Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation:  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our majority-owned subsidiaries and partnerships controlled by us or our subsidiaries as the managing general partner. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition  

We report net patient service revenue at the estimated net realizable amounts from patients and third-party payers and others for services rendered. We have agreements with third-party payers that provide for payments to us at amounts different from our established rates. Payment arrangements include rates per discharge, reimbursed costs, discounted charges and per diem payments. Estimates of contractual allowances under managed care plans, which represent explicit price concessions, are based upon the payment terms specified in the related contractual agreements. We closely monitor our historical collection rates, as well as changes in applicable laws, rules and regulations and contract terms, to assure that provisions are made using the most accurate information available. However, due to the complexities involved in these estimations, actual payments from payers may be different from the amounts we estimate and record.

See Note 10-Revenue Recognition, for additional disclosure related to our revenues including a disaggregation of our consolidated net revenues by major source for each of the periods presented herein.

We estimate our Medicare and Medicaid revenues using the latest available financial information, patient utilization data, government provided data and in accordance with applicable Medicare and Medicaid payment rules and regulations. The laws and regulations governing the Medicare and Medicaid programs are extremely complex and subject to interpretation and as a result, there is at least a reasonable possibility that recorded estimates will change by material amounts in the near term. Certain types of payments by the Medicare program and state Medicaid programs (e.g. Medicare Disproportionate Share Hospital, Medicare Allowable Bad Debts and Inpatient Psychiatric Services) are subject to retroactive adjustment in future periods as a result of administrative review and audit and our estimates may vary from the final settlements. Such amounts are included in accounts receivable, net, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The funding of both federal Medicare and state Medicaid programs are subject to legislative and regulatory changes. As such, we cannot provide any assurance that future legislation and regulations, if enacted, will not have a material impact on our future Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. Adjustments related to the final settlement of these retrospectively determined amounts did not materially impact our results in 2021, 2020 or 2019. If it were to occur, each 1% adjustment to our estimated net Medicare revenues that are subject to retrospective review and settlement as of December 31, 2021, would change our after-tax net income by approximately $1 million.

Charity Care, Uninsured Discounts and Other Adjustments to Revenue

Charity Care, Uninsured Discounts and Other Adjustments to Revenue:  Collection of receivables from third-party payers and patients is our primary source of cash and is critical to our operating performance. Our primary collection risks relate to uninsured patients and the portion of the bill which is the patient’s responsibility, primarily co-payments and deductibles. We estimate our revenue adjustments for implicit price concessions based on general factors such as payer mix, the aging of the receivables and historical collection experience. We routinely review accounts receivable balances in conjunction with these factors and other economic conditions which might ultimately affect the collectability of the patient accounts and make adjustments to our allowances as warranted. At our acute care hospitals, third party liability accounts are pursued until all payment and adjustments are posted to the patient account. For those accounts with a patient balance after third party liability is finalized or accounts for uninsured patients, the patient receives statements and collection letters.

Historically, a significant portion of the patients treated throughout our portfolio of acute care hospitals are uninsured patients which, in part, has resulted from patients who are employed but do not have health insurance or who have policies with relatively high deductibles. Patients treated at our hospitals for non-elective services, who have gross income of various amounts, dependent upon the state, ranging from 200% to 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, are deemed eligible for charity care. The federal poverty guidelines are established by the federal government and are based on income and family size. Because we do not pursue collection of amounts that qualify as charity care, the transaction price is fully adjusted and there is no impact in our net revenues or in our accounts receivable, net.

