Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation: The condensed consolidated financial statements of McKesson Corporation (“McKesson,” the “Company,” or “we” and other similar pronouns) include the financial statements of all wholly-owned subsidiaries and majority‑owned or controlled companies. For those consolidated subsidiaries where our ownership is less than 100%, the portion of the net income or loss allocable to the noncontrolling interests is reported as “Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests” on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation including the intercompany portion of transactions with equity method investees.

We consider ourselves to control an entity if we are the majority owner of and have voting control over such entity. We also assess control through means other than voting rights (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”) and determine which business entity is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. We consolidate VIEs when it is determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Investments in business entities in which we do not have control, but have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method. Refer to Financial Note 2, “Healthcare Technology Net Asset Exchange” for further information on our equity method investment in Change Healthcare, LLC.

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, therefore, do not include all information and disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

To prepare the financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of these financial statements and income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts may differ from these estimated amounts. In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.

The results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements, accounting policies and financial notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 previously filed with the SEC on May 22, 2017 (“2017 Annual Report”).

Fiscal Period

The Company’s fiscal year begins on April 1 and ends on March 31. Unless otherwise noted, all references to a particular year shall mean the Company’s fiscal year.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Investments: In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted amended guidance for the equity method of accounting. The amended guidance simplifies the transition to the equity method of accounting. This standard eliminates the requirement that when an existing cost method investment qualifies for use of the equity method, an investor must restate its historical financial statements, as if the equity method had been used during all previous periods. Additionally, at the point an investment qualifies for the equity method, any unrealized gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) will be recognized through earnings. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Derivatives and Hedging: In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted amended guidance for derivative instrument novations. The amendments clarify that a novation, a change in the counterparty, to a derivative instrument that has been designated as a hedging instrument does not, in and of itself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have an effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Consolidation: In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted amended guidance for VIEs. The amended guidance requires a single decision maker of a VIE to consider indirect economic interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control on a proportionate basis when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE.  This amendment does not change the existing characteristics of a primary beneficiary. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Inventory: In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted amended guidance for the subsequent measurement of inventory. The amended guidance requires entities to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The requirement would replace the current lower of cost or market evaluation. Accounting guidance is unchanged for inventory measured using last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) or the retail method. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Share-Based Payments: In May 2017, amended guidance was issued for employee share-based payment awards. This amendment provides guidance on which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. Under the amended guidance, we are required to account for the effects of a modification if the fair value, the vesting conditions or the classification (as an equity instrument or a liability instrument) of the modified award change from that of the original award immediately before the modification. The amended guidance is effective for us on a prospective basis commencing in the first quarter of 2019.  Early adoption is permitted.  We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Premium Amortization of Purchased Callable Debt Securities: In March 2017, amended guidance was issued to shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium.  The amended guidance requires the premium of callable debt securities to be amortized to the earliest call date but does not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount as they would still be amortized to maturity.  The amended guidance is effective for us on a modified retrospective basis commencing in the first quarter of 2020.  Early adoption is permitted.  We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Compensation - Retirement Benefits: In March 2017, amended guidance was issued which requires us to report the service cost component of defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. Other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the statements of operations separately from the service cost component. This amended guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2019 on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets: In February 2017, amended guidance was issued that defines the term “in substance nonfinancial asset” as a financial asset promised to a counterparty in a contract if substantially all of the fair value of the asset that is promised is concentrated in nonfinancial assets. The scope of this amendment includes nonfinancial assets transferred within a legal entity including a parent entity’s transfer of nonfinancial assets by transferring ownership interests in consolidated subsidiaries. The amendment excludes all businesses and nonprofit activities from its scope and therefore all entities, with limited exceptions, are required to account for the derecognition of a business or nonprofit activity in accordance with the consolidation guidance once this amended guidance becomes effective. We are required to apply this amended guidance at the same time we apply the amended revenue guidance in the first quarter of 2019. It allows for either full retrospective adoption or modified retrospective adoption.  Early adoption is permitted.  We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill Impairment Testing: In January 2017, amended guidance was issued to simplify goodwill impairment testing by eliminating the second step of the impairment test. Under the second step, the implied fair value of goodwill is calculated in a hypothetical analysis by subtracting the fair value of all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including any unrecognized intangible assets, from the fair value of the reporting unit calculated in the first step of the impairment test. If the carrying value of goodwill for the reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded for that excess. The amended guidance requires a one-step impairment test in which an entity compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, if any. The amended guidance is effective for us on a prospective basis commencing in the first quarter of 2021. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Business Combinations: In January 2017, amended guidance was issued to clarify the definition of a business to assist entities in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. The amended guidance provides a practical screen to determine when an integrated set of assets and activities (collectively referred to as a “set”) is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. If the screen is not met, the amended guidance requires that to be considered a business, a set must include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output. The amended guidance is effective for us commencing in the first quarter of 2019 on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted in certain circumstances.  We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Restricted Cash: In November 2016, amended guidance was issued that requires restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total cash amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. Transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents are not reported as cash flow activities in the statement of cash flows.  The amended guidance is effective for us commencing in the first quarter of 2019 on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory: In October 2016, amended guidance was issued to require entities to recognize income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The amended guidance is effective for us commencing in the first quarter of 2019 on a modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments: In August 2016, amended guidance was issued to provide clarification on cash flow classification related to eight specific issues including contingent consideration payments made after a business combination and distributions received from equity method investees.  The amended guidance is effective for us commencing in the first quarter of 2019 on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: In June 2016, amended guidance was issued, which will change the impairment model for most financial assets and require additional disclosures. The amended guidance requires financial assets that are measured at amortized cost, be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of financial assets. The amended guidance also requires us to consider historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectibility of the reported amount in estimating credit losses. The amended guidance becomes effective for us commencing in the first quarter of 2021 and will be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the beginning retained earnings in the year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted.  We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Leases: In February 2016, amended guidance was issued for lease arrangements. The amended standard will require lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months and provide enhanced disclosures on key information of leasing arrangements.  The amended guidance is effective for us commencing in the first quarter of 2020, on a modified retrospective basis.  Early adoption is permitted.  We plan to adopt the new standard on the effective date and are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our consolidated financial statements. We anticipate that the adoption of the amended lease guidance will materially affect our condensed consolidated balance sheet and will require certain changes to our systems and processes.

