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Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies
Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as interests in partnerships and limited liability companies controlled by the Company through its ownership of a majority voting interest or other rights granted to the Company by contract to manage and control the affiliate's business. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Non-Controlling Interests
The physician limited partners and physician minority members of the entities that the Company controls are responsible for the supervision and delivery of medical services. The governance rights of limited partners and minority members are restricted to those that protect their financial interests. Under certain partnership and operating agreements governing these partnerships and limited liability companies, the Company could be removed as the sole general partner or managing member for certain events such as material breach of the partnership or operating agreement, gross negligence or bankruptcy. These protective rights do not preclude consolidation of the respective partnerships and limited liability companies.
Ownership interests in consolidated subsidiaries held by parties other than the Company are identified and generally presented in the consolidated financial statements within the equity section but separate from the Company's equity. However, in instances in which certain redemption features that are not solely within the control of the Company are present, classification of non-controlling interests outside of permanent equity is required. Consolidated net income attributable to the Company and to the non-controlling interests are identified and presented on the consolidated statements of operations; changes in ownership interests are accounted for as equity transactions assuming the Company continues to consolidate related entities. Certain transactions with non-controlling interests are classified within financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include all assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of surgical facilities in which the Company has sufficient ownership and rights to allow the Company to consolidate the surgical facilities. Similar to its investments in non-consolidated affiliates, the Company regularly engages in the purchase and sale of ownership interests with respect to its consolidated subsidiaries that do not result in a change of control.
Non-Controlling Interests — Redeemable. Each of the partnerships and limited liability companies through which the Company owns and operates its surgical facilities is governed by a partnership or operating agreement.  In certain circumstances, the partnership and operating agreements for the Company's surgical facilities provide that the facilities will purchase all of the physicians’ ownership if certain adverse regulatory events occur, such as it becoming illegal for the physicians to own an interest in a surgical facility, refer patients to a surgical facility or receive cash distributions from a surgical facility.  The non-controlling interests - redeemable are reported outside of stockholders' equity in the consolidated balance sheets.
A summary of activity related to the non-controlling interests—redeemable follows (in thousands):
Balance at December 31, 2013
 
$

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests—redeemable
 
4,079

Acquisition and disposal of shares of non-controlling interests, net—redeemable
 
191,278

Distributions to non-controlling interest —redeemable holders
 
(2,768
)
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
192,589

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests—redeemable
 
17,616

Acquisition and disposal of shares of non-controlling interests, net—redeemable
 
(6,830
)
Distributions to non-controlling interest —redeemable holders
 
(19,936
)
Balance at December 31, 2015
 
$
183,439


Variable Interest Entities
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of variable interest entities in which the Company is the primary beneficiary under the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 810, Consolidation. At December 31, 2015, the variable interest entities include five surgical facilities, three anesthesia practices and one physician practice. At December 31, 2014, the variable interest entities included an additional surgical facility which was disposed of during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and an additional anesthesia practice which no longer met variable interest entity classification in July 2015. There were an additional four acquisitions at December 31, 2015. The Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the variable interest entity's economic performance. Additionally, the Company would absorb the majority of the expected losses of these entities should they occur. As of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the consolidated balance sheets of the Company included total assets of $104.2 million and $24.7 million, respectively, and total liabilities of $13.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively, related to the Company's variable interest entities.

Equity Method Investments
The Company has non-consolidating investments in surgical facilities and management companies that own or manage surgical facilities. These investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The total amount of these investments included in investments in and advances to affiliates in the consolidated balance sheets was $34.1 million and $33.4 million as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Use of Estimates
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and footnotes. Examples include, but are not limited to, estimates of accounts receivable allowances, professional and general liabilities and the estimate of deferred tax assets or liabilities. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the comparative periods' financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications primarily related to the presentation of certain expenses within costs of revenue and had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset or transfer the liability. The Company uses fair value measurements based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable (Level 2), or unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions (Level 3), depending on the nature of the item being valued.
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted invested assets and accounts payable approximate their fair values.
A summary of the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's long-term debt follows (in thousands):
 
