UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

o Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended _____________

 

or

 

x Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from September 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008

 

Commission File Number 000-19364

 

 

HEALTHWAYS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes o No x

 

As of February 2, 2009 there were outstanding 33,657,812 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.001 per share.

 

 

Healthways, Inc.

Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

Part I

 

 

HEALTHWAYS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTHWAYS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTHWAYS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except earnings per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTHWAYS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Four Months Ended December 31, 2008

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

HEALTHWAYS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTHWAYS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Healthways, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries for the month and four months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are unaudited. However, in our opinion, the consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal, recurring accruals necessary for a fair presentation.

 

We have omitted certain financial information that is normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States but that is not required for interim reporting purposes. You should read the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008.

 

 

Fair Value Measurement

 

In September 2006 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurement,” which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities, including a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop fair value assumptions.  It also requires expanded disclosure about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings.  The standard applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value and does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances.  SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”, which defers by one year the effective date of the provisions of SFAS No. 157 for non-recurring, nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 157 to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

We have several shareholder-approved stock incentive plans for employees and directors. We currently have three types of share-based awards outstanding under these plans: stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units. We believe that such awards align the interests of our employees and directors with those of our stockholders. We account for share-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.”

 

On December 30, 2008, we completed an offer to purchase from our employees, excluding the chief executive officer and Board of Directors, outstanding options to acquire shares of common stock of the Company that were granted between September 1, 2004 and August 15, 2008 under our shareholder-approved stock option plans (the “Tender Offer”). We purchased stock options representing the right to

 

 

acquire 1.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for $0.7 million in cash. We also recognized $11.5 million of additional stock-based compensation expense in December 2008, which represented the remaining compensation cost for these options as measured at the grant date but not yet recognized prior to the completion of the Tender Offer on December 30, 2008.

 

For the month and four months ended December 31, 2008 we recognized share-based compensation costs of $11.2 million and $14.9 million, respectively, including the $11.5 million of additional expense related to the Tender Offer described above, which consisted of $7.4 million included in cost of services and $4.1 million included in selling, general and administrative expenses. For the month and four months ended December 31, 2007, we recognized share-based compensation costs of $0.9 million and $5.1 million, respectively.

 

A summary of our stock options as of December 31, 2008 and changes during the four months then ended is presented below:

 

 

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the month and four months ended December 31, 2008 was $4.34 and $4.97, respectively.

 

The following table shows a summary of our restricted stock and restricted stock units (“nonvested shares”) as of December 31, 2008 as well as activity during the four months then ended:

 

 

 

 

During the month and four months ended December 31, 2008, we incurred net charges of $9.7 million and $10.3 million, respectively, related to a restructuring of the Company primarily focused on streamlining management and better positioning the Company to deliver fully integrated solutions, which was largely completed by the end of calendar 2008. These restructuring charges primarily consisted of

 

 

severance costs, net of equity forfeitures, and costs associated with capacity consolidation. These amounts represent the cumulative charges incurred, and we do not expect to incur significant additional costs related to this restructuring.

 

In December 2008, we decided to discontinue offering one of our products as a standalone program. As a result of this decision we did not renew the expiring trade name associated with this product and recorded an impairment loss of $4.3 million in December 2008 to write off this intangible asset.

 

 

Our effective tax rate increased to 57.9% for the four months ended December 31, 2008 compared to 41.1% for the four months ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to a relatively small base of pretax income for the four months ended December 31, 2008 in relation to the lack of tax benefit on certain expenses incurred in international initiatives, the impact of tax interest accruals, and the impact of certain non-deductible expenses for income tax purposes.

 

We file income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction and in various state and foreign jurisdictions. We are currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service for our 2005 and 2006 tax years.

 

We believe that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from the tax examination. However, the outcome of tax audits cannot be predicted with certainty. If issues addressed in our tax audit are resolved in a manner not consistent with our expectations, we could be required to adjust our provision for income tax in the period such resolution occurs, the timing of which is uncertain.

 

 

SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Investments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. It requires companies to record all derivatives at estimated fair value as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and to recognize the unrealized gains and losses, the treatment of which depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument.

 

As a result of our international initiatives, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risks. A significant portion of these risks is typically economically hedged with currency options and/or forward contracts in order to minimize our earnings exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The principal currency hedged is the Euro. These derivative instruments serve as economic hedges and do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under SFAS No. 133. Accordingly, they require current period mark-to-market accounting, with any change in fair value being recorded each period in the statement of operations. We record the fair market value of our foreign currency derivatives as other current assets or accrued liabilities. We routinely monitor our foreign currency exposures to maximize the overall effectiveness of our foreign currency hedge positions.

 

We currently maintain six interest rate swap agreements to reduce our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on our floating rate debt commitments. Under these interest rate swap agreements, the interest rate is fixed with respect to specified amounts of notional principal. The swaps are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 133 and were designated at their inception as qualifying cash flow hedges; thus, they are recorded at estimated fair value in the balance sheet, with changes in fair value being

 

 

reported in other comprehensive income or loss. The aggregate fair value of the swaps at December 31, 2008 of ($11.3) million has been reported in other long-term liabilities with an offset, net of tax, included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

 

On December 1, 2006, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (the “Third Amended Credit Agreement”). The Third Amended Credit Agreement provides us with a $400.0 million revolving credit facility, including a swingline sub facility of $10.0 million and a $75.0 million sub facility for letters of credit, a $200.0 million term loan facility, and an uncommitted incremental accordion facility of $200.0 million. As of December 31, 2008, availability under our revolving credit facility and swingline sub facility totaled $287.6 million.

 

Revolving advances under the Third Amended Credit Agreement generally bear interest, at our option, at 1) LIBOR plus a spread of 0.875% to 1.750% or 2) the greater of the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or the prime rate, plus a spread of 0.000% to 0.250%. Term loan borrowings bear interest, at our option, at 1) LIBOR plus 1.50% or 2) the greater of the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or the prime rate. The Third Amended Credit Agreement also provides for a fee ranging between 0.150% and 0.300% of unused commitments. The Third Amended Credit Agreement is secured by guarantees from most of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and by security interests in substantially all of the Company’s and such subsidiaries’ assets.

