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HealthStream, Inc.

hstm · NASDAQ Healthcare
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Industry Medical - Healthcare Information Services
Employees 1083
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FY2018 Annual Report · HealthStream, Inc.
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UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549 
FORM 10-K 

(cid:2) 

(cid:3) 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 
1934 

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 
OR 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE 
ACT OF 1934 

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM        TO 
Commission File Number 000-27701 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

Tennessee 
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization) 
209 10th Avenue South, Suite 450 
Nashville, Tennessee 
(Address of principal executive offices) 

62-1443555 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 

37203 
(Zip Code) 

(615) 301-3100 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) 
Securities Registered Pursuant To Section 12(b) Of The Act: 

Title of each class 
Common Stock, No Par Value 

Name of each Exchange on which registered 
Nasdaq Global Select Market 

Securities Registered Pursuant To Section 12(g) Of The Act: None 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes (cid:3) No (cid:2) 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 of 15(d) of the Act. Yes (cid:3) No (cid:2) 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has 
been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes (cid:2) No (cid:3) 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant 
to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant 
was required to submit such files). Yes (cid:2) No (cid:3) 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be 
contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this 
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. (cid:2) 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting 
company,  or  an  emerging  growth  company.  See  the  definitions  of  “large  accelerated  filer,”  “accelerated  filer,”  “smaller  reporting 
company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
Accelerated filer (cid:3) 
Large accelerated filer (cid:2) 

Smaller reporting company (cid:3) 

Non-accelerated filer (cid:3) 

Emerging growth company (cid:3)  
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying 
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. (cid:3) 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes (cid:3) No (cid:2) 
The aggregate market value of the Common Stock issued and outstanding and held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based upon the 
closing sales price for the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 30, 2018 was approximately $703.7 million. All 
executive officers and directors of the registrant have been deemed, solely for the purpose of the foregoing calculation, to be “affiliates” 
of the registrant. 
As of February 21, 2019, there were 32,329,409 shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding. 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into 
Part III hereof. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(cid:3)

HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

  Business. 
  Risk Factors 
  Unresolved Staff Comments 
  Properties 
  Legal Proceedings 
  Mine Safety Disclosures 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 
Equity Securities 
  Selected Financial Data. 
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. 
  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. 
  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 
  Controls and Procedures 
  Other Information 

  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 
  Executive Compensation 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 
Matters 
  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 
  Principal Accounting Fees and Services 

  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 
  Form 10-K Summary 
  Signatures 

PART I 
Item 1. 
Item 1A. 
Item 1B. 
Item 2. 
Item 3. 
Item 4. 

PART II 
Item 5. 

Item 6. 
Item 7. 
Item 7A. 
Item 8. 
Item 9. 
Item 9A. 
Item 9B. 

PART III 
Item 10. 
Item 11. 
Item 12. 

Item 13. 
Item 14. 

PART IV 
Item 15. 
Item 16. 

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PART I 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities 
Exchange  Act  of  1934.  Such  forward-looking  statements  include,  among  others,  those  statements  including  the  words 
“expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “continue,” and similar language or the negative of 
such terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, 
and other factors  that  may  cause  our  actual  results, performance,  or  achievements  to be  materially  different from future 
results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements included herein. Factors that 
might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section “Risk Factors” in 
Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and elsewhere in this document. In addition, factors that we are not currently 
aware  of  could  harm  our  future  operating  results.  You  should  carefully  review  the  risks  described  in  other  documents 
HealthStream files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue 
reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. HealthStream 
undertakes  no  obligation  to  publicly  release  any  revisions  to  the  forward-looking  statements  or  reflect  events  or 
circumstances after the date of this document. 

Item 1. Business 

OVERVIEW AND HISTORY 
HealthStream,  Inc.  (HealthStream  or  the  Company)  provides  workforce  and  provider  solutions  for  healthcare 
organizations—all  designed  to  support  the  people  that  deliver  patient  care,  which  in  turn,  supports  the  improvement  of 
business and clinical outcomes. Delivered primarily as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), our solutions focus on some of the 
most  significant  challenges  facing  the  healthcare  workforce  and  healthcare  organizations  today,  including  the  need  to 
effectively manage, retain, engage, and develop healthcare workforce talent; meet rigorous compliance requirements; and 
efficiently manage ongoing medical staff credentialing and privileging processes. 

On February 12, 2018, the Company divested its Patient Experience (PX) business to Press Ganey Associates (Press Ganey) 
for $65.2 million in cash (after giving effect to the post-closing working capital adjustment). This sale of the PX business 
resulted in the divestiture of the Company’s patient experience solutions business segment. 

With 29 years of experience, HealthStream is recognized as a leading innovator and thought leader in the healthcare industry 
for its healthcare workforce solutions. Using technology to enhance learning and productivity, HealthStream pioneered the 
delivery  of  online  learning  for  hospitals’  required  regulatory  training  as  Internet-based  training  was  first  introduced. 
Stemming from that early success, demand for expanded learning solutions led the Company to build what is now a full eco-
system of diverse workforce and clinical-focused applications, courseware, assessments, and talent management programs. 
At year-end 2018, with approximately 4.93 million healthcare professionals subscribing to HealthStream’s platform through 
their respective organizations, HealthStream is a leading provider in workforce development in the healthcare industry. 

HealthStream believes that the key to quality patient care is—and always has been—the people who deliver care. To that 
end,  the  Company’s  solutions  support  the  recruiting,  retaining,  engaging,  assessing,  and  developing  of  the  healthcare 
workforce, including medical staff who provide patient care in our customers’ organizations. 

Headquartered  in  Nashville,  Tennessee,  the  Company  was  incorporated  in  1990  and  began  providing  its  SaaS-based 
workforce solutions in 1999 and its provider solutions in 2012. Including additional offices in Nashville, Tennessee; Jericho, 
New York; Brentwood, Tennessee; San Diego, California; Chicago, Illinois; and Boulder, Colorado, HealthStream had 757 
full-time and 33 part-time employees as of December 31, 2018.   

INDUSTRY BACKGROUND 
According  to  the  Centers  for  Medicare &  Medicaid  Services  (CMS),  spending  in  the  healthcare  industry  reached 
approximately $3.5 trillion in 2017, or 17.9% of the U.S. gross domestic product. Hospital care expenditures accounted for 
approximately 30.6% of the $3.5 trillion industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20.1 million 
professionals are employed in the healthcare segment of the domestic economy, with approximately 5.2 million employed 
in acute-care hospitals and, according to CMS, approximately 5.3 million employed in healthcare organizations throughout 
the  continuum  of  care,  our  primary  target  markets  for  our  products.  (Organizations  in  the  continuum  of  care  include 
approximately  1.5  million  employees  in  ambulatory  centers,  approximately  3.5  million  employees  in  post-acute  care 
facilities,  and  approximately  300,000  employees  in  health  &  human  services  facilities.)  As  of  December 31,  2018, 
approximately  4.93 million  healthcare  professionals  were  subscribers  to  our  SaaS-based  solutions,  which  include 
4.82 million subscribers already implemented and 110,000 subscribers in the process of implementation. 

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All of the approximately 5.2 million hospital-based healthcare professionals that work in the nation’s approximately 5,000 
acute-care hospitals are required by federal and state mandates and accrediting bodies to complete training in a number of 
areas. This training includes safety training mandated by both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 
and The Joint Commission (an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations 
and  programs  in  the  United  States),  as  well  as  training  on patient  information  confidentiality  required  under  the  Health 
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). 

In  hospitals,  staffing  issues  and  personnel  shortages  have  also  contributed  to  the  need  for  facility-based  workforce 
development as well as additional assessment and competency-based training. An ongoing nursing shortage, for example, 
is resulting in skill gaps and rising costs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need for 525,000 replacement 
nurses  over  the next  several  years,  bringing  the  total  number of openings  for  nurses  due  to growth  and  replacements  to 
1.05 million by 2022. We believe that offering training and education for hospital personnel is increasingly being utilized 
as a retention and recruitment incentive. 

Many healthcare professionals use continuing education to keep abreast of the latest developments and meet licensing and 
certification  requirements.  Continuing  education  is  required  for  nurses,  emergency  medical  services  personnel,  first 
responder personnel, radiologic personnel, and physicians. Pharmaceutical and medical device companies must also provide 
their medical industry sales representatives with training mandated for the healthcare industry and training for new products. 
Such companies also provide support and content for education and training of audiences that use their products in healthcare 
organizations. 

The healthcare education and training industry is highly fragmented, varies significantly in delivery methods (i.e., online 
products, live events, written materials, and manikins for simulation-based training), and is composed of a wide variety of 
entities  competing  for  customers.  The  sheer  volume  of  healthcare  information  available  to  satisfy  continuing  education 
needs, rapid advances in medical developments, and the time constraints that healthcare professionals face make it difficult 
to quickly and efficiently access the continuing education content most relevant to an individual’s practice or profession. 
Historically, healthcare professionals have received continuing education and training through offline publications, such as 
medical journals or by attending conferences and seminars. In addition, other healthcare workers and pharmaceutical and 
medical device manufacturers’ sales and internal regulatory personnel usually fulfill their training from external vendors or 
internal  training  departments.  While  these  approaches  satisfy  the  ongoing  education and  training  requirements,  they  are 
typically costly and inconvenient. In addition, live courses are often limited in the breadth of offerings and do not provide a 
method for  tracking  training  completion.  The  results  of  these  traditional  methods,  both from a  business  and  compliance 
standpoint, are difficult to track and measure.   

Provider  data  management  has  become  more  complex  and  arduous  for  healthcare  organizations.  Spurred  by  The  Joint 
Commission Medical Staff standards and other regulatory requirements, credentialing and privileging has been transformed 
from a periodic review to continuous, evidence-driven analysis of professional competency and provider performance. This 
transformation requires ongoing, automatic monitoring of licenses, sanctions, and exclusions, as well as expanding the scope 
of  review  at  initial  credentialing  and  re-credentialing.  In  addition,  provider  enrollment  processes  have  compounded  in 
difficulty. For example, a single provider may need to enroll annually with some 30 to 40 payers, with each payer application 
often taking two to four hours to complete. 

Finally,  the  hospital  industry  continues  to  operate  under  intense  pressure  to  reduce  costs  as  a  result  of  reductions  in 
government  reimbursement  rates  and  increased  focus  on  cost  containment  consistent  with  participation  of  patients  in 
managed  care  programs.  In  addition,  hospitals,  as  well  as  pharmaceutical  and  medical  device  companies,  continue  to 
experience rising operating costs, coupled with increased pressure to measure and report on the outcomes of the dollars spent 
on  training.  Our  products  and  services  are  designed  to  meet  these  needs  by  reducing  healthcare  organizations’  costs  of 
training  while  improving  learning  outcomes,  enhancing  reporting  capabilities,  and  supporting  customers’  business 
objectives. 

HEALTHSTREAM’S SOLUTIONS 
During  the  year  ended  December 31,  2018,  HealthStream’s  products,  services,  and  operations  were  organized  into  two 
business segments—Workforce Solutions and Provider Solutions—that collectively help healthcare organizations meet their 
ongoing clinical development, talent management, training, education, assessment, competency management, compliance, 
provider credentialing & privileging management, and provider enrollment needs. HealthStream’s solutions are provided to 
a wide range of customers within the healthcare industry across the spectrum of care.   

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On February 12, 2018, the Company divested its PX business to Press Ganey for $65.2 million in cash (after giving effect 
to the post-closing working capital adjustment). This sale of the PX business resulted in the divestiture of the Company’s 
patient experience solutions segment. 

HealthStream  Workforce  Solutions  —  Our  workforce  development  solutions,  which  are  comprised  primarily  of  SaaS, 
subscription-based products, are used by healthcare organizations to meet a broad range of their clinical development, talent 
management, training, certification, competency assessment, performance appraisal, and additional needs. Our  numerous 
content libraries allow customers to subscribe to a wide array of courseware, which includes content from leading healthcare 
and  nursing  associations,  medical  and  healthcare  publishers,  and  other  content  providers.  Additionally,  medical  device 
companies and other industry partners offer online training support through HealthStream’s platform for their products, and 
they sponsor continuing education directly to healthcare workers. 

At December 31, 2018, HealthStream had approximately 4.93 million “total subscribers” to its subscription-based solutions. 
Each individual end-user who utilizes at least one HealthStream subscription-based solution is counted as one subscriber, 
regardless of the number of subscriptions contracted by or for that end-user. Our subscription-based solutions include any 
one or a combination of our many platform applications, plus courseware, or content. For example, we deliver courseware 
to our customers primarily through our learning application, the HealthStream Learning Center™ (HLC), while we deliver 
competency management and performance appraisal tools through our applications known as the HealthStream Competency 
Center (HCC) and HealthStream Performance Center (HPC), respectively, which are all on our SaaS-based platform, along 
with a series of other applications. Not included in this “total subscriber count” are subscribers to our Provider Solutions 
products. 

We are retiring the metrics of “implemented and total subscribers” after December 31, 2018 as these metrics do not span 
our entire business. Effective as of December 31, 2018, we are introducing a new measure of our progress in growing the 
value of our customer base, “hStream subscriptions.” As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately 1.51 million hStream 
subscriptions  under  contract.  Our  new  hStream  technologies  represent  the  beginning  of  our  “platform-as-a-service” 
capabilities, which will, over time, span our entire business.   

