Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

v3.19.3
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and in accordance with Regulation S-X of the SEC. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rennova Health, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Reclassifications

 

The Company has reclassified certain amounts in the 2017 consolidated financial statements to be consistent with the 2018 presentation. These principally relate to reclassification of bad debt, which is now presented as a reduction of revenue, as well as the balance sheet classification of derivative liabilities. The reclassifications had no impact on operations or cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, comprehensive loss was equal to the net loss amounts presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions include the estimates of fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, including hospital acquisitions, reserves and write-downs related to receivables and inventories, the recoverability of long-lived assets, stock based compensation, the valuation allowance relating to the Company’s deferred tax assets, valuation of equity and derivative instruments, deemed dividends and debt discounts, among others. Actual results could differ from those estimates and would impact future results of operations and cash flows.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid temporary cash investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company had minimal cash equivalents at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” including subsequently issued updates, related to revenue recognition. We adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018, using the full retrospective method. The adoption of the new standard did not have an impact on our recognition of net revenues for any periods prior to adoption. The most significant impact of adopting the new standard is to the presentation of our consolidated income statements, where we no longer present the provision for doubtful accounts as a separate line item and our revenues are presented net of estimated contract and related allowances.

 

Hospital Operations

 

Our revenues generally relate to contracts with patients in which our performance obligations are to provide health care services to the patients. Revenues are recorded during the period our obligations to provide health care services are satisfied. Our performance obligations for inpatient services are generally satisfied over periods that average approximately five days, and revenues are recognized based on charges incurred in relation to total expected charges. Our performance obligations for outpatient services are generally satisfied over a period of less than one day. The contractual relationships with patients, in most cases, also involve a third-party payer (Medicare, Medicaid, managed care health plans and commercial insurance companies, including plans offered through the health insurance exchanges) and the transaction prices for the services provided are dependent upon the terms provided by (Medicare and Medicaid) or negotiated with (managed care health plans and commercial insurance companies) the third-party payers. The payment arrangements with third-party payers for the services we provide to the related patients typically specify payments at amounts less than our standard charges. Medicare generally pays for inpatient and outpatient services at prospectively determined rates based on clinical, diagnostic and other factors. Services provided to patients having Medicaid coverage are generally paid at prospectively determined rates per discharge, per identified service or per covered member. Agreements with commercial insurance carriers, managed care and preferred provider organizations generally provide for payments based upon predetermined rates per diagnosis, per diem rates or discounted fee-for-service rates. Management continually reviews the contractual estimation process to consider and incorporate updates to laws and regulations and the frequent changes in managed care contractual terms resulting from contract renegotiations and renewals. Our revenues are based upon the estimated amounts we expect to be entitled to receive from patients and third-party payers. Estimates of contractual allowances under managed care and commercial insurance plans are based upon the payment terms specified in the related contractual agreements. Revenues related to uninsured patients and uninsured copayment and deductible amounts for patients who have health care coverage may have discounts applied (uninsured discounts and contractual discounts). We also record estimated implicit price concessions (based primarily on historical collection experience) related to uninsured accounts to record self-pay revenues at the estimated amounts we expect to collect.

 

Laws and regulations governing the Medicare and Medicaid programs are complex and subject to interpretation. Estimated reimbursement amounts are adjusted in subsequent periods as cost reports are prepared and filed and as final settlements are determined (in relation to certain government programs, primarily Medicare, this is generally referred to as the “cost report” filing and settlement process). There were no adjustments to estimated Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement amounts and disproportionate-share funds related primarily to cost reports filed during 2018 and 2017.

 

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (“EMTALA”) requires any hospital participating in the Medicare program to conduct an appropriate medical screening examination of every person who presents to the hospital’s emergency room for treatment and, if the individual is suffering from an emergency medical condition, to either stabilize the condition or make an appropriate transfer of the individual to a facility able to handle the condition. The obligation to screen and stabilize emergency medical conditions exists regardless of an individual’s ability to pay for treatment. Federal and state laws and regulations require, and our commitment to providing quality patient care encourages, us to provide services to patients who are financially unable to pay for the health care services they receive. The federal poverty level is established by the federal government and is based on income and family size. The Company considers the poverty level in determining whether patients qualify for free or reduced cost of care. Because we do not pursue collection of amounts determined to qualify as charity care, they are not reported in revenues. We provide discounts to uninsured patients who do not qualify for Medicaid or charity care. In implementing the uninsured discount policy, we may first attempt to provide assistance to uninsured patients to help determine whether they may qualify for Medicaid, other federal or state assistance, or charity care. If an uninsured patient does not qualify for these programs, the uninsured discount is applied.

