Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The summary of significant accounting policies presented below is designed to assist in understanding our consolidated financial statements. Such consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes are the representations of our management, who are responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These accounting policies conform to GAAP in all material respects and have been consistently applied in preparing our accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Presentation

Our accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our subsidiaries and any consolidated VIEs. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates are made and evaluated on an ongoing basis using information that is currently available as well as various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates, perhaps in adverse ways, and those estimates could be different under different assumptions or conditions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash is comprised of reserve accounts for property taxes, insurance, capital improvements and tenant improvements as well as collateral accounts for debt and interest rate swaps.

Revenue Recognition, Tenant Receivables and Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts

Minimum annual rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease (including rent holidays). Differences between rental income recognized and amount contractually due under the lease agreements are recorded as straight-line rent receivables. Tenant reimbursement revenue, which is comprised of additional amounts recoverable from tenants for common area maintenance expenses and certain other recoverable expenses, is recognized as revenue in the period in which the related expenses are incurred. Tenant reimbursements are recorded on a gross basis, as we are generally the primary obligor with respect to purchasing goods and services from third-party suppliers, have discretion in selecting the supplier, and have credit risk. We recognize lease termination fees when there is a signed termination letter agreement, all of the conditions of the agreement have been met, and the tenant is no longer occupying the property. Rental income is reported net of amortization of inducements.

Tenant receivables and straight-line rent receivables are carried net of the allowances for uncollectible amounts. An allowance is maintained for estimated losses resulting from the inability of certain tenants to meet the contractual obligations under their leases. Our determination of the adequacy of these allowances is based primarily upon evaluations of historical loss experience, the tenant’s financial condition, security deposits, letters of credit, lease guarantees and current economic conditions and other relevant factors. As of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we had $2.2 million, $2.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively, in allowances for uncollectible accounts. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded bad debt expense of $0.8 million, $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

Variable Interest Entities

Our accounting policy is to consolidate entities in which we have a controlling financial interest and significant decision making control over the entities operations. We evaluate whether the entity is a VIE and, if so, whether we are the primary beneficiary. VIEs are entities in which the equity investors do not have sufficient equity at risk to finance their endeavors without additional financial support or that the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have a controlling financial interest. We are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE when we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIEs economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

During 2014, we made loans totaling $80.5 million to five entities to acquire MOBs in order to facilitate potential Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges (the “Exchanges”). As of December 31, 2014, our consolidated financial statements included the five VIEs as we were deemed to be the primary beneficiary. During the 2015, we elected not to consummate the five outstanding Exchanges and, accordingly, ownership of the MOBs were transferred to us.

Investments in Real Estate

A property acquired not subject to an existing lease is treated as an asset acquisition and recorded at its purchase price, inclusive of acquisition costs, allocated between the acquired tangible assets and assumed liabilities based upon their relative fair values at the date of acquisition. A property acquired with an existing lease is accounted for as a business combination and assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including identified intangible assets and liabilities, are recorded at fair value.

With the assistance of independent valuation specialists, we record the purchase price of completed business combinations associated with tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based on their fair values. The tangible assets (land and building and improvements) are determined based upon the value of the property as if it were to be replaced or as if it were vacant using discounted cash flow models similar to those used by market participants. Factors considered by us include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. Additionally, the purchase price of the applicable completed acquisition property is inclusive of above or below market leases, above or below market leasehold interests, in place leases, tenant relationships, above or below market debt assumed, interest rate swaps assumed and any contingent consideration.

The value of above or below market leases is determined based upon the present value (using a discount rate which reflects the risks associated with the acquired leases) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be received pursuant to the lease over its remaining term and (ii) our estimate of the amounts that would be received using fair market rates over the remaining term of the lease including any bargain renewal periods. The amounts associated with above market leases are included in other intangibles, net in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets and amortized to rental income over the remaining lease term. The amounts allocated to below market leases are included in intangible liabilities, net in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets and amortized to rental income over the remaining lease term.

The value associated with above or below market leasehold interests is determined based upon the present value (using a discount rate which reflects the risks associated with the acquired leases) of the difference between: (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the lease over its remaining term; and (ii) our estimate of the amounts that would be paid using fair market rates over the remaining term of the lease including any bargain renewal periods. The amounts recorded for above market leasehold interests are included in intangible liabilities, net in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets and amortized to rental expense over the remaining lease term. The amounts allocated to below market leasehold interests are included in other intangibles, net in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets and amortized to rental expense over the remaining lease term.

The total amount of other intangible assets includes in place leases and tenant relationships based on our evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease and our overall relationship with that respective tenant. Characteristics considered by us in allocating these values include the nature and extent of the credit quality and expectations of lease renewals, among other factors. The amounts recorded for in place leases and tenant relationships are included in lease intangibles in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets and will be amortized to amortization expense over the remaining lease term.

