Overview
We are a real estate investment trust ("REIT") that commenced operations in
1986. We invest in healthcare and human service related facilities currently
including acute care hospitals, behavioral health care hospitals, specialty
hospitals, free-standing emergency departments, childcare centers and
medical/office buildings. As of
• seven hospital facilities consisting of three acute care, one behavioral
health care, and three specialty hospitals (two of which are currently
vacant); • four free-standing emergency departments ("FEDs");
• fifty-six medical or general office buildings, including four owned by
unconsolidated limited liability companies ("LLCs")/limited liability
partnerships ("LPs"), and; • four preschool and childcare centers.
Forward Looking Statements and Certain Risk Factors
You should carefully review all of the information contained in this Quarterly Report, and should particularly consider any risk factors that we set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 , this Quarterly Report and in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with theSecurities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). In this Quarterly Report, we state our beliefs of future events and of our future financial performance. This Quarterly Report contains "forward-looking statements" that reflect our current estimates, expectations and projections about our future results, performance, prospects and opportunities. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "appears," "projects" and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, identify forward-looking statements. You should be aware that those statements are only our predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. In evaluating those statements, you should specifically consider various factors, including the risks described elsewhere herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 in Item 1A Risk Factors and in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Forward Looking Statements and in Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors, as included herein. Those factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any of our forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or our good faith belief with respect to future events and is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. Such factors include, among other things, the following:
• Future operations and financial results of our tenants, and in turn ours,
will likely be materially impacted by numerous factors and future
developments related to COVID-19. Such factors and developments include,
but are not limited to, the length of time and severity of the spread of the
pandemic; the volume of cancelled or rescheduled elective procedures and the
volume of COVID-19 patients treated by the operators of our hospitals and
other healthcare facilities; measures our tenants are taking to respond to
the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of government and administrative regulation, including travel bans and restrictions, shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders, quarantines, the promotion of social distancing, business shutdowns and limitations on business activity; vaccine
requirements; changes in patient volumes at our tenants' hospitals and other
healthcare facilities due to patients' general concerns related to the risk
of contracting COVID-19 from interacting with the healthcare system; the
impact of stimulus on the health care industry and our tenants; changes in
patient volumes and payer mix caused by deteriorating macroeconomic
conditions (including increases in uninsured and underinsured patients as
the result of business closings and layoffs); potential disruptions to
clinical staffing and shortages and disruptions related to supplies required
for our tenants' employees and patients, including equipment,
pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, particularly personal protective
equipment, or PPE; potential increases to expenses incurred by our tenants
related to staffing, supply chain or other expenditures; the impact of our
indebtedness and the ability to refinance such indebtedness on acceptable
terms; disruptions in the financial markets and the business of financial
institutions as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic which could impact our
ability to access capital or increase associated borrowing costs; and
changes in general economic conditions nationally and regionally in the
markets our properties are located resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic,
including higher sustained rates of unemployment and underemployment levels
and reduced consumer spending and confidence. There may be significant
declines in future bonus rental revenue earned on our hospital properties
leased to subsidiaries of UHS to the extent that each hospital continues to
experience significant decline in patient volumes and 22
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revenues. These factors may result in the inability or unwillingness on the
part of some of our tenants to make timely payment of their rent to us at
current levels or to seek to amend or terminate their leases which, in turn,
would have an adverse effect on our occupancy levels and our revenue and
cash flow and the value of our properties, and potentially, our ability to
maintain our dividend at current levels. • Due to COVID-19 restrictions and its impact on the economy, we may
experience a decrease in prospective tenants which could unfavorably impact
the volume of new leases, as well as the renewal rate of existing leases.
The COVID-19 pandemic could also impact our indebtedness and the ability to
refinance such indebtedness on acceptable terms, as well as risks associated
with disruptions in the financial markets and the business of financial
institutions as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic which could impact us
from a financing perspective; and changes in general economic conditions
nationally and regionally in the markets our properties are located
resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. We are not able to fully quantify the
impact that these factors will have on our financial results during 2021,
but developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to have a material adverse impact on our future financial results.
• The
Final Rule ("IFR") effective
vaccinations for all applicable staff at all Medicare and Medicaid certified
facilities. Facilities covered by this regulation must establish a policy
ensuring all eligible staff have received the first dose of a two-dose
COVID-19 vaccine or a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine prior to providing any care,
treatment, or other services by
have received the necessary shots to be fully vaccinated - either two doses
of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of Johnson & Johnson - by
The regulation also provides for exemptions based on recognized medical
conditions or religious beliefs, observances, or practices. Facilities must
develop a similar process or plan for permitting exemptions in alignment
with federal law. If facilities fail to comply with the IFR by the deadlines
established, they are subject to potential termination from the Medicare and
Medicaid program for non-compliance. In addition, the Occupational Safety
and
requiring all businesses with 100 or more employees to be vaccinated by
show a negative COVID-19 test weekly and wear a face mask in the workplace.
However, healthcare employees at healthcare facilities covered by the CMS
IFR will not have the option of weekly COVID-19 testing in lieu of
vaccination. Legal challenges to these rules are expected and we cannot
predict at this time the potential viability or impact of such litigation.
No assurance can be given that implementation of this IFR will not have a
material adverse effect on the staffing, patient volumes, labor costs or
results of operations of our operators.
