10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
[ x ]	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015
[ ]	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____________ to _____________

Commission File Number 001-10822

National Health Investors, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland	62-1470956
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
222 Robert Rose Drive, Murfreesboro, Tennessee	37129
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(615) 890-9100

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ x ] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files) Yes [ x ] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer          [ x ]	Accelerated filer                      [ ]
Non-accelerated filer            [ ]	Smaller reporting company     [ ]
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [ x ]

There were 37,566,221 shares of common stock outstanding of the registrant as of November 3, 2015.

Table of Contents

	Page
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements	3
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	24
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	48
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.	49
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.	50
Item 1A. Risk Factors.	50
Item 5. Other Information.	50
Item 6. Exhibits.	51
Signatures.	52

2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(unaudited)
Assets:
Real estate properties:
Land	$	136,336		$	127,566
Buildings and improvements	1,939,943			1,854,855
Construction in progress	12,343			6,428
	2,088,622			1,988,849
Less accumulated depreciation	(245,409		)	(212,300		)
Real estate properties, net	1,843,213			1,776,549
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	117,828			63,630
Investment in preferred stock, at cost	38,132			38,132
Cash and cash equivalents	14,197			3,287
Marketable securities	35,148			15,503
Straight-line rent receivable	53,646			35,154
Equity-method investment and other assets	29,615			50,705
Assets held for sale, net	1,346			—
Total Assets	$	2,133,125		$	1,982,960
Liabilities and Equity:
Debt	$	1,009,144		$	862,726
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	19,887			15,718
Dividends payable	31,931			28,864
Lease deposit liabilities	21,275			21,648
Real estate purchase liabilities	3,750			3,000
Deferred income	2,472			1,071
Total Liabilities	1,088,459			933,027
Commitments and Contingencies
National Health Investors Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized;
37,566,221 and 37,485,902 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	376			375
Capital in excess of par value	1,035,551			1,033,896
Cumulative dividends in excess of net income	(1,898		)	(569		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	875			6,223
Total National Health Investors Stockholders' Equity	1,034,904			1,039,925
Noncontrolling interest	9,762			10,008
Total Equity	1,044,666			1,049,933
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	2,133,125		$	1,982,960

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

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NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(unaudited)						(unaudited)
Revenues:
Rental income	$	54,459		$	41,669		$	159,624		$	123,335
Interest income from mortgage and other notes	2,507			1,754			7,149			5,258
Investment income and other	1,316			1,055			3,573			3,182
	58,282			44,478			170,346			131,775
Expenses:
Depreciation	13,485			9,596			39,502			28,373
Interest, including amortization of debt discount and issuance costs	9,772			7,005			27,471			20,720
Legal	117			66			295			149
Franchise, excise and other taxes	114			78			352			790
General and administrative	1,691			2,164			8,050			6,948
Loan recovery	—			—			(491		)	—
	25,179			18,909			75,179			56,980
Income before equity-method investee and noncontrolling interest	33,103			25,569			95,167			74,795
Income (loss) from equity-method investee	(252		)	(53		)	(765		)	157
Investment and other gains	1,126			—			1,126			—
Net income	33,977			25,516			95,528			74,952
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(377		)	(266		)	(1,062		)	(872		)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	33,600		$	25,250		$	94,466		$	74,080
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	37,566,221			33,055,992			37,563,503			33,053,386
Diluted	37,583,141			33,088,570			37,611,841			33,087,029
Earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders - basic	$	.89		$	.76		$	2.51		$	2.24
Net income attributable to common stockholders - diluted	$	.89		$	.76		$	2.51		$	2.24

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(unaudited)						(unaudited)
Net income	$	33,977		$	25,516		$	95,528		$	74,952
Other comprehensive income:
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities	401			(716		)	(438		)	624
Increase (decrease) in fair value of cash flow hedge	(2,896		)	3,010			(1,592		)	(126		)
Less: reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income	(1,185		)	(1,209		)	(3,318		)	(2,927		)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,680		)	1,085			(5,348		)	(2,429		)
Comprehensive income	30,297			26,601			90,180			72,523
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(377		)	(266		)	(1,062		)	(872		)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$	29,920		$	26,335		$	89,118		$	71,651

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2015			2014
	(unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	95,528		$	74,952
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation	39,502			28,373
Amortization	2,589			1,816
Straight-line rental income	(18,492		)	(12,692		)
Gain on sale of real estate	(1,126		)	—
Gain on sale of marketable securities	(61		)	—
Write-off of debt issuance costs	—			2,145
Loan recovery	(491		)	—
Share-based compensation	1,930			1,796
Loss (income) from equity-method investee	765			(157		)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Equity-method investment and other assets	(693		)	4
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(56		)	(493		)
Deferred income	1,401			(2,529		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	120,796			93,215
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in mortgage and other notes receivable	(73,092		)	(1,439		)
Collection of mortgage and other notes receivable	19,128			1,350
Investment in real estate	(104,066		)	(35,688		)
Investment in real estate development	(8,807		)	(6,022		)
Investment in renovations of existing real estate	(2,757		)	(3,078		)
Payment of real estate purchase liability	—			(1,600		)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate properties	9,593			—
Purchases of marketable securities	(2,495		)	—
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	3,750			—
Net cash used in investing activities	(158,746		)	(46,477		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facilities	(157,000		)	(86,000		)
Proceeds from convertible senior notes	—			200,000
Proceeds from issuance of secured debt	78,084			38,007
Borrowings on term loans	225,000			130,000
Payments on term loans	(554		)	(250,815		)
Debt issuance costs	(2,362		)	(8,899		)
Equity offering costs	(275		)	—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1			—
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,308		)	(1,589		)
Dividends paid to stockholders	(92,726		)	(75,195		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	48,860			(54,491		)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	10,910			(7,753		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	3,287			11,312
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	14,197		$	3,559

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

(in thousands)

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2015		2014
	(unaudited)
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	$	21,029	$	13,460
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Tax deferred exchange funds applied to investment in real estate	$	—	$	23,813
Contingent consideration in asset acquisition	$	750	$	3,000
Accounts payable related to investments in real estate	$	686	$	2,623
Conversion of note balance into real estate investment	$	255	$	—
Transfer of lease escrow deposit to marketable securities	$	21,277	$	—

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(unaudited, in thousands except share and per share amounts)

	Common Stock			Capital in Excess of Par Value			Cumulative Dividends in Excess of Net Income			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Total National Health Investors Stockholders' Equity			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
	Shares	Amount
Balances at December 31, 2014	37,485,902	$	375	$	1,033,896		$	(569	)	$	6,223		$	1,039,925		$	10,008		$	1,049,933
Total comprehensive income	—	—		—			94,466			(5,348		)	89,118			1,062			90,180
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	—	—		—			—			—			—			(1,308		)	(1,308		)
Equity offering costs	—	—		(275		)	—			—			(275		)	—			(275		)
Shares issued on stock options exercised	80,319	1		—			—			—			1			—			1
Share-based compensation	—	—		1,930			—			—			1,930			—			1,930
Dividends declared, $2.55 per common share	—	—		—			(95,795		)	—			(95,795		)	—			(95,795		)
Balances at September 30, 2015	37,566,221	$	376	$	1,035,551		$	(1,898	)	$	875		$	1,034,904		$	9,762		$	1,044,666

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2015

(unaudited)

NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We, the management of National Health Investors, Inc., ("NHI" or the "Company") believe that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of which these notes are an integral part include all normal, recurring adjustments that are necessary to fairly present the condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of NHI in all material respects. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date. We assume that users of these condensed consolidated financial statements have read or have access to the audited December 31, 2014 consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and that the adequacy of additional disclosure needed for a fair presentation, except in regard to material contingencies, may be determined in that context. Accordingly, footnotes and other disclosures which would substantially duplicate those contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 have been omitted. This condensed consolidated financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, acquisitions and dispositions, changes in interest rates, rents and the timing of debt and equity financings. For a better understanding of NHI and its condensed consolidated financial statements, we recommend reading these condensed consolidated financial statements in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, which are included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which is available at our web site: www.nhireit.com.

Principles of Consolidation - The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint ventures, partnerships and consolidated variable interest entities ("VIE") where NHI controls the operating activities of the VIE, if any. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Net income is reduced by the portion of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

A VIE is broadly defined as an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance the entity's activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (i) the ability to make decisions about the entity's activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests, and substantially all of the entity's activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.

We apply Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") guidance for our arrangements with variable interest entities ("VIEs") which requires us to identify entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights and to determine which business enterprise is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. In accordance with FASB guidance, management must evaluate each of the Company’s contractual relationships which creates a variable interest in other entities. If the Company has a variable interest and the entity is a VIE, then management must determine whether or not the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If it is determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary, NHI consolidates the VIE. We identify the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both: (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the entity. We perform this analysis on an ongoing basis.

At September 30, 2015, we held an interest in four unconsolidated VIEs, consisting of 1) a start-up lessee in which NHI's variable interest consists of its leasehold interest, analogous to a financing arrangement, and of which we concluded that NHI was not the primary beneficiary (Note 2); 2) our joint venture in an operating company organized under provisions of the REIT Investment Diversification and Empowerment Act, (“RIDEA”) of which we concluded that NHI was not the primary beneficiary (Note 3); 3) a note receivable from, a guarantee on a letter of credit for, and a purchase option with, an unconsolidated VIE of whom we concluded that NHI was not the primary beneficiary (Note 4); and 4) two construction mortgage notes receivable aggregating $67,071,000 from an unconsolidated VIE of whom we concluded that NHI was not the primary beneficiary (Note 4). Our direct support of the above VIEs has been limited to the transactions described herein, and any decision to furnish additional direct support would be at our discretion and not obligatory. We believe our exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with these unconsolidated VIEs would be limited to our carrying value of these investments and the amount of our commitment as guarantor under the letter of credit. Generally, we lack, either directly or through related parties, any material input in the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these entities.

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We apply FASB guidance related to investments in joint ventures based on the type of controlling rights held by the members' interests in limited liability companies that may preclude consolidation by the majority equity owner in certain circumstances in which the majority equity owner would otherwise consolidate the joint venture.

We structure our joint ventures to be compliant with the provisions of RIDEA, which permits NHI to receive rent payments through a triple-net lease between a property company and an operating company and is designed to give NHI the opportunity to capture additional value on the improving performance of the operating company through distributions to a taxable REIT subsidiary ("TRS"). Accordingly, the TRS holds our equity interest in an unconsolidated operating company, which we do not control, and provides an organizational structure that will allow the TRS to engage in a broad range of activities and share in revenues that would otherwise be non-qualifying income under the REIT gross income tests.

Investments. - Investments in marketable debt and equity securities are categorized as trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Our investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale securities. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are recorded in stockholders' equity. Our investments in marketable debt securities, consisting of U.S. government debt and long-term certificates of deposit, are classified as held-to-maturity because we have the intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are stated at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity.We evaluate our securities for other-than-temporary impairments on at least a quarterly basis. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities are determined on a specific-identification basis.

A decline in the market value of any available-for-sale or held-to-maturity security below cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary results in an impairment to reduce the carrying amount to fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, we consider whether we have the ability and intent to hold the investment until a market price recovery and consider whether evidence indicating the cost of the investment is recoverable outweighs evidence to the contrary. Evidence considered in this assessment includes the reasons for the impairment, the severity and duration of the impairment, changes in value subsequent to year-end and forecasted performance of the investment.

Equity-Method Investment - We report our TRS' investment in an unconsolidated entity, over whose operating and financial policies we have the ability to exercise significant influence but not control, under the equity method of accounting. Under this accounting method, our pro rata share of the entity's earnings or losses is included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Additionally, we adjust our investment carrying amount to reflect our share of changes in an equity-method investee's capital resulting from its capital transactions.

The initial carrying value of our equity-method investment is based on the fair value of the net assets of the entity at the time we acquired our interest. We estimate fair values of the net assets of our equity-method investee based on discounted cash flow models. The inputs we use in these models are based on assumptions that are within a reasonable range of current market rates for the respective investments.

We evaluate our equity-method investment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our investment may exceed the fair value. If it is determined that a decline in the fair value of our investment is not temporary, and if such reduced fair value is below its carrying value, an impairment is recorded. Determining fair value involves significant judgment. Our estimates consider all available evidence including the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at market rates, general economic conditions and other relevant factors.

Noncontrolling Interest - We present the portion of any equity that we do not own in entities that we control (and thus consolidate) as noncontrolling interest and classify such interest as a component of consolidated equity separate from total NHI stockholders' equity in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, we exclude net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest from net income attributable to common shareholders in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Use of Estimates - The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Earnings Per Share - The weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period is used to calculate basic earnings per common share. Diluted earnings per common share assume the exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method, to the extent dilutive, and also incorporate the potential dilutive impact of our 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2021. We apply the treasury stock method to our convertible debt instruments, the effect of which is that conversion

10

will not be assumed for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share unless the average share price of our common stock for the period exceeds the conversion price per share.

New Accounting Pronouncements - In February 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, under ASU 2015-02, which is generally effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. ASU 2015-02 changes the consolidation analysis for all reporting entities. The changes primarily affect the consolidation of limited partnerships and their equivalents (e.g., limited liability corporations), the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships, as well as structured vehicles such as collateralized debt obligations. We have yet to determine the method by which ASU 2015-02 will be adopted in 2016, and we are continuing to study the effect that our eventual adoption of this standard will have on our reported financial position and results of operations, the extent of which is not reasonably estimable at this time.

In April 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest, whose primary effect is to mandate that debt issuance costs be reported in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the face amount of the related liability. Debt issuance costs have previously been presented among assets on the balance sheet. The standard does not affect the recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs. The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. In August 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting. The ASU clarifies the treatment of debt issuance costs related to revolving credit facilities, upon which ASU 2015-03 was silent. ASU 2015-15 notes that the SEC staff 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, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. We believe our eventual adoption of these standards on the imputation of interest will have no material effect on our reported financial position and results of operations.

In August 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 provides a principles-based approach for a broad range of revenue generating transactions, including the sale of real estate, which will generally require more estimates and more judgment and more disclosures than under current guidance. Because this ASU specifically excludes lease contracts from its scope, its application is not expected to impact our recognition of rental income on a straight-line basis. ASU 2014-09 is now effective for public entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. We have yet to determine the method by which ASU 2014-09 will be adopted in 2018 and we are continuing to study the effect that our eventual adoption of this standard will have on our reported financial position and results of operation, the extent of which is not reasonably estimable at this time.

NOTE 2. REAL ESTATE

As of September 30, 2015, we owned 179 health care real estate properties located in 31 states and consisting of 112 senior housing communities, 62 skilled nursing facilities, 3 hospitals and 2 medical office buildings. Our senior housing properties include assisted living facilities, senior living campuses, independent living facilities, and entrance-fee communities. These investments (excluding assets classified as held for sale, pre-development costs of $375,000 and our corporate office of $910,000) consisted of properties with an original cost of approximately $2,087,337,000, rented under triple-net leases to 26 lessees.

Chancellor

On August 31, 2015, we acquired a 29-unit memory care facility in Portland, Oregon, for $6,772,000 in cash inclusive of closing costs of approximately $97,000. We leased the facility to Chancellor Health Care for 15 years with renewal options at an initial lease rate of 7.75% plus annual escalators. Because the facility was owner-occupied, the acquisition was accounted for as an asset purchase.

Brook Retirement Communities

On August 31, 2015, we acquired a 42-unit independent living and assisted living community in Roscommon, Michigan, for $6,000,000 in cash plus closing costs of $49,000. We leased the facility to The Brook Retirement Communities of Roscommon, Inc., for 10 years with renewal options at an initial lease rate of 7.5% plus annual escalators. Because the facility was owner-occupied, the acquisition was accounted for as an asset purchase.

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East Lake

On July 1, 2015, we acquired two senior living campuses in Nashville and Indianapolis and one assisted living/memory care facility in Charlotte for $66,900,000 in cash. We leased the facilities to an affiliate of East Lake Capital Management (“East Lake”) for an initial term of 10 years, plus renewal options. The lease calls for an annual payment of $4,683,000 in the first year with fixed annual escalators of 3.5% through year four and 3.0% thereafter. In conjunction with the lease, East Lake acquired a purchase option on the properties as a whole, exercisable beginning in year six of the lease for approximately $81,000,000 and thereafter subject to escalation on a basis consistent with rental escalations and other funding in place. In connection with the lease, we have committed to invest an additional $400,000 for specified capital improvements. The investment will be added to the basis on which the lease amount is calculated. In addition, we have committed to a lessee earn out of $8,000,000 contingent on reaching and maintaining certain metrics and a contingent earn out of $750,000 payable to the seller upon East Lake reaching certain metrics. At acquisition, we estimated the seller contingent earnout payment to be probable and, accordingly, have reflected that amount in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2015. Contingent payments earned will be an addition to the lease base when funded. Pending final valuation, we have apportioned our cost of the East Lake facilities at approximately 6% for land and land improvements and 94% for buildings and equipment.

The East Lake Facilities were owner-occupied at acquisition, and accordingly we accounted for the transaction as an asset purchase. Because we neither control East Lake nor have any role in its day-to-day management, we have no material input into activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance, and we account for our transactions with East Lake at amortized cost. We are not obligated to provide further support to East Lake, and accordingly the maximum extent of our exposure to loss is limited to our investment in the facilities.

Holiday

As of September 30, 2015, we leased 25 independent living facilities to NH Master Tenant, LLC, an affiliate of Holiday Retirement ("Holiday"). The master lease term of 17 years began in December 2013 and provides for 2015 cash rent of $33,351,000 plus annual escalators of 4.5% in 2016 and 2017 and a minimum of 3.5% each year thereafter.

Of our total revenues, $10,954,000 (19%) and $10,954,000 (25%) were derived from Holiday for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, including $2,616,000 and $2,975,000 in straight-line rent, respectively. For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, of our total revenues, $32,863,000 (19%) and $32,863,000 (25%) were derived from Holiday including $7,849,000 and $8,926,000 in straight-line rent, respectively. NH Master Tenant, LLC continues to operate the facilities pursuant to a management agreement with a Holiday-affiliated manager.

Bickford

As of September 30, 2015, we owned an 85% equity interest and Sycamore Street, LLC ("Sycamore"), an affiliate of Bickford Senior Living ("Bickford"), owned a 15% equity interest in our consolidated subsidiary ("PropCo") which owns 32 assisted living/memory care facilities plus 5 facilities in pre-development and development. The facilities are leased to an operating company, ("OpCo"), in which we retain a non-controlling 85% ownership interest. The facilities are managed by Bickford. Our joint venture is structured to comply with the provisions of RIDEA.

On July 31, 2015, our subsidiary, PropCo, acquired a 92 unit assisted living/memory care facility located in Lancaster, Ohio for $21,000,000 in cash. The facility was leased under terms structured to comply with provisions of RIDEA, to the operating company, OpCo, of which we retain an 85/15 ownership interest with Bickford, as discussed in Note 3. Because the facility was owner-occupied, the acquisition was accounted for as an asset purchase.

In February 2015 the joint venture announced it would develop five senior housing facilities in Illinois and Virginia. Each community will be managed by Bickford and will consist of 60 private-pay assisted living and memory care units. Construction started in mid-2015, with openings planned beginning in late 2016. The total estimated project cost is $55,000,000. During the third quarter of 2015, we purchased land for three of the five planned assisted living facilities. Total capitalized costs related to these properties as of September 30, 2015, including land purchases, were $8,123,000. We have accumulated an additional $375,000 in pre-development costs for the remaining two sites.

As of September 30, 2015, the annual contractual rent from OpCo to PropCo is $23,853,000, plus fixed annual escalators. NHI has an exclusive right to Bickford's future acquisitions, development projects and refinancing transactions. Of our total revenues, $6,150,000 (11%) and $5,324,000 (12%) were recognized as rental income from Bickford for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and $17,844,000 (10%) and $15,789,000 (12%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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NHC

As of September 30, 2015, we leased 42 facilities under two master leases to National HealthCare Corporation (“NHC”), a publicly-held company and the lessee of our legacy properties. The facilities leased to NHC consist of 3 independent living facilities and 39 skilled nursing facilities (4 of which are subleased to other parties for whom the lease payments are guaranteed to us by NHC). These facilities are leased to NHC under the terms of an amended master lease agreement originally dated October 17, 1991 ("the 1991 lease") which includes our 35 remaining legacy properties and a master lease agreement dated August 30, 2013 ("the 2013 lease") which includes 7 skilled nursing facilities in New England.

The 1991 lease has been amended to extend the lease expiration to December 31, 2026. There are two additional 5-year renewal options, each at fair rental value of such leased property as negotiated between the parties and determined without including the value attributable to any improvements to the leased property voluntarily made by NHC at its expense. Under the terms of the lease, the base annual rental is $30,750,000 and rent escalates by 4% of the increase, if any, in each facility's revenue over a 2007 base year. The 2013 lease provides for a base annual rental of $3,450,000 and has a lease expiration of August 2028. Under the terms of the 2013 lease, rent escalates 4% of the increase, if any, in each facility's revenue over a 2014 base year. For both the 1991 lease and the 2013 lease, we refer to this additional rent component as “percentage rent.” During the last three years of the 2013 lease, NHC will have the option to purchase the facilities for $49,000,000.

The following table summarizes the percentage rent income from NHC (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Current year	$	596	$	573	$	1,788	$	1,719
Prior year final certification1	—		—		94		15
Total percentage rent income	$	596	$	573	$	1,882	$	1,734

¹ For purposes of the percentage rent calculation described in the master lease Agreement, NHC’s annual revenue by facility for a given year is certified to NHI by March 31st of the following year.

Of our total revenues, $9,133,000 (16%) and $9,109,000 (20%) were derived from NHC for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $27,492,000 (16%) and $27,337,000 (21%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Senior Living Communities

Beginning in December 2014 we leased eight retirement communities with 1,671 units to Senior Living Communities, LLC (“Senior Living”). The 15-year master lease contains two5-year renewal options and provides for initial cash rent of $31,000,000, plus annual escalators of 4% in years two through four and 3% thereafter.

For the eight Senior Living properties acquired by us in December 2014 in a transaction accounted for as a business combination, the unaudited pro forma revenue, net income and net income available to common stockholders of the combined entity for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2014 is provided below as if the acquisition date had been January 1, 2013 (in thousands except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2014
Revenue	$	54,335	$	161,342
Net income	$	30,067	$	88,667
Net income available to common stockholders	$	29,801	$	87,795
Earnings per common share - basic	$	0.79	$	2.34
Earnings per common share - diluted	$	0.79	$	2.34

Supplemental pro forma information above includes revenues from the lease recognized on a straight-line basis, depreciation, and appropriate interest costs.

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Of our total revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded $9,855,000 (17%) and $29,566,000 (17%), respectively, in lease revenue from Senior Living, of which $2,105,000 and $6,316,000 respectively, represented straight-line rent. Net earnings from this acquisition were $4,549,000 and $13,715,000 for the same periods.

Disposition of Assets

On September 30, 2015, we sold for $9,593,000 two properties with a carrying value of $8,467,000 and recognized a gain on the disposition of $1,126,000. The properties represented the last two skilled nursing facilities of a disposal group that was originally under contract and classified during 2011 and 2012 as held-for-sale. As previously disclosed, the sale for the disposal group as a whole, being subject to certain conditions precedent as to financing, did not occur. NHI then proceeded to dispose of three of the properties in December 2013, the first of the group having been sold in 2011. On completion of these disposals to our tenant, Fundamental, a monthly rental of $250,000 was attached to the two remaining skilled nursing facilities through the end of the original lease term, February 2016, the properties having an average age in excess of 40 years. With the impending cessation of the lease, the two properties were aggressively marketed for immediate sale under conditions less favorable than those prevailing in 2011.

Assets Held for Sale

In August 2015 we committed to a plan to sell a skilled nursing facility in Idaho. We have reached agreement with our tenant on a sales price of $3,000,000 for the property, which has a carrying value of $1,346,000. We recorded lease income from the property for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 of $80,000 and $241,000, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 lease income was $78,000 and $235,000, respectively. The Idaho property does not meet the accounting criteria to be reported as a discontinued operation as its disposal will not result in a strategic shift that would have a major effect on our operations or financial results.

NOTE 3. EQUITY-METHOD INVESTMENT AND OTHER ASSETS

Our equity-method investment in OpCo and other assets consist of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Equity-method investment in OpCo	$	8,659	$	9,424
Debt issuance costs	12,153		11,491
Accounts receivable and other assets	4,633		3,818
Reserves for replacement, insurance and tax escrows	4,170		4,324
Lease escrow deposits	—		21,648
	$	29,615	$	50,705

Upon the acquisition of our investment in OpCo in 2012, our purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired based upon their estimated relative fair values. We account for this investment using the equity method because OpCo is intended to be self-financing, and we do not control the entity, nor do we have any role in its day-to-day management. Financial reporting standards for equity method investments require that we account for the difference between the cost basis of our investment in OpCo and our pro rata share of the amount of underlying equity in the net assets of OpCo as though OpCo were a consolidated subsidiary. Accordingly, the excess of the original purchase price over the fair value of identified tangible assets at acquisition of $8,986,000 is treated as implied goodwill and is subject to periodic review for impairment in conjunction with our equity method investment. We noted no decline in values as of September 30, 2015, losses in the investee arising from new development not present at acquisition, to which no goodwill is attributed. OpCo is intended to be self-financing, and aside from initial investments therein, no direct support has been provided by NHI to OpCo since inception on September 30, 2012. While PropCo's rental revenues associated with the related properties are sourced from OpCo, a decision to furnish additional direct support would be at our discretion and not obligatory. As a result, we believe our maximum exposure to loss at September 30, 2015, due to our investment in OpCo, would be limited to our equity interest.

In July 2015 the balance of funds held as a lease security deposit, payable in December 2030, was reclassified as marketable securities upon the investment of these funds in government agency debt securities and as long-term certificates of deposit. See Note 6.

Reserves for replacement, insurance and tax escrows include amounts required to be held on deposit in accordance with regulatory agreements governing our Fannie Mae and HUD mortgages. Debt issuance costs are being amortized over the expected term of the debt instruments to which they are related.

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NOTE 4. MORTGAGE AND OTHER NOTES RECEIVABLE

At September 30, 2015, we had investments in mortgage notes receivable with a carrying value of $86,222,000, secured by real estate and UCC liens on the personal property of 9 health care properties, and other notes receivable with a carrying value of $31,607,000, guaranteed by significant parties to the notes or by cross-collateralization of properties with the same owner. No allowance for doubtful accounts was considered necessary at September 30, 2015.

Timber Ridge

In February 2015, we entered into an agreement to lend LCS-Westminster Partnership III LLP (“LCS-WP”), an affiliate of Life Care Services, the manager of the facility, up to $154,500,000. The loan agreement conveys a mortgage interest and will facilitate the construction of Phase II of Timber Ridge at Talus (“Timber Ridge”), a Type-A Continuing Care Retirement Community in the Seattle, WA area.

The loan takes the form of two notes under a master credit agreement. The senior note (“Note A”) totals $60,000,000 at a 6.75% interest rate with 10 basis-point escalators after year three, and has a term of 10 years. We have funded $28,000,000 of Note A as of September 30, 2015. Note A is interest-only and is locked to prepayment for three years. After year three, the prepayment penalty starts at 5% and declines 1% per year. The second note ("Note B") is a construction loan for up to $94,500,000 at an annual interest rate of 8% and a 5 year maturity. We anticipate funding Note B through December 2016 and anticipate substantial repayment with new resident entrance fees upon the opening of Phase II. The total amount funded on Note B was $39,071,000 as of September 30, 2015.

NHI has a purchase option on the entire Timber Ridge property for the greater of fair market value or $115,000,000 during a purchase option window of 120 days that will contingently open in year five or upon earlier stabilization of the development, as defined. The current basis of our investment in Timber Ridge loans is $67,071,000, but we are obligated to complete the funding of both Notes A and B of up to $154,500,000 which represents the maximum exposure to loss of NHI due to our relationship with Timber Ridge. Because we neither control the entity, nor have any role in its day-to-day management, we account for our investment in LCS-WP at amortized cost.

Senior Living Communities

In connection with the December 2014 Senior Living acquisition, described in Note 2, we provided a $15,000,000 revolving line of credit, the maturity of which mirrors the 15-year term of the master lease. Borrowings are used to finance construction projects within the Senior Living Portfolio, including building additional units. Up to $5,000,000 of the facility may be used to meet general working capital needs. Amounts outstanding under the facility, $5,321,000 at September 30, 2015, bear interest at an annual rate equal to the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate, 2.06% at September 30, 2015, plus 6%.

Sycamore

In July 2013 we extended a $9,200,000 loan to our joint venture partner, Sycamore, to fund a portion of their acquisition from a third party of six senior housing communities consisting of 342 units. The loan is guaranteed by principals of Bickford and has a 12% annual interest. As a result of the loan, PropCo acquired a $97,000,000 purchase option exercisable over the term of the loan, covering all of the properties, in whole or in part. Terms of the loan and the purchase option have been extended through June 2018. In June 2014 we entered into a $500,000 revolving loan to Sycamore to fund pre-development expenses related to potential future projects. Interest is payable monthly at 10% and the note, as extended, matures in June 2018. At September 30, 2015, the revolving loan had an outstanding balance of $412,000. Sycamore is intended to be self-financing, and our direct support has been limited to the loans described herein and a $3,550,000 letter of credit for the benefit of Sycamore. We are not obligated to extend support to Sycamore beyond our current basis in the loans and letter of credit to them; accordingly our investment in this extension of credit represents our maximum exposure to loss. However, because we do not control Sycamore, nor do we have any role in the day-to-day management, we account for loans provided to Sycamore at amortized cost.

