Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 505-60, Equity—Spinoffs and Reverse Spinoffs, the accounting for the separation of the Company follows its legal form, with Ensign as the legal and accounting spinnor and the Company as the legal and accounting spinnee, due to the relative significance of Ensign’s healthcare business, the relative fair values of the respective companies, the retention of all senior management (except Mr. Gregory K. Stapley) by Ensign, and other relevant indicators.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation—The accompanying consolidated and combined financial statements of the Company reflect, for all periods presented, the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows of (i) the skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities that Ensign contributed to the Company immediately prior to the Spin-Off and (ii) the operations of the three independent living facilities that the Company operated immediately following the Spin-Off. The consolidated and combined financial statements included in this report also reflect the new investments that the Company has made after the Spin-Off. For the periods prior to the Spin-Off, the Company’s financial statements have been prepared on a “carve-out” basis from Ensign’s consolidated financial statements using the historical results of operations, cash flows, assets and liabilities attributable to such skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities (the “Ensign Properties”).

For the periods prior to the Spin-Off, the combined statements of operations reflect allocations of general corporate expenses from Ensign including, but not limited to, executive management, finance, legal, information technology, human resources, employee benefits administration, treasury, risk management, procurement, and other shared services. See further discussion in Note 6, Related Party Transactions.

Management believes that the assumptions and estimates used in preparation of the underlying consolidated and combined financial statements are reasonable. However, the consolidated and combined financial statements for the periods prior to June 1, 2014, do not necessarily reflect what the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows would have been if the Company had been a stand-alone company during those periods presented. The historical financial information prior to June 1, 2014, is not necessarily indicative of the Company’s future results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

The accompanying consolidated and combined financial statements of the Company were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the Company. All intercompany transactions and account balances within the Company have been eliminated.

Estimates and Assumptions

Estimates and Assumptions—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management 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 revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications—Certain amounts in the Company’s consolidated and combined financial statements for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications have not changed the results of operations of prior periods.

Real Estate Depreciation and Amortization

Real Estate Depreciation and Amortization—Real estate costs related to the acquisition and improvement of properties are capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the asset on a straight-line basis. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred and significant replacements and betterments are capitalized. Repair and maintenance costs include all costs that do not extend the useful life of the real estate asset. The Company considers the period of future benefit of an asset to determine its appropriate useful life. Expenditures for tenant improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of the tenant’s lease term or expected useful life. The Company anticipates the estimated useful lives of its assets by class to be generally as follows:



Building		25-40 years
Building improvements		10-25 years
Tenant improvements		Shorter of lease term or expected useful life
Integral equipment, furniture and fixtures		5 years

Real Estate Acquisition Valuation

Real Estate Acquisition Valuation— In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, the Company records the acquisition of income-producing real estate as a business combination. If the acquisition does not meet the definition of a business, the Company records the acquisition as an asset acquisition. Under both methods, all assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured at their acquisition date fair values. For transactions that are business combinations, acquisition costs are expensed as incurred and restructuring costs that do not meet the definition of a liability at the acquisition date are expensed in periods subsequent to the acquisition date. For transactions that are asset acquisitions, acquisition costs are capitalized as incurred.

The Company assesses the acquisition date fair values of all tangible assets, identifiable intangibles and assumed liabilities using methods similar to those used by independent appraisers, generally utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis that applies appropriate discount and/or capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors, including historical operating results, known and anticipated trends, and market and economic conditions. The fair value of tangible assets of an acquired property considers the value of the property as if it were vacant.

Estimates of the fair values of the tangible assets, identifiable intangibles and assumed liabilities require the Company to make significant assumptions to estimate market lease rates, property-operating expenses, carrying costs during lease-up periods, discount rates, market absorption periods, and the number of years the property will be held for investment. The use of inappropriate assumptions would result in an incorrect valuation of the Company’s acquired tangible assets, identifiable intangibles and assumed liabilities, which would impact the amount of the Company’s net income.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—At least annually, management evaluates the Company’s real estate investments for impairment indicators, including the evaluation of our assets’ useful lives. Management also assesses the carrying value of the Company’s real estate investments whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The judgment regarding the existence of impairment indicators is based on factors such as, but not limited to, market conditions, operator performance and legal structure. If indicators of impairment are present, management evaluates the carrying value of the related real estate investments in relation to the future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying facilities. Provisions for impairment losses related to long-lived assets are recognized when expected future undiscounted cash flows are determined to be less than the carrying values of the assets. An adjustment is made to the net carrying value of the real estate investments for the excess of carrying value over fair value. All impairments are taken as a period cost at that time, and depreciation is adjusted going forward to reflect the new value assigned to the asset.