A portion of the accounts receivable at our acute care facilities are comprised of Medicaid accounts that are pending approval from third-party payers but we also have smaller amounts due from other miscellaneous payers such as county indigent programs in certain states. Our patient registration process includes an interview of the patient or the patient’s responsible party at the time of registration. At that time, an insurance eligibility determination is made and an insurance plan code is assigned. There are various pre-established insurance profiles in our patient accounting system which determine the expected insurance reimbursement for each patient based on the insurance plan code assigned and the services rendered. Certain patients may be classified as Medicaid pending at registration based upon a screening evaluation if we are unable to definitively determine if they are currently Medicaid eligible. When a patient is registered as Medicaid eligible or Medicaid pending, our patient accounting system records net revenues for services provided to that patient based upon the established Medicaid reimbursement rates, subject to the ultimate disposition of the patient’s Medicaid eligibility. When the patient’s ultimate eligibility is determined, reclassifications may occur which impacts net revenues in future periods. Although the patient’s ultimate eligibility determination may result in adjustments to net revenues, these adjustments do not have a material impact on our results of operations in 2021, 2020 or 2019 since our facilities make estimates at each financial reporting period to adjust revenue based on historical collections.

We also provide discounts to uninsured patients (included in “uninsured discounts” amounts below) who do not qualify for Medicaid or charity care. Because we do not pursue collection of amounts classified as uninsured discounts, the transaction price is fully adjusted and there is no impact in our net revenues or in our net accounts receivable. In implementing the discount policy, we first attempt to qualify uninsured patients for governmental programs, charity care or any other discount program. If an uninsured patient does not qualify for these programs, the uninsured discount is applied.

Uncompensated care (charity care and uninsured discounts):

The following table shows the amounts recorded at our acute care hospitals for charity care and uninsured discounts, based on charges at established rates, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:

	(dollar amounts in thousands)
	2021					2020					2019
	Amount		%			Amount		%			Amount		%
Charity care	$	661,965		33	%	$	622,668		28	%	$	672,326		31	%
Uninsured discounts		1,336,319		67	%		1,578,470		72	%		1,511,738		69	%
Total uncompensated care	$	1,998,284		100	%	$	2,201,138		100	%	$	2,184,064		100	%

The estimated cost of providing uncompensated care:

The estimated cost of providing uncompensated care, as reflected below, were based on a calculation which multiplied the percentage of operating expenses for our acute care hospitals to gross charges for those hospitals by the above-mentioned total uncompensated care amounts. The percentage of cost to gross charges is calculated based on the total operating expenses for our acute care facilities divided by gross patient service revenue for those facilities. An increase in the level of uninsured patients to our facilities and the resulting adverse trends in the adjustments to net revenues and uncompensated care provided could have a material unfavorable impact on our future operating results.

	(amounts in thousands)
	2021		2020		2019
Estimated cost of providing charity care	$	72,095	$	73,690	$	77,886
Estimated cost of providing uninsured discounts related care		145,538		186,804		175,128
Estimated cost of providing uncompensated care	$	217,633	$	260,494	$	253,014

Concentration of Revenues

Concentration of Revenues: Our six acute care hospitals in the Las Vegas, Nevada market contributed, on a combined basis, 16% in 2021, 15% in 2020 and 16% in 2019 of our consolidated net revenues.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:  We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows are presented separately on our consolidated balance sheets as follow:

	(amounts in thousands)
	2021		2020		2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	115,301	$	1,224,490	$	61,268
Restricted cash (a)		63,633		54,664		44,399
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	178,934	$	1,279,154	$	105,667

(a)Restricted cash is included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and consists of statutorily required capital reserves related to our commercial insurance subsidiary.

The fair value of our restricted cash was computed based upon quotes received from financial institutions. We consider these to be “level 1” in the fair value hierarchy as outlined in the authoritative guidance for disclosures in connection with financial securities.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for renewals and improvements are charged to the property accounts. Replacements, maintenance and repairs which do not improve or extend the life of the respective asset are expensed as incurred. We remove the cost and the related accumulated depreciation from the accounts for assets sold or retired and the resulting gains or losses are included in the results of operations. Construction-in-progress includes both construction projects and equipment not yet placed into service.

See Provision for Asset Impairment-Foundations Recovery Network, in Other Assets and Intangible Assets below, for additional disclosure related to a provision for asset impairment recorded during 2019 to reduce the carrying value of real property assets of certain Foundations Recovery Network, L.L.C. facilities.

