Community Health Systems, Inc. Announces Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2024 Results

Oct 23 2024 21:15 BST

FRANKLIN, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 2024-- Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE: CYH) (the “Company”) today announced financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

The following highlights the financial and operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Net operating revenues totaled $3.090 billion.
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders was $(391) million, or $(2.95) per share (diluted), compared to $(91) million, or $(0.69) per share (diluted), for the same period in 2023. Excluding the adjusting items as presented in the table in footnote (e) on page 15, net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders was $(0.30) per share (diluted), compared to $(0.33) per share (diluted) for the same period in 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA was $347 million.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $67 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $29 million for the same period in 2023.
On a same-store basis, admissions increased 2.4 percent and adjusted admissions increased 2.6 percent, compared to the same period in 2023.

Commenting on the results, Tim L. Hingtgen, chief executive officer of Community Health Systems, Inc., said, “Our teams continued to execute well in a number of areas, advancing key priorities related to volume growth, operational improvements and patient outcome success. I especially want to express gratitude for the extraordinary efforts made across many of our health systems to ensure the safety of our patients during back-to-back hurricanes that affected many of our communities.”

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024

Net operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $3.090 billion, a 0.1 percent increase compared to $3.086 billion for the same period in 2023. On a same-store basis, net operating revenues increased 5.1 percent for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Net operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024, reflect a 4.1 percent decrease in admissions and a 3.7 percent decrease in adjusted admissions, compared to the same period in 2023. On a same-store basis, admissions increased 2.4 percent and adjusted admissions increased 2.6 percent for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders was $(391) million, or $(2.95) per share (diluted), for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $(91) million, or $(0.69) per share (diluted), for the same period in 2023. Excluding the adjusting items as presented in the table in footnote (e) on page 15, net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders was $(0.30) per share (diluted) for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $(0.33) per share (diluted) for the same period in 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $347 million compared to $360 million for the same period in 2023.

The increase in net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, was driven by the change in estimate to increase the professional liability claims accrual and period-over-period changes in impairment and (gain) loss on the sale of businesses, partially offset by having a benefit from income taxes in the current period compared to a provision for income taxes in the prior period. In addition, the increase in net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders and the decrease in Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, was driven by increased expense for salaries and benefits, increased costs for outsourced medical specialists, losses resulting from Hurricane Helene and increased patient claim denials, partially offset by higher same-store volumes, increased reimbursement rates, a higher net benefit from supplemental reimbursement programs, reduced expense for contract labor and reductions in supplies expense.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024

Net operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $9.369 billion, a 0.7 percent increase compared to $9.308 billion for the same period in 2023. On a same-store basis, net operating revenues increased 5.2 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Net operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, reflect a 3.1 percent decrease in admissions and a 3.4 percent decrease in adjusted admissions, compared to the same period in 2023. On a same-store basis, admissions increased 3.0 percent and adjusted admissions increased 2.5 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders was $(446) million, or $(3.38) per share (diluted), for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $(180) million, or $(1.38) per share (diluted), for the same period in 2023. Excluding the adjusting items as presented in the table in footnote (e) on page 15, net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders was $(0.61) per share (diluted) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $(0.98) per share (diluted) for the same period in 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $1.112 billion compared to $1.068 billion for the same period in 2023.

The increase in net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, is primarily attributable to period-over-period changes in impairment and (gain) loss on the sale of businesses and a change in estimate to increase the professional liability claims accrual, partially offset by a gain from early extinguishment of debt, having a benefit from income taxes in the current period compared to a provision for income taxes in the prior period and the factors that contributed to the increase in Adjusted EBITDA as noted below. In addition, the increase in Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, was driven by higher same-store volumes, increased reimbursement rates, favorable changes in payor mix, a higher net benefit from supplemental reimbursement programs, reduced expense for contract labor and reductions in supplies expense, partially offset by lower acuity and increased patient claim denials.

Financing Activity

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company extinguished approximately $143 million principal value of its 5⅝% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 through open market repurchases utilizing cash on hand.

Other

During 2024, through the date of this press release, the Company has completed two hospital divestitures including one on August 1, 2024 and the other on October 1, 2024.