The value recorded for above or below market debt is determined based upon the present value of the difference between the cash flow stream of the assumed mortgage and the cash flow stream of a market rate mortgage. The amounts recorded for above or below market debt are included in debt in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of the assumed debt.

The value recorded for interest rate swaps is based upon a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows, taking into account interest rate curves and the remaining term. See derivative financial instruments below for further discussion.

We record contingent consideration at fair value as of the acquisition date and reassess the fair value as of the end of each reporting period, with any changes being recognized in earnings.

The cost of operating properties includes the cost of land and buildings and related improvements. Expenditures that increase the service life of properties are capitalized and the cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to expense as incurred. The cost of buildings is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the buildings up to 39 years and for tenant improvements, the shorter of the lease term or useful life, ranging from one month to 240 months. Furniture, fixtures and equipment is depreciated over five years. Depreciation expense of buildings and improvements for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, was $101.2 million, $87.9 million, and $75.6 million, respectively.

Real Estate Held for Sale

We consider properties as held for sale once management commits to a plan to sell the property and has determined that the sale is probable and expected to occur within one year. Upon classification as held for sale, we record the property at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell, and cease depreciation and amortization. The fair value is generally based on discounted cash flow analyses, which involve management’s best estimate of market participants’ holding period, market comparables, future occupancy levels, rental rates, capitalization rates, lease-up periods and capital requirements. We did not classify any assets as held for sale for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Recoverability of Real Estate Investments

Real estate investments are evaluated for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are recorded when indicators of impairment are present and the carrying amount of the asset is greater than the sum of future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset over the remaining expected holding period. We would recognize an impairment loss when the carrying amount is not recoverable to the extent the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the property. The fair value is generally based on discounted cash flow analyses. In performing the analysis we consider executed sales agreements or management’s best estimate of market comparables, future occupancy levels, rental rates, capitalization rates, lease-up periods and capital requirements. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded impairment charges of $2.6 million. We did not record any impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Real Estate Notes Receivable

We evaluate the carrying values of real estate notes receivable on an individual basis. Management periodically evaluates the realizability of future cash flows from real estate notes receivable when events or circumstances, such as the non-receipt of principal and interest payments and/or significant deterioration of the financial condition of the borrower, indicate that the carrying amount of the real estate notes receivable may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized in current period earnings and is calculated as the difference between the carrying amount of the real estate notes receivable and the discounted cash flows expected to be received, or if foreclosure is probable, the fair value of the collateral securing the real estate notes receivable. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, there were no impairment losses.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We are exposed to the effect of interest rate changes in the normal course of business. We seek to mitigate these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures which include the occasional use of derivatives. Our primary strategy in entering into derivative contracts is to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. We utilize derivative instruments, including interest rate swaps, to effectively convert a portion of our variable rate debt to fixed rate debt. We do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

Derivatives are recognized as either assets or liabilities in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are measured at fair value. Since our derivative instruments are not designated as hedge instruments, they do not qualify for hedge accounting, and accordingly, changes in fair value are included as a component of interest expense in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

The valuation of these instruments is determined with the assistance of an independent valuation specialist using a proprietary model that utilizes widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative and observable inputs. The proprietary model reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves, foreign exchange rates and implied volatilities. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted expected variable cash receipts. The variable cash receipts are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves.

We incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of our derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, we have considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is a market-based measurement and is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Depending on the nature of the asset or liability, various techniques and assumptions can be used to estimate the fair value. Financial assets and liabilities are measured using inputs from three levels of the fair value hierarchy, as follows:

Level 1 — Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date. An active market is defined as a market in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Level 2 — Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active (markets with few transactions), inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.) and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs, only used to the extent that observable inputs are not available, reflect our assumptions about the pricing of an asset or liability.

We use fair value measurements to record fair value of certain assets and to estimate fair value of financial instruments not recorded at fair value but required to be disclosed at fair value.

Receivables and Other Assets

Deferred financing costs include amounts paid to lenders and others to obtain financing and are amortized to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the unsecured revolving credit facility which approximates the effective interest method. See "Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Pronouncements" below for details relating to the adoption of ASU 2015-03 and 2015-15 as of December 31, 2015. Deferred leasing costs are amounts incurred in executing a lease, both for external broker and marketing costs, plus a portion of internal leasing related costs. Deferred leasing costs are amortized on a straight-line basis method over the term of the applicable lease. Deferred leasing costs are included in operating activities in our accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.

Share-Based Compensation

We calculate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant. Restricted common stock is valued based on the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE. The LTIP units granted in 2012 were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation which took into account volatility, dividend yield, expected term, risk-free rate and stock price. We amortize the share-based compensation expense over the period that the awards are expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures. See Note 10 - Stockholders’ Equity and Partners’ Capital for further discussion.