While in progress, we capitalized interest on major construction projects and the development and implementation of information technology applications amounting to $4.4 million during 2021, $4.3 million during 2020 and $3.4 million during 2019.

Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of buildings and improvements (twenty to forty years) and equipment (three to fifteen years). Depreciation expense was $501.6 million during 2021, $478.8 million during 2020 and $455.6 million during 2019.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets:  We review our long-lived assets, including intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. The assessment of possible impairment is based on our ability to recover the carrying value of our asset based on our estimate of its undiscounted future cash flows. If the analysis indicates that the carrying value is not recoverable from future cash flows, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value and an impairment loss is recognized. Fair values are determined based on estimated future cash flows using appropriate discount rates.

Goodwill

Goodwill:  Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or sooner if the indicators of impairment arise. Our judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on market conditions and operational performance of each reporting unit.  We have designated October 1^st as our annual impairment assessment date and performed quantitative impairment assessments as of October 1, 2021 which indicated no impairment of goodwill.  There were also no goodwill impairments during 2020 or 2019. Future changes in the estimates used to conduct the impairment reviews, including profitability and market value projections, could indicate impairment in future periods potentially resulting in a write-off of a portion or all of our goodwill.

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the two years ended December 31, 2021 were as follows (in thousands):

	Acute Care Services			Behavioral Health Services		Total Consolidated
Balance, January 1, 2020	$	448,415		$	3,421,345	$	3,869,760
Goodwill acquired during the period		127			0		127
Goodwill divested during the period		0			0		0
Adjustments to goodwill (a)		(1,521	)		14,349		12,828
Balance, December 31, 2020		447,021			3,435,694		3,882,715
Goodwill acquired during the period		55,406			0		55,406
Goodwill divested during the period		0			0		0
Adjustments to goodwill (b)		13,509			10,994		24,503
Balance, December 31, 2021	$	515,936		$	3,446,688	$	3,962,624

(a) The changes in the Behavioral Health Services’ goodwill consists primarily of foreign currency translation adjustments.

(b) Adjustments to goodwill during 2021 consist of the following: $13.5 million in Acute Care Services consists primarily of a measurement period adjustment to the preliminary purchase price allocation related to a 2020 acquisition; and the $11.0 million in Behavioral Health Services consists of $16.3 million recorded in connection with a third party minority ownership interest in a majority owned joint venture that constructed and owns a recently opened behavioral health facility, partially offset by a $5.3 million decrease related to foreign currency translation adjustments.      

Other Assets and Intangible Assets

Other Assets and Intangible Assets:  Other assets consist primarily of amounts related to: (i) intangible assets acquired in connection with our acquisitions of Cambian Group, PLC’s adult services’ division during 2015,  Ascend Health Corporation during 2012 and Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. during 2010; (ii) prepaid fees for various software and other applications used by our hospitals;

(iii) costs incurred in connection with the purchase and implementation of an electronic health records application for each of our acute care facilities; (iv) statutorily required capital reserves related to our commercial insurance subsidiary ($82 million and $73 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively); (v) deposits; (vi) investments in various businesses, including Universal Health Realty Income Trust ($9 million and $5 million as of as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) and Premier, Inc. ($92 million and $78 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively); (vii) the invested assets related to a deferred compensation plan that is held by an independent trustee in a rabbi-trust and that has a related payable included in other noncurrent liabilities, and; (viii) other miscellaneous assets.

Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or more often if indicators of impairment arise. Our judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on market conditions and operational performance of each asset.  We have designated October 1^st as our annual impairment assessment date and performed impairment assessments as of October 1, 2021. In connection with the discontinuation of a certain module of a new clinical/financial information technology application under development, our financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021 include a pre-tax provision for asset impairment of approximately $14 million to write-off the applicable portion of the capitalized costs incurred and is included in other operating expenses on the accompanying consolidated statement of income. There was no impairment recorded during 2020.  During 2019 we recorded provisions for asset impairments related to Foundations Recovery Network, L.L.C., as discussed below.

