 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, related to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which impacted our facilities in North Carolina and certain facilities in Florida. Our provisions for income taxes for 2025 and 2024 include tax benefits of $61 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, and $102 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, respectively, related to employee equity award settlements. All “per diluted share” disclosures are based upon amounts net of the applicable income taxes. Shares used for diluted earnings per share were 239.495 million shares and 261.806 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. During 2025 and 2024, we repurchased 26.739 million and 17.798 million shares, respectively, of our common stock.

During 2025, consolidated admissions increased 2.7% and same facility admissions increased 2.3% compared to 2024. Consolidated inpatient surgeries increased 0.9% and same facility inpatient surgeries increased 0.4% during 2025 compared to 2024. Emergency room visits increased 1.6% on a consolidated basis and increased 1.8% on a same facility basis during 2025 compared to 2024.

Revenues increased 7.1% to $75.600 billion for 2025 from $70.603 billion for 2024. The increase in revenues was due primarily to the combined impact of a 2.9% increase in equivalent admissions and a 4.0% increase in revenue per equivalent admission compared to 2024. Same facility revenues increased 6.6% due primarily to the combined impact of a 2.4% increase in equivalent admissions and a 4.1% increase in revenue per equivalent admission compared to 2024. Our revenues from Medicaid state directed and supplemental payment programs totaled approximately $6.2 billion and $5.5 billion in 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Salaries and benefits, as a percentage of revenues, were 43.5% in 2025 and 44.1% in 2024. Salaries and benefits per equivalent admission increased 2.4% in 2025 compared to 2024. Same facility salaries and benefits per full time equivalent increased 3.3% for 2025 compared to 2024. We continue to utilize certain contract, overtime and other premium rate labor costs to support our clinical staff and patients. While these labor costs have declined compared to the prior year period, future costs may be affected by labor market conditions and other factors. Share-based compensation expense was $401 million in 2025 and $360 million in 2024.

Supplies, as a percentage of revenues, were 15.0% in 2025 and 15.2% in 2024. Supply costs per equivalent admission increased 2.7% in 2025 compared to 2024. Supply costs per equivalent admission increased 7.0% for medical devices and 0.3% for general medical and surgical items, but declined 4.0% for pharmacy supplies in 2025 compared to 2024. The increase in supply costs per equivalent admission for medical devices is primarily related to cardiovascular technologies. The decline in supply costs per equivalent admission for pharmacy supplies is primarily related to a decrease in the costs of certain drugs.

Other operating expenses, as a percentage of revenues, were 21.0% in both 2025 and 2024. Other operating expenses are primarily comprised of contract services, professional fees, repairs and maintenance, rents and leases, utilities, insurance (including professional liability insurance) and nonincome taxes. We have seen inflation have a negative impact on certain of these expenses and expect inflationary pressures will continue to impact operating expenses in 2026.

Equity in earnings of affiliates was $78 million for 2025 and $23 million for 2024.

Depreciation and amortization, as a percentage of revenues, were 4.6% in 2025 and 4.7% in 2024. Depreciation expense was $3.508 billion for 2025 and $3.294 billion for 2024. The increase of $214 million in depreciation expense relates primarily to capital expenditures at our existing facilities.

Interest expense increased to $2.248 billion for 2025 from $2.061 billion for 2024. The $187 million increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase in the average debt balance. The average effective interest rate for our long-term debt was 5.0% for both 2025 and 2024. Our average debt balance was $44.731 billion for 2025 compared to $41.388 billion for 2024.

Gains on sales of facilities were $37 million for 2025 and $14 million for 2024.

68

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Results of Operations (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 (continued)

The effective income tax rate was 23.2% for 2025 and 24.5% for 2024, excluding net income attributable to noncontrolling interests as it relates to consolidated partnerships. The decline in the effective tax rate for 2025 is due to a net increase in our 2024 tax provision related to an internal restructuring of certain affiliates and adjustments to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits. Our provisions for income taxes for 2025 and 2024 included tax benefits of $61 million and $102 million, respectively, related to employee equity award settlements.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased from $897 million for 2024 to $998 million for 2025. The increase in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests related primarily to the operations of two of our Texas markets.