Pricing  for  the  HLC,  HCC,  HPC,  and  hStream  is  subscription-based,  with  fees  based  on  the  number  of  subscribers, 
courseware provided, and other factors. We offer training, implementation, and account management services to facilitate 
adoption of our subscription-based solutions. Fees for training are based on the time and efforts of the personnel involved. 
Implementation fees vary based on the size, scope, and complexity of the project. Our SaaS-based platform and subscription-
based  solutions  are  hosted  in  a  central  data  center  that  allows  authorized  subscribers  access  to  our  services  through  the 
Internet, thereby eliminating the need for onsite local implementations of installed workforce development products.   

Other Applications on our Platform — HealthStream offers an array of other applications on our platform, each serving a 
unique function for hospitals and health systems. Each application on our platform has its own value. Examples of individual 
applications that are offered on our platform include applications for recruiting and applicant tracking; learning; performance 
appraisal;  compensation  management;  succession  planning;  competency  management;  disclosure  management;  clinical 
development; simulation-based education; and industry-sponsored training. 

HealthStream Provider Solutions – Our provider solutions are offered through our business segment that is branded in the 
marketplace as “Verity, a HealthStream Company.” Verity, a HealthStream Company, delivers enterprise-class solutions to 
transform the healthcare provider experience for healthcare organizations and providers. We currently serve approximately 
2,400 hospitals and 1,000 clinics, medical groups, and surgery centers in the United States. Verity, a HealthStream Company, 
resulted from the combination of Echo, Inc. and Morrisey Associates, Inc. (MAI), representing over 75 years of industry 
experience, to become a leading company delivering solutions for credentialing, enrollment, privileging, onboarding, and 
performance  evaluation for  providers.  As  of  December  31, 2018,  Verity,  a HealthStream  Company,  had  235  employees 
spanning  headquarters  in  Boulder,  Colorado  with  satellite  offices  in  San  Diego,  California,  Brentwood,  Tennessee,  and 
Chicago, Illinois. 

Our  legacy  products  include  EchoCredentialing™  and  MSOW™,  comprehensive  platforms  that  manage  medical  staff 
credentialing and privileging processes for hospitals; EchoOneApp™, a provider enrollment platform for medical groups, 
which includes automatic form population directly from a continuously updated library of more than 5,000 preformatted 
payer form templates as well as online form integration with Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH), CMS’ 
Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS); and EchoAccess™, our enterprise class platform to support 
hospital call centers with physician referral and provider directories functionalities. 

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In January 2018, we announced the launch of our SaaS-based provider credentialing, privileging, and enrollment solution, 
Verity. Verity includes an intuitive, modern user experience; embedded, validated provider data; and evidence-based and 
best practice content. Further, Verity provides a single infrastructure supporting the entire provider lifecycle, from recruiting, 
application submission, validation tasks, privileging, appointments by credentialing committees, enrollment, contracting, 
onboarding, and performance management. As of December 31, 2018, more than two dozen healthcare organizations have 
contracted for Verity.   

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS 
We acquired Performance Management Services, Inc. in June 2016, acquired the remaining ownership interest in Nursing 
Registry Consultants Corporation in July 2016, acquired MAI in August 2016, and acquired Providigm, LLC in January 
2019. For additional information regarding acquisitions, please see Note 18 of the Consolidated Financial Statements and 
Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included elsewhere in 
this report.   

CUSTOMERS 
We provide our solutions to customers across a broad range of entities within the healthcare industry, including private, not-
for-profit, and government entities, as well as pharmaceutical and medical device companies. We derive a substantial portion 
of our revenues from a relatively small number of customers, although no single customer represented more than 10 percent 
of our revenues during 2018, 2017, or 2016. Customers that have purchased or contracted for products and services from 
HealthStream include: CHRISTUS Health; Saint Luke’s Health System; HCA Holdings, Inc.; Community Health Systems, 
Inc.; McLaren Health Care Corporation; and Sutter Health. 

SALES AND MARKETING 
We market our products and services primarily through our direct sales teams, which are based out of our various office 
locations as well as remote home office locations. As of December 31, 2018, our HealthStream Workforce Solutions sales 
personnel consisted of 119 employees who carried sales quotas, and our Provider Solutions sales personnel consisted of 33 
employees who carried sales quotas. 

We conduct a variety of marketing programs to promote our products and services, including product catalogs, user groups, 
trade  shows,  internet  promotion  and  demonstrations,  telemarketing  campaigns,  public  relations,  distribution  of  product-
specific literature, direct mail, and advertising. We have marketing teams that are responsible for these initiatives and for 
working with and supporting our product management and sales teams. At December 31, 2018, our marketing personnel 
consisted of 38 employees. 

OPERATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY 
We believe our ability to establish and maintain long-term customer relationships, obtain recurring sales, and develop and 
maintain new and existing products are dependent on the strength of our operations, customer service, product development 
and maintenance, training, and other support teams. As of December 31, 2018, our Workforce Solutions operations team 
consisted of 319 employees associated with customer support, implementation services, product development and quality 
assurance,  training,  and  project  management;  and  our  Provider  Solutions  operations  team  consisted  of  194  employees 
associated  with  implementation  services,  data  integration,  product  development  and  quality  assurance,  credentials 
verification, consulting, and other functions. 

Our services are designed to be reliable, secure, and scalable. Our software is a combination of proprietary and commercially 
available software and operating systems. Our software solutions support hosting and management of content, publication 
of our websites, execution of courseware, registration and tracking of users, tracking and reporting of physician credentialing 
and  provider  enrollment  information,  and  reporting  of  information  for  both  internal  and  external  use.  We  designed  the 
platforms that provide our services to allow each component to be independently scaled by adding commercially available 
hardware and a combination of commercially available and proprietary software components. 

Our software applications, servers, and network infrastructure that deliver our services are hosted by a combination of third-
party data center providers, HealthStream-owned data centers, and cloud-based infrastructure. We maintain fully redundant 
disaster  recovery  data  centers  which  are  located  in  geographically  separate  locations.  Our  technology  equipment  is 
maintained in secure, limited access environments, supported by redundant power, environmental conditioning, and network 
connectivity, and we follow industry best practices for backup and disaster recovery. Company personnel monitor all servers, 
networks, and systems on a continuous basis, and we employ enterprise firewall systems and data abstraction to protect our 
databases, customer information, and courseware library from unauthorized access. 

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COMPETITION 
In addition to the competing healthcare education delivery methods in the industry, we also have direct competitors. In our 
Workforce Solutions business segment, a number of companies offer competitive learning management products and talent 
management modules to the healthcare industry. We compete with companies such as Cornerstone OnDemand, Healthcare 
Source, SABA, Oracle, SAP, and Workday that provide their services to multiple industries, including healthcare. We also 
compete with large medical publishers that have operating units that focus on healthcare, such as Wolters Kluwer and Relias 
Learning, which is owned by Bertelsmann. In our Provider Solutions business segment, we have competition primarily from 
several large companies, such as Symplr and MD-Staff. 

We  believe  our  Workforce  Solutions,  which  include  both  products  and  services  that  facilitate  training,  assessment,  and 
development for healthcare professionals, offer a wide assortment of courseware, functionality, and applications provided 
on  a  single  platform  over  the  Internet  and  provide  us  with  a  competitive  advantage.  In  our  Provider  Solutions  business 
segment, we believe the scope and quality of our products, capability to connect medical staff credentialing with provider 
enrollment, and innovative new predictive analytics, provide us with a competitive advantage. We believe that the principal 
competitive factors affecting the marketing of our Workforce and Provider Solutions to the healthcare industry include: 

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features of our SaaS-based platform and applications, including reporting, management functionality, ability to 
manage  a  variety  of  events  or  modalities,  courseware  assignment,  curriculum  management,  documenting 
competency assessments and performance appraisals, scalability, and the ability to track utilization and results; 

scope and variety of Internet-based learning courseware available, including mandated content for OSHA, The 
Joint Commission, patient safety, and HIPAA requirements; competency-based content; courseware scenarios 
that drive simulators; courseware that provides CPR certification; and the ability of our customers to create and 
host their own web-enabled courseware; 
our singular focus on the healthcare industry and our deep healthcare expertise; 
scope and quality of professional services offered, including implementation, benchmarking, and training; 

competitive pricing, which supports a return on investment to customers when compared to other alternative 
delivery methods; 
customer service and support; 
effectiveness of sales and marketing efforts; and 
company reputation. 

We believe these capabilities provide us with the ability to improve the quality of healthcare by assessing and developing 
the people who deliver care. 

GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF THE INTERNET AND THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY 

Regulation of the Internet and the Privacy and Security of Personal Information 
The laws and regulations that govern our business may change rapidly. The following are some of the evolving areas of law 
that are relevant to our business: 

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Privacy and Security Laws. Federal, state, and foreign privacy and security laws and regulations restricting the 
collection, use, security, and disclosure of personal information limit our ability to collect information or use 
and disclose the information in our databases or derived from other sources to generate revenues. It may be 
costly to implement security or other measures designed to comply with new legislation or changes to existing 
laws. 

Content  Regulation.  Both  foreign  and  domestic  governments  have  adopted  and  proposed  laws  governing 
content and materials transmitted over the Internet. These include laws relating to obscenity, indecency, libel 
and defamation. We could be liable if content created, stored, or delivered by us is determined to be in violation 
of these regulations. 

Information Security Accountability Regulation. As a business associate of certain of our customers, we are 
required to report certain breaches of protected health information to our customers, which must in turn notify 
affected individuals, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and/or other governmental 
agencies, and, in certain situations, the media. In addition, we are subject to certain state laws that relate to 
privacy  or  the  reporting  of  security  breaches.  For  example,  California  law  requires  notification  of  security 

5 

breaches involving personal information and medical information. We may incur costs to comply with these 
privacy and security requirements. Because there is little guidance related to many of these laws, it is difficult 
to estimate the cost of our compliance with these laws. Further, Congress has considered bills that would require 
companies to engage independent third parties to audit the companies’ computer information security. If the 
Company is required to report a breach of security or if one of the Company’s customers is required to report 
a breach of security by the Company, the Company’s business could be negatively impacted. 

(cid:2) 

Sales and Use Tax. Through December 31, 2018, we collected sales, use, or other taxes on taxable transactions 
in states in which we have employees or have a significant level of sales activity. While HealthStream believes 
that  this  approach  is  appropriate,  other  states  or  foreign  jurisdictions  may  seek  to  impose  tax  collection 
obligations on companies like us that engage in online commerce. If they do, these obligations could limit the 
growth of electronic commerce in general and limit our ability to realize profit from the sale of our services 
over the Internet. 

Laws and regulations directly applicable to content regulation, e-commerce, Internet communications, and the privacy and 
security  of  personal  information  are  becoming  more  prevalent.  Congress  continues  to  consider  laws  regarding  Internet 
taxation. The dynamic nature of this regulatory environment increases the uncertainty regarding the marketplace impact of 
such  regulation.  The  enactment  of  any  additional  laws  or  regulations  may  increase  our  cost  of  conducting  business  or 
otherwise harm our business, financial condition, and operating results. 

Regulation of Education, Training, and Other Services for Healthcare Professionals 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA regulations require employers to provide training to employees to 
minimize the risk of injury from various potential workplace hazards. Employers in the healthcare industry are required to 
provide training with respect to various topics, including blood borne pathogens exposure control, laboratory safety, and 
tuberculosis  infection  control.  OSHA  regulations  require  employers  to  keep  records  of  their  employees’  completion  of 
training with respect to these workplace hazards. 

The Joint Commission. The Joint Commission accreditation and certification standards require employers in the healthcare 
industry to provide certain workplace safety and patient interaction training to employees. Training required by The Joint 
Commission  may  include  programs  on  infection  control,  patient  bill  of  rights,  radiation  safety,  and  incident  reporting. 
Healthcare organizations are required to provide and document training on these topics to receive accreditation from The 
Joint Commission. In addition, The Joint Commission imposes continuing education requirements on physicians that relate 
to each physician’s specific staff appointments. 

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. HIPAA regulations require certain organizations (known as Covered 
Entities),  including  most  healthcare  providers  and  health  plans,  to  adopt  safeguards  regarding  the  use  and  disclosure  of 
certain health-related information. HIPAA regulations also require these organizations to provide reasonable and appropriate 
safeguards to protect the privacy, integrity and confidentiality of individually identifiable healthcare information. Covered 
Entities are required to establish, maintain, and provide training with regard to their policies and procedures for protecting 
the  integrity  and  confidentiality  of  individually  identifiable  healthcare  information  and  must document  training  on  these 
topics to support their compliance. Certain HIPAA privacy and security requirements apply to entities (known as Business 
Associates)  that  handle  individually  identifiable  healthcare  information  on  behalf  of  Covered  Entities  or  other  Business 
Associates. Covered Entities, Business Associates, and their subcontractors may be directly subject to criminal and civil 
sanctions for violations of HIPAA privacy and security standards. 

