Acadia Healthcare(US:ACHC)2025-05-13 13:30Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter revenue for 2025 was $770.5 million, slightly above the midpoint of the guidance range of $765 million to $775 million [5][14] - Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $134.2 million, near the high end of the guidance range of $130 million to $135 million, reflecting an adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.4% [5][15] - Same facility patient days grew by 2.2% in the first quarter, with same facility revenue growth of 2.1% compared to the first quarter of 2024 [5][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company added 378 new beds in the first quarter, including 90 beds to existing facilities and 288 beds from two new facilities [6] - Same facility adjusted EBITDA was $191.6 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 25.2% [16] - Start-up losses related to new facilities were higher year-over-year and sequentially, reflecting an increase in newly constructed facilities [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expects to add between 800 to 1,000 total beds for the full year 2025, with a solid pipeline of potential opportunities in attractive markets [7][18] - The company anticipates Medicaid supplemental payments to be flat to up $15 million in 2025 on a net basis [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Acadia's strategy focuses on high-quality care and clinical health outcomes, with a commitment to quality and safety as foundational elements [10][12] - The company aims to bridge the gap between physical and behavioral health care, maintaining strong relationships with referral sources and joint venture partners [6] - The company is engaged in policy advocacy to strengthen the behavioral health care system, emphasizing the importance of government support for underserved populations [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the demand for behavioral health services, particularly for higher acuity patients, and noted consistent demand across various lines of business [38] - The company acknowledged challenges from underperforming facilities but expects to see improvements as they comp over headwinds in the fourth quarter of 2025 [19] - Management remains cautious about rate growth due to uncertainties in the policy environment but noted stable underlying rate growth [35] Other Important Information - As of March 31, 2025, the company had $91.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and approximately $900 million available under its revolving credit facility [18] - The company repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares during the first quarter for a total of $47.3 million [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide perspective on the progression of EBITDA and seasonality this year? - Management highlighted several moving parts affecting Q1, including the timing of supplemental payments and the highest level of start-up costs, leading to a steeper ramp in EBITDA as the year progresses [25][28] Question: What are you seeing in Medicaid rate updates? - Management noted ongoing positive discussions with payer partners and maintained a conservative outlook on rate growth due to policy uncertainties, but underlying rate growth has been stable [33][35] Question: How is the broader demand environment for behavioral health? - Management indicated consistent demand for higher acuity patients across various business lines, with ongoing efforts to meet that demand through new facilities and bed additions [38] Question: What is the expected return target for new facilities? - The company applies a disciplined approach to capital deployment, ensuring that all projects meet required return thresholds, with sensitivity analyses incorporated for future projects [63][66] Question: How should we think about legal expenses moving forward? - Management is actively cooperating with ongoing investigations and anticipates that legal costs may normalize as preliminary work is completed [70][72] Question: What is happening with specialty revenue? - Management acknowledged that closures of specialty facilities have contributed to a decline in specialty revenue, but they are working to stabilize and grow this line moving forward [97][98]