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
 
December 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 First Lien Credit Agreement, net of debt issuance and discount of $20,223 and $23,818 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively
 
$
841,078

 
$
846,183

 
$
828,816

 
$
820,798

2014 Second Lien Credit Agreement, net of debt issuance and discount of $8,159 and $18,184 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively
 
$
238,341

 
$
471,816

 
$
225,382

 
$
452,943


The fair values of the 2014 First Lien Credit Agreement and 2014 Second Lien Credit Agreement, as defined in Note 5 on Long-Term Debt, were based on a Level 2 computation using quoted prices for identical liabilities in inactive markets at December 31, 2015 and 2014, as applicable. The carrying amounts related to the Company's other long-term debt obligations approximate their fair values.
The Company maintains a supplemental executive retirement savings plan (the "SERP") for certain former Symbion executive officers. The SERP is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for eligible executive officers and other key employees of the Company that allows participants to defer portions of their compensation. The fair value of the SERP asset and liability was based on a quoted market price, or a Level 1 computation. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the fair value of the assets in the SERP were $1.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and were included in other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company had a liability related to the SERP of $1.6 million and $1.4 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which was included in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Revenues
The Company recognizes revenues in the period in which the services are performed. Patient service revenues and receivables from third-party payors are recorded net of estimated contractual adjustments and allowances, which the Company estimates based on the historical trend of its cash collections and contractual write-offs, accounts receivable agings, established fee schedules, contracts with payors and procedure statistics.
A summary of revenues by service type as a percentage of total revenues follows:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Patient service revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Surgical facilities revenues
 
91.6
%
 
83.9
%
 
78.9
%
   Ancillary services revenues
 
6.4
%
 
12.3
%
 
15.5
%
 
 
98.0
%
 
96.2
%
 
94.4
%
Other service revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Optical services revenues
 
1.5
%
 
3.5
%
 
5.6
%
   Other
 
0.5
%
 
0.3
%
 
%
 
 
2.0
%
 
3.8
%
 
5.6
%
Total revenues
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Patient service revenues.  The fee charged for healthcare procedures performed in surgical facilities varies depending on the type of service provided, but usually includes all charges for usage of an operating room, a recovery room, special equipment, medical supplies, nursing staff and medications.  The fee does not normally include professional fees charged by the patient’s surgeon, anesthesiologist or other attending physician, which are billed directly by such physicians to the patient or third-party payor.  However, in several surgical facilities, the Company charges for anesthesia services. Ancillary service revenues include fees for patient visits to the Company's physician practices, pharmacy services and diagnostic tests ordered by physicians. Patient service revenues are recognized on the date of service, net of estimated contractual adjustments and discounts from third-party payors, including Medicare and Medicaid.  Changes in estimated contractual adjustments and discounts are recorded in the period of change. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized an increase to patient service revenues as a result of changes in estimates to third-party settlements related to prior years of approximately $2.3 million compared to a reduction to patient service revenues of $104,000 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These adjustments were related to two of the Company's surgical hospitals that were acquired in connection with the acquisition of Symbion on November 3, 2014.
The following table sets forth patient service revenues by type of payor and as a percentage of total patient service revenues for the Company's consolidated surgical facilities (dollars in thousands):
    
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
Patient service revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private insurance
 
$
516,739

 
55.0
%
 
$
202,172

 
52.1
%
 
$
162,888

 
60.6
%
Government
 
359,471

 
38.2
%
 
134,041

 
34.5
%
 
75,125

 
28.0
%
Self-pay
 
16,190

 
1.7
%
 
13,645

 
3.5
%
 
7,587

 
2.8
%
Other
 
48,311

 
5.1
%
 
38,215

 
9.9
%
 
23,081

 
8.6
%
Total patient service revenues
 
$
940,711

 
100.0
%
 
$
388,073

 
100.0
%
 
$
268,681

 
100.0
%
Other service revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Optical service revenues
 