 

The collection of outstanding receivables for Medicare, Medicaid, managed care payers, other third-party payers and patients is our primary source of cash and is critical to our operating performance. The primary collection risks relate to uninsured patient accounts, including patient accounts for which the primary insurance carrier has paid the amounts covered by the applicable agreement, but patient responsibility amounts (deductibles and copayments) remain outstanding. Implicit price concessions relate primarily to amounts due directly from patients. Estimated implicit price concessions are recorded for all uninsured accounts, regardless of the aging of those accounts. Accounts are written off when all reasonable internal and external collection efforts have been performed. The estimates for implicit price concessions are based upon management’s assessment of historical write offs and expected net collections, business and economic conditions, trends in federal, state and private employer health care coverage and other collection indicators. Management relies on the results of detailed reviews of historical write-off’s and collections at facilities that represent a majority of our revenues and accounts receivable (the “hindsight analysis”) as a primary source of information in estimating the collectability of our accounts receivable. We perform the hindsight analysis quarterly, utilizing rolling twelve-months accounts receivable collection and write off data. We believe our quarterly updates to the estimated contractual allowance amounts at each of our hospital facilities provide reasonable estimates of our revenues and valuations of our accounts receivable. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, estimated contractual allowances of $63 million and $7.0 million, respectively, had been recorded as reductions to our accounts receivable balances to enable us to record our revenues and accounts receivable at the estimated amounts we expect to collect.

 

To quantify the total impact of the trends related to uninsured accounts, we believe it is beneficial to view total uncompensated care, which is comprised of charity care, uninsured discounts and implicit price concessions. Total uncompensated care as a percentage of gross revenues was 11% and 18% for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

Clinical Laboratory Operations.

 

Laboratory testing services include chemical diagnostic tests such as blood analysis and urine analysis. Laboratory service revenues are recognized at the time the testing services are performed and billed and are reported at their estimated net realizable amounts. Net service revenues are determined utilizing gross service revenues net of contractual adjustments and discounts. Even though it is the responsibility of the patient to pay for laboratory service bills, most individuals in the U.S. have an agreement with a third-party payer such as a commercial insurance provider, Medicaid or Medicare to pay all or a portion of their healthcare expenses; most of the services provided by us are to patients covered under a third-party payer contract. In most cases, the Company is provided the third-party billing information and seeks payment from the third party in accordance with the terms and conditions of the third-party payer for health service providers like us. Each of these third-party payers may differ not only in terms of rates, but also with respect to terms and conditions of payment and providing coverage (reimbursement) for specific tests. Estimated revenues are established based on a series of procedures and judgments that require industry specific healthcare experience and an understanding of payer methods and trends. Despite follow up billing efforts, the Company does not currently anticipate collection of a significant portion of self-pay billings, including the patient responsibility portion of the billing for patients covered by third party payers. The Company currently does not have any capitated agreements.

 

In applying the new revenue standard, (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), using the full retrospective approach for all periods presented, no prior-period adjustment has been determined. This includes but is not limited to disaggregated revenue information, contract asset and liability information, including significant changes from prior year, and judgments, and changes in judgment, that significantly affect the determination of the amount of revenue and timing.

 

We review our calculations for the realizability of gross service revenues monthly to make certain that we are properly allowing for the uncollectable portion of our gross billings and that our estimates remain sensitive to variances and changes within our payer groups. The contractual allowance calculation is made based on historical allowance rates for the various specific payer groups monthly with a greater weight being given to the most recent trends; this process is adjusted based on recent changes in underlying contract provisions. This calculation is routinely analyzed by us based on actual allowances issued by payers and the actual payments made to determine what adjustments, if any, are needed.

 

Total gross revenues for Hospital and Clinical Laboratory Operations were reduced by approximately $9.4 million and $1.5 million for bad debt for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As required by the new standard, after bad debt and contractual and related allowance adjustments to revenues of $73.5 million and $20.9 million, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, we reported net revenues of $14.5 million and $3.1 million. We continue to review the provision for bad debt and contractual and related allowances.

 

Contractual Allowances and Doubtful Accounts Policy

 

Accounts receivable are reported at realizable value, net of allowances for credits and doubtful accounts, which are estimated and recorded in the period the related revenue is recorded. The Company has a standardized approach to estimating and reviewing the collectability of its receivables based on a number of factors, including the period they have been outstanding. Historical collection and payer reimbursement experience is an integral part of the estimation process related to allowances for contractual credits and doubtful accounts. In addition, the Company regularly assesses the state of its billing operations in order to identify issues which may impact the collectability of these receivables or reserve estimates. Receivables deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts at the time such receivables are written-off. Recoveries of receivables previously written-off are recorded as credits to the allowance for doubtful accounts. Revisions to the allowances for doubtful accounts estimates are recorded as an adjustment to provision for bad debts. See Note 4 – Accounts Receivable.