 

We are required to repay outstanding revolving loans on the revolving commitment termination date, which is December 1, 2011. We are required to repay term loans in quarterly principal installments aggregating $0.5 million each, which commenced on March 31, 2007, and the entire unpaid principal balance of the term loans is due and payable at maturity on December 1, 2013.

 

The Third Amended Credit Agreement contains various financial covenants, which require us to maintain, as defined, ratios or levels of 1) total funded debt to EBITDA, 2) fixed charge coverage, and 3) net worth. It also restricts the payment of dividends and limits the amount of repurchases of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2008, we were in compliance with all of the covenant requirements of the Third Amended Credit Agreement.

 

As of December 31, 2008, we are currently a party to the following interest rate swap agreements for which we receive a variable rate of interest based on the three-month LIBOR and for which we pay the following fixed rates of interest plus a spread of 0.875% to 1.750% on revolving advances and a spread of 1.50% on term loan borrowings:

 

 

 

(1) The principal value of this swap agreement amortizes over a 39-month period. The notional                 amount of this swap as of December 31, 2008 was $120 million.

(2) This swap agreement becomes effective April 1, 2009.

 

 

(3) This swap agreement becomes effective October 1, 2009.

(4) This swap agreement becomes effective January 2, 2010.

 

We currently believe that we meet the hedge accounting criteria under SFAS No. 133 in accounting for these interest rate swap agreements.

 

 

Former Employee Action

 

In June 1994, a former employee whom we dismissed in February 1994 filed a “whistle blower” action on behalf of the United States government. Subsequent to its review of this case, the federal government determined not to intervene in the litigation. The employee sued Healthways, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiary, American Healthways Services, Inc. (“AHSI”), as well as certain named and unnamed medical directors and one named client hospital, West Paces Medical Center (“WPMC”), and other unnamed client hospitals.

 

Healthways, Inc. has since been dismissed as a defendant; however, the case is still pending against AHSI. In addition, WPMC has settled claims filed against it as part of a larger settlement agreement that WPMC’s parent organization, HCA Inc., reached with the United States government. The plaintiff has also dismissed its claims against the medical directors with prejudice, and on February 7, 2007 the court granted the plaintiff’s motion and dismissed all claims against all named medical directors.

 

The complaint alleges that AHSI, the client hospitals and the medical directors violated the federal False Claims Act by entering into certain arrangements that allegedly violated the federal anti-kickback statute and provisions of the Social Security Act prohibiting physician self-referrals. Although no specific monetary damage has been claimed, the plaintiff, on behalf of the federal government, seeks treble damages plus civil penalties and attorneys’ fees. The plaintiff also has requested an award of 30% of any judgment plus expenses.

 

In the action by the former employee, discovery is complete. On April 28, 2008, AHSI filed a motion for summary judgment seeking dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims. On July 21, 2008, the court granted the motion for summary judgment with respect to the plaintiff’s claims alleging violations of provisions of the Social Security Act prohibiting physician self-referrals, and these claims have been dismissed. The court denied the motion for summary judgment with respect to the plaintiff’s claims alleging violations of the federal anti-kickback statute and ruled that the plaintiff may go to trial as to those claims. The proceedings before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia have concluded, and on December 9, 2008 the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered that the case be remanded to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee for trial. No trial date has been set. The parties have had initial discussions regarding their respective positions in the case; however, no resolution of this case has been reached or can be assured prior to the case proceeding to trial.

 

In a related matter, in February 2006, WPMC filed an arbitration claim seeking indemnification from us for certain costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with the case. In the action by WPMC, initial arbitration proceedings were commenced during the third quarter of fiscal 2006. During September 2007, the parties to this matter agreed to place the arbitration on hold for an indefinite period.

 

We believe that we have conducted our operations in full compliance with applicable statutory requirements and that we have meritorious defenses to the claims made in the case and the related arbitration proceeding, and intend to contest the claims vigorously.

 

 

 

Securities Class Actions

 

Beginning on June 5, 2008, Healthways and certain of its present and former officers and/or directors were named as defendants in two putative securities class actions filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division. On August 8, 2008, the court ordered the consolidation of the two related cases, appointed lead plaintiff and lead plaintiff’s counsel, and granted lead plaintiff leave to file a consolidated amended complaint. 

 

The amended complaint, filed on September 22, 2008, alleges that the Company and the individual defendants violated Sections 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) and that the individual defendants violated Section 20(a) of the Act as “control persons” of Healthways.  The amended complaint further alleges that certain of the individual defendants also violated Section 20A of the Act based on their stock sales.  Plaintiff purports to bring these claims for unspecified monetary damages on behalf of a class of investors who purchased Healthways stock between July 5, 2007 and August 25, 2008. 

 

In support of these claims, lead plaintiff alleges generally that, during the proposed class period, the Company made misleading statements and omitted material information regarding (1) the purported loss or restructuring of certain contracts with customers, (2) the Company’s participation in the Medicare Health Support (“MHS”) pilot program for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and (3) the Company’s guidance for fiscal year 2008.  Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint on November 12, 2008.  Discovery has not yet commenced in the consolidated case, and no trial date has been set.  

 

Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits  

 

Also, on June 27, 2008 and July 24, 2008, respectively, two shareholders filed putative derivative actions purportedly on behalf of Healthways in the Chancery Court for the State of Tennessee, Twentieth Judicial District, Davidson County, against certain directors and officers of the Company.  These actions are based upon substantially the same facts alleged in the securities class action litigation described above.  The plaintiffs are seeking to recover damages in an unspecified amount and equitable and/or injunctive relief. 

