Basis of Presentation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Change in Accounting Principle (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. Certain GAAP policies that significantly affect the determination of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, are summarized below.

As discussed in Note 4, amounts for the period January 1, 2015, through June 3, 2015, presented in our consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements represent the historical operations of our predecessor entity, Evolent Health Holdings, which did not consolidate the operations of Evolent Health LLC for that period. The amounts for the period from June 4, 2015, through December 31, 2015, and as of dates and for periods thereafter, reflect our operations, which consolidate the operations of Evolent Health LLC.

Accounting estimates and assumptions

Accounting Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for the reporting period. Those estimates are inherently subject to change and actual results could differ from those estimates. In the accompanying consolidated financial statements, estimates are used for, but not limited to, the valuation of assets, liabilities, consideration related to business combinations and asset acquisitions, revenue recognition including discounts and credits, estimated selling prices for deliverables in multiple element arrangements, contingent payments, allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciable lives of assets, impairment of long lived assets (including equity method investments), stock-based compensation, deferred income taxes and valuation allowance, contingent liabilities, valuation of intangible assets (including goodwill), purchase price allocation in taxable stock transactions and the useful lives of intangible assets.

Principles of consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Evolent Health, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Comprehensive Income

No elements of comprehensive income were present for any periods presented.

Fair value measurement

Fair Value Measurement

Fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability assuming an orderly transaction in the most advantageous market at the measurement date. Our Consolidated Balance Sheets include various financial instruments (primarily cash not held in money-market funds, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities) that are carried at cost and that approximate fair value.

See Note 16 for further discussion regarding fair value measurement.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

In addition to the assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company records certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as required by GAAP. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges. This includes goodwill, intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, held-to-maturity investments and equity method investments. While not carried at fair value on a recurring basis, these items are continually monitored for indicators of impairment that would indicate current carrying value is greater than fair value. In those situations, the assets are considered impaired and written down to current fair value. See Notes 4, 5, 6, 7 and 14 for further discussion of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Other Fair Value Disclosures

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents (those not held in a money market fund), restricted cash, receivables, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and accrued compensation approximate their fair values because of the relatively short-term maturities of these items and financial instruments.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company holds materially all of our cash in bank deposits with FDIC participating banks, at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash and cash equivalents held in money market funds are carried at fair value, which approximates cost.

Restricted cash and restricted investments

Restricted Cash and Restricted Investments

Restricted cash and restricted investments include cash and investments used to collateralize various contractual obligations

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are recorded when amounts are contractually billable under our customer contracts and are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company’s contracts typically include installment payments that do not necessarily correlate to the pattern of revenue recognition. In assessing the valuation of the allowance for doubtful accounts, management reviews the collectability of accounts receivable on an individual account basis. The allowance is adjusted periodically based on management’s determination of collectability, and any accounts that are determined to be uncollectible are written off against the allowance. The Company does not have an allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2017 or 2016, as all amounts were determined to be materially collectible.

Due to the timing of invoicing, the Company had recorded unbilled receivables of $2.4 million and $1.8 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Unbilled receivables are considered short-term and generally invoiced subsequent to the month the services are provided. While terms vary by contract, payment for services is typically contractually linked to the provision of specified services, with the timing of invoicing occurring in advance or subsequent to the services period.

Notes receivable

Notes Receivable

Notes receivable are carried at the face amount of each note plus respective accrued interest receivable, less received payments. The Company does not typically carry notes receivable in the course of its regular business, but contributed $20.0 million in the form of an implementation funding loan (the “Implementation Loan”) under an agreement with a current customer entered during the year ended December 31, 2017. The Implementation Loan is expected to support implementation services to assist the customer in expanding its Medicaid membership. Repayments under the loan are recorded as they are received and are immediately offset against any outstanding accrued interest before they are applied against the outstanding principal balance on the loan.