• Recent legislation, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security Act (the "CARES Act"), the Paycheck Protection Program and Health
Care Enhancement Act ("PPPHCE Act") and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
("ARPA"), has provided grant funding to hospitals and other healthcare
providers to assist them during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a high
degree of uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the CARES Act, the
PPPHCE Act and ARPA, and the federal government may consider additional
stimulus and relief efforts, but we are unable to predict whether additional
stimulus measures will be enacted or their impact. There can be no assurance
as to the total amount of financial and other types of assistance our
tenants will receive under the CARES Act, the PPPHCE Act and the ARPA, and
it is difficult to predict the impact of such legislation on our tenants'
operations or how they will affect operations of our tenants'
competitors. There can be no assurance as to whether our tenants would be
required to repay any previously granted funding, due to noncompliance with
grant terms or otherwise. Moreover, we are unable to assess the extent to
which anticipated negative impacts on our tenants (and, in turn, us) arising
from the COVID-19 pandemic will be offset by amounts or benefits received or
to be received under the CARES Act, the PPPHCE Act and the ARPA.
• A substantial portion of our revenues are dependent upon one operator, UHS,
which comprised approximately 37% and 34% of our consolidated revenues for
the three-month periods ended
approximately 36% and 33% of our consolidated revenues for the nine-month
periods ended
disclosed, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UHS has notified us that it is
planning to terminate the existing lease on
Inland Valley Campus, upon the scheduled expiration of the current lease
term on
UHS has the right to purchase the leased property at its appraised fair
market value at the end of the existing lease term. However, UHS has agreed
to exchange, and lease back from us, substitution properties with an
aggregate fair market value substantially equal to that of Southwest
Healthcare System, Inland Valley Campus, in return for the real estate
assets of the Inland Valley Campus. The substitution properties consist of
one acute care hospital (including a behavioral health pavilion) and a newly
constructed behavioral health hospital. The Independent Trustees of our
Board, as well as the UHS Board of Directors, have approved these
transactions subject to satisfactory completion of definitive agreements,
which are in progress. The effective date of the transactions is expected to
coincide with the scheduled lease maturity date of
Pursuant to the terms of the lease on the Inland Valley Campus, we earned
$3.4 million of lease revenue during the nine-month period ended 23
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rental) and
2020 (
• In addition, we cannot assure you that subsidiaries of UHS will renew the
leases on the hospital facilities and free-standing emergency departments,
upon the scheduled expirations of the existing lease terms. In addition, if
subsidiaries of UHS exercise their options to purchase the respective leased
hospital facilities and FEDs, and do not enter into a substitution
arrangement upon expiration of the lease terms or otherwise, our future
revenues and results of operations could decrease if we were unable to earn
a favorable rate of return on the sale proceeds received, as compared to the
rental revenue currently earned pursuant to these leases. Please see Note 7
to the condensed consolidated financial statements - Lease Accounting, for
additional information related to the planned transaction with a
wholly-owned subsidiary of UHS in connection with
System, Inland Valley Campus. • In certain of our markets, the general real estate market has been
unfavorably impacted by increased competition/capacity and decreases in
occupancy and rental rates which may adversely impact our operating results
and the underlying value of our properties.
• A number of legislative initiatives have recently been passed into law that
may result in major changes in the health care delivery system on a national
or state level to the operators of our facilities, including UHS. No
assurances can be given that the implementation of these new laws will not
have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or
results of operations of our operators.
• The potential indirect impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, signed
into law on
and individual tax rates and calculation of taxes, which could potentially
impact our tenants and jurisdictions, both positively and negatively, in
which we do business, as well as the overall investment thesis for REITs.
• A subsidiary of UHS is our Advisor and our officers are all employees of a
wholly-owned subsidiary of UHS, which may create the potential for conflicts
of interest.
• Lost revenues resulting from the exercise of purchase options, lease
expirations and renewals and other transactions (see Note 7 to the condensed
consolidated financial statements - Lease Accounting for additional
disclosure related to lease expirations and subsequent vacancies that
occurred during the second and third quarters of 2019 on two hospital
facilities and the notice provided by
our other specialty hospitals that they do not intend to renew the lease on
its facility which expires on
• Potential unfavorable tax consequences and reduced income resulting from an
inability to complete, within the statutory timeframes, our anticipated tax
deferred like-kind exchange transactions pursuant to Section 1031 of the
Internal Revenue Code, as described in Note 4 to the condensed consolidated
financial statements - Acquisitions and Divestitures.
• Our ability to continue to obtain capital on acceptable terms, including
borrowed funds, to fund future growth of our business. • The outcome and effects of known and unknown litigation, government
investigations, and liabilities and other claims asserted against us, UHS or
the other operators of our facilities. UHS and its subsidiaries are subject
to legal actions, purported shareholder class actions and shareholder
derivative cases, governmental investigations and regulatory actions and the
effects of adverse publicity relating to such matters. Since UHS comprised
approximately 37% and 34% of our consolidated revenues during the
three-month periods ended
and 33% of our consolidated revenues during the nine-month period ended
our Advisor, you are encouraged to obtain and review the disclosures
contained in the Legal Proceedings section of Universal Health Services,
Inc.'s Forms 10-Q and 10-K, as publicly filed with theSecurities and Exchange Commission . Those filings are the sole responsibility of UHS and are not incorporated by reference herein.
• Failure of UHS or the other operators of our hospital facilities to comply
with governmental regulations related to the Medicare and Medicaid licensing
and certification requirements could have a material adverse impact on our
future revenues and the underlying value of the property.
• The potential unfavorable impact on our business of the deterioration in
national, regional and local economic and business conditions, including a
worsening of credit and/or capital market conditions, which may adversely
affect our ability to obtain capital which may be required to fund the future growth of our business and refinance existing debt with near term maturities.