Certain of the Company’s facilities in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee have experienced an interruption in their business and incurred additional costs as a direct result of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in late September 2024, and Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in early October 2024. Hurricane Helene resulted in an estimated loss of operating revenues together with incremental expenses directly related to hurricane response efforts of approximately $7 million on a pre-tax basis during the three months ended September 30, 2024. No insurance proceeds related to Hurricane Helene were received or recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2024. Further, taking into account the timing of these events, it is expected that additional net operating revenues will be lost and incremental operating expenses will be incurred for remediation and restoration efforts in the fourth quarter of 2024 and one or more future periods. Insurance proceeds, which are expected to cover substantially all of the Company’s costs related to these events, are expected to be received in one or more future periods.

Financial and statistical data presented in this press release includes the operating results of divested or closed businesses for the periods prior to the consummation of the respective divestiture or closure. Same-store operating results and statistical information include operating results of businesses operated in the comparable current year and prior year periods and exclude businesses divested in 2024 and 2023.

Information About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release presents Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, which is EBITDA adjusted to add back net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and to exclude loss (gain) from early extinguishment of debt, impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, expense related to the Business Transformation Costs (as defined in footnote (c) to the Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data below), expense related to government and other legal matters and related costs, expense related to employee termination benefits and other restructuring charges, the impact of a change in estimate to increase the professional liability claims accrual recorded during the fourth quarter of 2022 with respect to claims incurred in prior years related to divested locations as well as a change in estimate to increase such accrual recorded during the third quarter of 2024 as further described in footnote (c) to the Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data below, and the gain on sale by HealthTrust Purchasing Group, L.P. (“HealthTrust”) of a majority interest in CoreTrust Holdings, LLC (“CoreTrust”) completed during the fourth quarter of 2022. For information regarding why the Company believes Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors, and for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders, see footnote (c) to the Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data below.

Additionally, this press release presents adjusted net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders per share (diluted), a non-GAAP financial measure, to reflect the impact on net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders per share (diluted) from the selected items used in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA. For information regarding why the Company believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to investors, and for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders per share (diluted), see footnote (e) to the Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data below.

The non-GAAP financial measures set forth above are not measurements of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for any financial measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Additionally, the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures disclosed by other companies.

Included on pages 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 of this press release are tables setting forth the Company’s 2024 updated annual earnings guidance. The 2024 guidance is based on the Company’s historical operating performance, current trends and other assumptions the Company believes are reasonable at this time as more specifically discussed below.

About Community Health Systems, Inc.

Community Health Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest healthcare companies. The Company’s affiliates are leading providers of healthcare services, developing and operating healthcare delivery systems in 39 distinct markets across 15 states. As of October 23, 2024, the Company’s subsidiaries own or lease 69 affiliated hospitals with more than 11,000 beds and operate more than 1,000 sites of care, including physician practices, urgent care centers, freestanding emergency departments, occupational medicine clinics, imaging centers, cancer centers and ambulatory surgery centers.

The Company’s headquarters are located in Franklin, Tennessee, a suburb south of Nashville. Shares in Community Health Systems, Inc. are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CYH.” More information about the Company can be found on its website at www.chs.net.

Community Health Systems, Inc. will hold a conference call on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Central, 11:00 a.m. Eastern, to review financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. Investors will have the opportunity to listen to a live internet broadcast of the conference call by clicking on the Investor Relations link of the Company’s website at www.chs.net. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call and will continue to be available for approximately 30 days. Copies of this press release and conference call slide show, as well as the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (including this press release), will be available on the Company’s website at www.chs.net.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Financial Highlights (a)(b)
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023

Net operating revenues	$	3,090		$	3,086		$	9,369		$	9,308
Net loss (f)		(355	)		(52	)		(334	)		(70	)
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders		(391	)		(91	)		(446	)		(180	)
Adjusted EBITDA (c)		347			360			1,112			1,068
Net cash provided by operating activities		67			29			264			120


Loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders:
Basic (f)	$	(2.95	)	$	(0.69	)	$	(3.38	)	$	(1.38	)
Diluted (e), (f)		(2.95	)		(0.69	)		(3.38	)		(1.38	)