Property and equipment, net

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment are computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term. Based on the current competitive environment and constantly changing landscape for similar technology, effective September 1, 2017, the Company changed its estimate of the useful life of internal-use software from 7 years to 5 years. This change in useful life has been accounted for as a change in accounting estimate and will be applied to all new internal-use software. This change in estimate will also be applied prospectively to the remaining carrying amounts of existing internal-use software. For these existing assets the useful lives were adjusted at the individual asset level and will be amortized over a period of time such that the carrying value is fully amortized 5 years from the date the individual assets were initially placed in service. See Note 6 for additional discussion regarding the change in estimate related to our property and equipment.

The following summarizes the updated estimated useful lives by asset classification:



Computer hardware	3 years
Furniture and equipment	3-7 years
Internal-use software development costs	5 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of useful life or remaining lease term

When an item is sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization is eliminated and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We periodically review the carrying value of our long-lived assets, including property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable. For long-lived assets to be held and used, impairments are recognized when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset group is not recoverable and exceeds fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset group exceeds its fair value.

Software development costs

Software Development Costs

The Company capitalizes the cost of developing internal-use software, consisting primarily of personnel and related expenses (including stock-based compensation and employee taxes and benefits) for employees and third parties who devote time to their respective projects. Internal-use software costs are capitalized during the application development stage – when the research stage is complete and management has committed to a project to develop software that will be used for its intended purpose and any costs incurred during subsequent efforts to significantly upgrade and enhance the functionality of the software are also capitalized. Capitalized software costs are included in property and equipment, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amortization of internal-use software costs are recorded on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life and begin once the project is substantially complete and the software is ready for its intended purpose.

Research and development costs

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs consist primarily of personnel and related expenses (including stock-based compensation) for employees engaged in research and development activities as well as third-party fees. All such costs are expensed as incurred. We focus our research and development efforts on activities that support our technology infrastructure, clinical program development, data analytics and network development capabilities.

Goodwill

We recognize the excess of the purchase price, plus the fair value of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired as goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed at least annually for indications of impairment, with consideration given to financial performance and other relevant factors. Our annual goodwill impairment testing date is October 31. We perform impairment tests between annual tests if an event occurs, or circumstances change, that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. We perform impairment tests of goodwill at our single reporting unit level, which is consistent with the way management evaluates our business. Acquisitions to date have been complementary to the Company’s core business, and therefore goodwill is assigned to our single reporting unit to reflect the synergies arising from each business combination.

As discussed in Note 3, we adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, effective January 1, 2017. The adoption resulted in an update to our accounting policy for goodwill impairment. Our updated policy is described below.

Our goodwill impairment analysis first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether events or circumstances existed that would lead the Company to conclude it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit is below its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit is below the carrying amount, a quantitative goodwill assessment is required. In the quantitative evaluation, the fair value of the relevant reporting unit is determined and compared to the carrying value. If the fair value is greater than the carrying value, then the carrying value is deemed to be recoverable and no further action is required. If the fair value estimate is less than the carrying value, goodwill is considered impaired for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value and a charge is reported in impairment of goodwill on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 7 for additional discussion regarding the goodwill impairment tests conducted during 2017 and 2016.

Intangible assets, net

Intangible Assets, Net

As noted above, on June 4, 2015, the Company completed the Offering Reorganization, following which we were required to remeasure the assets, liabilities and non-controlling interests of our equity-method investee, Evolent Health LLC, at fair value. The Company acquired additional intangible assets in conjunction with strategic acquisitions made during 2016 and 2017. Information regarding the determination and allocation of the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities are further described within Note 4.

Identified intangible assets are recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition and are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives using a method of amortization that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are used. Based on the current competitive environment and constantly changing landscape for similar technology, effective September 1, 2017, the Company changed its estimate of the useful life of intangible technology from a range of 5-7 years to 5 years. This change in useful life has been accounted for as a change in accounting estimate and will be applied to all new intangible technology, provided the facts and circumstances of the intangible technology do not suggest otherwise. This change in estimate will also be applied prospectively to the remaining carrying amounts of existing technology assets. For these existing assets the useful lives were adjusted at the individual asset level and will be amortized over a period of time such that the carrying value is fully amortized 5 years from the date the individual assets were initially capitalized.

