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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), which provides guidance for measuring credit losses on financial instruments. Our adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating taxes during the interim periods and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes, enacts changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. Our adoption of this standard on a prospective basis was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 842, Leases, using a modified retrospective transition approach, which requires the new standard to be applied to all leases existing at the date of initial application. Under ASC 842, lessees are required to recognize a lease liability and right-of-use asset ("ROU asset") for all leases with a term greater than twelve months and to disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Additionally, leases are classified as either financing or operating; the classification determines the pattern of expense recognition and classification within the statement of operations. We used the standard's effective date as our date of initial application. Consequently, our financial information was not updated and the disclosures required under the new standard are not provided for dates and periods prior to January 1, 2019. The new standard provides several optional practical expedients that can be adopted at transition. We elected the "package of practical expedients," which allows us to not reassess our prior conclusions regarding lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. We did not elect the use-of-hindsight or the practical expedient pertaining to land easements; the latter not being applicable to us. The most significant effects related to this adoption relate to (1) the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities on our balance sheet for our real estate and fleet operating leases; and (2) significant new disclosures about our leasing activities. Upon adoption, we recognized approximately $80 million in operating leases liabilities with corresponding ROU assets of approximately the same amount. The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting. We have elected the practical expedient that allows us to not separate lease and non-lease components for all of our leases.

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployees Share-Based Payment Accounting, which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods or services. Our adoption of this standard did not have an effect on our consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, using the full retrospective method. ASC 606 outlines a single comprehensive model to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The standard supersedes existing revenue recognition requirements and eliminates most industry-specific guidance from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("U.S. GAAP"). The core principle of the revenue recognition standard is to require an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. As a result of the Company's adoption of ASC 606, the revenue and related estimated uncollectible amounts owed to us by non-Medicare payors that were historically classified as provision for doubtful accounts are now considered a revenue adjustment in determining net service revenue. Accordingly, the Company reports estimated uncollectible balances due from third-party payors and uncollectible balances associated with patient responsibility as a reduction of the transaction price and therefore, as a reduction in net service revenue (or as it relates to Hospice room and board, an increase in cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization) when historically these amounts were classified as provision for doubtful accounts within operating expenses within our consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the adoption of ASC 606 resulted in increased disclosure,

including qualitative and quantitative disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which provides guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as an acquisition (or disposal) of assets or a business. We adopted this ASU on a prospective basis. The impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures will depend on the facts and circumstances of any specific future transactions as evaluated under the new framework.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge (Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test). Instead, impairment will be measured using the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. The ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this ASU on a prospective basis and will apply this guidance to our future tests of goodwill impairment.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which provides specific guidance on eight cash flow classification issues not specifically addressed by U.S. GAAP. The ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The standard should be applied using a retrospective transition method unless it is impractical to do so for some of the issues. In such case, the amendments for those issues would be applied prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. Our adoption of this standard using a retrospective transition method for each period presented did not have an effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

On March 12, 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued, subject to meeting certain criteria. The amendments in this ASU were effective beginning on March 12, 2020 and may generally be applied prospectively through December 31, 2022. This standard will not have an effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

Our accounting and reporting policies conform with U.S. GAAP. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that impact the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Principles of Consolidation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amedisys, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in our accompanying consolidated financial statements, and business combinations accounted for as purchases have been included in our consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. In addition to our wholly owned subsidiaries, we also have certain equity investments that are accounted for as set forth below.

Investments

We consolidate investments when the entity is a variable interest entity and we are the primary beneficiary or if we have controlling interests in the entity, which is generally ownership in excess of 50%. Third party equity interests in our consolidated joint ventures are reflected as noncontrolling interests in our consolidated financial statements. During 2016, we sold a 30% interest in one of our care centers while maintaining a controlling interest in the newly formed joint venture; we repurchased the 30% interest during 2018.