• A deterioration in general economic conditions which could result in
increases in the number of people unemployed and/or insured. Under these
circumstances, the operators of our facilities may experience declines in
patient volumes which could result in decreased occupancy rates at our medical office buildings. 24
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• A worsening of the economic and employment conditions in
would likely materially affect the business of our operators, including UHS,
which would likely unfavorably impact our future bonus rentals (on the UHS
hospital facilities) and may potentially have a negative impact on the future lease renewal terms and the underlying value of the hospital properties.
• Real estate market factors, including without limitation, the supply and
demand of office space and market rental rates, changes in interest rates as
well as an increase in the development of medical office condominiums in certain markets.
• The impact of property values and results of operations of severe weather
conditions, including the effects of hurricanes.
• Government regulations, including changes in the reimbursement levels under
the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
• The issues facing the health care industry that affect the operators of our
facilities, including UHS, such as: changes in, or the ability to comply
with, existing laws and government regulations; unfavorable changes in the
levels and terms of reimbursement by third party payors or government
programs, including Medicare (including, but not limited to, the potential
unfavorable impact of future reductions to Medicare reimbursements resulting
from the Budget Control Act of 2011, as discussed in the next bullet point
below) and Medicaid (most states have reported significant budget deficits
that have, in the past, resulted in the reduction of Medicaid funding to the
operators of our facilities, including UHS); demographic changes; the
ability to enter into managed care provider agreements on acceptable terms;
an increase in uninsured and self-pay patients which unfavorably impacts the
collectability of patient accounts; decreasing in-patient admission trends;
technological and pharmaceutical improvements that may increase the cost of
providing, or reduce the demand for, health care, and; the ability to attract and retain qualified medical personnel, including physicians. • The Budget Control Act of 2011 imposed annual spending limits for most federal agencies and programs aimed at reducing budget deficits by$917 billion between 2012 and 2021, according to a report released by the
a bipartisan Congressional committee, known as the
Deficit Reduction (
recommendations aimed at reducing future federal budget deficits by an
additional
reach an agreement by the
across-the-board cuts to discretionary, national defense and Medicare
spending were implemented on
reductions of up to 2% per fiscal year with a uniform percentage reduction
across all Medicare programs. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, enacted on
imposed under the Budget Control Act of 2011. Recent legislation has suspended payment reductions throughDecember 31, 2021 in exchange for extended cuts through 2030. We cannot predict whetherCongress will restructure the implemented Medicare payment reductions or what other
federal budget deficit reduction initiatives may be proposed by
going forward. We also cannot predict the effect these enactments will have
on the operators of our properties (including UHS), and thus, our business.
• An increasing number of legislative initiatives have been passed into law
that may result in major changes in the health care delivery system on a
national or state level. Legislation has already been enacted that has
eliminated the penalty for failing to maintain health coverage that was part
of the original Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the "ACA").
strengthen the ACA and may reverse the policies of the prior administration.
To date, the Biden administration has issued executive orders implementing a
special enrollment period permitting individuals to enroll in health plans
outside of the annual open enrollment period and reexamining policies that
may undermine the ACA or the Medicaid program. The ARPA's expansion of
subsidies to purchase coverage through an exchange is anticipated to
increase exchange enrollment.
issuance of final rules: (i) enabling the formation of association health
plans that would be exempt from certain ACA requirements such as the
provision of essential health benefits; (ii) expanding the availability of
short-term, limited duration health insurance, (iii) eliminating
cost-sharing reduction payments to insurers that would otherwise offset
deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses for health plan enrollees at or
below 250 percent of the federal poverty level; (iv) relaxing requirements
for state innovation waivers that could reduce enrollment in the individual
and small group markets and lead to additional enrollment in short-term,
limited duration insurance and association health plans; and (v)
incentivizing the use of health reimbursement arrangements by employers to
permit employees to purchase health insurance in the individual market. The
uncertainty resulting from these Executive Branch policies had led to
reduced Exchange enrollment in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and is expected to
further worsen the individual and small group market risk pools in future
years. It is also anticipated that these policies, to the extent that they remain as implemented, may create additional cost and reimbursement pressures on hospitals, including ours. In addition, while attempts to repeal the entirety of the ACA have not been successful to date, a key
provision of the ACA was eliminated as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and
on
entire ACA is unconstitutional. That ruling was appealed and on
2019, the
individual mandate as unconstitutional. The case was ultimately appealed to
theUnited States Supreme Court , which decided in California v. Texas that the plaintiffs in the matter lacked standing to bring their constitutionality claims. As a result, the Legislation will continue to remain law, in its entirety, likely for the foreseeable future. 25
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• There can be no assurance that if any of the announced or proposed changes
described above are implemented there will not be negative financial impact
on the operators of our hospitals, which material effects may include a
potential decrease in the market for health care services or a decrease in
the ability of the operators of our hospitals to receive reimbursement for
health care services provided which could result in a material adverse
effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the operators
of our properties, and, thus, our business.
• Competition for properties include, but are not limited to, other REITs,
private investors and firms, banks and other companies, including UHS. In
addition, we may face competition from other REITs for our tenants.
• The operators of our facilities face competition from other health care providers, including physician owned facilities and other competing facilities, including certain facilities operated by UHS but the real property of which is not owned by us. Such competition is experienced in markets including, but not limited to,McAllen, Texas , the site of our
California , the site of ourSouthwest Healthcare System-Inland Valley Campus, a 130-bed acute care hospital.
• Changes in, or inadvertent violations of, tax laws and regulations and other
factors that can affect REITs and our status as a REIT, including possible
future changes to federal tax laws that could materially impact our ability
to defer gains on divestitures through like-kind property exchanges.