The following summarizes the updated estimated useful lives by asset classification:



Corporate trade name	20 years
Customer relationships	15-25 years
Technology	5 years

Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment if circumstances indicate the Company may not be able to recover the asset’s carrying value. The Company evaluates recoverability by determining whether the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of that asset or group exceed the carrying value at the evaluation date. If the undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to cover the carrying value, the Company measures an impairment loss as the excess of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or group over its fair value. See Note 7 for additional discussion regarding our intangible assets.

Long-term debt

The 2021 Notes are carried at cost, net of deferred financing costs, as long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The deferred financing costs will be amortized to non-cash interest expense using the straight line method over the contractual term of the 2021 Notes, since this method was not materially different from the effective interest rate method. Cash interest payments are due semi-annually in arrears - on June 1 and December 1 each year, starting on June 1, 2017. We will accrue interest expense monthly based on the annual coupon rate of 2.00%. The 2021 Notes have embedded conversion options and contingent interest provisions, which have not been recorded as separate financial instruments.

Leases

The Company leases all of its office space and enters into various other operating lease agreements in conducting its business. At the inception of each lease, the Company evaluates the lease agreement to determine whether the lease is an operating or capital lease. The operating lease agreements may contain tenant improvement allowances, rent holidays or rent escalation clauses. When such items are included in a lease agreement, the Company records a deferred rent asset or liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheets equal to the difference between the rent expense and future minimum lease payments due. The rent expense related to these items is recognized on a straight-line basis in the Consolidated Statements of Operations over the terms of the leases. In addition, the Company has entered into sublease agreements for some of its leased office space. Total rental income attributable to the subleases is offset against rent expense recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations over the terms of the leases. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had not entered into any capital leases.

The Company is subject to non-cancellable leases for offices or portions of offices for which use might cease, resulting in a lease abandonment. When a lease abandonment is determined to have occurred, the present value of the future lease payments, net of estimated sublease payments, along with any unamortized tenant improvement costs, are recognized as lease abandonment expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations with a corresponding liability in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 9 for discussion of the lease abandonment.

Impairment of equity method investments

Impairment of Equity Method Investments

The Company considers potential impairment triggers for its equity method investments, and the equity method investments will be written down to fair value if there is evidence of a loss in value which is other-than-temporary. The Company may estimate the fair value of its equity method investments by considering recent investee equity transactions, discounted cash flow analyses and recent operating results. If the fair value of the investment has dropped below the carrying amount, management considers several factors when determining whether other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. The estimation of fair value and whether other-than-temporary impairment has occurred requires the application of significant judgment and future results may vary from current assumptions.

Deferred revenue

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue consists of billings or payments received in advance of providing the requisite services or other instances where the revenue recognition criteria have not been met. Amounts deferred that are not anticipated to be recognized as revenue within a year of the balance sheet date are reported as long-term deferred liabilities.

Revenue recognition

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from the Company’s services is recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, performance or delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.

At times, the Company enters into contracts that contain multiple deliverables and we evaluate each deliverable to determine whether it represents a separate unit of accounting based on the following criteria: (i) if the delivered item has value to the customer on a standalone basis, and (ii) if the contract includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item, and delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in the control of the vendor. Revenue is then allocated to the units of accounting based on an estimate of each unit’s relative selling price.

Revenue Recognition - Transformation

Transformation contracts consist of strategic assessments, or Blueprint contracts, and implementation contracts. Based on the strategic assessment generated in a Blueprint contract, a customer may decide to move forward with a population health or health plan strategy; in these cases, the customer enters into an implementation contract in which the Company provides services related to the launch of this strategy.