For results of operations comparisons relating to years ending December 31, 2024 and 2023, refer to our annual report on Form 10-K, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 13, 2025.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary cash requirements are paying our operating expenses, servicing our debt, capital expenditures on our existing properties, acquisitions of hospitals and health care entities, repurchases of our common stock, dividends to stockholders and distributions to noncontrolling interests. Our primary cash sources are from operating activities, issuances of debt securities and sales of hospitals and health care entities.

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $12.636 billion in 2025 compared to $10.514 billion in 2024 and $9.431 billion in 2023. The $2.122 billion increase in cash provided by operating activities for 2025, compared to 2024, was related primarily to the combined impact of a $1.319 billion increase in net income, excluding gains on sales of facilities and depreciation and amortization, positive changes in working capital of $524 million and a decline in income taxes paid of $104 million. The $1.083 billion increase in cash provided by operating activities for 2024, compared to 2023, was related primarily to an increase in net income of $542 million, excluding losses and gains on sales of facilities, and a positive change in working capital items of $351 million, mainly from a decline in inventories and other assets. Cash payments for interest and income taxes increased $165 million for 2025 compared to 2024. We had negative working capital of $567 million at December 31, 2025 and positive working capital of $1.237 billion at December 31, 2024. The decline in working capital is primarily due to the decline of $893 million in cash and cash equivalents and an increase in current liabilities of $1.173 billion, including $2.207 billion of outstanding commercial paper notes (short-term borrowings). We have the ability to refinance our outstanding commercial paper notes with our senior unsecured credit facility on a long-term basis. Excluding the impact of our outstanding commercial paper notes, our working capital at December 31, 2025 would have been $1.640 billion.

Cash used in investing activities was $4.988 billion, $4.933 billion and $5.317 billion in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Excluding acquisitions, capital expenditures were $4.944 billion in 2025, $4.875 billion in 2024 and $4.744 billion in 2023. Planned capital expenditures are expected to approximate between $5.0 billion and $5.5 billion in 2026. At December 31, 2025, there were projects under construction which had an estimated additional cost to complete and equip over the next five years of approximately $7.1 billion. We expect to fund capital expenditures with internally generated and borrowed funds. We expended $397 million, $266 million and $635 million for acquisitions of hospitals and health care entities during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Cash flows from sales of hospitals and health care entities were $269 million of net proceeds for 2025, $328 million of net proceeds for 2024 and $193 million of net proceeds for 2023.

69

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Liquidity and Capital Resources (continued)

Cash used in financing activities totaled $8.550 billion in 2025, $4.582 billion in 2024 and $4.094 billion in 2023. During 2025, we had a net increase of $3.287 billion in our indebtedness, paid dividends of $679 million and paid $10.067 billion for repurchases of common stock. During 2024, we had a net increase of $3.205 billion in our indebtedness, paid dividends of $690 million and paid $6.042 billion for repurchases of common stock. During 2023, we had a net increase of $1.295 billion in our indebtedness, paid dividends of $661 million and paid $3.811 billion for repurchases of common stock. During 2025, 2024 and 2023, we made distributions to noncontrolling interests of $827 million, $711 million and $640 million, respectively.

We, or our affiliates, may in the future repurchase portions of our debt or equity securities, subject to certain limitations, from time to time in either the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC and other legal requirements. The timing, prices, and sizes of purchases depend upon prevailing trading prices, general economic and market conditions, and other factors, including applicable securities laws.

During January 2024, January 2025 and January 2026, our Board of Directors authorized $6 billion, $10 billion and $10 billion, respectively, for share repurchases of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The January 2024 authorization was completed during 2025, and at December 31, 2025, there was $750 million of share repurchase authorization that remained available under the January 2025 authorization. Funds for the repurchase of debt or equity securities have, and are expected to, come primarily from cash generated from operations and borrowed funds.