Noncontrolling Interests

HTA’s net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations relate to both noncontrolling interest reflected within equity and redeemable noncontrolling interests reflected outside of equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Limited partnership units, including LTIP awards, are accounted for as partners’ capital in HTALP’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets and as noncontrolling interest reflected within equity in HTA’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Redeemable noncontrolling interests relate to the interests in our consolidated entities that are not wholly owned by us. As these redeemable noncontrolling interests provide for redemption features not solely within our control, we classify such interests outside of permanent equity or partners’ capital. Accordingly, we record the carrying amount at the greater of the initial carrying amount (increased or decreased for the noncontrolling interest’s share of net income or loss and distributions) or the redemption value.

Listing Expenses

Listing expenses primarily included share-based compensation expense associated with the LTIP awards that we granted in connection with the listing of HTA’s common stock on the NYSE in June 2012.

Income Taxes

HTA believes that it has qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the provisions of the Code, beginning with the taxable year ending December 31, 2007 and it intends to continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT. To continue to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, HTA must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to pay dividend distributions to its stockholders of at least 90% of its annual taxable income. As a REIT, HTA is generally not subject to federal income tax on net income that it distributes to its stockholders, but it may be subject to certain state or local taxes on its income and property.

If HTA fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will then be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on our taxable income and will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes for four years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the IRS grants it relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and net cash available for dividend distributions to its stockholders.

As discussed in Note 1 - Organization and Description of Business, HTA conducts substantially all of its operations through HTALP. As a partnership, HTALP generally is not liable for federal income taxes. The income and loss from the operations of HTALP is included in the tax returns of its partners, including HTA, who are responsible for reporting their allocable share of the partnership income and loss. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been made on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

We do not have any liability for uncertain tax positions that we believe should be recognized in our accompanying consolidated financial statements. The tax basis exceeded the carrying amount of the net real estate assets reported in our accompanying consolidated balance sheet by approximately $356.2 million as of December 31, 2015.

Concentration of Credit Risk

We maintain the majority of our cash and cash equivalents at major financial institutions in the U.S. and deposits with these financial institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits; however, we regularly monitor the financial stability of these financial institutions and believe we are not currently exposed to any significant default risk with respect to these deposits. As of December 31, 2015, we had cash balances of $15.0 million in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limits.

Segment Disclosure

We have determined that we have one reportable segment, with activities related to investing in healthcare real estate assets. Our investments in healthcare real estate assets are geographically diversified and our chief operating decision maker evaluates operating performance on an individual asset level. As each of our assets has similar economic characteristics, long-term financial performance, tenants, and products and services, our assets have been aggregated into one reportable segment.

Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration (i.e., payment) to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In adopting ASU 2014-09, companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 along with the ability to early adopt as of the original effective date. We do not anticipate early adoption and we are evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ASU 2015-02 affects reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The amendments in ASU 2015-02 affect the following areas: (i) limited partnerships and similar legal entities; (ii) evaluating fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider as a variable interest; (iii) the effect of fee arrangements on the primary beneficiary determination; (iv) the effect of related parties on the primary beneficiary determination; and (v) certain investment funds. ASU 2015-02 is effective for fiscal years and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. We adopted ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2016. The adoption of ASU 2015-02 did not require the consolidation of additional entities; however it will require additional disclosures beginning with our March 31, 2016 quarterly report.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. ASU 2015-03 changes the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring these costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the consolidated balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15 to include the presentation and subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs associated with line-of-credit arrangements. ASU 2015-03 and 2015-15 are effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires retrospective application with early adoption permitted. We adopted ASU 2015-03 and 2015-15 as of December 31, 2015. As a result of the adoption all deferred financing costs, excluding costs related to the unsecured revolving credit facility, were reclassed to debt. Unsecured revolving credit facility costs remain classified as an asset and will continue to be amortized over the remaining term.

The guidance requires retrospective adoption for all prior periods presented. The following table represents the previously reported balances and the reclassified balances for the impacted line items of the December 31, 2014 balance sheet (in thousands):



	December 31, 2014
	As Previously Reported		As Reclassified
Receivables and other assets, net	$	144,106	$	133,840
Total assets	$	3,041,650	$	3,031,384

Debt	$	1,412,461	$	1,402,195
Total liabilities	$	1,561,503	$	1,551,237
Total liabilities and equity/partners’ capital	$	3,041,650	$	3,031,384

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations - Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. ASU 2015-16 eliminates the requirement that an acquirer in a business combination has to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, acquirers must recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amount of the adjustment, including the effect on earnings of any amounts they would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. We do not believe the adoption of ASU 2015-16 will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.