HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.  (NYSE: USPH), a national operator of outpatient physical therapy clinics and provider of industrial injury prevention services, today reported record results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020.

For the third quarter ended September 30, 2020, USPH’s Operating Results (as defined below), was $11.1 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, as compared to $9.0 million, or $0.71 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2019. Included in the recent quarter was $0.2 million net of allocation to non-controlling interests and after-tax of Relief Funds, or $.01 per share. For the third quarter ended September 30, 2020, USPH’s Operating Results, without the Relief Funds, was $10.9 million, or $0.85 per diluted share. Operating Results, a non-GAAP measure, equals net income attributable to USPH shareholders per the consolidated statement of net income plus charges incurred for closure costs less gain on sale of partnership interest and clinics, less allocated non-controlling interests, and excludes expenses associated with the CFO recruitment, all net of tax. The earnings per share from Operating Results also excludes the impact of the revaluation of redeemable non-controlling interest. For the third quarter ended September 30, 2020, USPH’s net income attributable to its shareholders, in accordance with GAAP, was $10.9 million as compared to $9.0 million for the comparable period of 2019. Inclusive of the credit or charge for the revaluation of non-controlling interest, net of tax, used to compute diluted earnings per share in accordance with GAAP in the 2020 Third Quarter, the amount is $7.8 million, or $0.61 per share, as compared to $8.4 million, or $0.66 per share in the third quarter last year. In accordance with current accounting guidance, the revaluation of redeemable non-controlling interest, net of tax, is not included in net income but charged or credited directly to retained earnings; however, the charge or credit for this change is included in the earnings per basic and diluted share calculations.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, USPH’s Operating Results, including Relief Funds, was $24.6 million, or $1.92 per diluted share, as compared to $27.8 million, or $2.18 per diluted share in 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, USPH’s Operating Results, without Relief Funds, was $19.7 million, or $1.54 per diluted share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, USPH’s net income attributable to its shareholders, in accordance with GAAP, was $22.2 million as compared to $32.1 million for the comparable period of 2019. Inclusive of the credit or charge for the revaluation of non-controlling interest, net of tax, used to compute diluted earnings per share, in accordance with GAAP, in the 2020 first nine months ended September 30, 2020, the amount is $23.0 million, or $1.80 per share, as compared to $24.2 million, or $1.90 per share. In accordance with current accounting guidance, the revaluation of redeemable non-controlling interest, net of tax, is not included in net income but charged or credited directly to retained earnings; however, the charge or credit for this change is included in the earnings per basic and diluted share calculation. See the schedule on page 12 for the computation of diluted earnings per share and discussion of Relief Funds below.

As previously disclosed in a series of filings with the SEC and further described in detail in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first and second quarters, the Company’s results have been negatively impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Management has taken a number of steps to reduce costs, make up for operating losses incurred in March and April, and increase profits subsequently. The Company continues to experience somewhat lower physical therapy patient volumes; however revenues improved significantly in the 2020 third quarter compared to the 2020 second quarter. The Company’s average physical therapy patient volumes per day per clinic were 26.2, 18.9, and 25.8, respectively, in the first three quarters of 2020. The Company’s industrial injury prevention business has been less affected by the pandemic and is currently running at slightly less than its pre-COVID-19 revenue levels.

Third Quarter 2020 Compared to Third Quarter 2019

• Reported net revenues in the Third quarter of 2020 was $108.9 million as compared to $117.3 million in the 2019 Third Quarter. See detailed discussion below for each category of reported revenue.

• Net patient revenues from physical therapy operations was approximately $96.4 million in the 2020 Third Quarter and $104.4 million in the 2019 Third Quarter. Included in net patient revenues for the 2019 Third Quarter was $3.2 million related to clinics subsequently closed or sold as compared in $0.1 million related to those same clinics in the 2020 Third Quarter. During the 2020 nine month period, the Company sold its interest in 12 closed clinics. For comparison purposes, adjusted for revenue from the clinics sold or closed, net patient revenues from physical therapy operations was approximately $96.3 million in the 2020 Third Quarter and $101.2 million in the 2019 Third Quarter. Included in the $96.3 million in net patient revenues for the 2020 Third Quarter was $3.8 million related to clinics opened or acquired after September 30, 2019 (“New Clinics”). Net patient revenues related to clinics opened or acquired prior to October 1, 2019 decreased by $8.7 million (“Mature Clinics”).

• Including all clinics operational during the periods, the average net patient revenue per visit was $105.91 for the 2020 Third Quarter as compared to $104.80 for the 2019 period. Total patient visits were 910,200 in the 2020 Third Quarter and 996,100 for the 2019 Third Quarter.

