Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SunLink and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries, all of which are 100% owned. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Management Estimates

Management Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Some of the more significant estimates made by management involve reserves for adjustments to net patient service revenues, evaluation of the recoverability of assets, including accounts receivable and intangible assets, and the assessment of litigation and contingencies, including income taxes and related tax asset valuation allowances, all as discussed in more detail in the remainder of these notes to the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Net Patient Service Revenue

Net Patient Service Revenue—SunLink has agreements with third-party payors that provide for payments at amounts different from established charges. Payment arrangements vary and include prospectively determined rates per discharge, reimbursed costs, discounted charges and per diem payments. Patient service revenues are reported as services are rendered at the estimated net realizable amounts from patients, third-party payors, and others. Estimated net realizable amounts are estimated based upon contracts with third-party payors, published reimbursement rates, and historical reimbursement percentages pertaining to each payor type. Estimated reductions in revenues to reflect agreements with third-party payors and estimated retroactive adjustments under such reimbursement agreements are accrued during the period the related services are rendered and are adjusted in future periods as interim and final settlements are determined. Significant changes in reimbursement levels for services under government and private programs could significantly impact the estimates used to accrue such revenue deductions. At June 30, 2012, there were no material claims or disputes with third-party payors.

Charity Care

Charity Care—SunLink provides care to patients who meet certain criteria under its charity care policy without charge or at amounts less than its established rates. Because SunLink does not pursue collection of amounts determined to qualify as charity, they are not reported as revenue. SunLink provided $9,958, $6,545, and $4,238, of charity care in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk—SunLink grants unsecured credit to its patients, most of who reside in the service area of SunLink’s facilities and are insured under third-party agreements. Although SunLink’s two Georgia facilities generated approximately 42%, 45%, and 47% of gross revenues for the years ended June 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, because of the geographic diversity of SunLink’s facilities and nongovernmental third-party payors, Medicare and Medicaid accounts represent SunLink’s only significant concentrations of credit risk. For SunLink’s Healthcare Facilities Segment, Medicare net revenues were approximately 40%, 41%, and 39% of net revenues for the years ended June 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. For SunLink’s Healthcare Facilities Segment, Medicaid was approximately 13%, 13%, and 12% of net revenues for the years ended June 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. For SunLink’s Healthcare Facilities Segment, Medicare receivables were approximately 37% and 36% of receivables—net at June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, while Medicaid receivables were approximately 22% and 26% of receivables—net at June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid financial instruments, which have original maturities of three months or less when purchased. Cash is deposited with commercial banks and may have deposits totaling amounts in excess of the federally insured limits from time to time.

Inventory

Inventory—Inventory consists of medical and pharmacy supplies. Medical supplies are valued at the lower of cost or market, using the first-in, first-out method. Pharmacy supplies are stated at the lower of cost (standard cost method), or market. Use of this method does not result in a material difference from the methods required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts—Substantially all of SunLink’s receivables result from providing healthcare services to hospital facility patients and from providing pharmacy services and products to customers. Accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts estimated to become uncollectible in the future. For its Healthcare Facilities, the Company calculates an allowance percentage based generally upon its historical collection experience for each type of payor. The allowance amount is computed by applying allowance percentages to receivable amounts included in specific payor categories. Significant changes in reimbursement levels for services under government and private programs could significantly impact the estimates used to determine the allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable are written off after all collection efforts have failed, normally within 120 days after the date of discharge of the patient or service to the patient or customer. For its Pharmacy Operations, the Company calculates an allowance percentage based on past credit history with customers and their current financial condition. Accounts receivable are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when they are deemed uncollectible.

Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records Incentives

Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records (“EHR”) Incentives—The Company accounts for EHR incentive payments in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 450-30, “Gain Contingencies”, (“ASC 450-30”). In accordance with ASC 450-30, the Company recognizes EHR incentive payments when all contingencies relating to the incentive payment have been satisfied and compliance with the EHR meaningful use criteria have been attested to. For recognition of Medicaid EHR incentive payments, recognition of the payments will be at the time of attestation to EHR meaningful use criteria since Medicaid payments for the states in which the Company operates are based upon historical cost report information with no subsequent payment adjustment. However, for Medicare EHR incentive payments, recognition is being deferred until both the Medicare federal fiscal year during which EHR meaningful use was demonstrated ends and the cost report information utilized to determine the final amount of reimbursement is known. The demonstration of meaningful use is based on meeting a series of objectives and varies among hospitals, between the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and within the Medicaid program from state to state. Additionally, meeting the series of objectives in order to demonstrate meaningful use becomes progressively more stringent as its implementation is phased in through stages as outlined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Incentive payments for Medicare meaningful use will be recognized once the Medicare EHR meaningful use attestation has been successfully completed and all information utilized to calculate the amounts of incentive reimbursement payments is known. Incentive payments for Medicaid meaningful use will be recognized once the Medicaid EHR meaningful use attestation has been successfully completed and all information utilized to calculate the amounts of incentive reimbursement payments is known. Medicaid EHR incentive payments will be recognized as gains upon completion of successful attestation of meaningful use and notification of the payment amount is verified with Medicaid.

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, Plant, and Equipment—Property, plant, and equipment, including equipment subject to capital leases, are recorded at cost. Depreciation is recognized over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 45 years, on a straight-line basis. Generally, furniture and fixtures are depreciated over 5 to 10 years, machinery and equipment over 10 years, and buildings over 25 to 45 years. Leasehold improvements and leased machinery and equipment are depreciated over the lease term or estimated useful life, whichever is shorter, of the asset and range from 5 to 15 years. For our Specialty Pharmacy Segment, durable medical equipment is depreciated over 3 years. Expenditures for major renewals and replacements are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expense as incurred. When property items are retired or otherwise disposed of, amounts applicable to such items are removed from the related asset and accumulated depreciation accounts and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income. Depreciation expense totaled $4,520, $5,085, and $5,337, for the years ended June 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Risk Management

Risk Management—SunLink is exposed to various risks of loss from medical malpractice and other claims and casualties; theft of, damage to, and destruction of assets; business interruption; errors and omissions; employee injuries and illnesses; natural disasters (including earthquakes and hurricanes); and employee health, dental and accident benefits. Commercial insurance coverage is purchased for a portion of claims arising from such matters.

When, in management’s judgment, claims are sufficiently identified, a liability is accrued for estimated costs and losses under such claims, net of estimated insurance recoveries except where applicable laws, rules or regulations require us to report the gross estimate of potential or estimated losses.

By virtue of the acquisition of its initial six hospitals, SunLink assumed responsibility for professional liability claims reported after the February 1, 2001 acquisition date and the previous owner retained responsibility for all known and filed claims prior to the acquisition date. SunLink purchased claims-made commercial insurance for acts prior to and after the acquisition date. The recorded liability for professional liability risks includes an estimate of the liability for claims incurred prior to February 1, 2001, but reported after February 1, 2001, and for claims incurred after February 1, 2001. These amounts are based on actuarially determined estimates.In connection with the acquisition of HealthMont LLC (“HealthMont”) and its two hospitals, SunLink assumed responsibility for all professional liability claims. HealthMont had purchased claims-made commercial insurance for claims made prior to the acquisition and SunLink purchased claims-made commercial insurance for claims made after the acquisition. The recorded liability for professional liability risks includes an estimate of liability for claims assumed at the acquisition and for claims incurred after the acquisition. These amounts are based on actuarially determined estimates.

The Company self-insures for workers’ compensation risk. The estimated liability for workers’ compensation risk includes estimates of the ultimate costs for both reported claims and claims incurred but not reported. Since October 1, 2006, the Company is self-insured for employee health risks. The estimated liability for employee health risk includes estimates of the ultimate costs for both reported claims and claims incurred but not reported.

The Company accrues an estimate of losses resulting from workers’ compensation and professional liability claims to the extent they are not covered by insurance. These accruals are estimated quarterly based upon management’s review of claims reported and historical loss data.