Repayments

In June 2015 Santé Partners, LLC (“Santé”) repaid its $11,700,000 mortgage obligation originally scheduled to come due on July 31. The mortgage was secured by a 70-bed transitional rehabilitation center, for which NHI had held a purchase option. Additionally, in June 2015, NHI was repaid in full on a $1,000,000 mortgage note secured by a skilled nursing facility in Texas.

Recovery

In June 2015 we received $491,000 as a secured creditor in the final settlement of a bankruptcy proceeding.

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NOTE 5. INVESTMENT IN PREFERRED STOCK, AT COST

We recognized $818,000 and $2,454,000 in preferred dividend income from LTC (a publicly-traded REIT) for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, on our investment in 2,000,000 shares of their cumulative preferred stock carried at its original cost of $38,132,000. The preferred stock, which was purchased in September 1998, is not listed on a stock exchange, is considered a non-marketable security and is recorded at cost in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The non-voting preferred stock is convertible into 2,000,000 shares of LTC common stock whose closing price at September 30, 2015 was $42.67 per share. The preferred stock has an annual cumulative coupon rate of 8.5% payable quarterly and a liquidation preference of $19.25 per share. While not the fair value of our preferred stock investment, we provide the above information as pertinent to the reader's estimation of the fair value of our investment. In accordance with ASC Topic 825 Financial Instruments, paragraph 10-50 Disclosure-Overall, we have determined that it is not practicable to estimate the fair value of our cost basis investment in preferred stock due to excessive costs related to inherent subjectivities in refining the estimate to a degree that is likely to materially augment the information provided above. Further, we have identified no events that may have had an adverse effect on its fair value which would have required revisiting the instrument's carrying value.

NOTE 6. INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Our investments in marketable securities include available-for-sale securities which are reported at fair value and investments in marketable debt securities which consist of U.S. government agency debt and long-term certificates of deposit. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are presented as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized gains and losses from securities sales are determined based upon specific identification of the securities. Marketable debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity and stated at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity.

Marketable securities consist of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Common stock of other healthcare REITs	$	4,088	$	15,065	$	4,088	$	15,503
Held-to-maturity securities	$	20,083	$	20,192	$	—	$	—

Gross unrealized gains related to available-for-sale securities were $10,977,000 at September 30, 2015 and $11,415,000 at December 31, 2014.

NOTE 7. DEBT

Debt consists of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Revolving credit facility - unsecured	$	217,000	$	374,000
Convertible senior notes - unsecured (net of discount of $6,141 and $6,963)	193,859		193,037
Bank term loans - unsecured	250,000		250,000
HUD mortgage loans (net of discount of $1,596 and $1,662)	45,201		45,689
Private placement term loans - unsecured	225,000		—
Fannie Mae term loans - secured, non-recourse	78,084		—
	$	1,009,144	$	862,726

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Aggregate principal maturities of debt as of September 30, 2015 for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):

Twelve months ended September 30
2016	$	762
2017	787
2018	814
2019	842
2020	467,871
Thereafter	545,805
	1,016,881
Less: discount	(7,737		)
	$	1,009,144

In June 2015 we entered into an amended $800,000,000 senior unsecured credit facility with a group of banks. The facility can be expanded, subject to certain conditions, up to an additional $250,000,000. The amended credit facility provides for: (1) a $550,000,000 unsecured, revolving credit facility that matures in June 2020 (inclusive of an embedded 1-year extension option) with interest at 150 basis points over LIBOR (19 bps at September 30, 2015); (2) a $130,000,000 unsecured term loan that matures in June 2020 with interest at 175 basis points over LIBOR; and (3) two existing term loans which remain in place totaling $120,000,000, maturing in June 2020 and bearing interest at 175 basis points over LIBOR. At closing, the new facility replaced a smaller credit facility last amended in March 2014 that provided for $700,000,000 of total commitments. The employment of interest rate swaps for our fixed term debt leaves only our revolving credit facility exposed to variable rate risk. Our swaps and the financial instruments to which they relate are described in the table below, under the caption “Interest Rate Swap Agreements.”

At September 30, 2015 we had $333,000,000 available to draw on the revolving portion of the credit facility. The unused commitment fee is 40 basis points per annum. The unsecured credit facility requires that we maintain certain financial ratios within limits set by our creditors. To date, these ratios, which are calculated quarterly, have been within the limits required by the credit facility agreements.

In March 2015 we obtained $78,084,000 in Fannie Mae financing. The term debt financing consists of interest-only payments at an annual rate of 3.79% and a 10-year maturity. The mortgages are non-recourse and secured by thirteen properties in NHI’s joint venture with Bickford. Proceeds were used to reduce borrowings on NHI's unsecured bank credit facility. The notes are secured by the facilities previously pledged as security on Fannie Mae term debt that was retired in December 2014.

In January 2015 we issued $125,000,000 of 8-year notes with a coupon of 3.99% and $100,000,000 of 12-year notes with a coupon of 4.51% to a private placement lender. The notes are unsecured and require quarterly payments of interest only until maturity. We used the proceeds from the notes to pay down borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Terms and conditions of the new financing are similar to those under our bank credit facility with the exception of provisions regarding prepayment premiums.

In March 2014 we issued $200,000,000 of 3.25% senior unsecured convertible notes due April 2021 (the "Notes"). Interest is payable April 1st and October 1st of each year. The Notes are convertible at an initial conversion rate of 13.926 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount, representing a conversion price of approximately $71.81 per share for a total of approximately 2,785,200 underlying shares. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, as defined in the indenture governing the Notes, but will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest except in limited circumstances. The conversion option is considered an "optional net-share settlement conversion feature," meaning that upon conversion, NHI's conversion obligation may be satisfied, at our option, in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock. Our average stock price in for the third quarter of 2015 is less than the conversion price, making the conversion option anti-dilutive for the three months ended September 30, 2015. For the year-to-date period, 2015 dilution is determined by computing an average of incremental shares included in each quarterly diluted EPS computation, resulting in a dilutive effect of the conversion feature of 6,314 shares for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015.

The embedded conversion options (1) do not require net cash settlement, (2) are not conventionally convertible but can be classified in stockholders’ equity under ASC 815-40, and (3) are considered indexed to NHI’s own stock. Therefore, the conversion feature satisfies the conditions to qualify for an exception to the derivative liability rules, and the Notes are split into debt and equity components. The value of the debt component is based upon the estimated fair value of a similar debt instrument without the conversion feature at the time of issuance and was estimated to be approximately $192,238,000. The $7,762,000 difference between the contractual principal on the debt and the value allocated to the debt was recorded as an equity component and represents

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the estimated value of the conversion feature of the instrument. The excess of the contractual principal amount of the debt over its estimated fair value, the original issue discount, is amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the estimated term of the Notes. The effective interest rate used to amortize the debt discount and the liability component of the debt issue costs was approximately 3.9% based on our estimated non-convertible borrowing rate at the date the Notes were issued.

The total cost of issuing the Notes was $6,063,000, $275,000 of which was allocated to the equity component and $5,788,000 of which was allocated to the debt component and subject to amortization over the estimated term of the notes. The remaining unamortized balance at September 30, 2015, was $4,393,000.

Our HUD mortgage loans are secured by ten properties in our joint venture with Bickford. Nine mortgage notes require monthly payments of principal and interest from 4.3% to 4.4% (inclusive of mortgage insurance premium) and mature in August and October 2049. One additional HUD mortgage loan assumed in 2014 requires monthly payments of principal and interest of 2.9% (inclusive of mortgage insurance premium) and matures in October 2047. The loan has an outstanding principal balance of $9,359,000 and a net book value of $7,764,000, which approximates fair value.

The following table summarizes interest expense (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Interest expense at contractual rates	$	9,000		$	6,426		$	25,223		$	17,126
Capitalized interest	(92		)	(156		)	(296		)	(367		)
Amortization of debt issuance costs, debt discount and premium	864			735			2,544			1,816
Debt issuance costs expensed due to credit facility modifications	—			—			—			2,145
Total interest expense	$	9,772		$	7,005		$	27,471		$	20,720

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

To mitigate our exposure to interest rate risk, we have entered into the following interest rate swap contracts on our bank term loans as of September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands):

Date Entered	Maturity Date	Fixed Rate	Rate Index	Notional Amount		Fair Value
May 2012	April 2019	3.29%	1-month LIBOR	$	40,000	$	(787	)
June 2013	June 2020	3.86%	1-month LIBOR	$	80,000	$	(3,427	)
March 2014	June 2020	3.91%	1-month LIBOR	$	130,000	$	(5,888	)

See Note 11 for fair value disclosures about our variable and fixed rate debt and interest rate swap agreements.

NOTE 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Bickford

In February 2015 our joint venture with Bickford announced plans to develop five senior housing facilities in Illinois and Virginia. Each community will be managed by Bickford and consist of 60 private-pay assisted living and memory care units. These five properties will represent the culmination of plans announced in 2012 between NHI and Bickford to construct a total of eight facilities. The first three communities, all in Indiana, opened in 2013 and 2014. Pre-development and land acquisition on the five facilities started in mid-2015 with openings planned beginning in late 2016. The total estimated project cost is $55,000,000. As of September 30, 2015, land and pre-development costs incurred on the project totaled $8,498,000.

In February 2014 we entered into a commitment on a letter of credit for the benefit of Sycamore which holds a minority interest in PropCo. At September 30, 2015 our commitment on the letter of credit totaled $3,550,000.

In June 2014 we entered into a $500,000 revolving loan with Bickford affiliate, Sycamore, to fund pre-development expenses related to potential future projects. Interest is payable monthly at 10% and the note, as extended, matures in June 2018. At September 30, 2015, the revolving loan had an outstanding balance of $412,000.

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Chancellor

In October 2013, we entered into a $7,500,000 commitment to build a 46-unit free-standing assisted living and memory care community on our Linda Valley senior living campus in Loma Linda, California. We began construction during the first quarter of 2014 and had funded $7,326,000 as of September 30, 2015. The initial lease term is for 15 years at an annual rate of 9% plus a fixed annual escalator. NHI purchased the Linda Valley campus in 2012 and leased it to Chancellor Health Care ("Chancellor"), who has been operating the campus since 1993. We also committed to provide up to $1,150,000 for renovations and improvements related to our recent acquisitions of senior housing communities in Oregon and Maryland, which we have leased to Chancellor. We began renovations during the first quarter of 2014 and had funded $564,000 as of September 30, 2015. We receive rent income on funds advanced for each construction project.

Discovery

As a lease inducement, we have a contingent commitment to fund a series of payments up to $2,500,000 in connection with our September 2013 lease to Discovery Senior Living ("Discovery") of a senior living campus in Rainbow City, Alabama. Discovery would earn the contingent payments upon gaining, and maintaining, a specified lease coverage ratio. Remaining payments will be assessed for funding in installments of $750,000 through September 2016 when the residual is potentially due. As of September 30, 2015, incurring the contingent payments was not considered probable. Accordingly, no provision for these payments is reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

East Lake

In connection with our July 2015 lease, NHI has committed to East Lake certain lease incentive payments of $8,000,000 contingent on reaching and maintaining certain metrics, a contingent earnout of $750,000 payable to the seller upon attaining certain metrics, and the funding of an additional $400,000 for specified capital improvements. At acquisition, we estimated the seller contingent earnout payment to be probable and accordingly, have reflected that amount in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2015. Contingent payments earned will be included in the lease base when funded.

Kentucky River

In March 2012, we entered into a long-term lease extension and construction commitment to an affiliate of Community Health Systems under which we provided $7,463,000 for extensive renovations and additions to our Kentucky River Medical Center, a general acute care hospital in Jackson, Kentucky. Funding for this investment was added to the basis on which the lease amount is calculated. The construction project commenced during the first quarter of 2013 and was completed in 2015. The 10-year lease extension began July 1, 2012, with an additional 5-year renewal option.

Life Care Services

See Note 4 for a discussion of our loan commitments to an affiliate of Life Care Services.

Prestige

We agreed to fund capital improvements of up to $2,000,000 in connection with two of the skilled nursing facilities we lease to Prestige Senior Living. As of September 30, 2015, we had fully funded this commitment. The capital improvements were added to our original investment in the properties and are included in the lease base. Additionally, we have committed to fund contingent earn out payments up to a maximum of $6,390,000 based on the achievement of certain financial metrics as measured periodically through December 31, 2015. At acquisition, we estimated probable contingent payments of $3,000,000 to be likely and have reflected that amount in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Contingent payments earned will be included in the lease base when funded.

Santé

We are committed to fund a $3,500,000 expansion and renovation program at our Silverdale, Washington senior living campus and as of September 30, 2015, had funded $2,621,000, which was added to the basis on which the lease amount is calculated. In addition, we have a contingent commitment to fund two lease inducement payments of $1,000,000 each. Santé would earn the payments upon attaining and sustaining a specified lease coverage ratio. If earned, the first payment would be due following calendar year 2015 and the second payment would be due following calendar year 2016. At acquisition, incurring the contingent payments was not considered probable. Accordingly, no provision for these payments is reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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Senior Living Communities

In connection with our December 2014 Senior Living acquisition, we have provided a $15,000,000 revolving line of credit to Senior Living, the maturity of which mirrors the term of the master lease. Borrowings will be used to finance construction projects within the Senior Living Portfolio, including building additional units. Up to $5,000,000 of the facility may be used to meet general working capital needs. Amounts outstanding under the facility, $5,321,000 at September 30, 2015, bear interest at an annual rate equal to the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate, 2.06% at September 30, 2015, plus 6%.

Senior Living Management

We have entered into agreements with our current tenant, Senior Living Management, to fund up to $1,430,000 for renovations to our facilities in Georgia and Louisiana. As amounts are funded, they are added to the lease base. As of September 30, 2015, we had funded $908,000 toward this commitment.

Signature

In 2012 we provided an affiliate of Signature Senior Living with a revolving loan facility of $1,500,000, bearing interest at a current rate of 10%, to fund pre-development activities internationally. With the extension of $250,000 in funding on March 31, 2015, the facility is fully drawn.

Litigation

Our facilities are subject to claims and suits in the ordinary course of business. Our lessees and borrowers have indemnified, and are obligated to continue to indemnify us, against all liabilities arising from both the operation of the facilities and are further obligated to indemnify us against environmental or title problems affecting the real estate underlying such facilities. While there may be lawsuits pending against certain of the owners and/or lessees of our facilities, management believes that the ultimate resolution of all such pending proceedings will have no material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 9. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

We recognize share-based compensation for all stock options granted over the requisite service period using the fair value of these grants as estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model, and all restricted stock granted over the requisite service period using the market value of our publicly-traded common stock on the date of grant.

Share-Based Compensation Plans

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors ("the Committee") has the authority to select the participants to be granted options; to designate whether the option granted is an incentive stock option ("ISO"), a non-qualified option, or a stock appreciation right; to establish the number of shares of common stock that may be issued upon exercise of the option; to establish the vesting provision for any award; and to establish the term any award may be outstanding. The exercise price of any ISO’s granted will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date granted, and the term of an ISO may not be more than ten years. The exercise price of any non-qualified options granted will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date granted unless so determined by the Committee.

In May 2012, our stockholders approved the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan ("the 2012 Plan") pursuant to which 1,500,000 shares of our common stock were made available to grant as share-based payments to employees, officers, directors or consultants. As of September 30, 2015, there were 305,000 shares available for future grants under the 2012 Plan. The individual restricted stock and option grant awards vest over periods up to five years. The term of the options under the 2012 Plan is up to ten years from the date of grant. Through a vote of our shareholders on May 7, 2015, we have increased the maximum number of shares under the plan from 1,500,000 shares to 3,000,000 shares; increased the automatic annual grant to non-employee directors from 15,000 shares to 20,000 shares; and limited the Company's ability to re-issue shares under the Plan.

In May 2005, our stockholders approved the NHI 2005 Stock Option Plan ("the 2005 Plan") pursuant to which 1,500,000 shares of our common stock were made available to grant as share-based payments to employees, officers, directors or consultants. As of September 30, 2015, the 2005 Plan has expired and no additional shares may be granted under the 2005 Plan. The individual restricted stock and option grant awards vest over periods up to ten years. The term of the options outstanding under the 2005 Plan is up to ten years from the date of grant.

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Compensation expense is recognized only for the awards that ultimately vest. Accordingly, forfeitures that were not expected may result in the reversal of previously recorded compensation expense. The compensation expense reported for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $233,000 and $223,000, respectively, and for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 was $1,930,000 and $1,796,000, respectively.

At September 30, 2015, we had, net of expected forfeitures, $665,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options which is expected to be expensed over the following periods: 2015 - $233,000, 2016 - $386,000 and 2017 - $46,000. Stock-based compensation is included in general and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following table summarizes our outstanding stock options:

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2015		2014
Options outstanding January 1,	871,671		516,674
Options granted under 2012 Plan	450,000		400,000
Options granted under 2005 Plan	20,000		—
Options exercised under 2012 Plan	(421,657	)	—
Options canceled under 2012 Plan	(100,000	)	(15,000	)
Options exercised under 2005 Plan	(50,002	)	(26,670	)
Options outstanding, September 30,	770,012		875,004
Exercisable at September 30,	496,664		648,323

NOTE 10. EARNINGS AND DIVIDENDS PER SHARE

The weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period is used to calculate basic earnings per common share. Diluted earnings per common share assume the exercise of stock options and the conversion of our convertible debt using the treasury stock method, to the extent dilutive. If our average stock price for the period increases over the conversion price of our convertible debt, the conversion feature will be considered dilutive.

The following table summarizes the average number of common shares and the net income used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	33,600	$	25,250	$	94,466	$	74,080
BASIC:
Weighted average common shares outstanding	37,566,221		33,055,992		37,563,503		33,053,386
DILUTED:
Weighted average common shares outstanding	37,566,221		33,055,992		37,563,503		33,053,386
Stock options	16,920		32,578		42,024		33,643
Convertible subordinated debentures	—		—		6,314		—
Average dilutive common shares outstanding	37,583,141		33,088,570		37,611,841		33,087,029
Net income per common share - basic	$	.89	$	.76	$	2.51	$	2.24
Net income per common share - diluted	$	.89	$	.76	$	2.51	$	2.24
Incremental shares excluded since anti-dilutive:
Net share effect of stock options with an exercise price in excess of the average market price for our common shares	107,993		24,659		42,052		26,734
Regular dividends declared per common share	$	.85	$	.77	$	2.55	$	2.31

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NOTE 11. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value (based on the hierarchy of the three levels of inputs described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K) on a recurring basis include marketable securities, derivative financial instruments and contingent consideration arrangements. Marketable securities consist of common stock of other healthcare REITs. Derivative financial instruments include our interest rate swap agreements. Contingent consideration arrangements relate to certain provisions of recent real estate purchase agreements involving both business combinations.

Marketable securities. We utilize quoted prices in active markets to measure debt and equity securities; these items are classified as Level 1 in the hierarchy and include the common and preferred stock of other healthcare REITs.

Derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments are valued in the market using discounted cash flow techniques. These techniques incorporate Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. The market inputs are utilized in the discounted cash flow calculation considering the instrument's term, notional amount, discount rate and credit risk. Significant inputs to the derivative valuation model for interest rate swaps are observable in active markets and are classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy.

Contingent consideration. Contingent consideration arrangements are classified as Level 3 and are valued using unobservable inputs about the nature of the contingent arrangement and the counter-party to the arrangement, as well as our assumptions about the probability of full settlement of the contingency.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows (in thousands):

		Fair Value Measurement
	Balance Sheet Classification	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Level 1
Common stock of other healthcare REITs	Marketable securities	$	15,065	$	15,503
Level 2
Interest rate swap asset	Other assets	$	—	$	—
Interest rate swap liability	Accrued expenses	$	10,102	$	5,193
Level 3
Contingent consideration	Real estate purchase liabilities	$	3,750	$	3,000

The following table presents a reconciliation of Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014(in thousands):

	Fair Value Beginning of Period		Transfers Into Level 3		Realized Gains and (Losses)		Purchases, Issuances and Settlements, net		Fair Value at End of Period		Total Period Losses Included in Earnings Attributable to the Change in Unrealized Losses Relating to Assets Held at End of Year
2015
Contingent consideration	$	3,000	$	—	$	—	$	750	$	3,750	$	—
2014
Contingent consideration	$	2,600	$	—	$	—	$	1,400	$	4,000	$	—

Carrying values and fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (in thousands):

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	Carrying Amount				Fair Value Measurement
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Level 1
Marketable securities, held to maturity	$	20,083	$	—	$	20,192	$	—
Level 2
Variable rate debt	$	467,000	$	624,000	$	467,000	$	624,000
Fixed rate debt	$	542,144	$	238,726	$	559,648	$	254,150
Level 3
Mortgage and other notes receivable	$	117,828	$	63,630	$	125,759	$	72,435

The fair value of mortgage and other notes receivable is based on credit risk and discount rates that are not observable in the marketplace and therefore represents a Level 3 measurement.

Fixed rate debt. Fixed rate debt is classified as Level 2 and its value is based on quoted prices for similar instruments or calculated utilizing model derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable in active markets.

Carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The fair value of our borrowings under our revolving credit facility are reasonably estimated at their carrying value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, due to the predominance of floating interest rates, which generally reflect market conditions.

NOTE 12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On November 3, 2015, we issued $50,000,000 of 8-year notes with a coupon of 3.99% and $50,000,000 of 10-year notes with a coupon of 4.33% to a private placement lender. The notes are unsecured and require quarterly payments of interest only until maturity. We used the proceeds from the notes to pay down borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Terms and conditions of the new financing are similar to those under our bank credit facility with the exception of provisions regarding prepayment premiums.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Forward Looking Statements

References throughout this document to NHI or the Company include National Health Investors, Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries. In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “Plain English” guidelines, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q has been written in the first person. In this document, the words “we”, “our”, “ours” and “us” refer only to National Health Investors, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries and not any other person. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references herein to “the Company” include all of our consolidated subsidiaries.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other materials we have filed or may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as information included in oral statements made, or to be made, by our senior management contain certain “forward-looking” statements as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, funds from operations, continued performance improvements, ability to service and refinance our debt obligations, ability to finance growth opportunities, and similar statements including, without limitation, those containing words such as “may,” “will,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those projected or contemplated in the forward-looking statements as a result of, but not limited to, the following factors:

* We depend on the operating success of our tenants and borrowers for collection of our lease and interest income;

* We depend on the success of property development and construction activities, which may fail to achieve the operating results we expect;

* We are exposed to the risk that our tenants and borrowers may become subject to bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings;

* We are exposed to risks related to governmental regulations and payors, principally Medicare and Medicaid, and the effect that lower reimbursement rates would have on our tenants’ and borrowers’ business;

* We are exposed to the risk that the cash flows of our tenants and borrowers would be adversely affected by increased liability claims and liability insurance costs;

* We are exposed to risks related to environmental laws and the costs associated with liabilities related to hazardous substances;

* We are exposed to the risk that we may not be fully indemnified by our lessees and borrowers against future litigation;

* We depend on the success of our future acquisitions and investments;

* We depend on our ability to reinvest cash in real estate investments in a timely manner and on acceptable terms;

* We may need to incur more debt in the future, which may not be available on terms acceptable to us;

* We have covenants related to our indebtedness which impose certain operational limitations and a breach of those covenants could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations;

* We are exposed to the risk that the illiquidity of real estate investments could impede our ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our properties;

* We are exposed to risks associated with our investments in unconsolidated entities, including our lack of sole decision-making authority and our reliance on the financial condition of other interests;

* We depend on revenues derived mainly from fixed rate investments in real estate assets, while a portion of our debt capital used to finance those investments bear interest at variable rates. This circumstance creates interest rate risk to the Company;

* We are exposed to the risk that our assets may be subject to impairment charges;

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* We depend on the ability to continue to qualify for taxation as a real estate investment trust;

* We have ownership limits in our charter with respect to our common stock and other classes of capital stock which may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders;

* We are subject to certain provisions of Maryland law and our charter and bylaws that could hinder, delay or prevent a change in control transaction, even if the transaction involves a premium price for our common stock or our stockholders believe such transaction to be otherwise in their best interests.

See the notes to the annual audited consolidated financial statements in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and “Business” and “Risk Factors” under Item 1 and Item 1A therein for a further discussion of these and of various governmental regulations and other operating factors relating to the healthcare industry and the risk factors inherent in them. You should carefully consider these risks before making any investment decisions in the Company. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones facing the Company. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know of or that we currently deem immaterial. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows could be materially adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our shares of stock could decline and you may lose part or all of your investment. Given these risks and uncertainties, we can give no assurance that these forward-looking statements will, in fact, occur and, therefore, caution investors not to place undue reliance on them.

Executive Overview

National Health Investors, Inc., is a self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT") specializing in sale-leaseback, joint-venture, mortgage and mezzanine financing of need-driven and discretionary senior housing and medical investments. Our portfolio consists of real estate investments in independent, assisted and memory care communities, entrance-fee communities, senior living campuses, skilled nursing facilities, specialty hospitals and medical office buildings. Other investments include mortgages and notes, the preferred stock and marketable securities of other REITs, and a joint venture structured to comply with the provisions of the REIT Investment Diversification Empowerment Act of 2007 (“RIDEA”). Through this RIDEA joint venture, we invest in facility operations managed by independent third-parties. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, our investment portfolio generated $170,346,000 of income. We fund our real estate investments primarily through: (1) cash flow, (2) debt offerings, including bank lines of credit and ordinary term debt, and (3) the sale of equity securities.

Portfolio

At September 30, 2015, our operations consisted of investments in real estate and mortgage and other notes receivable involving 188 facilities in 31 states. These investments include 115 senior housing communities, 68 skilled nursing facilities, 3 hospitals, 2 medical office buildings and other notes receivable. These investments (excluding pre-development costs of $375,000 and our corporate office of $910,000) consisted of properties with an original cost of approximately $2,087,337,000, rented under triple-net leases to 26 lessees, and $117,828,000 aggregate carrying value of mortgage and other notes receivable due from 14 borrowers.

We classify all of the properties in our portfolio as either senior housing or medical properties. Because our leases represent different underlying revenue sources and result in differing risk profiles, we further classify our senior housing communities as either need-driven (assisted and memory care communities and senior living campuses) or discretionary (independent living and entrance-fee communities.) For the table below, 3 parcels of land acquired have been included in their intended category.

Senior Housing – Need-Driven includes assisted and memory care communities ("ALF") and senior living campuses ("SLC") which primarily attract private payment for services from residents who require assistance with activities of daily living. Need-driven properties are subject to regulatory oversight.

Senior Housing – Discretionary includes independent living and entrance-fee communities ("EFC") which primarily attract private payment for services from residents who are making the lifestyle choice of living in an age-restricted multi-family community that offers social programs, meals, housekeeping and in some cases access to healthcare services. Discretionary properties are subject to limited regulatory oversight. There is a correlation between demand for this type of community and the strength of the housing market.

Medical Properties within our portfolio primarily receive payment from Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance. These properties include skilled nursing facilities ("SNF"), medical office buildings and specialty hospitals that attract patients who have a need for acute or complex medical attention, preventative medicine, or a need for rehabilitation services. Medical properties are subject to state and federal regulatory oversight and, in the case of Hospitals, JCAHO accreditation.

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The following tables summarize our gross investments in real estate and mortgage and other notes receivable and year-to-date revenue as of September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands):

Real Estate Properties			Properties	Beds/Sq. Ft.*		Revenue		%		Investment
	Senior Housing - Need-Driven
		Assisted Living	67	3,257		$	32,076	19.2	%	$	482,450
		Senior Living Campus	10	1,344		7,815		4.7	%	145,742
		Total Senior Housing - Need-Driven	77	4,601		39,891		23.9	%	628,192
	Senior Housing - Discretionary
		Independent Living	28	3,114		33,858		20.3	%	503,512
		Entrance-Fee Communities	7	1,587		29,017		17.4	%	467,160
		Total Senior Housing - Discretionary	35	4,701		62,875		37.7	%	970,672
		Total Senior Housing	112	9,302		102,766		61.6	%	1,598,864
	Medical Facilities
		Skilled Nursing Facilities	62	8,061		50,299		30.2	%	426,855
		Hospitals	3	181		5,809		3.5	%	51,131
		Medical Office Buildings	2	88,517	*	750		0.4	%	10,487
		Total Medical Facilities	67			56,858		34.1	%	488,473
		Total Real Estate Properties	179			$	159,624	95.7	%	$	2,087,337
Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable
	Senior Housing - Need-Driven		2	190		$	583	0.4	%	$	6,113
	Senior Housing - Discretionary		1	400		2,181		1.3	%	67,071
	Medical Facilities		6	450		1,569		0.9	%	13,037
	Other Notes Receivable		—	—		2,816		1.7	%	31,607
		Total Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable	9	1,040		7,149		4.3	%	117,828
		Total Portfolio	188			$	166,773	100.0	%	$	2,205,165

Portfolio Summary			Properties	Beds/Sq. Ft.*		Revenue		%		Investment
	Real Estate Properties		179			$	159,624	95.7	%	2,087,337
	Mortgage and Other Notes Receivable		9			7,149		4.3	%	117,828
		Total Portfolio	188			$	166,773	100.0	%	2,205,165
Summary of Facilities by Type
	Senior Housing - Need-Driven
		Assisted Living	69	3,447		$	32,659	19.6	%	$	488,564
		Senior Living Campus	10	1,344		7,815		4.7	%	145,742
		Total Senior Housing - Need-Driven	79	4,791		40,474		24.3	%	634,306
	Senior Housing - Discretionary
		Entrance-Fee Communities	8	1,987		31,198		18.7	%	534,231
		Independent Living	28	3,114		33,858		20.3	%	503,512
		Total Senior Housing - Discretionary	36	5,101		65,056		39.0	%	1,037,743
		Total Senior Housing	115	9,892		105,530		63.3	%	1,672,049
	Medical Facilities
		Skilled Nursing Facilities	68	8,511		51,294		30.8	%	439,893
		Hospitals	3	181		6,383		3.8	%	51,131
		Medical Office Buildings	2	88,517	*	750		0.4	%	10,486
		Total Medical	73			58,427		35.0	%	501,510
	Other		—			2,816		1.7	%	31,606
		Total Portfolio	188			$	166,773	100.0	%	2,205,165
Portfolio by Operator Type
	Public		53			$	34,617	20.76	%	$	258,976
	National Chain (Privately-Owned)		27			37,173		22.29	%	498,811
	Regional		96			87,523		52.48	%	1,315,048
	Small		12			7,460		4.47	%	132,330
		Total Portfolio	188			$	166,773	100.00	%	2,205,165

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For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, operators of facilities which provided more than 3% of our total revenues were (in alphabetical order): Bickford Senior Living; Health Services Management; Holiday Retirement; Legend Healthcare; National HealthCare Corp; and Senior Living Communities.