We account for investments in entities in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence under the equity method if we hold 50% or less of the voting stock and the entity is not a variable interest entity in which we are the primary beneficiary. During 2020, we sold our investment in the Heritage Healthcare Innovation Fund, LP via a secondary transaction for $17.9 million which resulted in a $3.0 million loss which is reflected in miscellaneous, net within our consolidated statement of

operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company's original investment was made in 2010 and no longer fit within our strategic areas of focus. Proceeds from the sale were used to pay down debt and fund operations. During 2018, we made a $7.0 million investment in a healthcare analytics company; this investment is accounted for under the equity method. The book value of investments that we account for under the equity method of accounting totaled $14.2 million and $35.7 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is reflected in other assets within our consolidated balance sheets.

Revenue Recognition

We account for revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and as such, we recognize revenue in the period in which we satisfy our performance obligations under our contracts by transferring our promised services to our customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for providing patient care, which are the transaction prices allocated to the distinct services. The Company's cost of obtaining contracts is not material.

Revenues are recognized as performance obligations are satisfied, which varies based on the nature of the services provided. Our performance obligation is the delivery of patient care services in accordance with the nature and frequency of services outlined in physicians' orders, which are determined by a physician based on a patient's specific goals.

The Company's performance obligations relate to contracts with a duration of less than one year; therefore, the Company has elected to apply the optional exemption provided by ASC 606 and is not required to disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period. The unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligations are generally completed when the patients are discharged, which generally occurs within days or weeks of the end of the reporting period.

We determine the transaction price based on gross charges for services provided, reduced by estimates for contractual and non-contractual revenue adjustments. Contractual revenue adjustments are recorded for the difference between our standard rates and the contracted rates to be realized from patients, third-party payors and others for services provided. Non-contractual revenue adjustments include discounts provided to self-pay, uninsured patients or other payors, adjustments resulting from payment reviews and adjustments arising from our inability to obtain appropriate billing documentation, authorizations or face-to-face documentation. Subsequent changes to the estimate of the transaction price are recorded as adjustments to net service revenue in the period of change.

Non-contractual revenue adjustments are recorded for self-pay, uninsured patients and other payors by major payor class based on our historical collection experience, aged accounts receivable by payor and current economic conditions. The non-contractual revenue adjustments represent the difference between amounts billed and amounts we expect to collect based on our collection history with similar payors. The Company assesses its ability to collect for the healthcare services provided at the time of patient admission based on the Company's verification of the patient's insurance coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, and other commercial or managed care insurance programs. Medicare represents approximately 75% of the Company's consolidated net service revenue.

Amounts due from third-party payors, primarily commercial health insurers and government programs (Medicare and Medicaid), include variable consideration for retroactive revenue adjustments due to settlements of audits and payment reviews. We determine our estimates for non-contractual revenue adjustments related to payment reviews based on our historical experience and success rates in the claim appeals and adjudication process.

We determine our estimates for non-contractual revenue adjustments related to our inability to obtain appropriate billing documentation, authorizations, or face-to-face documentation based on our historical experience which primarily includes a historical collection rate of over 99% on Medicare claims. Revenue is recorded at amounts we estimate to be realizable for services provided.

Revenue by payor class as a percentage of total net service revenue is as follows:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Home Health:
Medicare	41	%	44	%	50	%
Non-Medicare - Episodic-based	7	%	9	%	9	%
Non-Medicare - Non-episodic based	13	%	12	%	12	%
Hospice (1):
Medicare	34	%	30	%	23	%
Non-Medicare	2	%	1	%	1	%
Personal Care	3	%	4	%	5	%
	100	%	100	%	100	%

(1) Acquired Compassionate Care Hospice on February 1, 2019, RoseRock Healthcare on April 1, 2019, Asana Hospice on January 1, 2020 and AseraCare Hospice on June 1, 2020.

Home Health Revenue Recognition

Medicare Revenue

Effective January 1, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") implemented a revised case-mix adjustment methodology, the Patient-Driven Groupings Model ("PDGM"), to better align payment with patient care needs and ensure that clinically complex and ill beneficiaries have adequate access to home health care. PDGM uses 30-day periods of care rather than 60-day episodes of care as the unit of payment, eliminates the use of the number of therapy visits provided in determining payment and relies more heavily on clinical characteristics and other patient information.

