9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

NOTE 9 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases – The Group leases various operating facilities and certain medical equipment under operating leases with renewal options expiring through 2022. Certain leases contain renewal options from two to ten years and escalation clauses based either on the consumer price index or fixed rent escalators. Leases with fixed rent escalators are recorded on a straight-line basis. The Group records deferred rent for tenant leasehold improvement allowances received from a lessor and amortizes the deferred rent expense over the term of the lease agreement. Minimum annual payments under operating leases for future years ending December 31 follow (in thousands):

	Facilities		Equipment		Total
2013	$	2,563	$	1,082	$	3,645
2014		2,298		770		3,068
2015		2,343		639		2,982
2016		1,835		245		2,080
2017		1,489		–		1,489
Thereafter		1,028		–		1,028
	$	11,556	$	2,736	$	14,292

Total rent expense, including equipment rentals, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $4.3 million, $3.7 million (unaudited) and $3.9 million (unaudited), respectively.