 

On August 13, 2008, the Court consolidated these two lawsuits and appointed lead counsel.  On October 3, 2008, the Court ordered that the consolidated action be stayed until the motion to dismiss in the securities class action has been resolved by the District Court.  Discovery has not yet commenced in the consolidated case, and no trial date has been set.

 

ERISA Lawsuit  

 

Additionally, on July 31, 2008, a purported class action alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division against Healthways, Inc. and certain of its directors and officers alleging breaches of fiduciary duties to participants in the Company’s 401(k) plan.  The central allegation is that Company stock was an imprudent investment option for the 401(k) plan. 

 

The complaint was amended on September 29, 2008.  The named defendants are: the Company, the Board of Directors, certain officers, and members of the Investment Committee charged with administering the 401(k) plan.  The amended complaint alleges that the defendants violated ERISA by failing to remove the Company stock fund from the 401(k) plan when it allegedly became an imprudent

 

 

investment, by failing to disclose adequately the risks and results of the MHS pilot program to 401(k) plan participants, and by failing to seek independent advice as to whether to continue to permit the plan to hold Company stock.  It further alleges that the Company and its directors should have been more closely monitoring the Investment Committee and other plan fiduciaries.  The amended complaint seeks damages in an undisclosed amount and other equitable relief.  Defendants filed a motion to dismiss on October 29, 2008.   On January 28, 2009, the Court granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss. Under the schedule that currently exists, discovery in this case will commence by March 26, 2009, and a trial date of April 27, 2010 has been set.

 

Outlook

 

While we believe we have meritorious defenses to the claims made in the foregoing described legal proceedings, resolution of these legal matters could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and/or financial condition although we are not able to reasonably estimate a range of potential losses. With regard to the lawsuit by the former employee, in the event a trial date is set for 2009 or early 2010 and we do not reach resolution of this matter prior to proceeding to trial, we will likely incur a substantial increase in our legal fees in connection with this matter, which may be material to our consolidated results of operations for calendar 2009 or in a particular financial reporting period. As these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties, our view of these matters may change in the future.

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes, was ($11.4) million and $5.2 million for the month ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and ($2.8) million and $15.4 million for the four months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the month and four months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

Founded in 1981, Healthways, Inc. provides specialized, comprehensive solutions to help people improve physical, emotional and social well-being, reducing both direct health care costs and the costs associated with the loss of health-related employee productivity.

 

We provide highly specific and personalized interventions for each individual in a population, irrespective of health status, age or sponsor. Our evidence-based health, prevention and well-being services are made available to consumers via phone, direct mail, the Internet, face-to-face consultations and venue-based interactions.

 

In North America, our customers include health plans, governments, employers and hospitals in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. We also provide health improvement programs and services in Germany, Brazil and Australia. We have a worldwide network of care enhancement and coaching centers staffed with licensed health professionals. Our fitness center network encompasses more than 18,000 U.S. locations. We also maintain an extensive network of complementary and alternative medicine providers and chiropractors consisting of more than 32,000 licensed professionals.

 

Specifically, we focus on:

 

 

 

Our prevention programs focus on education, physical fitness, health coaching, behavior change techniques and support, and evidence-based interventions to drive adherence to proven standards of care, medication regimens and physicians’ plans of care. We believe this approach optimizes the health status of member populations and reduces the short- and long-term direct health care costs for participants, including costs associated with the loss of health-related employee productivity.

 

 

 

We enable health plans and employers to engage everyone in their covered populations through specific interventions that are sensitive to each individual’s health risks and needs. Our products are designed to motivate people to make positive lifestyle changes and accomplish individual goals, such as increasing physical activity for seniors through the Healthways SilverSneakers® fitness program or overcoming nicotine addition through the QuitNet® on-line smoking cessation community.

 

 

 

 

 

We provide programs for people with chronic diseases or persistent conditions, including: diabetes, coronary artery disease, heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage renal disease, cancer, chronic kidney disease, depression, high-risk obesity, metabolic syndrome, acid-related stomach disorders, atrial fibrillation, decubitus ulcer, fibromyalgia, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, low-back pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and urinary incontinence. We also provide high-risk care management for members at risk for hospitalization due to complex conditions. We believe creating real and sustainable behavior change generates measurable, long-term cost savings.

 

In summary, our guiding philosophy and approach to market is predicated on the fundamental belief that healthier people cost less and are more productive. Our programs are designed to help keep healthy individuals healthy, mitigate and delay the progression to disease associated with family or lifestyle risk factors, and promote the best possible health habits for those who are already affected by health conditions or disease.

 

At the same time, we recognize that each individual plays a variety of roles in his or her pursuit of health, often simultaneously. By providing the full spectrum of services to meet each individual’s needs, we believe our interventions can be delivered at scale and in a manner that reflects those unique needs over time. Further, our extensive and fully accredited complementary and alternative provider network offers convenient access to the significant number of individuals who seek health services outside of the traditional health care system.

 

Change in Fiscal Year

 

In August 2008, our Board of Directors approved a change in our fiscal year-end from August 31 to December 31. Accordingly, our full fiscal year began on January 1, 2009 following the four-month transition period ending December 31, 2008.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements, which are based upon current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and can be identified by the use of words like “may,” “believe,” “will,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” or “continue.” In order for us to usethe “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we caution you that the following important factors, among others, may affect these forward-looking statements. Consequently, actual operations and results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The important factors include but are not limited to:

 

 

 

 

 

We undertake no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements.

 

Customer Contracts

 

Contract Terms

 

We generally determine our contract fees by multiplying a contractually negotiated rate per member per month (“PMPM”) by the number of members covered by our services during the month. We typically set the PMPM rates during contract negotiations with customers based on the value we expect our programs to create and a sharing of that value between the customer and the Company. In addition, some of our services are billed on a fee for service basis.

 

Our contracts with health plans generally range from three to five years with provisions for subsequent renewal; contracts with self-insured employers, either directly or through their health plans or pharmacy benefit manager, typically have one to three-year terms. Some contracts allow the customer to terminate early.