The  American  Nurses  Credentialing  Center  (ANCC).  ANCC,  a  subsidiary  of  the  American  Nurses  Association  (ANA), 
provides individuals and organizations throughout the nursing profession with the resources they need to achieve practice 
excellence. ANCC’s internationally renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas; recognize 
healthcare organizations for promoting safe, positive work environments through the Magnet Recognition Program ® and 
the Pathway to Excellence ® Program; and accredit providers of continuing nursing education. In addition, ANCC’s Institute 
for Credentialing Innovation  ® offers an array of informational and educational services and products to support its core 
credentialing programs. ANCC certification exams validate nurses’ skills, knowledge, and abilities. More than a quarter 
million nurses have been certified by ANCC since 1990. More than 80,000 advanced practice nurses are currently certified 
by ANCC. The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program  ® recognizes healthcare organizations that provide the very best in 
nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice. The program also provides a vehicle for disseminating best practices 
and strategies among nursing systems. The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program is a highly regarded standard for nursing 
excellence.  The Pathway to Excellence  ® Program recognizes the essential elements of a high standard nursing practice 
environment. The designation is earned by healthcare organizations that create work environments where nurses can develop 
professionally. The award substantiates the professional satisfaction of nurses and identifies best places to work. 

6 

Continuing  Nursing  Education  (CNE).  State  nurse  practice  laws  authorize  a  state’s  board  of  nursing  to  establish  CNE 
requirements for professional nurses to maintain valid licensure. CNE credits are provided through accredited providers that 
have been approved by the ANCC Commission on Accreditation and/or the state board of nursing. We are an accredited 
provider of CNE by the ANCC. CNE requirements vary widely from state to state, with reporting generally on a bi-annual 
basis. In some states, the CNE requirement only applies to re-licensure of advance practice nurses, while in other states, 
additional CNEs may be required of this category of nurses. Board certifications (e.g., Certified Nurse Operating Room 
(CNOR)  –  certification  of perioperative  nursing)  also  require CNE  credits,  with  certain  percentages  required  in  specific 
categories based on the certification type. 

Continuing Medical Education (CME). State licensing boards, professional organizations, and employers require physicians 
to certify that they have accumulated a minimum number of CME hours to maintain their licenses. Generally, each state’s 
medical practice laws authorize the state’s board of medicine to establish and track CME requirements. Forty-eight state 
medical licensing boards currently have CME requirements, as well as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The 
number of CME hours required by each state ranges from 15 to 50 hours per year. Other sources of CME requirements are 
state medical societies and practice specialty boards. The failure to obtain the requisite amount and type of CME could result 
in non-renewal of the physician’s license to practice medicine and/or membership in a medical or practice specialty society. 
The  American  Medical  Association  (AMA)  classifies  CME  activities  as  either  Category  1, which  includes  formal  CME 
activities, or Category 2, which includes self-designated credit for informal activities that meet certain requirements. CME 
providers that sponsor educational activities can only designate those activities for  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Most 
boards  of  medical  examiners  nationwide  that  require  CME  participation  specify  AMA  PRA  Category  1  Credit™.  Only 
institutions and organizations accredited to provide CME can designate an activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. The 
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) is responsible for awarding accreditation status to state 
medical  societies,  medical  schools,  and  other  institutions  and  organizations  that  provide  CME  activities  for  a  national 
audience  of  physicians.  State  medical  societies,  operating  under  the  aegis  of  the  ACCME,  accredit  institutions  and 
organizations that provide CME activities primarily for physicians within the state or bordering states. We are recognized 
as an accredited provider of CME by the ACCME. 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS has articulated three broad aims of its quality strategy: “Better 
Care. Healthier People, Healthier Communities. Smarter Spending.” To achieve this vision, CMS is committed to care that 
is safe, effective, timely, patient-centered, efficient, and equitable. Value-based purchasing (VBP), which links payment 
more directly to the quality of care provided, is a strategy that can help to transform the current payment system by rewarding 
providers for delivering high quality, efficient clinical care. Through a number of public reporting programs, demonstration 
projects, pilot programs, and other initiatives, some voluntary and some mandatory, CMS has launched VBP initiatives in 
hospitals,  physician  offices,  nursing  homes,  home  health  services,  and  dialysis  facilities.  In  2017,  CMS  launched  a 
comprehensive  deregulatory  initiative,  “Meaningful  Measures,”  which  identifies  priorities  for  quality  measurement  and 
improvement. The framework is intended to improve patient outcomes while also reducing burdens on providers. 

Promoting Interoperability Programs (formerly the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive 
Programs). CMS renamed the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs to the Promoting Interoperability Programs 
(The  Interoperability  Programs)  to  increase  focus  on  the  interoperability  of  and  improving  patient  access  to  health 
information. The Interoperability Programs encourage eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals 
(CAHs) to adopt EHR technology. Eligible hospitals can receive Medicare or Medicaid incentive payments if they adopt 
and demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology; those that fail to demonstrate meaningful use are subject to 
reduced reimbursement from Medicare. In addition to requiring EHR technology,  The Interoperability Programs include 
measures that require the exchange of information between providers and patients to improve the quality of care. By putting 
into  action  and  meaningfully  using  an  EHR  system,  providers  may  reap  benefits  beyond  financial  incentives–such  as 
reduction in errors, availability of records and data, reminders and alerts, clinical decision support, and e-prescribing/refill 
automation. 

Allied Disciplines. Various allied health professionals are required to obtain continuing education to maintain their licenses. 
For example, emergency medical services personnel may be required to attain up to 20 continuing education hours per year, 
all  or  a  portion  of  which  can  be  fulfilled  online.  These  requirements  vary  by  state  and  depend  on  the  professional 
classification of the individual. 

Regulation of Educational Program Sponsorship and Support 
There are a  variety of laws and regulations that affect the relationships between our medical device and pharmaceutical 
customers and the users of our products and services, including the sponsorship and support of educational programs. For 
example,  the  Physician  Payment  Sunshine  Act  (Sunshine  Act)  requires  manufacturers  of  drugs,  biological  devices,  and 
medical devices covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program to report annually to CMS 

7 

payments  and  other  transfers  of  value,  including  educational  programs,  given  by  such  manufacturers  to  physicians  and 
teaching hospitals, with limited exceptions. CMS regulations require manufacturers to report the physician’s name, business 
address, and national provider identifier as well as other information including the value, date, form, and nature of what is 
offered. CMS publishes the information on its website. Manufacturers that do not meet the reporting obligations are subject 
to significant monetary penalties. 

Further, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued Compliance Program Guidance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers 
and  for  the  Durable  Medical  Equipment,  Prosthetics,  Orthotics,  and  Supply  Industry  (collectively,  the  Guidelines).  The 
Guidelines  address  compliance  risks  raised  by  the  support  of  continuing  educational  activities  by  pharmaceutical  and 
medical  device  companies.  The  Guidelines  have  affected  and may  continue  to  affect  the  type  and  extent  of  commercial 
support we receive for our continuing education activities. The trade associations for the pharmaceutical and medical device 
industries (PhRMA and AdvaMed, respectively) have also promulgated their own codes of ethics that further restrict the 
interactions between industry and health care professionals. In addition, the AMA has established its own code of ethics 
regarding Gifts to Physicians from Industry to provide standards of conduct for the medical profession. We follow the rules 
and guidelines provided by ACCME, ANCC, and other continuing education accrediting bodies to ensure that our continuing 
education programming is free from commercial bias and consistent with the Guidelines. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 
Current FDA and FTC rules and enforcement actions and regulatory policies, or those that the FDA or the FTC may develop 
in the future, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to provide existing or future applications or services to our 
end users or obtain the necessary corporate sponsorship to do so. The FDA and the FTC regulate the form, content, and 
dissemination  of  labeling,  advertising,  and  promotional  materials,  including  direct-to-consumer  prescription  drug  and 
medical  device  advertising,  prepared  by,  or  for,  pharmaceutical,  biotechnology,  or  medical  device  companies.  The  FTC 
regulates over-the-counter drug advertising and, in some cases, medical device advertising. Generally, regulated companies 
must  limit  their  advertising  and  promotional  materials  to  discussions  of  the  FDA-approved  indications.  Therefore,  any 
truthful or untruthful information that promotes the use of pharmaceutical or medical device products that is presented with 
our  services  is  subject  to  the  FDA  and  FTC  requirements  and  regulatory  oversight  including  criminal,  civil  and 
administrative actions. We believe that banner advertisements, sponsorship links, and any educational programs that lack 
independent editorial control that we may present with our services could be subject to FDA or FTC regulation. While the 
FDA and the FTC place the principal burden of compliance with advertising and promotional regulations on the advertiser, 
if the FDA or FTC finds that any regulated information presented with our services violates FDA or FTC regulations, they 
may take regulatory action against us or the advertiser or sponsor of that information. In addition, the FDA may adopt new 
regulatory policies that more tightly regulate the format and content of promotional information on the Internet. 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND OTHER PROPRIETARY RIGHTS 
To  protect  our  proprietary  rights,  we  rely  generally  on  copyright,  trademark,  and  trade  secret  laws;  confidentiality 
agreements, contracts, and procedures with employees, consultants and other third parties; contractual provisions in license 
agreements  with  consultants,  vendors,  and  customers;  and  use  measures  designed  to  control  access  to  our  software, 
documentation,  and other  proprietary  information.  We  own  federal  trademark  and  service  mark  registrations  for  several 
marks, 
“HEALTHSTREAM  LEARNING  CENTER”, 
“HEALTHSTREAM  EPORTFOLIO”,  “VERITY”,  “KNOWLEDGEQ”,  and  “ONESOURCE.”  We  also  have  obtained 
registration of the “HEALTHSTREAM” mark in certain other countries. Applications for several trademarks are currently 
pending. However, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining registration of other trademarks for 
which we have applied. 

“HEALTHSTREAM”, 

including,  without 

limitation 

The courseware we license to our customers is developed through a combination of license agreements with publishers and 
authors,  assignments  and  work-for-hire  arrangements  with  third  parties,  and  development  by  employees.  We  require 
publishers, authors, and other third parties to represent and warrant that their content does not infringe on or misappropriate 
any third-party intellectual property rights and that they have the right to provide their content and have obtained all third-
party consents necessary to do so. Our publishers, authors, and other third parties also agree to indemnify us against certain 
liability we might sustain due to the content they provide. 

If a third party asserts a claim that we have infringed its patents or other intellectual property right, we may be required to 
redesign our products or enter into royalty or licensing agreements. In addition, we license technologies from third parties 
for incorporation into our services. Royalty and licensing agreements with these third parties may not be available on terms 
acceptable to us, if at all. Additionally, despite the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property and proprietary 
rights, our efforts may not be adequate. Third parties may infringe or misappropriate our intellectual property, and such 
violations  of  our  intellectual  property  are  difficult  to  detect  and  police.  Competitors  may  also  independently  develop 
technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to the technologies we employ in our products or services. If we 

8 

are  unable  to  safeguard  our  proprietary  rights  adequately,  our  competitors  could  offer  similar  services,  potentially 
significantly harming our competitive position and decreasing our revenues. 

We  hold  inbound  licenses  for  certain  intellectual  property  that  is  used  internally,  and  in  some  cases,  utilized  in 
HealthStream’s products or services. While it may be necessary in the future to seek or renew licenses relating to various 
aspects of our products and services, we believe, based upon past experience and industry practice, such licenses generally 
can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms. We believe our operations and products and services are not materially 
dependent on any single license or other agreement with any third party. 

AVAILABLE INFORMATION 
The Company files reports with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other 
reports from time to time. The SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains the reports, proxy, and 
other filings made by us electronically. Our website address is www.healthstream.com. Please note that our website address 
is provided as an inactive textual reference only. We make available, free of charge through our website, our annual report 
on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, all amendments to those reports, and other 
filings made by us with the SEC, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished 
to the SEC. The information provided on our website is not part of this report, and is therefore not incorporated by reference 
unless such information is otherwise specifically referenced elsewhere in this report. 

OUR EMPLOYEES 
As of December 31, 2018, we employed 757 full-time and 33 part-time persons. Our success will depend in large part upon 
our ability to attract and retain qualified employees. We face competition in this regard from other companies, but we believe 
that we maintain good relations with our employees. We are not subject to any collective bargaining agreements. 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT 
The following is a brief summary of the business experience of each of the executive officers of the Company. Executive 
Officers of the Company are elected by the Board of Directors and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The 
following table sets forth certain information regarding the executive officers of the Company: 

    Age      Position 
Name 
    51 
Robert A. Frist, Jr. 
    56 
J. Edward Pearson 
    50 
Michael Sousa 
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. 
    64 
Jeffrey D. Cunningham                 52 
    43 
Michael M. Collier 
43 
Trisha L. Coady 
51 
M. Scott McQuigg 

    Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors 
    President, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 
    Senior Vice President and President, Verity, Inc., a HealthStream Company 
    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
    Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer 
    Senior Vice President, Business Development and General Counsel 
Senior Vice President and General Manager, Clinical Solutions 
Senior Vice President, hStream Solutions 

Robert A. Frist, Jr., one of our co-founders, has served as our chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors 
since 1990 and served as our president since 2001. On May 15, 2018, following the appointment of Mr. Pearson as the 
president of the Company, Mr. Frist no longer served in such position. Mr. Frist is the company’s chief operating decision 
maker. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business with concentrations in Finance, Economics, and Marketing 
from Trinity University. 

