Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2025

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, 2024 consolidated financial statements 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.

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, home health care services, hospice services, and behavioral health 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 explicit price concessions provided to third party payors. Explicit price concessions 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. Credit losses are recorded as bad debt expense, which is included as a component of other operating expenses in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations. Bad debt expense was $3,377,000 and $6,038,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, bad debt expense was $2,053,000 and $4,524,000, respectively. As of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company has recorded allowance for doubtful accounts of $12,452,000 and $9,702,000, respectively, as our best estimate of expected 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 to other healthcare providers, management and accounting services to other healthcare 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 center under contract. We record other revenues as the performance obligations are satisfied based on the terms of our contractual arrangements.

We recognize rental income based on the terms of our operating leases. Under certain of our leases, we receive variable rent, which is based on the increase in revenues of a lessee over a base year. We recognize variable rent annually or monthly, as applicable, when, based on the actual revenue of the lessee is earned.

Government Assistance [Policy Text Block]

Government Grants

We account for government grants in accordance with International Accounting Standards ("IAS") 20, Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance, and as such, we recognize grant income on a systematic basis in line with the recognition of specific expenses and lost revenues for which the grants are intended to compensate.

For the six months ended June 30, 2024, all conditions related to the Employee Retention Credit ("ERC") were met and the credit was recognized as government stimulus income. The ERC was established by the CARES Act and intended to help businesses retain their workforce and avoid layoffs during the pandemic. The ERC provided a per employee credit to eligible businesses based on a percentage of qualified wages and health insurance benefits paid to employees. The qualified wages and health insurance benefits paid by the Company were related to the second, third and fourth quarters of 2020.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Segment Reporting

In accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification ("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 behavioral health hospitals, and (2) homecare and hospice 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.  

In 2025, we contributed land to a newly-formed limited liability company resulting in an equity interest in the new entity. The fair value of the land contributed to the new entity was $5,625,000. The related cost basis of the contributed land was $2,019,000, which resulted in a gain of $3,606,000.  The gain has been included in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations as "other operating expenses."

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 and incentive compensation, which were $7,027,000 and $13,659,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively. General and administrative costs were $7,226,000 and $13,390,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively.

Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]

Long-Term Leases

The Company’s lease portfolio primarily consists of operating real estate leases for certain skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice offices, regional offices, and pharmacy warehouses. The original terms of the leases typically range from two to fifteen years. Several of the real estate leases include renewal options which vary in length and may not include specific rent renewal amounts. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception of a contract. We determine the lease term by assuming exercise of renewal options that are reasonably certain.

The Company records right-of-use assets and liabilities for non-cancelable real estate operating leases with original or remaining lease terms in excess of one year. Leases with a lease term of 12 months or less at inception are not recorded and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We recognize lease components and non-lease components together and not as separate parts of a lease for real estate leases.

Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recorded at the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The present value of the lease payments are discounted using the incremental borrowing rate associated with each lease. The variable components of the lease payment that fluctuate with the operations of a health facility are not included in determining the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Rather, these variable components are expensed as incurred.

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

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost or fair value, if acquired. 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.

Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block]

Investments in Unconsolidated Companies

We use the equity method to account for our investments in joint ventures in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence. Original investments in these entities are recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted by our share of equity in income or losses. As of June 30, 2025, the majority of our investments in unconsolidated companies relates to a multi-family development that is under construction in Franklin, Tennessee, in which we own a 55% non-controlling interest.  

Business Combination [Policy Text Block]

Business Combinations

We account for transactions that represent business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Acquisitions are accounted for as purchases and are included in our consolidated financial statements from their respective acquisition dates. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed, if any, are measured at fair value on the acquisition date using the appropriate valuation method. Goodwill generated from acquisitions is recognized for the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. In determining the fair value of identifiable assets, we use various valuation techniques. These valuation methods require us to make estimates and assumptions surrounding projected revenues and costs, future growth, and discount rates.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to an annual impairment test. We perform our annual goodwill impairment assessment on the first day of the fourth quarter.  Tests are performed more frequently if events occur, or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount.

