Reports Record Quarterly Patient Volume
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. ("USPH" or the "Company") (NYSE: USPH), a national operator of outpatient physical therapy clinics and provider of industrial injury prevention services, today reported results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Adjusted EBITDA (1), a non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") measure, was $21.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 ("2024 Third Quarter"), an increase of $2.5 million from $18.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023 ("2023 Third Quarter").
- Operating Results (1), a non-GAAP measure, was $10.4 million in the 2024 Third Quarter, an increase of $1.1 million from $9.2 million in the 2023 Third Quarter. On a per share basis, Operating Results was $0.69 in the 2024 Third Quarter compared to $0.62 in the 2023 Third Quarter.
- Net income attributable to USPH's shareholders ("USPH Net Income"), a GAAP measure, was $6.6 million for the 2024 Third Quarter and earnings per share was $0.39. USPH Net Income and earnings per share included a charge of $2.5 million, net of $0.9 million tax, or $0.16 per share, associated with the closure of 32 clinics during the 2024 Third Quarter. Excluding these clinic closure costs, USPH Net Income was $9.1 million (1) compared to $9.3 million (1) in the comparable prior year period while earnings per share was $0.55 (1) and $0.51 (1) over the same periods, respectively.
- Total revenue from physical therapy operations for the 2024 Third Quarter increased $12.2 million, or 9.3%, to $142.7 million.
- Net rate per patient visit for the 2024 Third Quarter increased to $105.65 from $102.37 for the 2023 Third Quarter, an increase of 3.2%, despite the 1.8% Medicare rate reduction which went into effect at the beginning of 2024. The increase in net rate per patient visit reflects the Company's strategic priority of increasing reimbursement rates through contract negotiations with commercial and other payors as well as growth in workers compensation as a percent of the Company's overall mix of business.
- Average daily patient visits per clinic was 30.1 for the 2024 Third Quarter, a record-high for a third quarter, compared to 29.7 in the comparable prior year quarter. Total patient visits were 1,317,051 in the 2024 Third Quarter, a 6.0% increase from the 2023 Third Quarter.
- Industrial injury prevention services ("IIP") revenue was $25.3 million for the 2024 Third Quarter, an increase of 29.9% as compared to the 2023 Third Quarter. IIP income was $5.6 million in the 2024 Third Quarter, an increase of $1.2 million, or 27.1%, from $4.4 million in the 2023 Third Quarter.
- During the 2024 Third Quarter, the Company added 12 clinics and closed 32 clinics bringing its total owned and/or managed clinic count to 700 as of September 30, 2024. Results for the 32 closed clinics are included in the 2024 Third Quarter results as they were mostly closed at the end of the quarter. The closures optimize the Company's portfolio to focus management's efforts on growth initiatives and acquisition opportunities.
- On August 31, 2024, the Company acquired a 70% equity interest in an eight-clinic practice with the practice owners retaining a 30% equity interest. The business currently generates $5.5 million in annual revenues.
- On October 31, 2024, the Company acquired a 50% equity interest in a management services organization that provides management and administrative services to 50 physical therapy clinics with the owners retaining a 50% equity interest. Through its managed therapy providers, the Company currently generates approximately $64.0 million in annual revenue and approximately $12.0 million in annual EBITDA on a consolidated basis.
- The Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.44 per share payable on December 6, 2024, to shareholders of record on November 15, 2024.
__________________________ | |
(1) | These are Non-GAAP Measures. See pages 12 to 14 of this release for the definition and reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, Operating Results and other Non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. |
MANAGEMENT'S COMMENTS
Chris Reading, Chief Executive Officer, said, "In any challenging environment, action is necessary to adjust one's trajectory and our team has been taking action that will assist us in our path forward. First, we have made a number of adjustments to our footprint in terms of very important larger additions, and reciprocally in paring assets that aren't providing an adequate return but require resources and attention. Next our operations team, along with our partners, have moved to make some subtle individual clinic adjustments that, while mostly minor in nature, aggregate to a significant amount across our current portfolio in excess of 700 clinics. These efforts will primarily begin to bear fruit in the final quarter of this year. Demand for our services remains at an all-time high with visits per clinic per day at record levels for any third quarter, and our IIP growth continues at a significant pace. Finally, all of the work that has been done on rate support is now starting to show up and that will help us meaningfully along with our cost alignment as we close out the year and begin to implement our plans for 2025."