• Revenue from physical therapy management contracts was $2.0 million for the Third Quarter of 2020 as compared to $2.1 million in the 2019 comparable period.

• Revenue from the industrial injury prevention business was $10.0 million in the 2020 Third Quarter, an increase of $0.1 million or approximately 0.7% as compared to $9.9 million in the 2019 Third Quarter.

• Other miscellaneous revenue was $0.5 million in the 2020 Third Quarter and $0.7 million in the 2019 Third Quarter. Other miscellaneous revenue includes physical therapy services, including athletic trainers, provided on-site such as for schools.

• Total operating costs, excluding closure costs, were $78.5 million in the 2020 Third Quarter, or 72.1% of net revenues, a reduction of 460 basis points as compared to $89.9 million in the 2019 Third Quarter, or 76.7% of net revenues. Included in operating costs for the 2020 quarter was $3.1 million related to New Clinics, of which $1.2 million related to clinics acquired in February 2020. Adjusted for the operating costs for clinics sold or closed in 2020 and 2019 of $0.0 and $3.1 million recorded in the 2020 and 2019 Third Quarters, respectively, operating costs for Mature Clinics were reduced by $7.2 million in the Third Quarter 2020 compared to the Third Quarter 2019. In addition, operating costs related to the industrial injury prevention business and management contracts were reduced by $0.8 million. Total salaries and related costs, including physical therapy operations and the industrial injury prevention business, were 52.8% of net revenues in the 2020 Third Quarter, a 410 basis points reduction versus 56.9% in the 2019 Third Quarter. Rent, supplies, contract labor and other costs as a percentage of net revenues were 18.1% in the 2020 Third Quarter versus 18.9% in the 2019 Third Quarter. The provision for doubtful accounts as a percentage of net revenue was 1.2% in the 2020 Third Quarter and 0.8% in the 2019 Third Quarter.

• Gross profit for the 2020 Third Quarter, excluding closure costs, was $30.4 million, an increase of $3.0 million or approximately 11% as compared to $27.4 million in the 2019 Third Quarter. The gross profit percentage, excluding closure costs, was 27.9% of net revenue in the 2020 Third Quarter, an increase of 460 basis points as compared to 23.3% in the 2019 Third Quarter. The gross profit percentage for the Company’s physical therapy clinics, excluding closure costs, was 28.0% in the 2020 Third Quarter an improvement of 410 basis points as compared to 23.9% in the 2019 Third Quarter. The gross profit percentage on physical therapy management contracts was 19.8% in the 2020 Third Quarter, up 860 basis points as compared to 11.2% in the 2019 Third Quarter. The gross profit for the industrial injury prevention business was $2.9 million, or 28.6%, in the 2020 Third Quarter an improvement of $1.0 million or 870 basis points as compared to $2.0 million, or 19.9%, in the 2019 Third Quarter.

• Corporate office costs were $10.4 million in the 2020 Third Quarter compared to $10.5 million in the 2019 Third Quarter. Corporate office costs were 9.6% of net revenues for the 2020 Third Quarter as compared to 9.0% for the 2019 Third Quarter.

• Operating income for the 2020 Third Quarter was $19.9 million an increase of $3.1 million or 18.5% as compared to $16.8 million for the 2019 Third Quarter. Operating income as a percentage of net revenue increased by 400 basis points from 14.3% in the 2019 period to 18.3% in 2020. As compared to the Second Quarter of 2020, operating income in the Third Quarter of this year increased $9.6 million or 94.3%. See discussion above related to effects of COVID-19.

• Included in other income in the third quarter of 2020 was $0.4 million pre-tax of Relief Funds. See discussion of Relief Funds below.

• Interest expense was $351,000 in the 2020 Third Quarter and $557,000 in the 2019 Third Quarter due to reduced borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit line.

• The provision for income tax was $4.3 million for the 2020 Third Quarter and $3.2 million for the 2019 Third Quarter. The provision for income tax as a percentage of income before taxes less net income attributable to non-controlling interest was 28.2% for the 2020 Third Quarter and 26.1% for the 2019 Third Quarter.

• Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (permanent equity) was $1.8 million in the 2020 Third Quarter and $1.6 million in the 2019 Third Quarter. Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests (temporary equity) was $3.0 million in the 2020 Third Quarter and $2.4 million in the 2019 Third Quarter.

First Nine Months 2020 Compared to First Nine Months 2019

• Reported net revenues in the 2020 Nine Months was $305.5 million as compared to $359.9 million in the 2019 Nine Months. See detailed discussion below for each category of reported revenue.

