13. FAIR VALUE

Fair Value Hierarchy

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. Transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy are recognized by the Company on the date of the change in circumstances that requires such transfer. There were no transfers between levels during 2015 or 2014.

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in millions):



	March 31, 2015		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Available-for-sale securities	$	285	$	156	$	129	$	-
Trading securities		58		58		-		-
Total assets	$	343	$	214	$	129	$	-

Contingent Value Right (CVR)	$	6	$	6	$	-	$	-
CVR-related liability		256		-		-		256
Fair value of interest rate swap agreements		81		-		81		-
Total liabilities	$	343	$	6	$	81	$	256

	December 31, 2014		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Available-for-sale securities	$	280	$	151	$	129	$	-
Trading securities		55		55		-		-
Total assets	$	335	$	206	$	129	$	-

Contingent Value Right (CVR)	$	6	$	6	$	-	$	-
CVR-related liability		265		-		-		265
Fair value of interest rate swap agreements		68		-		68		-
Total liabilities	$	339	$	6	$	68	$	265

Available-for-sale Securities

Available-for-sale securities and trading securities classified as Level 1 are measured using quoted market prices. Level 2 available-for-sale securities primarily consisted of: (i) bonds and notes issued by the United States government and its agencies, domestic and foreign corporations and foreign governments; and (ii) preferred securities issued by domestic and foreign corporations. The estimated fair values of these securities are determined using various valuation techniques, including a multi-dimensional relational model that incorporates standard observable inputs and assumptions such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids/offers and other pertinent reference data.

Contingent Value Right (CVR)

The CVR represents the estimate of the fair value for the contingent consideration paid to HMA shareholders as part of the HMA merger. The CVR is listed on the NASDAQ and the valuation at March 31, 2015 is based on the quoted trading price for the CVR on the last day of the period. Changes in the estimated fair value of the CVR are recorded through the condensed consolidated statement of income.

CVR-related Liability

The CVR-related legal liability represents the Company’s estimate of fair value at March 31, 2015 of the liability associated with the legal matters assumed in the HMA merger that were not previously accrued by HMA. In addition, a liability of $24 million is recorded in accrued liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet in respect of claims that were previously recorded by HMA as a probable contingency. To develop the estimate of fair value, the Company engaged an independent third-party valuation firm to measure the liability. The valuation was made utilizing the Company’s estimates of future outcomes for each legal case and simulating future outcomes based on the timing, probability and distribution of several scenarios using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Other inputs were then utilized for discounting the liability to the measurement date. The HMA legal matters underlying this fair value estimate were evaluated by management to determine the likelihood and impact of each of the potential outcomes. Using that information, as well as the potential correlation and variability associated with each case, a fair value was determined for the estimated future cash outflows to conclude or settle the HMA legal matters included in the analysis, excluding legal fees (which are expensed as incurred). Because of the unobservable nature of the majority of the inputs used to value the liability, the Company has classified the fair value measurement as a Level 3 measurement in the fair value hierarchy.

The fair value of the CVR-related legal liability will be measured each reporting period using similar measurement techniques, updated for the assumptions and facts existing at that date for each of the underlying legal matters. Changes in the fair value of the CVR related legal liability are recorded in future periods through the condensed consolidated statement of income.

Fair Value of Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The valuation of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements is determined using market valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each agreement. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the agreement, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including forward interest rate curves. The fair value of interest rate swap agreements are determined by netting the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted expected variable cash receipts. The variable cash receipts are based on the expectation of future interest rates based on observable market forward interest rate curves and the notional amount being hedged.

The Company incorporates CVAs to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance or credit risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance or credit risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its interest rate swap agreements for the effect of nonperformance or credit risk, the Company has considered the impact of any netting features included in the agreements. The CVA on the Company’s interest rate swap agreements at March 31, 2015 resulted in a decrease in the fair value of the related liability of $5 million and an after-tax adjustment of $3 million to OCI. The CVA on the Company’s interest rate swap agreements at December 31, 2014 resulted in a decrease in the fair value of the related liability of $4 million and an after-tax adjustment of $2 million to OCI.

The majority of the inputs used to value the Company’s interest rate swap agreements, including the forward interest rate curves and market perceptions of the Company’s credit risk used in the CVAs, are observable inputs available to a market participant. As a result, the Company has determined that the interest rate swap valuations are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.