2024 THIRD QUARTER VERSUS 2023 THIRD QUARTER
Additional supplemental tables of financial and performance metrics are presented on page 15 of this release.
Physical Therapy Operations | ||||||||
For the Three Months Ended | Variance | |||||||
September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | $ | % | |||||
(In thousands, except percentages) | ||||||||
Revenue related to: | ||||||||
Mature Clinics (1) | $ 126,173 | $ 120,612 | $ 5,561 | 4.6% | ||||
Clinic additions (2) | 11,337 | 3,585 | 7,752 | *(9) | ||||
Clinics sold or closed (3) | 1,636 | 3,046 | (1,410) | *(9) | ||||
Net Patient Revenue | 139,146 | 127,243 | 11,903 | 9.4% | ||||
Other (4) | 3,568 | 3,278 | 290 | 8.8% | ||||
Total | 142,714 | 130,521 | 12,193 | 9.3% | ||||
Operating costs (4)(7) | 119,207 | 107,016 | 12,191 | 11.4% | ||||
Gross profit (7) | $ 23,507 | $ 23,505 | $ 2 | 0.0% | ||||
Financial and operating metrics (not in thousands): | ||||||||
Net rate per patient visit (1) | $ 105.65 | $ 102.37 | $ 3.28 | 3.2% | ||||
Patient visits (1) | 1,317,051 | 1,242,954 | 74,097 | 6.0% | ||||
Average daily visits per clinic (1) | 30.1 | 29.7 | 0.4 | 1.3% | ||||
Gross margin | 16.5% | 18.0% | ||||||
Gross margin, excluding closure costs, Non-GAAP (6)(8) | 18.9% | 18.0% | ||||||
Salaries and related costs per visit, clinics (5) | $ 62.47 | $ 60.35 | $ 2.12 | 3.5% | ||||
Operating costs per visit, clinics (5)(7) | $ 88.98 | $ 84.49 | $ 4.49 | 5.3% | ||||
Operating costs per visit, clinics, excluding closure costs (5)(6) | $ 86.37 | $ 84.47 | $ 1.90 | 2.2% | ||||
__________________________ | ||||||||
(1) See Glossary of Terms - Revenue Metrics for definitions. | ||||||||
(2) Includes 33 clinics added during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 46 clinic added during the year ended December 31, 2023. | ||||||||
(3) Includes 43 clinics closed during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 15 clinics closed during the year ended December 31, 2023. | ||||||||
(4) Includes revenues and costs from management contracts. | ||||||||
(5) Per visit costs excludes management contract costs. | ||||||||
(6) Excludes $3.4 million of costs associated with the closure of 32 clinics during the 2024 Third Quarter. | ||||||||
(7) Includes $3.4 million of costs associated with the closure of 32 clinics during the 2024 Third Quarter. | ||||||||
(8) Refer to reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to most comparable GAAP measures for more information. | ||||||||
(9) Not meaningful. |
Net revenue from physical therapy operations increased $12.2 million, or 9.3%, to $142.7 million for the 2024 Third Quarter from $130.5 million for the 2023 Third Quarter. This increase was due to the increase in visits from the 21 net clinics added since the comparable prior year period, a 2.4% increase in visits at mature clinics and an increase in net rate per patient visit. The increase in net rate per patient visit was mainly driven by higher reimbursement rates from commercial and other payors as a result of contract negotiations and an increase in workers compensation as a percent of the Company's total net patient revenues.
Operating costs from physical therapy operations increased $12.2 million, or 11.4%, to $119.2 million in the 2024 Third Quarter from $107.0 million in the 2023 Third Quarter primarily driven by the 21 net new clinics added since the comparable prior year period and $3.4 million of costs associated with the closure of 32 clinics during the 2024 Third Quarter. Excluding the clinic closure costs, operating costs increased 8.2% (1). Salaries and related costs per visit was $62.47 in the 2024 Third Quarter compared to $60.35 in the 2023 Third Quarter while total operating costs per visit was $88.98 compared to $84.49 over the same periods, respectively. Excluding the clinic closure costs, operating costs per visit was $86.37 in the 2024 Third Quarter.