As of September 30, 2015, our average effective annualized rental income was $7,914 per bed for skilled nursing facilities, $9,931 per unit for senior living campuses, $13,976 per unit for assisted living facilities, $14,497 per unit for independent living facilities, $24,379 per unit for entrance fee communities, $42,791 per bed for hospitals, and $11 per square foot for medical office buildings.

We invest a portion of our funds in the preferred and common shares of other publicly-held healthcare REITs to ensure a substantial portion of our assets are invested for real estate purposes. At September 30, 2015, such investments had a carrying value of $53,197,000.

Recent Events and Operational Effects

The announcement of the departure of our then-CEO, Justin Hutchens, on August 11, 2015, marked the beginning of a sequence of events and circumstances in which the quoted market price of our common shares began trending lower.

• Mr. Hutchens’ accrued bonus, no longer due, was reversed, resulting in a boost to earnings of $575,000 during the third quarter, when the reversal was recorded. For the year as a whole, no equivalent impact was achieved, as the reversal effected a cancellation of earlier accruals during the first and second quarters, with no net effect for the nine months.

• Market-wide jitters in August and early September, triggered by concerns over China and expectations of a looming Federal Reserve benchmark federal funds rate hike, negatively impacted our share price and quoted interest rates on senior unsecured debt, making strategic refinancing temporarily inadvisable, further resulting in our continued carry of substantial portions of our debt within our lower-interest, floating-rate, revolving credit facility. Carrying debt subject to interest rate risk, but ultimately at lower rates than planned, contributed to NHI exceeding the upper limit of its AFFO guidance range.

• By the end of August continuing through the first two weeks of September 2015, our share price had traded down by as much as 18% from its quarter-opening price. As a result, contemplated access to capital through a strategic issuance of common shares on our ATM equity program was put on indefinite hold.

These events and circumstances combined to boost per share earnings by either suppressing levels of expense or constricting the denominator of shares outstanding. Where true efficiencies have been gained – in the absence of a continuing accrual for executive compensation (rather than its reversal), a smaller denominator used in per share calculations, or the quarter’s pause from refinancing at higher interest rates – forthcoming annual AFFO annual earnings guidance has been revised upward.

While we have clarity on the top end of our new AFFO guidance range, our guidance allows for the uncertainty in the structure and timing of the financing to fund our previously announced investments.  Our guidance range includes earnings impacts for the remainder of the year as follows:  First, the September 2015 sale of two facilities to our tenant Fundamental and the resulting net impact to lease revenue; second, the third quarter reversal of previously accrued executive compensation; and third, increased interest expense as a result of terming out $100 million of borrowing on our revolving credit facility.

On October 5, 2015, we announced the promotion to Chief Executive Officer from within our team of Eric Mendelsohn, formerly Executive Vice President of Corporate Finance and interim Chief Executive Officer since early August 2015.

Areas of Focus

While there has been a change in our CEO, our governing philosophy will continue to guide us down the path that has positioned NHI as a leader among diversified health care REITs. We will maintain pursuit of a disciplined investment strategy of appropriate volume with mission-oriented partners, while at the same time retaining our commitment to a conservative balance sheet. To that end, we are evaluating and will potentially make additional investments during the remainder of 2015 as we monitor and improve our existing properties. We seek tenants with whom we can partner in relationships where our business goals are aligned. We believe that this approach fuels steady, and thus, enduring growth for our partners and for NHI.

Within our industry, demand for healthcare real estate continues at high levels, partly attributable to the availability of senior unsecured debt at still historically low rates. As a result of the availability of debt and equity capital, a multitude of buyers seeking investment opportunities, including unlisted REITs and private equity funds, have joined to keep capitalization rates low and led NHI to more value-based investment judgments.

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According to a 2011 estimate by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (the “HHS study”), the number of Americans 65 and older is expected to grow 36% between 2010 and 2020, compared to a 9% cumulative growth for the general population. An increase in this age demographic is expected to increase demand for senior housing properties of all types in the coming decades. Demand is increasing for private-pay senior housing properties in countries outside the U.S. as well. We therefore consider real estate and note investments with U.S. entities who seek to expand their senior housing operations into countries where local-market demand is sufficiently demonstrated.

The combination of historically low interest rates, available capital and demographic trends as highlighted in the HHS study have been credited with fueling an environment in which potential overbuilding in certain markets and record M&A activity are conspicuous features. Additionally, the largest portion of future demographic growth will be attributable to the aging of “baby boomers” whose advent dates from 1946 and whose effects on senior housing are still some years away. Further, recent volatility in the capital markets has been conjectured to create conditions in which a negative “wealth effect” - where significant economic decisions are put on hold - might potentially begin to affect large segments of the population and thereby impact occupancy at senior housing facilities.Still, despite these concerns, no wavering of demand in the pipeline or for end-product has yet manifested itself, and health care REITs continue to report strong profitability. Recent events including stock market turmoil, low cap rates, and oversupply in certain major cities have had the collateral effect of refocusing NHI and industry efforts into internal growth.

Using our relationship-driven model, we look for opportunities to support new and existing tenants and borrowers with the capital needed to expand existing facilities and to initiate ground-up development of new facilities in markets where there is demonstrated demand for a particular product type. The projects we agree to finance have attractive upside potential and are expected to provide above-average returns to our shareholders to mitigate the risks inherent with property development and construction.

NHI is continuing its targeted acquisition program, although an increased emphasis on internal growth will contribute to our plans for capital deployment. Strong regional demographic trends continue to provide the context for further outside growth in the remainder of 2015 and in the years ahead. We plan to fund any new real estate and mortgage investments in the coming year using our liquid assets and debt financing. Should the weight of additional debt as a result of new acquisitions suggest the need to rebalance our capital structure, we would then expect to access the capital markets through our ATM or other equity offerings. Our disciplined investment strategy implemented through measured increments of debt and equity sets the stage for annual dividend growth, continued low leverage, a portfolio of diversified, high-quality assets, and business relationships with experienced tenants and borrowers who we make our priority.

For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015, approximately 30% of our revenue was derived from operators of our skilled nursing facilities that receive a significant portion of their revenue from governmental payors, primarily Medicare and Medicaid. Such revenues are subject annually to statutory and regulatory changes, and in recent years, have been reduced due to federal and state budgetary pressures. In 2009, we began to diversify our portfolio by directing a significant portion of our investments into properties which do not rely primarily on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, but rather on private pay sources. While we will occasionally acquire skilled nursing facilities in good physical condition with a proven operator and strong local market fundamentals, our current investment focus is on acquiring senior housing assets (including assisted living and memory care facilities, independent living facilities, senior living campuses and entrance-fee communities).

As a diversified health-care REIT, we have reached a point of relative equilibrium in balancing our lease portfolio across three asset classes. Large acquisitions in 2013 and 2014 have laid a foundation of diversification across asset types and exemplify our strategy of focusing on well-established tenants who are recognized leaders in their industries. Considering individual tenant lease revenue as a percentage of total revenue, Bickford Senior Living is our largest assisted living/memory care tenant, an affiliate of Holiday Retirement is our largest independent living tenant, National HealthCare Corporation is our largest skilled nursing tenant and for 2015, Senior Living Communities is our largest entrance-fee community tenant.

The following table illustrates our total portfolio revenue by asset class (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		%	2014		%
Medical Facilities	$	58,427	35%	$	56,816	44%
Senior Housing - Need-Driven	40,474		24%	35,382		27%
Senior Housing - Discretionary	65,056		39%	33,842		27%
Other	2,816		2%	2,553		2%
	$	166,773	100%	$	128,593	100%

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As longer term borrowing rates increase, there will be pressure on the spread between our cost of capital and the returns we earn. Expected demand for senior housing, which has been a partial trigger for cash flowing into the industry and the resultant decrease in cap rates, will likely in the long run cause lease rates to rise and thus provide some partial relief from pressures squeezing the cost of, and return on, invested capital. Our cost of capital increases as we transition portions of our short-term revolving borrowings at variable interest rates into debt instruments with longer maturities and fixed rates. Managing risk involves trade-offs with the competing goal of maximizing short-term profitability. Our intention is to strike an appropriate balance between these opposing interests within the confines of our investor profile.

We manage our business with a goal of increasing the regular annual dividends paid to shareholders. Our Board of Directors approves a regular quarterly dividend which is reflective of expected taxable income on a recurring basis. Our transactions that are infrequent and non-recurring that generate additional taxable income have been distributed to shareholders in the form of special dividends. Taxable income is determined in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code and differs from net income for financial statements purposes determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our goal of increasing annual dividends requires a careful balance between identification of high-quality lease and mortgage assets in which to invest and the cost of our capital with which to fund such investments. We consider the competing interests of short and long-term debt (interest rates, maturities and other terms) versus the higher cost of new equity. We accept some level of risk associated with leveraging our investments. We intend to continue to make new investments that meet our underwriting criteria and where we believe the spreads over our cost of capital will generate sufficient returns to our shareholders.

Our projected dividends for the current year and actual dividends for the last three years are as follows:

	20151		2014		2013		2012
Regular	$	3.40	$	3.08	$	2.90	$	2.64
Special	—		$	—	$	—	$	0.22	2
	$	3.40	$	3.08	$	2.90	$	2.86

¹Based on $.85 per share for first, second and third quarters of 2015, annualized

²Paid to shareholders of record in January 2013

Our increased investments in healthcare real estate beginning in 2009 have been partially accomplished by our ability to effectively leverage our balance sheet. However, we continue to maintain a relatively low leverage balance sheet compared with the value of our assets and with many in our peer group. We believe that our fixed charge coverage ratio, which is the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, including amounts in discontinued operations, excluding real estate asset impairments and gains on dispositions) to fixed charges (interest expense and principal payments on debt), and the ratio of consolidated debt to Adjusted EBITDA are meaningful measures of our ability to service our debt. We use these two measures as a useful basis to compare the strength of our balance sheet with those in our peer group.

We calculate our fixed charge coverage ratio as approximately 6.3x for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (see our later discussion of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to our net income). On an annualized basis, our consolidated net debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA ratio is approximately 4.7x.

Annual dividend growth, a low leverage balance sheet, a portfolio of diversified, high-quality assets, and prioritizing business relationships with experienced operators continue to be the key drivers of our business plan.

Critical Accounting Policies

See our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of critical accounting policies including those concerning revenue recognition, our status as a REIT, principles of consolidation, evaluation of impairments and allocation of property acquisition costs.

29

Investment Highlights

Since January 1, 2015, we have made or announced the following real estate and note investments (dollars in thousands):

	Properties	Asset Class	Amount
Lease Investments
Chancellor Health Care - acquisition	1	SHO	$	6,675
Brook Retirement Communities - acquisition	1	SHO	$	6,000
Bickford Senior Living - new construction	5	SHO	$	55,000
Bickford Senior Living - acquisition	1	SHO	21,000
East Lake Capital Mgmt - acquisition	3	SHO	66,900
Note Investments
Life Care Services - refinancing and new construction	1	SHO	154,500
			$	310,075

Chancellor

In an asset acquisition on August 31, 2015, we acquired a 29-unit memory care facility in Portland, Oregon, for $6,772,000 in cash inclusive of closing costs of approximately $97,000. The facility will be leased to existing partner Chancellor Health Care for 15 years with renewal options at an initial lease rate of 7.75% plus annual escalators.

Brook Retirement Communities

In an asset acquisition on August 31, 2015, we acquired a 42-unit independent living and assisted living community in Roscommon, Michigan, for $6,000,000 in cash and $49,000 in closing costs. The community will be leased to a new partner, The Brook Retirement Communities of Roscommon, Inc., for 10 years with renewal options at an initial lease rate of 7.5% plus annual escalators.

Bickford

In February 2015 our joint venture with Bickford Senior Living ("Bickford") announced plans to develop five senior housing facilities in Illinois and Virginia. These five properties will represent the culmination of a program announced in 2012 between NHI and Bickford to construct a total of eight facilities. The first three communities, all in Indiana, opened in 2013 and 2014. Land acquisition and pre-development on the five facilities started in mid-2015 with openings planned beginning in 2016. The total estimated project cost is $55,000,000. Each community will consist of 60 private-pay assisted living and memory care units managed by Bickford Senior Living.

On July 31, 2015, our subsidiary, PropCo, acquired a 92 unit assisted living/memory care facility located in Lancaster, Ohio for $21,000,000 in cash.Valuation was based on an 8.0% capitalization rate on its trailing net operating income performance. The facility was leased to the operating company, OpCo, of which we retain an 85/15 ownership interest with Bickford.

East Lake

On July 1, 2015, we acquired two senior living campuses in Nashville and Indianapolis and one assisted living/memory care facility in Charlotte for $66,900,000 in cash. In addition, we have committed to East Lake certain lease incentive payments contingent on reaching and maintaining certain metrics and a contingent earn out of $750,000 payable to the seller upon East Lake reaching certain metrics. As earned, the lease incentive payments would be due in installments of up to $4,000,000 in each of years three and four of the lease with any subsequently earned residual due by year seven. At acquisition, we estimated probable contingent payments to the seller totaling $750,000 and have, accordingly, reflected that amount in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Contingent payments earned will be an addition to the lease base when funded.

We leased the facilities to East Lake Capital Management (“East Lake”) for an initial term of 10 years, plus renewal options. The lease calls for an annual payment of $4,683,000 in the first year with fixed annual escalators of 3.5% through year four and 3.0% thereafter. In conjunction with the lease, East Lake acquired a purchase option on the properties as a whole, exercisable beginning in year six of the lease for approximately $81,000,000 and thereafter subject to escalation on a basis consistent with rental escalations and other funding in place. On entering the lease, we committed to funding up to an additional $400,000 for specified capital improvements. The investment will be added to the basis on which the lease amount is calculated.

30

Life Care Services

On February 10, 2015, we entered into an agreement to lend LCS-Westminster Partnership III LLP (“LCS-WP”), an affiliate of Life Care Services, the manager of the facility, up to $154,500,000. The loan agreement conveys a mortgage interest and will facilitate the construction of Phase II of Timber Ridge at Talus (“Timber Ridge”), a Type-A Continuing Care Retirement Community in the Seattle, WA area.

The loan takes the form of two notes under a master credit agreement. The senior note (“Note A”) totals $60,000,000 at a 6.75% interest rate with 10 basis-point escalators after year three, and has a term of 10 years. We have funded $28,000,000 of Note A as of June 30, 2015. Note A is interest-only and is locked to prepayment for three years. After year three, the prepayment penalty starts at 5% and declines 1% per year. The second note ("Note B") is a construction loan for up to $94,500,000 at an annual interest rate of 8% and a 5 year maturity. We anticipate funding Note B through December 2016 and anticipate substantial repayment with new resident entrance fees upon the opening of Phase II. The total amount funded on Note B was $39,071,000 as of September 30, 2015.

NHI has a purchase option on the entire Timber Ridge property for the greater of fair market value or $115,000,000 during a purchase option window of 120 days that will contingently open in year five or upon earlier stabilization of the development, as defined.

Significant Operators

As discussed in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, we have four operators from whom we individually derive at least 10% of our rental income as follows (dollars in thousands):

				Rental Income
		Investment		Nine Months Ended September 30,						Lease
	Asset Class	Amount		2015			2014			Renewal
Holiday Retirement	ILF	$	471,051	$	32,863	21%	$	32,863	27%	2031
Senior Living Communities	EFC	476,000		29,566		19%	—		—%	2029
National HealthCare Corporation	SNF	194,525		27,492		17%	27,337		22%	2026
Bickford Senior Living	ALF	280,874		17,844		11%	15,789		13%	2019
All others	Various	664,887		51,859		32%	47,346		38%	Various
		$	2,087,337	$	159,624		$	123,335

RIDEA

As of September 30, 2015, we owned an 85% equity interest and Sycamore Street, LLC ("Sycamore"), an affiliate of Bickford, owned a 15% equity interest in our consolidated subsidiary ("PropCo") which owns 32 assisted living/memory care facilities. The facilities are leased to an operating company, ("OpCo"), in which we also retain an 85/15 ownership interest with an affiliate of Bickford, who controls the entity. This joint venture is structured to comply with the provisions of RIDEA. As of September 30, 2015, the annual contractual rent from OpCo to PropCo is $23,853,000, plus fixed annual escalators. NHI has an exclusive right to Bickford's future acquisitions, development projects and refinancing transactions. Of our total revenues, $6,150,000 (11%) and $5,324,000 (12%) were recognized as rental income from Bickford for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $17,844,000 (10%) and $15,789,000 (12%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

As of September 30, 2015, the carrying value of our investment in the operating company, OpCo, was $8,659,000. The excess of the original purchase price over the fair value of identified tangible assets at acquisition of $8,986,000 is treated as implied goodwill and is subject to periodic review for impairment in conjunction with our equity method investment as a whole.

The income statements for OpCo include the operating results of 29 stabilized same-store properties and 3 properties that were added to the portfolio within the last 15 months. For accounting purposes we are required to expense the pre-opening expenses and operating losses of newly-developed properties.

31

Unaudited summarized income statements for OpCo are presented below (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Revenues	$	19,625		$	16,234		$	56,776		$	47,949
Operating expenses, including management fees	13,508			10,777			39,043			31,530
Lease expense, including straight-line rent	6,235			5,391			18,117			15,856
Depreciation and amortization	179			128			516			378
Net Income	$	(297	)	$	(62	)	$	(900	)	$	185

OpCo is intended to be self-financing, and aside from initial investments therein, no direct support has been provided by NHI to OpCo since inception on September 30, 2012. While PropCo's rental revenues associated with the related properties are sourced from OpCo, a decision to furnish additional direct support would be at our discretion and not obligatory. As a result, we believe our maximum exposure to loss at September 30, 2015, due to our investment in OpCo, would be limited to our equity interest. We have concluded that OpCo meets the accounting criteria to be considered a VIE. However, because we do not control the entity, nor do we have any role in the day-to-day management, we are not the primary beneficiary of the entity, and we account for our investment using the equity method. There have been no distributions declared from OpCo since its inception.

In July 2013, we extended a $9,200,000 loan to Sycamore to fund a portion of their acquisition of six senior housing communities consisting of 342 units. The loan is guaranteed by principals of Bickford and has a 12% annual interest rate. As a result of this transaction and existing agreements governing our business relationship with Bickford, PropCo has acquired a $97,000,000 purchase option on the properties which is exercisable over the term of the loan. In 2015, we granted an extension of the loan through June 2018 in return for the extension of the purchase option over the same period. Essential terms of the extended loan remain the same. We are monitoring the performance of this portfolio which currently has an NOI that would presume a capitalization rate on PropCo's purchase option price of approximately7.8%. The loan and the purchase option constitute variable interests of NHI in Sycamore, which is a VIE. However, because NHI is not its primary beneficiary, Sycamore is not subject to consolidation.

Disposition of Assets

On September 30, 2015, we sold for $9,593,000 two properties with a carrying value of $8,467,000 and recognized a gain on the disposition of $1,126,000. The properties represented the last two skilled nursing facilities of a disposal group that was originally under contract and classified during 2011 and 2012 as held-for-sale. As previously disclosed, the sale for the disposal group as a whole, being subject to certain conditions precedent as to financing, did not occur. NHI then proceeded to dispose of three of the properties in December 2013, the first of the group having been sold in 2011. On completion of this round of disposals to our tenant, Fundamental, a monthly rental of $250,000, extending through the end of the original lease term in February 2016, was attached to the remaining two skilled nursing facilities, now disposed of. The properties had an average age in excess of 40 years. With the impending cessation of the lease, the two properties were aggressively marketed for immediate sale under conditions less favorable than those prevailing in 2011.

Assets Held for Sale

In August 2015 we committed to a plan to sell a skilled nursing facility in Grangeville, Idaho. The agreed upon sales price for the property is $3,000,000, which will result in gain recognition of approximately $1,650,000 upon consummation of the sale. Final disposal of the property will depend upon the timing and availability of HUD financing but is expected to be completed by year-end. The Grangeville property does not meet the accounting criteria to be reported as a discontinued operation as its disposal will not result in a strategic shift that would have a major effect on our operations or financial results.

Lease Renewals and Expirations

Our leases are typically structured as "triple net leases" on single-tenant properties having an initial leasehold term of 10 to 15 years with one or more 5-year renewal options. As such, there may be reporting periods in which we experience few, if any, lease renewals or expirations. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we did not have any renewing or expiring leases. Our portfolio includes two senior living campuses with lease agreements, constituting $2,448,000 of annual contractual cash rent, which are scheduled to mature in August 2016 and which we currently expect to renew at comparable rates.

Real Estate and Mortgage Write-downs

32

Our borrowers and tenants experience periods of significant financial pressures and difficulties similar to other health care providers. Governments at both the federal and state levels have enacted legislation to lower, or at least slow, the growth in payments to health care providers. Furthermore, the cost of professional liability insurance has increased significantly during this same period.

Since inception, a number of our facility operators and mortgage loan borrowers have undergone bankruptcy. Others have been forced to surrender properties to us in lieu of foreclosure or, for certain periods, have failed to make timely payments on their obligations to us.

We believe that the carrying amounts of our real estate properties are recoverable and that mortgage notes receivable are realizable and supported by the value of the underlying collateral. However, it is possible that future events could require us to make significant adjustments to these carrying amounts.

Potential Effects of Medicare Reimbursement

Our tenants who operate skilled nursing facilities receive a significant portion of their revenues from governmental payors, primarily Medicare (federal) and Medicaid (states). Changes in reimbursement rates and limits on the scope of services reimbursed to skilled nursing facilities could have a material impact on the operators' liquidity and financial condition. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS") has released a final rule outlining a 1.2% increase in their Medicare reimbursement for fiscal 2016 beginning on October 1, 2015. We currently estimate that our borrowers and lessees will be able to withstand this nominal Medicare increase due to their credit quality, profitability and their debt or lease coverage ratios, although no assurances can be given as to what the ultimate effect that similar Medicare increases on an annual basis would have on each of our borrowers and lessees. According to industry studies, state Medicaid funding is not expected to keep pace with inflation. Federal legislative policies have been adopted and continue to be proposed that would reduce Medicare and/or Medicaid payments to skilled nursing facilities. Accordingly, for the near-term, we are treating as cautionary the Federal Government’s recent re-commitment, after debating a ‘chained CPI’ indexing, to fully index Social Security to inflation. In this cautious approach, any near-term acquisitions of skilled nursing facilities are planned on a selective basis, with emphasis on operator quality and newer construction.

33

Results of Operations

The significant items affecting revenues and expenses are described below (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30,						Period Change
	2015			2014			$			%
Revenues:
Rental income
7 EFCs and 1 SLC leased to Senior Living Communities	$	7,750		$	—		$	7,750		NM
1 ALF and 2 SLCs leased to East Lake Capital Management	1,171			—			1,171			NM
ALFs leased to RIDEA joint venture with Bickford	6,115			5,237			878			16.8	%
ILFs leased to an affiliate of Holiday Retirement	8,338			7,979			359			4.5	%
ALFs leased to Chancellor Health Care	864			687			177			25.8	%
Other new and existing leases	24,037			23,563			474			2.0	%
	48,275			37,466			10,809			28.9	%
Straight-line rent adjustments, new and existing leases	6,184			4,203			1,981			47.1	%
Total Rental Income	54,459			41,669			12,790			30.7	%
Interest income from mortgage and other notes
Timber Ridge mortgage and construction loans	1,054			—			1,054			NM
Senior Living Communities construction loan	123			—			123			NM
Sante Mesa construction loan	—			303			(303		)	NM
Other new and existing mortgages	1,330			1,451			(121		)	(8.3	)%
Total Interest Income from Mortgage and Other Notes	2,507			1,754			753			42.9	%
Investment income and other	1,316			1,055			261			24.7	%
Total Revenue	58,282			44,478			13,804			31.0	%
Expenses:
Depreciation
7 EFCs and 1 SLC leased to Senior Living Communities	3,132			—			3,132			NM
1 ALF and 2 SLCs leased to East Lake Capital Management	444			—			444			NM
ALFs leased to RIDEA joint venture with Bickford	1,956			1,656			300			18.1	%
ALFs leased to Chancellor Health Care	260			208			52			25.0	%
Other new and existing assets	7,693			7,732			(39		)	(0.5	)%
Total Depreciation	13,485			9,596			3,889			40.5	%
Interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts	9,772			7,005			2,767			39.5	%
Legal	117			66			51			77.3	%
Franchise, excise and other taxes	114			78			36			46.2	%
Payroll and related compensation expenses	478			1,341			(863		)	(64.4	)%
Compliance, consulting and professional fees	384			207			177			85.5	%
Non-cash compensation expense	233			223			10			4.5	%
Other expenses	596			393			203			51.7	%
	25,179			18,909			6,270			33.2	%
Income before equity-method investee and noncontrolling interest	33,103			25,569			7,534			29.5	%
Income (loss) from equity-method investee	(252		)	(53		)	(199		)	375.5	%
Investment and other gains	1,126			—			1,126			NM
Net income	33,977			25,516			8,461			33.2	%
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(377		)	(266		)	(111		)	41.7	%
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	33,600		$	25,250		$	8,350		33.1	%
NM - not meaningful

34

Financial highlights of the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to 2014 were as follows:

• Rental income increased $12,790,000 primarily as a result of completing real estate investments of $598,738,000 since September 2014. The increase in rental income included a $1,981,000 increase in straight-line rent adjustments. Generally accepted accounting principles require rental income to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease to give effect to scheduled rent escalators. Future increases in rental income depend on our ability to make new investments which meet our underwriting criteria.

• Interest income from mortgage and other notes increased $753,000 primarily due to borrowings of $67,071,000 on our new loan commitment to the Timber Ridge entrance fee community as described in Investment Activity. We expect total interest income from our loan portfolio to increase as we continue to fund these loans to Timber Ridge on a monthly basis through the remainder of the current fiscal year and throughout 2016 up to a maximum commitment of $154,500,000. We estimate repayment of our construction loan of $94,500,000 to Timber Ridge during 2017. Interest income from our loan portfolio is subject to decrease due to normal maturities, scheduled principal amortization and early payoffs of individual loans.

• Depreciation expense increased $3,889,000 primarily due to new real estate investments completed since September 2014.

• Interest expense, including amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts, increased $2,767,000 primarily as a result of the timing and amount of new borrowings since September 30, 2014, and our strategic focus to refinance short-term borrowings on our revolving credit facility at variable interest rates with long-term debt at fixed rates. This strategy helps to mitigate the risk of rising interest rates and lock in the investment spread between our lease revenue and our cost of debt capital.

• Payroll and related expenses decreased $863,000 due primarily to the interim period offset of previously recorded executive compensation accruals reversed during the current quarter upon the departure of our former President and CEO.

• The loss from equity method investee of $252,000 reflects pre-opening costs and operating losses of newly-developed properties in OpCo, which for accounting purposes we are required to expense.

• On September 30, 2015, we sold for $9,593,000 properties with a carrying value of $8,467,000 and recognized a gain on the disposition of $1,126,000.