 

Some of our contracts provide that a portion (up to 100%) of our fees may be refundable to the customer (“performance-based”) if our programs do not achieve, when compared to a baseline year, a targeted percentage reduction in the customer’s healthcare costs and selected clinical and/or other criteria that focus on improving the health of the members. Approximately 4% of revenues recorded during the four months ended December 31, 2008 were performance-based and were subject to final reconciliation as of December 31, 2008. We anticipate that this percentage will fluctuate due to the level of performance-based fees in new contracts, revenue recognition associated with performance-based fees, and the timing of data reconciliation, which varies according to contract terms. A limited number of contracts also provide opportunities for us to receive incentive bonuses in excess of the contractual PMPM rate if we exceed contractual performance targets.

 

We participated in two Medicare Health Support pilots, which terminated in January 2008 and July 2008, respectively. These pilots were awarded under the Chronic Care Improvement Program authorized by the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. We began operating one pilot in August 2005 to serve 20,000 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries in Maryland and the District of Columbia. All fees under this pilot were performance-based. This pilot ended on its scheduled termination date of July 31, 2008. In addition, we began serving 20,000 beneficiaries in Georgia in September 2005 in collaboration with CIGNA HealthCare, Inc (“CIGNA”). CIGNA terminated its Chronic Care Improvement Program Cooperative Agreement with CMS effective January 14, 2008. The majority of our fees under our contract with CIGNA were performance-based. Both pilots were for complex diabetes and congestive heart failure disease management services and, while operationally similar to our programs for

 

 

commercial and Medicare Advantage health plan populations, were modified for the special needs and conditions of this population.

 

In June 2006, we signed an amendment to our cooperative agreement with CMS for our Medicare Health Support stand-alone pilot in Maryland and the District of Columbia, which, among other things, enabled us to provide congestive heart failure programs to approximately 4,500 additional Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries for two years beginning on August 1, 2006 (the “refresh population”). This pilot also ended on its scheduled termination date of July 31, 2008. All fees for the refresh population were performance-based.

 

Technology

 

Our customer contracts require sophisticated analytical, data management, Internet and computer-telephony solutions based on state-of-the-art technology. These solutions help us deliver our Health and Care Support services to large populations within our customer base. Our predictive modeling capabilities allow us to identify and stratify those participants who are most at risk for an adverse health event. We incorporate behavior-change science with consumer-friendly interactions such as face-to-face, telephonic, print materials and web portals to facilitate consumer preferences for engagement and convenience. We use sophisticated data analytical and reporting solutions to validate the impact of our programs on clinical and financial outcomes. We continue to invest heavily in technology and are continually expanding and improving our proprietary clinical, data management, and reporting systems to continue to meet the information management requirements of our Health and Care Support services. The behavior change techniques incorporated in our technology identify an individual’s readiness to change and tailor appropriate messaging and venues to motivate and sustain healthy behaviors.

 

Contract Revenues

 

Our contract revenues depend on the contractual terms we establish and maintain with customers to provide Health and Care Support services to their members. Some contracts allow the customer to terminate early. Restructurings and possible terminations at, or prior to, renewal could have a material negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

 

Approximately 19% of our revenues for the month and four months ended December 31, 2008 were derived from one customer. The loss of this customer or any other large customer or a reduction in the profitability of a contract with any large customer would have a material negative impact on our results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.

 

Domestic Commercial Billed Lives and Domestic Commercial Available Lives

 

The number of domestic commercial available lives and domestic commercial billed lives as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

⁽¹⁾ Estimated based on the Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) Directory of Health Plans and publicly available information.

 

 

 

Backlog

 

Backlog represents the estimated annualized revenue at target performance for business awarded but not yet started. Annualized revenue in backlog as of December 31, 2008 was $35.9 million. Our Health and Care Support services for self-insured employers generally begin on January 1, which has historically resulted in a disproportionate amount of our new business beginning on this date.

 

Business Strategy

 

The World Health Organization defines health as “...not only the absence of infirmity and disease, but also a state of physical, mental, and social well-being.”

 

Our business strategy reflects our passion to enhance health and well-being, and as a result, reduce overall costs and improve productivity. Our programs are designed to:

 

 

Through our solutions, we work to optimize the health and well-being of entire populations, one person at a time, domestically and internationally, thereby creating value, reducing overall costs and improving productivity for individuals, families, health plans, governments and employers.

 

We believe it is critical to impact an entire population’s underlying health status and well-being in a long-term, cost effective way. Believing that what gets measured gets acted upon, in January 2008, we entered into an exclusive, 25-year relationship with Gallup to provide a national, daily pulse of individual and collective well-being. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index^TM is a unique partnership in well-being measurement and research that surveys 1,000 Americans every day, seven days a week. Under the agreement, Gallup evaluates and reports on the well-being of countries, states and communities. We perform similar services for companies, families and individuals.

 

To impact measurements like the Well-Being Index and thus enhance health and well-being within their respective populations, our current and prospective customers need solutions that focus on the underlying drivers of health care demand, address worsening health status, reverse or slow unsustainable cost trends, foster healthy behaviors, mitigate health risks, and manage chronic conditions. Our strategy is to deliver programs that engage individuals and help them enhance their health status and well-being regardless of their starting point. We believe we can achieve health and well-being improvements in a population and generate significant cost savings and productivity improvements by providing effective programs that support the individual throughout his or her health journey.

 

We are adding and enhancing solutions to extend our reach and effectiveness and to meet increasing demand for integrated solutions. The flexibility of our programs allows customers to provide services they deem appropriate for their organizations. Customers may select from certain single program options up to a total-population approach, in which all members of the customer’s population are eligible to receive benefits.