The Company records a liability pertaining to pending litigation if it is probable a loss has been incurred and accrues the most likely amount of loss based on the information available. If no amount within the range of losses estimated from the information available is more likely than any other amount in the range of loss, the minimum amount in the range of loss is accrued. Because of uncertainties surrounding the nature of litigation and the ultimate liability to SunLink, if any, we revise estimated reserves as additional facts become known.

Long-lived Assets

Long-lived Assets—SunLink periodically assesses the recoverability of assets based on its expectations of future profitability and the undiscounted cash flows of the related operations and, when circumstances dictate, adjusts the carrying value of the asset to estimated fair value. These factors, along with management’s plans with respect to the operations, are considered in assessing the recoverability of long-lived assets.

Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill and Intangibles—Goodwill represents the cost of acquired businesses in excess of fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible net assets purchased. Goodwill has an indefinite life and is not subject to periodic amortization. However, goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment, using a fair value methodology, in lieu of amortization. Definite-life intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, generally for periods ranging from 2 to 30 years. SunLink evaluates the reasonableness of the useful lives of intangible assets and they are tested for impairment as conditions warrant.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes—SunLink accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach and the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax consequences. SunLink considers all expected future events other than proposed enactments of changes in the income tax law or rates. When management determines that it is more likely than not that a portion of or none of the net deferred tax asset will be realized through future taxable earnings or implementation of tax planning strategies, management provides a valuation allowance for the portion not expected to be realized.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation—The Company issues common share options to key employees and directors under various shareholder-approved plans. Share-based compensation expense of $92, $6 and $41 for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, was recorded in salaries, wages and benefits expense for share options issued to employees and directors of the Company. The fair value of the share options was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The historical volatility is used to calculate the estimated volatility in this model.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The recorded values of cash, receivables, and payables approximate their fair values because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments. Similarly, the fair value of long-term debt is estimated to approximate the recorded value due to its current variable interest rate.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements—Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the Company utilizes the U.S. GAAP fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumption about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).

The inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 includes values determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques reflecting the Company’s own assumptions.

In instances where the determination of the fair value hierarchy measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment of factors specific to the asset or liability.

Earnings (Loss) per Share

Earnings (Loss) per Share—Earnings (loss) per common share is based on the weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents outstanding for each period presented, including vested and unvested shares issued under SunLink’s 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan, 2001 Long-Term Stock Option Plan, 2001 Outside Directors’ Stock Ownership and Stock Option Plan, the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, and the 2011 Director Stock Option Plan. Common share equivalents represent the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of the outstanding stock options.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements—In July 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-7, “Health Care Entities (Topic 954)—Presentation and Disclosure of Patient Service Revenue, Provision for Bad Debts, and the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts for Certain Health Care Entities” (“ASU 2011-7”). In accordance with ASU 2011-7, the Company will be required to present its provision for doubtful accounts related to patient service revenue as a deduction from revenue, similar to contractual discounts. Accordingly, the Company’s revenues will be required to be reported net of both contractual discounts as well as its provision for doubtful accounts related to patient service revenues. Additionally, ASU 2011-7 will require the Company to make certain additional disclosures designed to help users understand how contractual discounts and bad debts affect recorded revenue in both interim and annual financial statements. ASU 2011-7 is required to be applied retrospectively and is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company anticipates applying the provisions of ASU 2011-7 for its fiscal year ending June 30, 2013. The adoption of ASU 2011-7 is not expected to impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows although it will change the presentation of the Company’s revenues on its statements of earnings as well as requiring additional disclosures.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-5, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)—Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2011-5”). ASU 2011-5 eliminates the Company’s currently elected option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. Instead, ASU 2011-5 requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-5 is required to be applied retrospectively and is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company anticipates applying the provisions of ASU 2011-5 for its fiscal year ending June 30, 2013. The adoption of ASU 2011-5 is not expected to impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows prospectively.