Provision for Asset Impairment-Foundations Recovery Network:

Our financial results for the year ended December 31, 2019 include a pre-tax provisions for asset impairment of approximately $98 million recorded in connection with Foundations Recovery Network, L.L.C. (“Foundations”), which was acquired by us in 2015. This provision for asset impairment includes: (i) a $75 million impairment provision to write-off the carrying value of the Foundations’ tradename intangible asset, and; (ii) a $23 million impairment provision to reduce the carrying value of real property assets of certain Foundations’ facilities.

The provision for asset impairment recorded during 2019, which is included in other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income, was recorded after evaluation of the estimated fair value of the Foundations’ tradename as well as certain related real property assets. The provision for asset impairment was impacted by the following: (i) decisions made by management during 2019 to cancel the opening of future planned de novo facilities; (ii) reductions in projected future patient volumes, revenues and cash flows resulting from continued operating trends and financial results experienced by existing facilities that significantly lagged expectations, and; (iii) competitive pressures experienced in certain markets that were deemed to be permanent.  

The following table shows the amounts recorded as net intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

	(amounts in thousands)
	2021		2020
Medicare licenses	$	57,226	$	57,226
Certificates of need		8,239		8,253
Contract relationships and other (net of $54,134 and $52,804 of accumulated amortization for 2021 and 2020, respectively)		15,576		17,107
Net Intangible Assets	$	81,041	$	82,586

Supplies

Supplies:  Supplies, which consist primarily of medical supplies, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market.

Self-Insured/Other Insurance Risks

Self-Insured/Other Insurance Risks:  We provide for self-insured risks, primarily general and professional liability claims and workers’ compensation claims. Our estimated liability for self-insured professional and general liability claims is based on a number of factors including, among other things, the number of asserted claims and reported incidents, estimates of losses for these claims based on recent and historical settlement amounts, estimate of incurred but not reported claims based on historical experience, and estimates of amounts recoverable under our commercial insurance policies. All relevant information, including our own historical experience is used in estimating the expected amount of claims. While we continuously monitor these factors, our ultimate liability for professional and general liability claims could change materially from our current estimates due to inherent uncertainties involved in making this estimate. Our estimated self-insured reserves are reviewed and changed, if necessary, at each reporting date and changes are recognized currently as additional expense or as a reduction of expense. See Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies for discussion of adjustments to our prior year reserves for claims related to our self-insured general and professional liability and workers’ compensation liability.

In addition, we also: (i) own commercial health insurers headquartered in Nevada and Puerto Rico, and; (ii) maintain self-insured employee benefits programs for employee healthcare and dental claims. The ultimate costs related to these programs/operations include expenses for claims incurred and paid in addition to an accrual for the estimated expenses incurred in connection with claims incurred but not yet reported. Given our significant insurance-related exposure, there can be no assurance that a sharp increase in the number and/or severity of claims asserted against us will not have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes:  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the amount of taxes payable or deductible in future years as a result of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. We believe that future income will enable us to realize our deferred tax assets net of recorded valuation allowances relating to state net operating loss carry-forwards.

We operate in multiple jurisdictions with varying tax laws. We are subject to audits by any of these taxing authorities. Our tax returns have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) through the year ended December 31, 2006. We believe that adequate accruals have been provided for federal, foreign and state taxes. See Note 6 - Income Taxes, for additional disclosure.