 

To support competitive advantage in delivering our services, we plan to continue using our scalable, state-of-the-art call centers, medical information content, behavior change processes and techniques, strategic relationships, health provider networks, fitness center relationships, proprietary technologies and techniques. We anticipate we will continue to enhance, expand and further integrate

 

 

capabilities, pursue opportunities in domestic government and international markets, and enhance our information technology support. We may add some of these new capabilities and technologies through internal development, strategic alliances with other entities and/or through selective acquisitions or investments.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We describe our accounting policies in Note 1of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008. We prepare the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

 

We believe the following accounting policies are the most critical in understanding the estimates and judgments that are involved in preparing our financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We generally determine our contract fees by multiplying a contractually negotiated rate per member per month (“PMPM”) by the number of members covered by our services during the month. We typically set the PMPM rates during contract negotiations with customers based on the value we expect our programs to create and a sharing of that value between the customer and the Company. In addition, some of our services are billed on a fee for service basis.

 

Our contracts with health plans generally range from three to five years with provisions for subsequent renewal; contracts with self-insured employers, either directly or through their health plans, typically have one to three-year terms. Some contracts allow the customer to terminate early.

 

Some of our contracts provide that a portion (up to 100%) of our fees may be refundable to the customer (“performance-based”) if our programs do not achieve, when compared to a baseline year, a targeted percentage reduction in the customer’s healthcare costs and selected clinical and/or other criteria that focus on improving the health of the members. Approximately 4% of revenues recorded during the four months ended December 31, 2008 were performance-based and were subject to final reconciliation as of December 31, 2008. We anticipate that this percentage will fluctuate due to the level of performance-based fees in new contracts, revenue recognition associated with performance-based fees, and the timing of data reconciliation, which varies according to contract terms. A limited number of contracts also provide opportunities for us to receive incentive bonuses in excess of the contractual PMPM rate if we exceed contractual performance targets.

 

We generally bill our customers each month for the entire amount of the fees contractually due for the prior month’s enrollment, which typically includes the amount, if any, that is performance-based and may be subject to refund should we not meet performance targets. Deferred revenues arise from contracts which permit upfront billing and collection of fees covering the entire contractual service period, generally 12 months. Contractually, we cannot bill for any incentive bonus until after contract settlement. Fees for service are typically billed in the month after the services are provided.

 

We recognize revenue as follows: 1) we recognize the fixed portion of PMPM fees and fees for service as revenue during the period we perform our services; 2) we recognizethe performance-based portion of the monthly feesbased on the most recent assessment of our performance, which represents the

 

 

amount that the customer would legally be obligated to pay if the contract were terminated as of the latest balance sheet date; and 3) we recognizeadditional incentive bonuses based on the most recent assessment of ourperformance, to the extent we considersuch amounts collectible.

 

We assess our level of performance for our contracts based on medical claims and other data that the customer is contractually required to supply. A minimum of four to six months’ data is typically required for us to measure performance. In assessing our performance, we may include estimates such as medical claims incurred but not reported and a medical cost trend compared to a baseline year. In addition, we may also provide contractual reserves, when appropriate, for billing adjustments at contract reconciliation.

 

Substantially all of the fees under the Medicare Health Support pilots in which we participated were performance-based. Our original cooperative agreements required that, by the end of the third year, we achieve a cumulative net savings (total savings for the intervention population as compared to the control group less fees received from CMS) of 5.0%. Under an amendment to our agreement for our stand-alone Medicare Health Support pilot in Maryland and the District of Columbia, we began serving a “refresh population” of approximately 4,500 beneficiaries on August 1, 2006, which was measured as a separate cohort for two years, by the end of which the program was required to achieve a 2.5% cumulative net savings when compared to a new control cohort. In April 2008, we signed an amendment to our Medicare Health Support protocol with CMS, which changed the financial performance target for both the initial and the refresh populations to budget neutrality. Although we receive the medical claims and other data associated with the intervention group under these pilots on a monthly basis, we assess our performance against the control group under these pilots based on quarterly summary performance reports received from CMS’ independent financial reconciliation contractor. As of December 31, 2008, based on our performance to date, we had recognized $10.2 million of cumulative performance-based fees under the Medicare Health Support pilots, and the remaining $55.8 million of performance-based fees related to these pilots were recorded in contract billings in excess of earned revenue. Under the terms of our Cooperative Agreement with CMS, we expect to receive the final quarterly summary performance report from CMS’ independent financial reconciliation contractor in the first half of calendar 2009. While the Cooperative Agreement allows for a 30-day reconciliation period upon receipt of the final quarterly summary performance report, we cannot assure you that we will be able to reach a final reconciliation within this timeframe.

 

Ifdata is insufficient or incomplete to measure performance, or interim performance measures indicate that we are not meetingperformance targets, we do not recognize performance-based fees subject to refund as revenues but instead record them in a current liability account entitled “contract billings in excess of earned revenue.” Only in the event we do not meet performance levels by the end of the measurement period, typically one year, are we contractually obligated to refund some or all of the performance-based fees. We would only reverse revenues that we had already recognized if performance to date in the measurement period, previously above targeted levels, subsequently dropped below targeted levels. Historically, any such adjustments have been immaterial to our financial condition and results of operations.

 

During the settlement process under a contract, which generally occurs six to eight months after the end of a contract year, we settle any performance-based fees and reconcile healthcare claims and clinical data. As of December 31, 2008, performance-based fees that have not yet been settled with our customers but that have been recognized as revenue in the current and prior years totaled approximately $53.1 million. Of this amount, $10.2 million was based on calculations which include estimates such as medical claims incurred but not reported and/or the customer’s medical cost trend compared to a baseline year, while $42.9 million was based entirely on actual data received from our customers. Data reconciliation differences, for which we provide contractual allowances until we reach agreement with

 

 

respect to identified issues, can arise between the customer and us due to customer data deficiencies, omissions, and/or data discrepancies.

 

Performance-related adjustments (including any amounts recorded as revenue that were ultimately refunded), changes in estimates, data reconciliation differences, or adjustments to incentive bonuses may cause us to recognize or reverse revenue in a current fiscal year that pertains to services provided during a prior fiscal year. During the four months ended December 31, 2008, we recognized a net increase in revenue of approximately $4.5 million that related to services provided prior to September 1, 2008.