• The individual and collective impact of the changes made by the CARES Act on
REITs and their security holders are uncertain and may not become evident
for some period of time; it is also possible additional legislation could be
enacted in the future as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which may affect
the holders of our securities. • Should we be unable to comply with the strict income distribution
requirements applicable to REITs, utilizing only cash generated by operating
activities, we would be required to generate cash from other sources which
could adversely affect our financial condition.
• Our ownership interest in four LLCs/LPs in which we hold non-controlling
equity interests. In addition, pursuant to the operating and/or partnership
agreements of the four LLCs/LPs in which we continue to hold non-controlling
ownership interests, the third-party member and the Trust, at any time,
potentially subject to certain conditions, have the right to make an offer
("Offering Member") to the other member(s) ("Non-Offering Member") in which
it either agrees to: (i) sell the entire ownership interest of the Offering
Member to the Non-Offering Member ("Offer to Sell") at a price as determined
by the Offering Member ("Transfer Price"), or; (ii) purchase the entire
ownership interest of the Non-Offering Member ("Offer to Purchase") at the
equivalent proportionate Transfer Price. The Non-Offering Member has 60 to
90 days to either: (i) purchase the entire ownership interest of the
Offering Member at the Transfer Price, or; (ii) sell its entire ownership
interest to the Offering Member at the equivalent proportionate Transfer
Price. The closing of the transfer must occur within 60 to 90 days of the
acceptance by the Non-Offering Member. Please see Note 5 to the condensed
consolidated financial statements - Summarized Financial Information of
Equity Affiliates for additional disclosure related to a fourth quarter,
2021 transaction between us and the minority partner in
LP. • Fluctuations in the value of our common stock.
• Other factors referenced herein or in our other filings with the Securities
and
Given these uncertainties, risks and assumptions, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Our actual results and financial condition, including the operating results of our lessees and the facilities leased to subsidiaries of UHS, could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. We assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except as may be required by law. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted inthe United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We consider our critical accounting policies to be those that require us to make significant judgments and estimates when we prepare our financial statements, including the following: 26
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Purchase Accounting for Acquisition of Investments in Real Estate: Purchase accounting is applied to the assets and liabilities related to all real estate investments acquired from third parties. In accordance with current accounting guidance, we account for our property acquisitions as acquisitions of assets, which requires the capitalization of acquisition costs to the underlying assets and prohibits the recognition of goodwill or bargain purchase gains. The fair value of the real estate acquired is allocated to the acquired tangible assets, consisting primarily of land, building and tenant improvements, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases, and acquired ground leases, based in each case on their fair values. Loan premiums, in the case of above market rate assumed loans, or loan discounts, in the case of below market assumed loans, are recorded based on the fair value of any loans assumed in connection with acquiring the real estate. The fair values of the tangible assets of an acquired property are determined based on comparable land sales for land and replacement costs adjusted for physical and market obsolescence for the improvements. The fair values of the tangible assets of an acquired property are also determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, and the "as-if-vacant" value is then allocated to land, building and tenant improvements based on management's determination of the relative fair values of these assets. Management determines the as-if-vacant fair value of a property based on assumptions that a market participant would use, which is similar to methods used by independent appraisers. In addition, there is intangible value related to having tenants leasing space in the purchased property, which is referred to as in-place lease value. Such value results primarily from the buyer of a leased property avoiding the costs associated with leasing the property and also avoiding rent losses and unreimbursed operating expenses during the hypothetical lease-up period. Factors considered by management in performing these analyses include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rental revenue during the expected lease-up periods based on current market demand. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases including leasing commissions, tenant improvements, legal and other related costs. The value of in-place leases are amortized to expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective leases. In allocating the fair value of the identified intangible assets and liabilities of an acquired property, above-market and below-market in-place lease values are recorded based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) estimated fair market lease rates from the perspective of a market participant for the corresponding in-place leases, measured, for above-market leases, over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the lease and, for below-market leases, over a period equal to the initial term plus any below market fixed rate renewal periods. The capitalized above-market lease values are amortized as a reduction of rental income over the remaining non-cancelable terms of the respective leases. The capitalized below-market lease values, also referred to as acquired lease obligations, are amortized as an increase to rental income over the initial terms of the respective leases. Asset Impairment: Purchase accounting is applied to the assets and liabilities related to all real estate investments acquired from third parties. In accordance with current accounting guidance, we account for our property acquisitions as acquisitions of assets, which requires the capitalization of acquisition costs to the underlying assets and prohibits the recognition of goodwill or bargain purchase gains. The fair value of the real estate acquired is allocated to the acquired tangible assets, consisting primarily of land, building and tenant improvements, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases, and acquired ground leases, based in each case on their fair values. Loan premiums, in the case of above market rate assumed loans, or loan discounts, in the case of below market assumed loans, are recorded based on the fair value of any loans assumed in connection with acquiring the real estate. The fair values of the tangible assets of an acquired property are determined based on comparable land sales for land and replacement costs adjusted for physical and market obsolescence for the improvements. The fair values of the tangible assets of an acquired property are also determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, and the "as-if-vacant" value is then allocated to land, building and tenant improvements based on management's determination of the relative fair values of these assets. Management determines the as-if-vacant fair value of a property based on assumptions that a market participant would use, which is similar to methods used by independent appraisers. In addition, there is intangible value related to having tenants leasing space in the purchased property, which is referred to as in-place lease value. Such value results primarily from the buyer of a leased property avoiding the costs associated with leasing the property and also avoiding rent losses and unreimbursed operating expenses during the hypothetical lease-up period. Factors considered by management in performing these analyses include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rental revenue during the expected lease-up periods based on current market demand. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases including leasing commissions, tenant improvements, legal and other related costs. The value of in-place leases are amortized to expense over the remaining initial terms of the respective leases. Federal Income Taxes: No provision has been made for federal income tax purposes since we qualify as a REIT under Sections 856 to 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and intend to continue to remain so qualified. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet 27
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income to shareholders. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal, state or local income tax on income that we distribute as dividends to our shareholders. We are subject to a federal excise tax computed on a calendar year basis. The excise tax equals 4% of the amount by which 85% of our ordinary income plus 95% of any capital gain income for the calendar year exceeds cash distributions during the calendar year, as defined. No provision for excise tax has been reflected in the financial statements as no tax was due. Earnings and profits, which determine the taxability of dividends to shareholders, will differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes due to the differences for federal tax purposes in the cost basis of assets and in the estimated useful lives used to compute depreciation and the recording of provision for investment losses.