Other Noncurrent Liabilities

Other Noncurrent Liabilities:  Other noncurrent liabilities include the long-term portion of our professional and general liability, workers’ compensation reserves, pension and deferred compensation liabilities, payment deferral of the employer’s share of Social Security taxes as provided for by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), and liabilities incurred in connection with split-dollar life insurance agreements on the lives of our chief executive officer and his wife.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Noncontrolling Interest

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Noncontrolling Interest: As of December 31, 2021, outside owners held noncontrolling, minority ownership interests of: (i) 20% in an acute care facility located in Washington, D.C.; (ii) approximately 9% in an acute care facility located in Texas; (iii) 20%, 30%,  20%, 25% and 48% in five behavioral health care facilities located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington, Missouri and Iowa, respectively, and; (iv) approximately 5% in an acute care facility located in Nevada.  The noncontrolling interest and redeemable noncontrolling interest balances of $103 million and $5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2021, consist primarily of the third-party ownership interests in these hospitals.

In connection with the two behavioral health care facilities located in Pennsylvania and Ohio, the minority ownership interests of which are reflected as redeemable noncontrolling interests on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, the outside owners have “put options” to put their entire ownership interest to us at any time. If exercised, the put option requires us to purchase the minority member’s interest at fair market value. Accordingly, the amounts recorded as redeemable noncontrolling interests on our Consolidated Balance Sheet reflects the estimated fair market value of these ownership interests.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income: The accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) component of stockholders’ equity includes: net unrealized gains and losses on effective cash flow hedges, foreign currency translation adjustments and the net minimum pension liability of a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan which covers employees at one of our subsidiaries. See Note 11 - Pension Plan for additional disclosure regarding the defined benefit pension plan.

The amounts recognized in AOCI for the two years ended December 31, 2021 were as follows (in thousands):

	Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Effective Cash Flow Hedges			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Minimum Pension Liability			Total AOCI
Balance, January 1, 2020, net of income tax	$	(17	)	$	39,568		$	(7,658	)	$	31,893
2020 activity:
Pretax amount		0			13,619			4,428			18,047
Income tax effect		0			(749	)		(1,071	)		(1,820	)
Change, net of income tax		0			12,870			3,357			16,227
Balance, January 1, 2021, net of income tax		(17	)		52,438			(4,301	)		48,120
2021 activity:
Pretax amount		0			(20,743	)		1,427			(19,316	)
Income tax effect		0			1,829			(342	)		1,487
Change, net of income tax		0			(18,914	)		1,085			(17,829	)
Balance, December 31, 2021, net of income tax	$	(17	)	$	33,524		$	(3,216	)	$	30,291

Accounting for Derivative Financial Investments and Hedging Activities and Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

Accounting for Derivative Financial Investments and Hedging Activities and Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:  We manage our ratio of fixed and floating rate debt with the objective of achieving a mix that management believes is appropriate. To manage this risk in a cost-effective manner, we, from time to time, enter into interest rate swap agreements in which we agree to exchange various combinations of fixed and/or variable interest rates based on agreed upon notional amounts. We account for our derivative and hedging activities using the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) guidance which requires all derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet. For derivative transactions designated as hedges, we formally document all relationships between the hedging instrument and the related hedged item, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking each hedge transaction.

Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Cash flow hedges are accounted for by recording the fair value

of the derivative instrument on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability, with a corresponding amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) within shareholders’ equity. Amounts are reclassified from AOCI to the income statement in the period or periods the hedged transaction affects earnings. From time to time, we use interest rate derivatives in our cash flow hedge transactions. Such derivatives are designed to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows related to the hedged liability.

For hedge transactions that do not qualify for the short-cut method, at the hedge’s inception and on a regular basis thereafter, a formal assessment is performed to determine whether changes in the fair values or cash flows of the derivative instruments have been highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items and whether they are expected to be highly effective in the future.

In August 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on hedge accounting (ASU 2017-12) that is intended to more closely align hedge accounting with companies’ risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. The new guidance amends the presentation and disclosure requirements, and changes how companies assess effectiveness. We adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2019 and applied to all existing hedges as of the adoption date.  As of December 31, 2021 we have no cash flow hedges.

