Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation: The condensed consolidated financial statements of McKesson 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 or 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 5, “Healthcare Technology Net Asset Exchange” for further information on our equity method investment in Change Healthcare, LLC (“Change Healthcare”).

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.

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.

Use of Estimates

The results of operations for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2018 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, 2018 previously filed with the SEC on May 24, 2018 (“2018 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.

Reclassification

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

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

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Recognition: In the first quarter of 2019, we adopted amended guidance for revenue recognition using the modified retrospective method and applied the amended guidance to those contracts which were not completed as of April 1, 2018. Under the amended guidance, revenue is 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. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Our equity method investee, Change Healthcare, is required to adopt the amended guidance no later than our first quarter of 2020. Change Healthcare is currently evaluating the adoption impact.

Revenues generated from the distribution of pharmaceutical and medical products represent the majority of our revenues. We order product from the manufacturer, receive and carry the product at our central distribution facilities and deliver the product directly to our customers’ warehouses, hospitals or retail pharmacies. The distribution business principally generates revenue from a contract related to a confirmed purchase order with a customer in a distribution arrangement. Revenue is recognized when control of goods is transferred to the customer which occurs upon our delivery to the customer or upon customer pick-up. We also earn revenues from a variety of other sources including our retail, services and technology businesses. Retail revenues are recognized at the point of sale. Service revenues, including technology service revenues, are recognized when services are provided to the customer. Revenues derived from distribution and retail business at the point of sale, and revenues derived from services represent approximately 98% and 2% of total revenues for the third quarter of 2019 and first nine months of 2019.  

Revenues are recorded gross when we are the principal in the transaction, have the ability to direct the use of the goods or services prior to transfer to a customer, are responsible for fulfilling the promise to our customer, have latitude in establishing prices, and control the relationship with the customer. We record our revenues net of sales taxes. Revenues are measured based on the amount of consideration that we expect to receive, reduced by estimates for return allowances, other discounts and rebates. Sales returns are accrued based on estimates using historical data. Assets for the right to recover products from customers and the associated refund liabilities for return allowances were not material as of December 31, 2018. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control over a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in selling, distribution and administrative expenses. We record deferred revenues when payments are received or due in advance of our performance. Deferred revenues are primarily from our services arrangements and are recognized as revenues over the periods when services are performed.

Upon adoption, we had no material contract assets, contract liabilities or deferred contract costs recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

We elected the practical expedient and generally expense costs to obtain a contract when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. Additionally, we do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less, (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed and (iii) contracts for which the variable consideration is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation or to a wholly unsatisfied promise to transfer a distinct good or service that forms part of a single performance obligation.

Share-Based Payments: In the first quarter of 2019, we prospectively adopted amended guidance for employee share-based payment awards. This amendment provides guidance on which changes to 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 of 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 adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Compensation - Retirement Benefits: In the first quarter of 2019, we retrospectively adopted amended guidance 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 costs are required to be presented in the statements of operations separately from the service cost component outside of operating income. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements. This amended guidance only resulted in a change in presentation of other components of net benefit costs on our condensed consolidated statement of operations (a reclassification from operating income to other income, net).

Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets: In the first quarter of 2019, we adopted on a modified retrospective basis amended guidance 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. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Business Combinations: In the first quarter of 2019, we prospectively adopted amended guidance that clarifies 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 adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Restricted Cash: In the first quarter of 2019, we retrospectively adopted amended guidance 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. Our restricted cash balances at December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018 were not material. The adoption of this amended guidance had no effect on our condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income or our balance sheets. This amended guidance resulted in a change in presentation of restricted cash on our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory: In the first quarter of 2019, we adopted on a modified retrospective basis amended guidance that requires entities to recognize income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Upon adoption of this amended guidance, we recorded $152 million of deferred tax assets with a corresponding cumulative-effect increase to the beginning balance of retained earnings in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the tax consequences relating to an intra-entity transfer of certain software on December 19, 2016.

Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments: In the first quarter of 2019, we retrospectively adopted amended guidance that provides 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 adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Financial Instruments: In the first quarter of 2019, we adopted amended guidance that requires investments in equity securities, excluding equity method investments or investees that are consolidated, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income and enhanced disclosures about those investments. The amended guidance also simplifies the impairment assessments of equity investments without readily determinable fair value. 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

Collaborative Arrangements: In November 2018, amended guidance was issued which clarifies that certain transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement should be accounted for under revenue recognition guidance when the counterparty is a customer. The amended guidance precludes presenting consideration from a transaction in a collaborative arrangement as revenue from contracts with customers if the counterparty is not a customer for that transaction. The amended guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2021 on a retrospective basis with a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. We may elect to apply this amended guidance retrospectively either to all contracts or only to contracts that are not completed at the date of initial adoption. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Derivatives and Hedging:  In October 2018, amended guidance was issued which allowed for the inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate Overnight Index Swap Rate as a benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. Concerns about the sustainability of the London Interbank Offered Rate as a benchmark interest rate led to efforts to identify an alternative rate. The amended guidance is effective for us on a prospective basis for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after 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.