Gross profit from physical therapy operations in the 2024 Third Quarter was $23.5 million with a gross profit margin of 16.5%. Excluding closure costs, gross profit from physical therapy operations was $26.9 million (1), an increase of $3.4 million, or 14.5%, over the 2023 Third Quarter, and the gross profit margin from physical therapy operations was 18.9% (1) in the 2024 Third Quarter, an increase of 90 basis points from 18.0% in the 2023 Third Quarter.
__________________________ | |
(1) | These are Non-GAAP Measures. Refer to reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to most comparable GAAP measures for more information. |
Industrial Injury Prevention Services | |||||||
For the Three Months Ended | Variance | ||||||
September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2023 | $ | % | ||||
(In thousands, except percentages) | |||||||
Net revenue | $ 25,319 | $ 19,486 | $ 5,833 | 29.9% | |||
Operating costs | 19,695 | 15,062 | 4,633 | 30.8% | |||
Gross profit | $ 5,624 | $ 4,424 | $ 1,200 | 27.1% | |||
Gross margin | 22.2% | 22.7% |
IIP revenues increased $5.8 million, or 29.9%, to $25.3 million for the 2024 Third Quarter as compared to $19.5 million for the 2023 Third Quarter. Excluding the Company's IIP acquisitions during the years 2023 and 2024, IIP revenues increased 12.9%. Gross profit from IIP operations in the 2024 Third Quarter increased $1.2 million, or 27.1%, to $5.6 million from $4.4 million in the 2023 Third Quarter. Excluding the Company's IIP acquisitions during the years 2023 and 2024, IIP gross profit increased 13.2%. The gross profit margin from IIP operations was 22.2% in the 2024 Third Quarter compared to 22.7% in the 2023 Third Quarter.
Corporate Office and Other Expenses
Corporate office costs were $14.4 million, or 8.6% of net revenue, in the 2024 Third Quarter compared to $12.0 million, or 8.0% of revenue in the 2023 Third Quarter.
Operating income was $14.7 million for the 2024 Third Quarter compared to $15.9 million for the 2023 Third Quarter. Excluding the clinic closure costs, operating income was $18.2 million(1) in the 2024 Third Quarter.
Interest expense decreased $0.1 million to $2.0 million for the 2024 Third Quarter compared to $2.1 million in the 2023 Third Quarter due to a lower outstanding balance on our term loan. The interest rate on the Company's credit facility was 4.7% for the 2024 Third Quarter and 4.9% for the 2023 Third Quarter, with an all-in effective interest rate, including all associated costs of 5.4% and 5.6% over the same periods, respectively.
Interest income from investing excess cash (primarily proceeds from the secondary offering sale of the Company's stock completed in May 2023) in a high-yield savings account decreased to $1.0 million during the 2024 Third Quarter from $1.7 million in the 2023 Third Quarter as a result of the Company's lower cash balance in the 2024 Third Quarter, due to cash used for acquisitions since the comparable prior year period.
The Company revalued contingent and put-right liabilities related to certain acquisitions and recognized a net non-cash expense (an increase in the related liabilities) of $1.7 million in the 2024 Third Quarter.
The provision for income taxes was $2.6 million in the 2024 Third Quarter compared to $3.6 million during the 2023 Third Quarter while the effective tax rate was 27.9% and 27.8% over the same periods, respectively.
__________________________ | |
(1) | These are Non-GAAP Measures. Refer to reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to most comparable GAAP measures for more information. |
USPH Net Income and Non-GAAP Measures
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest (temporary and permanent) was $3.1 million in the 2024 Third Quarter compared to $3.0 million in the 2023 Third Quarter.
USPH Net Income was $6.6 million for the 2024 Third Quarter. In accordance with GAAP, the revaluation of redeemable non-controlling interest, net of taxes, is not included in net income but is charged directly to retained earnings; however, this change is included in the computation of earnings per share. Earnings per share for the 2024 Third Quarter was $0.39. USPH Net Income and earnings per share included a charge of $2.5 million, net of $1.0 million tax, or $0.16 per share, associated with the closure of 32 clinics during the 2024 Third Quarter. Excluding the clinic closure costs, USPH Net Income was $9.1 million (1) compared to $9.3 million (1) in the comparable prior year period while earnings per share was $0.55 (1) and $0.51 (1) over the same periods, respectively.