35

The significant items affecting revenues and expenses are described below (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						Period Change
	2015			2014			$			%
Revenues:
Rental income
7 EFCs and 1 SLC leased to Senior Living Communities	$	23,250		$	—		$	23,250		NM
ALFs leased to RIDEA joint venture with Bickford	17,609			15,476			2,133			13.8	%
1 ALF and 2 SLCs leased to East Lake Capital Management	1,171			—			1,171			NM
ILFs leased to an affiliate of Holiday Retirement	25,013			23,936			1,077			4.5	%
3 SNFs and 1 ALF leased to Prestige Senior Living	2,670			1,699			971			57.2	%
ALFs leased to Chancellor Health Care	2,494			1,677			817			48.7	%
Other new and existing leases	68,925			67,854			1,071			1.6	%
	141,132			110,642			30,490			27.6	%
Straight-line rent adjustments, new and existing leases	18,492			12,693			5,799			45.7	%
Total Rental Income	159,624			123,335			36,289			29.4	%
Interest income from mortgage and other notes
Timber Ridge	2,181			—			2,181			NM
Senior Living Communities construction loan	294			—			294			NM
Brentwood at Fore Ranch	64			246			(182		)	(74.0	)%
Other new and existing mortgages	4,610			5,012			(402		)	(8.0	)%
Total Interest Income from Mortgage and Other Notes	7,149			5,258			1,891			36.0	%
Investment income and other	3,573			3,182			391			12.3	%
Total Revenue	170,346			131,775			38,571			29.3	%
Expenses:
Depreciation
7 EFCs and 1 SLC leased to Senior Living Communities	9,397			—			9,397			NM
ALFs leased to RIDEA joint venture with Bickford	5,660			4,947			713			14.4	%
1 ALF and 2 SLCs leased to East Lake Capital Management	444			—			444			NM
3 SNFs and 1 ALF leased to Prestige Senior Living	928			594			334			56.2	%
ALFs leased to Chancellor Health Care	746			496			250			50.4	%
Other new and existing assets	22,327			22,336			(9		)	—	%
Total Depreciation	39,502			28,373			11,129			39.2	%
Interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts	27,471			18,575			8,896			47.9	%
Debt issuance costs expensed due to credit facility modifications	—			2,145			(2,145		)	NM
Legal	295			149			146			98.0	%
Franchise, excise and other taxes	352			790			(438		)	(55.4	)%
Payroll and related compensation expenses	3,193			3,397			(204		)	(6.0	)%
Compliance, consulting and professional fees	1,116			591			525			88.8	%
Non-cash compensation expense	1,930			1,796			134			7.5	%
Loan recovery	(491		)	—			(491		)	NM
Other expenses	1,811			1,164			647			55.6	%
	75,179			56,980			18,199			31.9	%
Income before equity-method investee and noncontrolling interest	95,167			74,795			20,372			27.2	%
Income (loss) from equity-method investee	(765		)	157			(922		)	NM
Investment and other gains	1,126			—			1,126			NM
Net income	95,528			74,952			20,576			27.5	%
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,062		)	(872		)	(190		)	21.8	%
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	94,466		$	74,080		$	20,386		27.5	%
NM - not meaningful

36

Financial highlights of the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014 were as follows:

• Rental income increased $36,289,000 primarily as a result of completing real estate investments of $598,738,000 since September 2014. The increase in rental income included a $5,799,000 increase in straight-line rent adjustments. Generally accepted accounting principles require rental income to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease to give effect to scheduled rent escalators. Future increases in rental income depend on our ability to make new investments which meet our underwriting criteria.

• Interest income from mortgage and other notes increased $1,891,000 primarily due to borrowings of $67,071,000 on our new loan commitment to the Timber Ridge entrance fee community as described in Investment Activity. We expect total interest income from our loan portfolio to increase as we continue to fund these loans to Timber Ridge on a monthly basis through the remainder of the current fiscal year and throughout 2016. We estimate repayment of our construction loan of $94,500,000 to Timber Ridge during 2017. Interest income from our loan portfolio is subject to decrease due to normal maturities, scheduled principal amortization and early payoffs of individual loans.

• Depreciation expense recognized in continuing operations increased $11,129,000 compared to the prior year primarily due to new real estate investments completed since September 2014.

• Interest expense, including amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts, increased $8,896,000 primarily as a result of the timing and amount of new borrowings and our strategic focus to refinance short-term borrowings on our revolving credit facility at variable interest rates with long-term debt at fixed rates. This strategy helps to mitigate the risk of rising interest rates and lock in the investment spread between our lease revenue and our cost of debt capital.

• Franchise, excise and other taxes were $438,000 lower than the same period in 2014 due to the resolution of specific state tax issues and the tax benefit associated with current losses in our taxable REIT subsidiary.

• Payroll and related expenses decreased $204,000 due primarily to the interim period offset of previously recorded executive compensation accruals reversed during the current quarter upon the departure of our former President and CEO which were partially offset by costs resulting from additions to our management team and corporate staff and employer taxes resulting from the exercise of employee stock options.

• Consulting and professional fees increased primarily due to the volume of new investments and new financing arrangements. Marketing and promotion expenses increased as the Company continues to expand its awareness among potential new owners and operators in the asset classes in which it makes investments.

• We received $491,000 as a secured creditor in the final settlement of a bankruptcy proceeding involving one of our former borrowers. The loan had previously been written off. We recorded receipt as a loan recovery.

• The loss from equity method investee of $765,000 reflects pre-opening costs and operating losses of newly-developed properties in OpCo, which for accounting purposes we are required to expense.

• On September 30, 2015, we sold for $9,593,000 two properties with a carrying value of $8,467,000 and recognized a gain on the disposition of $1,126,000.

37

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Funds

Our primary sources of cash include rent payments, principal and interest payments on mortgage and other notes receivable, dividends received on our investments in the common and preferred shares of other REITs and other marketable securities, proceeds from the sales of real property and borrowings from various debt capital sources and the proceeds from the issuance of our common shares. Our primary uses of cash include dividend distributions to our shareholders, debt service payments (both principal and interest), new investments in real estate and notes and for general corporate overhead.

These sources and uses of cash are reflected in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as summarized below (dollars in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,						One Year Change
	2015			2014			$			%
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	$	3,287		$	11,312		$	(8,025	)	(70.9	)%
Net cash provided by operating activities	120,796			93,215			27,581			29.6	%
Net cash used in investing activities	(158,746		)	(46,477		)	(112,269		)	241.6	%
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	48,860			(54,491		)	103,351			(189.7	)%
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	14,197		$	3,559		$	10,638		298.9	%

Operating Activities – Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased as compared to 2014 primarily as a result of the collection of lease payments on new real estate investments since September 2014.

Investing Activities – Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased primarily due to the funding of real estate and mortgage investments during the first nine months of 2015.

Financing Activities – The change in net cash related to financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 is primarily the result of the timing and amount of new debt transactions to pay down our revolving credit facility and fund our acquisitions. Dividends paid to stockholders increased $17,531,000 over the same period in 2014 due to a 10.4% increase in per share dividends and 4,508,000 more common shares outstanding.

Liquidity

At September 30, 2015, our liquidity was strong, with $382,345,000 available in cash, highly-liquid marketable securities and borrowing capacity on our revolving credit facility. In addition, our investment in LTC preferred stock is convertible into 2,000,000 shares of common stock whose closing price ranged between $38.89 and $44.19 during the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Cash proceeds from lease and mortgage collections, loan payoffs and the recovery of previous write-downs have been distributed as dividends to stockholders, used to retire our indebtedness, and accumulated in bank deposits for the purpose of making new real estate and mortgage loan investments.

During 2015 we have termed out $325,000,000 in debt on our revolver as follows:

Subsequent to quarter-end, on November 3, 2015, we issued $50,000,000 of 8-year notes with a coupon of 3.99% and $50,000,000 of 10-year notes with a coupon of 4.33% to a private placement lender.

In January 2015 we issued $125,000,000 of 8-year notes with a coupon of 3.99% and $100,000,000 of 12-year notes with a coupon of 4.51% to a private placement lender.

The above notes are unsecured and require monthly payments of interest only until maturity. Terms and conditions of the new financings are similar to those under our bank credit facility with the exception of provisions regarding prepayment premiums.

In June 2015, we entered into an amended $800,000,000 senior unsecured credit facility with a group of banks. The facility can be expanded, subject to certain conditions, up to an additional $250,000,000. The amended credit facility provides for: (1) a $550,000,000 unsecured, revolving credit facility that matures in June 2020 (inclusive of an embedded 1-year extension option) with interest at 150 basis points over LIBOR (19 bps at September 30, 2015); (2) a $130,000,000 unsecured term loan that matures in June 2020 with interest at 175 basis points over LIBOR of which interest of 3.91% is fixed with an interest rate swap agreement; and (3) two existing term loans which remain in place totaling $120,000,000, maturing in June 2020 and bearing interest at 175 basis points over LIBOR, a notional amount of $40,000,000 being fixed at 3.29% until 2019 and $80,000,000 being fixed at 3.86%

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until 2020. At closing, the new facility replaced a smaller credit facility last amended in March 2014 that provided for $700,000,000 of total commitments.

Our purpose in amending the credit facility was to expand the amount of funds available to draw on our revolving credit facility, to increase the accordion feature, and to extend and conform the maturity of the revolver to that of our term loans.

At September 30, 2015, we had $333,000,000 available to draw on the revolving portion of the credit facility. The unused commitment fee is 40 basis points per annum. The unsecured credit facility requires that we maintain certain financial ratios within limits set by our creditors. To date, these ratios, which are calculated quarterly, have been within the limits required by the credit facility agreements.

In March 2015 we obtained $78,084,000 in Fannie Mae non-recourse financing through KeyBank National Association. The debt financing consists of interest-only payments at 3.79% and a 10-year maturity. The mortgages are secured by thirteen properties in NHI’s joint venture with Bickford Senior Living. Proceeds were used to reduce borrowings on NHI's unsecured bank credit facility.

On January 13, 2015 we issued $125,000,000 of 8-year notes with a coupon of 3.99% and $100,000,000 of 12-year notes with a coupon of 4.51% to a private placement lender. The notes are unsecured and require quarterly payments of interest only until maturity. We used the proceeds from the notes to pay down borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Terms and conditions of the new financing are similar to those under our bank credit facility with the exception of provisions regarding prepayment premiums.

In March 2014 we issued $200,000,000 of 3.25% senior unsecured convertible notes due April 2021 (the "Notes"). Interest is payable April 1st and October 1st of each year. The Notes are convertible at an initial conversion rate of 13.926 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount, representing a conversion price of approximately $71.81 per share for a total of approximately 2,785,200 underlying shares. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, as defined in the indenture governing the Notes, but will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest except in limited circumstances. The conversion option is considered an "optional net-share settlement conversion feature," meaning that upon conversion, NHI's conversion obligation may be satisfied, at our option, in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock. Our average stock price in for the third quarter of 2015 is less than the conversion price, making the conversion option anti-dilutive for the three months ended September 30, 2015. For the year-to-date period, 2015 dilution is determined by computing an average of incremental shares included in each quarterly diluted EPS computation, resulting in a dilutive effect of the conversion feature of 6,314 shares for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015.

As of November 3, 2015, our stock price closed at $58.96. If current prices increase above the initial $71.81 conversion price, some dilution will be attributable to the conversion feature going forward.

The Notes are split into debt and equity components since they may be settled in cash upon conversion. The value of the debt component is based upon the estimated fair value of a similar debt instrument without the conversion feature at the time of issuance and was estimated to be approximately $192,238,000. The $7,762,000 difference between the contractual principal on the debt and the value allocated to the debt was recorded as an equity component and represents the estimated value of the conversion feature of the instrument. The excess of the contractual principal amount of the debt over its estimated fair value is amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method, with 3.9% as the effective interest rate, over the term of the Notes.

The total cost of issuing the Notes was $6,063,000, $275,000 of which was allocated to the equity component and $5,788,000 of which was allocated to the debt component and subject to amortization over the estimated term of the notes. The remaining unamortized balance at September 30, 2015, was $4,393,000.

In February 2015 we completed the establishment of an “at the market” equity distribution program (“ATM program”) under which we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate sales price of up to $300,000,000 through a consortium of banks acting as sales agents and/or principals. ATMs are a type of shelf-based offering which provide issuers the ability to sell publicly traded shares from time to time at the prevailing market price and of a quantity of their choosing. An ATM program offers an effective way to match-fund our smaller acquisitions by exercising control over the timing and size of transactions at a more favorable cost of capital as compared to larger follow-on offerings. By raising funds through the ATM program along with borrowings from our credit facility, we expect to continue to maintain our leverage ratio as one of the lowest in our peer group. We continue to explore other various funding sources including bank term loans, convertible debt, traditional equity placement, unsecured bonds and senior notes, debt private placement and secured government agency financing. As of September 30, 2015, we have not raised any proceeds under the ATM program.

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We intend to use the net proceeds from the ATM program for general corporate purposes, which may include future acquisitions and repayment of indebtedness, including borrowings under our credit facility. The offering will be made pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated February 17, 2015 and a related prospectus dated March 18, 2014, which constitute a part of NHI’s effective shelf registration statement that was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

To mitigate our exposure to interest rate risk, we have entered into the following interest rate swap contracts on three of our term loans as of September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands):

Date Entered	Maturity Date	Fixed Rate	Rate Index	Notional Amount		Fair Value
May 2012	April 2019	3.29%	1-month LIBOR	$	40,000	$	(787	)
June 2013	June 2020	3.86%	1-month LIBOR	$	80,000	$	(3,427	)
March 2014	June 2020	3.91%	1-month LIBOR	$	130,000	$	(5,888	)

Periodically we will refinance the borrowings on our revolving credit facility into longer-term debt instruments. We will consider secured debt from U.S. Govt. agencies, including HUD, private placements of unsecured debt, and public offerings of debt and equity. We anticipate that our historically low cost of debt capital will rise in the near to mid-term, as the federal government transitions away from quantitative easing.

If we modify or replace existing debt, we would incur debt issuance costs. These fees would be subject to amortization over the term of the new debt instrument and may result in the write-off of fees associated with debt which has been replaced or modified. Sustaining long-term dividend growth will require that we consider all forms of capital mentioned above, with the goal of maintaining a low-leverage balance sheet as mitigation against potential adverse changes in the business of our tenants and borrowers.

We intend to comply with REIT dividend requirements that we distribute at least 90% of our annual taxable income for the year ending December 31, 2015 and thereafter. During the first quarter of 2015, we declared a quarterly dividend of $.85 per common share to shareholders of record on March 31, 2015, payable on May 8, 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, we declared a quarterly dividend of $.85 per common share to shareholders of record on June 30, 2015, payable on August 10, 2015. During the third quarter of 2015, we declared a quarterly dividend of $.85 per common share to shareholders of record on September 30, 2015, payable on November 10, 2015.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We currently have no outstanding guarantees. For a discussion of our letter of credit with Sycamore, an affiliate of Bickford, see our discussion in this section under Contractual Obligations below.

We are involved with four companies whom we have identified as VIEs. These variable interests consist of:

1) A leasehold covering $66,900,000 of newly acquired real properties whose capitalization levels bring the entity within the variable interest model (East Lake, Note 2).

2) A joint venture in an operating company organized under provisions of RIDEA (OpCo, Note 3); and

3) A note receivable from, a guarantee on a letter of credit for, and a purchase option with, an unconsolidated VIE (Sycamore, Notes 4 and 8);

4) Two construction mortgage notes receivable aggregating $67,071,000 as of September 30, 2015, from an unconsolidated VIE (LCS-WP, Note 4);

Our direct support of the above VIEs has been limited to the transactions described herein and in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, and any decision to furnish additional direct support would be at our discretion and not obligatory. We believe our exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with these unconsolidated VIEs would be limited to the carrying value of these investments and the amount of our commitment as guarantor under the letter of credit. For three of the companies, East Lake, LCS-WP, and Sycamore Street, we have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary because we lack, either directly or through related parties, any material input in the activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance. We also have identified as a VIE OpCo, the operating company who manages our RIDEA structure and 85% of whose economic interest is owned by our TRS. Because powers delegated to NHI through operating agreements governing our relationship with OpCo are limited to protective interests, and because we have provided no direct support to OpCo since its inception, we have concluded that we lack the necessary input into the activities that most significantly impact the economic

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performance of OpCo and, thus, are not its primary beneficiary. Our conclusions about our involvement with OpCo is based on a current set of circumstances. If those conclusions or circumstances were to change, there is a risk that the financial statements of OpCo would need to be incorporated into our Consolidated Financial Statements as prescribed by FASB guidance. We do not believe the incorporation of OpCo’s assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses would have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and our non-GAAP metrics.

Our $200,000,000 convertible senior notes (the “Notes”) issued in March 2014 qualify as off-balance sheet instruments. When we issue convertible notes we do so in order to obtain more advantageous interest rates on our debt. Upon conversion, NHI's obligation may be satisfied, at our option, in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock. The conversion price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, as defined in the indenture governing the Notes.When the conversion price is in excess of our current stock price, the impact of the conversion option is anti-dilutive to the earnings per share calculation and as such has no effect on our earnings per share disclosure. When our average stock price exceeds the conversion rate, currently about $71.81 per share, the conversion feature has a dilutive effect on our reported earnings. Our average stock price in for the third quarter of 2015 was less than the conversion price, making the conversion option anti-dilutive for the three months ended September 30, 2015. For the year-to-date period, 2015 dilution is determined by computing an average of incremental shares included in each quarterly diluted EPS computation, resulting in a dilutive effect of the conversion feature of 6,314 shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

We have classified the conversion feature as a component of our equity as long as NHI retains the option, under various tests, as to means of settlement. Should we be required to reclassify into liabilities the portion, currently $7,487,000, included in equity, there could be a negative impact on our financial statements.

Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities

With respect to our Contractual Obligations table below, a substantial portion of our debt now falls not just into the “More than 5 years category but deep into that category. The maturity period specified as “Over 5 years” now includes $225,000,000 of principal payments on term debt consisting of notes with almost 8 and 12 years of maturity remaining; $46,797,000 of principal on HUD debt with a 35 year amortization schedule, and $78,084,000 of principal on Fannie Mae term debt with almost ten years of maturity left. By shifting the balance of our obligations into longer term debt, we obtain a better matching of cash outflows with fixed inflows from our leases, which typically feature a 10 to 15 year term. We address the uncertainty of future interest rates by actively managing our debt to equity levels, using long-term fixed rate debt and staggering our contractual maturities (which is an averaging technique). The result is a strategically conservative balance sheet, structured to maintain the alignment of future inflows and outflows of cash to achieve consistent long-term profitability. We utilize multiple sources of capital, including equity, unsecured notes, our revolving line of credit facility, term loans, and secured debt, to mitigate concentration risk related to any one source of funding.

As of September 30, 2015, our contractual payment obligations and contingent liabilities were as follows (in thousands):

	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years
Debt, including interest1	$	1,273,505	$	9,053	$	108,223	$	530,104	$	626,125
Real estate purchase liabilities	3,000		3,000		—		—		—
Construction commitments	49,110		49,110		—		—		—
Loan commitments	97,196		97,196		—		—		—
	$	1,422,811	$	158,359	$	108,223	$	530,104	$	626,125

¹ Interest is calculated based on the interest rate at September 30, 2015 through maturity of the term loans, the revolving credit facility, convertible senior notes and the mortgages assumed in our arrangement with Bickford, based on the balances outstanding as of September 30, 2015. The calculation also includes an unused commitment fee of .40%.

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Commitments and Contingencies

	Asset Class	Type	Total		Funded			Remaining
Commitments:
Life Care Services	SHO	Construction Loan	$	154,500,000	$	(67,071,000	)	$	87,429,000
Bickford Senior Living	SHO	Construction	$	55,000,000	$	(8,498,000	)	$	46,502,000
Senior Living Communities	SHO	Revolving Credit	$	15,000,000	$	(5,321,000	)	$	9,679,000
Capital Funding Group	Mezz. Note	Revolving Credit	$	15,000,000	$	(15,000,000	)	$	—
Chancellor Health Care	SHO	Construction	$	8,683,000	$	(7,890,000	)	$	793,000
Kentucky River Medical Center	Hospital	Renovation	$	7,463,000	$	(7,463,000	)	$	—
Santé Partners	SHO	Renovation	$	3,500,000	$	(2,621,000	)	$	879,000
Prestige Senior Living	SHO	Renovation	$	2,000,000	$	(2,000,000	)	$	—
Holiday Retirement	SHO	Renovation	$	1,500,000	$	(1,500,000	)	$	—
Senior Living Management	SHO	Renovation	$	1,430,000	$	(908,000	)	$	522,000
Bickford Senior Living	SHO	Renovation	$	620,000	$	(606,000	)	$	14,000
Sycamore Street (Bickford affiliate)	SHO	Revolving Credit	$	500,000	$	(412,000	)	$	88,000
East Lake Capital Management	SHO	Renovation	$	400,000	$	—		$	400,000
Contingencies:
Prestige Senior Living	SHO	Lease Inducement	$	6,390,000	$	—		$	6,390,000
Sycamore Street (Bickford affiliate)	SHO	Letter-of-credit	$	3,550,000	$	—		$	3,550,000
Discovery Senior Living	SHO	Lease Inducement	$	2,500,000	$	—		$	2,500,000
Santé Partners	SHO	Lease Inducement	$	2,000,000	$	—		$	2,000,000
East Lake Capital Management	SHO	Seller Earnout	$	750,000	$	—		$	750,000

Bickford

In February 2015 our joint venture with Bickford announced plans to develop five senior housing facilities in Illinois and Virginia. Each community will be managed by Bickford and consist of 60 private-pay assisted living and memory care units. These five properties will represent the culmination of plans announced in 2012 between NHI and Bickford to construct a total of eight facilities. Pre-development and land acquisition on the five facilities started in mid-2015 with openings planned beginning in late 2016. The total estimated project cost is $55,000,000. The first three communities, all in Indiana, opened in 2013 and 2014. As of September 30, 2015, land and pre-development costs incurred on the project totaled $8,498,000.

In February 2014 we entered into a commitment on a letter of credit for the benefit of Bickford affiliate, Sycamore, which holds a minority interest in PropCo. At September 30, 2015 our commitment on the letter of credit totaled $3,550,000.

In June 2014 we entered into a $500,000 revolving loan with Sycamore to fund pre-development expenses related to potential future projects. Interest is payable monthly at 10% and the note, as extended, matures in August 2015. At September 30, 2015, the revolving loan had an outstanding balance of $412,000.

Chancellor

In October 2013, we entered into a $7,500,000 commitment to build a 46-unit free-standing assisted living and memory care community on our Linda Valley senior living campus in Loma Linda, California. We began construction during the first quarter of 2014 and had funded $7,326,000 as of September 30, 2015. The initial lease term is for 15 years at an annual rate of 9% plus a fixed annual escalator. NHI purchased the Linda Valley campus in 2012 and leased it to Chancellor Health Care ("Chancellor"), who has been operating the campus since 1993. We also committed to provide up to $1,150,000 for renovations and improvements related to our recent acquisitions of senior housing communities in Oregon and Maryland, which we have leased to Chancellor. We began renovations during the first quarter of 2014 and had funded $564,000 as of September 30, 2015. We receive rent income on funds advanced for each construction project.

Discovery

As a lease inducement, we have a contingent commitment to fund a series of payments up to $2,500,000 in connection with our September 2013 lease to Discovery Senior Living ("Discovery") of a senior living campus in Rainbow City, Alabama. Discovery

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would earn the contingent payments upon gaining, and maintaining, a specified lease coverage ratio. Remaining payments will be assessed for funding in installments of $750,000 through September 2016 when the residual is potentially due. As of September 30, 2015, incurring the contingent payments was not considered probable. Accordingly, no provision for these payments is reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

East Lake

In connection with our July 2015 lease, NHI has committed to East Lake certain lease incentive payments of $8,000,000 contingent on reaching and maintaining certain metrics, a contingent earn out of $750,000 payable to the seller upon East Lake attaining certain metrics, and the funding of an additional $400,000 for specified capital improvements. As of September 30, 2015, incurring the contingent payment of $750,000 to the seller was considered probable. Accordingly, provision for this payment is reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Kentucky River

In March 2012, we entered into a long-term lease extension and construction commitment to an affiliate of Community Health Systems under which we provided $7,463,000 for extensive renovations and additions to our Kentucky River Medical Center, a general acute care hospital in Jackson, Kentucky. Funding for this investment was added to the basis on which the lease amount is calculated. The construction project commenced during the first quarter of 2013 and was completed in 2015. The 10-year lease extension began July 1, 2012, with an additional 5-year renewal option.

Life Care Services

See Note 4 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our loan commitments to an affiliate of Life Care Services.

Prestige

We agreed to fund capital improvements of up to $2,000,000 in connection with two of the skilled nursing facilities we lease to Prestige Senior Living. As of September 30, 2015, we had fully funded this commitment. The capital improvements were added to our original investment in the properties and are included in the lease base. Additionally, we have committed to fund contingent earn out payments up to a maximum of $6,390,000 based on the achievement of certain financial metrics as measured periodically through December 31, 2015. At acquisition, we estimated probable contingent payments of $3,000,000 to be likely and have reflected that amount in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Contingent payments earned will be included in the lease base when funded.

Santé

We are committed to fund a $3,500,000 expansion and renovation program at our Silverdale, Washington senior living campus and as of September 30, 2015, had funded $2,621,000, which was added to the basis on which the lease amount is calculated. In addition, we have a contingent commitment to fund two lease inducement payments of $1,000,000 each. Santé would earn the payments upon attaining and sustaining a specified lease coverage ratio. If earned, the first payment would be due following calendar year 2015 and the second payment would be due following calendar year 2016. At acquisition, incurring the contingent payments was not considered probable. Accordingly, no provision for these payments is reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Senior Living Communities

In connection with our December 2014 Senior Living acquisition, we have provided a $15,000,000 revolving line of credit to Senior Living, the maturity of which mirrors the term of the master lease. Borrowings will be used to finance construction projects within the Senior Living Portfolio, including building additional units. Up to $5,000,000 of the facility may be used to meet general working capital needs. Amounts outstanding under the facility, $5,321,000 at September 30, 2015, bear interest at an annual rate equal to the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate, 2.06% at September 30, 2015, plus 6%.

Senior Living Management

We have entered into agreements with our current tenant, Senior Living Management, to fund up to $1,430,000 for renovations to our facilities in Georgia and Louisiana. As amounts are funded, they are added to the lease base. As of September 30, 2015, we had funded $908,000 toward this commitment.

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Signature

In 2012 we provided an affiliate of Signature Senior Living with a revolving loan facility of $1,500,000, bearing interest at a current rate of 10%, to fund pre-development activities internationally. With the extension of $250,000 in funding on March 31, 2015, the facility is fully drawn.

Litigation

Our facilities are subject to claims and suits in the ordinary course of business. Our lessees and borrowers have indemnified, and are obligated to continue to indemnify us, against all liabilities arising from both the operation of the facilities and are further obligated to indemnify us against environmental or title problems affecting the real estate underlying such facilities. While there may be lawsuits pending against certain of the owners and/or lessees of our facilities, management believes that the ultimate resolution of all such pending proceedings will have no material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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FFO, AFFO & FAD

These supplemental operating performance measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other REITs. Consequently, our Funds From Operations ("FFO"), Normalized FFO, Normalized Adjusted Funds From Operations ("AFFO") and Normalized Funds Available for Distribution ("FAD") may not provide a meaningful measure of our performance as compared to that of other REITs. Since other REITs may not use our definition of these operating performance measures, caution should be exercised when comparing our Company's FFO, Normalized FFO, Normalized AFFO and Normalized FAD to that of other REITs. These financial performance measures do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") (these measures do not include changes in operating assets and liabilities) and therefore should not be considered an alternative to net earnings as an indication of operating performance, or to net cash flow from operating activities as determined by GAAP as a measure of liquidity, and are not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs.

Funds From Operations - FFO

Our FFO per diluted common share for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015increased$0.17 (16%) and $0.44 (14%), respectively, over the same period in 2014. Our normalized FFO per diluted common share for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015increased$0.16 (15%) and $0.35 (11%), respectively, over the same period in 2014. FFO and normalized FFO increased primarily as the result of our new real estate investments since September 2014. FFO, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") and applied by us, is net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of real estate property, plus real estate depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures, if any. The Company’s computation of FFO may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs that do not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or have a different interpretation of the current NAREIT definition from that of the Company; therefore, caution should be exercised when comparing our Company’s FFO to that of other REITs. Diluted FFO assumes the exercise of stock options and other potentially dilutive securities. Normalized FFO excludes from FFO certain items which, due to their infrequent or unpredictable nature, may create some difficulty in comparing FFO for the current period to similar prior periods, and may include, but are not limited to, impairment of non-real estate assets, gains and losses attributable to the acquisition and disposition of assets and liabilities, and recoveries of previous write-downs.

FFO and normalized FFO are important supplemental measures of operating performance for a REIT. Because the historical cost accounting convention used for real estate assets requires depreciation (except on land), such accounting presentation implies that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen and fallen with market conditions, presentations of operating results for a REIT that uses historical cost accounting for depreciation could be less informative, and should be supplemented with a measure such as FFO. The term FFO was designed by the REIT industry to address this issue.

Adjusted Funds From Operations - AFFO

Our normalized AFFO per diluted common share for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015increased$0.13 (14%) and $0.26 (9%), respectively, over the same period in 2014 due primarily to the impact of real estate investments completed since September 2014. In addition to the adjustments included in the calculation of normalized FFO, normalized AFFO excludes the impact of any straight-line rent revenue, amortization of the original issue discount on our convertible senior notes and amortization of debt issuance costs.

Normalized AFFO is an important supplemental measure of operating performance for a REIT. GAAP requires a lessor to recognize contractual lease payments into income on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the lease. This straight-line adjustment has the effect of reporting lease income that is significantly more or less than the contractual cash flows received pursuant to the terms of the lease agreement. GAAP also requires the original issue discount of our convertible senior notes and debt issuance costs to be amortized as non-cash adjustments to earnings. Normalized AFFO is useful to our investors as it reflects the growth inherent in the contractual lease payments of our real estate portfolio.

Funds Available for Distribution - FAD

Our normalized FAD for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015increased$0.13 (14%) and $0.25 (9%), respectively, over the same period in 2014, due primarily to the impact of real estate investments completed since September 2014. In addition to the adjustments included in the calculation of normalized AFFO, normalized FAD excludes the impact of non-cash stock based compensation. Normalized FAD is an important supplemental measure of operating performance for a REIT as a useful indicator of the ability to distribute dividends to shareholders.