The Company recognizes revenue associated with transformation contracts based on a proportionate performance method, where revenue is recognized each period in proportion to the amount of the contract completed during that period. In the case of implementation revenues tied to certain health plan services activities, such revenue is deferred and amortized over the life of the contract. Contract completion is measured using output measures as best estimated by labor hours incurred compared to the total estimated labor hours necessary to complete our performance obligations contained in the contract.

Revenue Recognition - Platform and Operations

After the transformation phase, the Company often enters into a multi-year service contract with its customers where various population health, health plan operations, third-party health plan and PBM services are provided on an ongoing basis to the members of the customers’ plans typically in exchange for a monthly service fee, PMPM fee or a percentage of plan premiums. Revenue from these contracts is recognized in the month in which the services are delivered. In certain arrangements, there is a contingent portion of our service fee including meeting service level targets, sharing in rebates, shared medical savings arrangements based on financial performance and other performance measures. The Company continuously monitors its compliance with these arrangements and recognizes revenue when the amount is estimable and there is evidence to support meeting the criteria.

Credits and Discounts

We also provide credits and discounts to our customers often based on achieving certain volume commitments or other criteria. Credits are assessed to determine whether they reflect significant and incremental discounts. If the discounts are significant, the Company allocates them between the contract deliverables or future purchases as appropriate. If the future credit expires unused, it is recognized as revenue at that time.

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

Cost of Revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

Our cost of revenue includes direct expenses and shared resources that perform services in direct support of clients. Costs consist primarily of employee-related expenses (including compensation, benefits and stock-based compensation), expenses for TPA support and other services, as well as other professional fees.

Stock-based compensation

Stock-based Compensation

The Company sponsors a stock-based incentive plan that provides for the issuance of stock-based awards to employees and non-employee directors of the Company or its consolidated subsidiaries. Our stock-based awards generally vest over a four year period and expire ten years from the date of grant.

We expense the fair value of stock-based awards granted under our incentive compensation plans. Fair value of stock options is determined using a Black-Scholes options valuation methodology. The fair value of the awards is expensed over the performance or service period, which generally corresponds to the vesting period, on a straight-line basis and is recognized as an increase to additional paid-in capital. Stock-based compensation expense is reflected in “Cost of revenue” and “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Additionally we capitalize personnel expenses attributable to the development of internal-use software, which include stock-based compensation costs. We recognize share-based award forfeitures as they occur.

Prior to the Offering Reorganization on June 3, 2015, stock-based awards were granted in the stock of the Company to employees of its equity-method investee, Evolent Health LLC. As such, the Company was required to use a “non-employee” model for recognizing stock-based compensation, which required the awards to be marked-to-market through net income at the end of each reporting period until vesting occurred. Subsequent to the Offering Reorganization described in Note 4, stock-based awards are granted in the Company’s stock to the employees of Evolent Health LLC and compensation costs are therefore recognized using an “employee” model. Under the “employee” model, we no longer mark the awards to market at the end of each reporting period.

Income taxes

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are recognized, based on enacted rates, when assets and liabilities have different values for financial statement and tax reporting purposes. A valuation allowance is recorded to the extent required. Considerable judgment and the use of estimates are required in determining whether a valuation allowance is necessary and, if so, the amount of such valuation allowance. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we consider many factors, including: the nature and character of the deferred tax assets and liabilities; taxable income in prior carryback years; future reversals of temporary differences; the length of time carryovers can be utilized; and any tax planning strategies we would employ to avoid a tax benefit from expiring unused.

We use a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. We recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax exposures as a component of income tax expense, when applicable. As of December 31, 2017, our identified balance of uncertain income tax positions would not have a material impact to the consolidated financial statements. We did not have any such amounts accrued as of December 31, 2016, as we had not identified any uncertain income tax positions that could have a material impact to the consolidated financial statements. We are subject to taxation in various jurisdictions in the U.S. and remain subject to examination by taxing jurisdictions for the years 2011 and all subsequent periods due to the availability of NOL carryforwards.