During 2025, our Board of Directors declared four quarterly dividends of $0.72 per share, or $2.88 per share in the aggregate, on our common stock. On January 26, 2026, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.78 per share on our common stock payable on March 31, 2026 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 17, 2026. The timing and amount of future cash dividends will vary based on a number of factors, including future capital requirements for strategic transactions, share repurchases and investing in our existing markets, the availability of financing on acceptable terms, debt service requirements, changes to applicable tax laws or corporate laws, changes to our business model and periodic determinations by our Board of Directors that cash dividends are in the best interest of stockholders and are in compliance with all applicable laws and agreements of the Company.

In addition to cash flows from operations, available sources of capital include amounts available under our senior unsecured credit facility ($5.779 billion and $5.664 billion available as of December 31, 2025 and January 31, 2026, respectively, after giving effect to all issued and outstanding letters of credit and our intention to maintain a minimum available borrowing capacity equal to the aggregate amount outstanding under the commercial paper program ($2.207 billion and $2.322 billion as of December 31, 2025 and January 31, 2026, respectively) and anticipated access to public and private debt markets.

Investments of our insurance subsidiaries, held to maintain statutory equity levels and to provide liquidity to pay claims, totaled $588 million and $657 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. An insurance subsidiary maintained net reserves for professional liability risks of $91 million and $127 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our facilities are insured by one of our insurance subsidiaries for losses up to $110 million per occurrence ($120 million effective January 1, 2026); however, this coverage is subject, in most cases, to a $15 million per occurrence self-insured retention. Net reserves for the self-insured professional liability risks retained were $1.906 billion and $1.924 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Claims payments, net of reinsurance recoveries, during the next 12 months are expected to approximate $568 million. We estimate that approximately $524 million of the expected net claim payments during the next 12 months will relate to claims subject to the self-insured retention.

Financing Activities

We have significant debt service requirements. Our debt totaled $46.492 billion and $43.031 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our interest expense was $2.248 billion for 2025 and $2.061 billion for 2024.

70

HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Liquidity and Capital Resources (continued)

Financing Activities (continued)

During 2025, we entered into a new credit agreement that provides for $8.000 billion of senior unsecured revolving credit commitments with a term of five years (“senior unsecured credit facility”). Borrowings under the senior unsecured credit facility bear interest at a rate equal to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus 1.125% (plus, until October 23, 2025, a 0.10% credit spread adjustment, as the unsecured credit facility was amended on that date to remove the credit spread adjustment). We terminated our $4.500 billion senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, our $3.500 billion senior secured revolving cash flow credit facility and our senior secured term loan facility of $1.238 billion. Finance leases and other secured debt totaled $1.021 billion at December 31, 2025.

During 2025, we issued $5.250 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes comprised of (i) $700 million aggregate principal amount of 5.000% senior notes due 2028, (ii) $300 million aggregate principal amount of floating rate senior notes due 2028, (iii) $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.250% senior notes due 2030, (iv) $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.500% senior notes due 2032, (v) $1.500 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.750% senior notes due 2035 and (vi) $1.250 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.200% senior notes due 2055. We used the net proceeds to repay borrowings under the senior unsecured credit facility and for general corporate purposes.

During 2025, we also issued $3.250 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes comprised of (i) $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.300% senior notes due 2030, (ii) $1.000 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.600% senior notes due 2032, (iii) $1.000 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.900% senior notes due 2035 and (iv) $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.700% senior notes due 2055. We used the net proceeds to repay borrowings under the commercial paper program and for general corporate purposes.