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The following table reconciles net income attributable to common stockholders, the most directly comparable GAAP metric, to FFO, Normalized FFO, Normalized AFFO and Normalized FAD and is presented for both basic and diluted weighted average common shares (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	33,600		$	25,250		$	94,466		$	74,080
Elimination of certain non-cash items in net income:
Depreciation	13,485			9,596			39,502			28,373
Depreciation related to noncontrolling interest	(293		)	(248		)	(849		)	(742		)
Net gain on sales of real estate	(1,126		)	—			(1,126		)	—
NAREIT FFO attributable to common stockholders	45,666			34,598			131,993			101,711
Investment gains	(61		)	—			(61		)	—
Debt issuance costs expensed due to credit facility modifications	—			—			—			2,145
Recovery of previous write-down	—			—			(491		)	—
Normalized FFO	45,605			34,598			131,441			103,856
Straight-line lease revenue, net	(6,184		)	(4,203		)	(18,492		)	(12,692		)
Straight-line lease revenue, net, related to noncontrolling interest	5			13			35			47
Amortization of original issue discount	277			252			822			530
Amortization of debt issuance costs	587			483			1,722			1,363
Amortization of debt issuance costs related to noncontrolling interest	(9		)	(2		)	(21		)	(5		)
Normalized AFFO	40,281			31,141			115,507			93,099
Non-cash share based compensation	233			223			1,930			1,796
Normalized FAD	$	40,514		$	31,364		$	117,437		$	94,895
BASIC
Weighted average common shares outstanding	37,566,221			33,055,992			37,563,503			33,053,386
NAREIT FFO per common share	$	1.22		$	1.05		$	3.51		$	3.08
Normalized FFO per common share	$	1.21		$	1.05		$	3.50		$	3.14
Normalized AFFO per common share	$	1.07		$	.94		$	3.07		$	2.82
Normalized FAD per common share	$	1.08		$	.95		$	3.13		$	2.87
DILUTED
Weighted average common shares outstanding	37,583,141			33,088,570			37,611,841			33,087,029
NAREIT FFO per common share	$	1.22		$	1.05		$	3.51		$	3.07
Normalized FFO per common share	$	1.21		$	1.05		$	3.49		$	3.14
Normalized AFFO per common share	$	1.07		$	.94		$	3.07		$	2.81
Normalized FAD per common share	$	1.08		$	.95		$	3.12		$	2.87

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Adjusted EBITDA

We consider Adjusted EBITDA to be an important supplemental measure because it provides information which we use to evaluate our performance and serves as an indication of our ability to service debt. We define Adjusted EBITDA as consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, including amounts in discontinued operations, excluding real estate asset impairments and gains on dispositions and certain items which, due to their infrequent or unpredictable nature, may create some difficulty in comparing Adjusted EBITDA for the current period to similar prior periods, and may include, but are not limited to, impairment of non-real estate assets, gains and losses attributable to the acquisition and disposition of assets and liabilities, and recoveries of previous write-downs. Since others may not use our definition of Adjusted EBITDA, caution should be exercised when comparing our Adjusted EBITDA to that of other companies.

The following table reconciles net income, the most directly comparable GAAP metric, to Adjusted EBITDA:

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2015			2014		2015			2014
Net income	$	33,977		$	25,516	$	95,528		$	74,952
Interest expense at contractual rates	9,000			6,426		25,223			17,126
Franchise, excise and other taxes	114			78		352			790
Depreciation	13,485			9,596		39,502			28,373
Amortization of debt issuance costs and bond discount	864			735		2,544			1,816
Net gain on sales of real estate	(1,126		)	—		(1,126		)	—
Investment gains	(61		)	—		(61		)	—
Debt issuance costs expensed due to credit facility modifications	—			—		—			2,145
Recovery of previous write-down	—			—		(491		)	—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	56,253		$	42,351	$	161,471		$	125,202
Interest expense at contractual rates	$	9,000		$	6,426	$	25,223		$	17,126
Principal payments	186			255		555			782
Fixed Charges	$	9,186		$	6,681	$	25,778		$	17,908
Fixed Charge Coverage	6.1x			6.3x		6.3x			7.0x

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

At September 30, 2015, we were exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates on approximately $217,000,000 of variable-rate indebtedness (excludes $250,000,000 of variable-rate debt that has been hedged through interest-rate swap contracts) and on our mortgage and other notes receivable. The unused portion ($333,000,000 at September 30, 2015) of our credit facility, should it be drawn upon, is subject to variable rates.

Interest rate fluctuations will generally not affect our future earnings or cash flows on our fixed rate debt and loans receivable unless such instruments mature or are otherwise terminated. However, interest rate changes will affect the fair value of our fixed rate instruments. Conversely, changes in interest rates on variable rate debt and investments would change our future earnings and cash flows, but not significantly affect the fair value of those instruments. Assuming a 50 basis point increase or decrease in the interest rate related to variable-rate debt, and assuming no change in the outstanding balance as of September 30, 2015, net interest expense would increase or decrease annually by approximately $1,085,000 or $.03 per common share on a diluted basis.

We use derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business to mitigate interest rate risk. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Derivatives are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value. We may engage in hedging strategies to manage our exposure to market risks in the future, depending on an analysis of the interest rate environment and the costs and risks of such strategies.

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our debt (dollar amounts in thousands):

	September 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Balance1		% of total		Rate5		Balance1		% of total		Rate5
Fixed rate:
Convertible senior notes	$	200,000	19.7	%	3.25	%	$	200,000	23.0	%	3.25	%
Unsecured term loans2	475,000		46.7	%	4.00	%	250,000		28.7	%	3.79	%
HUD mortgage loans3	46,797		4.6	%	4.04	%	47,352		5.4	%	4.04	%
Secured mortgage loans4	78,084		7.7	%	3.79	%	—		—		—
Variable rate:
Unsecured revolving credit facility	217,000		21.3	%	1.69	%	374,000		42.9	%	1.66	%
	$	1,016,881	100.0	%	3.35	%	$	871,352	100.0	%	2.77	%
1 Differs from carrying amount due to unamortized discount.
2 Includes five term loans in 2015 and three term loans in 2014; rate is a weighted average
3 Includes 10 HUD mortgages; rate is a weighted average inclusive of a mortgage insurance premium
4 Includes 13 Fannie Mae mortgages
5 Total is weighted average rate

The unsecured term loans in the table above reflect the effect of $40,000,000, $80,000,000, and $130,000,000 notional amount interest rate swaps with maturities of April 2019, June 2020 and June 2020, respectively, that effectively converts variable rate debt to fixed rate debt. These loans bear interest at LIBOR plus a spread, currently 175 basis points, based on our Consolidated Coverage Ratio, as defined.

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To highlight the sensitivity of our convertible senior notes and secured mortgage debt to changes in interest rates, the following summary shows the effects on fair value ("FV") assuming a parallel shift of 50 basis points ("bps") in market interest rates for a contract with similar maturities as of September 30, 2015(dollar amounts in thousands):

	Balance		Fair Value1		FV reflecting change in interest rates
Fixed rate:					-50 bps		+50 bps
Private placement term loans - unsecured	$	225,000	$	227,740	$	236,442	$	219,413
Convertible senior notes	200,000		205,695		217,165		206,652
Fannie Mae mortgage loans	78,084		77,341		80,489		74,332
HUD mortgage loans	46,797		48,872		54,049		47,233
1 The change in fair value of our fixed rate debt was due primarily to the overall change in interest rates.

At September 30, 2015, the fair value of our mortgage notes receivable, discounted for estimated changes in the risk-free rate, was approximately $125,759,000. A 50 basis point increase in market rates would decrease the estimated fair value of our mortgage loans by approximately $2,678,000, while a 50 basis point decrease in such rates would increase their estimated fair value by approximately $2,788,000.

Equity Price Risk

We are exposed to equity price risk, which is the potential change in fair value due to a change in quoted market prices. Our investments in marketable securities, accounted for as available-for-sale securities, have a fair value of $15,065,000 at September 30, 2015. Investments in available-for-sale marketable securities are recorded at their fair value based on quoted market prices. Thus, there is exposure to equity price risk. We monitor our investments in marketable securities to consider evidence of whether any portion of our original investment is likely not to be recoverable, at which time we would record an impairment charge to operations. Additionally, we hold investments in marketable securities, with a fair value of $20,192,000 and accounted for as held-to-maturity securities, for which increases and decreases in fair market value are reflected as unrealized gains and losses and presented as components of other comprehensive income. A hypothetical 10% change in quoted market prices would result in a related $3,526,000 change in the fair value of our investments in marketable securities, of which $1,507,000 would flow through our Condensed Consolidated Income Statement.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Control and Procedures. As of September 30, 2015, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Accounting Officer (“CAO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of management’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934) to ensure information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms; and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and our CAO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving desired control objectives, and management is necessarily required to apply its judgment when evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of potential controls and procedures. Based upon the evaluation, the CEO and CAO concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015.

There were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation during the three months ended September 30, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Our health care facilities are subject to claims and suits in the ordinary course of business. Our lessees and borrowers have indemnified, and are obligated to continue to indemnify us, against all liabilities arising from the operation of the facilities, and are further obligated to indemnify us against environmental or title problems affecting the real estate underlying such facilities. While there may be lawsuits pending against certain of the owners and/or lessees of our facilities, management believes that the ultimate resolution of all such pending proceedings will have no material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were no material changes to the risk factors that were disclosed in Item 1A of National Health Investors, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Item 5. Other Information.

On November 3, 2015, we issued $50,000,000 of 8-year notes with a coupon of 3.99% and $50,000,000 of 10-year notes with a coupon of 4.33% to a private placement lender. The notes are unsecured and require quarterly payments of interest only until maturity. We used the proceeds from the notes to pay down borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Terms and conditions of the new financing are similar to those under our bank credit facility with the exception of provisions regarding prepayment premiums.

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Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
3.1	Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form S-11 Registration Statement No. 33-41863)
3.2	Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement filed March 23, 2009)
3.3	Amendment to Articles of Incorporation approved by shareholders on May 2, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Form 10-Q filed August 4, 2014)
3.4	Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Form 10-K filed February 15, 2013)
3.5	Amendment No. 1 to Restated Bylaws dated February 14, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Form 10-K filed February 14, 2014)
4.1	Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 39 to Form S-11 Registration Statement No. 33-41863)
4.2	Indenture, dated as of March 25, 2014, between National Health Investors, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed March 31, 2014)
4.3	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 25, 2014, to the Indenture, dated as of March 25, 2014, between National Health Investors, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K filed March 31, 2014)
10.1	Employment Agreement dated as of October 5, 2015 by and between National Health Investors, Inc. and D. Eric Mendelsohn
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

* As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.

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SIGNATURES

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

		NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
		(Registrant)
Date:	November 4, 2015	/s/ D. Eric Mendelsohn
		D. Eric Mendelsohn
		President and Chief Executive Officer,
Date:	November 4, 2015	/s/ Roger R. Hopkins
		Roger R. Hopkins
		Chief Accounting Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

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EX-10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) made effective as of October 5, 2015 (the “Effective Date”) by and between NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and D. ERIC MENDELSOHN (the “Executive”).

In consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.    Employment. The Company agrees to employ the Executive and the Executive agrees to be employed by the Company upon the terms and conditions provided in the Agreement.

2.    Position and Responsibilities. During the Period of Employment (defined below), the Executive agrees to serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and to be responsible for making new investments and for the typical management responsibilities expected of an officer holding such positions and such other responsibilities as may be assigned to Executive from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company.

3.    Terms and Duties.

A.    Period of Employment. The period of Executive’s employment under this Agreement will commence as of the date hereof and shall continue through December 31, 2016. Commencing on December 31, 2016 and each anniversary thereafter, the Period of Employment (as defined in the next sentence of the Agreement) shall automatically be extended for one (1) additional year unless, not later than ninety (90) days prior to such anniversary, either party hereto shall have notified the other party hereto that such extension shall not take effect. The period of Executive’s employment with Company is referred to in this Agreement as the “Period of Employment.”

B.    Duties. During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall devote all of his business time, attention and skill to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries. Executive shall perform faithfully the duties that may be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of Directors.

4.    Compensation and Benefits

A.    Compensation. For all services rendered by the Executive in any capacity during the Period of Employment, the Executive shall be compensated as follows:

1.    Base Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive an annual base salary (“Base Salary”) of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) per annum during the Executive’s first year of employment with the Company. Base Salary shall be payable according to the customary payroll practices of the Company but in no event less frequently than once each month. The Base Salary shall be reviewed annually and shall be subject to adjustment according to the policies and practices adopted by the Company from time to time.

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2.    Performance Compensation. The Company shall pay the Executive a bonus of $150,000 in February 2016 provided Executive is still employed by the Company at such time, based on his initial employment letter. Thereafter, the Company shall pay the Executive a bonus (“Performance Compensation”) based on the Cash Performance Incentive Plan described below in Sections 4A2(a) and 4A2(b). This Cash Performance Incentive Plan will be driven by the Company’s FFO and dividend growth. Any payment made under the Cash Performance Incentive Plan will be paid by the Company on or before March 15^th following the end of the year for which such payment is being made.

(a)     Operating FFO Performance Bonus. If at the end of 2016, provided the Executive is still employed by the Company at such time, the Company has achieved at least a 5% increase over the 2015 per share normalized funds from operations (“FFO”) as defined below, then the Executive will be entitled to an FFO Bonus of $150,000. The FFO Bonus shall be reviewed annually and shall be subject to adjustment according to the policies and practices adopted by the Company from time to time. Each year the Board of Directors shall set an FFO Bonus based on achieving a percentage increase in FFO as established by the Board of Directors by March 15^th of that year. The computation will be made after all bonuses and options have been expensed. In no event shall the Executive receive any FFO Bonus if the per share FFO does not meet or exceed the amount set by the Board of Directors for that year. FFO, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"), is net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of real estate property and investment securities, plus real estate depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures, if any. Normalized FFO excludes from FFO certain items which, due to their infrequent or unpredictable nature, may create some difficulty in comparing FFO for the current period to similar prior periods, and may include, but are not limited to, impairment of non-real estate assets, gains and losses attributable to the acquisition and disposition of assets and liabilities, and recoveries of previous write-downs.

(b)Dividend Performance Bonus.If at the end of 2016, provided the Executive is employed by the Company at such time, the Company’s per share recurring dividend for 2016 was at least 5% higher than the per share recurring dividend for 2015, then the Executive will be entitled to the Dividend Bonus of $150,000. The Dividend Bonus shall be reviewed annually and shall be subject to adjustment according to the policies and practices adopted by the Company from time to time. Each year the Board shall set a Dividend Bonus based on achieving a percentage increase in the recurring dividend as set by the Board of Directors by March 15^th of that year. In no event shall the Executive receive any Dividend Bonus if the per share recurring dividend does not meet or exceed the amount set by the Board of Directors for that year. “Recurring dividend” shall mean any dividend declared and paid by the Company that is equal to up to 85% of the Company’s per share FFO for such year, but excluding (1) any gains derived from the sale of previously written-down assets, (2) any losses derived from the sale of previously written-down

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assets, (3) losses from the sale of investment securities, and (4) gains from the sale of investment securities.

B.    Stock Options. Executive shall be entitled to receive an annual grant of an option to purchase shares of common stock of the Company. The initial grant shall be an option to purchase 75,000 shares and shall be granted in February 2016. Each February thereafter, any option grants shall be at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Each such grant shall be made pursuant to the Company’s 2012 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as such plan may be amended, or a subsequent stock option plan as may be adopted by the Company (the “Plan”). The option exercise price will be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and shall be vest one third on the date of grant and one third on each of the first and second anniversary of the date of grant. The terms of each such grant of stock options shall be set forth in a separate Stock Option Agreement between the Company and the Executive and shall be pursuant to the Plan.

C.    Additional Benefits. The Executive will be entitled to participate in all compensation or employee benefit plans or programs and receive all benefits and perquisites for which any senior members of the management team are eligible under any existing or future plan or program established by the Company for which the senior members of the management team are eligible. The Executive will participate to the extent permissible under the terms and provisions of such plans or programs in accordance with program provisions. Such plans and programs will include group hospitalization, health, or other insurance for Executive and his immediate family. Such plans and programs may also include tax qualified pension (401(k)) plans, and sick leave plans. The Executive will be entitled to an annual four week paid vacation to be taken at times chosen by Executive.

5.    Business Expenses. The Company will reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel and other expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of his duties and obligations under this Agreement.

6.    Death or Disability. In the event Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of death or disability of the Executive during the Period of Employment, the Company’s obligation to make payments under this Agreement shall cease as of the date of death or disability, except for the Executive’s earned but unpaid Base Salary which will be paid on a prorated basis for that year. For purposes of this Agreement, disability shall mean the disability of Executive for longer than three (3) months which renders Executive unable to perform Executive’s duties under this Agreement with reasonable accommodation. The payment of earned but unpaid Base Salary due under this Section 6 will be made within thirty (30) days after Executive is terminated on account of death or disability.

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7.    Effect of Termination of Employment.

A.If the Executive’s employment terminates during the term of this Agreement due to a Without Cause Termination or due to a Constructive Discharge, as each is defined later in this Agreement, including termination after the election by the Company not to extend this Agreement as provided in Section 3.A, and if Executive signs a valid general release of all claims against the Company in a form provided by the Company (the “Release”), subject to Sections 17.B and 17.C, the Company will pay the Executive $25,000 a month (the “Severance Payment”) for 24 months from the date of termination (the “Severance Period”) paid in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll procedures, but no less frequently than monthly; provided, however, that if Executive accepts new employment (whether as an employee, contractor, consultant or otherwise) during the Severance Period, the obligation of the Company to make the Severance Payments shall terminate as of the date of the new employment. In addition, earned but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination will be paid to the Executive in a lump sum at such time. Sections 8 through 10 shall survive expiration or termination of this Agreement.

B.Upon the termination of employment for any reason other than as expressly provided in Section 7.A above, including termination after the election by the Executive not to extend this Agreement as provided in Section 3.A, Executive will receive Base Salary prorated through the effective date of such termination, and earned but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination will be paid in a lump sum at such time. Sections 8 through 10 shall survive expiration or termination of this Agreement. No other payments will be made or benefits provided by the Company. The payment made to Executive pursuant to this Section 7.B shall be made within sixty (60) day after termination of employment unless subject to Section 17.C.

C.    Upon termination of the Executive’s employment, the Period of Employment will cease as of the date of the termination.

D.    For this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

1.    “Termination for Cause” means termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company’s Board of Directors acting in good faith by written notice to the Executive specifying the event relied upon for such termination which must be based on, (i) a willful refusal by Executive to follow a lawful order of the Board of Directors, subject, however, to Executive’s right to receive written notice of the order not followed by Executive and the opportunity to promptly follow the order; (ii) Executive’s willful engagement in conduct materially injurious to the business interests of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates (as determined by the Board of Directors in its reasonable judgment); (iii) Executive’s conviction (including a guilty plea or a plea of no contest) of theft, embezzlement, fraud, misappropriation, illegal use or possession of drugs or alcohol, or of any crime that discredits Company or is detrimental to the reputation or goodwill of Company as determined in good faith by Company; (iv) Executive’s commission of any act of fraud or dishonesty by Executive, or commission of an immoral or unethical act that reflects negatively on Company as determined in good faith by Company; or (v) Executive’s material breach of his duties, responsibilities and obligations under this Agreement (except due to Executive’s incapacity as a result of physical or mental illness) that has not been corrected or remedied within

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60 days after Executive’s receipt of written notice from the Board specifying such breach; provided, however, (A) such cure period may be extended if Executive is working diligently to cure such breach and reasonably needs an extension to effect such cure, and (B) no such cure period will be provided if, in the Board of Directors’ reasonable judgment, such breach cannot be sufficiently corrected or remedied so as to avoid any material detriment to the Company.

2.    “Without Cause Termination” means termination of the Executive's employment by the Company (a) other than due to death, disability or Termination for Cause or (b) upon expiration of the Period of Employment as a result of the giving of notice by the Company of its intent not to extend the Period of Employment as provided in Section 3.A.

3.    “Constructive Discharge” means termination of the Executive’s employment by the Executive due to a material breach by the Company of this Agreement. Executive shall communicate any purported termination by Executive for Constructive Discharge by a written Notice of Termination for Constructive Discharge to the Company as provided herein. For the purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Termination for Constructive Discharge shall mean a notice by Executive within sixty (60) days after the initial existence of the material breach by the Company specifying the existence of a material breach by the Company hereunder. Upon receipt of that notice, the Company shall have a period of sixty (60) days to remedy the condition or conditions specified in the Notice of Termination for Constructive Discharge; provided, however, such cure period may be extended by the Company for up to sixty (60) days by notice to Executive prior to the end of the initial sixty (60) day period if the Company is working diligently to cure such breach and reasonably needs an extension to affect such cure. The Notice of Termination for Constructive Discharge must specify a date of termination of not more than sixty (60) days after the last day of the Company’s cure period (including any extension thereof). If the Company remedies the condition within the cure period (including any extension thereof), the Notice of Termination for Constructive Discharge shall become ineffective and the Company shall have no obligations under this Agreement as a result of it.

8. Other Duties of The Executive During and After The Period of Employment

A.    The Executive will, with reasonable notice during or after the Period of Employment, furnish information as may be in his possession and cooperate with the Company as may reasonably be requested in connection with any claims or legal actions in which the Company is or may become a party.

B.    The Executive recognizes and acknowledges that all confidential information pertaining to the affairs, business, clients, customers or other relationships of the Company, as hereinafter defined, is a unique and valuable asset of the Company. Access to and knowledge of this information is essential to the performance of the Executive’s duties under this Agreement. The Executive will not, during the Period of Employment or after except to the extent reasonably necessary in performance of the duties under this Agreement, give to any person, firm, association, corporation or governmental agency any confidential information concerning the affairs, business,

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clients, customers or other relationships of the Company except as required by law. The Executive will not make use of this type of information for his own purposes or for the benefit of any person or organization other than the Company. All records, memoranda, etc. relating to the business of the Company whether made by the Executive or otherwise coming into his possession are confidential and will remain the property of the Company.

C.    During the Period of Employment and for a twenty-four (24) month period thereafter, (i) the Executive will not use his status with the Company to obtain loans, goods or services from another organization on terms that would not be available to him in the absence of his relationship to the Company and (ii) the Executive will not make any statements or perform any acts intended to advance the interest of any existing or prospective competitors of the Company in any way that will injure the interest of the Company. During the Period of Employment and for a twenty-four (24) month period following termination of the Period of Employment for any reason: (i) the Executive, without prior express written approval by the Board of Directors of the Company, will not directly or indirectly own or hold any proprietary interest in or be employed by or receive compensation from any party engaged in the same or any similar business in the same geographic areas the Company does business; and (ii) the Executive, without express prior written approval from the Company, will not solicit any members of the then current clients of the Company or discuss with any employee of the Company information or operation of any business intended to compete with the Company. For the purposes of the Agreement, proprietary interest means legal or equitable ownership, whether through stock holdings or otherwise, of a debt or equity interest (including options, warrants, rights and convertible interests) in a business firm or entity, or ownership of more than 5% of any class of equity interest in a publicly-held company. The Executive acknowledges that the covenants contained herein are reasonable as to geographic and temporal scope. For a twenty-four (24) month period after termination of the Period of Employment for any reason, the Executive will not directly or indirectly hire any employee of the Company or solicit or encourage any such employee to leave the employ of the Company.

D.    The Executive acknowledges that his breach or threatened or attempted breach of any provision of Section 8 would cause irreparable harm to the Company not compensable in monetary damages and that the Company shall be entitled, in addition to all other applicable remedies, to a temporary and permanent injunction and a decree for specific performance of the terms of Section 8 without being required to prove damages or furnish any bond or other security.

E.    If the period of time or other restrictions specified in this Section should be adjudged unreasonable at any proceeding, then the period of time or such other restrictions shall be reduced by the elimination or reduction of such portion thereof so that such restrictions may be enforced in a manner adjudged to be reasonable.

9.    Indemnification, Litigation. The Company will indemnify the Executive to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the state of incorporation in effect at that time, or certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company whichever affords the greater protection to the Executive.

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10.    Withholding Taxes. The Company may directly or indirectly withhold from any payments under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes that shall be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation.

11.    Effective Prior Agreements. This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the Company and the Executive with respect to the subject matter and supersedes any prior employment or severance agreements between the Company and its affiliates, and the Executive.

12.    Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Company from consolidating or merging into or with, or transferring all or substantially all of its assets to, another entity which assumes this Agreement and all obligations and undertakings of the Company hereunder. Upon such a consolidation, merger or sale of assets, the term “the Company” as used will mean the other entity and this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

13.    Modification. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except in writing signed by the parties. No term or condition of this Agreement will be deemed to have been waived except in writing by the party charged with waiver. A waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and will not constitute a waiver for the future or act on anything other than that which is specifically waived.

14.    Governing Law. This Agreement has been executed and delivered in the State of Tennessee and its validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement shall be governed by the laws of that state applicable to contracts between residents of that State and executed in and to be performed in that State, without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in Rutherford County, Tennessee, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper.

15.    Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been made when delivered or mailed first-class postage prepaid by registered mail, return receipt requested, or if delivered by hand, overnight delivery service or confirmed facsimile transmission, to the following:

(a) If to the Company, at 222 Robert Rose Drive, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37129, or at such other address as may have been furnished to the Executive by the Company in writing;

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or (b) If to the Executive, at 3615 Saratoga Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37205, or such other address as may have been furnished to the Company by the Executive in writing.

16.    Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding on the parties' successors, heirs and assigns.

17.    Section 409A Savings Clause.

A.Application of Section 409A. The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or otherwise be exempt from Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, “Code Section 409A”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be either exempt from or in compliance therewith. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on the Executive by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.

B.Timing of Payments. Notwithstanding the applicable provisions of this Agreement regarding the timing of payments, any payment due hereunder which is contingent upon receipt of the Release described in Section 7.A shall be made, if at all, in accordance with this Section 17.B, and only if Executive has delivered to the Company a properly executed Release for which all legally mandated revocation rights of the Executive have expired prior to the lapse of sixty (60) days following the Termination Date. If Section 17.C is not applicable to the payments, such payments shall begin within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date; provided, however, that if the sixty (60) day period for payment specified in this Section begins in one taxable year of Executive and ends in a second taxable year of Executive, the payments will begin in the second taxable year. Further, provided, that if Section 17.C is applicable, the payment shall begin on the day following the expiration the Delay Period as provided in Section 17.C. If theCompany does not receive a properly executed Release, for which all rights of revocation have lapsed, prior to the sixtieth (60^th) day following the Termination Date, the Executive shall forfeit all rights to any payments under Section 7.A of this Agreement.

C.Delayed Payments. (i) Notwithstanding any other payment schedule provided herein to the contrary, if, and only if, Executive is deemed on the Termination Date to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then the terms of this Section 17.C shall apply as required by Code Section 409A. Any payment that is considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service” shall be made on the date which is the earlier of (y) the expiration of the six (6) month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of Executive or (z) the date of Executive’s death (the “Delay Period”) to the extent required under Section 409A. Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments delayed pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence (whether they otherwise would have been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum by the Company, and all remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein; and

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(ii)    To the extent that any benefits to be provided during the Delay Period are considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A provided on account of a “separation from service,” and such benefits are not otherwise exempt from Code Section 409A, Executive shall pay the cost of such benefits during the Delay Period, and the Company shall reimburse Executive, to the extent that such costs otherwise would have been paid by the Company or to the extent that such benefits otherwise would have been provided by the Company at no cost to Executive, the Company’s share of the cost of such benefits upon expiration of the Delay Period, and any remaining benefits shall be reimbursed or provided by the Company in accordance with the procedures specified herein.

D.    Separation from Service. For purposes of this Agreement, the phrase “termination of employment” or any similar term or phrase shall mean Executive’s “Separation from Service” as defined by the default provisions of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(h).

E.    Other Code Section 409A Provisions. Each payment in a series of payments hereunder shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A. For purposes of Code Section 409A, (i) the Executive may not, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment; (ii) no acceleration of the time and form of payment of any nonqualified deferred compensation to the Executive or any portion thereof, shall be permitted; and (iii) notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A. To the extent that any right to reimbursement of expenses or payment of any benefit in-kind under this Agreement may constitute nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Code Section 409A), (i) any such expense reimbursement shall be made by the Company no later than the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expense was incurred by Executive; (ii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; and (iii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year; provided, that the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.

a Maryland corporation

By:    /s/Robert T. Webb____________________

Title:     Chairman of Compensation Committee____

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EXECUTIVE:

__/s/ D. Eric Mendelsohn___________________

D. Eric Mendelsohn

595617-5

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EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, D. Eric Mendelsohn, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the registrant, National Health Investors, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 4, 2015	/s/ D. Eric Mendelsohn
		D. Eric Mendelsohn
		President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Roger R. Hopkins, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the registrant, National Health Investors, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions) :

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 4, 2015	/s/ Roger R. Hopkins
		Roger R. Hopkins
		Chief Accounting Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as added by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the undersigned's best knowledge and belief, the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for National Health Investors, Inc. ("Issuer") for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"):

(a) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(b) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer.