$
14,572

 


 
$
14,193

 


 
$
15,918

 
 
Other revenues
 
4,608

 


 
1,023

 


 

 
 
Total net revenues
 
$
959,891

 
 
 
$
403,289

 
 
 
$
284,599

 
 

Other service revenues. Optical service revenues consist of product sales from the Company's optical laboratories as well as handling charges billed to the members of the Company's optical products purchasing organization and sales from the Company's marketing products and services business. The Company's optical products purchasing organization negotiates volume buying discounts with optical products manufacturers. The buying discounts and any handling charges billed to the members of the buying group represent the revenue recognized for financial reporting purposes. Revenue is recognized as orders are shipped to members. The Company bases its estimates for sales returns and discounts on historical experience and has not experienced significant fluctuations between estimated and actual return activity and discounts given. The Company's optical laboratories manufacture and distribute corrective lenses and eyeglasses to ophthalmologists and optometrists. Revenue is recognized when product is shipped, net of allowance for discounts. The Company's marketing products and services businesses recognize revenue when product is shipped or services are rendered.
Other revenues include management and administrative service fees derived from the non-consolidated facilities that the Company accounts for under the equity method, management of surgical facilities in which it does not own an interest, and management services provided to physician practices for which the Company is not required to provide capital or additional assets. The fees derived from these management arrangements are based on a predetermined percentage of the revenues of each facility or practice and are recognized in the period in which services are rendered.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.  The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalent balances at high credit quality financial institutions.
Accounts Receivable and Allowances for Contractual Adjustments and Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable are recorded net of contractual adjustments and allowances for doubtful accounts to reflect accounts receivable at net realizable value. Accounts receivable consists of receivables from federal and state agencies (under the Medicare and Medicaid programs), managed care health plans, commercial insurance companies, employers and patients. Management recognizes that revenues and receivables from government agencies are significant to the Company's operations, but it does not believe that there is significant credit risk associated with these government agencies. Concentration of credit risk with respect to other payors is limited because of the large number of such payors. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had third-party Medicaid settlements of $5.2 million and $11.7 million, respectively, in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company recognizes that final reimbursement of accounts receivable is subject to final approval by each third-party payor.  However, because the Company has contracts with its third-party payors and also verifies insurance coverage of the patient before medical services are rendered, the amounts that are pending approval from third-party payors are not significant.  The Company's policy is to collect co-payments and deductibles prior to providing medical services. It is also the Company's policy to verify a patient’s insurance 72 hours prior to the patient’s procedure.  Patient services of the Company are primarily non-emergency, which allows the surgical facilities to control the procedures for which third-party reimbursement is sought and obtained. The Company does not require collateral from self-pay patients.
The Company analyzes accounts receivable at each of its facilities to ensure the proper aged category and collection assessment. At a consolidated level, the Company's policy is to review accounts receivable aging, by facility, to determine the appropriate allowance for doubtful accounts. Patient account balances are reviewed for delinquency based on contractual terms. This review is supported by an analysis of the actual revenues, contractual adjustments and cash collections received. An account balance is written off only after the Company has pursued collection with legal or collection agency assistance or otherwise has deemed an account to be uncollectible.
A summary of the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable follows (in thousands):
Balance at December 31, 2012
 
$
3,234

Provision for doubtful accounts
 
5,885

Accounts written off, net of recoveries
 
(4,091
)
Balance at December 31, 2013
 
5,028

Provision for doubtful accounts
 
9,509

Accounts written off, net of recoveries
 
(9,208
)
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
5,329

Provision for doubtful accounts
 
23,578

Accounts written off, net of recoveries
 
(10,585
)
Balance at December 31, 2015
 
$
18,322


The Company records an estimate for doubtful accounts based on the aging category and historical collection experience of each product sales or other business included in other service revenues, as discussed in the note above.
The receivables related to the Company's optical products purchasing organization are recognized separately from patient accounts receivable, as discussed above, and are included in other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Such receivables were $8.4 million and $7.6 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Inventories
Inventories, which consist primarily of medical and drug supplies, are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
A summary of prepaid expenses and other current assets follows (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
Prepaid expenses
 