During 2025, we established a commercial paper program under which we may issue unsecured commercial paper notes from time to time up to a maximum aggregate face or principal amount of $4.000 billion outstanding at any time. Amounts available under the program may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time to time. The maturities of the commercial paper notes borrowings may vary, but will not exceed 397 days from the date of issue, and the proceeds from the program will be used for general corporate purposes. In connection with the commercial paper program, we intend to maintain a minimum available borrowing capacity under our $8.000 billion senior unsecured credit facility equal to the aggregate amount outstanding under the commercial paper program. At December 31, 2025, we had $2.207 billion of commercial paper outstanding, and there were no borrowings outstanding under our senior unsecured credit facility.

During 2025, we repaid at maturity all $2.600 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior notes, all $1.400 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior notes, $291 million aggregate principal amount of 7.69% senior notes and $125 million aggregate principal amount of 7.58% medium-term notes. We also redeemed all $1.500 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior notes due 2026.

Management believes that cash flows from operations, amounts available under our senior unsecured credit facility and our anticipated access to public and private debt markets will be sufficient to meet expected liquidity needs for the foreseeable future.

All of the senior notes issued by HCA Inc. in 2014 or later are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by HCA Healthcare, Inc. The combined assets, liabilities, and results of operations of HCA Healthcare, Inc. and HCA Inc. are not materially different than the corresponding amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements of HCA Healthcare, Inc. As a result, summarized financial information of HCA Healthcare, Inc. and HCA Inc. is not required to be presented under Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X.

Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk related to changes in market values of securities. Our insurance subsidiaries held $588 million of investment securities at December 31, 2025. These investments are carried at fair value, with changes in unrealized gains and losses that are not credit-related being recorded as adjustments to other comprehensive income. At December 31, 2025, we had net unrealized losses of $14 million on the insurance subsidiaries’ investment securities.

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HCA HEALTHCARE, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Market Risk (continued)

We are exposed to market risk related to market illiquidity. Investments in debt and equity securities of our insurance subsidiaries could be impaired by the inability to access the capital markets. Should the insurance subsidiaries require significant amounts of cash in excess of normal cash requirements to pay claims and other expenses on short notice, we may have difficulty selling these investments in a timely manner or be forced to sell them at a price less than what we might otherwise have been able to in a normal market environment. We may be required to recognize credit-related impairments on our investment securities in future periods should issuers default on interest payments or should the fair market valuations of the securities deteriorate due to ratings downgrades or other issue-specific factors.

We are also exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. Debt of $2.507 billion at December 31, 2025 was subject to variable rates of interest, while the remaining debt balance of $43.985 billion at December 31, 2025 was subject to fixed rates of interest. Both the general level of interest rates and, for the senior unsecured credit facility, our leverage affect our variable interest rates. Our variable debt is comprised of outstanding commercial paper notes and the floating rate senior notes due 2028. The average effective interest rate for our long-term debt was 5.0% for both 2025 and 2024.

The estimated fair value of our total long-term debt was $45.911 billion at December 31, 2025. The estimates of fair value are based upon the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues of long-term debt with the same maturities. Based on a hypothetical 1% increase in interest rates, the potential annualized reduction to future pretax earnings would be approximately $25 million. To mitigate the impact of fluctuations in interest rates, we generally target a majority of our debt portfolio to be maintained at fixed rates.

We are exposed to currency translation risk related to our foreign operations. We currently do not consider the market risk related to foreign currency translation to be material to our consolidated financial statements or our liquidity.

Tax Examinations

During 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) concluded its examination of the Company’s 2022 and 2023 income tax returns resolving all federal income tax matters for those years. Completion of the examination had no material impact on our results of operations or financial position. At December 31, 2025, the IRS was examining the 2019 income tax returns of certain affiliates of the Company. We are subject to examination by the IRS for tax years after 2023, as well as by state and foreign taxing authorities. Management believes HCA Healthcare, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates properly reported taxable income and paid taxes in accordance with applicable laws and agreements established with the IRS, state and foreign taxing authorities, and final resolution of any disputes will not have a material, adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position. However, if payments due upon final resolution of any issues exceed our recorded estimates, such resolutions could have a material, adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.
