Equity Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Equity Investments [Abstract]

Equity Investments Disclosure

14.  EQUITY INVESTMENTS

As of December 31, 2018, the Company owned equity interests of 38.0% in three hospitals in Macon, Georgia, in which HCA owns the majority interest. On December 31, 2016, the Company sold 80% of its ownership interest in the legal entity that owned and operated its home care agency business. As part of the divestiture of its controlling interest in the home care agency business, the Company recorded an equity method investment representing its remaining 20% ownership.

In March 2005, the Company began purchasing items, primarily medical supplies, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, under an agreement with HealthTrust Purchasing Group, L.P. (“HealthTrust”), a group purchasing organization in which the Company is a noncontrolling partner. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had a 17.7% ownership interest in HealthTrust.

The Company’s investment in all of its unconsolidated affiliates was $192 million and $171 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is included in other assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Included in the Company’s results of operations is the Company’s equity in pre-tax earnings from all of its investments in unconsolidated affiliates, which was $22 million, $16 million and $43 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.