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (d):
Basic		132			131			132			130
Diluted		132			131			132			130
__________
For footnotes, see pages 13, 14 and 15.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss (a)(b)
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2024							2023
				% of Net							% of Net
				Operating							Operating
	Amount			Revenues				Amount			Revenues
Net operating revenues	$	3,090			100.0		%	$	3,086			100.0		%
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits		1,359			44.0		%		1,338			43.4		%
Supplies		469			15.2		%		489			15.8		%
Other operating expenses		1,010			32.6		%		853			27.7		%
Lease cost and rent		73			2.4		%		79			2.6		%
Depreciation and amortization		117			3.8		%		128			4.1		%
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net (f)		267			8.6		%		26			0.8		%
Total operating expenses		3,295			106.6		%		2,913			94.4		%
(Loss) income from operations (f)		(205	)		(6.6	)	%		173			5.6		%
Interest expense, net		216			7.1		%		208			6.8		%
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates		(2	)		(0.1	)	%		(2	)		(0.1	)	%
Loss before income taxes		(419	)		(13.6	)	%		(33	)		(1.1	)	%
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes		(64	)		(2.1	)	%		19			0.6		%
Net loss (f)		(355	)		(11.5	)	%		(52	)		(1.7	)	%
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		36			1.2		%		39			1.2		%
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$	(391	)		(12.7	)	%	$	(91	)		(2.9	)	%
Loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders:
Basic (f)	$	(2.95	)					$	(0.69	)
Diluted (e), (f)	$	(2.95	)					$	(0.69	)
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (d):
Basic		132							131
Diluted		132							131
__________
For footnotes, see pages 13, 14 and 15.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss (a)(b)
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024							2023
				% of Net							% of Net
				Operating							Operating
	Amount			Revenues				Amount			Revenues
Net operating revenues	$	9,369			100.0		%	$	9,308			100.0		%
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits		4,054			43.3		%		4,040			43.4		%
Supplies		1,439			15.4		%		1,499			16.1		%
Other operating expenses		2,737			29.2		%		2,524			27.1		%
Lease cost and rent		224			2.4		%		240			2.6		%
Depreciation and amortization		357			3.8		%		384			4.1		%
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net (f)		294			3.1		%		(9	)		(0.1	)	%
Total operating expenses		9,105			97.2		%		8,678			93.2		%
Income from operations (f)		264			2.8		%		630			6.8		%
Interest expense, net		643			6.9		%		621			6.7		%
Gain from early extinguishment of debt		(25	)		(0.3	)	%		-			-		%
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates		(7	)		(0.1	)	%		(5	)		(0.1	)	%
(Loss) income before income taxes		(347	)		(3.7	)	%		14			0.2		%
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes		(13	)		(0.1	)	%		84			1.0		%
Net loss (f)		(334	)		(3.6	)	%		(70	)		(0.8	)	%
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		112			1.2		%		110			1.1		%
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$	(446	)		(4.8	)	%	$	(180	)		(1.9	)	%
Loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders:
Basic (f)	$	(3.38	)					$	(1.38	)
Diluted (e), (f)	$	(3.38	)					$	(1.38	)
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (d):
Basic		132							130
Diluted		132							130
__________
For footnotes, see pages 13, 14 and 15.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(In millions)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Net loss	$	(355	)	$	(52	)	$	(334	)	$	(70	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, net of tax		2			(3	)		4			(1	)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		2			-			2			-
Other comprehensive income (loss)		4			(3	)		6			(1	)
Comprehensive loss		(351	)		(55	)		(328	)		(71	)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		36			39			112			110
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$	(387	)	$	(94	)	$	(440	)	$	(181	)
__________
For footnotes, see pages 13, 14 and 15.


COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Operating Data (a)
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	Consolidated									Same-Store
	2024			2023			% Change			2024			2023			% Change
Number of hospitals (at end of period)		70			76						70			70
Licensed beds (at end of period)		11,517			12,494						11,517			11,544
Beds in service (at end of period)		9,889			10,621						9,889			9,917
Admissions		104,593			109,043			-4.1	%		103,774			101,312			2.4	%
Adjusted admissions		240,701			249,988			-3.7	%		238,812			232,799			2.6	%
Patient days		453,053			459,838						449,574			443,819
Average length of stay (days)		4.3			4.2						4.3			4.4
Occupancy rate (average beds in service)		49.8	%		47.1	%					49.4	%		48.6	%
Net operating revenues	$	3,090		$	3,086			0.1	%	$	3,073		$	2,923			5.1	%
Net inpatient revenues as a % of net operating revenues		47.2	%		46.5	%					47.2	%		46.2	%
Net outpatient revenues as a % of net operating revenues		52.8	%		53.5	%					52.8	%		53.8	%
(Loss) income from operations (f)	$	(205	)	$	173			-218.5	%
(Loss) income from operations as a % of net operating revenues		-6.6	%		5.6	%
Depreciation and amortization	$	117		$	128
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$	(391	)	$	(91	)		-329.7	%
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders as a % of net operating revenues		-12.7	%		-2.9	%
Adjusted EBITDA (c)	$	347		$	360			-3.6	%
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net operating revenues		11.2	%		11.7	%
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	67		$	29			131.0	%
__________
For footnotes, see pages 13, 14 and 15.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Operating Data (a)
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Consolidated									Same-Store
	2024			2023			% Change			2024			2023			% Change
Number of hospitals (at end of period)		70			76						70			70
Licensed beds (at end of period)		11,517			12,494						11,517			11,544
Beds in service (at end of period)		9,889			10,621						9,889			9,917
Admissions		317,396			327,466			-3.1	%		311,613			302,447			3.0	%
Adjusted admissions		719,941			745,207			-3.4	%		707,201			689,983			2.5	%
Patient days		1,405,286			1,453,905						1,378,445			1,360,574
Average length of stay (days)		4.4			4.4						4.4			4.5
Occupancy rate (average beds in service)		51.9	%		50.1	%					50.9	%		50.3	%
Net operating revenues	$	9,369		$	9,308			0.7	%	$	9,255		$	8,801			5.2	%
Net inpatient revenues as a % of net operating revenues		47.6	%		46.9	%					47.5	%		46.7	%
Net outpatient revenues as a % of net operating revenues		52.4	%		53.1	%					52.5	%		53.3	%
Income from operations (f)	$	264		$	630			-58.1	%
Income from operations as a % of net operating revenues		2.8	%		6.8	%
Depreciation and amortization	$	357		$	384
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$	(446	)	$	(180	)		-147.8	%
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders as a % of net operating revenues		-4.8	%		-1.9	%
Adjusted EBITDA (c)	$	1,112		$	1,068			4.1	%
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net operating revenues		11.9	%		11.5	%
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	264		$	120			120.0	%
__________
For footnotes, see pages 13, 14 and 15.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In millions, except share data)
(Unaudited)

	September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	33		$	38
Patient accounts receivable		2,043			2,231
Supplies		311			328
Prepaid income taxes		92			76
Prepaid expenses and taxes		227			260
Other current assets		402			275
Total current assets		3,108			3,208
Property and equipment		9,094			9,511
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(4,130	)		(4,304	)
Property and equipment, net		4,964			5,207
Goodwill		3,940			3,958
Deferred income taxes		29			29
Other assets, net		1,864			2,053
Total assets	$	13,905		$	14,455

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	20		$	21
Current operating lease liabilities		113			124
Accounts payable		842			912
Accrued liabilities:
Employee compensation		460			571
Accrued interest		198			160
Other		493			354
Total current liabilities		2,126			2,142
Long-term debt (g)		11,467			11,466
Deferred income taxes		239			369
Long-term operating lease liabilities		528			563
Other long-term liabilities		815			739
Total liabilities		15,175			15,279
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries		322			323
STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders’ deficit:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; none issued		-			-
Common stock, $.01 par value per share, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 138,936,058 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024, and 136,774,911 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023		1			1
Additional paid-in capital		2,194			2,185
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(8	)		(14	)
Accumulated deficit		(4,010	)		(3,564	)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders’ deficit		(1,823	)		(1,392	)
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries		231			245
Total stockholders’ deficit		(1,592	)		(1,147	)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$	13,905		$	14,455
__________
For footnotes, see pages 13, 14 and 15.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions)
(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$	(334	)	$	(70	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		357			384
Deferred income taxes		(129	)		22
Stock-based compensation expense		12			16
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net (f)		294			(9	)
Gain from early extinguishment of debt		(25	)		-
Other non-cash expenses, net		142			132
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of
acquisitions and divestitures:
Patient accounts receivable		126			(119	)
Supplies, prepaid expenses and other current assets		(48	)		(100	)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income taxes		(119	)		(69	)
Other		(12	)		(67	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		264			120

Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions of facilities and other related businesses		(1	)		(35	)
Purchases of property and equipment		(251	)		(357	)
Proceeds from disposition of hospitals and other ancillary operations		174			123
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		5			27
Purchases of available-for-sale debt securities and equity securities		(54	)		(126	)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale debt securities and equity securities		54			221
Purchases of investments in unconsolidated affiliates		(4	)		(8	)
Increase in other investments		(55	)		(51	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(132	)		(206	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchase of restricted stock shares for payroll tax withholding requirements		(2	)		(4	)
Deferred financing costs and other debt-related costs		(8	)		-
Proceeds from noncontrolling investors in joint ventures		1			4
Redemption of noncontrolling investments in joint ventures		(3	)		(1	)
Distributions to noncontrolling investors in joint ventures		(121	)		(108	)
Other borrowings		18			30
Issuance of long-term debt		1,236			-
Proceeds from ABL Facility		2,662			2,290
Repayments of long-term indebtedness		(3,920	)		(2,152	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(137	)		59

Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(5	)		(27	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		38			118
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	33		$	91
__________
For footnotes, see pages 13, 14 and 15.

Footnotes to Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data

(a)		Both financial and statistical results include the operating results of divested or closed businesses for the periods prior to the consummation of the respective divestiture or closing. Same-store operating results and statistical information include operating results of businesses operated in the comparable current year and prior year periods and exclude businesses divested in 2024 and 2023. There were no discontinued operations reported for the periods presented.
(b)		The following table provides information needed to calculate loss per share, which is adjusted for income attributable to noncontrolling interests (in millions):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders:
Net loss	$	(355	)	$	(52	)	$	(334	)	$	(70	)
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes		36			39			112			110
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders — basic and diluted	$	(391	)	$	(91	)	$	(446	)	$	(180	)

(c)

EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure which consists of net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA, also a non-GAAP financial measure, is EBITDA adjusted to add back net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and to exclude loss (gain) from early extinguishment of debt, impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, expense from third-party consulting costs associated with significant process and systems redesign across multiple functions (the “Business Transformation Costs”) as part of the Company’s previously disclosed multi-year initiative to modernize and consolidate technology platforms and associated processes, expense related to government and other legal matters and related costs, expense related to employee termination benefits and other restructuring charges, the impact of a change in estimate to increase the professional liability claims accrual recorded during the fourth quarter of 2022 with respect to claims incurred in prior years related to divested locations as well as a change in estimate to increase such accrual recorded during the third quarter of 2024 as described below, and the gain on sale by HealthTrust of a majority interest in CoreTrust completed during the fourth quarter of 2022. The Company has included an adjustment to Adjusted EBITDA during the three months ended September 30, 2024, for the change in estimate to increase the professional liability claims accrual resulting from emergence in the period of adverse developments, including from social inflationary pressures, which affected the actuarially determined estimate for the resolution of professional liability claims. The Company, with input from its third-party actuary, considered recent increases in the amounts the Company has paid to resolve outstanding professional liability claims arising in prior periods as well as increases in individual claim accruals for unresolved prior period claims, the majority of which increases in amounts and individual claim accruals relate to divested locations. The Company believes that this increase in estimate is not reflective of the Company’s underlying results of operations and that the exclusion of this item from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2024, is consistent with the intended purpose of Adjusted EBITDA in assessing the Company’s operational performance and comparing the Company’s operational performance between periods. The Company has from time to time sold noncontrolling interests in certain of its subsidiaries or acquired subsidiaries with existing noncontrolling interest ownership positions. The Company believes that it is useful to present Adjusted EBITDA because it adds back the portion of EBITDA attributable to these third-party interests. The Company reports Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure used by management to assess the operating performance of the Company’s hospital operations and to make decisions on the allocation of resources. Adjusted EBITDA is also used to evaluate the performance of the Company’s executive management team and is one of the primary metrics used in connection with determining short-term cash incentive compensation and the achievement of vesting criteria with respect to performance-based equity awards. In addition, management utilizes Adjusted EBITDA in assessing the Company’s consolidated results of operations and operational performance and in comparing the Company’s results of operations between periods.