Date:	November 4, 2015	/s/ D. Eric Mendelsohn
		D. Eric Mendelsohn
		President and Chief Executive Officer,
Date:	November 4, 2015	/s/ Roger R. Hopkins
		Roger R. Hopkins
		Chief Accounting Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

XML

Debt (Schedule of Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility - unsecured	$ 217,000	$ 374,000
Convertible Debt	193,859	193,037	$ 192,238
Bank term loans - unsecured	250,000	250,000
Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount	1,009,144	862,726
Debt Instrument, Name, HUD Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt	45,201	45,689
Private Placement Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank term loans - unsecured	225,000	0
Debt Instrument, Name, Fannie Mae Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt	$ 78,084	$ 0

XML

Earnings and Dividends Per Share (Summary Of Calculation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 33,600	$ 25,250	$ 94,466	$ 74,080
BASIC:
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	37,566,221	33,055,992	37,563,503	33,053,386
Net income per common share attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.89	$ 0.76	$ 2.51	$ 2.24
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	$ 0.89	$ 0.76
DILUTED:
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	37,566,221	33,055,992	37,563,503	33,053,386
Stock options, diluted	16,920	32,578	42,024	33,643
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Conversion of Debt Securities			6,314	0
Average dilutive common shares outstanding	37,583,141	33,088,570	37,611,841	33,087,029
Net income per common share attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.89	$ 0.76	$ 2.51	$ 2.24
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ 0.89	$ 0.76
Incremental shares excluded since anti-dilutive:
Stock options with an exercise price in excess of the market price for our common shares	107,993	24,659	42,052	26,734
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.85	$ 0.77	$ 2.55	$ 2.31

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Share-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Stock Option Activity) (Details) - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Options outstanding, January 1	871,671	516,674
Options expired	100,000	15,000
Options outstanding, March 31	770,012	875,004
Options exercisable, December 31	496,664	648,323
2012 Plan [Member]
Options granted	450,000	400,000
Options exercised	(421,657)	0
2005 Plan [Member]
Options granted	20,000	0
Options exercised	(50,002)	(26,670)

XML

Equity-Method Investment And Other Assets (Schedule of Equity-Method Investment and Other Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments And Other Assets [Abstract]
Equity-method investment in OpCo	$ 8,659	$ 9,424
Debt issuance costs	12,153	11,491
Accounts receivable and others assets	4,633	3,818
Replacement reserve and tax escrows - Fannie Mae	4,170	4,324
Lease escrow deposits	0	21,648
Equity-method investment and other assets	$ 29,615	$ 50,705

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Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Instruments [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt

Debt consists of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Revolving credit facility - unsecured	$	217,000	$	374,000
Convertible senior notes - unsecured (net of discount of $6,141 and $6,963)	193,859		193,037
Bank term loans - unsecured	250,000		250,000
HUD mortgage loans (net of discount of $1,596 and $1,662)	45,201		45,689
Private placement term loans - unsecured	225,000		—
Fannie Mae term loans - secured, non-recourse	78,084		—
	$	1,009,144	$	862,726

Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt

Aggregate principal maturities of debt as of September 30, 2015 for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):

Twelve months ended September 30
2016	$	762
2017	787
2018	814
2019	842
2020	467,871
Thereafter	545,805
	1,016,881
Less: discount	(7,737		)
	$	1,009,144

Schedule of Interest Expense

The following table summarizes interest expense (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Interest expense at contractual rates	$	9,000		$	6,426		$	25,223		$	17,126
Capitalized interest	(92		)	(156		)	(296		)	(367		)
Amortization of debt issuance costs, debt discount and premium	864			735			2,544			1,816
Debt issuance costs expensed due to credit facility modifications	—			—			—			2,145
Total interest expense	$	9,772		$	7,005		$	27,471		$	20,720

Schedule of Interest Rate Derivatives

September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands):

Date Entered	Maturity Date	Fixed Rate	Rate Index	Notional Amount		Fair Value
May 2012	April 2019	3.29%	1-month LIBOR	$	40,000	$	(787	)
June 2013	June 2020	3.86%	1-month LIBOR	$	80,000	$	(3,427	)
March 2014	June 2020	3.91%	1-month LIBOR	$	130,000	$	(5,888	)

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Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3	$ 0	$ 0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Purchases, (Sales), Issuances, (Settlements)	750	(1,400)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	3,000	2,600
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	$ 3,750	$ 4,000

XML

Debt (Schedule of Interest Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Interest Expense [Abstract]
Interest expense	$ 9,000	$ 6,426	$ 25,223	$ 17,126
Interest Costs Capitalized	92	156	296	367
Amortization of Financing Costs	864	735	2,544	1,816
Write-off of debt issuance costs	0	0	0	2,145
Total interest expense	$ 9,772	$ 7,005	$ 27,471	$ 20,720

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Investments In Marketable Securities (Schedule Of Marketable Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 4,088	$ 4,088
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	15,065	15,503
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	20,083	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$ 20,192	$ 0

XML

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended
	Nov. 04, 2015	Nov. 03, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt			$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000
8-Year AIG Private Placement Notes [Member] | AIG Private Placement Notes Issuance [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt		$ 50,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term	8 years
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate		3.99%
10-Year AIG Private Placement Notes [Member] | AIG Private Placement Notes Issuance [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt		$ 50,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term	10 years
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate		4.33%

XML

Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	May. 07, 2015 shares	May. 31, 2012 shares	May. 31, 2005 shares
Nonemployee director annual stock grants | shares	20,000		15,000
Stock or Unit Option Plan Expense	$ 233	$ 223	$ 1,930	$ 1,796
Combined share-based compensation expense for 2005 Plan and 1997 Plan			1,930	$ 1,796
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 665		$ 665
2012 Plan [Member]
Shares available for grants | shares	305,000		305,000		3,000,000	1,500,000
Stock Option Plan, Award Vesting Period			5 years
Common stock on date granted term period, years			10
2005 Plan [Member]
Shares available for grants | shares							1,500,000
Stock Option Plan, Award Vesting Period			10 years
Common stock on date granted term period, years			10
Expected To Be Recognized During 2015 [Member]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 233		$ 233
Expected To Be Recognized During 2016 [Member]
Unrecognized compensation cost	386		386
Expected To Be Recognized During 2017 [Member]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 46		$ 46

XML

Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We, the management of National Health Investors, Inc., ("NHI" or the "Company") believe that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of which these notes are an integral part include all normal, recurring adjustments that are necessary to fairly present the condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of NHI in all material respects. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date. We assume that users of these condensed consolidated financial statements have read or have access to the audited December 31, 2014 consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and that the adequacy of additional disclosure needed for a fair presentation, except in regard to material contingencies, may be determined in that context. Accordingly, footnotes and other disclosures which would substantially duplicate those contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 have been omitted. This condensed consolidated financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, acquisitions and dispositions, changes in interest rates, rents and the timing of debt and equity financings. For a better understanding of NHI and its condensed consolidated financial statements, we recommend reading these condensed consolidated financial statements in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, which are included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which is available at our web site: www.nhireit.com.

Principles of Consolidation - The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint ventures, partnerships and consolidated variable interest entities ("VIE") where NHI controls the operating activities of the VIE, if any. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Net income is reduced by the portion of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

A VIE is broadly defined as an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance the entity's activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (i) the ability to make decisions about the entity's activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests, and substantially all of the entity's activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.

We apply Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") guidance for our arrangements with variable interest entities ("VIEs") which requires us to identify entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights and to determine which business enterprise is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. In accordance with FASB guidance, management must evaluate each of the Company’s contractual relationships which creates a variable interest in other entities. If the Company has a variable interest and the entity is a VIE, then management must determine whether or not the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If it is determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary, NHI consolidates the VIE. We identify the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both: (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the entity. We perform this analysis on an ongoing basis.

At September 30, 2015, we held an interest in four unconsolidated VIEs, consisting of 1) a start-up lessee in which NHI's variable interest consists of its leasehold interest, analogous to a financing arrangement, and of which we concluded that NHI was not the primary beneficiary (Note 2); 2) our joint venture in an operating company organized under provisions of the REIT Investment Diversification and Empowerment Act, (“RIDEA”) of which we concluded that NHI was not the primary beneficiary (Note 3); 3) a note receivable from, a guarantee on a letter of credit for, and a purchase option with, an unconsolidated VIE of whom we concluded that NHI was not the primary beneficiary (Note 4); and 4) two construction mortgage notes receivable aggregating $67,071,000 from an unconsolidated VIE of whom we concluded that NHI was not the primary beneficiary (Note 4). Our direct support of the above VIEs has been limited to the transactions described herein, and any decision to furnish additional direct support would be at our discretion and not obligatory. We believe our exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with these unconsolidated VIEs would be limited to our carrying value of these investments and the amount of our commitment as guarantor under the letter of credit. Generally, we lack, either directly or through related parties, any material input in the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these entities.

We apply FASB guidance related to investments in joint ventures based on the type of controlling rights held by the members' interests in limited liability companies that may preclude consolidation by the majority equity owner in certain circumstances in which the majority equity owner would otherwise consolidate the joint venture.

We structure our joint ventures to be compliant with the provisions of RIDEA, which permits NHI to receive rent payments through a triple-net lease between a property company and an operating company and is designed to give NHI the opportunity to capture additional value on the improving performance of the operating company through distributions to a taxable REIT subsidiary ("TRS"). Accordingly, the TRS holds our equity interest in an unconsolidated operating company, which we do not control, and provides an organizational structure that will allow the TRS to engage in a broad range of activities and share in revenues that would otherwise be non-qualifying income under the REIT gross income tests.

Investments. - Investments in marketable debt and equity securities are categorized as trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Our investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale securities. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are recorded in stockholders' equity. Our investments in marketable debt securities, consisting of U.S. government debt and long-term certificates of deposit, are classified as held-to-maturity because we have the intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are stated at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity.We evaluate our securities for other-than-temporary impairments on at least a quarterly basis. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities are determined on a specific-identification basis.

A decline in the market value of any available-for-sale or held-to-maturity security below cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary results in an impairment to reduce the carrying amount to fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, we consider whether we have the ability and intent to hold the investment until a market price recovery and consider whether evidence indicating the cost of the investment is recoverable outweighs evidence to the contrary. Evidence considered in this assessment includes the reasons for the impairment, the severity and duration of the impairment, changes in value subsequent to year-end and forecasted performance of the investment.

Equity-Method Investment - We report our TRS' investment in an unconsolidated entity, over whose operating and financial policies we have the ability to exercise significant influence but not control, under the equity method of accounting. Under this accounting method, our pro rata share of the entity's earnings or losses is included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Additionally, we adjust our investment carrying amount to reflect our share of changes in an equity-method investee's capital resulting from its capital transactions.

The initial carrying value of our equity-method investment is based on the fair value of the net assets of the entity at the time we acquired our interest. We estimate fair values of the net assets of our equity-method investee based on discounted cash flow models. The inputs we use in these models are based on assumptions that are within a reasonable range of current market rates for the respective investments.

We evaluate our equity-method investment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our investment may exceed the fair value. If it is determined that a decline in the fair value of our investment is not temporary, and if such reduced fair value is below its carrying value, an impairment is recorded. Determining fair value involves significant judgment. Our estimates consider all available evidence including the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at market rates, general economic conditions and other relevant factors.

Noncontrolling Interest - We present the portion of any equity that we do not own in entities that we control (and thus consolidate) as noncontrolling interest and classify such interest as a component of consolidated equity separate from total NHI stockholders' equity in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, we exclude net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest from net income attributable to common shareholders in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Use of Estimates - The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Earnings Per Share - The weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period is used to calculate basic earnings per common share. Diluted earnings per common share assume the exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method, to the extent dilutive, and also incorporate the potential dilutive impact of our 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2021. We apply the treasury stock method to our convertible debt instruments, the effect of which is that conversion will not be assumed for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share unless the average share price of our common stock for the period exceeds the conversion price per share.

New Accounting Pronouncements - In February 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, under ASU 2015-02, which is generally effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. ASU 2015-02 changes the consolidation analysis for all reporting entities. The changes primarily affect the consolidation of limited partnerships and their equivalents (e.g., limited liability corporations), the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships, as well as structured vehicles such as collateralized debt obligations. We have yet to determine the method by which ASU 2015-02 will be adopted in 2016, and we are continuing to study the effect that our eventual adoption of this standard will have on our reported financial position and results of operations, the extent of which is not reasonably estimable at this time.

In April 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest, whose primary effect is to mandate that debt issuance costs be reported in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the face amount of the related liability. Debt issuance costs have previously been presented among assets on the balance sheet. The standard does not affect the recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs. The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. In August 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting. The ASU clarifies the treatment of debt issuance costs related to revolving credit facilities, upon which ASU 2015-03 was silent. ASU 2015-15 notes that the SEC staff 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, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. We believe our eventual adoption of these standards on the imputation of interest will have no material effect on our reported financial position and results of operations.

In August 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 provides a principles-based approach for a broad range of revenue generating transactions, including the sale of real estate, which will generally require more estimates and more judgment and more disclosures than under current guidance. Because this ASU specifically excludes lease contracts from its scope, its application is not expected to impact our recognition of rental income on a straight-line basis. ASU 2014-09 is now effective for public entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. We have yet to determine the method by which ASU 2014-09 will be adopted in 2018 and we are continuing to study the effect that our eventual adoption of this standard will have on our reported financial position and results of operation, the extent of which is not reasonably estimable at this time.

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Debt (Schedule of Interest Rate Derivatives) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Interest Rate Swap, Date Entered, May 2012 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Inception Date	May 31, 2012
Derivative, Maturity Date	Apr. 30, 2019
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	3.29%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	1-month LIBOR
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 40,000
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	$ (787)
Interest Rate Swap, Date Entered, June 2013 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Inception Date	Jun. 30, 2013
Derivative, Maturity Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	3.86%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	1-month LIBOR
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 80,000
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	$ (3,427)
Interest Rate Swap, Date Entered, March 2014 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Inception Date	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative, Maturity Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	3.91%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	1-month LIBOR
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 130,000
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	$ (5,888)

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Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) properties	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Number Of Health Care Properties Related To Mortgage Notes Receivables | properties	9
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	$ 117,828	$ 63,630
Life Care Services [Member]
Notes Receivable, Number Of Loans, Master Credit Agreement	2
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	$ 67,071

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Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows (in thousands):

		Fair Value Measurement
	Balance Sheet Classification	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Level 1
Common stock of other healthcare REITs	Marketable securities	$	15,065	$	15,503
Level 2
Interest rate swap asset	Other assets	$	—	$	—
Interest rate swap liability	Accrued expenses	$	10,102	$	5,193
Level 3
Contingent consideration	Real estate purchase liabilities	$	3,750	$	3,000

Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation

The following table presents a reconciliation of Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014(in thousands):

	Fair Value Beginning of Period		Transfers Into Level 3		Realized Gains and (Losses)		Purchases, Issuances and Settlements, net		Fair Value at End of Period		Total Period Losses Included in Earnings Attributable to the Change in Unrealized Losses Relating to Assets Held at End of Year
2015
Contingent consideration	$	3,000	$	—	$	—	$	750	$	3,750	$	—
2014
Contingent consideration	$	2,600	$	—	$	—	$	1,400	$	4,000	$	—

Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]

Carrying values and fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (in thousands):

	Carrying Amount				Fair Value Measurement
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Level 1
Marketable securities, held to maturity	$	20,083	$	—	$	20,192	$	—
Level 2
Variable rate debt	$	467,000	$	624,000	$	467,000	$	624,000
Fixed rate debt	$	542,144	$	238,726	$	559,648	$	254,150
Level 3
Mortgage and other notes receivable	$	117,828	$	63,630	$	125,759	$	72,435

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Debt (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) properties $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2014 shares	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) properties shares number_of_loans $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) shares	Jan. 15, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Liabilities Assumed				$ 686,000	$ 2,623,000
Unsecured Debt	$ 250,000,000					$ 250,000,000			$ 250,000,000
Proceeds from convertible senior notes			$ 200,000,000			0	$ 200,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 800,000,000					$ 800,000,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio						13.926
Convertible Debt Instrument, Conversion Ratio, Principal Amount, Basis						$ 1,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price | $ / shares	$ 71.81					$ 71.81
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments | shares						2,785,200
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Conversion of Debt Securities | shares						6,314	0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted | shares	37,583,141	33,088,570				37,611,841	33,087,029
Convertible Debt	$ 193,859,000		192,238,000			$ 193,859,000			193,037,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component			$ 7,762,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	3.90%					3.90%
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ 12,153,000					$ 12,153,000			11,491,000
Debt Instrument, Variable Interest Rate, Reference Rate, Basis Points	1900.00%					1900.00%
Credit Facility, Current Revolving Borrowing Capacity	$ 550,000,000					$ 550,000,000
Credit Facility Expansion Amount	$ 250,000,000					$ 250,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage						4000.00%
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	179					179
Debt Instrument, Name, Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.25%					3.25%
Debt Issuance Cost						$ 6,063,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ 4,393,000					$ 4,393,000
Debt Instrument, Name, Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Maturity, Extension Option, Number Of Years						1 year
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate						15000.00%
Unused balance of the unsecured revolving credit facility	333,000,000					$ 333,000,000
Debt Instrument Name, $130m Term Loan - June 2020 Maturity [Member]
Term Loans, Outstanding Balance	130,000,000					$ 130,000,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate						17500.00%
Debt Instrument Name, $120m Term Loans - June 2020 Maturity [Member]
Term Loans, Outstanding Balance	$ 120,000,000					$ 120,000,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate						17500.00%
Number of Term Loans	2					2
Debt Instrument, Prior to Amendment [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 700,000,000					$ 700,000,000
Debt Instrument, Name, Fannie Mae Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument, Term						10 years
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Face Amount of Mortgages	78,084,000					$ 78,084,000
Secured Debt	$ 78,084,000					$ 78,084,000			0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.79%					3.79%
Number of Real Estate Properties	13					13
Debt Instrument, Name, HUD Mortgages [Member]
Secured Debt	$ 45,201,000					$ 45,201,000			$ 45,689,000
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	10					10
Debt Instrument, HUD Mortgages, 2049 Maturity [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Number of Loans | number_of_loans						9
8-Year Private Placement Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Term						8 years
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	3.99%					3.99%
Unsecured Debt								$ 125,000,000
12-Year Private Placement Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Term						12 years
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	4.51%					4.51%
Unsecured Debt	$ 100,000,000					$ 100,000,000
Debt Instrument, HUD Mortgages, 2047 Maturity [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Number of Loans | number_of_loans						1
Interest Rate Swap, Date Entered, March 2014 [Member]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	3.91%					3.91%
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 130,000,000					$ 130,000,000
Interest Rate Swap, Date Entered, May 2012 [Member]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	3.29%					3.29%
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 40,000,000					$ 40,000,000
Interest Rate Swap, Date Entered, June 2013 [Member]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	3.86%					3.86%
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 80,000,000					$ 80,000,000
Allocated to Debt [Member] | Debt Instrument, Name, Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Issuance Cost						5,788,000
Allocated to Equity [Member] | Debt Instrument, Name, Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Issuance Cost						$ 275,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Period, After Year 1 [Member] | Debt Instrument, Name, HUD Mortgages [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Interest Rate						4.30%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Period, After Year 1 [Member] | Debt Instrument, Name, HUD Mortgages [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Interest Rate						4.40%
Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	32					32
Middletown, OH [Member] | Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Liabilities Assumed						$ 7,764,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Noncash Financial or Equity Instrument Consideration, Rate						2.90%
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed						$ 9,359,000

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Real Estate (Summary of NHC Percentage Rent) (Details) - National Healthcare Corporation [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Total percentage rent	$ 596	$ 573	$ 1,882	$ 1,734
Current year [Member]
Total percentage rent	596	573	1,788	1,719
Prior year final certification [Member]
Total percentage rent	$ 0	$ 0	$ 94	$ 15

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Real Estate (Significant Business Combination Proforma) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 54,335	$ 161,342
Net income	30,067	88,667
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 29,801	$ 87,795
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.79	$ 2.34
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.79	$ 2.34

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Consolidated Statement Of Equity Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.85	$ 0.77	$ 2.55	$ 2.31

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Real Estate (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) properties beds_or_units renewalOptions Master_Leases	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) properties	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) properties beds_or_units renewalOptions Master_Leases	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2015 beds_or_units	Jul. 31, 2015 properties	Jul. 01, 2015 USD ($) properties	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 properties
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	179			179
Number of States in which Entity Operates	31			31
Nonportfolio Assets, Original Cost	$ 910,000			$ 910,000
Real Estate Investment Property, Portfolio Assets	$ 2,087,337,000			$ 2,087,337,000
Number of Lessees	26			26
Payments to Acquire Real Estate				$ 104,066,000	$ 35,688,000
Construction in Progress, Gross	$ 12,343,000			12,343,000					$ 6,428,000
Security Deposit	0			0					21,648,000
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	54,459,000	$ 41,669,000		159,624,000	123,335,000
Straight Line Rent				18,492,000	12,692,000
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investment Real Estate	1,126,000	0		$ 1,126,000	0
Lease Renewal Period In Years				5 years
Real Estate Held-for-sale	1,346,000			$ 1,346,000					$ 0
Asset Held For Sale, Agreed Selling Price	$ 3,000,000			3,000,000
Chancellor Health Care Acquisition [Member]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | beds_or_units						29
Payments to Acquire Real Estate				6,772,000
Asset Purchase Transaction Costs				$ 97,000
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract				15 years
Initial lease rate	7.75%			7.75%
Brook Retirement Acquisition [Member]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | beds_or_units						42
Payments to Acquire Real Estate				$ 6,000,000
Asset Purchase Transaction Costs				$ 49,000
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract				10 years
Initial lease rate	7.50%			7.50%
East Lake Mgmt, Acquisition [Member]
Payments to Acquire Real Estate				$ 66,900,000
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract				10 years
Initial Lease Amount								$ 4,683,000
Lease Escalator Rate Lease Year 2 to Lease Year 4								3.50%
Lease Escalator Rate after Lease Year 4								3.00%
Purchase Option, Open Period, Begin, Lease Year				6 years
Purchase Option Amount								$ 81,000,000
Capital Improvements Commitment								$ 400,000
Lease Incentive Commitment Assessed As Not Probable				$ 8,000,000
Payments to acquire real estate, seller earnout, contingent, not probable				750,000
Bickford Senior Living Acquisition [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties							92
Payments to Acquire Real Estate				$ 21,000,000
Fundamental Disposal Properties [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	2			2						3
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	$ 80,000	78,000		$ 241,000	$ 235,000
Proceeds from Sale of Real Estate				9,593,000
Carrying Value of Real Estate, Disposal Group	8,467,000			8,467,000
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investment Real Estate				$ 1,126,000
Monthly Lease Amount			$ 250,000
Average Age Real Estate Portfolio				40 years
Bickford Development Properties [Member]
Development in Process	$ 8,498,000			$ 8,498,000
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | beds_or_units	60			60
Number of Real Estate Properties To Be Constructed | properties	8			8
2015 Bickford Development Properties [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	5			5
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	60			60
Estimated Future Development Cost	$ 55,000,000			$ 55,000,000
Number of Real Estate Properties To Be Constructed | properties	5			5
2015 Bickford Development Properties - Construction Commenced [Member]
Construction in Progress, Gross	$ 8,123,000			$ 8,123,000
Number of Real Estate Properties To Be Constructed | properties	3			3
2015 Bickford Development Properties - In Pre-Development [Member]
Construction in Progress, Gross	$ 375,000			$ 375,000
Holiday Acquisition Holdings [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties			25
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract				17 years
Lease Escalator Rate, From Lease Year 1 to Lease Year 3			4.50%
Lease Escalator Rate, After Lease Year 3			3.50%
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	$ 10,954,000	$ 10,954,000		$ 32,863,000
Percentage of Continuing Revenue	19.00%	25.00%		19.00%	25.00%
Straight Line Rent	$ 2,616,000	$ 2,975,000		$ 7,849,000	$ 8,926,000
Minimum Annual Lease Income				$ 33,351,000
National Healthcare Corporation [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	42			42
Number of Master Leases | Master_Leases	2			2
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	$ 9,133,000	$ 9,109,000		$ 27,492,000	$ 27,337,000
Percentage of Continuing Revenue	16.00%	20.00%		16.00%	21.00%
Percentage rent	$ 596,000	$ 573,000		$ 1,882,000	$ 1,734,000
National Healthcare Corporation [Member] | NHC - 1991 Lease [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	35			35
Number of additional lease renewal options | renewalOptions	2			2
Lease Renewal Period In Years				5 years
Percentage Rent Rate				0.04
Minimum Annual Lease Income				$ 30,750,000
National Healthcare Corporation [Member] | NHC - 2013 Lease [Member]
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired | properties				7
Percentage Rent Rate				0.04
Minimum Annual Lease Income				$ 3,450,000
Purchase Option Amount	$ 49,000,000			$ 49,000,000
Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	32			32
Joint Venture Operating Company Ownership Interest Received	85.00%			85.00%
Development in Process	$ 375,000			$ 375,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Current	23,853,000			23,853,000
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	$ 6,150,000	$ 5,324,000		$ 17,844,000	$ 15,789,000
Percentage of Continuing Revenue	11.00%	12.00%		10.00%	12.00%
Joint Venture Contributed Properties Ownership Interest Retained	85.00%			85.00%
Joint Venture Contributed Properties Ownership Interest Surrendered	15.00%			15.00%
Senior Living Communities [Member]
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	$ 9,855,000			$ 29,566,000
Percentage of Continuing Revenue	17.00%			17.00%
Straight Line Rent	$ 2,105,000			$ 6,316,000
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	$ 4,549,000			$ 13,715,000
Senior Housing Community [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	112			112
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	62			62
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] | National Healthcare Corporation [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	39			39
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] | National Healthcare Corporation [Member] | Subleased Facilities [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	4			4
Hospital [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	3			3
Medical Office Building [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	2			2
Independent Living Facility [Member] | National Healthcare Corporation [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	3			3
Senior Living Campus [Member] | East Lake Mgmt, Acquisition [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties								2
Assisted Living Facility [Member] | East Lake Mgmt, Acquisition [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties								1
Senior Housing Community [Member] | Senior Living Communities [Member]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | beds_or_units	1,671			1,671
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract				15 years
Initial Lease Amount	$ 31,000,000			$ 31,000,000
Lease Escalator Rate Lease Year 2 to Lease Year 4	4.00%			4.00%
Lease Escalator Rate after Lease Year 4	3.00%			3.00%
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired | properties				8
Number of additional lease renewal options	2			2

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Debt Debt (Schedule of Debt) (Parenthesis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	$ 7,737
Debt Instrument, Name, Q3 2014 HUD Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	1,596	$ 1,662
Debt Instrument, Name, Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	$ 6,141	$ 6,963

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Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Land	$ 136,336	$ 127,566
Buildings and improvements	1,939,943	1,854,855
Construction in progress	12,343	6,428
Real estate properties, gross	2,088,622	1,988,849
Less accumulated depreciation	(245,409)	(212,300)
Real estate properties, net	1,843,213	1,776,549
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	117,828	63,630
Investment in preferred stock, at cost	38,132	38,132
Cash and cash equivalents	14,197	3,287
Marketable securities	35,148	15,503
Straight-line rent receivable	53,646	35,154
Equity-method investment and other assets	29,615	50,705
Assets held for sale, net	1,346	0
Total Assets	2,133,125	1,982,960
Liabilities and Equity
Debt	1,009,144	862,726
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	19,887	15,718
Dividends Payable	31,931	28,864
Lease deposit liabilities	21,275	21,648
Real estate purchase liabilities	3,750	3,000
Deferred income	2,472	1,071
Total Liabilities	$ 1,088,459	$ 933,027
Commitments and Contingencies
National Health Investors Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 60,000,000 and 40,000,000 shares authorized; 37,566,221 and 37,485,902 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	$ 376	$ 375
Capital in excess of par value	1,035,551	1,033,896
Cumulative dividends in excess of net income	(1,898)	(569)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	875	6,223
Total National Health Investors Stockholders' Equity	1,034,904	1,039,925
Noncontrolling interest	9,762	10,008
Total Equity	1,044,666	1,049,933
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 2,133,125	$ 1,982,960