J. Edward Pearson joined the Company in June 2006 as senior vice president and was promoted to chief operating officer in 
2011  and  to  president  on  May  15,  2018.  He  earned  a  Bachelor  of  Business  Administration  in  Accounting  from  Middle 
Tennessee State University. 

Michael Sousa joined the Company in October 2004 and served as senior vice president of sales from January 2010 to June 
2014. In June 2014, he was promoted to senior vice president of business development. In September 2015, he was named 
president of Echo, Inc. (now known as Verity, Inc., a HealthStream Company), HealthStream’s Provider Solutions business 
segment, while continuing to serve as a senior vice president of the Company. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from 
Boston College and a Master of Business Administration from Boston University. 

Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. joined the Company as senior vice president and chief financial officer in May 2008. He earned a 
Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science from Northeastern University. As previously 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
disclosed on the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by us on October 22, 2018, Mr. Hayden intends to resign as an officer of 
the Company following the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Jeffrey D. Cunningham joined the Company in July 2017 as senior vice president and chief technology officer. Prior to 
joining  the  Company,  he  founded  and  served  as  chief  technology  officer  and  chief  strategy  officer  for  Informatics 
Corporation of America for twelve years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from University of North 
Texas. 

Michael M. Collier joined the Company in August 2011 as vice president and general counsel, began serving as the vice 
president  of  business  development  and general  counsel  shortly  thereafter,  and  was  promoted  to senior  vice  president  of 
business development and general counsel in July 2017. Mr. Collier also serves as the Company’s Corporate Secretary. He 
graduated  with  bachelors  and  masters  degrees  in  Philosophy  and  Religion  from  University  of  Tennessee-Knoxville  and 
earned a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from University of California, Berkeley – School of Law. 

Trisha L. Coady joined the Company in January 2014 and served as associate vice president and subsequently vice president 
and general manager of clinical development solutions from June 2015 to November 2018. In November 2018, she was 
promoted to senior vice president and general manager of clinical solutions. She earned a Science in Nursing degree from 
Université de Moncton. 

M. Scott McQuigg joined the Company in January 2019 as senior vice president of hStream solutions. Prior to joining the 
Company, he co-founded and served as chief executive officer for GoNoodle for thirteen  years. Before this role, he co-
founded and served as chief executive officer of HealthLeaders. 

Item 1A. Risk Factors 

We believe that the risks and uncertainties described below are the principal material risks facing the Company as of the 
date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the future, we may become subject to additional risks that are not currently 
known to us. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or prospects could be materially and adversely 
affected by the occurrence of any of the following risks and uncertainties. Additional risks or uncertainties not presently 
know to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, also may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of 
operations, and prospects. The trading price of our common stock could also decline due to the occurrence of any of the 
following risks, as well as risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial. 

Risks Related to Our Business Model 

We may be unable to effectively execute our growth strategy which could have an adverse effect on our business and 
competitive position in the industry. 

Our business strategy includes increasing our market share and presence through sales to new customers, additional sales to 
existing  customers,  introductions  of  new  products  and  services,  and  maintaining  strong  relationships  with  our  existing 
customers. Some of the risks that we may encounter in executing our growth strategy include: 
(cid:2) 

expenses, delays, and difficulties in identifying and developing new products or services and integrating such new 
products or services into our existing organization; 
inability to leverage or evolve our customer and partner facing technology platform; 
inability to leverage our operational and financial systems and processes sufficiently to support our growth; 
inability to generate sufficient revenue from our products to offset investment costs; 
inability to effectively identify, manage, and exploit existing and emerging market opportunities; 
inability to maintain our existing customer relationships; 
increased competition from new and existing competitors; 
lengthy sales cycles, or customers delaying purchasing decisions or payments due to economic conditions; 
reduced spending by customers within our target markets; 
failure of the market for our products and services to grow to a sufficient size or at a sufficient rate; and 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

10 

(cid:2) 

inability to hire sufficient number of qualified employees to execute and support the growth of the Company. 

If any of these risks are realized, our business, and our competitive position in the industry, could suffer. 

We may be unable to effectively identify, complete or integrate the operations of acquisitions, joint ventures, collaborative 
arrangements or other strategic investments, which would inhibit our ability to execute upon our growth strategy. 

As  part  of  our  growth  strategy,  we  actively  review  possible  acquisitions,  joint  ventures,  collaborative  arrangements,  or 
strategic investments that complement or enhance our business. However, we may be unable to source or complete future 
acquisitions,  joint  ventures,  collaborative  arrangements,  or  other  strategic  investments  on  acceptable  terms,  or  at  all.  In 
addition, if we finance acquisitions, joint ventures, collaborative arrangements, or other strategic initiatives by issuing equity 
securities, our existing shareholders may be diluted, which could affect the market price of our stock. As a result, if we fail 
to properly evaluate and execute acquisitions and investments, our performance or prospects may be seriously harmed. Some 
of the risks that we may encounter in implementing our acquisition, joint venture, collaborative arrangement, or strategic 
investment strategies include: 
(cid:2) 

expenses,  delays,  or  difficulties  in  identifying  and  integrating  acquired  companies  or  joint  venture operations, 
collaborative  arrangements,  or  other  strategic  investments  into  our  organization  and  to  otherwise  realize  expected 
synergies in connection therewith; 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

inability to retain personnel associated with acquired companies, joint ventures, collaborative arrangements or other 
strategic investments; 

loss  of  material  customers  and  other  key  business  relations  associated  with  acquired  companies,  joint  ventures, 
collaborative arrangements, or other strategic investments; 

diversion of management’s attention from other initiatives and/or day-to-day operations to effectively execute our 
growth strategy;   

the incorporation of products associated with acquired companies, joint ventures, collaborative arrangements, or other 
strategic investments into our product lines; 

the  increasing  demands on  our  operational  and  informational technology  systems  which  may  arise  from  any  such 
acquired companies or joint venture operations, collaborative arrangements, or other strategic investments; 

potentially insufficient internal controls over financial activities or financial reporting at any such acquired company 
that could impact us on a consolidated basis;   

in the case of joint ventures and strategic investments, the financial performance of those entities may have a negative 
impact on our financial performance; and 

an  inability  to  generate  sufficient  revenue,  profit,  and  cash  flow  from  acquisitions,  joint  ventures,  collaborative 
arrangements, or other strategic investments to offset our investment costs. 

Moreover, although we conduct what we believe to be a prudent level of investigation regarding the operating and financial 
condition of acquired companies, joint ventures, collaborative arrangements, or other strategic investments, an unavoidable 
level of risk remains regarding the operating performance, financial condition, and potential liabilities of these businesses, 
and we may not be able to fully assess these risks until a transaction has been completed. 

Our  ability  to  accurately  forecast  our  financial  performance  for  certain  products  and  services  may  be  hindered  by 
customer scheduling. 

While the revenue we receive from particular products and services in our subscription business may be predictable during 
the term of the applicable contract, the performance of our subscription business may become more subject to fluctuations 
between quarterly periods as our solution offerings diversify and become more sophisticated. Certain project-based products, 
such  as  consulting,  content  development,  and  professional  services,  are  subject  to  the  customers’  involvement  in  the 
provision of the product or service. The timing and magnitude of these project-based product and service contracts may vary 
widely  from  quarter  to  quarter  and  year  to  year,  and  thus  may  affect  our  ability  to  accurately  forecast  our  financial 
performance. In addition, some products, including those in our Workforce Development and Provider Solutions segments, 
can require significant implementation lead times  and resources, and may  require a level of change management efforts 
from our clients, which may also impact our ability to accurately forecast our financial performance. Additionally, as we 
expand our revenue generating model such that third-parties may pay network connection fees based on sales they make, 
our ability to forecast revenue from such arrangements may not be predictable. 

11 

Our ability to accurately forecast our financial performance may be affected by lengthy and widely varying sales cycles. 

The period from our initial contact with a potential customer and their first purchase of our solution typically ranges from 
three to nine months, and in some cases has extended much further. The range in the sales cycle can be impacted by multiple 
factors, including an increasing trend towards more formal request for proposal processes and more competition within our 
industry, as well as formal budget timelines which impact timing of purchases by target customers. New products, including 
those that may compete with or replace our former product offerings, tend to have a longer and more unpredictable revenue 
ramp period because of varying customer adoption rates. As a result of these factors, we have only limited ability to forecast 
the timing and type of initial sales. This, in turn, makes it more difficult to forecast our financial performance. Additionally, 
as we expand our revenue generating model such that third-parties may pay network connection fees based on sales they 
make, our ability to forecast revenue from such arrangements may not be predictable. 

We may not be able to maintain our competitive position against current and potential competitors, especially those with 
significantly greater financial, technical, marketing, or other resources. 

Several of our competitors and many potential competitors have longer operating histories and significantly greater financial, 
technical, marketing, or other resources than we do. We encounter direct competition from both large and small companies 
focused  on  providing  workforce  and  provider  solutions  to  the  healthcare  industry.  Given  the  profile  and  growth  of  the 
healthcare industry and the ongoing need for training, simulation, credentialing, and other information products and services, 
it is likely that additional competitors will emerge. We believe we maintain a competitive advantage against our competitors 
by offering a comprehensive array of products and services; however, our lack of market diversification resulting from our 
concentration on the healthcare industry may make us susceptible to losing market share to our competitors who also offer 
solutions, and in some cases a more robust suite of solutions, to a cross-section of industries. These companies may be able 
to respond more quickly than we can to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards or customer requirements. 
Further, most of our customer agreements are for terms ranging from one to three years, with no obligation to renew. The 
terms of these agreements may enable customers to more easily shift to one of our competitors. 

The failure to maintain and strengthen our relationships with strategic partners or significant changes in the terms of 
the agreements we have with them may have an adverse impact on our ability to successfully market our products and 
services. 

We have entered into contracts with strategic partners, including content, technology, and retail channel vendors. Our ability 
to increase the sales of our products and services depends in part upon maintaining and strengthening relationships with 
these current and future strategic partners. Most of these contracts are on a non-exclusive basis. Certain strategic partners 
may offer products and services from multiple distinct companies, including, in some instances, products or services which 
may compete with our products and services. Moreover, under contracts with some of our strategic partners, we may be 
bound by provisions that restrict our ability to market and sell our products and services to certain potential customers. The 
success of these contractual arrangements will depend in part upon the strategic partners’ own competitive, marketing, and 
strategic  considerations,  including  the  relative  advantages  for  such  strategic  partners  in  using  alternative  products  being 
developed and marketed by them or our competitors, rather than our products and services. 

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain and strengthen our relationships with strategic partners, that we will 
be successful in effectively integrating such partners’ products and technology into our own, or that such relationships will 
be successful in generating additional revenue. If any of these strategic partners have negative experiences with our products 
and services, or seek to amend or terminate the financial or other terms of the contracts or arrangements we have with them, 
we may need to increase our organizational focus on the types of services and solutions they sell and alter our development, 
integration, and/or distribution strategies, which may divert our planned efforts and resources from other projects. 

Lastly, we could be subject to claims and liability, as a result of the activities, products, or services of these strategic partners, 
and/or our  acts or  omissions  with  regard  to  these strategic  partners.  Even  if  these  claims  do not  result  in  liability  to  us, 
investigating and defending these claims could be expensive, time-consuming and result in suspension of or interference 
with certain offerings to our clients and/or adverse publicity that could harm our business.    

We may not be able to retain distribution rights from our content and technology partners, which could adversely affect 
our business and results of operations. 

Most of our agreements with content and technology providers are for initial terms of three or more years. These partners 
may choose not to renew their agreements with us or may terminate their agreements early if we do not fulfill our contractual 
obligations. If our partners terminate or fail to renew their agreements with us on as favorable terms, such as a reduction in 
our revenue share arrangement, it could result in a reduction in the number of courses and solutions we are able to distribute, 
declines in the number of subscribers to our platforms, and decreased revenues. Most of our agreements with our content 
partners are non-exclusive, and our competitors offer, or could offer, content or solutions that are similar to or the same as 
ours. If our current partners offer or otherwise make available their products and services to users or our competitors on 

12 

more favorable terms than those offered to us, or increase our license fees, our competitive position, revenue, and our profit 
margins  and  prospects  could  be  harmed.  In  addition,  the  failure  by  our  partners  to  deliver  high-quality  content  and 
technology, and to revise their content and technology, in response to user demand and evolving healthcare advances and 
trends could result in customer dissatisfaction and inhibit our ability to attract and retain subscribers. 

We may not be able to develop new products and services, or enhancements to our existing products and services, or be 
able  to  achieve  widespread  acceptance  of  new  products,  services  or  features,  or  keep  pace  with  technological 
developments. 