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA (1) was $21.1 million for the 2024 Third Quarter, an increase of $2.5 million, from $18.6 million for the 2023 Third Quarter. Non-GAAP Operating Results (1) was $10.4 million, or $0.69 per share, in the 2024 Third Quarter, an increase of $1.1 million, or $0.07 per share, as compared to $9.2 million, or $0.62 per share, in the 2023 Third Quarter.
__________________________ | |
(1) | These are Non-GAAP Measures. See pages 12 to 14 of this release for the definition and reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, Operating Results and other Non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. |
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 VERSUS NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
Total net revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 ("2024 Nine Months") increased $40.9 million, or 9.1%, to $490.9 million from $450.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 ("2023 Nine Months") while operating costs increased $40.5 million, or 11.3%, to $399.5 million from $359.0 million over the same periods, respectively. Gross profit, which included $4.1 million of costs associated with the 43 clinic closures, was $91.4 million, or 18.6% of net revenue, during the 2024 Nine Months compared to $91.0 million, or 20.2% of net revenue, for the 2023 Nine Months. Excluding the clinic closure costs, gross profit for the 2024 Nine Months was $95.5 million (1), or 19.5% of net revenue (1), compared to $91.2 million (1), or 20.3% of net revenue (1), for the 2023 Nine Months.
Revenues from physical therapy operations increased $28.7 million, or 7.3%, to $420.6 million in the 2024 Nine Months compared to $391.9 million in the 2023 Nine Months. This increase was primarily due to the increase in volume from the 21 net clinics added since the comparable prior year period as well as an increase in net rate per patient visit to $104.71 for 2024 Nine Months from $102.50 for 2023 Nine Months. Gross profit from physical therapy operations, which included $4.1 million of costs associated with the 43 clinic closures, was $76.4 million, or 18.2% of net revenue, for the 2024 Nine Months compared to $78.8 million, or 20.1% of net revenue, for the 2023 Nine Months. Excluding the clinic closure costs, physical therapy gross profit was $80.5 million (1), or 19.1% of net revenue (1), in the 2024 Nine Months compared to $79.0 million (1), or 20.2% of net revenue (1), in the 2023 Nine Months.
Revenues from IIP increased $12.2 million, or 21.0%, to $70.3 million for the 2024 Nine Months from $58.1 million for the 2023 Nine Months. Gross profit from IIP operations increased $2.9 million, or 23.5%, to $15.0 million for the 2024 Nine Months from $12.2 million for the 2023 Nine Months while the gross profit margin from IIP operations increased to 21.4% for the 2024 Nine Months from 21.0% for the 2023 Nine Months.
Corporate office costs were $42.7 million, or 8.7% of net revenue, in the 2024 Nine Months, compared to $38.1 million, or 8.5% of net revenue, in the 2023 Nine Months.
Operating income was $48.7 million for the 2024 Nine Months compared to $52.9 million for the 2023 Nine Months. Excluding the clinic closure costs, operating income was $52.8 million (1) in the 2024 Nine Months.
Other expenses were $6.8 million in the 2024 Nine Months compared to $3.7 million in the 2023 Nine Months, with the increase primarily due to increased net expense related to the fair value adjustments of certain contingent earn-out consideration and a put liability partially offset by lower interest expense as a result of lower outstanding borrowings and higher interest income from investing excess cash associated with proceeds from the Company's secondary offering completed in May 2023.
The provision for income tax was $8.8 million for the 2024 Nine Months and $10.8 million for the 2023 Nine Months while the effective tax rate was 28.4% and 28.1% over the same periods, respectively.
USPH Net Income was $22.2 million for the 2024 Nine Months as compared to $27.6 million for the 2023 Nine Months while earnings per share was $1.32 for the 2024 Nine Months compared to $1.72 for the 2023 Nine Months. USPH Net Income and earnings per share included a charge of $2.9 million, net of $1.2 million tax, or $0.20 per share, associated with the closure of 43 clinics during the 2024 Nine Months. Excluding the clinic closure costs, USPH Net Income was $25.1 million (1) compared to $27.7 million (1) in the comparable period while earnings per share was $1.52 (1) and $1.73 (1) over the same periods, respectively.