If the Company decides to sell real estate properties, we evaluate the recoverability of the carrying amounts of the assets. If the evaluation indicates that the carrying value is not recoverable from estimated net sales proceeds, the property is written down to estimated fair value less costs to sell.

In the event of impairment, the fair value of the real estate investment is determined by market research, which includes valuing the property in its current use as well as other alternative uses, and involves significant judgment. The Company’s estimates of cash flows and fair values of the properties are based on current market conditions and consider matters such as rental rates and occupancies for comparable properties, recent sales data for comparable properties, and, where applicable, contracts or the results of negotiations with purchasers or prospective purchasers. The Company’s ability to accurately estimate future cash flows and estimate and allocate fair values impacts the timing and recognition of impairments. While the Company believes its assumptions are reasonable, changes in these assumptions may have a material impact on financial results.

Other Real Estate Investments

Other Real Estate Investments — Preferred equity investments are accounted for at unpaid principal balance, plus accrued return, net of reserves. The Company recognizes return income on a quarterly basis based on the outstanding investment including any accrued and unpaid return. As the preferred member of the joint venture, the Company is not entitled to share in the joint venture’s earnings or losses. Rather, the Company is entitled to receive a preferred return, which is deferred if the cash flow of the joint venture is insufficient to pay all of the accrued preferred return. The unpaid accrued preferred return is added to the balance of the preferred equity investment up to the estimated economic outcome assuming a hypothetical liquidation of the book value of the joint venture. Any unpaid accrued preferred return, whether recorded or unrecorded by us, will be repaid upon redemption.

The Company periodically evaluates each of its other real estate investments for indicators of impairment. An investment is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. A reserve is established for the excess of the carrying value of the investment over its fair value.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents consist of bank term deposits and money market funds with original maturities of 3 months or less at time of purchase and therefore approximate fair value. The fair value of these investments is determined based on “Level 1” inputs, which consist of unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets. The Company places its cash and short-term investments with high credit quality financial institutions.

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance periodically exceeds federally insurable limits. The Company monitors the cash balances in its operating accounts and adjusts the cash balances as appropriate; however, these cash balances could be impacted if the underlying financial institutions fail or are subject to other adverse conditions in the financial markets.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred Financing Costs—External costs incurred from placement of our debt are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related borrowings, which approximates the effective interest method. For our senior unsecured notes payable and our mortgage notes payable, deferred financing costs are netted against the outstanding debt amounts on the balance sheet. For our unsecured revolving credit facility, deferred financing costs are shown gross and are included in assets on our balance sheet, as discussed further in the Recently Adopted Accounting Standards section below. See Note 7, Debt, for the new presentation of deferred financing costs. Amortization of deferred financing costs is classified as interest expense in our consolidated and combined statements of operations. Accumulated amortization of deferred financing costs was $3.3 million and $2.2 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

When financings are terminated, unamortized deferred financing costs, as well as charges incurred for the termination, are expensed at the time the termination is made. Gains and losses from the extinguishment of debt are presented within income from continuing operations in our consolidated and combined statements of operations.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition —The Company recognizes rental revenue, including rental abatements, lease incentives and contractual fixed increases attributable to operating leases, if any, from tenants under lease arrangements with minimum fixed and determinable increases on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the related leases when collectability is reasonably assured. Tenant recoveries related to the reimbursement of real estate taxes, insurance, repairs and maintenance, and other operating expenses are recognized as revenue in the period the expenses are incurred and presented gross if the Company is the primary obligor and, with respect to purchasing goods and services from third-party suppliers, has discretion in selecting the supplier and bears the associated credit risk. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, such tenant reimbursement revenues consist of real estate taxes. Contingent revenue, if any, is not recognized until all possible contingencies have been eliminated.

