Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

NOTE A – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Boston Scientific Corporation have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. When used in this report, the terms, "we," "us," "our," and "the Company" mean Boston Scientific Corporation and its divisions and subsidiaries. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Item 8 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Amounts reported in millions within this report are computed based on the amounts in thousands. As a result, the sum of the components reported in millions may not equal the total amount reported in millions due to rounding. Certain columns and rows within tables may not add due to the use of rounded numbers. Percentages presented are calculated from the underlying numbers in dollars.

Subsequent Events

We evaluate events occurring after the date of our most recent accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet for potential recognition or disclosure in our financial statements. Those items requiring disclosure (non-recognized subsequent events) in the financial statements have been disclosed accordingly. Refer to Note E – Contractual Obligations and Commitments and Note H – Commitments and Contingencies for more information.

In December 2019, the novel strain of coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2), and its disease commonly known as COVID-19 (COVID-19), was reported in China and has since widely impacted the global public health and economic environment. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19, including all additional variations and strains thereof, a global pandemic (COVID-19 pandemic). We have evaluated the recoverability of the assets on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2020 in accordance with relevant authoritative accounting literature including Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 855 - Subsequent Events. We considered the disruptions caused by COVID-19, including lower than forecasted sales and customer demand, a decline in the price of our common stock and macroeconomic factors potentially impacting accounts receivable, inventory, investments, intangible assets, goodwill and other assets and liabilities. Where forward looking estimates are required, we made a good-faith estimate based on information available as of the balance sheet date. We have continued to monitor for indicators of impairment through the date of this Quarterly Report filed on Form 10-Q, and reflected accordingly in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Those items requiring disclosure (non-recognized subsequent events) in the financial statements have been disclosed accordingly.

Accounting Standards Implemented Since December 31, 2019

ASC Update No. 2016-13

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (FASB ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses). We adopted the standard as of January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective method. Under this method, we applied the new credit loss measurement guidance to financial assets measured at amortized cost on the date of adoption and recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2020 are presented in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 326. Prior period amounts have not been restated and are reported in accordance with legacy GAAP requirements in FASB ASC Topic 310, Receivables.

Upon the adoption of FASB ASC Topic 326, credit loss reserves are recorded when financial assets are established if credit losses are expected over the asset’s contractual life. These losses were previously expensed when it became probable that a loss would be incurred.

As a result of the adoption of FASB ASC Topic 326, we recorded a net reduction to opening retained earnings on January 1, 2020 related to the establishment of credit loss reserves on Trade accounts receivable and recorded a corresponding increase in the Allowance for credit losses, a contra Trade accounts receivable account. The adoption impact was not material to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

ASC Update No. 2018-15

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The purpose of Update No. 2018-15 is to align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). Update No. 2018-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. We adopted Update No. 2018-15 in the first quarter of 2020. The adoption had an immaterial impact on our financial position and results of operations.

ASC Update No. 2018-18

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction Between Topic 808 and Topic 606. The purpose of Update No. 2018-18 is to clarify the interaction between FASB ASC Topic 808 and FASB ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (FASB ASC Topic 606) as FASB ASC Topic 808 did not provide comprehensive recognition or measurement guidance for collaborative arrangements, and the accounting for those arrangements was often based on an analogy to other accounting literature or an accounting policy election. Update No. 2018-18 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We adopted Update No. 2018-18 in the first quarter of 2020. The adoption had an immaterial impact on our financial position and results of operations.