Results of Operations
During the three-month period ended
•$289,000 of other combined net increases including an aggregate net increase in income generated at various properties, including the income
recorded in connection with the newly constructed Clive Behavioral
Health facility; •$148,000 increase in bonus rentals earned on the three hospital facilities leased to subsidiaries of UHS, and;
•
discussed below in Interest Expense.
During the nine-month period ended
•
quarter of 2021 related to the sale of a medical office building located inSpringdale, AR ; •$1.4 million combined net increase resulting from an aggregate net
increase in income generated at various properties, including the income
recorded in connection with the newly constructed Clive Behavioral
Health facility; •$694,000 increase in bonus rentals earned on the three hospital facilities leased to subsidiaries of UHS, and;
•
discussed below in Interest Expense.
Total revenues increased$1.5 million , or 7.7%, during the three-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 , as compared to the third quarter of 2020, and increased$4.6 million , or 7.9%, during the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 , as compared to the comparable period of 2020. In addition to the increased revenues generated at various properties, the increases in each period of 2021, as compared to 2020, resulted primarily from the revenue recorded in connection with theClive Behavioral Health facility located inClive, Iowa , which was completed in December, 2020, and increased bonus rentals earned on the three hospital facilities leased to wholly-owned subsidiaries of UHS. Included in our other operating expenses are expenses related to the consolidated medical office buildings and two vacant hospital facilities, which totaled$5.3 million and$4.8 million for the three-month periods endedSeptember 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and$15.1 million and$14.2 million for the nine-month periods endedSeptember 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. A large portion of the expenses associated with our consolidated medical office buildings is passed on directly to the tenants either directly as tenant reimbursements of common area maintenance expenses or included in base rental amounts. Tenant reimbursements for operating expenses are accrued as revenue in the same period the related expenses are incurred and are included as lease revenue in our condensed consolidated statements of income. Included in our operating expenses for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 and 2020, is$225,000 and$153,000 , respectively, and$571,000 and$533,000 for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, of aggregate operating expenses related to two vacant hospital facilities located inCorpus Christi, Texas , andEvansville, Indiana . Funds from operations ("FFO") is a widely recognized measure of performance for Real Estate Investment Trusts ("REITs"). We believe that FFO and FFO per diluted share, which are non-GAAP financial measures, are helpful to our investors as measures of our operating performance. We compute FFO in accordance with standards established by theNational Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"), which may not be comparable to FFO reported by other REITs that do not compute FFO in accordance with the NAREIT definition, or that interpret the NAREIT definition differently than we interpret the definition. FFO adjusts for the effects of gains, such as gains on transactions during the periods presented. To the extent a REIT recognizes a gain or loss with respect to the sale of incidental assets, the REIT has the option to exclude or include such gains and losses in the calculation of FFO. We have opted to exclude gains and 28
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- losses from sales of incidental assets in our calculation of FFO. FFO does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered to be an alternative to net income determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, FFO should not be used as: (i) an indication of our financial performance determined in accordance with GAAP; (ii) an alternative to cash flow from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP; (iii) a measure of our liquidity, or; (iv) an indicator of funds available for our cash needs, including our ability to make cash distributions to shareholders.