Financial Instruments: In January 2016, amended guidance was issued that requires equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income and enhanced disclosures about those investments. This guidance also simplifies the impairment assessments of equity investments without readily determinable fair value. The investments that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting or result in consolidation of the investee are excluded from the scope of this amended guidance. The amended guidance will become effective for us commencing in the first quarter of 2019 and will be adopted through a cumulative-effect adjustment. Early adoption is not permitted except for certain provisions.  We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition: In May 2014, amended guidance was issued for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers.  The amended guidance eliminates industry specific guidance and applies to all companies.  Revenues will be recognized when an entity satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of a promised good or service to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled for that good or service.  Revenue from a contract that contains multiple performance obligations is allocated to each performance obligation generally on a relative standalone selling price basis.  The amended guidance also requires additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures.  In March, April and May 2016, amended guidance was further issued including clarifying guidance on principal versus agent considerations, ability to choose an accounting policy election to account for shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer has obtained control of a good as an activity to fulfill the promise to transfer the good, and provided certain scope improvements and practical expedients.  The amended standard is effective for us commencing in the first quarter of 2019 and allows for either full retrospective adoption or modified retrospective adoption.  Early adoption is permitted.

While we continue to evaluate the effect of the amended standard, we have conducted a preliminary assessment for our Distribution Solutions segment and do not expect adoption of the amended standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.  The majority of our Distribution Solutions segment’s revenue is generated from sales of pharmaceutical products, which will continue to be recognized when control of the goods is transferred to the customer. We generally anticipate having substantially similar performance obligations under the amended guidance as compared with deliverables and units of account currently being recognized. We intend to make policy elections within the amended standard that are consistent with our current accounting. Our preliminary assessment does not include certain businesses for which we are exploring strategic alternatives and we continue to evaluate the potential impact of the recent acquisitions. This preliminary assessment is subject to change prior to adoption. Additionally, we anticipate adopting this amended standard on a modified retrospective basis in our first quarter of 2019.

Commitments and Contingencies

When a loss is considered probable and reasonably estimable, we record a liability in the amount of our best estimate for the ultimate loss. However, the likelihood of a loss with respect to a particular contingency is often difficult to predict and determining a meaningful estimate of the loss or a range of loss may not be practicable based on the information available and the potential effect of future events and decisions by third parties that will determine the ultimate resolution of the contingency. Moreover, it is not uncommon for such matters to be resolved over many years, during which time relevant developments and new information must be reevaluated at least quarterly to determine both the likelihood of potential loss and whether it is possible to reasonably estimate a range of possible loss. When a loss is probable but a reasonable estimate cannot be made, disclosure of the proceeding is provided.

Disclosure also is provided when it is reasonably possible that a loss will be incurred or when it is reasonably possible that the amount of a loss will exceed the recorded provision. We review all contingencies at least quarterly to determine whether the likelihood of loss has changed and to assess whether a reasonable estimate of the loss or range of loss can be made. As discussed above, development of a meaningful estimate of loss or a range of potential loss is complex when the outcome is directly dependent on negotiations with or decisions by third parties, such as regulatory agencies, the court system and other interested parties. Such factors bear directly on whether it is possible to reasonably estimate a range of potential loss and boundaries of high and low estimates.