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Commitments And Contingencies (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) properties beds_or_units	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jul. 01, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 properties	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Lease Extension Period in Years	10 years
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	5 years
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	179
Number of States in which Entity Operates	31
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	$ 117,828,000				$ 63,630,000
Real estate purchase liabilities	3,750,000				3,000,000
Security Deposit	0				$ 21,648,000
Payments for Capital Improvements	2,757,000	$ 3,078,000
Senior Living Communities [Member]
Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount	15,000,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	5,321,000
Revolving Note Receivable, Maximum Amount Available for Working Capital Purposes	5,000,000
Revolving Note Receivable, Amount Outstanding	$ 5,321,000
Loans Receivable, Description of Variable Rate Basis, Reference Rate Maturity	10 years
Loans Receivable, Description of Variable Rate Basis	0.0206
Loans Receivable, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	6.00%
Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Development in Process	$ 375,000
Number of Real Estate Properties	32
Chancellor Healthcare [Member]
Development in Process	$ 564,000
Capital improvements commitment	$ 1,150,000
Kentucky River [Member]
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	5 years
Discovery Regency Pointe [Member]
Lease Incentive Commitment Assessed As Not Probable	$ 0
Real estate purchase liabilities	$ 2,500,000
Holiday Acquisition Holdings [Member]
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	17 years
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties				25
Prestige Senior Living [Member]
Asset Purchase, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Earn Out Payments	$ 6,390,000
Real estate purchase liabilities	3,000,000
Senior Living Management [Member]
Capital improvements commitment	1,430,000
Signature India [Member]
Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount	1,500,000
Loans Receivable with Fixed Rates of Interest	0.10
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts and Notes Receivable	$ 250,000
Bickford Note Investment [Member]
Construction of transitional rehabilitation center, number of beds	342
Note Receivable Interest Rate	12.00%
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	$ 9,200,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Bickford Note Investment [Member]
Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount	$ 500,000
Note Receivable Interest Rate	10.00%
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	$ 412,000
Development Commitment [Member] | Chancellor Healthcare [Member]
Maximum Commitment For All Active Development Projects	7,500,000
Construction and Development Costs	$ 7,326,000
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	15 years
Initial lease rate	9.00%
Construction of transitional rehabilitation center, number of beds | beds_or_units	46
East Lake Mgmt, Acquisition [Member]
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	10 years
Capital improvements commitment			$ 400,000
Lease Incentive Commitment Assessed As Not Probable	$ 8,000,000
Payments to acquire real estate, seller earnout, contingent, not probable	750,000
Capital Improvement Commitment [Member] | Prestige Senior Living [Member]
Capital improvements commitment	$ 2,000,000
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired | properties	2
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] | Senior Living Management [Member]
Capital Improvements Commitment Funded	$ 908,000
Bickford Development Properties [Member]
Number Of Development Projects Active | properties	5
Development in Process	$ 8,498,000
Number of Real Estate Properties To Be Constructed | properties	8
Maximum Commitment For All Active Development Projects	$ 55,000,000
Number of Development Projects, Completed | properties	3
Construction of transitional rehabilitation center, number of beds | beds_or_units	60
Bickford LOC Commitment Amount [Member]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 3,550,000
1st Contingent Payment Amount [Member] | Discovery Regency Pointe [Member]
Real estate purchase liabilities	750,000
Kentucky River Commitment [Member]
Capital improvements commitment	7,463,000
Sante Partners Commitment [Member]
Construction and Development Costs	$ 2,621,000
Number of Lease Inducement Payments	2
Capital improvements commitment	$ 3,500,000
Lease Incentive Commitment Assessed As Not Probable	1,000,000
Real estate purchase liabilities	$ 0

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 95,528,000	$ 74,952,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	39,502,000	28,373,000
Amortization	2,589,000	1,816,000
Straight-line rental income	(18,492,000)	(12,692,000)
Gain on sale of real estate	(1,126,000)	0
Gain on sale of marketable securities	(61,000)	0
Write-off of debt issuance costs	0	2,145,000
Loan recovery	491,000	0
Share-based compensation	1,930,000	1,796,000
Income from equity-method investee	765,000	(157,000)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Equity-method investment and other assets	(693,000)	4,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(56,000)	(493,000)
Deferred income	1,401,000	(2,529,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	120,796,000	93,215,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in mortgage and other notes receivable	(73,092,000)	(1,439,000)
Collection of mortgage and other notes receivable	19,128,000	1,350,000
Investment in real estate	(104,066,000)	(35,688,000)
Investment in real estate development	(8,807,000)	(6,022,000)
Investment in renovations of existing real estate	(2,757,000)	(3,078,000)
Payment of real estate purchase liability	0	(1,600,000)
Proceeds from disposition of real estate properties	9,593,000	0
Purchases of marketable securities	(2,495,000)	0
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	3,750,000	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(158,746,000)	(46,477,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facilities	(157,000,000)	(86,000,000)
Proceeds from convertible senior notes	0	200,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of secured debt	78,084,000	38,007,000
Borrowings on term loan	225,000,000	130,000,000
Payments on term loans	(554,000)	(250,815,000)
Debt issuance costs	(2,362,000)	(8,899,000)
Equity offerring costs	(275,000)	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	(1,000)	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,308,000)	(1,589,000)
Dividends paid to stockholders	(92,726,000)	(75,195,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	48,860,000	(54,491,000)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	10,910,000	(7,753,000)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	3,287,000	$ 11,312,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$ 14,197,000

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Mortgage And Other Notes Receivable (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) properties beds_or_units	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	$ 117,828,000		$ 63,630,000
Number of health care properties related to mortgage notes receivables | properties	9
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$ 0
Proceeds from Recoveries of Loans Previously Charged off	491,000	$ 0
Secured By Real Estate [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	86,222,000
Not Secured By Real Estate [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	31,607,000
Sante Partners [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	$ 11,700,000
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | beds_or_units	70
Texas Borrower Payoff [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	$ 1,000,000
Life Care Services [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	67,071,000
Notes Receivable, Total Borrowings, Master Credit Agreement	$ 154,500,000
Notes Receivable, Number Of Loans, Master Credit Agreement	2
Purchase Option, Amount, Minimum	$ 115,000,000
Purchase Option, Period, Months	120 days
Purchase Option, Open Period, Begin, Note Year	5 years
Senior Living Communities [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	$ 5,321,000
Loans Receivable, Description of Variable Rate Basis, Reference Rate Maturity	10 years
Loans Receivable, Description of Variable Rate Basis	0.0206
Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount	$ 15,000,000
Revolving Note Receivable, Maximum Amount Available for Working Capital Purposes	$ 5,000,000
Loans Receivable, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	6.00%
Bickford Note Investment [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	$ 9,200,000
Number of health care properties related to mortgage notes receivables | properties	6
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	342
Note Receivable Interest Rate	12.00%
Purchase Option Amount	$ 97,000,000
Note A [Member] | Life Care Services [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	28,000,000
Notes Receivable, Total Borrowings, Master Credit Agreement	$ 60,000,000
Note Receivable, First Note Year For Rate Escalator	3 years
Loan Term	10 years
Note Receivable, Prepayment, Disallowance Period	3 years
Note Receivable, Prepayment Penalty, Rate	5.00%
Note Receivable, Prepayment Penalty, Rate Decrease	1.00%
Notes Receivable, Interest Rate, Master Credit Agreement	6.75%
Loans And Leases Receivable, Commitment, Fixed Rates, Escalator, Basis Points	10
Note B [Member] | Life Care Services [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	$ 39,071,000
Notes Receivable, Total Borrowings, Master Credit Agreement	$ 94,500,000
Loan Term	5 years
Notes Receivable, Interest Rate, Master Credit Agreement	8.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Bickford Note Investment [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	$ 412,000
Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount	$ 500,000
Note Receivable Interest Rate	10.00%

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Real Estate (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Real Estate [Abstract]

Summary of NHC Percentage Rent [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the percentage rent income from NHC (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Current year	$	596	$	573	$	1,788	$	1,719
Prior year final certification1	—		—		94		15
Total percentage rent income	$	596	$	573	$	1,882	$	1,734

¹ For purposes of the percentage rent calculation described in the master lease Agreement, NHC’s annual revenue by facility for a given year is certified to NHI by March 31st of the following year.

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]

the unaudited pro forma revenue, net income and net income available to common stockholders of the combined entity for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2014 is provided below as if the acquisition date had been January 1, 2013 (in thousands except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2014
Revenue	$	54,335	$	161,342
Net income	$	30,067	$	88,667
Net income available to common stockholders	$	29,801	$	87,795
Earnings per common share - basic	$	0.79	$	2.34
Earnings per common share - diluted	$	0.79	$	2.34

Supplemental pro forma information above includes revenues from the lease recognized on a straight-line basis, depreciation, and appropriate interest costs.

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Investment In Preferred Stock, At Cost (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Investment income and other	$ 1,316,000	$ 1,055,000	$ 3,573,000	$ 3,182,000
Investment in cumulative preferred stock of LTC properties	2,000,000		2,000,000
Original cost of cost method investments	$ 38,132,000		$ 38,132,000
Nonvoting Convertible Preferred Stock	2,000,000		2,000,000
Closing Price Of LTC's Common Stock	$ 42.67		$ 42.67
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage			8.50%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$ 19.25		$ 19.25
Preferred Dividends [Member]
Investment income and other	$ 818,000	$ 818,000	$ 2,454,000	$ 2,454,000

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Investments In Marketable Securities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Marketable Securities [Abstract]

Schedule Of Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consist of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Common stock of other healthcare REITs	$	4,088	$	15,065	$	4,088	$	15,503
Held-to-maturity securities	$	20,083	$	20,192	$	—	$	—

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Consolidated Statement Of Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Cumulative Dividends In Excess Of Net Income [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014	37,485,902	37,485,902
Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,049,933	$ 375	$ 1,033,896	$ (569)	$ 6,223	$ 1,039,925	$ 10,008
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	90,180			94,466	(5,348)	89,118	1,062
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,308)						(1,308)
Equity Issuance Costs	(275)		(275)			(275)
Shares issued on stock options exercised, shares		80,319
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	1	$ 1				1
Share-based compensation	1,930		1,930			1,930
Dividends declared, $1.54 per share	$ (95,795)			(95,795)		(95,795)
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2015	37,566,221	37,566,221
Balance, value at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 1,044,666	$ 376	$ 1,035,551	$ (1,898)	$ 875	$ 1,034,904	$ 9,762

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	37,566,221	37,485,902
Common stock, shares outstanding	37,566,221	37,485,902

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Share-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Deferred Compensation Arrangements [Abstract]

Share-Based Compensation

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

We recognize share-based compensation for all stock options granted over the requisite service period using the fair value of these grants as estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model, and all restricted stock granted over the requisite service period using the market value of our publicly-traded common stock on the date of grant.

Share-Based Compensation Plans

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors ("the Committee") has the authority to select the participants to be granted options; to designate whether the option granted is an incentive stock option ("ISO"), a non-qualified option, or a stock appreciation right; to establish the number of shares of common stock that may be issued upon exercise of the option; to establish the vesting provision for any award; and to establish the term any award may be outstanding. The exercise price of any ISO’s granted will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date granted, and the term of an ISO may not be more than ten years. The exercise price of any non-qualified options granted will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date granted unless so determined by the Committee.

In May 2012, our stockholders approved the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan ("the 2012 Plan") pursuant to which 1,500,000 shares of our common stock were made available to grant as share-based payments to employees, officers, directors or consultants. As of September 30, 2015, there were 305,000 shares available for future grants under the 2012 Plan. The individual restricted stock and option grant awards vest over periods up to five years. The term of the options under the 2012 Plan is up to ten years from the date of grant. Through a vote of our shareholders on May 7, 2015, we have increased the maximum number of shares under the plan from 1,500,000 shares to 3,000,000 shares; increased the automatic annual grant to non-employee directors from 15,000 shares to 20,000 shares; and limited the Company's ability to re-issue shares under the Plan.

In May 2005, our stockholders approved the NHI 2005 Stock Option Plan ("the 2005 Plan") pursuant to which 1,500,000 shares of our common stock were made available to grant as share-based payments to employees, officers, directors or consultants. As of September 30, 2015, the 2005 Plan has expired and no additional shares may be granted under the 2005 Plan. The individual restricted stock and option grant awards vest over periods up to ten years. The term of the options outstanding under the 2005 Plan is up to ten years from the date of grant.

Compensation expense is recognized only for the awards that ultimately vest. Accordingly, forfeitures that were not expected may result in the reversal of previously recorded compensation expense. The compensation expense reported for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $233,000 and $223,000, respectively, and for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014 was $1,930,000 and $1,796,000, respectively.

At September 30, 2015, we had, net of expected forfeitures, $665,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options which is expected to be expensed over the following periods: 2015 - $233,000, 2016 - $386,000 and 2017 - $46,000. Stock-based compensation is included in general and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following table summarizes our outstanding stock options:

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2015		2014
Options outstanding January 1,	871,671		516,674
Options granted under 2012 Plan	450,000		400,000
Options granted under 2005 Plan	20,000		—
Options exercised under 2012 Plan	(421,657	)	—
Options canceled under 2012 Plan	(100,000	)	(15,000	)
Options exercised under 2005 Plan	(50,002	)	(26,670	)
Options outstanding, September 30,	770,012		875,004
Exercisable at September 30,	496,664		648,323

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Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Nov. 03, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000877860
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		37,566,221

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Earnings and Dividends Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

EARNINGS AND DIVIDENDS PER SHARE

The weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period is used to calculate basic earnings per common share. Diluted earnings per common share assume the exercise of stock options and the conversion of our convertible debt using the treasury stock method, to the extent dilutive. If our average stock price for the period increases over the conversion price of our convertible debt, the conversion feature will be considered dilutive.

The following table summarizes the average number of common shares and the net income used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	33,600	$	25,250	$	94,466	$	74,080
BASIC:
Weighted average common shares outstanding	37,566,221		33,055,992		37,563,503		33,053,386
DILUTED:
Weighted average common shares outstanding	37,566,221		33,055,992		37,563,503		33,053,386
Stock options	16,920		32,578		42,024		33,643
Convertible subordinated debentures	—		—		6,314		—
Average dilutive common shares outstanding	37,583,141		33,088,570		37,611,841		33,087,029
Net income per common share - basic	$	.89	$	.76	$	2.51	$	2.24
Net income per common share - diluted	$	.89	$	.76	$	2.51	$	2.24
Incremental shares excluded since anti-dilutive:
Net share effect of stock options with an exercise price in excess of the average market price for our common shares	107,993		24,659		42,052		26,734
Regular dividends declared per common share	$	.85	$	.77	$	2.55	$	2.31

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Consolidated Statements Of Income - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Revenues:
Rental income	$ 54,459,000	$ 41,669,000	$ 159,624,000	$ 123,335,000
Interest income from mortgage and other notes	2,507,000	1,754,000	7,149,000	5,258,000
Investment income and other	1,316,000	1,055,000	3,573,000	3,182,000
Revenues	58,282,000	44,478,000	170,346,000	131,775,000
Expenses:
Depreciation	13,485,000	9,596,000	39,502,000	28,373,000
Interest, including amortization of debt discount and issuance costs	9,772,000	7,005,000	27,471,000	20,720,000
Legal	117,000	66,000	295,000	149,000
Franchise, excise and other taxes	114,000	78,000	352,000	790,000
General and administrative	1,691,000	2,164,000	8,050,000	6,948,000
Loan recovery	0	0	(491,000)	0
Total operating expenses	25,179,000	18,909,000	75,179,000	56,980,000
Income before equity-method investee, discontinued operations and noncontrolling interest	33,103,000	25,569,000	95,167,000	74,795,000
Income from equity-method investee	(252,000)	(53,000)	(765,000)	157,000
Investment and other gains	1,126,000	0	1,126,000	0
Net income	33,977,000	25,516,000	95,528,000	74,952,000
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(377,000)	(266,000)	(1,062,000)	(872,000)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 33,600,000	$ 25,250,000	$ 94,466,000	$ 74,080,000
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	37,566,221	33,055,992	37,563,503	33,053,386
Diluted	37,583,141	33,088,570	37,611,841	33,087,029
Basic:
Net income per common share attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.89	$ 0.76	$ 2.51	$ 2.24
Diluted:
Net income per common share attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.89	$ 0.76	$ 2.51	$ 2.24

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Mortgage And Other Notes Receivable

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Financing Receivable, Net [Abstract]

Mortgage Notes Receivable

MORTGAGE AND OTHER NOTES RECEIVABLE

At September 30, 2015, we had investments in mortgage notes receivable with a carrying value of $86,222,000, secured by real estate and UCC liens on the personal property of 9 health care properties, and other notes receivable with a carrying value of $31,607,000, guaranteed by significant parties to the notes or by cross-collateralization of properties with the same owner. No allowance for doubtful accounts was considered necessary at September 30, 2015.

Timber Ridge

In February 2015, we entered into an agreement to lend LCS-Westminster Partnership III LLP (“LCS-WP”), an affiliate of Life Care Services, the manager of the facility, up to $154,500,000. The loan agreement conveys a mortgage interest and will facilitate the construction of Phase II of Timber Ridge at Talus (“Timber Ridge”), a Type-A Continuing Care Retirement Community in the Seattle, WA area.

The loan takes the form of two notes under a master credit agreement. The senior note (“Note A”) totals $60,000,000 at a 6.75% interest rate with 10 basis-point escalators after year three, and has a term of 10 years. We have funded $28,000,000 of Note A as of September 30, 2015. Note A is interest-only and is locked to prepayment for three years. After year three, the prepayment penalty starts at 5% and declines 1% per year. The second note ("Note B") is a construction loan for up to $94,500,000 at an annual interest rate of 8% and a 5 year maturity. We anticipate funding Note B through December 2016 and anticipate substantial repayment with new resident entrance fees upon the opening of Phase II. The total amount funded on Note B was $39,071,000 as of September 30, 2015.

NHI has a purchase option on the entire Timber Ridge property for the greater of fair market value or $115,000,000 during a purchase option window of 120 days that will contingently open in year five or upon earlier stabilization of the development, as defined. The current basis of our investment in Timber Ridge loans is $67,071,000, but we are obligated to complete the funding of both Notes A and B of up to $154,500,000 which represents the maximum exposure to loss of NHI due to our relationship with Timber Ridge. Because we neither control the entity, nor have any role in its day-to-day management, we account for our investment in LCS-WP at amortized cost.

Senior Living Communities

In connection with the December 2014 Senior Living acquisition, described in Note 2, we provided a $15,000,000 revolving line of credit, the maturity of which mirrors the 15-year term of the master lease. Borrowings are used to finance construction projects within the Senior Living Portfolio, including building additional units. Up to $5,000,000 of the facility may be used to meet general working capital needs. Amounts outstanding under the facility, $5,321,000 at September 30, 2015, bear interest at an annual rate equal to the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate, 2.06% at September 30, 2015, plus 6%.

Sycamore

In July 2013 we extended a $9,200,000 loan to our joint venture partner, Sycamore, to fund a portion of their acquisition from a third party of six senior housing communities consisting of 342 units. The loan is guaranteed by principals of Bickford and has a 12% annual interest. As a result of the loan, PropCo acquired a $97,000,000 purchase option exercisable over the term of the loan, covering all of the properties, in whole or in part. Terms of the loan and the purchase option have been extended through June 2018. In June 2014 we entered into a $500,000 revolving loan to Sycamore to fund pre-development expenses related to potential future projects. Interest is payable monthly at 10% and the note, as extended, matures in June 2018. At September 30, 2015, the revolving loan had an outstanding balance of $412,000. Sycamore is intended to be self-financing, and our direct support has been limited to the loans described herein and a $3,550,000 letter of credit for the benefit of Sycamore. We are not obligated to extend support to Sycamore beyond our current basis in the loans and letter of credit to them; accordingly our investment in this extension of credit represents our maximum exposure to loss. However, because we do not control Sycamore, nor do we have any role in the day-to-day management, we account for loans provided to Sycamore at amortized cost.

Repayments

In June 2015 Santé Partners, LLC (“Santé”) repaid its $11,700,000 mortgage obligation originally scheduled to come due on July 31. The mortgage was secured by a 70-bed transitional rehabilitation center, for which NHI had held a purchase option. Additionally, in June 2015, NHI was repaid in full on a $1,000,000 mortgage note secured by a skilled nursing facility in Texas.

Recovery

In June 2015 we received $491,000 as a secured creditor in the final settlement of a bankruptcy proceeding.

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Equity-Method Investment And Other Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Equity Method Investments And Other Assets [Abstract]

Equity Method Investments And Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

EQUITY-METHOD INVESTMENT AND OTHER ASSETS

Our equity-method investment in OpCo and other assets consist of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Equity-method investment in OpCo	$	8,659	$	9,424
Debt issuance costs	12,153		11,491
Accounts receivable and other assets	4,633		3,818
Reserves for replacement, insurance and tax escrows	4,170		4,324
Lease escrow deposits	—		21,648
	$	29,615	$	50,705

Upon the acquisition of our investment in OpCo in 2012, our purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired based upon their estimated relative fair values. We account for this investment using the equity method because OpCo is intended to be self-financing, and we do not control the entity, nor do we have any role in its day-to-day management. Financial reporting standards for equity method investments require that we account for the difference between the cost basis of our investment in OpCo and our pro rata share of the amount of underlying equity in the net assets of OpCo as though OpCo were a consolidated subsidiary. Accordingly, the excess of the original purchase price over the fair value of identified tangible assets at acquisition of $8,986,000 is treated as implied goodwill and is subject to periodic review for impairment in conjunction with our equity method investment. We noted no decline in values as of September 30, 2015, losses in the investee arising from new development not present at acquisition, to which no goodwill is attributed. OpCo is intended to be self-financing, and aside from initial investments therein, no direct support has been provided by NHI to OpCo since inception on September 30, 2012. While PropCo's rental revenues associated with the related properties are sourced from OpCo, a decision to furnish additional direct support would be at our discretion and not obligatory. As a result, we believe our maximum exposure to loss at September 30, 2015, due to our investment in OpCo, would be limited to our equity interest.

In July 2015 the balance of funds held as a lease security deposit, payable in December 2030, was reclassified as marketable securities upon the investment of these funds in government agency debt securities and as long-term certificates of deposit. See Note 6.

Reserves for replacement, insurance and tax escrows include amounts required to be held on deposit in accordance with regulatory agreements governing our Fannie Mae and HUD mortgages. Debt issuance costs are being amortized over the expected term of the debt instruments to which they are related.

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Equity-Method Investment And Other Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Equity Method Investments And Other Assets [Abstract]

Equity-Method Investment And Other Assets Disclosure [Table Text Block]

Our equity-method investment in OpCo and other assets consist of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Equity-method investment in OpCo	$	8,659	$	9,424
Debt issuance costs	12,153		11,491
Accounts receivable and other assets	4,633		3,818
Reserves for replacement, insurance and tax escrows	4,170		4,324
Lease escrow deposits	—		21,648
	$	29,615	$	50,705

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Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value (based on the hierarchy of the three levels of inputs described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K) on a recurring basis include marketable securities, derivative financial instruments and contingent consideration arrangements. Marketable securities consist of common stock of other healthcare REITs. Derivative financial instruments include our interest rate swap agreements. Contingent consideration arrangements relate to certain provisions of recent real estate purchase agreements involving both business combinations.

Marketable securities. We utilize quoted prices in active markets to measure debt and equity securities; these items are classified as Level 1 in the hierarchy and include the common and preferred stock of other healthcare REITs.

Derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments are valued in the market using discounted cash flow techniques. These techniques incorporate Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. The market inputs are utilized in the discounted cash flow calculation considering the instrument's term, notional amount, discount rate and credit risk. Significant inputs to the derivative valuation model for interest rate swaps are observable in active markets and are classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy.

Contingent consideration. Contingent consideration arrangements are classified as Level 3 and are valued using unobservable inputs about the nature of the contingent arrangement and the counter-party to the arrangement, as well as our assumptions about the probability of full settlement of the contingency.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows (in thousands):

		Fair Value Measurement
	Balance Sheet Classification	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Level 1
Common stock of other healthcare REITs	Marketable securities	$	15,065	$	15,503
Level 2
Interest rate swap asset	Other assets	$	—	$	—
Interest rate swap liability	Accrued expenses	$	10,102	$	5,193
Level 3
Contingent consideration	Real estate purchase liabilities	$	3,750	$	3,000

The following table presents a reconciliation of Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014(in thousands):

	Fair Value Beginning of Period		Transfers Into Level 3		Realized Gains and (Losses)		Purchases, Issuances and Settlements, net		Fair Value at End of Period		Total Period Losses Included in Earnings Attributable to the Change in Unrealized Losses Relating to Assets Held at End of Year
2015
Contingent consideration	$	3,000	$	—	$	—	$	750	$	3,750	$	—
2014
Contingent consideration	$	2,600	$	—	$	—	$	1,400	$	4,000	$	—

Carrying values and fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (in thousands):

	Carrying Amount				Fair Value Measurement
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Level 1
Marketable securities, held to maturity	$	20,083	$	—	$	20,192	$	—
Level 2
Variable rate debt	$	467,000	$	624,000	$	467,000	$	624,000
Fixed rate debt	$	542,144	$	238,726	$	559,648	$	254,150
Level 3
Mortgage and other notes receivable	$	117,828	$	63,630	$	125,759	$	72,435

The fair value of mortgage and other notes receivable is based on credit risk and discount rates that are not observable in the marketplace and therefore represents a Level 3 measurement.

Fixed rate debt. Fixed rate debt is classified as Level 2 and its value is based on quoted prices for similar instruments or calculated utilizing model derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable in active markets.

Carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The fair value of our borrowings under our revolving credit facility are reasonably estimated at their carrying value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, due to the predominance of floating interest rates, which generally reflect market conditions.

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Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Instruments [Abstract]

Debt Disclosure

DEBT

Debt consists of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Revolving credit facility - unsecured	$	217,000	$	374,000
Convertible senior notes - unsecured (net of discount of $6,141 and $6,963)	193,859		193,037
Bank term loans - unsecured	250,000		250,000
HUD mortgage loans (net of discount of $1,596 and $1,662)	45,201		45,689
Private placement term loans - unsecured	225,000		—
Fannie Mae term loans - secured, non-recourse	78,084		—
	$	1,009,144	$	862,726

Aggregate principal maturities of debt as of September 30, 2015 for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):

Twelve months ended September 30
2016	$	762
2017	787
2018	814
2019	842
2020	467,871
Thereafter	545,805
	1,016,881
Less: discount	(7,737		)
	$	1,009,144

In June 2015 we entered into an amended $800,000,000 senior unsecured credit facility with a group of banks. The facility can be expanded, subject to certain conditions, up to an additional $250,000,000. The amended credit facility provides for: (1) a $550,000,000 unsecured, revolving credit facility that matures in June 2020 (inclusive of an embedded 1-year extension option) with interest at 150 basis points over LIBOR (19 bps at September 30, 2015); (2) a $130,000,000 unsecured term loan that matures in June 2020 with interest at 175 basis points over LIBOR; and (3) two existing term loans which remain in place totaling $120,000,000, maturing in June 2020 and bearing interest at 175 basis points over LIBOR. At closing, the new facility replaced a smaller credit facility last amended in March 2014 that provided for $700,000,000 of total commitments. The employment of interest rate swaps for our fixed term debt leaves only our revolving credit facility exposed to variable rate risk. Our swaps and the financial instruments to which they relate are described in the table below, under the caption “Interest Rate Swap Agreements.”

At September 30, 2015 we had $333,000,000 available to draw on the revolving portion of the credit facility. The unused commitment fee is 40 basis points per annum. The unsecured credit facility requires that we maintain certain financial ratios within limits set by our creditors. To date, these ratios, which are calculated quarterly, have been within the limits required by the credit facility agreements.

In March 2015 we obtained $78,084,000 in Fannie Mae financing. The term debt financing consists of interest-only payments at an annual rate of 3.79% and a 10-year maturity. The mortgages are non-recourse and secured by thirteen properties in NHI’s joint venture with Bickford. Proceeds were used to reduce borrowings on NHI's unsecured bank credit facility. The notes are secured by the facilities previously pledged as security on Fannie Mae term debt that was retired in December 2014.

In January 2015 we issued $125,000,000 of 8-year notes with a coupon of 3.99% and $100,000,000 of 12-year notes with a coupon of 4.51% to a private placement lender. The notes are unsecured and require quarterly payments of interest only until maturity. We used the proceeds from the notes to pay down borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Terms and conditions of the new financing are similar to those under our bank credit facility with the exception of provisions regarding prepayment premiums.

In March 2014 we issued $200,000,000 of 3.25% senior unsecured convertible notes due April 2021 (the "Notes"). Interest is payable April 1st and October 1st of each year. The Notes are convertible at an initial conversion rate of 13.926 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount, representing a conversion price of approximately $71.81 per share for a total of approximately 2,785,200 underlying shares. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, as defined in the indenture governing the Notes, but will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest except in limited circumstances. The conversion option is considered an "optional net-share settlement conversion feature," meaning that upon conversion, NHI's conversion obligation may be satisfied, at our option, in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock. Our average stock price in for the third quarter of 2015 is less than the conversion price, making the conversion option anti-dilutive for the three months ended September 30, 2015. For the year-to-date period, 2015 dilution is determined by computing an average of incremental shares included in each quarterly diluted EPS computation, resulting in a dilutive effect of the conversion feature of 6,314 shares for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015.

The embedded conversion options (1) do not require net cash settlement, (2) are not conventionally convertible but can be classified in stockholders’ equity under ASC 815-40, and (3) are considered indexed to NHI’s own stock. Therefore, the conversion feature satisfies the conditions to qualify for an exception to the derivative liability rules, and the Notes are split into debt and equity components. The value of the debt component is based upon the estimated fair value of a similar debt instrument without the conversion feature at the time of issuance and was estimated to be approximately $192,238,000. The $7,762,000 difference between the contractual principal on the debt and the value allocated to the debt was recorded as an equity component and represents the estimated value of the conversion feature of the instrument. The excess of the contractual principal amount of the debt over its estimated fair value, the original issue discount, is amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the estimated term of the Notes. The effective interest rate used to amortize the debt discount and the liability component of the debt issue costs was approximately 3.9% based on our estimated non-convertible borrowing rate at the date the Notes were issued.

The total cost of issuing the Notes was $6,063,000, $275,000 of which was allocated to the equity component and $5,788,000 of which was allocated to the debt component and subject to amortization over the estimated term of the notes. The remaining unamortized balance at September 30, 2015, was $4,393,000.

Our HUD mortgage loans are secured by ten properties in our joint venture with Bickford. Nine mortgage notes require monthly payments of principal and interest from 4.3% to 4.4% (inclusive of mortgage insurance premium) and mature in August and October 2049. One additional HUD mortgage loan assumed in 2014 requires monthly payments of principal and interest of 2.9% (inclusive of mortgage insurance premium) and matures in October 2047. The loan has an outstanding principal balance of $9,359,000 and a net book value of $7,764,000, which approximates fair value.

