Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hooper Holmes, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries.  All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers highly liquid investments with original maturities at the date of purchase of less than 90 days to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. Allowances for uncollectible accounts are estimated based on the Company's periodic review of accounts receivable historical losses and current receivables aging. Account balances are charged off to the allowance after all means of collections have been exhausted and potential for recovery is considered remote.  Customer billing adjustments are recorded against revenue whereas adjustments for bad debts are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses.  

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories, which consist of finished goods and component inventory, are stated at the lower of average cost or market.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the improvement or the remaining lease term.  The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to operations as incurred.

Internal use software and website development costs are capitalized and included in property, plant and equipment in the consolidated balance sheet. These assets are depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset using the straight-line method. Subsequent modifications or upgrades to internal use software are capitalized only to the extent that additional functionality is provided.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, including intangible assets with determinable useful lives, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets and is charged to earnings.  Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less the costs to sell.  Intangible assets with determinable useful lives were amortized on a straight line basis over their respective estimated useful lives and were fully amortized as of December 31, 2012.

Deferred Rent

Deferred Rent

The Company accounts for scheduled rent increases contained in its leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Advertising

Advertising

Costs related to space in publications are expensed as incurred.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized for Health and Wellness services when the wellness screening is completed and the results are delivered to customers. Revenue for kit assembly is recorded upon shipment to the customers. In all cases, there must be evidence of an agreement with the customer, the sales price must be fixed or determinable, delivery of services must occur and the ability to collect must be reasonably assured. Sales tax collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities is accounted for on a net basis and therefore is excluded from revenues in the consolidated statements of operations.

Share-based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes share-based compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, for awards expected to vest. Compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award.

The Company’s initial accruals for share-based compensation expense are based on the estimated number of instruments for which the requisite service is expected to be rendered.  Therefore, the Company is required to incorporate the probability of pre-vesting forfeitures in determining the number of options and restricted stock that are estimated to vest. The forfeiture rate is based on historical forfeiture experience.  The Company monitors employee termination patterns to estimate forfeiture rates.

The fair value of each stock option granted during the year was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

	2014		2013		2012
Expected life (years)	5.3		5.4		5.5
Expected volatility	82.9	%	89.6	%	92.4	%
Expected dividend yield	—		—		—
Risk-free interest rate	1.8	%	1.5	%	0.7	%
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year	$0.39		$0.34		$0.47

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the period in which related temporary differences become deductible.  Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

Income Tax Uncertainties

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.  The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the tax authorities. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.  The Company records interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in income tax expense.

(Loss) Earnings per Common Share

(Loss) Earnings per Common Share

Basic (loss) earnings per share equals net (loss) income divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted (loss) earnings per share equals net (loss) income divided by the sum of the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period plus dilutive common stock equivalents.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events.  These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses.  Such estimates include the valuation of receivable balances, property, plant and equipment, deferred tax assets, share based compensation expense and the assessment of contingencies, among others.  These estimates and assumptions are based on the Company’s best estimates and judgment.  The Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.  The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate.  As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.  Changes in those estimates will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014- 08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity" to change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have, or will have, a major effect on an entity’s operations should be reported as discontinued operations in the financial statements. Additionally, the new guidance removes the condition that an entity may not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after the disposal transaction. The new guidance requires expanded disclosures for discontinued operations, as well as disclosures about the financial effects of significant disposals that do not qualify for discontinued operations. The Company early adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2014 and has applied the guidance in ASU 2014-08 to the accounting for the sale of Heritage Labs and Hooper Holmes Services to CRL and presentation of discontinued operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. This new guidance is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017, with no early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recovery of its long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate that the carrying value of assets may not be recoverable.