Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements to which these notes are attached include all normal, recurring adjustments which are necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of NHC. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all entities controlled by NHC. The Company presents noncontrolling interest within the equity section of its consolidated balance sheets. The Company presents the amount of consolidated net income that is attributable to NHC and the noncontrolling interest in its consolidated statements of operations.

We assume that users of these interim financial statements have read or have access to the audited December 31, 2018 consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and that the adequacy of additional disclosure needed for a fair presentation, except in regard to material contingencies, may be determined in that context. Accordingly, footnotes and other disclosures which would substantially duplicate the disclosure contained in our most recent annual report to stockholders have been omitted. This interim financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year for a variety of reasons.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and could cause our reported net income to vary significantly from period to period.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." The objective of this update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods and is to be applied either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented in the financial statements or retrospectively at the beginning of the period of adoption.

The Company adopted the standard as of January 1, 2019, electing the transition method that allows us to apply the standard as of the adoption date and record a cumulative adjustment in retained earnings, if applicable. We did not have a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ending June 30, 2019, are presented under the new standard, while comparative years presented are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting policy.

On June 20, 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-based Payment Accounting.” ASU No. 2018-07 simplifies the accounting for share-based payments granted to nonemployees for goods and services. Under the ASU, most of the guidance on such payments to nonemployees is aligned with the requirements for share-based payments granted to employees. On January 1, 2019, the Company early adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2018-07 and this standard did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

On August 28, 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” ASU No. 2018-13 changes the fair value measurement disclosure requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820. Entities are no longer required to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, but they will be required to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. On January 1, 2019, the Company early adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2018-13 and this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements as we do not have any Level 3 investments.

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU No. 2016-13 adds to U.S GAAP an impairment model that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the new guidance, an entity recognizes as an allowance its estimate of expected credit losses, which the FASB believes will result in more timely recognition of such losses. The ASU is also intended to reduce the complexity of U.S. GAAP by decreasing the number of credit impairment models that entities use to account for debt instruments. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on our policies and procedures and internal control framework.

Revenue [Policy Text Block]

Net Patient Revenues and Accounts Receivable

Net patient revenues are derived from services rendered to patients for skilled and intermediate nursing, rehabilitation therapy, assisted living and independent living, and home health care services. Net patient revenue is reported at the amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for providing patient services. These amounts are due from patients, governmental programs, and other third-party payors, and include variable consideration for retroactive revenue adjustments due to settlement of audits, reviews, and investigations.

The Company recognizes revenue as its performance obligations are completed. Routine services are treated as a single performance obligation satisfied over time as services are rendered. These routine services represent a bundle of services that are not capable of being distinct. The performance obligations are satisfied over time as the patient simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the healthcare services provided. Additionally, there may be ancillary services which are not included in the daily rates for routine services, but instead are treated as separate performance obligations satisfied at a point in time when those services are rendered.

The Company determines the transaction price based on established billing rates reduced by contractual adjustments provided to third party payors. Contractual adjustments are based on contractual agreements and historical experience. The Company considers the patient's ability and intent to pay the amount of consideration upon admission. Subsequent changes resulting from a patient’s ability to pay are recorded as bad debt expense, which is included as a component of other operating expenses in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2019, bad debt expense was $992,000 and $2,039,000, respectively. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018, bad debt expense was $1,064,000 and $2,023,000, respectively. As of June 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the Company has recorded allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,541,000 and $4,610,000, respectively, as our best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance.

Revenue Recognition for Alternative Revenue Programs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other Revenues

Other revenues include revenues from the provision of insurance services, management and accounting services to other long–term care providers, and rental income. Our insurance revenues consist of premiums that are generally paid in advance and then amortized into income over the policy period. We charge for management services based on a percentage of net revenues. We charge for accounting services based on a monthly fee or a fixed fee per bed of the healthcare facility under contract. We record other revenues as the performance obligations are satisfied based on the terms of our contractual arrangements.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Segment Reporting

In accordance with the provisions of ASC 280, “Segment Reporting”, the Company is required to report financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments. The Company has two reportable operating segments: (1) inpatient services, which includes the operation of skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, and one behavioral health hospital, and (2) homecare services. The Company also reports an “all other” category that includes revenues from rental income, management and accounting services fees, insurance services, and costs of the corporate office. See Note 6 for further disclosure of the Company’s operating segments.

Other Operating Expenses Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses include the costs of care and services that we provide to the residents of our facilities and the costs of maintaining our facilities. Our primary patient care costs include drugs, medical supplies, purchased professional services, food, and professional liability insurance and licensing fees. The primary facility costs include utilities and property insurance.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]

General and Administrative Costs

With the Company being a healthcare provider, the majority of our expenses are "cost of revenue" items. Costs that could be classified as "general and administrative" by the Company would include its corporate office costs, excluding stock-based compensation, which were $6,677,000 and $11,821,000 for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. General and administrative costs were $6,573,000 and $13,250,000 for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method over the expected useful lives of the assets estimated as follows: buildings and improvements, 20-40 years and equipment and furniture, 3-15 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over periods that do not exceed the non-cancelable respective lease terms using the straight-line method.

Finance leases are recorded at cost. Finance leases are amortized in accordance with the provision codified within ASC 842, Leases. Amortization of finance lease assets is included in depreciation and amortization expense.

Liability Reserve Estimate, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accrued Risk Reserves

Continuing Care Contracts and Refundable Entrance Fee, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Continuing Care Contracts and Refundable Entrance Fee

Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Policy Text Block]

Other Noncurrent Liabilities

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Policy Text Block]

Deferred Revenue

Noncontrolling Interest, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Noncontrolling Interest

Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Variable Interest Entities