We are a holding company and our assets consist of our direct ownership in Evolent Health LLC, for which we are the managing member. Evolent Health LLC is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes and, as such, is not subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. Taxable income or loss generated by Evolent Health LLC is allocated to holders of its units, including us, on a pro rata basis. Accordingly, we are subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes with respect to our allocable share of any taxable income of Evolent Health LLC.

Earnings (loss) per share

Earnings (Loss) per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to Class A common shareholders by the weighted-average number of Class A common shares outstanding.

For periods of net income, and when the effects are not anti-dilutive, we calculate diluted earnings per share by dividing net income available to Class A common shareholders by the weighted average number of Class A common shares assuming the conversion of the convertible preferred securities, which occurred on the date of the Offering Reorganization, plus the weighted average number of Class A common shares assuming the conversion of our 2021 Notes, as well as the impact of all potential dilutive common shares, consisting primarily of common stock options and unvested restricted stock awards using the treasury stock method and our exchangeable Class B common stock. For periods of net loss, shares used in the diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation represent basic shares as using potentially dilutive shares would be anti-dilutive.

Prior to the Offering Reorganization, the Company issued securities other than common stock that participated in dividends (“participating securities”), and therefore, we utilized the two-class method to calculate earnings (loss) per share for the applicable periods. Participating securities include redeemable convertible preferred stock. The two-class method requires a portion of earnings to be allocated to the participating securities to determine the earnings available to common stockholders. Earnings (loss) available to the common stockholders is equal to net income (loss) less dividends paid on preferred stock, assumed periodic cumulative preferred stock dividends, repurchases of preferred stock for an amount in excess of carrying value and an allocation of any remaining earnings (loss) in accordance with the bylaws between the outstanding common and preferred stock as of the end of each applicable period.

Operating segments

Operating Segments

Operating segments are defined as components of a business that earn revenue and incur expenses for which discrete financial information is available that is evaluated, on a regular basis, by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) to decide how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s CODM, the Chief Executive Officer, allocates resources at a consolidated level and therefore the Company views its operations and manages its business as one operating segment. All of the Company’s revenue is generated in the United States and all assets are located in the United States.