Net service revenue is recorded based on the established Federal Medicare home health payment rate for a 30-day period of care. ASC 606 notes that if an entity has a right to consideration from a customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value of the entity’s performance completed to date, the entity may recognize revenue in the amount to which the entity has a right to invoice. We have elected to apply the "right to invoice" practical expedient and therefore, our revenue recognition is based on the reimbursement we are entitled to for each 30-day payment period. We utilize our historical average length of stay for each 30-day period of care as the measure of progress towards the satisfaction of our performance obligation.

PDGM uses timing, admission source, functional impairment levels and principal and other diagnoses to case-mix adjust payments. The case-mix adjusted payment for a 30-day period of care is subject to additional adjustments based on certain variables including, but not limited to: (a) an outlier payment if our patient’s care was unusually costly (capped at 10% of total reimbursement per provider number); (b) a low utilization payment adjustment (“LUPA”) if the number of visits provided was less than the established threshold, which ranges from two to six visits and varies for every case-mix group under PDGM; (c) a partial payment if a patient transferred to another provider or from another provider before completing the 30-day period of care; and (d) the applicable geographic wage index. Payments for routine and non-routine supplies are now included in the 30-day payment rate.

Medicare can also make various adjustments to payments received if we are unable to produce appropriate billing documentation or acceptable authorizations. We estimate the impact of such adjustments based on our historical experience, which primarily includes a historical collection rate of over 99% on Medicare claims, and record this estimate during the period in which services are rendered to revenue with a corresponding reduction to patient accounts receivable.

Amounts due from Medicare include variable consideration for retroactive revenue adjustments due to settlements of audits and payment reviews. We determine our estimates for non-contractual revenue adjustments related to payment reviews based on our historical experience and success rates in the claim appeals and adjudication process.

The Medicare home health benefit requires that beneficiaries be homebound (meaning that the beneficiary is unable to leave his/her home without a considerable and taxing effort), require intermittent skilled nursing, physical therapy or speech therapy services, and receive treatment under a plan of care established and periodically reviewed by a physician. In order to provide greater flexibility during the novel coronavirus pandemic ("COVID-19"), CMS has relaxed the definition of homebound status through the duration of the public health emergency. During the pandemic, a beneficiary is considered homebound if they have been instructed by a physician not to leave their home because of a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 diagnosis or if the patient has a condition that makes them more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. Therefore, if a beneficiary is homebound due to COVID-19 and requires skilled services, the services will be covered under the Medicare home health benefit.

All Medicare contracts are required to have a signed plan of care which represents a single performance obligation, comprised of the delivery of a series of distinct services that are substantially similar and have a similar pattern of transfer to the customer. Accordingly, the Company accounts for the series of services ("episode") as a single performance obligation satisfied over time, as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the goods and services provided. An episode starts the first day a billable visit is performed and ends 60 days later or upon discharge, if earlier, with multiple continuous episodes allowed.

A portion of reimbursement from each Medicare episode, referred to as a request for anticipated payment ("RAP"), is billed near the start of each 30-day period of care, and cash is typically received before all services are rendered. Any cash received from Medicare for a RAP for a 30-day period of care that exceeds the associated revenue earned is recorded to accrued expenses within our consolidated balance sheets. CMS reduced the upfront payment for RAPs to 20% for 2020 and has fully eliminated payments associated with RAPs in 2021.

Non-Medicare Revenue

Episodic-based Revenue. We recognize revenue in a similar manner as we recognize Medicare revenue for amounts that are paid by other insurance carriers, including Medicare Advantage programs; however, these amounts can vary based upon the negotiated terms which generally range from 90% to 100% of Medicare rates.

Non-episodic based Revenue. Gross revenue is recorded on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal to our established or estimated per-visit rates. Contractual revenue adjustments are recorded for the difference between our standard rates and the contracted rates to be realized from patients, third parties and others for services provided and are deducted from gross revenue to determine net service revenue. We also make non-contractual revenue adjustments to non-episodic revenue based on our historical experience to reflect the estimated transaction price. We receive a minimal amount of our net service revenue from patients who are either self-insured or are obligated for an insurance co-payment.