The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names and certificates of need and licenses. The Company reviews indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the intangible asset is below its carrying amount.

Liability Reserve Estimate, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accrued Risk Reserves  

We are self–insured for risks related to workers’ compensation and general and professional liability insurance. We have two wholly–owned limited purpose insurance companies that insure these risks. The accrued risk reserves include a liability for reported claims and estimates for incurred but unreported claims. Our policy is to engage an external, independent actuary to assist in estimating our exposure for claims obligations (for both asserted and unasserted claims). We reassess our accrued risk reserves on a quarterly basis.

Professional liability remains an area of particular concern to us. The long-term care industry has seen an increase in personal injury/wrongful death claims based on alleged negligence by skilled nursing facilities and their employees in providing care to residents. The Company has been, and continues to be, subject to claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business, including potential claims related to patient care and treatment. A significant increase in the number of these claims, or an increase in the amounts due as a result of these claims could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. It is also possible that future events could cause us to make significant adjustments or revisions to these reserve estimates and cause our reported net income to vary significantly from period to period.

We are principally self-insured for incidents occurring in all centers owned or leased by us. The coverage includes both primary policies and excess policies. In all years, settlements, if any, in excess of available insurance policy limits and our own reserves would be expensed by us.

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

Continuing Care Contracts

We have continuing care retirement centers (“CCRC”) within our operations. Residents at these retirement centers may enter into continuing care contracts with us.

Non-refundable fees are included as a component of the transaction price and are amortized into revenue over the actuarily determined remaining life of the resident, which is the expected period of occupancy by the resident. We pay the refundable portion of our entry fees to residents when they relocate from our community and the apartment is re-occupied. Refundable entrance fees are not included as part of the transaction price and are classified as noncurrent liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. 

We also annually estimate the present value of the cost of future services and the use of facilities to be provided to the current CCRC residents and compare that amount with the balance of non-refundable deferred revenue from entrance fees received. If the present value of the cost of future services exceeds the related anticipated revenues, a liability is recorded with a corresponding charge to income. As of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we have recorded a future service obligation liability in the amount of $1,474,000. This obligation is reflected within other noncurrent liabilities in the interim condensed consolidated balance sheets. 

Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Policy Text Block]

Other Noncurrent Liabilities

Other noncurrent liabilities include reserves primarily related to various uncertain income tax positions, deferred revenue, and obligations to provide future services to our CCRC residents. Deferred revenue includes the deferred gain on the sale of assets to National Health Corporation (“National”) and the non-refundable portion of CCRC entrance fees being amortized over the remaining life expectancies of the residents.

Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Noncontrolling Interest

The noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is presented within total equity in the Company's interim condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company presents the noncontrolling interest and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to NHC in its interim condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s earnings per share is calculated based on net income attributable to NHC’s stockholders. The carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest is adjusted based on an allocation of the subsidiary earnings, contributions, and distributions.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-09 "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures," which requires companies to disclose disaggregated jurisdictional and categorical information for the tax rate reconciliation, income taxes paid and other income tax related amounts. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning with the Company's fiscal year 2025. The Company has adopted the ASU and will include the required disclosures in our annual report.

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, "Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC's Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative," which amends U.S. GAAP to include certain disclosure requirements that are currently required under SEC Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K. Each amendment will be effective on the date on which the SEC removes the related disclosure requirement from SEC Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements as these requirements were previously incorporated under the SEC Regulations.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 "Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses," which requires the Company to disaggregate key expense categories such as employee compensation and depreciation within its financial statements. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annual periods beginning with the Company's fiscal year 2027, and interim periods with the Company's fiscal year 2028, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on the company's financial statements and related disclosures.

Reclassification, Comparability Adjustment [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications

Certain accounts in the prior-year financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes to conform to the presentation in the current-year financial statements.