Our growth strategy depends in part on our ability to generate revenue growth through sales to new customers as well as 
increasing  sales  of  additional  subscriptions  and  other  products  and  services  to  existing  customers.  Our  identification  of 
additional  features,  content, products  and  services  may  not  result  in  timely  development  of complementary  products.  In 
addition, the success of certain new products and services may be dependent on continued growth in our customer base. 
Furthermore, we are not able to accurately predict the volume or speed with which existing and new customers may adopt 
such  new  products  and  services.  Because  healthcare  technology  continues  to  change  and  evolve,  we  may  be  unable  to 
accurately predict and develop new products, features, content and other products to address the needs of the healthcare 
industry.  Further,  the  new  products,  services  and  enhancements  we  develop  may  introduce  significant  defects  into  or 
otherwise negatively impact our technology platform. While all new products and services are subject to testing and quality 
control, all software and software-based services are subject to errors and malfunctions. If we release new products, services 
and/or enhancements with bugs, defects or errors or that cause bugs, defects or errors in existing products, it could result in 
lost revenues and/or reduced ability to meet contractual obligations and would be detrimental to our business and reputation. 
If new products, features, or content are not accepted or integrated by new or existing customers, we may not be able to 
recover  the  cost  of  this  development  and  our  financial  performance  will  be  harmed.  Continued  growth  of  our  customer 
population is dependent on our ability to continue to provide relevant products and services in a timely manner. The success 
of our business will depend on our ability to continue providing our products and services as well as enhancing our content, 
product and service offerings that address the needs of healthcare organizations. 

We may be unable to continue to license our third party software, on which a portion of our product and service offerings 
rely, or we may experience errors in this software, which could increase our costs and decrease our revenue. 

We use technology components in some of our products that have been licensed from third parties. Future licenses to these 
technologies may not be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. The loss of or inability to obtain or 
maintain any of these licenses could result in delays in the introduction of new products and services or could force us to 
discontinue offering portions of solutions until equivalent technology, if available, is identified, licensed and integrated. The 
operation of our products would be impaired if errors occur in third party technology or content that we incorporate, and we 
may incur additional costs to repair or replace the defective technology or content. It may be difficult for us to correct any 
errors in third party products because the products are not within our control. Accordingly, our revenue could decrease and 
our costs could increase in the event of any errors in this technology. Furthermore, we may become subject to legal claims 
related to licensed technology based on product liability, infringement of intellectual property or other legal theories. Even 
if  these  claims  do  not  result  in  liability  to  us,  investigating  and  defending  these  claims  could  be  expensive  and  time-
consuming, and could result in suspension of or interference with certain offerings to our clients and/or adverse publicity 
that could harm our business. 

Financial Risks 

A significant portion of our revenue is generated from a relatively small number of customers. 

We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from a relatively small number of customers. A termination or material 
modification of our agreements with any of our significant customers or a failure of these customers to renew their contracts 
on favorable terms, or at all, could have an adverse effect on our business. 

A significant portion of our business is subject to renewal each year. Therefore, renewals have a significant impact on 
our revenue and operating results. 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, approximately 95% of our net revenue was derived from SaaS-based subscriptions 
and software licensing agreements. Our product and service contracts typically range from one to five years in length, and 
customers are not obligated to renew their contract with us after their contract term expires; in fact, some customers have 
elected not to renew their contract. In addition, our customers may renew at a lower pricing or activity level. Our customers’ 
renewals may decline or fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to their dissatisfaction with 
our  service,  a  dissipation  or  cessation of  their need for one  or  more  of  our products or  services,  pricing,  or  competitive 

13 

product offerings. If we are unable to renew a substantial portion of the contracts that are up for renewal or maintain our 
pricing, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. 

We may be unable to accurately predict the timing of revenue recognition from sales activity as it is often dependent on 
achieving certain events or performance milestones, and this inability could impact our operating results. 

Our  ability  to  recognize  revenue  is  dependent  upon  several  factors  in  order  for  us  to  implement  customers  on  our 
subscription-based  platform  and  platform  applications.  If  customers  do  not  provide  us  with  the  information  required  to 
complete  implementations  in  a  timely  manner,  our  ability  to  recognize  revenue  may  be  delayed,  which  could  adversely 
impact our operating results. Some products, including several in our Provider Solutions segment, can require significant 
implementation lead times and the rate at which customer orders move from backlog to revenue generation in connection 
with these products may significantly affect the timing of revenue recognition. 

Because we recognize revenue from subscriptions for our products and services over the term of the subscription period, 
downturns or upturns in sales may not be immediately reflected in our operating results. 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized approximately 95% of our revenue from customers monthly over 
the terms of their subscription or licensing agreements, which have initial contract terms ranging from one to five years. As 
a result, much of the revenue we report in each quarter is related to subscription or licensing agreements entered into during 
previous quarters. Consequently, a decline in new or renewed subscription or licensing agreements in any one quarter will 
not necessarily be fully reflected in the revenue in that quarter and will negatively affect our revenue in future quarters. In 
addition, we may be unable to adjust our cost structure to reflect this reduced revenue. Accordingly, the effect of significant 
downturns in sales and market acceptance of our products and services may not be fully reflected in our results of operations 
until future periods. Finally, our subscription model also makes it difficult for us to rapidly increase our revenue through 
additional sales in any period, as revenue from new customers must be recognized over the applicable subscription term.   

We may not be able to meet our strategic business objectives unless we obtain additional financing, which may not be 
available to us on favorable terms, or at all. 

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, cash generated from operations, and available 
borrowings  under our  revolving  credit  facility  will  be  sufficient  to  meet  anticipated  working  capital needs,  new  product 
development and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. However, we may need to raise additional funds in 
order to: 
(cid:2) 

develop new, or enhance existing, products, services, and technology; 
respond to competitive pressures; 
finance working capital requirements; 
acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies, content or products; or 
otherwise effectively execute our growth strategy. 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

At December 31, 2018, we had approximately $168.8 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities. We also 
have up to $50.0 million of availability under our Revolving Credit Facility, subject to certain covenants, which expires in 
November 2020. We expect to incur approximately $35 million of capital expenditures, software development and content 
purchases during 2019, which includes approximately $15 million associated with our office consolidation and relocation 
to a new central location in Nashville, Tennessee. 

We actively review possible business acquisitions to complement or enhance our products and services, and we completed 
the acquisition of Providigm, LLC in January 2019. We may not have adequate cash and investments or availability under 
our  Revolving  Credit  Facility  to  consummate  one  or  more  of  these  acquisitions.  We  cannot  assure  you  that  if  we  need 
additional financing that it will be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not 
available on acceptable terms, our ability to fund expansion, take advantage of available opportunities, develop or enhance 
services or products, or otherwise respond to competitive pressures would be significantly limited. If we raise additional 
funds by issuing equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our existing shareholders may be reduced. 

14 

We have significant goodwill, identifiable intangible assets, and long-lived assets recorded on our balance sheet that may 
be subject to impairment losses that would reduce our reported assets and earnings. 

There are inherent uncertainties in the estimates, judgments and assumptions used in assessing recoverability of goodwill, 
intangible assets, and long-lived assets. Economic, legal, regulatory, competitive, reputational, contractual, and other factors 
could result in future declines in the operating results of our business units or market values that do not support the carrying 
value of goodwill, identifiable  intangible assets, and long-lived assets. If the value of our goodwill, intangible assets, or 
long-lived assets is impaired, accounting rules require us to reduce their carrying value and report an impairment charge, 
which would reduce our reported assets and earnings for the period in which an impairment is recognized. 

We may be affected by healthcare reform efforts and other changes in the healthcare industry that impact our clients. 

Our  clients  are  concentrated  in  the  healthcare  industry,  which  is subject  to  changing  regulatory,  economic,  and  political 
conditions. In the past two years, we have experienced an increase in bankruptcies among our customers. This decrease in 
creditworthiness among certain of our customers along with other economic challenges facing the healthcare sector caused 
us to record bad debt expense of $1.0 million and $1.6 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Continuance or escalation of 
this development could result in our inability to collect amounts owed from existing clients and decrease our ability to gain 
new clients, which could adversely impact our revenue, results of operations, and ability to execute on our growth strategy. 

The U.S. Congress and certain state legislatures have passed or are considering laws and regulations intended to result in 
major  changes  to  the  U.S.  healthcare  system.  The  most  prominent  of  these  reform  efforts,  the  Patient  Protection  and 
Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, Affordable 
Care Act), was designed to increase access to affordable health insurance for U.S. citizens and improve quality of care, but 
it also has reduced government program spending and imposed operating costs and changes on many of our clients. 

However, efforts by the presidential administration and certain members of Congress to repeal or make significant changes 
to the Affordable Care Act, its implementation and/or its interpretation have cast considerable uncertainty on the future of 
the law. For example, effective January 1, 2019, Congress eliminated the financial penalty associated with the individual 
mandate. In addition, final rules issued in 2018 expand the availability of association health plans and allow the sale of short-
term, limited-duration health plans, neither of which are required to cover all of the essential health benefits mandated by 
the Affordable Care Act. These changes may impact the number of individuals that elect to purchase health insurance or the 
scope of such coverage, if purchased. Because the penalty associated with the individual mandate was eliminated, a federal 
judge in Texas ruled in December 2018 that the entire law was unconstitutional. However, the law remains in place pending 
appeal. There is uncertainty regarding whether, when, and how the Affordable Care Act will be further changed, the ultimate 
impact  of  court  challenges,  and  what  alternative  provisions,  if  any,  will  be  enacted,  the  timing  of  enactment  and 
implementation  of  alternative  provisions,  the  impact  of  alternative  provisions  on  providers  as  well  as  other  healthcare 
industry participants, and how the law will be interpreted and implemented. Changes by Congress or government agencies 
could eliminate or alter provisions beneficial to us while leaving in place provisions reducing our reimbursement. Some of 
the recent changes in the healthcare industry have driven consolidation, particularly among health insurance providers. Other 
industry  participants,  such  as  large  employer  groups  and  their  affiliates,  may  intensify  competitive  pressures.  Efforts  to 
repeal or change the Affordable Care Act or implement other initiatives intended to reform healthcare delivery, coverage, 
and/or financial systems may have an adverse effect on our clients. For example, some members of Congress have proposed 
significantly expanding the coverage of government-funded programs. Any such regulatory developments, as well as other 
healthcare-related  or  other  developments  that  adversely  impact  the  business  or  financial  condition  of  our  clients,  could 
reduce the amount of business we receive from such clients and thus have an adverse effect on our results of operations. 

We may not be able to demonstrate compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 in a timely manner, and the correction 
of any deficiencies identified during annual audits may be costly and could harm our business. 

Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 requires our management to report on, and requires our independent public accounting firm to 
attest to, the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. The rules governing the standards to be met are 
complex  and  may  require  significant  process  review,  documentation  and  testing,  as  well  as  remediation  efforts  for  any 
identified deficiencies. This process of review, documentation, testing and remediation may result in increased expenses and 
require  significant  attention  from  management  and  other  internal  and  external  resources.  These  requirements  may  also 
extend to acquired entities and our efforts to integrate those operations into our system of internal controls. Any material 
weaknesses identified during this process may preclude us from asserting the effectiveness of our internal controls. This 
may negatively affect our stock price if we cannot effectively remediate the issues identified in a timely manner. 

15 

Changes in accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, could adversely effect 
our balance sheet, revenue, and results of operations, and could require a significant expenditure of time, attention and 
resources, especially by senior management. 

Our accounting and financial reporting policies conform to GAAP, which are periodically revised and/or expanded. The 
application of accounting principles is also subject to varying  interpretations over time. Accordingly, we are required to 
adopt new or revised accounting standards or comply with revised interpretations that are issued from time to time by various 
parties, including accounting standard setters and those who interpret the standards, such as the FASB and the SEC and our 
independent registered public accounting firm. Changes to regulations concerning revenue recognition could require us to 
alter our current revenue accounting practices and cause us to either defer revenue into a future period, or to recognize lower 
revenue in a current period. Likewise, changes to regulations concerning expense recognition could require us to alter our 
current  expense  accounting  practices  and  cause  us  to  defer  recognition  of  expense  into  a  future  period,  or  to  recognize 
increased expenses in a current period. Such changes could also cause us to alter the manner in which we contract for, sell, 
and incentivize sales of products and services. Changes to either revenue recognition or expense recognition accounting 
practices could affect our financial results. 

Risks Related to Sales, Marketing and Competition 

Our operating margins could be affected if our ongoing refinement to pricing models for our products and services is not 
accepted by our customers and the market. 

We continue to make changes in the pricing of our product and service offerings so as to increase revenue and meet the 
needs  of  our  customers.  We  cannot  predict  whether  the  current  pricing  of  our  products  and  services,  or  any  ongoing 
refinements we make will be accepted by our existing customer base or by prospective customers.  If our customers and 
potential  customers  decide not to  accept  our  current  or future pricing  or  product  and  service  offerings,  it  could have  an 
adverse effect on our business and results of operations. 

Risks Related to Operations 

We may be unable to adequately develop our systems, processes and support in a manner that will enable us to meet the 
demand for our services. 

We have provided our online products and services for over 19  years and continue to expand our ability to provide our 
solutions on both a subscription and transactional basis over the Internet or otherwise. Our future success will depend on 
our  ability  to  effectively  develop  and  maintain  our  infrastructure,  including  procurement  of  additional  hardware  and 
software, and to implement the services, including customer support, necessary to meet the demand for our products and 
services. Our inability from time to time to successfully develop the necessary systems and implement the necessary services 
on a timely basis may result in our customers experiencing delays, interruptions and/or errors in their service. Such delays 
or interruptions may cause customers to become dissatisfied with our service and move to competing providers of workforce 
development and provider solutions services. If this happens, our reputation, results of operations, and financial condition 
could be adversely affected. 