Recently issued accounting standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash. The purpose of the ASU is to reduce diversity in practice regarding the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in the ASU require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The amendments in this ASU should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. We adopted the requirements of this standard effective December 31, 2017, which resulted in the recast of our statement of cash flows for each period presented. The adoption of this ASU had an impact on our financial statements with respect to presentation of our statement of cash flows. See the “Change in Accounting Principle” section within Note 2 above for further information on the adoption of ASU 2016-18.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU provides updated guidance on eight specific cash flow issues to reduce diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. We adopted the requirements of this standard, effective December 31, 2017. The adoption of this ASU may have an impact on the presentation of our statement of cash flows if we encounter specific cash receipts and cash payments in the purview of this ASU, such as cash outflows related to a contingent consideration and cash receipts from our equity method investees. There was no impact of the adoption for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 or 2015.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting. The purpose of the ASU is to limit the circumstances in which an entity applies modification accounting to share-based awards by setting criteria whereby an entity would be precluded from applying modification accounting guidance in Topic 718. The ASU also removes guidance in Topic 718 stating that modification accounting is not required when an entity adds an anti-dilution provision if that modification is not made in contemplation of an equity restructuring. The amendments are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim periods. The amendments should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. We adopted this standard, effective June 1, 2017. The adoption of this ASU may have an impact if we have a modification to our share-based awards at a future date. There was no impact of the adoption for the year ended December 31, 2017.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations - Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The purpose of the ASU is to add guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The ASU provides a screen to determine when an integrated set of assets and activities is not a business. The ASU also provides a framework to assist entities in evaluating whether both an input and a substantive process are present. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. The amendments should be applied prospectively on or after the effective date. Early adoption is permitted for transactions for which the acquisition date occurs before the issuance date or effective date of the amendments, only when the transaction has not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance. We adopted this standard during June 2017, in conjunction with the acquisition of Accordion Health, Inc. (see Note 4). The adoption had an impact on our financial statements with respect to the accounting for the Accordion Health, Inc. acquisition, and we anticipate it will have an impact if we engage in future business combinations or asset acquisitions.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The purpose of the ASU is to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill. The ASU eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. An entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. This update is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We believe this newly adopted principle is preferable as it reduces the complexity of performing a goodwill impairment test. As a result, we adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017. Our updated accounting policy for goodwill impairment is described in Note 2. See Note 7 for a description of our 2017 goodwill impairment tests as performed under the updated standard.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures - Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting. The purpose of this ASU is to eliminate the requirement to retroactively adopt the equity method of accounting when an investment qualifies for the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence. The amendments require that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. Therefore, upon qualifying for the equity method of accounting, no retroactive adjustment of the investment is required. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017. The adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging - Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments. The purpose of this ASU is to clarify the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely rated to their debt hosts. An entity performing the assessment under the amendments in the ASU is required to assess the embedded call (put) options solely in accordance with the four-step decision sequence. For public business entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017. The adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. With respect to assets measured at amortized cost, such as held-to-maturity assets, the update requires presentation of the amortized cost net of a credit loss allowance. The update eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold that was previously required prior to recognizing a credit loss on financial instruments. The credit loss estimate can now reflect an entity’s current estimate of all future expected credit losses as opposed to the previous standard, when an entity only considered past events and current conditions. With respect to available for sale debt securities, the update requires that credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted as of the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We intend to adopt the requirements of this standard effective January 1, 2020, and are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption on our financial condition and results of operations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, in order to establish the principles to report transparent and economically neutral information about the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. This update introduces a new standard on accounting for leases, including a lessee model that brings most leases on the balance sheet. The new standard also aligns many of the underlying principles of the new lessor model with those in ASC 606, the FASB’s new revenue recognition standard (e.g., those related to evaluating when profit can be recognized). The standard also requires lessors to increase the transparency of their exposure to changes in value of their residual assets and how they manage that exposure. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. We intend to adopt the requirements of this standard effective January 1, 2019, and are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption on our financial condition and results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, in order to clarify the principles of recognizing revenue. This standard establishes the core principle of recognizing revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The FASB defines a five-step process that systematically identifies the various components of the revenue recognition process, culminating with the recognition of revenue upon satisfaction of an entity’s performance obligations. By completing all five steps of the process, the core principles of revenue recognition will be achieved. In March 2016, the FASB issued an update to the new revenue standard (ASU 2014-09) in the form of ASU 2016-08, which amended the principal-versus-agent implementation guidance and illustrations in the new revenue guidance. The update clarifies that an entity should evaluate whether it is the principal or the agent for each specified good or service promised in a contract with a customer. In April 2016, the FASB issued another update to the new revenue standard in the form of ASU 2016-10, which amended the guidance on identifying performance obligations and the implementation guidance on licensing. These ASUs were followed by two further updates issued during May 2016: ASU 2016-11, which rescinds certain SEC guidance, such as the adoption of ASUs 2014-09 and 2014-16, including accounting for consideration given by a vendor to a customer, and ASU 2016-12, which is intended to clarify the objective of the collectability criterion while identifying the contract(s) with a customer. The new revenue standard (including updates) is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The guidance permits two methods of adoption: i) the full retrospective method applying the standard to each prior reporting period presented, or ii) the modified retrospective method with a cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application. The standard also allows entities to apply certain practical expedients at their discretion. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method with a cumulative catch up adjustment and providing additional disclosures comparing results to previous rules. We anticipate that the adoption of the standard will result in changes related to revenue recognition for certain contracts that contain features, such as variable consideration. These changes will generally accelerate revenue recognition. In addition, certain customer setup costs which have historically been expensed as incurred will be capitalized. We are making changes to our accounting policies and practices, business processes, systems and controls to support the new revenue recognition and disclosure requirements. We have also updated our internal controls related to revenue recognition and contract costs to address internal controls over financial reporting necessary to ensure compliance with ASC 606 and ASC 340-40.