$
7,409

 
$
7,050

Receivables - optical product purchasing organization
 
8,434

 
7,556

Acquisition escrow receivable
 
8,000

 

Other current assets
 
10,777

 
9,399

Total
 
$
34,620

 
$
24,005


Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost or, if obtained through acquisition, at fair value determined on the date of acquisition. Depreciation is recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally three to five years for computers and software and five to seven years for furniture and equipment.  Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the assets. Routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, while expenditures that increase capacities or extend useful lives are capitalized.
The Company also leases certain facilities and equipment under capital leases. Assets held under capital leases are stated at the present value of minimum lease payments at the inception of the related lease. Such assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the lease term or the remaining useful life of the leased asset.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the fair value of the consideration provided in an acquisition over the fair value of net assets acquired and is not amortized. The Company has indefinite-lived intangible assets related to the certificates of need held in jurisdictions where certain of its surgical facilities are located. The Company also has finite-lived intangible assets related to physician guarantee agreements, non-compete agreements, management agreements and customer relationships. Physician income guarantees are amortized into salaries and benefits costs in the consolidated statements of operations over the commitment period of the contract, generally three to four years. Non-compete agreements and management rights agreements are amortized into depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of operations over the service lives of the agreements, ranging from two years to 20 years for non-compete agreements and 15 years for the management rights agreements. Customer relationships are amortized into depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of operations over the estimated lives of the relationships, ranging from three to ten years.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets when impairment indicators are present or when circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. The Company performs an impairment test by preparing an expected undiscounted cash flow projection. If the projection indicates that the recorded amount of the long-lived asset is not expected to be recovered, the carrying value is reduced to estimated fair value.  The cash flow projection and fair value represents management’s best estimate, using appropriate and customary assumptions, projections and methodologies, at the date of evaluation. No impairment losses on long-lived assets were recognized during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
The Company tests its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, as of October 1, or more frequently if certain indicators arise.  The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment assessment by developing a fair value estimate of the business enterprise as of October 1, 2015 using a discounted cash flows approach and comparing the fair value to the carrying value of the net assets of the individual reporting units as of October 1, or additionally if impairment indicators are present.  The results of the Company's fair value estimate are then corroborated using a market-based approach. The result of the Company's annual goodwill impairment test at October 1, 2015 indicated no impairment. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $581,000 related to its Patient Education Concepts reporting unit, which was the entire goodwill balance of this reporting unit. The impairment charge is included in the consolidated statement of operations as of December 31, 2013 as a component of other (income) expense. There was no impairment charges recorded during the year ended December 31, 2014.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company voluntarily changed its annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment testing date from December 31 to October 1 of each year. The change in the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment testing date better aligns the impairment testing procedures with the timing of the Company’s annual strategic planning and forecasting process, which is a significant input to the testing, and provides additional time for the completion of the annual analysis prior to the completion of the Company’s annual reporting period. Accordingly, the Company considers this accounting principle change to be preferable. The Company is unable to objectively determine, without the use of hindsight, the projected cash flows and related valuation estimates that would have been used in earlier periods. Therefore, the Company prospectively applied the change in the annual goodwill impairment and indefinite-lived intangible assets testing date beginning October 1, 2015 as retrospective application to prior periods is deemed impracticable. This change in testing date did not delay, accelerate, or avoid a goodwill impairment charge.
Restricted Invested Assets
Restricted invested assets of $316,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were related to a requirement under the operating lease agreement at the Company's Chesterfield, Missouri facility. In accordance with the provisions of the lease agreement, the Company has a deposit with the landlord that shall be held as security for performance under the Company's covenants and obligations within the agreement through January 2024.
Other Long-Term Assets
A summary of other long-term assets follows (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
Notes receivable
 