Our  business  operations  could  be  significantly  disrupted  if  we  lose  members  of,  or  fail  to  attract  and  integrate  new 
members to, our management team. 

Our future performance is substantially dependent on the continued services of our management team and our ability to 
attract, retain and motivate them. The loss of the services of any of our officers or senior managers, or the inability to attract 
additional  officers  or  senior  managers  as  appropriate,  could  harm  our  business,  as  we  may  not  be  able  to  find  suitable 
replacements. We do not have employment agreements with any of our key personnel, other than our chief executive officer, 
and we do not maintain any “key person” life insurance policies. 

We may not be able to attract, hire and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees and, as a result, we may not be 
able to effectively execute our growth strategy or maintain the quality of our services. 

Our future success will depend on our ability to attract, train, motivate, and retain other highly skilled technical, managerial, 
marketing,  sales,  and  customer  support  personnel.  Competition  for  certain  personnel  is  intense,  especially  for  software 
developers,  web  designers,  user  experience  and  interaction  designers,  and  sales  personnel,  and  we  may  be  unable  to 
successfully attract sufficiently qualified personnel. We have experienced in the past, and continue to experience, difficulty 
hiring qualified personnel in a timely manner for these positions. The pool of qualified technical personnel, in particular, is 
limited in Nashville, Tennessee, where our headquarters are located. Similar challenges exist within our Provider Solutions 
segment in our locations in San Diego, California, and Boulder, Colorado. We anticipate needing to continue to maintain or 

16 

increase the size of our staff to support our anticipated growth, without compromising the quality of our offerings or customer 
service. Our inability to locate, attract, hire, integrate and retain qualified personnel in sufficient numbers may reduce the 
quality of our services and impair our ability to grow and adversely impact our financial performance. 

We may not be able to upgrade our hardware and software technology infrastructure quickly enough to effectively meet 
demand for our services or our operational needs. 

We must continue to obtain reasonably priced, commercially available hardware, operating software, and hosting services, 
as well as continue to enhance our software and systems to accommodate the increased use of our platform, the increased 
content in our library, the expanding amount and type of data we store on behalf of our customers, and the resulting increase 
in operational demands on our business. Decisions about hardware and software enhancements are based in part on estimated 
forecasts of the growth in demand for our services. This growth in demand for our services is difficult to forecast and the 
potential audience for our services is widespread and dynamic. If we are unable to increase the data storage and processing 
capacity of our systems at least as fast as the growth in demand, our customers may encounter delays or disruptions in their 
service.  Unscheduled  downtime  or  reduced  response  time  of  our  platforms  could  harm  our  business  and  also  could 
discourage current and potential customers from using or continuing to use our services and reduce future revenue. If we 
are  unable  to  acquire,  update, or  enhance  our  technology  infrastructure  and  systems  quickly  enough  to  effectively  meet 
increased operational demands on our business, that may also have an adverse effect on our results of operations or financial 
condition. Further, as we develop our platforms and rely on ever changing and improving technologies, we may be impeded 
by our customers’ inability to adopt new technologies, such as web browsers, upon which new platform enhancements may 
be based.     

Our network infrastructure and computer systems and software may fail. 

An unexpected event (including but not limited to a cyber-security incident, telecommunications failure, fire, earthquake, or 
other catastrophic loss) at our Internet service providers’ facilities or at our on-site data center facilities could cause the loss 
of critical data and prevent us from offering our products and services for an unknown period of time. System downtime 
could negatively affect our reputation and ability to sell our products and services and may expose us to significant third-
party claims. Our cyber liability and business interruption insurance may not adequately compensate us for losses that may 
occur. In addition, we rely on third parties to securely store our archived data, house our web server and network systems 
and connect us to the Internet. While our service providers have planned for certain contingencies, the failure by any of these 
third parties to provide these services satisfactorily and our inability to find suitable replacements would impair our ability 
to access archives and operate our systems and software, and our customers may encounter delays. Such disruptions could 
harm our reputation and cause customers to become dissatisfied and possibly take their business to a competing provider, 
which would adversely affect our financial performance. 

We may lose users and lose revenue if our security measures fail. 

If the security measures that we use to protect customer or personal information are ineffective, we may lose users of our 
services, which could reduce our revenue, tarnish our reputation, and subject us to significant liability. We rely on security 
and  authentication  technology  licensed  from  third  parties.  With  this  technology,  we  perform  real-time  credit  card 
authorization and verification, as well as the encryption of other selected secure customer data. We cannot predict whether 
these security measures could be circumvented by new technological developments. Further, the audit processes, penetration 
and vulnerability testing, and controls used within our production platforms, may not be sufficient to identify and prevent 
errors or deliberate misuse. In addition, our software, databases and servers may be vulnerable to computer viruses, physical 
or electronic attacks, and similar disruptions. We may need to spend significant resources to protect against security breaches 
or to alleviate problems caused by any breaches. We cannot assure that we can prevent all security breaches. 

A data breach or security incident could result in a loss of confidential data, give rise to remediation and other expenses, 
expose  us  to  liability  under  HIPAA,  the  Health  Information  Technology  for  Economic  and  Clinical  Health  Act 
(HITECH),  foreign  data  privacy  regulations,  federal  and  state  privacy  laws,  consumer  protection  laws,  common  law 
theories or other laws, subject us to litigation and federal and state governmental inquiries, damage our reputation, and 
otherwise be disruptive to our business. 

We  collect  and  store  sensitive  information,  including  intellectual  property,  individually  identifiable  health  information, 
provider  credentialing  and  privileging  data,  and  other  personally  identifiable  information,  on  our  networks.  The  secure 
maintenance  of  this  information  is  critical  to  our  business  operations.  As  a  result,  the  continued  development  and 
enhancement  of  controls,  processes,  and  practices  designed  to  protect  our  information  systems  from  attack,  damage,  or 
unauthorized  access  remain  a  priority  for  us.  We  have  implemented  multiple  layers  of  security  measures  to  protect  this 
confidential  data  through  technology,  processes,  and  our  people,  and  our  defenses  are  monitored  and  routinely  tested 
internally and by  external parties. Despite these efforts, a data breach or security incident could result from a variety of 
circumstances and events, including third-party action, system errors, employee negligence or error, malfeasance, computer 

17 

viruses, failures during the process of upgrading or replacing software, databases, or components thereof, power outages, 
hardware failures, telecommunication failures, user errors, catastrophic events, or threats from malicious persons and groups, 
new  vulnerabilities,  and  advanced  new  attacks  against  information  systems.  In  addition,  third  party  IT  vendors  may  not 
provide us with fixes or updates to hardware or software in a manner as to avoid an unauthorized loss or disclosure or to 
address a known vulnerability, which may subject us to known threats or downtime as a result of those delays. 

There can be no assurance that we will not be subject to data incidents that bypass our security measures, result in loss of 
confidential information, or disrupt our information systems or business. Data incidents could result in interruptions, delays, 
loss,  access,  misappropriation,  and  disclosure  or  corruption  of  data  and  could  damage  our  reputation.  In  addition,  data 
incidents  could  expose  us  and our  customers  to  liability  under  privacy,  security,  and  consumer  protection  laws,  such  as 
HIPAA,  or  litigation  under  these  or  other  laws,  including  common  law  theories,  and  subject  us  to  federal  and  state 
governmental  inquiries  or  enforcement,  especially  if  a  large  number  of  individuals  are  affected  or  if  the  compromised 
information is highly sensitive. Like many other organizations, we have experienced data incidents from time to time in the 
course  of  our  business  and  handled  these  incidents  in  accordance  with  our  internal  policies  and  understanding  of  the 
applicable laws. 

As  cyber  and  other  threats  to  confidential  information  continue  to  evolve,  we  may  be  required  to  expend  significant 
additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any security 
vulnerabilities. The occurrence of a data incident and the resulting potential costs and liabilities could have an adverse effect 
on our financial position and results of operations and harm our business reputation. 

We  may  experience  errors  or  omissions  in  our  software  products  or  processes,  including  those  that  deliver  provider 
credentialing, privileging and payer enrollment services for our hospitals and medical practice customers, and those that 
administer and report on hospital performance, and these errors could result in action taken against us that could harm 
our business. 
Hospitals and medical practices use our credentialing, privileging, and payer enrollment software to manage, validate, and 
maintain their providers’ credentials and authorization to practice in a particular facility, and to maintain authorization to 
perform care covered by insurance providers. In some instances, we rely on sources outside the Company for information 
that we use in our credentialing and privileging products. If errors or omissions occur that inaccurately validate or invalidate 
the credentials of a provider, or improperly deny or authorize a provider to practice in a hospital or medical practice, these 
errors or omissions could result in litigation brought against us either by our customers, the provider, or other interested 
parties. For example, an important element in a malpractice case brought against a hospital or other provider could be the 
validation of proper credentialing for the provider, and any errors or omissions in our products that provide these services 
could subject us to claims. Further, a list of providers’ privileges may be made available to the general public by hospitals 
and medical practices, and errors in credentialing and privileging may result in damage to the hospital, medical practice, or 
provider. 

We may be required to indemnify against such claims, and defending against any such claims could be costly, and time-
consuming and could negatively affect our business. 

The expiration of our legacy agreements with Laerdal could adversely affect our business and future results of 
operations. 

Our legacy agreements with Laerdal (Legacy Agreements) for the HeartCode and Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) 
products expired pursuant to their terms on December 31, 2018 and will not be renewed. Revenues associated with sales of 
HeartCode and RQI products pursuant to the Legacy Agreements have been significant in recent years, although margins 
on such products have been lower than HealthStream’s average margin. Revenues from HeartCode and RQI pursuant to the 
Legacy Agreements will run out to zero dollars in the first quarter of 2021, and will decline prior thereto as we conclude the 
fulfillment of HeartCode and RQI purchases made prior to December 31, 2018. 

While we have entered into agreements to market, sell, and deliver new resuscitation programs to our customers (i.e., other 
than HeartCode and RQI), including through our collaboration with the American Red Cross, there is no assurance that we 
will be successful in efforts to market, sell, or deliver such products. To the extent we are not successful in these efforts and 
new resuscitation programs do not generate revenue and/or earnings in a manner that supplants the impact of the Legacy 
Agreements, our revenue and results of operations will be adversely affected. 

18 

There are certain risks associated with the sale of our Patient Experience business which was completed in February 
2018. 

In February 2018, we completed  the sale of our PX business to Press Ganey. As a result of this transaction, we are now 
highly dependent on the success of our two remaining business segments, our workforce solutions segment and provider 
solutions segment. In addition, in connection with the sale of our PX business to Press Ganey, we agreed to indemnify Press 
Ganey with respect to certain matters, including the breach of our representations, warranties, and covenants contained in 
the agreements related to this transaction as well as in connection with the performance of certain transition services provided 
for  a  period  of  time  following  the  closing.  A  material  breach  or  inaccuracy  of  these  representations,  warranties,  and 
covenants in any of the agreements related to those transactions could lead to a claim against us, which could require us to 
pay substantial sums and incur related costs and expenses. 

In addition, many of the customer contracts associated with the PX business were shared contracts (Shared Contracts) under 
which we have provided services in connection with our existing businesses and under which we previously (prior to the 
closing of the sale of our Patient Experience business) provided services in connection with the Patient Experience business. 
Under the terms of our agreement with Press Ganey, these Shared Contracts were retained by us; however, following the 
completion of such disposition, Press Ganey has provided services to our customers under these Shared Contracts to the 
extent related to the Patient Experience business (and is entitled to receive the benefit of payments made by our customers 
in connection therewith) until such time that Press Ganey has obtained a replacement contract and/or an assignment with 
respect to the portion of the Shared Contract that relates to the Patient Experience business. As a result, if Press Ganey is 
unable to satisfy its obligations under the Shared Contracts or if other issues arise in connection this arrangement, we could 
incur operational or reputational losses that may adversely affect our results of operations or business.   

Risks Related to Government Regulation, Content and Intellectual Property 

Government  regulation may  subject  us  to  investigation,  litigation,  or  liability  or  require  us  to  change  the  way  we  do 
business. 

The laws and regulations that govern our business change rapidly. Evolving areas of law that are relevant to our business 
include  privacy  and  security  laws,  proposed  encryption  laws,  content  regulation,  information  security  accountability 
regulation, sales and use tax laws, and regulations and attempts to regulate activities on the Internet. For example, we are 
directly subject to certain requirements of the HIPAA privacy and security regulations. In addition, we are required through 
contracts  with  our  customers  known  as  “business  associate  agreements”  to  protect  the  privacy  and  security  of  certain 
personal and health related information. Further, government laws and regulations, such as the Affordable Care Act, that 
directly affect our customers, can have an indirect impact on our business. 

The rapidly evolving and uncertain regulatory and technology environment could require us to change how we do business 
or incur additional costs. It may be difficult to predict how changes to these laws and regulations might affect our business. 
Our current and past privacy and security practices, including any breaches of protected health information or other data, 
could be subject to review or other investigation by various state and federal regulatory authorities or could become  the 
subject of future litigation. 

Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including those governing privacy and security, could subject us to 
civil and criminal penalties, subject us to contractual penalties (including termination of our customer agreements), adversely 
affect our ability to retain clients and attract new clients, damage our reputation, or otherwise have a detrimental impact on 
our business. 