• Net patient revenues from physical therapy operations was approximately $268.8 million in the 2020 Nine Months and $324.4 million in the 2019 Nine Months. Included in net patient revenues above are revenues related to clinics sold or closed in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 of $3.2 million and $22.5 million, respectively. During the 2020 nine month period, the Company sold its interest in 12 closed clinics and closed 31 clinics. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company sold its interest in a partnership which include 30 clinics and closed 11 clinics. For comparison purposes, adjusted for revenue from the clinics sold or closed, net patient revenues from physical therapy operations was approximately $265.6 million in the 2020 nine month period and $301.9 million in the 2019 nine month period. Net patient revenues for the 2020 nine month period included $8.4 million related to New Clinics. Net patient revenues related to Mature Clinics decreased by $44.7 million in the 2020 nine months compared to the 2019 comparable period. The reduction is largely attributable to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Including all clinics operational during the periods, the average net patient revenue per visit was $105.13 for the 2020 Nine Months and $106.17 for the 2019 Nine Months. Total patient visits were 2,556,900 in the first nine months of 2020 and 3,055,400 in the first nine months of 2019.

• Revenue from physical therapy management contracts was $5.7 million for the 2020 Nine Months and $6.5 million in the 2019 Nine Months.

• Revenue from the industrial injury prevention business was $29.5 million in the 2020 Nine Months an increase of $2.4 million or 8.9% as compared to $27.1 million in the 2019 Nine Months. In April 11, 2019, the company acquired a third company that is a provider of industrial injury prevention services.

• Other miscellaneous revenue was $1.4 million in the 2020 Nine Months and $1.8 million in the 2019 Nine Months. Other miscellaneous revenue include physical therapy services including athletic trainers provided on-site such as for schools.

• Total operating costs, excluding closure costs, were $236.2 million in the 2020 Nine Months, or 77.3% of net revenues, as compared to $274.3 million in the 2019 Nine Months, or 76.2% of net revenues. Included in operating costs for the 2020 Nine Months was $6.9 million related to New Clinics, of which $2.7 million related the clinics acquired in February 2020. Adjusted for the operating costs for clinics related to the partnership interest sold or closed in 2020 and 2019 of $4.4 and $21.7 million in the 2020 Nine Months and 2019 Nine Months, respectively, operating costs for Mature Clinics were reduced by $27.9 million in the 2020 Nine Months compared to the 2019 Nine Months. Operating costs related to management contracts decreased $1.0 million. Operating costs related to the industrial injury prevention business increased $1.2 million. Closure costs in the current nine month period of $3.9 million include estimates of remaining lease obligations, derecognition of goodwill and other costs related to closed and sold clinics. Total salaries and related costs, including physical therapy operations and the industrial injury prevention business, were 55.6% of net revenues in the 2020 Nine Months versus 56.6% in the 2019 Nine Months. Rent, supplies, contract labor and other costs as a percentage of net revenues were 20.6% in the 2020 Nine Months versus 18.7% in the 2019 Nine Months. The provision for doubtful accounts as a percentage of net revenue was 1.1% in the 2020 First Nine Months and 0.9% in the 2019 First Nine Months.

• Gross profit for the 2020 Nine Months, excluding closure costs, was $69.3 million, as compared to $85.5 million in the 2019 Nine Months. The gross profit percentage, excluding closure costs, was 22.7% of net revenue in the 2020 Nine Months as compared to 23.8% in the 2019 Nine Months. The gross profit percentage for the Company’s physical therapy clinics, excluding closure costs, was 22.3% in the 2020 Nine Months as compared to 23.9% in the 2019 Nine Months. The gross profit percentage on physical therapy management contracts was 20.2% in the 2020 Nine Months as compared to 15.0% in the 2019 Nine Months. The gross profit for the industrial injury prevention business was $7.7 million, or 26.1%, in the 2020 Nine Months as compared to $6.5 million, or 24.0%, in the 2019 Nine Months.

• Corporate office costs were $31.1 million in the 2020 Nine Months compared to $33.4 million in the 2019 Nine Months. Corporate office costs were 10.2% of net revenues for the 2020 Nine Months as compared to 9.3% for the 2019 Nine Months.

• Operating income for the 2020 Nine Months was $34.2 million as compared to $52.1 million for the 2019 Nine Months. Operating income as a percentage of net revenue decreased from 14.5% in the 2019 period to 11.2% in 2020 comparable period. See discussion above related to effects of COVID-19.

• Included in other income was the gain of $1.1 million in the 2020 Nine Months resulting from the sale of 12 previously closed clinics and, in the 2019 Nine Months, a gain of $5.8 million resulting from the sale of a partnership interest with 30 clinics. Also, included in other income in the 2020 Nine Months was $8.3 of Relief Funds. See discussion of Relief Funds below.

