Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

6. Intangible Assets

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, was $4.3 million, $399,000 and $137,000 respectively. The following is a schedule by year of projected amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets (in thousands):


2020	$	9,907
2021		9,904
2022		9,883
2023		9,828
2024		9,779
Thereafter		21,329

The balance in identifiable intangible assets comprises the following (in thousands):


		Gross		Accumulated		Net Book
		Asset		Amortization		Value
December 31, 2019
Referral networks	$	21,850	$	(21,223)	$	627
Covenants not to compete		10,036		(9,478)		558
Customer lists		4,746		(1,362)		3,384
Reacquired franchise rights		71,618		(5,557)		66,061
Subtotal - definite-lived intangibles		108,250		(37,620)		70,630
VITAS trade name		51,300		-		51,300
Roto-Rooter trade name		150		-		150
Operating licenses		4,290		-		4,290
Total	$	163,990	$	(37,620)	$	126,370

December 31, 2018
Referral networks	$	21,850	$	(21,152)	$	698
Covenants not to compete		9,796		(9,367)		429
Customer lists		2,025		(1,235)		790
Reacquired franchise rights		12,447		(1,529)		10,918
Subtotal - definite-lived intangibles		46,118		(33,283)		12,835
VITAS trade name		51,300		-		51,300
Roto-Rooter trade name		150		-		150
Operating licenses		3,968		-		3,968
Total	$	101,536	$	(33,283)	$	68,253