Hospice Revenue Recognition

Hospice Medicare Revenue

Gross revenue is recorded on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal to the estimated payment rates. The estimated payment rates are predetermined daily or hourly rates for each of the four levels of care we deliver. The four levels of care are routine care, general inpatient care, continuous home care and respite care. Routine care accounted for 97% of our total Medicare hospice service revenue for each of 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. There are two separate payment rates for routine care: payments for the first 60 days of care and care beyond 60 days. In addition to the two routine rates, we may also receive a service intensity add-on (“SIA”). The SIA is based on visits made in the last seven days of life by a registered nurse or medical social worker for patients in a routine level of care.

The performance obligation is the delivery of hospice services to the patient, as determined by a physician, each day the patient is on hospice care.

We make adjustments to Medicare revenue for non-contractual revenue adjustments, which include our inability to obtain appropriate billing documentation or acceptable authorizations and other reasons unrelated to credit risk. We estimate the impact of these non-contractual revenue adjustments based on our historical experience, which primarily includes a historical collection rate of over 99% on Medicare claims, and record it during the period services are rendered.

Additionally, our hospice service revenue is subject to certain limitations on payments from Medicare which are considered variable consideration. We are subject to an inpatient cap limit and an overall Medicare payment cap for each provider number. We monitor these caps on a provider-by-provider basis and estimate amounts due back to Medicare if we estimate a cap has been exceeded. We record these adjustments as a reduction to revenue and an increase in accrued expenses within our consolidated balance sheets. Providers are required to self-report and pay their estimated cap liability by February 28th of the following year. As of December 31, 2020, we have settled our Medicare hospice reimbursements for all fiscal years through October 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2020, we have recorded $9.3 million for estimated amounts due back to Medicare in accrued expenses for the Federal cap years ended October 31, 2014 through September 30, 2021; approximately $2.0 million of this balance was acquired with the AseraCare Hospice ("AseraCare") acquisition. As of December 31, 2019, we had recorded $5.7 million for estimated amounts due back to Medicare in accrued expenses for the Federal cap years ended October 31, 2013 through September 30, 2020.

Hospice Non-Medicare Revenue

Gross revenue is recorded on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal to our established rates or estimated per day rates, as applicable. Contractual revenue adjustments are recorded for the difference between our standard rates and the contractual rates to be realized from patients, third party payors and others for services provided and are deducted from gross revenue to determine our net service revenue. We also make non-contractual adjustments to non-Medicare revenue based on our historical experience to reflect the estimated transaction price.

Personal Care Revenue Recognition

Personal Care Revenue

We generate net service revenues by providing our services directly to patients based on authorized hours, visits or units determined by the relevant agency, at a rate that is either contractual or fixed by legislation. Net service revenue is recognized at the time services are rendered based on gross charges for the services provided, reduced by estimates for contractual and non-contractual revenue adjustments. We receive payment for providing such services from payors, including state and local governmental agencies, managed care organizations, commercial insurers and private consumers. Payors include the following elder service agencies: Aging Services Access Points ("ASAPs"), Senior Care Options ("SCOs"), Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly ("PACE") and the Veterans Administration ("VA").

Government Grants

In the absence of specific guidance to account for government grants under U.S. GAAP, we have decided to account for government grants in accordance with International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 20, Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance, and as such, we recognize grant income on a systematic basis in line with the recognition of expenses or the loss of revenues for which the grants are intended to compensate. We recognize grants once both of the following conditions are met: (1) we are able to comply with the relevant conditions of the grant and (2) the grant will be received. See Note 3 - Novel Coronavirus Pandemic ("COVID-19") for additional information on our accounting for government funds received under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") and the Mass Home Care ASAP COVID-19 Provider Sustainability Program.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted CashCash and cash equivalents include certificates of deposit and all highly liquid debt instruments with maturities of three months or less when purchased.

