10-QPeriod: Q1 FY2020

CENTENE CORP Quarterly Report for Q1 Ended Mar 31, 2020

Filed April 28, 2020For Securities:CNC

Summary

Centene Corporation (CNC) reported its first quarter 2020 results, marked by the significant completion of the WellCare Health Plans, Inc. acquisition on January 23, 2020. This transformative acquisition more than doubled the company's size and significantly expanded its Medicare and Medicaid offerings. Total revenues surged by 41% year-over-year to $26.0 billion, primarily driven by the WellCare integration, health insurer fee reinstatement, and organic growth in various programs. Despite revenue growth, net earnings attributable to Centene Corporation saw a substantial decrease to $46 million from $522 million in the prior year's quarter, largely due to increased acquisition-related expenses and debt extinguishment costs associated with the WellCare acquisition. The company also experienced a negative operating cash flow of $240 million, impacted by a delay in New York premium payments and working capital needs from its Medicare Prescription Drug Plan business. The company's balance sheet reflects the impact of the acquisition, with total assets growing significantly. However, liabilities also increased considerably, particularly long-term debt, to finance the transaction. Management highlighted the ongoing uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including potential impacts on membership, utilization trends, and investment income. Despite these challenges and the near-term earnings impact of the acquisition, Centene maintained its full-year Adjusted diluted EPS guidance, reflecting confidence in its long-term strategy and operational resilience.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$26.02B
Cost of Revenue$825.00M
Gross Profit$25.20B
SG&A Expenses$2.38B
Operating Expenses$25.84B
Operating Income$188.00M
Interest Expense$180.00M
Net Income$46.00M
EPS (Basic)$0.08
EPS (Diluted)$0.08
Shares Outstanding (Basic)544.44M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)552.06M

Key Highlights

  • 1Completed the transformative acquisition of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. on January 23, 2020, significantly expanding the company's scale and market reach.
  • 2Total revenues increased by 41% to $26.0 billion, largely driven by the WellCare acquisition and the reinstatement of the health insurer fee.
  • 3Net earnings attributable to Centene Corporation decreased significantly to $46 million ($0.08 per diluted share) from $522 million ($1.24 per diluted share) in Q1 2019, primarily due to acquisition-related expenses and debt extinguishment costs.
  • 4Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.86, a decrease from $1.39 in Q1 2019, reflecting the impact of lower investment income and increased interest expense.
  • 5Managed care membership grew by 61% year-over-year to 23.8 million, largely due to the WellCare acquisition.
  • 6Operating cash flows were negative at $(240) million, impacted by a delay in premium payments from New York and working capital requirements in the Medicare PDP business.
  • 7Total assets increased substantially to $66.4 billion, driven by the acquisition, while total liabilities also rose significantly to $42.7 billion, with long-term debt increasing to support the acquisition financing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver was the completion of the acquisition of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. on January 23, 2020. This acquisition substantially increased Centene's scale, membership, and total assets, leading to a significant uplift in reported revenues.

The decrease in net earnings and EPS was mainly due to substantial acquisition-related expenses incurred for the WellCare acquisition, including deal costs and debt extinguishment costs. These one-time or significant transaction-related expenses negatively impacted reported net income, even though revenue increased.

The WellCare acquisition was financed through a combination of cash and debt. Long-term debt increased significantly from $13.6 billion at the end of 2019 to $17.2 billion at the end of Q1 2020. This increased leverage, as reflected in a higher debt-to-capital ratio, is a direct consequence of the financing used for the acquisition.

Management acknowledges the significant uncertainties surrounding COVID-19. They expect an increase in membership due to rising unemployment, potentially boosting revenue. However, they also anticipate decreased utilization and potential delays in medical services, which could lead to higher costs later. The company expects incremental COVID-19 related costs and lower investment income. Despite these factors, they maintained their full-year Adjusted diluted EPS guidance, indicating confidence in their ability to navigate the situation.