We use forward exchange contracts to hedge our net investment in foreign operations against movements in exchange rates. The effective portion of the unrealized gains or losses on these contracts is recorded in foreign currency translation adjustment within accumulated other comprehensive income and remains there until either the sale or liquidation of the subsidiary. In conjunction with the January 1, 2019 adoption of ASU 2017-12, “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities”, we reclassified our presentation of the net cash inflows or outflows, which were received or paid in connection with foreign exchange contracts that hedge our net investment in foreign operations against movements in exchange rates, to investing cash flows on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation:  We have a number of stock-based employee compensation plans. Pursuant to the FASB’s guidance, we expense the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation pursuant to the straight-line method over the stated vesting period of the award using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

The expense associated with share-based compensation arrangements is a non-cash charge. In the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, share-based compensation expense is an adjustment to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per Share:  Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year adjusted to give effect to common stock equivalents.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share, for the periods indicated:

	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2021			2020			2019
Basic and diluted:
Net Income	$	987,632		$	952,790		$	827,543
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		3,958			(8,837	)		(12,689	)
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share    grants		(2,059	)		(2,981	)		(2,028	)
Net income attributable to UHS—basic and diluted	$	989,531		$	940,972		$	812,826
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS:
Weighted average number of common shares—basic		82,519			85,061			88,762
Total basic earnings per share	$	11.99		$	11.06		$	9.16
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS:
Weighted average number of common shares		82,519			85,061			88,762
Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based    on the treasury stock method		1,173			526			278
Weighted average number of common shares and    equivalents—diluted		83,692			85,587			89,040
Total diluted earnings per share	$	11.82		$	10.99		$	9.13

The “Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the treasury stock method”, for all years presented above, excludes certain outstanding stock options applicable to each year since the effect would have been anti-dilutive. The excluded weighted-average stock options totaled approximately 4.2 million during 2021, 6.4 million during 2020 and 5.5 million during 2019.  

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments:  The fair values of our debt and investments are based on quoted market prices. The fair values of other long-term debt, including capital lease obligations, are estimated by discounting cash flows using period-end interest rates and market conditions for instruments with similar maturities and credit quality. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and short-term borrowings approximates their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Accordingly, these items have been excluded from the fair value disclosures included elsewhere in these notes to consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates:  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 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.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and Acquisitions: The acquisition method of accounting for business combinations requires that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values with limited exceptions. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Any excess of the purchase price (consideration transferred) over the estimated fair values of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Transaction costs and costs to restructure the acquired company are expensed as incurred. The fair value of intangible assets, including Medicare licenses, certificates of need, tradenames and certain contracts, is based on significant judgments made by our management, and accordingly, for significant items we typically obtain assistance from third party valuation specialists.

GPO Agreement/Minority Ownership Interest

GPO Agreement/Minority Ownership Interest: During 2013, we entered into a new group purchasing organization agreement (“GPO”) with Premier, Inc. (“Premier), a healthcare performance improvement alliance, and acquired a minority interest in the GPO for a nominal amount. During the fourth quarter of 2013, in connection with the completion of an initial public offering of the stock of Premier, we received cash proceeds for the sale of a portion of our ownership interest in the GPO, which were recorded as deferred income, on a pro rata basis, as a reduction to our supplies expense over the initial expected life of the GPO agreement. Also in connection with this GPO agreement, we received shares of restricted stock in Premier which vest ratably over a seven-year period (2014 through 2020), contingent upon our continued participation and minority ownership interest in the GPO. We recognized the fair value of this restricted stock, as a reduction to our supplies expense, in our consolidated statements of income, on a pro rata basis, over the vesting period. During the third quarter of 2020, we entered into an agreement with Premier pursuant to the terms of which, among other things, our ownership interest in Premier was converted into shares of Class A Common Stock of Premier.  We have elected to retain a portion of the previously vested shares of Premier, the value of which is included in other assets on our consolidated balance sheet.  Based upon the closing price of Premier’s stock on each respective date, the market value of our shares of Premier was $92 million and $78 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  The change in market value of these shares is recorded as an unrealized gain and included in “Other (income) expense, net” on our consolidated statements of income. Additionally, Premier paid cash dividends of $1.7 million and $848,000 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which are included in “Other (income) expense, net” in our condensed consolidated statements of income.  