$
212

 
$
182

Deposits
 
2,475

 
2,196

Assets of SERP
 
1,606

 
1,402

Other
 
4,211

 
2,099

Total
 
$
8,504

 
$
5,879


Other Current Liabilities
A summary of other current liabilities follows (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
Interest payable
 
$
5,410

 
$
7,027

Current taxes payable
 
1,977

 
3,189

Insurance liabilities
 
5,476

 
5,552

Third-party settlements
 
5,222

 
11,708

Acquisition consideration payable
 
16,768

 

Amounts due to patients and payors
 
11,424

 
9,476

Other accrued expenses
 
22,133

 
16,918

Total
 
$
68,410

 
$
53,870


Other Long-Term Liabilities
A summary of other long-term liabilities follows (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
Facility lease obligations
 
$
53,927

 
$
50,749

Medical malpractice liability
 
6,339

 
4,253

Liability of SERP
 
1,608

 
1,415

Contingent consideration obligation
 
14,049

 
13,009

Acquisition consideration payable
 

 
16,768

Unfavorable lease liability
 
1,996

 
2,427

Other long-term liabilities
 
7,694

 
1,989

Total
 
$
85,613

 
$
90,610


The Company has facility lease obligations in connection with the surgical hospital located in Idaho Falls, Idaho and with a radiation oncology building at this facility. The obligation is payable to the lessor of this facility for the land, building and improvements. The current portion of the lease obligation was $797,000 and $568,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and was included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The total of the facility lease obligations related to the surgical hospital and radiation oncology building in Idaho Falls, Idaho was $50.8 million and $51.3 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
In August 2015, the Company sold real estate in Ocala, Florida for $4.2 million and subsequently leased the real estate from the new owner. As this transaction did not qualify for sale leaseback treatment under ASC 840, Leases, the Company recorded a financing lease obligation of $4.2 million. The obligation is payable to the lessor of this facility for the building. The current portion of the liability was $169,000 included in other current liabilities and $3.9 million included in other long-term liabilities at December 31, 2015.
Equity-Based Compensation
Transactions in which the Company receives employee and non-employee services in exchange for the Company’s equity instruments or liabilities that are based on the fair value of the Company’s equity securities or may be settled by the issuance of these securities are accounted for using a fair value method. Prior to the Reorganization, on the grant date, the Company employed a market approach to estimate the fair value of equity-based awards based on various considerations and assumptions, including implied earnings multiples and other metrics of relevant market participants, the Company’s operating results and forecasted cash flows and the Company’s capital structure. Such estimates require the input of highly subjective, complex assumptions. However, such assumptions are no longer required to determine fair value of shares of the Company’s common stock as its underlying shares began trading publicly during the fourth quarter of 2015. The Company applies the Black-Scholes-Merton method of valuation in determining share-based compensation expense for option awards. 
The Company’s policy is to recognize compensation expense using the straight line method over the relevant vesting period for units that vest based on time. Prior to the Reorganization, employees held membership units in Surgery Center Holdings, LLC, and the associated expense was referred to as unit-based compensation; following the Reorganization, such expense is referred to as equity-based compensation.
Earnings Per Share
Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding in each period and dilutive stock options, unvested shares and warrants, to the extent such securities exist and have a dilutive effect on earnings per share.
Professional, General and Workers' Compensation Insurance
The Company maintains general liability and professional liability insurance in excess of self-insured retentions through third party commercial insurance carriers in amounts that management believes is sufficient for the Company's operations, although, potentially, some claims may exceed the scope of coverage in effect. The professional and general insurance coverage is on a claims-made basis. Workers' compensation insurance is on an occurrence basis.
The Company expenses the costs under the self-insured retention exposure for general and professional liability and workers compensation claims which relate to (i) claims made during the policy period, which are offset by insurance recoveries and (ii) an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported that are expected to be reported after the policy period expires. Reserves and provisions are based upon actuarially determined estimates using individual case-basis valuations and actuarial analysis. Reserves for professional, general and workers' compensation claim liabilities are determined with no regard for expected insurance recoveries and are presented gross on the consolidated balance sheets. Total professional, general and workers' compensation claim liabilities as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are $9.5 million and $7.4 million, respectively. The balance includes expected insurance recoveries of $6.3 million and $5.0 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Electronic Health Record Incentives
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments beginning in calendar year 2011 for eligible hospitals and professionals that implement and achieve meaningful use of certified Electronic Health Records ("EHR") technology. Several of the Company's surgical hospitals, which were acquired in connection with the acquisition of Symbion, have implemented plans to comply with the EHR meaningful use requirements of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act ("HITECH") in time to qualify for the maximum available incentive payments.