The following table summarizes interest expense (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Interest expense at contractual rates	$	9,000		$	6,426		$	25,223		$	17,126
Capitalized interest	(92		)	(156		)	(296		)	(367		)
Amortization of debt issuance costs, debt discount and premium	864			735			2,544			1,816
Debt issuance costs expensed due to credit facility modifications	—			—			—			2,145
Total interest expense	$	9,772		$	7,005		$	27,471		$	20,720

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

To mitigate our exposure to interest rate risk, we have entered into the following interest rate swap contracts on our bank term loans as of September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands):

Date Entered	Maturity Date	Fixed Rate	Rate Index	Notional Amount		Fair Value
May 2012	April 2019	3.29%	1-month LIBOR	$	40,000	$	(787	)
June 2013	June 2020	3.86%	1-month LIBOR	$	80,000	$	(3,427	)
March 2014	June 2020	3.91%	1-month LIBOR	$	130,000	$	(5,888	)

See Note 11 for fair value disclosures about our variable and fixed rate debt and interest rate swap agreements.

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Investment In Preferred Stock, At Cost

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Investment In Preferred Stock, At Cost [Abstract]

Investment In Preferred Stock, At Cost

INVESTMENT IN PREFERRED STOCK, AT COST

We recognized $818,000 and $2,454,000 in preferred dividend income from LTC (a publicly-traded REIT) for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, on our investment in 2,000,000 shares of their cumulative preferred stock carried at its original cost of $38,132,000. The preferred stock, which was purchased in September 1998, is not listed on a stock exchange, is considered a non-marketable security and is recorded at cost in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The non-voting preferred stock is convertible into 2,000,000 shares of LTC common stock whose closing price at September 30, 2015 was $42.67 per share. The preferred stock has an annual cumulative coupon rate of 8.5% payable quarterly and a liquidation preference of $19.25 per share. While not the fair value of our preferred stock investment, we provide the above information as pertinent to the reader's estimation of the fair value of our investment. In accordance with ASC Topic 825 Financial Instruments, paragraph 10-50 Disclosure-Overall, we have determined that it is not practicable to estimate the fair value of our cost basis investment in preferred stock due to excessive costs related to inherent subjectivities in refining the estimate to a degree that is likely to materially augment the information provided above. Further, we have identified no events that may have had an adverse effect on its fair value which would have required revisiting the instrument's carrying value.

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Investments In Marketable Securities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Marketable Securities [Abstract]

Investments In Marketable Securities [Text Block]

INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Our investments in marketable securities include available-for-sale securities which are reported at fair value and investments in marketable debt securities which consist of U.S. government agency debt and long-term certificates of deposit. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are presented as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized gains and losses from securities sales are determined based upon specific identification of the securities. Marketable debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity and stated at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity.

Marketable securities consist of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Common stock of other healthcare REITs	$	4,088	$	15,065	$	4,088	$	15,503
Held-to-maturity securities	$	20,083	$	20,192	$	—	$	—

Gross unrealized gains related to available-for-sale securities were $10,977,000 at September 30, 2015 and $11,415,000 at December 31, 2014.

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Commitments And Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Bickford

In February 2015 our joint venture with Bickford announced plans to develop five senior housing facilities in Illinois and Virginia. Each community will be managed by Bickford and consist of 60 private-pay assisted living and memory care units. These five properties will represent the culmination of plans announced in 2012 between NHI and Bickford to construct a total of eight facilities. The first three communities, all in Indiana, opened in 2013 and 2014. Pre-development and land acquisition on the five facilities started in mid-2015 with openings planned beginning in late 2016. The total estimated project cost is $55,000,000. As of September 30, 2015, land and pre-development costs incurred on the project totaled $8,498,000.

In February 2014 we entered into a commitment on a letter of credit for the benefit of Sycamore which holds a minority interest in PropCo. At September 30, 2015 our commitment on the letter of credit totaled $3,550,000.

In June 2014 we entered into a $500,000 revolving loan with Bickford affiliate, Sycamore, to fund pre-development expenses related to potential future projects. Interest is payable monthly at 10% and the note, as extended, matures in June 2018. At September 30, 2015, the revolving loan had an outstanding balance of $412,000.

Chancellor

In October 2013, we entered into a $7,500,000 commitment to build a 46-unit free-standing assisted living and memory care community on our Linda Valley senior living campus in Loma Linda, California. We began construction during the first quarter of 2014 and had funded $7,326,000 as of September 30, 2015. The initial lease term is for 15 years at an annual rate of 9% plus a fixed annual escalator. NHI purchased the Linda Valley campus in 2012 and leased it to Chancellor Health Care ("Chancellor"), who has been operating the campus since 1993. We also committed to provide up to $1,150,000 for renovations and improvements related to our recent acquisitions of senior housing communities in Oregon and Maryland, which we have leased to Chancellor. We began renovations during the first quarter of 2014 and had funded $564,000 as of September 30, 2015. We receive rent income on funds advanced for each construction project.

Discovery

As a lease inducement, we have a contingent commitment to fund a series of payments up to $2,500,000 in connection with our September 2013 lease to Discovery Senior Living ("Discovery") of a senior living campus in Rainbow City, Alabama. Discovery would earn the contingent payments upon gaining, and maintaining, a specified lease coverage ratio. Remaining payments will be assessed for funding in installments of $750,000 through September 2016 when the residual is potentially due. As of September 30, 2015, incurring the contingent payments was not considered probable. Accordingly, no provision for these payments is reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

East Lake

In connection with our July 2015 lease, NHI has committed to East Lake certain lease incentive payments of $8,000,000 contingent on reaching and maintaining certain metrics, a contingent earnout of $750,000 payable to the seller upon attaining certain metrics, and the funding of an additional $400,000 for specified capital improvements. At acquisition, we estimated the seller contingent earnout payment to be probable and accordingly, have reflected that amount in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2015. Contingent payments earned will be included in the lease base when funded.

Kentucky River

In March 2012, we entered into a long-term lease extension and construction commitment to an affiliate of Community Health Systems under which we provided $7,463,000 for extensive renovations and additions to our Kentucky River Medical Center, a general acute care hospital in Jackson, Kentucky. Funding for this investment was added to the basis on which the lease amount is calculated. The construction project commenced during the first quarter of 2013 and was completed in 2015. The 10-year lease extension began July 1, 2012, with an additional 5-year renewal option.

Life Care Services

See Note 4 for a discussion of our loan commitments to an affiliate of Life Care Services.

Prestige

We agreed to fund capital improvements of up to $2,000,000 in connection with two of the skilled nursing facilities we lease to Prestige Senior Living. As of September 30, 2015, we had fully funded this commitment. The capital improvements were added to our original investment in the properties and are included in the lease base. Additionally, we have committed to fund contingent earn out payments up to a maximum of $6,390,000 based on the achievement of certain financial metrics as measured periodically through December 31, 2015. At acquisition, we estimated probable contingent payments of $3,000,000 to be likely and have reflected that amount in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Contingent payments earned will be included in the lease base when funded.

Santé

We are committed to fund a $3,500,000 expansion and renovation program at our Silverdale, Washington senior living campus and as of September 30, 2015, had funded $2,621,000, which was added to the basis on which the lease amount is calculated. In addition, we have a contingent commitment to fund two lease inducement payments of $1,000,000 each. Santé would earn the payments upon attaining and sustaining a specified lease coverage ratio. If earned, the first payment would be due following calendar year 2015 and the second payment would be due following calendar year 2016. At acquisition, incurring the contingent payments was not considered probable. Accordingly, no provision for these payments is reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Senior Living Communities

In connection with our December 2014 Senior Living acquisition, we have provided a $15,000,000 revolving line of credit to Senior Living, the maturity of which mirrors the term of the master lease. Borrowings will be used to finance construction projects within the Senior Living Portfolio, including building additional units. Up to $5,000,000 of the facility may be used to meet general working capital needs. Amounts outstanding under the facility, $5,321,000 at September 30, 2015, bear interest at an annual rate equal to the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate, 2.06% at September 30, 2015, plus 6%.

Senior Living Management

We have entered into agreements with our current tenant, Senior Living Management, to fund up to $1,430,000 for renovations to our facilities in Georgia and Louisiana. As amounts are funded, they are added to the lease base. As of September 30, 2015, we had funded $908,000 toward this commitment.

Signature

In 2012 we provided an affiliate of Signature Senior Living with a revolving loan facility of $1,500,000, bearing interest at a current rate of 10%, to fund pre-development activities internationally. With the extension of $250,000 in funding on March 31, 2015, the facility is fully drawn.

Litigation

Our facilities are subject to claims and suits in the ordinary course of business. Our lessees and borrowers have indemnified, and are obligated to continue to indemnify us, against all liabilities arising from both the operation of the facilities and are further obligated to indemnify us against environmental or title problems affecting the real estate underlying such facilities. While there may be lawsuits pending against certain of the owners and/or lessees of our facilities, management believes that the ultimate resolution of all such pending proceedings will have no material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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Equity-Method Investment And Other Assets (Narrative) (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) properties	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Investment [Line Items]
Number of Real Estate Properties | properties	179
Lease escrow deposits	$ 0	$ 21,648,000
Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity	$ 8,986,000

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	$ 117,828	$ 63,630
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	117,828	63,630
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Variable Interest Rate Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	467,000	624,000
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	542,144	238,726
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	125,759	72,435
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Variable Interest Rate Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	467,000	624,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	559,648	254,150
Held-to-maturity Securities [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	20,083	0
Held-to-maturity Securities [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 20,192	$ 0

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Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Policy Text Block [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy

Principles of Consolidation - The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint ventures, partnerships and consolidated variable interest entities ("VIE") where NHI controls the operating activities of the VIE, if any. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Net income is reduced by the portion of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

A VIE is broadly defined as an entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance the entity's activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (i) the ability to make decisions about the entity's activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests, and substantially all of the entity's activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.

We apply Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") guidance for our arrangements with variable interest entities ("VIEs") which requires us to identify entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights and to determine which business enterprise is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. In accordance with FASB guidance, management must evaluate each of the Company’s contractual relationships which creates a variable interest in other entities. If the Company has a variable interest and the entity is a VIE, then management must determine whether or not the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If it is determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary, NHI consolidates the VIE. We identify the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both: (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could be significant to the entity. We perform this analysis on an ongoing basis.

At September 30, 2015, we held an interest in four unconsolidated VIEs, consisting of 1) a start-up lessee in which NHI's variable interest consists of its leasehold interest, analogous to a financing arrangement, and of which we concluded that NHI was not the primary beneficiary (Note 2); 2) our joint venture in an operating company organized under provisions of the REIT Investment Diversification and Empowerment Act, (“RIDEA”) of which we concluded that NHI was not the primary beneficiary (Note 3); 3) a note receivable from, a guarantee on a letter of credit for, and a purchase option with, an unconsolidated VIE of whom we concluded that NHI was not the primary beneficiary (Note 4); and 4) two construction mortgage notes receivable aggregating $67,071,000 from an unconsolidated VIE of whom we concluded that NHI was not the primary beneficiary (Note 4). Our direct support of the above VIEs has been limited to the transactions described herein, and any decision to furnish additional direct support would be at our discretion and not obligatory. We believe our exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with these unconsolidated VIEs would be limited to our carrying value of these investments and the amount of our commitment as guarantor under the letter of credit. Generally, we lack, either directly or through related parties, any material input in the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these entities.

We apply FASB guidance related to investments in joint ventures based on the type of controlling rights held by the members' interests in limited liability companies that may preclude consolidation by the majority equity owner in certain circumstances in which the majority equity owner would otherwise consolidate the joint venture.

We structure our joint ventures to be compliant with the provisions of RIDEA, which permits NHI to receive rent payments through a triple-net lease between a property company and an operating company and is designed to give NHI the opportunity to capture additional value on the improving performance of the operating company through distributions to a taxable REIT subsidiary ("TRS"). Accordingly, the TRS holds our equity interest in an unconsolidated operating company, which we do not control, and provides an organizational structure that will allow the TRS to engage in a broad range of activities and share in revenues that would otherwise be non-qualifying income under the REIT gross income tests.

Investments. - Investments in marketable debt and equity securities are categorized as trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Our investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale securities. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are recorded in stockholders' equity. Our investments in marketable debt securities, consisting of U.S. government debt and long-term certificates of deposit, are classified as held-to-maturity because we have the intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are stated at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity.We evaluate our securities for other-than-temporary impairments on at least a quarterly basis. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities are determined on a specific-identification basis.

A decline in the market value of any available-for-sale or held-to-maturity security below cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary results in an impairment to reduce the carrying amount to fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, we consider whether we have the ability and intent to hold the investment until a market price recovery and consider whether evidence indicating the cost of the investment is recoverable outweighs evidence to the contrary. Evidence considered in this assessment includes the reasons for the impairment, the severity and duration of the impairment, changes in value subsequent to year-end and forecasted performance of the investment.

Equity-Method Investment - We report our TRS' investment in an unconsolidated entity, over whose operating and financial policies we have the ability to exercise significant influence but not control, under the equity method of accounting. Under this accounting method, our pro rata share of the entity's earnings or losses is included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Additionally, we adjust our investment carrying amount to reflect our share of changes in an equity-method investee's capital resulting from its capital transactions.

The initial carrying value of our equity-method investment is based on the fair value of the net assets of the entity at the time we acquired our interest. We estimate fair values of the net assets of our equity-method investee based on discounted cash flow models. The inputs we use in these models are based on assumptions that are within a reasonable range of current market rates for the respective investments.

We evaluate our equity-method investment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our investment may exceed the fair value. If it is determined that a decline in the fair value of our investment is not temporary, and if such reduced fair value is below its carrying value, an impairment is recorded. Determining fair value involves significant judgment. Our estimates consider all available evidence including the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at market rates, general economic conditions and other relevant factors.

Noncontrolling Interest - We present the portion of any equity that we do not own in entities that we control (and thus consolidate) as noncontrolling interest and classify such interest as a component of consolidated equity separate from total NHI stockholders' equity in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, we exclude net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest from net income attributable to common shareholders in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Use of Estimates, Policy

Use of Estimates - The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Earnings Per Share, Policy

Earnings Per Share - The weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period is used to calculate basic earnings per common share. Diluted earnings per common share assume the exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method, to the extent dilutive, and also incorporate the potential dilutive impact of our 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2021. We apply the treasury stock method to our convertible debt instruments, the effect of which is that conversion will not be assumed for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share unless the average share price of our common stock for the period exceeds the conversion price per share.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy

New Accounting Pronouncements - In February 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, under ASU 2015-02, which is generally effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. ASU 2015-02 changes the consolidation analysis for all reporting entities. The changes primarily affect the consolidation of limited partnerships and their equivalents (e.g., limited liability corporations), the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships, as well as structured vehicles such as collateralized debt obligations. We have yet to determine the method by which ASU 2015-02 will be adopted in 2016, and we are continuing to study the effect that our eventual adoption of this standard will have on our reported financial position and results of operations, the extent of which is not reasonably estimable at this time.

In April 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest, whose primary effect is to mandate that debt issuance costs be reported in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the face amount of the related liability. Debt issuance costs have previously been presented among assets on the balance sheet. The standard does not affect the recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs. The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. In August 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting. The ASU clarifies the treatment of debt issuance costs related to revolving credit facilities, upon which ASU 2015-03 was silent. ASU 2015-15 notes that the SEC staff 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, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. We believe our eventual adoption of these standards on the imputation of interest will have no material effect on our reported financial position and results of operations.

In August 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 provides a principles-based approach for a broad range of revenue generating transactions, including the sale of real estate, which will generally require more estimates and more judgment and more disclosures than under current guidance. Because this ASU specifically excludes lease contracts from its scope, its application is not expected to impact our recognition of rental income on a straight-line basis. ASU 2014-09 is now effective for public entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. We have yet to determine the method by which ASU 2014-09 will be adopted in 2018 and we are continuing to study the effect that our eventual adoption of this standard will have on our reported financial position and results of operation, the extent of which is not reasonably estimable at this time.

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Share-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Deferred Compensation Arrangements [Abstract]

Schedule of Stock Option Activity

The following table summarizes our outstanding stock options:

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2015		2014
Options outstanding January 1,	871,671		516,674
Options granted under 2012 Plan	450,000		400,000
Options granted under 2005 Plan	20,000		—
Options exercised under 2012 Plan	(421,657	)	—
Options canceled under 2012 Plan	(100,000	)	(15,000	)
Options exercised under 2005 Plan	(50,002	)	(26,670	)
Options outstanding, September 30,	770,012		875,004
Exercisable at September 30,	496,664		648,323

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Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On A Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 15,065	$ 15,503
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instrument Liabilities at Fair Value	10,102	5,193
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	$ 3,750	$ 3,000	$ 4,000	$ 2,600

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Debt Debt (Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Rolling Twelve Months	$ 762
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Two	787
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Three	814
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Four	842
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Five	467,871
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling after Year Five	545,805
Long-term Debt, Gross	1,016,881
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	(7,737)
Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount	$ 1,009,144	$ 862,726

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 33,977	$ 25,516	$ 95,528	$ 74,952
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in unrealized gains on securities	401	(716)	(438)	624
Increase (decrease) in fair value of cash flow hedge	(2,896)	3,010	(1,592)	(126)
Less: reclassification adjustment for amounts recognized in net income	(1,185)	(1,209)	(3,318)	(2,927)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,680)	1,085	(5,348)	(2,429)
Comprehensive income	30,297	26,601	90,180	72,523
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(377)	(266)	(1,062)	(872)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ 29,920	$ 26,335	$ 89,118	$ 71,651

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Real Estate

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Real Estate [Abstract]

Real Estate Disclosure [Text Block]

REAL ESTATE

As of September 30, 2015, we owned 179 health care real estate properties located in 31 states and consisting of 112 senior housing communities, 62 skilled nursing facilities, 3 hospitals and 2 medical office buildings. Our senior housing properties include assisted living facilities, senior living campuses, independent living facilities, and entrance-fee communities. These investments (excluding assets classified as held for sale, pre-development costs of $375,000 and our corporate office of $910,000) consisted of properties with an original cost of approximately $2,087,337,000, rented under triple-net leases to 26 lessees.

Chancellor

On August 31, 2015, we acquired a 29-unit memory care facility in Portland, Oregon, for $6,772,000 in cash inclusive of closing costs of approximately $97,000. We leased the facility to Chancellor Health Care for 15 years with renewal options at an initial lease rate of 7.75% plus annual escalators. Because the facility was owner-occupied, the acquisition was accounted for as an asset purchase.

Brook Retirement Communities

On August 31, 2015, we acquired a 42-unit independent living and assisted living community in Roscommon, Michigan, for $6,000,000 in cash plus closing costs of $49,000. We leased the facility to The Brook Retirement Communities of Roscommon, Inc., for 10 years with renewal options at an initial lease rate of 7.5% plus annual escalators. Because the facility was owner-occupied, the acquisition was accounted for as an asset purchase.

East Lake

On July 1, 2015, we acquired two senior living campuses in Nashville and Indianapolis and one assisted living/memory care facility in Charlotte for $66,900,000 in cash. We leased the facilities to an affiliate of East Lake Capital Management (“East Lake”) for an initial term of 10 years, plus renewal options. The lease calls for an annual payment of $4,683,000 in the first year with fixed annual escalators of 3.5% through year four and 3.0% thereafter. In conjunction with the lease, East Lake acquired a purchase option on the properties as a whole, exercisable beginning in year six of the lease for approximately $81,000,000 and thereafter subject to escalation on a basis consistent with rental escalations and other funding in place. In connection with the lease, we have committed to invest an additional $400,000 for specified capital improvements. The investment will be added to the basis on which the lease amount is calculated. In addition, we have committed to a lessee earn out of $8,000,000 contingent on reaching and maintaining certain metrics and a contingent earn out of $750,000 payable to the seller upon East Lake reaching certain metrics. At acquisition, we estimated the seller contingent earnout payment to be probable and, accordingly, have reflected that amount in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2015. Contingent payments earned will be an addition to the lease base when funded. Pending final valuation, we have apportioned our cost of the East Lake facilities at approximately 6% for land and land improvements and 94% for buildings and equipment.

The East Lake Facilities were owner-occupied at acquisition, and accordingly we accounted for the transaction as an asset purchase. Because we neither control East Lake nor have any role in its day-to-day management, we have no material input into activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance, and we account for our transactions with East Lake at amortized cost. We are not obligated to provide further support to East Lake, and accordingly the maximum extent of our exposure to loss is limited to our investment in the facilities.

Holiday

As of September 30, 2015, we leased 25 independent living facilities to NH Master Tenant, LLC, an affiliate of Holiday Retirement ("Holiday"). The master lease term of 17 years began in December 2013 and provides for 2015 cash rent of $33,351,000 plus annual escalators of 4.5% in 2016 and 2017 and a minimum of 3.5% each year thereafter.

Of our total revenues, $10,954,000 (19%) and $10,954,000 (25%) were derived from Holiday for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, including $2,616,000 and $2,975,000 in straight-line rent, respectively. For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 and 2014, of our total revenues, $32,863,000 (19%) and $32,863,000 (25%) were derived from Holiday including $7,849,000 and $8,926,000 in straight-line rent, respectively. NH Master Tenant, LLC continues to operate the facilities pursuant to a management agreement with a Holiday-affiliated manager.

Bickford

As of September 30, 2015, we owned an 85% equity interest and Sycamore Street, LLC ("Sycamore"), an affiliate of Bickford Senior Living ("Bickford"), owned a 15% equity interest in our consolidated subsidiary ("PropCo") which owns 32 assisted living/memory care facilities plus 5 facilities in pre-development and development. The facilities are leased to an operating company, ("OpCo"), in which we retain a non-controlling 85% ownership interest. The facilities are managed by Bickford. Our joint venture is structured to comply with the provisions of RIDEA.

On July 31, 2015, our subsidiary, PropCo, acquired a 92 unit assisted living/memory care facility located in Lancaster, Ohio for $21,000,000 in cash. The facility was leased under terms structured to comply with provisions of RIDEA, to the operating company, OpCo, of which we retain an 85/15 ownership interest with Bickford, as discussed in Note 3. Because the facility was owner-occupied, the acquisition was accounted for as an asset purchase.

In February 2015 the joint venture announced it would develop five senior housing facilities in Illinois and Virginia. Each community will be managed by Bickford and will consist of 60 private-pay assisted living and memory care units. Construction started in mid-2015, with openings planned beginning in late 2016. The total estimated project cost is $55,000,000. During the third quarter of 2015, we purchased land for three of the five planned assisted living facilities. Total capitalized costs related to these properties as of September 30, 2015, including land purchases, were $8,123,000. We have accumulated an additional $375,000 in pre-development costs for the remaining two sites.

As of September 30, 2015, the annual contractual rent from OpCo to PropCo is $23,853,000, plus fixed annual escalators. NHI has an exclusive right to Bickford's future acquisitions, development projects and refinancing transactions. Of our total revenues, $6,150,000 (11%) and $5,324,000 (12%) were recognized as rental income from Bickford for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and $17,844,000 (10%) and $15,789,000 (12%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

NHC

As of September 30, 2015, we leased 42 facilities under two master leases to National HealthCare Corporation (“NHC”), a publicly-held company and the lessee of our legacy properties. The facilities leased to NHC consist of 3 independent living facilities and 39 skilled nursing facilities (4 of which are subleased to other parties for whom the lease payments are guaranteed to us by NHC). These facilities are leased to NHC under the terms of an amended master lease agreement originally dated October 17, 1991 ("the 1991 lease") which includes our 35 remaining legacy properties and a master lease agreement dated August 30, 2013 ("the 2013 lease") which includes 7 skilled nursing facilities in New England.

The 1991 lease has been amended to extend the lease expiration to December 31, 2026. There are two additional 5-year renewal options, each at fair rental value of such leased property as negotiated between the parties and determined without including the value attributable to any improvements to the leased property voluntarily made by NHC at its expense. Under the terms of the lease, the base annual rental is $30,750,000 and rent escalates by 4% of the increase, if any, in each facility's revenue over a 2007 base year. The 2013 lease provides for a base annual rental of $3,450,000 and has a lease expiration of August 2028. Under the terms of the 2013 lease, rent escalates 4% of the increase, if any, in each facility's revenue over a 2014 base year. For both the 1991 lease and the 2013 lease, we refer to this additional rent component as “percentage rent.” During the last three years of the 2013 lease, NHC will have the option to purchase the facilities for $49,000,000.

The following table summarizes the percentage rent income from NHC (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Current year	$	596	$	573	$	1,788	$	1,719
Prior year final certification1	—		—		94		15
Total percentage rent income	$	596	$	573	$	1,882	$	1,734

¹ For purposes of the percentage rent calculation described in the master lease Agreement, NHC’s annual revenue by facility for a given year is certified to NHI by March 31st of the following year.

Of our total revenues, $9,133,000 (16%) and $9,109,000 (20%) were derived from NHC for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $27,492,000 (16%) and $27,337,000 (21%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Senior Living Communities

Beginning in December 2014 we leased eight retirement communities with 1,671 units to Senior Living Communities, LLC (“Senior Living”). The 15-year master lease contains two5-year renewal options and provides for initial cash rent of $31,000,000, plus annual escalators of 4% in years two through four and 3% thereafter.

For the eight Senior Living properties acquired by us in December 2014 in a transaction accounted for as a business combination, the unaudited pro forma revenue, net income and net income available to common stockholders of the combined entity for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2014 is provided below as if the acquisition date had been January 1, 2013 (in thousands except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2014
Revenue	$	54,335	$	161,342
Net income	$	30,067	$	88,667
Net income available to common stockholders	$	29,801	$	87,795
Earnings per common share - basic	$	0.79	$	2.34
Earnings per common share - diluted	$	0.79	$	2.34

Supplemental pro forma information above includes revenues from the lease recognized on a straight-line basis, depreciation, and appropriate interest costs.

Of our total revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded $9,855,000 (17%) and $29,566,000 (17%), respectively, in lease revenue from Senior Living, of which $2,105,000 and $6,316,000 respectively, represented straight-line rent. Net earnings from this acquisition were $4,549,000 and $13,715,000 for the same periods.

Disposition of Assets

On September 30, 2015, we sold for $9,593,000 two properties with a carrying value of $8,467,000 and recognized a gain on the disposition of $1,126,000. The properties represented the last two skilled nursing facilities of a disposal group that was originally under contract and classified during 2011 and 2012 as held-for-sale. As previously disclosed, the sale for the disposal group as a whole, being subject to certain conditions precedent as to financing, did not occur. NHI then proceeded to dispose of three of the properties in December 2013, the first of the group having been sold in 2011. On completion of these disposals to our tenant, Fundamental, a monthly rental of $250,000 was attached to the two remaining skilled nursing facilities through the end of the original lease term, February 2016, the properties having an average age in excess of 40 years. With the impending cessation of the lease, the two properties were aggressively marketed for immediate sale under conditions less favorable than those prevailing in 2011.

Assets Held for Sale

In August 2015 we committed to a plan to sell a skilled nursing facility in Idaho. We have reached agreement with our tenant on a sales price of $3,000,000 for the property, which has a carrying value of $1,346,000. We recorded lease income from the property for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 of $80,000 and $241,000, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 lease income was $78,000 and $235,000, respectively. The Idaho property does not meet the accounting criteria to be reported as a discontinued operation as its disposal will not result in a strategic shift that would have a major effect on our operations or financial results.

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Earnings and Dividends Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

The following table summarizes the average number of common shares and the net income used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	33,600	$	25,250	$	94,466	$	74,080
BASIC:
Weighted average common shares outstanding	37,566,221		33,055,992		37,563,503		33,053,386
DILUTED:
Weighted average common shares outstanding	37,566,221		33,055,992		37,563,503		33,053,386
Stock options	16,920		32,578		42,024		33,643
Convertible subordinated debentures	—		—		6,314		—
Average dilutive common shares outstanding	37,583,141		33,088,570		37,611,841		33,087,029
Net income per common share - basic	$	.89	$	.76	$	2.51	$	2.24
Net income per common share - diluted	$	.89	$	.76	$	2.51	$	2.24
Incremental shares excluded since anti-dilutive:
Net share effect of stock options with an exercise price in excess of the average market price for our common shares	107,993		24,659		42,052		26,734
Regular dividends declared per common share	$	.85	$	.77	$	2.55	$	2.31

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Label	Element	Value
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given	us-gaap_OtherSignificantNoncashTransactionValueOfConsiderationGiven1	$ 3,000
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given	us-gaap_OtherSignificantNoncashTransactionValueOfConsiderationGiven1	750
Interest Paid	us-gaap_InterestPaid	13,460
Interest Paid	us-gaap_InterestPaid	21,029
Settlement Of Mortgage Note By Real Estate Acquisition	nhi_SettlementOfMortgageNoteByRealEstateAcquisition	0
Settlement Of Mortgage Note By Real Estate Acquisition	nhi_SettlementOfMortgageNoteByRealEstateAcquisition	255
Escrow Deposit Disbursements Related to Property Acquisition	us-gaap_EscrowDepositDisbursementsRelatedToPropertyAcquisition1	23,813
Escrow Deposit Disbursements Related to Property Acquisition	us-gaap_EscrowDepositDisbursementsRelatedToPropertyAcquisition1	$ 0

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Investments In Marketable Securities (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Gross unrealized gains related to available for sale securities	$ 10,977	$ 11,415

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Subsequent Events Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events [Text Block]

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On November 3, 2015, we issued $50,000,000 of 8-year notes with a coupon of 3.99% and $50,000,000 of 10-year notes with a coupon of 4.33% to a private placement lender. The notes are unsecured and require quarterly payments of interest only until maturity. We used the proceeds from the notes to pay down borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Terms and conditions of the new financing are similar to those under our bank credit facility with the exception of provisions regarding prepayment premiums.