Disclosure Update and Simplification: In August 2018, the SEC issued a final rule to simplify certain disclosure requirements. In addition, the amendments expanded the disclosure requirements on the analysis of stockholders’ equity for interim financial statements. In August and September 2018, further amendments were issued to provide implementation guidance on adoption of the SEC rule and transition guidance for the new interim stockholders’ equity disclosure. The amended guidance is effective for us commencing in the first quarter of 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this amended guidance to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, balance sheets or cash flows. This amended guidance will result in changes in disclosures.

Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software: In August 2018, amended guidance was issued for a customer’s accounting for implementation and other upfront costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The amended guidance aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs for a cloud computing arrangement that has a software license. The amended guidance is effective for us either on a retrospective or 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.

Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans: In August 2018, amended guidance was issued for defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The amended guidance requires us to disclose the weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and other plans with promised interest crediting rates, and an explanation of reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. The amended guidance also requires us to remove disclosures on the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs over the next fiscal year. The amended guidance is effective for us on a retrospective basis commencing in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this amended guidance to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, balance sheets or cash flows. This amended guidance will result in changes in disclosures.

Fair Value Measurement: In August 2018, amended guidance was issued to remove, modify and add disclosure requirements on the fair value measurements. The amended guidance removes disclosure requirements for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 measurements and valuation processes for Level 3 measurements but adds new disclosure requirements including changes in unrealized gains/losses in other comprehensive income related to recurring Level 3 measurements. The amended guidance is effective for us commencing in the first quarter of 2021. Certain requirements will be applied prospectively while other changes will be applied retrospectively upon the effective date. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this amended guidance to have a material effect on our condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, balance sheets or cash flows. This amended guidance will result in changes in disclosures.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income: In February 2018, amended guidance was issued to address a narrow-scope financial reporting issue that arose as a consequence of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”). Existing guidance requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be adjusted for a change in tax laws with the effect included in income from continuing operations in the reporting period that includes the enactment date. That guidance is applicable even in situations in which the related income tax effects of items in accumulated other comprehensive income were originally recognized in other comprehensive income rather in net income, such as amounts related to benefit plans and hedging activity. As a result, the tax effects of items within accumulated other comprehensive income do not reflect the appropriate tax rate. These differences are referred to as stranded tax effects. The amended guidance allows for a reclassification of only those amounts related to the 2017 Tax Act to retained earnings thereby eliminating the stranded tax effects. The amended guidance also requires certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. The amended guidance is effective for us commencing in the first quarter of 2020 on a prospective or retrospective basis. 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 do not expect the adoption of this amended guidance to have a material effect 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 collectability 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 guidance requires lessees to recognize lease liabilities and right-of-use assets (“ROU”) on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months and provides enhanced disclosures on key information of leasing arrangements. The amended guidance is effective for us commencing in the first quarter of 2020. Early adoption is permitted. We plan to adopt the amended guidance on a modified retrospective basis and expect to elect the package of practical expedients which will allow us to record the adoption impact as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the beginning retained earnings in the period of adoption. We expect the adoption of the amended guidance will materially affect our consolidated balance sheet and that the primary impact will be recognition of minimum commitments at present value of our noncancelable operating leases as lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets. We are continuing to evaluate the impact that the amended lease guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements, systems, processes and internal controls.

Commitments and Contingencies

In addition to commitments and obligations in the ordinary course of business, we are subject to various claims, including claims with customers and vendors, pending and potential legal actions for damages, investigations relating to governmental laws and regulations and other matters arising out of the normal conduct of our business. As described below, many of these proceedings are at preliminary stages and many seek an indeterminate amount of damages.

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 is also 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 potential 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.

Significant developments in previously reported proceedings and in other litigation and claims, since the filing of our 2018 Annual Report and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018 are set out below. We are party to the legal proceedings described below. Unless otherwise stated, we are currently unable to estimate a range of reasonably possible losses for the unresolved proceedings described below. Should any one or a combination of more than one of these proceedings be successful, or should we determine to settle any or a combination of these matters, we may be required to pay substantial sums, become subject to the entry of an injunction or be forced to change the manner in which we operate our business, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial position or results of operations.