Any reduction or change in the regulation of continuing education and training in the healthcare industry may adversely 
affect our business. 

A  portion  of  our  business  model  is  dependent  in  part  on  required  training  and  continuing  education  for  healthcare 
professionals and other healthcare workers resulting from regulations of state and federal agencies, state licensing boards 
and professional organizations. Any change in these regulations that reduce the requirements for continuing education and 
training for the healthcare industry could harm our business. In addition, a portion of our business with pharmaceutical and 
medical device manufacturers and hospitals is predicated on our ability to maintain accreditation status with organizations 
such as the ACCME and ANCC. The failure to maintain status as an accredited provider could have a detrimental effect on 
our business. 

19 

We may be liable to third parties for content that is sold or made available by us. 

We may be liable to third parties for the content sold or made available by us if the text, graphics, software, or other content 
therein violates copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights, if our content partners violate their contractual 
obligations to others by providing content that we sell or make available, or if the content is inaccurate, incomplete, or does 
not conform to accepted standards of care in the healthcare profession. Further, we may be liable to these content partners 
if we allow access or release and lose control of their content stored on our platform either due to security issues or through 
improper release to customers who have not paid for access to this content. We attempt to minimize these types of liabilities 
by requiring representations and warranties relating to our content partners’ ownership of the rights to distribute as well as 
the accuracy of their content. We also take necessary measures to review this content ourselves. Although our agreements 
with our content partners in most instances contain provisions providing for indemnification by the content providers in the 
event  of  inaccurate  content,  our  content  partners  may  not  have  the  financial  resources  to  meet  these  indemnification 
obligations.  Alleged  liability  could  harm  our  business  by  damaging  our  reputation,  requiring  us  to  incur  legal  costs  in 
defense, exposing us to awards of damages and costs, and diverting management’s attention away from our business. 

Protection of certain intellectual property may be difficult and costly, and our inability to protect our intellectual property 
could reduce the value of our products and services. 

Despite  our  efforts  to  protect  our  intellectual  property  rights,  as  well  as  the  intellectual  property  rights  of  our  strategic 
partners, a third party could, without authorization, copy or otherwise misappropriate our content, information from our 
databases, or other intellectual property, including that of our third party strategic partners. Our agreements with employees, 
consultants and others who participate in development activities could be breached and result in our trade secrets becoming 
known. Alternatively, competitors and other third parties may independently develop or create content or systems that do 
not infringe our intellectual property rights. We may not have adequate remedies for such breaches or protections against 
such competitor developments. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the 
same extent as the laws of the United States, and effective intellectual property protection may not be available in those 
jurisdictions. 

Our business could be harmed if unauthorized parties infringe upon or misappropriate our intellectual property, proprietary 
systems, content, platform, services or other information, or the intellectual property of our strategic partners. Our efforts to 
protect  our  intellectual  property  through  copyright,  trademarks,  and  other  controls,  as  well  as  our  efforts  to  protect  the 
intellectual property of our strategic partners, may not be adequate. For instance, we may not be able to secure trademark or 
service mark registrations for marks in the United States or in foreign countries, or to secure patents for our proprietary 
products and services, and even if we are successful in obtaining patent and/or trademark registrations, these registrations 
may  be  opposed  or  invalidated  by  a  third  party.  We  also  have  certain  contractual  obligations  to  protect  the  intellectual 
property of our strategic partners, and could be required to indemnify such strategic partners if we do not adequately provide 
such protections. 

There  has  been  substantial  litigation  in  the  software  services  and  healthcare  technology  industries  regarding  intellectual 
property assets, particularly patents. Third parties may claim infringement by us with respect to current and future products, 
trademarks or other proprietary rights, and we may counterclaim against such third parties in such actions. Any such claims 
or counterclaims could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, divert management’s attention, cause product release 
delays, require us to redesign our products, restrict our use of the intellectual property subject to such claim, or require us to 
enter into royalty or licensing agreements, any of which could have an adverse effect upon our business, financial condition, 
and operating results. Such royalty and licensing agreements may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. 

We may be liable for infringing the intellectual property rights of others. 

Our competitors may develop similar intellectual property, duplicate our products and/or services, or design  around any 
patents or other intellectual property rights we hold. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights 
or to determine the validity and scope of the patents, intellectual property or other proprietary rights of third parties, which 
could be time consuming and costly and have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Intellectual property 
infringement claims could be made against us, especially as the number of our competitors grows. These claims, even if not 
meritorious, could be expensive and divert our attention from operating our company and result in a temporary inability to 
use the intellectual property subject to such claim. In addition, if we and/or our affiliates and customers become liable to 
third parties for infringing their intellectual property rights, we could be required to pay a substantial damage award and 
develop comparable non-infringing intellectual property, to obtain a license, or to cease providing the content or services 
that contain the infringing intellectual property. We may be unable to develop non-infringing intellectual property or obtain 
a license on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. 

20 

A  variety  of  other  state,  national,  foreign,  and  international  laws  and  regulations  apply  to  the  collection,  use,  retention, 
protection,  security,  disclosure,  transfer,  and  other  processing  of  personal  data.  California  has  passed  the  California 
Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA), which takes effect January 1, 2020. The CCPA applies broadly to information that 
identifies or is associated with any California household or individual, and compliance with the CCPA requires that we 
implement several operational changes, including processes to respond to individuals’ data access and deletion requests. In 
addition, many foreign data privacy regulations (including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which became 
effective in the European Union on May 25, 2018, and China’s Cybersecurity Law which became effective in 2017) can be 
more stringent than those in the United States. These laws and regulations are rapidly evolving and changing, and could 
have an adverse effect on our operations. Companies’ obligations and requirements under these laws and regulations are 
subject to uncertainty in how they may be interpreted by government authorities and regulators. The costs of compliance 
with,  and  the  other  burdens  imposed  by,  these  and  other  laws  or  regulatory  actions  may  increase  our  operational  costs, 
prevent us from selling our products or services, and/or affect our ability to invest in or jointly develop products. We may 
also face audits or investigations by one or more domestic or foreign government agencies relating to our compliance with 
these regulations. 

We may be adversely affected by changes in U.S. tax laws and regulations. 

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (Tax Act), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017, made significant changes 
to the taxation of U.S. business entities. These changes included a permanent reduction to the federal corporate income tax 
rate to 21 percent from 35 percent, among other changes. The Company has accounted for the effects of the Tax Act using 
reasonable estimates based on currently available information and interpretations thereof. This accounting may change due 
to, among other things, changes in interpretations we have made and the issuance of new tax or accounting guidance. 

It  is  possible  that  governmental  authorities  in  the  United  States  could  further  amend  tax  laws  in  a  manner  that  would 
adversely impact us. 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 

None. 

Item 2. Properties 

Our principal office is located in Nashville, Tennessee, which is primarily used to support our workforce solutions operations 
and corporate functions. Our lease for approximately 73,000 square feet at this location expires in April 2019, at or near 
which time we expect to relocate and consolidate our corporate headquarters to nearby space with approximately 92,000 
square feet in Nashville, the lease for which we entered into in April 2017 and will also replace our Brentwood, Tennessee 
office.  As  of  December 31,  2018,  we  leased  other  facilities  in  Nashville,  Tennessee;  Jericho,  New  York;  Brentwood, 
Tennessee; San Diego, California; Chicago, Illinois; and Boulder, Colorado. 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings 

None. 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 

Not applicable. 

21 

PART II 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities 

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “HSTM”. Our common stock began 
trading on the Nasdaq National Market on April 14, 2000. 

As of February 7, 2019, the Company had a total of 9,875 shareholders, including 517 registered holders and 9,358 beneficial 
holders. 

DIVIDEND POLICY 
We declared a $1.00 per common share special cash dividend with the proceeds from the divestiture of the Patient Experience 
business segment, paid on April 3, 2018 to shareholders of record on March 6, 2018. We do not anticipate paying normal 
cash dividends in the future as we intend to retain earnings for use in the operation of our business. 

See the table labeled “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans” to be contained in our 2019 
Proxy Statement, incorporated by reference in Part III, Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

22 

 
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH 
The graph below compares HealthStream, Inc.’s cumulative total shareholder return on common stock with the cumulative 
total returns of companies on the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Computer & Data Processing Index for each of 
the last five fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, assuming an initial investment of $100. Data for the Nasdaq Composite 
Index and the Nasdaq Computer & Data Processing Index assume the reinvestment of dividends. 

The comparisons in the graph below are based on historical data and are not necessarily indicative of future performance of 
our common stock. 

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN (1) 
Among HealthStream, Inc., the Nasdaq Composite Index 
And the Nasdaq Computer & Data Processing Index 

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0

HealthStream, Inc.
Nasdaq Composite
Nasdaq Computer & Data
Processing

1/13

1/14

1/15

1/16

1/17

1/18

12/13
$100.00
$100.00

12/14
$90.36
$114.62

12/15
$67.43
$122.81

12/16
$76.78
$133.19

12/17
$70.99
$172.11

12/18
$77.08
$165.84

$100.00

$113.68

$140.03

$150.12

$209.72

$212.97

HealthStream, Inc.

Nasdaq Composite

Nasdaq Computer & Data Processing

(1) $100 invested on 12/31/13 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends; fiscal year ending December 31. 

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES 

None. 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES 

None. 

23 

 
 
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 

The selected statement of income and balance sheet data for the five years prior to December 31, 2018 is derived from our 
audited consolidated financial statements. You should read the following selected financial  data in conjunction with our 
consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this report. 

In February 2018, HealthStream divested its PX business to Press Ganey. The results of operations for the PX are presented 
as discontinued operations within the consolidated statement of income data set forth below. Additionally, on January 1, 
2018, HealthStream adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 
606) and all the related amendments and guidance (collectively, ASC 606), using the modified retrospective method with 
the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized upon adoption. The financial information below for the 
periods 2014 – 2017 has not been restated and continues to be reported under the revenue recognition standard which was 
in effect for those periods (ASC 605). See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included elsewhere 
in this report, for further information.   

In addition, HealthStream has completed several acquisitions during the five years prior to December 31, 2018, including 
the acquisitions of Health Care Compliance Strategies, Inc. on March 3, 2014, HealthLine Systems, Inc. on March 16, 2015, 
Performance Management Services, Inc. on June 30, 2016, Nursing Registry Consultants Corporation on July 25, 2016, and 
Morrisey Associates, Inc. on August 8, 2016. The results of operations for these acquired companies are included within our 
consolidated statement of income data effective from the respective dates of acquisition. As a result of these factors, the 
annual results presented below are not comparable. The operating results for any single year are not necessarily indicative 
of the results to be expected in the future. 

Year Ended December 31, 
(in thousands, except per share data) 
2016 

2017 

2015 

2018 

2014 

STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA: 
Revenues, net 
Total operating costs and expenses 
Operating income 
Income from continuing operations 
Income from discontinued operations 
Net income 
PER SHARE DATA (DILUTED): 
Net income from continuing operations 
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Net income 
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 
Dividends declared 
BALANCE SHEET DATA: 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Marketable securities 
Accounts receivable, net 
Goodwill and intangible assets 
Working capital 
Total assets 
Deferred revenue – current and noncurrent 
Shareholders’ equity 

 $ 231,616     $ 214,899     $ 192,124     $ 174,809     $ 138,789    
    216,125        205,492        184,953        161,641        122,384    
     15,491         9,407         7,171         13,168         16,405    
     13,251         8,838         4,791         8,273         10,367    
27    
     18,966         1,166         (1,036 )     
     32,217         10,004         3,755         8,621         10,394    

348        

 $ 

0.27     $ 
0.04        
0.31        

0.41     $ 
0.59        
1.00        

0.37    
—    
0.37    
     32,335         32,196         32,068         30,436         28,023    
—    

0.15     $ 
(0.03 )     
0.12        

0.27     $ 
0.01        
0.28        

1.00        

—        

—        

—        

 $ 134,321     $  84,768     $  49,634     $  82,010     $  81,995    
     34,497         46,350         53,540         66,976         38,973    
     38,124         36,691         40,340         29,654         27,978    
    145,522        154,641        163,321        113,895         31,212    
    134,581         98,662         82,467        120,459         96,999    
    441,948        411,119        396,000        379,569        256,908    
     68,929         71,225         72,115         63,034         53,924    
    318,947        300,170        286,108        280,320        167,859   

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of HealthStream should be read in conjunction 
with “Selected Financial Data” and HealthStream’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto included 
elsewhere  in  this  report.  This  discussion  contains  forward-looking  statements  that  involve  risks  and  uncertainties. 
HealthStream’s  actual  results may  differ  significantly  from  the  results discussed  and  those anticipated  in  these  forward-
looking statements as a result of many factors, including but not limited to the risks described under “Risk Factors” and 

24 

 
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
    
    
    
    
   
    
        
        
        
        
    
    
        
        
        
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
        
    
 
elsewhere in this report, as well as additional risks or uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently deem 
immaterial. 