Below is a reconciliation of our reported net income to FFO for the three and
nine-month periods ended
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net income$ 5,344 $ 5,193 $ 17,551 $ 14,447 Depreciation and amortization expense on consolidated investments 6,813 6,399 20,551 19,160 Depreciation and amortization expense on unconsolidated affiliates 460 290 1,196 869 Gain on sale of real estate assets - - (1,304 ) - Funds From Operations$ 12,617 $ 11,882 $ 37,994 $ 34,476 Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Diluted 13,783 13,770 13,777 13,763 Funds From Operations per diluted share$ 0.92 $ 0.86 $
2.76
Our FFO increased$735,000 , or$.06 per diluted share, during the third quarter of 2021, as compared to the third quarter of 2020. The net increase was primarily due to: (i) the increase in net income of$151,000 , or$.01 per diluted share, as discussed above; (ii) a$584,000 , or$.04 per diluted share, increase in depreciation and amortization expense on consolidated and unconsolidated affiliates, due primarily to the depreciation expense recorded on theClive Behavioral Health facility which was completed in December, 2020. Our FFO increased$3.5 million , or$.26 per diluted share, during the first nine months of 2021, as compared to the first nine months of 2020. The net increase was primarily due to: (i) the increase in net income of$3.1 million , or$.22 per diluted share, as discussed above; (ii) a$1.7 million , or$.13 per diluted share, increase in depreciation and amortization expense on consolidated investments and unconsolidated affiliates, due primarily to the depreciation expense recorded on theClive Behavioral Health facility which was completed in December, 2020, partially offset by the reduction for; (iii) the$1.3 million , or$.09 per diluted share, gain recorded during the first nine months of 2021 related to the sale of a medical office building, since we have historically excluded such gains from our calculation of FFO. Other Operating Results Interest Expense: As reflected in the schedule below, interest expense was$2.3 million and$2.0 million during the three-month periods endedSeptember 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively and$6.6 million and$6.3 million during the nine-month periods endedSeptember 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively (amounts in thousands): Three Months Three Months Nine Months Nine Months Ended Ended Ended Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revolving credit agreement $ 1,131 $ 948 $ 3,127 $ 3,646 Mortgage interest 623 645 1,887 1,957 Interest rate swaps expense/(income), net (a.) 328 299 957 430 Amortization of financing fees 176 220 608 549 Amortization of fair value of debt (13 ) (13 ) (39 ) (39 ) Capitalized interest on major projects - (128 ) - (254 ) Other interest 5 (7 ) 26 - Interest expense, net $ 2,250 $ 1,964 $ 6,566 $ 6,289
(a.) Represents net interest paid by us/(to us) by the counterparties pursuant
to three interest rate SWAPs with a combined notional amount of$140 million . Interest expense increased by$286,000 during the three-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 , as compared to the comparable quarter of 2020, due primarily to: (i) a$183,000 increase in the interest expense on our revolving credit agreement primarily resulting from an increase in our average outstanding borrowings ($259.8 million during the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 as compared to$220.1 million in the comparable quarter of 2020); (ii) a$29,000 net increase in interest rate swap expense; (iii) a 29 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------$128,000 increase in interest expense due to a decrease in capitalized interest on major projects (both newly constructed facilities were substantially completed in December, 2020), and; (iv)$54,000 of other combined net decreases in interest expense. Interest expense increased by$277,000 during the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 , as compared to the comparable period of 2020, due primarily to: (i) a$519,000 decrease in the interest expense on our revolving credit agreement resulting from a decrease in our average cost of borrowings (1.35% during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 as compared to 1.95% during the comparable nine month period of 2020), partially offset by an increase in our average outstanding borrowings ($249.1 million during the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 as compared to$216.3 million in the comparable 2020 nine-month period); (ii) a$527,000 net increase in interest rate swap expense; (iii) a$254,000 increase in interest expense due to a decrease in capitalized interest on major projects (both newly constructed facilities were substantially completed in December, 2020); (iv) a$59,000 increase resulting from increased amortization of financing fees, and; (v)$44,000 of other combined net decreases in interest expense.
Disclosures Related to Certain Facilities
Please refer to Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements - Lease Accounting, for additional information regarding certain of our hospital facilities includingWellington Regional Medical Center ,Southwest Healthcare System , Inland Valley Campus;Evansville, Indiana ;Corpus Christi, Texas ;PeaceHealth Medical Clinic , and; Kindred Hospital Chicago Central.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was$36.2 million during the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 as compared to$32.8 million during the comparable period of 2020. The$3.4 million net increase was attributable to:
• a favorable change of
plus/minus the adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities (depreciation and amortization, amortization
related to above/below market leases, amortization of debt premium,
amortization of deferred financing costs, stock-based compensation and
gain on sale of real estate assets), as discussed above; • an unfavorable change of$484,000 in lease receivable;
• a favorable change of
and prepaid rents; • an unfavorable change of$505,000 in leasing costs paid, and;
• other combined net favorable changes of
from the timing of prepaid expense payments.
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities was
During the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 we funded: (i)$13.0 million , including transaction costs, on the acquisition of the Fire Mesa office building in May, 2021, as discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements-Acquisitions and Dispositions; (ii)$11.5 million in additions to real estate investments including construction costs related to the 100-bed behavioral health care hospital located inClive, Iowa , that was substantially completed in late December, 2020, as well as tenant improvements at various MOBs; (iii) a$3.5 million member loan to an unconsolidated LP; (iv)$200,000 in a deposit on real estate assets, and; (v)$16.1 million in equity investments in unconsolidated LLCs. In addition, during the nine-months endedSeptember 30, 2021 , we received approximately$3.2 million of net cash proceeds from the sale of theChildren's Clinic of Springdale as discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements-Acquisitions and Dispositions. During the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2020 we funded: (i)$18.8 million in additions to real estate investments including$14.4 million of construction costs related to theClive Behavioral Health facility, and tenant improvements at various MOBs, and; (ii)$3.2 million in equity investments in unconsolidated LLCs. In addition, during the nine-months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , we received$5.2 million of cash distributions from our unconsolidated LLCs, consisting of proceeds generated from a construction loan obtained by Grayson Properties II during the second quarter of 2020.
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was
30 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- During the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2021 , we paid: (i)$1.6 million on mortgage notes payable that are non-recourse to us; (ii)$1.8 million of financing costs, primarily related to theJuly 2, 2021 amended and restated revolving credit agreement, and; (iii)$28.8 million of dividends. Additionally, during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 , we received: (i)$40.6 million of net borrowings on our revolving credit agreement, and; (ii)$159,000 of net cash from the issuance of shares of beneficial interest. During the nine-month period endedSeptember 30, 2020 , we paid: (i)$1.4 million on mortgage notes payable that are non-recourse to us; (ii)$372,000 of financing costs related to the revolving credit agreement in place at that time, including amendment fees, and; (iii)$28.4 million of dividends. Additionally, during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , we received: (i)$14.2 million of net borrowings on our revolving credit agreement, and; (ii)$266,000 of net cash from the issuance of shares of beneficial interest, as discussed below. During the second quarter of 2020, we commenced an at-the-market ("ATM") equity issuance program, pursuant to the terms of which we may sell, from time-to-time, common shares of our beneficial interest up to an aggregate sales price of$100 million to or through our agent banks. No shares were issued pursuant to this ATM equity program during the first nine months of 2021. Since inception pursuant to this ATM equity program, we have issued 2,704 shares at an average price of$101.30 per share which generated approximately$270,000 of net cash proceeds (net of compensation toBofA Securities, Inc. of approximately$4,000 ). Additionally, we paid or incurred approximately$508,000 in various fees and expenses related to the commencement of our ATM program.
