Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Certain of our assets and liabilities are measured at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or the price that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value and requires companies to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy consists of three levels based on the objectivity of the inputs as follows:


Level 1 Inputs						Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs						Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3 Inputs						Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

The tables below sets forth our fair value hierarchy for our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
December 31, 2021
Assets:
Interest rate swap	$	—	$	627	$	—	$	627
Convertible debt investment	—		—		65,918		65,918
Deferred compensation assets	—		39,430		—		39,430
Total assets	$	—	$	40,057	$	65,918	$	105,975
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	1,170	$	—	$	1,170
Contingent consideration for business acquisition	—		—		3,743		3,743
Total liabilities	$	—	$	1,170	$	3,743	$	4,913


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
December 31, 2020
Assets:

Convertible debt investment	$	—	$	—	$	64,364	$	64,364
Deferred compensation assets	—		34,056		—		34,056
Total assets	$	—	$	34,056	$	64,364	$	98,420
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	5,397	$	—	$	5,397
Contingent consideration for business acquisition	—		—		1,770		1,770
Total liabilities	$	—	$	5,397	$	1,770	$	7,167

Interest rate swaps: The fair values of our interest rate swaps were derived using estimates to settle the interest rate swap agreements, which are based on the net present value of expected future cash flows on each leg of the swap utilizing market-based inputs and discount rates reflecting the risks involved. See Note 12 "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity" for additional information on our interest rate swaps.

Convertible debt investment: In 2014 and 2015, we invested $27.9 million, in the form of zero coupon convertible debt (the “initial convertible notes”), in Shorelight Holdings, LLC (“Shorelight”), the parent company of Shorelight, a U.S.-based company that partners with leading nonprofit universities to increase access to and retention of international students, boost institutional growth, and enhance an institution’s global footprint. In the first quarter of 2020, we invested an additional $13.0 million, in the form of 1.69% convertible debt with a senior liquidation preference to the initial convertible notes (the “additional convertible note”); and amended our initial convertible notes to include a

coupon rate of 1.69% and extend the maturity date to January 17, 2024, which coincides with the maturity date of the additional convertible note.

To determine the appropriate accounting treatment for our investment, we performed a variable interest entity (“VIE”) analysis and concluded that Shorelight does not meet the definition of a VIE. We also reviewed the characteristics of our investment to confirm that the convertible notes are not in-substance common stock that would warrant equity method accounting. After we reviewed all of the terms of the investment, we concluded the appropriate accounting treatment to be that of an available-for-sale debt security.

The investment is carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. We estimate the fair value of our investment using a scenario-based approach in the form of a hybrid analysis that consists of a Monte Carlo simulation model and an expected return analysis. The conclusion of value for our investment is based on the probability-weighted assessment of both scenarios. The hybrid analysis utilizes certain assumptions including the assumed holding period through the maturity date of January 17, 2024, the applicable waterfall distribution at the end of the expected holding period based on the rights and privileges of the various instruments, cash flow projections discounted at the risk-adjusted rate of 22.5% and 24.0% as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively; and the concluded equity volatility of 45.0% as of both December 31, 2021 and 2020, all of which are Level 3 inputs. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of the investment, which would result in different impacts to our consolidated balance sheet and comprehensive income. Actual results may differ from our estimates. The fair value of the convertible debt investment is recorded in long-term investments on our consolidated balance sheets.

The table below sets forth the changes in the balance of the convertible debt investment for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.


	Convertible Debt Investment
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	49,542
Purchases	13,000
Change in fair value of convertible debt investment	1,822
Balance as of December 31, 2020	64,364

Change in fair value of convertible debt investment	1,554
Balance as of December 31, 2021	$	65,918

Deferred compensation assets: We have a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) for the members of our board of directors and a select group of our employees. The deferred compensation liability is fully funded by the Plan assets, which consist of life insurance policies maintained within a trust. The cash surrender value of the life insurance policies approximates fair value and is based on third-party broker statements which provide the fair value of the life insurance policies' underlying investments, which are Level 2 inputs. The cash surrender value of the life insurance policies is invested primarily in mutual funds. The Plan assets are included in other non-current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) from the deferred compensation assets are recorded to other income (expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations.

Contingent consideration for business acquisitions: We estimate the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration using either a probability-weighted assessment of the specific financial performance targets being measured or a Monte Carlo simulation model, as appropriate. These fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 inputs. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of our contingent consideration are our measures of the estimated payouts based on internally generated financial projections on a probability-weighted basis and a discount rate which was in a range of 2.4% to 5.1% with a weighted average of 3.7% as of December 31, 2021 and was 2.4% as of December 31, 2020. The weighted average discount rate was calculated using the relative fair values of the contingent consideration as of December 31, 2021. The fair value of the contingent consideration is reassessed quarterly based on assumptions used in our latest projections and input provided by practice leaders and management. Any change in the fair value estimate is recorded in our consolidated statement of operations for that period. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of our contingent consideration liability, which would result in different impacts to our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations. Actual results may differ from our estimates.

The table below sets forth the changes in the balance of the contingent consideration for business acquisitions for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.


	Contingent Consideration for Business Acquisitions
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	—
Acquisition	1,770
Balance as of December 31, 2020	1,770
Acquisition	1,800
Change in fair value of contingent consideration for business acquisition	173
Balance as of December 31, 2021	$	3,743

Financial assets and liabilities not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:

Preferred Stock Investment

In the fourth quarter of 2019, we invested $5.0 million, in the form of preferred stock, in Medically Home Group, Inc. (“Medically Home”), a healthcare technology-enabled services company. To determine the appropriate accounting treatment for our investment, we performed a VIE analysis and concluded that Medically Home does not meet the definition of a VIE. We also reviewed the characteristics of our investment to confirm that the preferred stock is not in-substance common stock that would warrant equity method accounting. After we reviewed all of the terms of the investment, we concluded the appropriate accounting treatment for our investment in Medically Home to be that of an equity security with no readily determinable fair value. We elected to apply the measurement alternative at the time of the purchase and will continue to do so until the investment does not qualify to be so measured. Under the measurement alternative, the investment is carried at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investment in Medically Home. On a quarterly basis, we review the information available to determine whether an orderly and observable transaction for the same or similar equity instrument occurred, and remeasure the fair value of the preferred stock using such identified transactions, with changes in the fair value recorded to other income (expense), net in our consolidated statement of operations.

In October 2020, we recognized an unrealized gain of $1.7 million to increase the carrying amount of our preferred stock investment to $6.7 million, based on an observable price change of preferred stock with similar rights and preferences to our preferred stock investment issued by Medically Home, a Level 2 input. The unrealized gain of $1.7 million was recorded in other income (expense), net on our consolidated statement of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2021, there has been no impairment, nor any observable price change related to our investment. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the carrying amount of our preferred stock investment was $6.7 million.

Senior Secured Credit Facility

The carrying value of our borrowings outstanding under our senior secured credit facility is stated at cost. Our carrying value approximates fair value, using Level 2 inputs, as the senior secured credit facility bears interest at variable rates based on current market rates as set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement. Refer to Note 7 “Financing Arrangements” for additional information on our senior secured credit facility.

Promissory Note due 2024

The carrying value of our promissory note due 2024 is stated at cost. Our carrying value approximates fair value, using Level 2 inputs, as the promissory note bears interest at rates based on current market rates as set forth in the terms of the promissory note. Refer to Note 7 “Financing Arrangements” for additional information on our promissory note due 2024.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Other Financial Instruments

Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair market value. The carrying values of all other financial instruments not described above reasonably approximate fair market value due to the nature of the financial instruments and the short-term maturity of these items.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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