Patient Accounts Receivable

We report accounts receivable from services rendered at their estimated transaction price, which includes contractual and non-contractual revenue adjustments based on the amounts expected to be due from payors. Our patient accounts receivable are uncollateralized and consist of amounts due from Medicare, Medicaid, other third-party payors and patients. The Company's non-Medicare third-party payor base is comprised of a diverse group of payors that are geographically dispersed across the country. As of December 31, 2020, there is no single payor, other than Medicare, that accounts for more than 10% of our total outstanding patient receivables. Thus, we believe there are no other significant concentrations of receivables that would subject us to any significant credit risk in the collection of our patient accounts receivable. We write off accounts on a monthly basis once we have exhausted our collection efforts and deem an account to be uncollectible. We believe the collectibility risk associated with our Medicare accounts, which represent 64% and 58% of our net patient accounts receivable at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, is limited due to our historical collection rate of over 99% from Medicare and the fact that Medicare is a U.S. government payor.

We do not believe there are any significant concentrations of revenues from any payor that would subject us to any significant credit risk in the collection of our accounts receivable.

Medicare Home Health

For our home health patients, our pre-billing process includes verifying that we are eligible for payment from Medicare for the services that we provide to our patients. Our Medicare billing begins with a process to ensure that our billings are accurate through the utilization of an electronic Medicare claim review. We submit a RAP for 20% of our estimated payment for each 30-day period of care. The RAP received for that billing period is then deducted from our final payment. If a final bill is not submitted within the greater of 90 days from the start of the 30-day period of care, or 60 days from the date the RAP was paid, any RAPs received for that billing period will be recouped by Medicare from any other claims in process for that particular provider number. The RAP claim must then be resubmitted. CMS has mandated the full elimination of all upfront payments associated with RAPs in 2021.

Medicare Hospice

For our hospice patients, our pre-billing process includes verifying that we are eligible for payment from Medicare for the services that we provide to our patients. Our Medicare billing begins with a process to ensure that our billings are accurate through the utilization of an electronic Medicare claim review. We bill Medicare on a monthly basis for the services provided to the patient.

Non-Medicare Home Health, Hospice, and Personal Care

For our non-Medicare patients, our pre-billing process primarily begins with verifying a patient’s eligibility for services with the applicable payor. Once the patient has been confirmed for eligibility, we will provide services to the patient and bill the applicable payor. Our review and evaluation of non-Medicare accounts receivable includes a detailed review of outstanding balances and special consideration to concentrations of receivables from particular payors or groups of payors with similar characteristics that would subject us to any significant credit risk.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets or life of the lease, if shorter. Additionally, we have internally developed computer software for our own use. Additions and improvements (including interest costs for construction of qualifying long-lived assets) are capitalized. Maintenance and repair expenses are charged to expense as incurred. The cost of property and equipment sold or disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the property and related accumulated depreciation accounts, and any gain or loss is credited or charged to other general and administrative expenses.

We assess the impairment of a long-lived asset group whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors we consider important that could trigger an impairment review include but are not limited to the following:

•A significant change in the extent or manner in which the long-lived asset group is being used.

•A significant change in the business climate that could affect the value of the long-lived asset group.

•A significant change in the market value of the assets included in the asset group.

If we determine that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we compare the carrying value of the asset group to the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is indicated. An impairment charge is recognized to the extent that the carrying value of the asset group exceeds its fair value.

We generally provide for depreciation over the following estimated useful service lives.


			Years
Building			39
Leasehold improvements			Lesser of lease term or expected useful life
Equipment and furniture			3 to 7
Vehicles			5
Computer software			2 to 7
Finance leases			3

The following table summarizes the balances related to our property and equipment for 2020 and 2019 (amounts in millions):


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Building and leasehold improvements	$	9.0	$	8.7
Equipment and furniture	53.1		55.6
Finance leases	5.9		5.2
Computer software	50.7		54.7
	118.7		124.2
Less: accumulated depreciation	(95.0)		(96.1)
	$	23.7	$	28.1

Depreciation expense for 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $12.1 million, $11.6 million and $10.8 million, respectively.