 

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company accounts for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets according to the FASB ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360”). ASC 360 clarifies the accounting for the impairment of long-lived assets and for long-lived assets to be disposed of, including the disposal of business segments and major lines of business. Long-lived assets are reviewed when facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. When necessary, impaired assets are written down to estimated fair value based on the best information available. Estimated fair value is generally based on either appraised value or measured by discounting estimated future cash flows. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate discounted future cash flows. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. At December 31, 2018, the Company recorded an asset impairment charge of $0.2 million for an intangible asset acquired in the Jamestown Regional Medical Center acquisition in 2018 – see Note 6. At December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $1.0 million related to the Genomas, Inc. acquisition. Genomas, Inc. is part of AMSG and is included in the discontinued operations – see Note 18.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value, Including the Adoption of ASU 2017-11

 

We account for warrants issued in conjunction with the issuance of common stock and certain convertible debt instruments in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”) and ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”). For warrant instruments and conversion options embedded in promissory notes that are not deemed to be indexed to the Company’s own stock, we classified such instruments as liabilities at their fair values at the time of issuance and adjusted the instruments to fair value at each reporting period. These liabilities were subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until extinguished either through conversion or exercise, and any change in fair value was recognized in our statement of operations. The fair values of these derivative and other financial instruments had been estimated using a Black-Scholes model and other valuation techniques.

 

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11 “Earnings Per Share (Topic 260) Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480) Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815).” The amendments in Part I of this Update change the classification analysis of certain equity-linked financial instruments (or embedded features) with down round features. When determining whether certain financial instruments should be classified as liabilities or equity instruments, a down round feature no longer precludes equity classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock. The amendments also clarify existing disclosure requirements for equity-classified instruments. As a result, a freestanding equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded conversion option) no longer would be accounted for as a derivative liability at fair value as a result of the existence of a down round feature. For freestanding equity classified financial instruments, the amendments require entities that present earnings per share (EPS) in accordance with Topic 260 to recognize the effect of the down round feature when it is triggered. That effect is treated as a dividend and as a reduction of income available to common shareholders in basic EPS. Convertible instruments with embedded conversion options that have down round features are now subject to the specialized guidance for contingent beneficial conversion features (in Subtopic 470-20, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options), including related EPS guidance (in Topic 260). The amendments in Part II of this Update re-characterize the indefinite deferral of certain provisions of Topic 480 that now are presented as pending content in the Codification, to a scope exception. Those amendments do not have an accounting effect.

 

Under current GAAP, an equity-linked financial instrument with a down round feature that otherwise is not required to be classified as a liability under the guidance in Topic 480 is evaluated under the guidance in Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, to determine whether it meets the definition of a derivative. If it meets that definition, the instrument (or embedded feature) is evaluated to determine whether it is indexed to an entity’s own stock as part of the analysis of whether it qualifies for a scope exception from derivative accounting. Generally, for warrants and conversion options embedded in financial instruments that are deemed to have a debt host (assuming the underlying shares are readily convertible to cash or the contract provides for net settlement such that the embedded conversion option meets the definition of a derivative), the existence of a down round feature results in an instrument not being considered indexed to an entity’s own stock. This results in a reporting entity being required to classify the freestanding financial instrument or the bifurcated conversion option as a liability, which the entity must measure at fair value initially and at each subsequent reporting date.

 

The amendments in this Update revise the guidance for instruments with down round features in Subtopic 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, which is considered in determining whether an equity-linked financial instrument qualifies for a scope exception from derivative accounting. An entity still is required to determine whether instruments would be classified in equity under the guidance in Subtopic 815-40 in determining whether they qualify for that scope exception. If they do qualify, freestanding instruments with down round features are no longer classified as liabilities and embedded conversion options with down round features are no longer bifurcated.

 

For entities that present EPS in accordance with Topic 260, and when the down round feature is included in an equity-classified freestanding financial instrument, the value of the effect of the down round feature is treated as a dividend when it is triggered and as a numerator adjustment in the basic EPS calculation. This reflects the occurrence of an economic transfer of value to the holder of the instrument, while alleviating the complexity and income statement volatility associated with fair value measurement on an ongoing basis. Convertible instruments are unaffected by the Topic 260 amendments in this Update.

