COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Leases – We lease various operating facilities and certain medical equipment under operating leases with renewal options expiring through 2052. Certain leases contain renewal options from two to ten years and escalation based either on the consumer price index or fixed rent escalators. Leases with fixed rent escalators are recorded on a straight-line basis. We record deferred rent for tenant leasehold improvement allowances received from certain lessors and amortize the deferred rent expense over the term of the lease agreement. Minimum annual payments under operating leases for future years ending December 31 are as follows (in thousands):



	Facilities		Equipment		Total
2019	$	75,588	$	14,924	$	90,512
2020	66,116		14,385		80,501
2021	57,826		12,966		70,792
2022	48,542		10,264		58,806
2023	38,800		7,095		45,895
Thereafter	160,327		5,144		165,471
	$	447,199	$	64,778	$	511,977

Total rent expense, including equipment rentals, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $83.0 million, $78.6 million and $74.2 million, respectively.

Litigation – We are engaged from time to time in the defense of lawsuits arising out of the ordinary course and conduct of our business. We believe that the outcome of our current litigation will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. However, we could be subsequently named as a defendant in other lawsuits that could adversely affect us.