Aveanna Healthcare FY Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Aveanna Healthcare (NasdaqGS:AVAH) - **Industry**: Healthcare Services - **Key Executives**: CEO Jeff Shaner, CFO Matt Buckhalter - **Conference Date**: January 14, 2026 Core Points and Arguments Business Model and Strategy - Aveanna is a leading national provider of healthcare services with a diversified platform offering pediatric, adult, and geriatric services across 38 states, supported by nearly 30,000 caregivers [3][4] - The company emphasizes the importance of scale and density in healthcare services to enhance its value proposition and improve clinical outcomes [3] - The acquisition of Thrive Skilled Pediatrics has expanded Aveanna's pediatric services into Kansas and New Mexico, serving as a model for future tuck-in acquisitions [4] Financial Performance - Aveanna achieved a **10.3% revenue CAGR** over the last five years, with no single payer contributing more than 10% of total revenue [4] - The company reported a revenue range for 2025 of **$2.425 billion to $2.445 billion**, up from previous guidance of greater than $2.375 billion, and an adjusted EBITDA range of **$318 million to $322 million**, increased from greater than $300 million [13][17] - For 2026, initial guidance is set at a revenue range of **$2.54 billion to $2.56 billion** and an adjusted EBITDA range of **$318 million to $322 million** [17] Growth Drivers - Aveanna's long-term organic growth goal is **5%-7%**, supported by preferred payer agreements and government partnerships [9] - The company has established **93 preferred payer agreements** as of Q3, with plans to grow this number further [4][6] - The Home Health and Hospice segment achieved a year-over-year episodic growth of **14.2%** in Q3, with expectations for continued growth [8][11] Capital Structure and Cash Flow - As of Q3, Aveanna maintained a strong liquidity position of over **$478 million**, with cash on hand of approximately **$146 million** [11] - The company has reduced leverage to approximately **4.6 times**, with a goal of achieving less than **4 times** in the near term [12][47] - Free cash flow generation was reported at **$86.2 million** for Q3, with expectations to exceed **$100 million** for the full year [12][50] Challenges and Legislative Efforts - Aveanna is actively advocating for Medicaid rate increases, particularly in California, where the state has not effectively addressed home-based nursing rates [29][30] - The company aims to achieve reimbursement rate wins in at least **10 states** for 2026, focusing on cost-of-living adjustments [27] Technology and Efficiency - Investments in technology, including artificial intelligence and automation, are enhancing the efficiency of the collections process [50][52] - Standardization of business operations has improved collections efficiency, contributing to better financial outcomes [52] Additional Important Insights - The company is focused on maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation, prioritizing deleveraging while exploring tuck-in M&A opportunities [44][47] - Aveanna's management team is committed to delivering long-term value for patients, families, and shareholders through strategic growth and operational excellence [17][54] - The company has a strong focus on caregiver recruitment and retention, with wage increases being a key strategy to address labor market challenges [42] This summary encapsulates the key points from Aveanna Healthcare's FY conference, highlighting the company's strategic direction, financial performance, growth drivers, and challenges faced in the healthcare industry.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q1 2025 was approximately $559 million, representing a 14% increase over the prior year period [5][19] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $67.4 million, reflecting a 93.1% increase year-over-year, primarily due to improved pay rates and cost-saving initiatives [5][19] - Consolidated gross margin was $183.6 million, or 32.8% [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Private Duty Services (PDS) revenue was approximately $460 million, a 16.5% increase, driven by 10.9 million hours of care, a volume increase of 6.1% [19][20] - Home Health and Hospice revenue was approximately $56.7 million, a 3.9% increase, with 77% of admissions being episodic [21][22] - Medical Solutions revenue was $42.5 million, a 3.6% increase, with revenue per unique patient served at approximately $477, up 6.9% [23][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Preferred payer agreements accounted for approximately 54% of total PDS Managed Care Organization (MCO) volumes, up from 50% in the previous quarter [11] - The episodic mix for home health was 77%, with total episodic volume growth essentially flat compared to the prior year [12][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on five primary strategic initiatives: enhancing partnerships with government and preferred payers, identifying cost efficiencies, modernizing the medical solutions business, managing capital structure, and engaging employees [15] - The company anticipates 2025 revenue to exceed $2.15 billion and adjusted EBITDA to exceed $207 million, reflecting an improved outlook [16][28] - The acquisition of ThriveSkilled Pediatrics is expected to enhance the company's preferred payer and government affairs strategies [17][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the labor environment remains a primary challenge but expressed optimism about the demand for home and community-based care [6][14] - The company is encouraged by recent rate increases and preferred payer agreements, which support recruitment efforts and caregiver wages [14][25] - Management highlighted the importance of aligning clinical capacity with preferred payers to achieve normalized growth rates across all business segments [7][12] Other Important Information - The company achieved five rate enhancements for the PDS segment in Q1 and aims to increase preferred payer agreements from 22 to 30 by the end of 2025 [10][11] - Liquidity at the end of Q1 was approximately $266 million, providing room for operational investments [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on targeted states for rate increases and preferred payers - Management reported five government affairs rate increases and two preferred payer wins in Q1, with expectations to achieve ten GA rate increases by year-end [30][31] Question: Insights on operating cash flow and EBITDA conversion - Management expressed confidence in generating operating cash flow and free cash flow in 2025, with Q1 cash outflow better than anticipated [35] Question: Details on one-time EBITDA benefits - Management identified strong cash collections and retro rate increases as key contributors to the $11 million EBITDA benefit in Q1 [40][41] Question: Contribution of Thrive acquisition to revenue and earnings - Management indicated that the Thrive acquisition aligns well with the company's culture and strategy, but it has not yet been included in guidance due to timing [56][59] Question: Updates on Medicaid policy and advocacy efforts - Management noted positive bipartisan support for Medicaid program integrity and ongoing dialogue with federal counterparts [62][64] Question: Size of rate enhancements and outlook for wage increases - Management clarified that the five rate enhancements were beneficial but expected future GA rate wins to be more modest, with a focus on passing through wage increases to caregivers [67][70]