 

Those amendments in Part I of this Update are a cost savings relative to current GAAP. This is because, assuming the required criteria for equity classification in Subtopic 815-40 are met, an entity that issued such an instrument no longer measures the instrument at fair value at each reporting period (in the case of warrants) or separately accounts for a bifurcated derivative (in the case of convertible instruments) on the basis of the existence of a down round feature. For convertible instruments with embedded conversion options that have down round features, applying specialized guidance such as the model for contingent beneficial conversion features rather than bifurcating an embedded derivative also reduces cost and complexity. Under that specialized guidance, the issuer recognizes the intrinsic value of the feature only when the feature becomes beneficial instead of bifurcating the conversion option and measuring it at fair value each reporting period.

 

The amendments in Part II of this Update replace the indefinite deferral of certain guidance in Topic 480 with a scope exception. This has the benefit of improving the readability of the Codification and reducing the complexity associated with navigating the guidance in Topic 480.

 

For public business entities, the amendments in Part I of this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. For all other entities, the amendments in Part I of this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for all entities, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The amendments in Part 1 of this Update should be applied in either of the following ways: 1. Retrospectively to outstanding financial instruments with a down round feature by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the statement of financial position as of the beginning of the first fiscal year and interim period(s) in which the pending content that links to this paragraph is effective; or 2. Retrospectively to outstanding financial instruments with a down round feature for each prior reporting period presented in accordance with the guidance on accounting changes in paragraphs 250-10-45-5 through 45-10.

 

The amendments in Part II of this Update do not require any transition guidance because those amendments do not have an accounting effect.

 

The Company has determined that this amendment had a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and has early adopted this accounting standard update. The cumulative effect of the adoption of ASU 2017-11 resulted in the reclassification of the derivative liability recorded of $56 million and the reversal of $41 million of interest expense recorded in the Company’s first fiscal quarter of 2017. The remaining $15 million was offset to additional paid in capital (discount on convertible debenture). Additionally, the Company recognized a deemed dividend from the trigger of the down round provision feature of $53.3 million. A $51 million deemed dividend was recorded retrospectively as of the beginning of the issuance of the debentures issued in March 2017 where the initial derivative liability was recorded as a result of the down round provision feature. A deemed dividend of $231.8 million was recorded during 2018 as a result of down round provision features. See Note 11 for an additional discussion of derivative financial instruments.

 

Stock Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for Stock-Based Compensation under ASC 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation”, which addresses the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services, with a primary focus on transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. ASC 718-10 requires measurement of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. Incremental compensation costs arising from subsequent modifications of awards after the grant date must be recognized.

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation awards to non-employees in accordance with ASC 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees.” Under ASC 505-50, the Company determines the fair value of the warrants or stock-based compensation awards granted as either the fair value of the services provided or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. Any stock options or warrants issued to non-employees are recorded in expense and additional paid-in capital in stockholders’ equity over the applicable service periods using variable accounting through the vesting dates based on the fair value of the options or warrants at the end of each period.

 

The Company issues stock to consultants for various services. The value of the common stock is measured at the earlier of (i) the date at which a firm commitment for performance by the counterparty to earn the equity instruments is reached or (ii) the date at which the counterparty’s performance is complete. The Company recognizes consulting expense and a corresponding increase to additional paid-in-capital related to stock issued for services.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the liability method, future tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the amounts reported in the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Future tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted or substantially enacted income tax rates expected to apply when the asset is realized or the liability settled. The effect of a change in income tax rates on future income tax liabilities and assets is recognized in income in the period that the change occurs. Future income tax assets are recognized to the extent that they are considered more likely than not to be realized. When projected future taxable income is insufficient to provide for the realization of deferred tax assets, the Company recognizes a valuation allowance (see Note 15).

 

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company is required to determine whether a tax position of the Company is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Derecognition of a tax benefit previously recognized could result in the Company recording a tax liability that would reduce net assets. Based on its analysis, the Company has determined that it has not incurred any liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

 

The Company reports earnings (loss) per share in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share,” which establishes standards for computing and presenting earnings per share. Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock is calculated by dividing net earnings (loss) allocable to common shareholders by the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during the period, without consideration of common stock equivalents. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents, including stock options and warrants outstanding for the period as determined using the treasury stock method. For purposes of the diluted net loss per share calculation, common stock equivalents are excluded from the calculation when their effect would be anti-dilutive. Therefore, basic and diluted net loss per share applicable to common shareholders is the same for periods with a net loss. See Note 3 for the computation of loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Segment Information

 

In accordance with the provisions of ASC 280-10, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” the Company is required to report financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments. The Company has two operating segments as of December 31, 2018: Hospital Operations and Clinical Laboratory Services (see Note 17).