 

Impairment of Intangible Assets and Goodwill

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” we review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

 

If we determine that the carrying value of goodwill is impaired based upon an impairment review, we calculate any impairment using a fair-value-based goodwill impairment test as required by SFAS No. 142. Fair value is the amount at which the asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between two willing parties. We estimate fair value using a number of techniques, including quoted market prices, present value techniques based on estimates of cash flows, or multiples of earnings or revenues performance measures.

 

We amortize other identifiable intangible assets, such as acquired technologies and customer contracts, on the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, except for a trade name which has an indefinite life and is not subject to amortization. We review intangible assets not subject to amortization on an annual basis or more frequently whenever events or circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. We assess the potential impairment of intangible assets subject to amortization whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable.

 

If we determine that the carrying value of other identifiable intangible assets may not be recoverable, we calculateany impairmentusing an estimate of the asset’s fair value based on the projected net cash flows expected to result from that asset, including eventual disposition.

 

Future events could cause us to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that goodwill and/or other intangible assets associated with ouracquired businesses are impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Income Taxes

 

SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for the effect of income taxes. The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. SFAS No. 109 requires significant judgment in determining income tax provisions, including determination of deferred tax assets, deferred tax liabilities, and any valuation allowances that might be required against deferred tax assets, and in evaluating tax positions.

 

Accruals for uncertain tax positions are provided for in accordance with the requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”. Under FIN No. 48, we

 

 

may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on derecognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and income tax disclosures. Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. Variations in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences could materially impact our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), we measure and recognize compensation expense for all share-based payment awards based on estimated fair values at the date of grant. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment in developing assumptions, which involve a number of variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and expected stock option exercise behavior. In addition, we also use judgment in estimating the number of share-based awards that are expected to be forfeited.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table shows the components of the statements of operations for the four months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 expressed as a percentage of revenues.

 

 

⁽¹⁾ Figures may not add due to rounding.

 

 

 

Revenues

 

Revenues for the four months ended December 31, 2008 increased $10.5 million, or 4.5%, over revenues for the four months ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to the following:

 

 

These increases were partially offset by decreases in revenues of $18.9 million primarily due to contract restructurings and terminations with certain customers, program terminations by certain customers, and the loss by some of our health plan customers of their administrative services only (“ASO”) employer accounts.

 

Cost of Services

 

Cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization) as a percentage of revenues increased to 72.6% for the four months ended December 31, 2008 compared to 69.9% for the four months ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to the following:

 

 

These increases were somewhat offset by the following decreases in cost of services as a percentage of revenues:

 

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to 11.4% for the four months ended December 31, 2008 compared to 9.3% for the four months ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to the completion of the Tender Offer on December 30, 2008, which resulted in additional stock-based compensation expense of $4.1 million representing the remaining compensation cost for these options as measured at the grant date but not yet recognized prior to the completion of the Tender Offer.

 

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased 18.3% for the four months ended December 31, 2008 compared to the four months ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to increased depreciation expense resulting from capital expenditures of computer software and hardware, which we made to enhance our information technology capabilities, and capital expenditures related to our new corporate headquarters. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in amortization expense related to certain intangible assets that became fully amortized in September 2008.

 

Restructuring and Related Charges and Impairment Loss

 

During the four months ended December 31, 2008, we incurred net charges of $10.3 million related to a restructuring of the Company announced in October 2008, which primarily consisted of severance costs, net of equity forfeitures, and costs associated with capacity consolidation.

 

In December 2008, we decided to discontinue offering one of our products as a standalone program. As a result of this decision we did not renew the expiring trade name associated with this product and recorded an impairment loss of $4.3 million during the four months ended December 31, 2008 to write off this intangible asset.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense for the four months ended December 31, 2008 decreased $0.4 million compared to the four months ended December 31, 2007, primarily as a result of a decrease in interest rates on outstanding borrowings somewhat offset by a higher average level of outstanding borrowings under the Third Amended Credit Agreement during the four months ended December 31, 2008 compared to the four months ended December 31, 2007. 

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our effective tax rate increased to 57.9% for the four months ended December 31, 2008 compared to 41.1% for the four months ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to a relatively small base of pretax income for the four months ended December 31, 2008 in relation to the lack of tax benefit on certain expenses incurred in international initiatives, the impact of tax interest accruals, and the impact of certain non-deductible expenses for income tax purposes.

 

Outlook

 

We anticipate that revenues for fiscal 2009 will likely decrease compared to fiscal 2008 revenues primarily due to contract restructurings and terminations with certain customers that will likely more than offset revenue increases from new or existing customers.

 

Should revenues for calendar 2009 decrease as discussed above, cost of services and/or selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues for calendar 2009 will likely increase due to certain costs that cannot be reduced in the same proportion and/or timeframe as the potential decrease in revenues. In addition, we anticipate that in calendar 2009 a larger proportion of our revenues will come from wellness and prevention products, which generally carry a higher cost of services as a percentage of revenue. We also may incur increased legal expenses in calendar 2009 associated with the defense of a lawsuit by a former employee (discussed more fully in “Legal Proceedings” below).

 

 

 

debt is subject to fixed interest rate swap agreements; however, due to current economic conditions that have created uncertainty and credit constraints in the markets, we cannot predict the potential for changes in interest rates, which would impact our variable rate debt. We anticipate that our effective tax rate for calendar 2009 will not change significantly; however, we continue to evaluate the impact of changes within our operations on our geographic mix of earnings and overall tax rate.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Operating activities for the four months ended December 31, 2008 generated cash of $22.2 million compared to $30.0 million for the four months ended December 31, 2007. The decrease in operating cash flow is primarily due to the following:

 

 

These decreases were somewhat offset by an increase in operating cash flow during the four months ended December 31, 2008 compared to the four months ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to increased cash collections on accounts receivable for the four months ended December 31, 2008 compared to the four months ended December 31, 2007.