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA (1) increased $1.1 million to $60.0 million for the 2024 Nine Months from $58.9 million in the 2023 Nine Months while non-GAAP Operating Results (1) increased $1.7 million to $29.2 million, or $1.94 per share, in the 2024 Nine Months from $27.5 million, or $1.97 per share, in the 2023 Nine Months.
For additional information on 2024 Nine Months results, please refer to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q which is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 8, 2024.
__________________________ | |
(1) | These are Non-GAAP Measures. See pages 12 to 14 of this release for the definition and reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, Operating Results and other Non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. |
BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW
Total cash and cash equivalents were $117.0 million as of September 30, 2024, compared to $152.8 million at December 31, 2023, with the decrease primarily related to cash used for acquisitions during 2024. Additionally, the Company had $140.6 million of outstanding borrowings and $175.0 million in available credit under its credit facilities as of September 30, 2024, compared to $144.4 million of outstanding borrowings and $175.0 million in available credit under its credit facilities as of December 31, 2023.
RECENT ACQUISITIONS
On August 31, 2024, the Company acquired a 70% equity interest in an eight-clinic practice with the practice owners retaining 30% equity interest. The business currently generates $5.5 million in annual revenues.
On October 31, 2024, the Company acquired a 50% equity interest in a management services organization that provides management and administrative services to 50 physical therapy clinics with the owners retaining a 50% equity interest. Through its managed therapy providers, the Company currently generates approximately $64.0 million in annual revenue and approximately $12.0 million in annual EBITDA on a consolidated basis.
The Company's strategy is to continue acquiring multi-clinic outpatient physical therapy practices, to develop outpatient physical therapy clinics as satellites in existing partnerships and to continue acquiring companies that provide industrial injury prevention services.
QUARTERLY DIVIDEND
The Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.44 per share payable on December 6, 2024, to shareholders of record on November 15, 2024.
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
U.S. Physical Therapy's management will host a conference call at 10:30 a.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. CT, on November 6, 2024, to discuss the Company's financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing (800) 245-3047 (Primary) or (203) 518-9765 (Alternate) and conference ID of USPHQ324. Please call approximately 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. To listen to the live call, go to the Company's website at at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to listen live, a playback of the conference call can be accessed until February 4, 2025, at the Company's website.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains statements that are considered to be forward-looking within the meaning under Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements contain forward-looking information relating to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of our Company. These statements (often using words such as "believes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "appear," "should" and similar words) involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those we expect. Included among such statements may be those relating to new clinics, availability of personnel and the reimbursement environment. The forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks, uncertainties, and factors, which include, but are not limited to:
- changes in Medicare rules and guidelines and reimbursement or failure of our clinics to maintain their Medicare certification and/or enrollment status;
- revenue we receive from Medicare and Medicaid being subject to potential retroactive reduction;
- changes in reimbursement rates or payment methods from third party payors including government agencies, and changes in the deductibles and co-pays owed by patients;
- compliance with federal and state laws and regulations relating to the privacy of individually identifiable patient information, and associated fines and penalties for failure to comply;
- competitive, economic or reimbursement conditions in our markets which may require us to reorganize or close certain clinics and thereby incur losses and/or closure costs including the possible write-down or write-off of goodwill and other intangible assets;
- the impact of future public health crises and epidemics/pandemics, such as was the case with the novel strain of COVID-19 and its variants;
- one of our acquisition agreements contains a put right related to a future purchase of a majority interest in a separate company;
- the impact of future vaccinations and/or testing mandates at the federal, state and/or local level, which could have an adverse impact on staffing, revenue, costs and the results of operations;
- our debt and financial obligations could adversely affect our financial condition, our ability to obtain future financing and our ability to operate our business;
- changes as the result of government enacted national healthcare reform;
- business and regulatory conditions including federal and state regulations;
- governmental and other third party payor inspections, reviews, investigations and audits, which may result in sanctions or reputa
Contacts
U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.
Carey Hendrickson, Chief Financial Officer
email: chendrickson@usph.com
Chris Reading, Chief Executive Officer
(713) 297-7000
Three Part Advisors
Joe Noyons
(817) 778-8424
Read full story here