UHS(UHS) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income attributable to UHS per diluted share of $4.8 for Q1 2025, with adjusted net income per diluted share at $4.84 [4] - Adjusted admissions to acute care hospitals increased by 2.4% year-over-year [4] - Same facility net revenues in the Acute Care Hospital segment increased by 5% compared to Q1 2024 [5] - EBITDA increased by 21% after excluding Medicaid supplemental payments [5] - Cash generated from operating activities decreased to $360 million from $396 million in Q1 2024 due to delays in Medicaid payments [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same facility net revenues at behavioral health hospitals increased by 5.5%, driven by a 5.8% increase in revenue per adjusted day [5] - Adjusted patient days were relatively flat compared to the prior year, impacted by the leap day in 2024 and adverse weather conditions [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a reacceleration of patient day growth in March 2025 [6] - The Nevada supplemental program received $82 million in payments in April, related to Q1 revenues [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on managing operating expenses effectively across both business segments [8] - The opening of new facilities, such as West Henderson Hospital, is expected to contribute positively to EBITDA [10] - The company reiterated its full-year earnings guidance despite uncertainties in the external operating environment [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in underlying business performance despite external uncertainties [11] - The company anticipates achieving a behavioral patient day revenue growth target of 2.5% to 3% for the year [15] - Management acknowledged ongoing challenges in labor markets but noted improvements in staffing levels [78] Other Important Information - The company spent $239 million on capital expenditures in Q1 2025 and repurchased $1 million of its own shares [7] - The company has $1.02 billion of available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility [7] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on behavioral health volumes and future guidance - Management confirmed that the full-year guidance of 2.5% to 3% patient day revenue growth remains reasonable despite a slow start in Q1 [15][20] Question: Updates on Medicaid supplemental payment programs - Management indicated that approvals for Tennessee and D.C. programs are expected, but timing remains uncertain [16][17] Question: Impact of tariffs on supply chain - Management noted that approximately 75% of supply chain purchases are insulated from tariffs, and they are monitoring vendor responses [26][28] Question: Trends in acute business and acuity - Management reported that acuity was muted in Q1 due to a busy flu season but expects normalization as the year progresses [62] Question: Expense management and premium labor costs - Premium pay costs were consistent at $63 million, and management is optimistic about sustaining operating expense controls [70][72] Question: Updates on commercial rate negotiations - Management stated that overall guidance for acute care revenue growth remains at 5% to 6%, with no significant impact from payer behavior noted [105][106]