Additional cash flow and dividends paid information for the nine-month periods
ended
As indicated on our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows, we generated net cash provided by operating activities of$36.2 million and$32.8 million during the nine-month periods endedSeptember 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As also indicated on our statement of cash flows, non-cash expenses including depreciation and amortization expense, amortization related to above/below market leases, amortization of debt premium, amortization of deferred financing costs and stock-based compensation expense, as well as the gain on sale of real estate assets are the primary differences between our net income and net cash provided by operating activities during each period. We declared and paid dividends of$28.8 million and$28.4 million during the nine-month periods endedSeptember 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the first nine months of 2021, the$36.2 million of net cash provided by operating activities was approximately$7.4 million greater than the$28.8 million of dividends paid during the first nine months of 2021. During the first nine months of 2020, the$32.8 million of net cash provided by operating activities was approximately$4.4 million greater than the$28.4 million of dividends paid during the first nine months of 2020. As indicated in the cash flows from investing activities and cash flows from financing activities sections of the statements of cash flows, there were various other sources and uses of cash during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 and 2020. From time to time, various other sources and uses of cash may include items such as investments and advances made to/from LLCs, additions to real estate investments, acquisitions/divestiture of properties, net borrowings/repayments of debt, and proceeds generated from the issuance of equity. Therefore, in any given period, the funding source for our dividend payments is not wholly dependent on the operating cash flow generated by our properties. Rather, our dividends as well as our capital reinvestments into our existing properties, acquisitions of real property and other investments are funded based upon the aggregate net cash inflows or outflows from all sources and uses of cash from the properties we own either in whole or through LLCs, as outlined above. In determining and monitoring our dividend level on a quarterly basis, our management andBoard of Trustees consider many factors in determining the amount of dividends to be paid each period. These considerations primarily include: (i) the minimum required amount of dividends to be paid in order to maintain our REIT status; (ii) the current and projected operating results of our properties, including those owned in LLCs, and; (iii) our future capital commitments and debt repayments, including those of our LLCs. Based upon the information discussed above, as well as consideration of projections and forecasts of our future operating cash flows, management and theBoard of Trustees have determined that our operating cash flows have been sufficient to fund our dividend payments. Future dividend levels will be determined based upon the factors outlined above with consideration given to our projected future results of operations. We expect to finance all capital expenditures and acquisitions and pay dividends utilizing internally generated and additional funds. Additional funds may be obtained through: (i) borrowings under our$375 million revolving credit agreement (which had$94.6 million of available borrowing capacity, net of outstanding borrowings and letters of credit as ofSeptember 30, 2021 ); (ii) borrowings under or refinancing of existing third-party debt pursuant to mortgage loan agreements entered into by our consolidated and unconsolidated LLCs/LPs; (iii) the issuance of equity pursuant to our ATM program, and/or; (iv) the issuance of other long-term debt. We believe that our operating cash flows, cash and cash equivalents, available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit agreement and access to the capital markets provide us with sufficient capital resources to fund our operating, investing and financing requirements for the next twelve months, including providing sufficient capital to allow us to make distributions necessary to enable us to continue to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856 to 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. In the event we need to access 31 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- the capital markets or other sources of financing, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain financing on acceptable terms or within an acceptable time. Our inability to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us could have a material unfavorable impact on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
Credit facilities and mortgage debt
Management routinely monitors and analyzes the Trust's capital structure in an effort to maintain the targeted balance among capital resources including the level of borrowings pursuant to our revolving credit facility, the level of borrowings pursuant to non-recourse mortgage debt secured by the real property of our properties and our level of equity including consideration of additional equity issuances pursuant to our ATM equity issuance program. This ongoing analysis considers factors such as the current debt market and interest rate environment, the current/projected occupancy and financial performance of our properties, the current loan-to-value ratio of our properties, the Trust's current stock price, the capital resources required for anticipated acquisitions and the expected capital to be generated by anticipated divestitures. This analysis, together with consideration of the Trust's current balance of revolving credit agreement borrowings, non-recourse mortgage borrowings and equity, assists management in deciding which capital resource to utilize when events such as refinancing of specific debt components occur or additional funds are required to finance the Trust's growth. OnJuly 2, 2021 , we entered into an amended and restated revolving credit agreement ("Credit Agreement") to amend and restate the previously existing$350 million credit agreement, as amended and datedJune 5, 2020 ("Prior Credit Agreement"). Among other things, under the Credit Agreement, our aggregate revolving credit commitment was increased to$375 million from$350 million . The Credit Agreement, which is scheduled to mature onJuly 2, 2025 , provides for a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of$375 million , including a$40 million sublimit for letters of credit and a$30 million sublimit for swingline/short-term loans. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, we may request that the revolving line of credit be increased by up to an additional$50 million . Borrowings under the new facility are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Trust. In addition, borrowings under the new facility are secured by first priority security interests in and liens on all equity interests in most of the Trust's wholly-owned subsidiaries. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement will bear interest annually at a rate equal to, at our option, at either LIBOR (for one, three, or six months) or the Base Rate, plus in either case, a specified margin depending on our ratio of debt to total capital, as determined by the formula set forth in the Credit Agreement. The applicable margin ranges from 1.10% to 1.35% for LIBOR loans and 0.10% to 0.35% for Base Rate loans. The initial applicable margin is 1.25% for LIBOR loans and 0.25% for Base Rate loans. The Credit Agreement defines "Base Rate" as the greatest of (a) the Administrative Agent's prime rate, (b) the federal funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) one month LIBOR plus 1%. The Trust will also pay a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.15% to 0.35% (depending on the Trust's ratio of debt to asset value) of the average daily unused portion of the revolving credit commitments. The Credit Agreement also provides for options to extend the maturity date and borrowing availability for two additional six-month periods. The margins over LIBOR, Base Rate and the facility fee are based upon our total leverage ratio. AtSeptember 30, 2021 , the applicable margin over the LIBOR rate was 1.25%, the margin over the Base Rate was 0.25% and the facility fee was 0.25%. AtSeptember 30, 2021 , we had$276.8 million of outstanding borrowings and$3.6 million of letters of credit outstanding under our Credit Agreement. We had$94.6 million of available borrowing capacity, net of the outstanding borrowings and letters of credit outstanding as ofSeptember 30, 2021 . There are no compensating balance requirements. AtDecember 31, 2020 , we had$236.2 million of outstanding borrowings outstanding against our Prior Credit Agreement and$108.2 million of available borrowing capacity. The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on certain indebtedness, liens, acquisitions and other investments, fundamental changes, asset dispositions and dividends and other distributions. The Credit Agreement also contains restrictive covenants regarding the Trust's ratio of total debt to total assets, the fixed charge coverage ratio, the ratio of total secured debt to total asset value, the ratio of total unsecured debt to total unencumbered asset value, and minimum tangible net worth, as well as customary events of default, the occurrence of which may trigger an acceleration of amounts then outstanding under the Credit Agreement. We are in compliance with all of the covenants in the Credit Agreement atSeptember 30, 2021 and were in compliance with all of the covenants in the Prior Credit Agreement atDecember 31, 2020 . We also believe that we would remain in compliance if, based on the assumption that the majority of the potential new borrowings will be used to fund investments, the full amount of our commitment was borrowed. 32
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following table includes a summary of the required compliance ratios, giving effect to the covenants contained in the Credit Agreement in place atSeptember 30, 2021 as well as the Prior Credit Agreement that was in place atDecember 31, 2020 (dollar amounts in thousands): September 30, December 31, Covenant 2021 2020 Tangible net worth > =$125,000 $ 141,419 $ 147,263 Total leverage < 60% 45.6 % 44.8 % Secured leverage < 30% 8.1 % 8.6 % Unencumbered leverage < 60% 47.2 % 41.4 % Fixed charge coverage > 1.50x 4.8x 4.7x As indicated on the following table, we have various mortgages, all of which are non-recourse to us, included on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as ofSeptember 30, 2021 (amounts in thousands): Outstanding Balance Interest Maturity Facility Name (in thousands) (a.) Rate Date700 Shadow Lane and Goldring MOBs fixed rate mortgage loan (b.) $ 5,268 4.54 % June, 2022BRB Medical Office Building fixed rate mortgage loan 5,337 4.27 % December, 2022Desert Valley Medical Center fixed rate mortgage loan 4,395 3.62 % January, 20232704 North Tenaya Way fixed rate mortgage loan 6,458 4.95 % November, 2023 Summerlin Hospital Medical Office Building III fixed rate mortgage loan 12,866 4.03 % April, 2024Tuscan Professional Building fixed rate mortgage loan 2,494 5.56 % June, 2025 Phoenix Children's East Valley Care Center fixed rate mortgage loan 8,530 3.95 % January, 2030Rosenberg Children's Medical Plaza fixed rate mortgage loan 12,333 4.42 % September, 2033 Total, excluding net debt premium and net financing fees 57,681 Less net financing fees (387 ) Plus net debt premium 103 Total mortgages notes payable, non-recourse to us, net $ 57,397
(a.) All mortgage loans require monthly principal payments through maturity and
either fully amortize or include a balloon principal payment upon maturity. (b.) This loan is scheduled to mature within the next twelve months, at which time we will decide whether to refinance pursuant to a new mortgage loan or by utilizing borrowings under our Credit Agreement. The mortgages are secured by the real property of the buildings as well as property leases and rents. The mortgages outstanding as ofSeptember 30, 2021 had a combined fair value of approximately$60.3 million . AtDecember 31, 2020 , we had various mortgages, all of which were non-recourse to us, included in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The combined outstanding balance of these various mortgages atDecember 31, 2020 was$59.2 million and had a combined fair value of approximately$62.0 million .
Changes in market rates on our fixed rate debt impacts the fair value of debt, but it has no impact on interest incurred or cash flow.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As ofSeptember 30, 2021 , we are party to certain off balance sheet arrangements consisting of standby letters of credit and equity and debt financing commitments. Our outstanding letters of credit atSeptember 30, 2021 totaled$3.6 million related to Grayson Properties II. As ofDecember 31, 2020 we had off balance sheet arrangements consisting of standby letters of credit and equity and debt financing commitments. Our outstanding letters of credit atDecember 31, 2020 totaled$5.6 million related to Grayson Properties II.
Acquisition and Divestiture Activity
Please see Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for completed transactions.
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