8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 2, 2013 (December 28, 2012)
National Health Investors, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
001-10822	62-1470956
(Commission File No.)	(IRS Employer
	Identification Number)
222 Robert Rose Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(615) 890-9100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ‬‬‬
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ‬‬‬
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On December 28, 2012, National Health Investors, Inc. issued a press release announcing the extension of a master lease with National Healthcare Corporation (NHC) through December 31, 2026 for 38 skilled nursing facilities and three independent living facilities and an agreement to sell 6 of the skilled nursing facilities for $21 million to NHC.

The press release is attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 99.

Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit Index

Number	Exhibit
99	HTML version of press release issued December 28, 2012, titled “NHI Extends Lease To National Healthcare Corporation Through 2026.”

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	National Health Investors, Inc.
	By: /s/Roger R. Hopkins
	Name: Roger R. Hopkins
	Title: Chief Accounting Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)
Date: January 2, 2013

EX-99

Exhibit 99

Contact: Roger R. Hopkins, Chief Accounting Officer

Phone: (615) 890-9100

NHI Extends Lease To National Healthcare Corporation Through 2026

NHC to Purchase Six Older Skilled Nursing Facilities in Twelve Months

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - (December 28, 2012) National Health Investors, Inc. (NYSE:NHI) announced today the extension of a master lease with National Healthcare Corporation (NHC) through December 31, 2026, for 38 skilled nursing facilities and 3 independent living facilities. Additionally, NHC agreed to a $21 million purchase price for six older skilled nursing facilities from the existing portfolio.

Rent revenue from NHC is $33.7 million per year, plus an additional percentage of revenue growth over a base year. Effective January 1, 2014, NHC's annual base rent will decrease by $2.95 million.

“This new agreement with our largest customer strengthens NHI's relationship with one of the nation's most experienced and financially sound healthcare operators,” said Justin Hutchens, NHI's President and CEO. “The 2026 expiration provides long-term stability while the sale of the six older facilities enhances NHI's portfolio by reducing SNF concentration.”

About National Health Investors

National Health Investors, Inc. (NYSE: NHI) is a healthcare real estate investment trust specializing in financing healthcare real estate by purchase and leaseback transactions, RIDEA transactions and by mortgage loans. NHI's investments include independent living, assisted living, senior living campuses, skilled nursing facilities, medical office buildings, and hospitals. Find additional information about NHI at www.nhireit.com.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. NHI cautions investors that any forward-looking statements may involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. All forward-looking statements represent NHI's judgment as of the date of this release.Investors are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by NHI in its periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors and other information disclosed in NHI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year. Copies of these filings are available at no cost on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov or on NHI's web site at http://www.nhireit.com.