Footnotes to Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data (Continued)

The Company believes it is useful to provide investors and other users of the Company’s financial statements this performance measure to align with how management assesses the Company’s results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA also is comparable to a similar metric called Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Company’s asset-based loan facility (the “ABL Facility”) and the Company’s existing note indentures, which is a key component in the determination of the Company’s compliance with certain covenants under the ABL Facility and such note indentures (including the Company’s ability to service debt and incur capital expenditures), and is used to determine the interest rate and commitment fee payable under the ABL Facility (although Adjusted EBITDA does not include all of the adjustments described in the ABL Facility). Adjusted EBITDA includes the Adjusted EBITDA attributable to hospitals that were divested during the course of such year, but in each case solely to the extent relating to the period prior to the consummation of the applicable divestiture.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under U.S. GAAP. It should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, operating income, or any other performance measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and evaluating financial performance. The Company believes such adjustments are appropriate as the magnitude and frequency of such items can vary significantly and are not related to the assessment of normal operating performance. Additionally, this calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures disclosed by other companies.

The following table reflects the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, as defined, to net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders as derived directly from the condensed consolidated financial statements (in millions):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Net loss attributable to Community Health
Systems, Inc. stockholders	$	(391	)	$	(91	)	$	(446	)	$	(180	)
Adjustments:
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes		(64	)		19			(13	)		84
Depreciation and amortization		117			128			357			384
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		36			39			112			110
Interest expense, net		216			208			643			621
Gain from early extinguishment of debt		-			-			(25	)		-
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net		267			26			294			(9	)
Expense from government and other legal matters and related costs		-			24			-			33
Expense from business transformation costs		17			6			41			13
Expense related to employee termination benefits and other restructuring charges		-			1			-			12
Change in estimate for professional claims liability		149			-			149			-
Adjusted EBITDA	$	347		$	360		$	1,112		$	1,068

(d)

The following table sets forth components reconciling the basic weighted-average number of shares to the diluted weighted-average number of shares (in millions):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic		132		131		132		130
Add effect of dilutive securities:
Stock awards and options		-		-		-		-
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted		132		131		132		130

Footnotes to Financial Highlights, Financial Statements and Selected Operating Data (Continued)

The Company generated a net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, so the effect of dilutive securities is not considered because their effect would be antidilutive. If the Company had generated net income, the effect of stock awards and options on the diluted shares calculation would have been an increase of 1,883,693 shares and 224,178 shares during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and 1,064,103 shares and 298,184 shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

(e)

The following supplemental table reconciles net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders, as reported, on a per share (diluted) basis, to net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders per share (diluted) with the adjustments described herein (total per share amounts may not add due to rounding). The Company believes that the presentation of non-GAAP adjusted net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders per share (diluted) presents useful information to investors by highlighting the impact on net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders per share (diluted) of selected items used in calculating Adjusted EBITDA which may not reflect the Company’s underlying operating performance and assisting in comparing the Company’s results of operations between periods.

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Net loss per share (diluted), as reported	$	(2.95	)	$	(0.69	)	$	(3.38	)	$	(1.38	)
Adjustments:
Gain from early extinguishment of debt		-			-			(0.20	)		-
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net		1.68			0.18			1.85			0.05
Expense from government and other legal matters and related costs		-			0.14			-			0.20
Expense from business transformation costs		0.10			0.04			0.25			0.08
Expense related to employee termination benefits and other restructuring charges		-			0.01			-			0.07
Change in estimate for professional claims liability		0.87			-			0.88			-
Net loss per share (diluted), excluding adjustments	$	(0.30	)	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.61	)	$	(0.98	)

(f)		Both (loss) income from operations and net loss included a net non-cash impairment expense of $267 million and $26 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and a net non-cash impairment expense of $294 million and income of $9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The impairment expense for 2024 was primarily from impairment expense to reduce the carrying value of several assets that were idled, disposed of or held-for-sale and partially offset by gains on the sale of certain businesses during the periods. The income for 2023 was primarily from gains on the sale of certain businesses during the periods and also impairment charges to reduce the value of certain long-lived assets at businesses the Company identified for closure, sale or sold. These gains and impairment charges do not have an impact on the calculation of the Company’s financial covenants under the ABL Facility.
(g)		The maximum aggregate principal amount under the ABL Facility is $1.0 billion, subject to borrowing base capacity. At September 30, 2024, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $372 million and approximately $438 million of additional borrowing capacity (after taking into consideration $66 million of outstanding letters of credit) under the ABL Facility.