 

Investing activities during the four months ended December 31, 2008 used $16.4 million in cash, which primarily consisted of purchases of information technology hardware and costs associated with software development.

 

Financing activities during the four months ended December 31, 2008 used $35.8 million in cash, primarily from repayments on borrowings under the Third Amended Credit Agreement.

 

On December 1, 2006, we entered into the Third Amended Credit Agreement. The Third Amended Credit Agreement provides us with a $400.0 million revolving credit facility, including a swingline sub facility of $10.0 million and a $75.0 million sub facility for letters of credit, a $200.0 million term loan facility, and an uncommitted incremental accordion facility of $200.0 million. As of December 31, 2008, availability under our revolving credit facility and swingline sub facility totaled $287.6 million.

 

Revolving advances under the Third Amended Credit Agreement generally bear interest, at our option, at 1) LIBOR plus a spread of 0.875% to 1.750% or 2) the greater of the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or the prime rate, plus a spread of 0.000% to 0.250%. Term loan borrowings bear interest, at our option, at 1) LIBOR plus 1.50% or 2) the greater of the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or the prime rate. The Third Amended Credit Agreement also provides for a fee ranging between 0.150% and 0.300% of unused commitments. The Third Amended Credit Agreement is secured by guarantees from most of the

 

 

Company’s domestic subsidiaries and by security interests in substantially all of the Company’s and such subsidiaries’ assets.

 

We are required to repay outstanding revolving loans on the revolving commitment termination date, which is December 1, 2011. We are required to repay term loans in quarterly principal installments aggregating $0.5 million each, which commenced on March 31, 2007, and the entire unpaid principal balance of the term loans is due and payable at maturity on December 1, 2013.

 

The Third Amended Credit Agreement contains various financial covenants, which require us to maintain, as defined, ratios or levels of 1) total funded debt to EBITDA, 2) fixed charge coverage, and 3) net worth. The Third Amended Credit Agreement also restricts the payment of dividends and limits the amount of repurchases of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2008, we were in compliance with all of the covenant requirements of the Third Amended Credit Agreement.

 

As of December 31, 2008, we are currently a party to the following interest rate swap agreements for which we receive a variable rate of interest based on the three-month LIBOR and for which we pay the following fixed rates of interest plus a spread of 0.875% to 1.750% on revolving advances and a spread of 1.50% on term loan borrowings:

 

 

(1) The principal value of this swap agreement amortizes over a 39-month period. The notional                 amount of this swap as of December 31, 2008 was $120 million.

(2) This swap agreement becomes effective April 1, 2009.

(3) This swap agreement becomes effective October 1, 2009.

(4) This swap agreement becomes effective January 2, 2010.

 

We currently believe that we meet the hedge accounting criteria under SFAS No. 133 in accounting for these interest rate swap agreements.

 

We believe that cash flows from operating activities, our available cash, and our expected available credit under the Third Amended Credit Agreement will continue to enable us to meet our contractual obligations and to fund our current operations for the foreseeable future. However, if our operations require significant additional financing resources, such as capital expenditures for technology improvements, additional call centers and/or letters of credit or other forms of financial assurance to guarantee our performance under the terms of new contracts, or if we are required to refund performance-based fees pursuant to contract terms, or if there is an adverse resolution to certain outstanding litigation, we may need to raise additional capital by expanding our existing credit facility and/or issuing debt or equity. If we face a limited ability to arrange such financing, it may restrict our ability to effectively operate our business. Current economic conditions, including turmoil and uncertainty in the financial services industry, have created constraints on liquidity and the ability to obtain credit in the markets. Should the credit markets not improve, we cannot assure you that we would be able to secure additional financing if needed and, if such funds were available, whether the terms or conditions would be acceptable to us.

 

 

 

If contract development accelerates or acquisition opportunities arise, we may need to issue additional debt or equity to provide the funding for these increased growth opportunities. We may also issue equity in connection with future acquisitions or strategic alliances. We cannot assure you that we would be able to issue additional debt or equity on terms that would be acceptable to us.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

Fair Value Measurement

 

In September 2006 the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurement,” which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities, including a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop fair value assumptions.  It also requires expanded disclosure about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings.  The standard applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value and does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances.  SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.

 

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”, which defers by one year the effective date of the provisions of SFAS No. 157 for non-recurring, nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 157 to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We are subject to market risk related to interest rate changes, primarily as a result of the Third Amended Credit Agreement, which bears interest based on floating rates. Revolving advances under the Third Amended Credit Agreement generally bear interest, at our option, at 1) LIBOR plus a spread of 0.875% to 1.750% or 2) the greater of the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or the prime rate, plus a spread of 0.000% to 0.250%. Term loan borrowings bear interest, at our option, at 1) LIBOR plus 1.50% or 2) the greater of the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or the prime rate.

 

In order to manage our interest rate exposure under the Third Amended Credit Agreement, we have entered into six interest rate swap agreements effectively converting our floating rate debt to fixed obligations with interest rates ranging from 3.433% to 4.995%.

 

A one-point interest rate change would have resulted in interest expense fluctuating approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the month and four months ended December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

As a result of our investment in international initiatives, as of December 31, 2008 we are also exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risks. Because a significant portion of these risks is economically hedged with currency options and/or forwards contracts and because our international initiatives are not yet material to our consolidated results of operations, a 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates would not have had a material impact on our results of operations or financial position for the month and four months ended December 31, 2008. We do not execute transactions or hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

 

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) as of December 31, 2008. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures effectively and timely provide them with material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the month or the four months ended December 31, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Part II

 

 

Former Employee Action

 

In June 1994, a former employee whom we dismissed in February 1994 filed a “whistle blower” action on behalf of the United States government. Subsequent to its review of this case, the federal government determined not to intervene in the litigation. The employee sued Healthways, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiary, American Healthways Services, Inc. (“AHSI”), as well as certain named and unnamed medical directorsand one named client hospital, West Paces Medical Center (“WPMC”), and other unnamed client hospitals.