Provider Taxes

Provider Taxes: We incur health-care related taxes (“Provider Taxes”) imposed by states in the form of a licensing fee, assessment or other mandatory payment which are related to: (i) healthcare items or services; (ii) the provision of, or the authority to provide, the health care items or services, or; (iii) the payment for the health care items or services. Such Provider Taxes are subject to various federal regulations that limit the scope and amount of the taxes that can be levied by states in order to secure federal matching funds as part of their respective state Medicaid programs. We derive a related Medicaid reimbursement benefit from assessed Provider Taxes in the form of Medicaid claims based payment increases and/or lump sum Medicaid supplemental payments.

Under these programs, including the impact of the Texas Uncompensated Care and Upper Payment Limit program, the Texas Delivery System Reform Incentive program, and various other state programs, we earned revenues (before Provider Taxes) of approximately $641 million during 2021, $488 million during 2020 and $419 million during 2019. These revenues were offset by Provider Taxes of approximately $211 million during 2021, $185 million during 2020 and $194 million during 2019, which are recorded in other operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income as included herein. The aggregate net benefit from these programs was $430 million during 2021, $303 million during 2020 and $225 million during 2019. The aggregate net benefit pursuant to these programs is earned from multiple states and therefore no particular state’s portion is individually material to our consolidated financial statements. In addition, under various disproportionate share hospital payment programs and the Nevada state plan amendment program, we earned revenues of $74 million in 2021, $73 million in 2020 and $78 million in 2019.

CARES Act and Other Governmental Grants and Medicare Accelerated Payments

CARES Act and Other Governmental Grants and Medicare Accelerated Payments: During 2021, we received approximately $189 million of additional funds from the federal government in connection with the CARES Act, which we returned during the year utilizing a portion of our cash and cash equivalents held on deposit. Therefore, there was no impact on our earnings during 2021 in connection with receipt of those funds.  

Also during 2021, we made an early repayment of $695 million of funds received during 2020 pursuant to the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program (“MAAPP”). These funds, which were required to be repaid to the government beginning in the second quarter of 2021 through the third quarter of 2022, were returned to the government utilizing a portion of our cash and cash equivalents held on deposit.

As of December 31, 2020, we received an aggregate of $1.112 billion of funds consisting of: (i) $417 million received pursuant to various governmental stimulus programs, most notably the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (the “PHSSEF”) as provided for by the CARES Act, of which approximately $413 million were recorded as net revenues during 2020 and approximately $4 million remained in the Medicare accelerated payments and deferred CARES Act and other grants liability account in our consolidated balance sheet, and; (ii) $695 million of MAAPP funds, which as discussed above, were repaid early to the government during 2021. As of December 31, 2020, $372 million of the MAAPP funds were included in the current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet and $323 million were included noncurrent liabilities. There was no impact on our earnings during 2021 or 2020 in connection with receipt of the MAAPP funds.

Recent Accounting Standards

Recent Accounting Standards:  In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The ASU is intended to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the US GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. This guidance was effective beginning on March 12, 2020, and the Company may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on our consolidated financial statements.

From time to time, new accounting guidance is issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies that is adopted by the Company as of the effective date or, in some cases where early adoption is permitted, in advance of the effective date. The Company has assessed the recently issued guidance that is not yet effective and, unless otherwise indicated above, believes the new guidance will not have a material impact on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation: Assets and liabilities of our U.K. subsidiaries are denominated in pound sterling and translated into U.S. dollars at: (i) the rates of exchange at the balance sheet date, and; (ii) average rates of exchange prevailing during the year for revenues and expenses. The currency translation adjustments are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. See Note 3 - Financial Instruments, Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts for additional disclosure.