Regulation FD Disclosure

Set forth below is selected information concerning the Company’s projected consolidated operating results for the year ending December 31, 2024. These projections update selected guidance provided on July 24, 2024, and are based on the Company’s historical operating performance, current trends and other assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable at this time. This 2024 guidance should be considered in conjunction with the assumptions included herein. See pages 18, 19 and 20 for a list of factors that could affect the future results of the Company or the healthcare industry generally. The following is provided as guidance to analysts and investors:

	2024 Projection Range
Net operating revenues (in millions)	$	12,450		to	$	12,550
Adjusted EBITDA (in millions)	$	1,500		to	$	1,540
Net loss per share - diluted	$	(0.60	)	to	$	(0.50	)
Weighted-average diluted shares (in millions)		132		to		133

The following assumptions were used in developing the 2024 guidance provided above:

The Company’s projections exclude the following:

Effect of debt refinancing activities, including gains and losses from early extinguishment of debt;
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets;
The impact of any potential future divestitures;
Gains or losses from the sales of businesses;
Employee termination benefits and restructuring costs;
Resolution of government investigations or other significant legal settlements;
Costs incurred in connection with divestitures;
Expense for third-party consulting costs associated with significant process and systems redesign across multiple functions as part of the Company’s previously disclosed business transformation initiative; and
Other significant gains or losses that neither relate to the ordinary course of business nor reflect the Company’s underlying business performance.

Other assumptions used in the above guidance:

Expressed as a percentage of net operating revenues, depreciation and amortization of approximately 3.7% to 3.8% for 2024. Additionally, this is a fixed cost and the percentages may vary based on changes in net operating revenues. Such amounts exclude the possible impact of any future hospital fixed asset impairments.
Interest expense is estimated to be between $850 million and $860 million while cash paid for interest, which excludes the amortization of deferred financing costs, is expected to be $730 million to $740 million. Total fixed rate debt is expected to average approximately 97% of total debt during 2024.
Expressed as a percentage of net operating revenues, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of approximately 1.2% to 1.3% for 2024.
Expressed as a percentage of net operating revenues, provision for income taxes of approximately 0.8% to 0.9% for 2024.

A reconciliation of the Company’s projected 2024 Adjusted EBITDA, a forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure, to the Company’s projected net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, is shown below (in millions):

	Year Ending
	December 31, 2024
	Low			High
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders (1)	$	(79	)	$	(66	)
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization		465			480
Interest expense, net		860			850
Provision for income taxes		104			116
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		150			160
Adjusted EBITDA (1)	$	1,500		$	1,540

(1)

The Company does not include in this reconciliation the impact of certain items not included in the Company’s forecast set forth above that would be included in a reconciliation of historical net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders to Adjusted EBITDA such as, but not limited to, losses (gains) from early extinguishment of debt, impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses and expense from government and other legal matters and related costs, in light of the fact that such items are not determinable, and/or the inherent difficulty in quantifying such projected amounts, on a forward-looking basis.

Capital expenditures are projected as follows (in millions):

	2024
	Guidance
Total	$	350	to	$	400

Net cash provided by operating activities, including estimated cash payments for income taxes of $150 million to $200 million, are projected as follows (in millions):

	2024
	Guidance
Total	$	400	to	$	500

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding are projected to be approximately 132 million to 133 million for 2024.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risk and uncertainties. All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding projections, expected operating results, and other events that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or that include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “thinks,” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and may be beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, the Company cannot give any assurance that its expectations will in fact occur and cautions that actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. A number of factors could affect the future results of the Company or the healthcare industry generally and could cause the Company’s expected results to differ materially from those expressed in this press release.

These factors include, among other things:

general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in the regions in which we operate, including the impact of current negative macroeconomic conditions, inflationary conditions, the current high interest rate environment, and current geopolitical instability, as well as the potential impact on us of political, financial, credit and capital conditions;
the impact of current or future federal and state health reform initiatives;
the extent to and manner in which states adopt changes to Medicaid programs, implement health insurance exchanges or alter or reduce the provision of, or payment for, healthcare to state residents through legislation, regulation or otherwise;
changes related to health insurance enrollment, including those affecting the beneficiary enrollment process and the stability of health insurance exchanges;
risks associated with our substantial indebtedness, leverage and debt service obligations, including our ability to refinance such indebtedness on acceptable terms or to incur additional indebtedness, and our ability to remain in compliance with debt covenants;
demographic changes;
changes in, or the failure to comply with, federal, state or local laws or governmental regulations affecting our business;
judicial developments impacting the Company or the healthcare industry, including the potential impact of the recent decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the actions of federal agencies;
potential adverse impact of known and unknown legal, regulatory and governmental proceedings and other loss contingencies, including governmental investigations and audits, and federal and state false claims act litigation;
our ability, where appropriate, to enter into and maintain provider arrangements with payors and the terms of these arrangements, which may be further affected by the increasing consolidation of health insurers and managed care companies and vertical integration efforts involving payors and healthcare providers;
changes in, or the failure to comply with, contract terms with payors and changes in reimbursement policies, methodologies or rates paid by federal or state healthcare programs or commercial payors;
security breaches, cyber-attacks, loss of data, other cybersecurity threats or incidents, including those experienced with respect to our information systems or the information systems of third parties with whom we conduct business, and any actual or perceived failures to comply with legal requirements governing the privacy and security of health information or other regulated, sensitive or confidential information, or legal requirements regarding data privacy or data protection;
the development, adoption and use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning;
any potential impairments in the carrying value of goodwill, other intangible assets, or other long-lived assets, or changes in the useful lives of other intangible assets;
the effects related to the sequestration spending reductions pursuant to both the Budget Control Act of 2011 and the Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 and the potential for future deficit reduction legislation;
increases in the amount and risk of collectability of patient accounts receivable, including decreases in collectability which may result from, among other things, self-pay growth and difficulties in recovering payments for which patients are responsible, including co-pays and deductibles;
the efforts of insurers, healthcare providers, large employer groups and others to contain healthcare costs, including the trend toward value-based purchasing;
the impact of competitive labor market conditions, including in connection with our ability to hire and retain qualified nurses, physicians, other medical personnel and key management, and increased labor expenses arising from inflation and/or competition for such positions;
the inability of third parties with whom we contract to provide hospital-based physicians and the effectiveness of our efforts to mitigate such non-performance including through acquisitions of outsourced medical specialist businesses, engagement with new or replacement providers, employment of physicians and re-negotiation or assumption of existing contracts;
any failure to obtain medical supplies or pharmaceuticals at favorable prices;
liabilities and other claims asserted against us, including self-insured professional liability claims;
competition;
trends toward treatment of patients in less acute or specialty healthcare settings, including ambulatory surgery centers or specialty hospitals or via telehealth;
changes in medical or other technology;
any failure of our ongoing process of redesigning and consolidating key business functions, including through the implementation of a new core enterprise resource planning system, to proceed as expected or to be completed successfully;
changes in U.S. GAAP;
the availability and terms of capital to fund any additional acquisitions or replacement facilities or other capital expenditures;
our ability to successfully make acquisitions or complete divestitures, our ability to complete any such acquisitions or divestitures on desired terms or at all, the timing of the completion of any such acquisitions or divestitures, and our ability to realize the intended benefits from any such acquisitions or divestitures;
the impact that changes in our relationships with joint venture or syndication partners could have on effectively operating our hospitals or ancillary services or in advancing strategic opportunities;
our ability to successfully integrate any acquired hospitals and/or outpatient facilities, or to realize expected benefits from acquisitions such as increased growth in patient service revenues;
the impact of severe weather conditions and climate change, as well as the timing and amount of insurance recoveries in relation to severe weather events;
our ability to obtain adequate levels of insurance, including general liability, professional liability, cyber liability and directors and officers liability insurance;
timeliness of reimbursement payments received under government programs;
effects related to pandemics, epidemics, or outbreaks of infectious diseases on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and/or cash flows;
any failure to comply with our obligations under license or technology agreements;
challenging economic conditions in non-urban communities in which we operate;
the concentration of our revenue in a small number of states;
our ability to realize anticipated cost savings and other benefits from our current strategic and operational cost savings initiatives;
any changes in or interpretations of income tax laws and regulations; and
the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 21, 2024 and other filings filed with the SEC.

The consolidated operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be experienced for any future periods. The Company cautions that the projections for calendar year 2024 set forth in this press release are given as of the date hereof based on currently available information. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements (including such guidance), or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241023073443/en/

Investor Contact:
Kevin Hammons
President and Chief Financial Officer
(615) 465-7000

Source: Community Health Systems, Inc.

Company Announcements

Community Health Systems, Inc. Announces Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2024 Results