Business Combinations

We account for acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Acquisitions are accounted for as purchases and are included in our consolidated financial statements from their respective acquisition dates. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed, if any, are measured at fair value on the acquisition date using the appropriate valuation method. Goodwill generated from acquisitions is recognized for the excess of the purchase price over tangible and identifiable intangible assets. In determining the fair value of identifiable intangible assets, we use various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis, the income approach, the cost approach and the market approach. These valuation methods require us to make estimates and assumptions surrounding projected revenues and costs, future growth and discount rates.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the amount of the purchase price in excess of the fair values assigned to the underlying identifiable net assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an annual impairment test. Tests are performed more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. These events or circumstances include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in the business environment, regulatory environment or legal factors, or a substantial decline in the market capitalization of our stock.

Each of our operating segments described in Note 14 – Segment Information is considered to represent an individual reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing purposes. We consider each of our home health care centers to constitute an individual business for which discrete financial information is available. However, since these care centers have substantially similar operating and economic characteristics and resource allocations and since significant investment decisions concerning these businesses are centralized and the benefits broadly distributed, we have aggregated these care centers and deemed them to constitute a single reporting unit. We have applied this same aggregation principle to our hospice and personal-care care centers and have also deemed each of them to be a single reporting unit.

During 2020, we performed a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units are less than their carrying values by evaluating relevant events and circumstances including financial performance, market conditions and share price. Based on this assessment, we did not record any goodwill impairment charges and none of the goodwill associated with our various reporting units was considered at risk of impairment as of October 31, 2020. Since the date of our last annual goodwill impairment test, there have been no material developments, events, changes in operating performance or other circumstances that would cause management to believe it is more likely than not that the fair value of any of our reporting units would be less than their carrying amounts.Intangible assets consist of certificates of need, licenses, acquired names and non-compete agreements. We amortize non-compete agreements and acquired names that we do not intend to use indefinitely on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which are generally two to three years for non-compete agreements and up to three years for acquired names. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the intangible asset below its carrying amount.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt Issuance CostsDuring 2019, we recorded $0.8 million in deferred debt issuance costs as a reduction to long-term obligations, less current portion in our consolidated balance sheet in connection with our entry into the Amended Credit Agreement (See Note 8 - Long-Term Obligations). As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had unamortized debt issuance costs of $2.7 million and $3.5 million, respectively, recorded as a reduction to long-term obligations, less current portion in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We amortize deferred debt issuance costs related to our long-term obligations over the term of the obligation through interest expense, unless the debt is extinguished, in which case unamortized balances are immediately expensed.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following details our financial instruments where the carrying value and the fair value differ (amounts in millions):


	Fair Value at Reporting Date Using
Financial Instrument	Carrying Value as of December 31, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Long-term obligations	$	215.1	$	—	$	217.7	$	—

The fair value hierarchy is based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value. The three levels of inputs are as follows:

•Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

•Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

•Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Our deferred compensation plan assets are recorded at fair value and are considered a level 2 measurement. For our other financial instruments, including our cash and cash equivalents, patient accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and employee benefits and accrued expenses, we estimate the carrying amounts approximate fair value.

Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability approach for measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities based on temporary differences existing at each balance sheet date using currently enacted tax rates. Our deferred tax calculation requires us to make certain estimates about future operations. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when we believe it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect of a change in tax rate is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, our net deferred tax assets were $48.0 million and $21.4 million, respectively.

Management regularly assesses the ability to realize deferred tax assets recorded in the Company’s entities based upon the weight of available evidence, including such factors as the recent earnings history and expected future taxable income. In the event future taxable income is below management’s estimates or is generated in tax jurisdictions different than projected, we could be required to increase the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. This would result in an increase in our effective tax rate.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based CompensationWe record all share-based compensation as expense in the financial statements measured at the fair value of the award. We recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award.

Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding

Weighted-Average Shares OutstandingNet income per share attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders, calculated on the treasury stock method, is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.

Advertising Costs

Advertising CostsWe expense advertising costs as incurred.