The Company evaluates the collectability of rents and other receivables on a regular basis based on factors including, among others, payment history, the operations, the asset type and current economic conditions. If our evaluation of these factors indicates we may not recover the full value of the receivable, we provide a reserve against the portion of the receivable that we estimate may not be recovered. This analysis requires us to determine whether there are factors indicating a receivable may not be fully collectible and to estimate the amount of the receivable that may not be collected.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes—The Company’s operations prior to the Spin-Off were historically included in Ensign’s U.S. federal and state income tax returns and all income taxes for periods prior to the Spin-Off were paid by Ensign. Income tax expense and other income tax related information contained in these consolidated and combined financial statements are presented on a separate tax return basis as if the Company filed its own tax returns for all periods. Management believes that the assumptions and estimates used to determine these tax amounts are reasonable. However, the consolidated and combined financial statements herein may not necessarily reflect the Company’s income tax expense or tax payments in the future, or what its tax amounts would have been if the Company had been a stand-alone company prior to the Spin-Off.

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2014. The Company believes it has been organized and has operated, and the Company intends to continue to operate, in a manner to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of the Company’s annual REIT taxable income to its stockholders (which is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction or net capital gain and which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP). As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes qualifying dividends to its stockholders. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates and generally will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service grants the Company relief under certain statutory provisions.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

Derivatives and Hedging Activities—The Company evaluates variable and fixed interest rate risk exposure on a routine basis and to the extent the Company believes that it is appropriate, it will offset most of its variable rate risk exposure by entering into interest rate swap agreements. It is the Company’s policy to only utilize derivative instruments for hedging purposes (i.e., not for speculation). The Company formally designates its interest rate swap agreements as hedges and documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items. The Company formally assesses effectiveness of its hedging relationships, both at the hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, then measures and records ineffectiveness. The Company would discontinue hedge accounting prospectively (i) if it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of a hedged item, (ii) when the derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, (iii) if it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur, or (iv) if management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedge instrument is no longer appropriate.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation—The Company accounts for share-based payment awards in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. ASC 718 requires all entities to apply a fair value-based measurement method in accounting for share-based payment transactions with directors, officers and employees except for equity instruments held by employee share ownership plans.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk—The Company is subject to concentrations of credit risk consisting primarily of operating leases on our owned properties. See Note 12, Concentration of Risk, for a discussion of major operator concentration.

Segment Disclosures

Segment Disclosures —The FASB accounting guidance regarding disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information establishes standards for the manner in which public business enterprises report information about operating segments. The Company has one reportable segment consisting of investments in healthcare-related real estate assets.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Share—The Company calculates earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the additional dilution for all potentially-dilutive securities. Basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were retroactively restated for the number of basic and diluted shares outstanding immediately following the Spin-Off.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Update

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Update— In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU No. 2014-09”). ASU No. 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize the revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. ASU No. 2014-09 supersedes the revenue requirements in Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. ASU No. 2014-09 does not apply to lease contracts within the scope of Leases (Topic 840). In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of its new revenue recognition standard by one year. The standard will be effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting ASU No. 2014-09 but does not believe it will have a material effect on income from operations or the Company’s financial position.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements (Subtopic 205-40), Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU No. 2014-15”). The amendments in ASU No. 2014-15 require management to evaluate, for each annual and interim reporting period, whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or are available to be issued when applicable) and, if so, provide related disclosures. ASU No. 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted for annual or interim reporting periods for which the financial statements have not previously been issued. We believe the adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on income from operations or the Company’s financial position.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU No. 2015-02”), which makes certain changes to both the variable interest model and the voting model, including changes to (1) the identification of variable interests (fees paid to a decision maker or service provider), (2) the variable interest entity characteristics for a limited partnership or similar entity and (3) the primary beneficiary determination. ASU No. 2015-02 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within these fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2015-02 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments (“ASU No. 2015-16”). ASU No. 2015-16 eliminates the requirement that an acquirer in a business combination account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, an acquirer will recognize a measurement-period adjustment during the period in which it determines the amount of the adjustment, including the effect on earnings of any amounts it would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. ASU No. 2015-16 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within these fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2015-16 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards—On December 31, 2015, the Company retrospectively early adopted, for all comparative periods presented, ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The amendments in ASU No. 2015-03 require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The adoption of ASU No. 2015-03 resulted in a change to the location where debt issuance costs are presented in the balance sheet and did not have any other material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements - Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting (SEC Update) (“ASU No. 2015-15”). ASU No. 2015-15 was issued by the FASB in response to questions that arose after the issuance of ASU No. 2015-03, to incorporate an SEC staff announcement that the SEC staff will not object to an entity presenting the cost of securing a revolving line of credit as an asset, regardless of whether a balance is outstanding. ASU No. 2015-15 was effective upon announcement.