• Interest expense was $1.4 million in the 2020 Nine Months and $1.5 million in the 2019 Nine Months.

• The provision for income tax was $8.5 million for the 2020 Nine Months and $11.2 million for the 2019 Nine Months. The provision for income tax as a percentage of income before taxes less net income attributable to non-controlling interest was 27.6% for the 2020 Nine Months and 25.9% for the 2019 Nine Months.

• Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (permanent equity) was $3.9 million in the 2020 Nine Months and $5.0 million in the 2019 Nine Months. Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests (temporary equity) was $7.8 million in the 2020 Nine Months and $8.1 million in the 2019 Nine Months.

Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program (“MAAPP Funds”)

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The CARES Act allowed for qualified healthcare providers to receive advanced payments under the existing MAAPP Funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this program, healthcare providers could choose to receive advanced payments for future Medicare services provided. The Company applied for and received approval from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) in April 2020. The Company recorded these payments as a liability until all performance obligations have been met as the payments were made on behalf of patients before services were provided. Currently, MAAPP funds received are required to be applied to future Medicare billings commencing in August 2021, with all such remaining amounts required to be repaid by January 2024. Beginning January 2024, any unpaid balance will begin accruing interest. The Company currently intends to repay funds prior to August 2021. Included in cash and cash equivalents and accrued liabilities at September 30, 2020 is $12.9 million of MAAPP Funds.

Relief Funds

On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was enacted. The CARES Act provided additional waivers, reimbursement, grants and other funds to assist health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including $100.0 billion in appropriations for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, also referred to as the Provider Relief Fund, to be used for preventing, preparing, and responding to the coronavirus, and for reimbursing eligible health care providers for lost revenues and health care related expenses that are attributable to COVID-19.

Through September 30, 2020, the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries received approximately $8.3 million of payments under the CARES Act (“Relief Funds”). Under the Company’s accounting policy, these payments have been recorded as Other income – Relief Funds. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company has recognized approximately $0.4 million and $8.3 million, respectively, as Other income – Relief Funds on the accompany consolidated statement of operations. These funds are not required to be repaid upon attestation and compliance with certain terms and conditions, which could change materially based on evolving grant compliance provisions and guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Currently, the Company can attest and comply with the terms and conditions. The Company will continue to monitor the evolving guidelines and may record adjustments as additional information is released.

Other Financial Measures

For the 2020 Third Quarter, the Company's Adjusted EBITDA was $19.9 million and was $17.0 million in the 2019 Third Quarter. For the 2020 Third Quarter, the Company's Adjusted EBITDA, excluding Relief Funds, was $19.5 million.

For the 2020 Nine Months, the Company's Adjusted EBITDA was $47.0 million compared to $ 57.5 million in 2019 Nine Months. For the 2020 Nine Months, the Company's Adjusted EBITDA, excluding Relief Funds, was $38.7 million.

See definition, explanation and calculation of Adjusted EBITDA in the schedule on pages 11 and 12.

Management’s Comments

Chris Reading, Chief Executive Officer, said, “When conditions are truly challenging, as they have been for much of this year, it makes all the difference to have a selfless, dedicated and driven team of partners and therapists, along with local and national support teams who are working hard every day to provide our patients with the excellent care they need conducted in a safe and healthy environment. Our team has delivered what I feel like is an exceptional result this quarter and an outstanding effort throughout this Covid-19 pandemic. As much as any time in my 17 years with our Company, I am truly proud to be able to work alongside such a tremendous group of people. While we have more work to do, I remain confident in our ability to navigate through the coming period and to execute on our plan to further grow, serve and expand our partner-centric Company.”

Larry McAfee, Chief Financial Officer, said, “Earnings per share from Operating Result of $.85 per share (excluding Relief Funds) was the most profitable quarter in the Company’s history. The previous high was $0.81 per share recorded in the second quarter of 2019.”

About U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.

Founded in 1990, U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. operates 550 outpatient physical therapy clinics in 39 states. The Company's clinics provide preventative and post-operative care for a variety of orthopedic-related disorders and sports-related injuries, treatment for neurologically-related injuries and rehabilitation of injured workers. In addition to owning and operating clinics, the Company manages 38 physical therapy facilities for unaffiliated third parties, including hospitals and physician groups. The Company also has an industrial injury prevention business which provides onsite services for clients’ employees including injury prevention and rehabilitation, performance optimization, post-offer employment testing, functional capacity evaluations, and ergonomic assessments. More information about U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. is available at www.usph.com. The information included on that website is not incorporated into this press release.