 

Healthways, Inc. has since been dismissed as a defendant; however, the case is still pending against AHSI. In addition, WPMC has settled claims filed against it as part of a larger settlement agreement that WPMC’s parent organization, HCA Inc., reached with the United States government. The plaintiff has also dismissed its claims against the medical directors with prejudice, and on February 7, 2007 the court granted the plaintiff’s motion and dismissed all claims against all named medical directors.

 

The complaint alleges that AHSI, the client hospitals and the medical directors violated the federal False Claims Act by entering into certain arrangements that allegedly violated the federal anti-kickback statute and provisions of the Social Security Act prohibiting physician self-referrals. Although no specific monetary damage has been claimed, the plaintiff, on behalf of the federal government, seeks treble damages plus civil penalties and attorneys’ fees. The plaintiff also has requested an award of 30% of any judgment plus expenses.

 

In the action by the former employee, discovery is complete. On April 28, 2008, AHSI filed a motion for summary judgment seeking dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims. On July 21, 2008, the court granted the motion for summary judgment with respect to the plaintiff’s claims alleging violations of provisions of the Social Security Act prohibiting physician self-referrals, and these claims have been dismissed. The court denied the motion for summary judgment with respect to the plaintiff’s claims alleging violations of the federal anti-kickback statute and ruled that the plaintiff may go to trial as to those claims. The proceedings before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia have concluded, and on December 9, 2008 the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered that the case be remanded to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee for trial. No trial date has been set. The parties have had initial discussions regarding their respective positions in the case; however, no resolution of this case has been reached or can be assured prior to the case proceeding to trial.

 

In a related matter, in February 2006, WPMC filed an arbitration claim seeking indemnification from us for certain costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with the case. In the action by WPMC, initial arbitration proceedings were commenced during the third quarter of fiscal 2006. During September 2007, the parties to this matter agreed to place the arbitration on hold for an indefinite period.

 

We believe that we have conducted our operations in full compliance with applicable statutory requirements and that we have meritorious defenses to the claims made in the case and the related arbitration proceeding, and intend to contest the claims vigorously.

 

 

 

 

Securities Class Action Litigation

 

Beginning on June 5, 2008, Healthways and certain of its present and former officers and/or directors were named as defendants in two putative securities class actions filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division. On August 8, 2008, the court ordered the consolidation of the two related cases, appointed lead plaintiff and lead plaintiff’s counsel, and granted lead plaintiff leave to file a consolidated amended complaint. 

 

The amended complaint, filed on September 22, 2008, alleges that the Company and the individual defendants violated Sections 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) and that the individual defendants violated Section 20(a) of the Act as “control persons” of Healthways.  The amended complaint further alleges that certain of the individual defendants also violated Section 20A of the Act based on their stock sales.  Plaintiff purports to bring these claims for unspecified monetary damages on behalf of a class of investors who purchased Healthways stock between July 5, 2007 and August 25, 2008. 

 

In support of these claims, lead plaintiff alleges generally that, during the proposed class period, the Company made misleading statements and omitted material information regarding (1) the purported loss or restructuring of certain contracts with customers, (2) the Company’s participation in the Medicare Health Support (“MHS”) pilot program for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and (3) the Company’s guidance for fiscal year 2008.  Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint on November 12, 2008.  Discovery has not yet commenced in the consolidated case, and no trial date has been set.  

 

Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits  

 

Also, on June 27, 2008 and July 24, 2008, respectively, two shareholders filed putative derivative actions purportedly on behalf of Healthways in the Chancery Court for the State of Tennessee, Twentieth Judicial District, Davidson County, against certain directors and officers of the Company.  These actions are based upon substantially the same facts alleged in the securities class action litigation described above.  The plaintiffs are seeking to recover damages in an unspecified amount and equitable and/or injunctive relief. 

 

On August 13, 2008, the Court consolidated these two lawsuits and appointed lead counsel.  On October 3, 2008, the Court ordered that the consolidated action be stayed until the motion to dismiss in the securities class action has been resolved by the District Court.  Discovery has not yet commenced in the consolidated case, and no trial date has been set.

 

ERISA Lawsuit  

 

Additionally, on July 31, 2008, a purported class action alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division against Healthways, Inc. and certain of its directors and officers alleging breaches of fiduciary duties to participants in the Company’s 401(k) plan.  The central allegation is that Company stock was an imprudent investment option for the 401(k) plan. 

 

The complaint was amended on September 29, 2008.  The named defendants are: the Company, the Board of Directors, certain officers, and members of the Investment Committee charged with administering the 401(k) plan.  The amended complaint alleges that the defendants violated ERISA by failing to remove the Company stock fund from the 401(k) plan when it allegedly became an imprudent investment, by failing to disclose adequately the risks and results of the MHS pilot program to 401(k)

 

 

plan participants, and by failing to seek independent advice as to whether to continue to permit the plan to hold Company stock.  It further alleges that the Company and its directors should have been more closely monitoring the Investment Committee and other plan fiduciaries.  The amended complaint seeks damages in an undisclosed amount and other equitable relief.  Defendants filed a motion to dismiss on October 29, 2008.   On January 28, 2009, the Court granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss. Under the schedule that currently exists, discovery in this case will commence by March 26, 2009, and a trial date of April 27, 2010 has been set.

 

Outlook

 

While we believe we have meritorious defenses to the claims made in the foregoing described legal proceedings, resolution of these legal matters could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and/or financial condition although we are not able to reasonably estimate a range of potential losses. With regard to the lawsuit by the former employee, in the event a trial date is set for 2009 or early 2010 and we do not reach resolution of this matter prior to proceeding to trial, we will likely incur a substantial increase in our legal fees in connection with this matter, which may be material to our consolidated results of operations for calendar 2009 or in a particular financial reporting period. As these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties, our view of these matters may change in the future.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.