Compliance with the meaningful use requirements has and will continue to result in significant costs including business process changes, professional services focused on successfully designing and implementing the Company's EHR solutions, along with costs associated with the hardware and software components of the project. The Company currently estimates that total costs incurred to comply will be recovered through the total EHR incentive payments over the projected life cycle of this initiative. The Company incurs both capital expenditures and operating expenses in connection with the implementation of its various EHR initiatives. The amount and timing of these expenditures do not directly correlate with the timing of the Company's cash receipts or recognition of the EHR incentives as other income. The Company expects to receive incentive payments and recognize corresponding revenue upon the completion of the EHR meaningful use requirements. The Company recorded incentive income of $1.8 million and $3.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. If a net operating loss carryforward exists, the Company makes a determination as to whether that net operating loss carryforward will be utilized in the future. A valuation allowance is established for certain net operating loss carryforwards when their recoverability is deemed to be uncertain. The carrying value of the net deferred tax assets assumes that the Company will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions, based on estimates and assumptions. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to adjust its deferred tax valuation allowances.
The Company, or one or more of its subsidiaries, files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations for years prior to 2010.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which outlines a single comprehensive model for recognizing revenue and supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance, including guidance specific to the healthcare industry. This ASU provides companies the option of applying a full or modified retrospective approach upon adoption. This ASU was originally set to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption was not permitted. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date for the standard to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The FASB will now permit companies to early adopt within one year of the new effective date. The Company will adopt this ASU on January 1, 2018 and is currently evaluating its plan for adoption and the impact on the Company's revenue recognition policies, procedures and the resulting impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation: Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis,” which amends the current consolidation guidance, including introducing a separate consolidation analysis specific to limited partnerships and other similar entities. Under this analysis, limited partnerships and other similar entities will be considered a variable-interest entity unless the limited partners hold substantive kick-out rights or participating rights. The provisions of ASU 2015-02 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-02 will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows and financial disclosures.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs," which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, and the new guidance should be applied retrospectively. The Company plans to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2016, and does not anticipate that such adoption will have a material effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, "Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements" which clarifies the SEC staff’s position on presenting and measuring debt issuance costs incurred in connection with line-of-credit arrangements given the lack of guidance on this topic in ASU 2015-03. The SEC staff has announced that it would “not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement.” The Company plans to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2016, and does not anticipate that such adoption will have a material effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, “Business Combinations: Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments” which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer to retrospectively adjust its financial statements for changes to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement-period following the consummation of a business combination. Instead, ASU 2015-16 requires these types of adjustments to be made during the reporting period in which they are identified and would require additional disclosure or separate presentation of the portion of the adjustment that would have been recorded in the previously reported periods as if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those years. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-16 will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, cash flows and financial disclosures.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”, which simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes. This ASU requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as long-term in the statement of financial position. The Company early adopted ASU 2015-17 effective December 31, 2015 on a prospective basis. Adoption of this ASU resulted in a reclassification of the Company's net current deferred tax asset to a net long-term deferred tax asset in its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015. No prior periods were retrospectively adjusted.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases", which will require, among other items, lessees to recognize most leases as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. Qualitative and quantitative disclosures will be enhanced to better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this new guidance may have on the consolidated financial statements.