OVERVIEW 

HealthStream provides workforce development and provider solutions for healthcare organizations—all designed to assess 
and develop the people that deliver patient care, which, in turn, supports the improvement of business and clinical outcomes. 
Workforce Solutions products are used by healthcare organizations to meet a broad range of their clinical development, 
talent  management,  training,  certification,  competency  assessment,  and  performance  appraisal  needs.  Provider  Solutions 
products are used by healthcare organizations for provider credentialing, privileging, and enrollment needs. HealthStream’s 
customers  include  healthcare  organizations,  pharmaceutical  and  medical  device  companies,  and other participants  in  the 
healthcare industry. 

On February 12, 2018, the Company divested its PX business to Press Ganey for $65.2 million in cash (after giving effect 
to the post-closing working capital adjustment), of which $6.5 million is being held in escrow for a period of time following 
the disposition as a source of recovery for indemnification claims by Press Ganey. The sale of the PX business was effected 
by (i) the contribution by the Company of specified assets and certain liabilities used in the PX business to a newly-formed 
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and (ii) immediately thereafter, the sale by the Company to Press Ganey of all of 
the  outstanding  equity  interests  of  such  wholly-owned  subsidiary.  In  connection  with  such  contribution,  the  Company 
retained certain liabilities related to the PX business. 

Prior to the disposition of the PX business, our Patient Experience Solutions products provided our customers information 
about  patients’  experiences  and  how  to  improve  them,  workforce  engagement,  physician  relations,  and  community 
perceptions  of  their  services.  The  historical  financial  results  of  the  PX  business  for  periods  prior  to  the  closing  of  the 
disposition of the PX business on February 12, 2018 are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as 
discontinued  operations.  This  sale  of  the  PX  business  resulted  in  the  Company’s  divestiture  of  the  patient  experience 
solutions business segment. 

Revenues  for  the  year  ended  December 31,  2018  were  $231.6 million,  compared  to  $214.9  million  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2017, an increase of 8%. Operating income increased by 65% to $15.5 million for 2018, compared to $9.4 
million for 2017. Income from continuing operations increased by 50% to $13.3 million for 2018, compared to $8.8 million 
for 2017. Earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations were $0.41 per share (diluted) for 2018, compared to $0.27 
per share (diluted) for 2017. Net income increased to $32.2 million for 2018, compared to $10.0 million for 2017, which 
increase was primarily driven by the $19.0 million gain, net of tax, on the sale of the PX business. Earnings per share were 
$1.00 per share (diluted) for 2018 compared to $0.31 per share (diluted) for 2017. Revenues from HealthStream Workforce 
Solutions grew by 7%, or $12.1 million, and revenues from HealthStream Provider Solutions grew by 13%, or $4.6 million. 
As of December 31, 2018, the Company had approximately 4.93 million total subscribers, of which approximately 4.82 
million were fully implemented subscribers on its SaaS-based platform. As of December 31, 2018, cash and investment 
balances approximated $168.8 million, and the Company maintained full availability under its $50.0 million revolving credit 
facility. 

25 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES 

Revenue Recognition 
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the customer in an amount that 
reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring those goods or services. 

Revenue is recognized based on the following five step model: 
Identification of the contract with a customer 
Identification of the performance obligations in the contract 

(cid:2) 
(cid:2) 
(cid:2)  Determination of the transaction price 
(cid:2)  Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract 
(cid:2)  Recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation 

Subscription/SaaS services revenues primarily consist of fees in consideration of providing customers access to one or more 
of our SaaS-based solutions and/or courseware subscriptions, as well as fees related to licensing agreements, all of which 
include  routine  customer  support  and  technology  enhancements.  Revenue  is  generally  recognized  over  time  during  the 
contract term beginning when the service is made available to the customer. Subscription/SaaS contracts are generally non-
cancelable, one to five years in length, and billed annually, semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly in advance. 

Professional  services  revenues  primarily  consist  of  fees  for  implementation  services,  consulting,  custom  courseware 
development, and training. The majority of our professional services contracts are billed in advance based on a fixed price 
basis,  and  revenue  is  recognized  over  time  as  the  services  are  performed.  For  both  subscription/SaaS  services  and 
professional services, the time between billing the customer and when performance obligations are satisfied is generally not 
significant. 

Our contracts with customers often contain multiple performance obligations. For these contracts, the Company accounts 
for individual performance obligations separately if they are distinct. The contract price, which represents transaction price, 
is allocated to the separate performance obligations on a relative standalone selling price basis. We generally determine 
standalone selling prices based on the standard list price for each product, taking into consideration certain factors, including 
contract length and the number of subscribers within the contract. 

We receive payments from customers based on billing schedules established in our contracts. Accounts receivable - unbilled 
represent contract assets related to our conditional right to consideration where performance has occurred under the contract. 
Accounts receivable are primarily comprised of trade receivables that are recorded at the invoice amount, net of an allowance 
for doubtful accounts, when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. Other receivables, which are included within 
Accounts Receivable, include receivables from certain content partners and are not material.   

Deferred revenue represents contract liabilities that are recorded when cash payments are received or are due in advance of 
our satisfaction of performance obligations.   

Accounting for Income Taxes 
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are 
determined  based  on  the  temporary  differences  between  the  financial  statement  and  tax  bases  of  assets  and  liabilities 
measured  at  tax  rates  that  will  be  in  effect  for  the  year  in  which  the  differences  are  expected  to  affect  taxable  income. 
Management periodically assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets, and to the extent that we believe a recovery is 
not likely, we establish a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax asset to the amount we estimate will be recoverable. 
The Company maintains a valuation allowance of approximately $311,000 for the portion of its deferred tax assets that are 
not more likely than not expected to be realized. 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Software Development Costs 
Capitalized software development includes costs to develop and maintain our products and applications, including our SaaS-
based workforce development and provider solutions platform products, which are accounted for as internal use software. 
For internal use software development, once planning is completed and the software development process begins, internal 
costs and payments to third parties associated with the software development efforts are capitalized when the life expectancy 
is greater than one year and the anticipated cash flows are expected to exceed the cost of the related asset. During 2018 and 
2017, we capitalized approximately $11.9 million and $10.2 million, respectively, for software development. Such amounts 
are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets under the caption “capitalized software development.” The 
Company  amortizes  capitalized  software  development  costs  over  their  expected  life  of  generally  three  years  using  the 
straight-line method. Capitalized software development costs are subject to a periodic impairment review in accordance with 
our  impairment  review  policy.  In  connection  with  capitalized  software  development,  significant  estimates  involve  the 
assessment of the development period for new products and feature enhancements, as well as the expected useful life of 
underlying software, feature enhancements, or product created. Once capitalized, software development costs are subject to 
the policies and estimates described below regarding goodwill, intangibles, and other long-lived assets. 

Goodwill, Intangibles, and Other Long-lived Assets 
The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level by assessing whether it is more likely than not 
that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value. If this assessment concludes that it is more likely than not 
that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, then goodwill is not considered impaired and no further 
impairment testing is required. Conversely, if the assessment concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a 
reporting  unit  is  less  than  its  carrying  value,  a  goodwill  impairment  test  is  performed  to  compare  the  fair  value  of  the 
reporting unit to its carrying value. The Company determines fair value of the reporting units using both income and market 
based models. Our models contain significant assumptions and accounting estimates about discount rates, future cash flows, 
and terminal values that could materially affect our operating results or financial position if they were to change significantly 
in  the  future  and  could  result  in  an  impairment.  We  perform  our  goodwill  impairment  assessment  whenever  events  or 
changes in facts or circumstances indicate that impairment may exist and also during the fourth quarter each year. Intangible 
assets and other long-lived assets are also reviewed for events or changes in facts and circumstances, both internally and 
externally, which may indicate an impairment is present. We measure any impairment using observable market values or 
discounted  future  cash  flows  from  the  related  long-lived  assets.  The  cash  flow  estimates  and  discount  rates  incorporate 
management’s best estimates, using appropriate and customary assumptions and projections at the date of evaluation. 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 
The Company estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts to include accounts that may become uncollectible in the future, 
along with using a specific identification method in which management considers the facts and circumstances surrounding 
each potentially uncollectible receivable. Uncollectible receivables are written-off in the period management believes it has 
exhausted  its  ability  to  collect payment  from  the  customer.  Bad  debt  expense  is  recorded  when  events  or  circumstances 
indicate an additional allowance is required. Our allowance for doubtful accounts totaled approximately $1.2 million as of 
December 31, 2018. 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Revenues and Expense Components 
The following descriptions of the components of revenues and expenses apply to the comparison of results of operations. 

Revenues, net. Revenues for our HealthStream Workforce Solutions business segment primarily consist of the following 
products  and  services:  provision  of  services  through  our  SaaS-based  platform,  authoring  tools,  a  variety  of  content 
subscriptions, competency and performance appraisal tools, implementation and consulting services, content development, 
training,  and  a  variety  of  other  educational  activities  to  serve  professionals  that  work  within  healthcare  organizations. 
Revenues for our HealthStream Provider Solutions business segment consist of proprietary software applications to help 
facilitate provider credentialing, privileging, call center, and enrollment administration for healthcare organizations. 

Cost of Revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization). Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization) 
consists primarily of salaries and employee benefits, stock based compensation, employee travel and lodging, materials, 
contract labor, hosting costs, and other direct expenses associated with revenues, as well as royalties paid by us to content 
providers based on a percentage of revenues. Personnel costs within cost of revenues are associated with individuals that 
facilitate product delivery; provide services; handle customer support calls or inquiries; manage the technology infrastructure 
for our applications; manage content; and provide training or implementation services. 

27 

Product Development. Product development consists primarily of salaries and employee benefits, contract labor, stock based 
compensation,  costs  associated  with  the  development  of  new  software  feature  enhancements,  new  products,  and  costs 
associated with maintaining and developing our products. Personnel costs within product development include our systems, 
application  development,  quality  assurance  teams,  product  managers,  and  other  personnel  associated  with  software  and 
product development. 

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing consists primarily of salaries and employee benefits, commissions, stock based 
compensation,  employee  travel  and  lodging,  advertising,  trade  shows,  customer  conferences,  promotions,  and  related 
marketing costs. Personnel costs within sales and marketing include our sales teams and marketing personnel. 

Other General and Administrative Expenses. Other general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and 
employee  benefits,  stock  based  compensation,  employee  travel  and  lodging,  facility  costs,  office  expenses,  fees  for 
professional services, business development and acquisition related costs, 3rd party software licensing for internal use, and 
other operational expenses. Personnel costs within general and administrative expenses include individuals associated with 
normal corporate functions (accounting, legal, business development, human resources, administrative, internal information 
systems, and executive management). 

Depreciation  and  Amortization.  Depreciation  and  amortization  consist  of  fixed  asset  depreciation,  amortization  of 
intangibles considered to have definite lives, and amortization of capitalized software development. 

Other Income (Expense), Net. The primary component of other income is interest income related to interest earned on cash, 
cash equivalents, and investments in marketable securities.  The primary component of other expense is interest expense 
related to our revolving credit facility. In addition, the income or loss attributed to equity method investments and fair value 
adjustments related to cost method investments is included in this category. 

2018 Compared to 2017 

Revenues, net. Revenues increased approximately $16.7 million, or 8%, to $231.6 million for 2018 from $214.9 million for 
2017. A comparison of revenues by business segment is as follows (in thousands): 

Revenues by Business Segment: 
Workforce Solutions 
Provider Solutions 

Total revenues, net 

% of Revenues 

Workforce Solutions 
Provider Solutions 

Year Ended December 31, 

2018 

2017 

   $ 

   $ 

190,139        $ 
41,477           
231,616        $ 

178,061         
36,838         
214,899         

Percentage 
Change 

7 % 
13 % 
8 % 

82 %       
18 %       

83 %     
17 %     

Revenues for HealthStream Workforce Solutions, which are primarily subscription-based, increased approximately $12.1 
million, or 7%, to $190.1 million for 2018 from $178.1 million for 2017. Revenues in 2018 were positively influenced by 
growth in subscriptions for courseware and our enterprise applications. Implemented subscribers increased by 4% during 
2018 to 4.82 million subscribers at the end of 2018 compared to 4.65 million subscribers at the end of 2017. Additionally, 
total subscribers increased by 3%, with 4.93 million total subscribers at December 31, 2018 compared to 4.77 million total 
subscribers at December 31, 2017. 

Revenues for HealthStream Provider Solutions increased approximately $4.6 million, or 13%, to $41.5 million for 2018 
from  $36.8 million  for  2017.  Revenue  growth  resulted  from  higher  sales  of  our  provider  solutions  products  and  lower 
deferred revenue write-downs compared to the prior year. 

Cost  of  Revenues  (excluding  depreciation  and  amortization).  Cost  of  revenues  increased  approximately  $8.8 million,  or 
10%, to $96.0 million for 2018 from $87.2 million for 2017. Cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues was approximately 
41% of revenues for both 2018 and 2017. 

Cost  of  revenues  for  HealthStream  Workforce  Solutions  increased  approximately  $7.1 million  to  $82.4 million  and 
approximated  43%  and  42%  of  revenues  for  HealthStream  Workforce  Solutions  for  2018  and  2017,  respectively.  The 

28 

 
   
   
   
   
       
       
   
      
   
      
           
         
    
      
           
         
    
      
    
      
    
 
increase primarily resulted from increased royalties paid by us resulting from growth in courseware subscription revenues. 
Cost  of  revenues  for  HealthStream  Provider  Solutions  increased  approximately  $1.7  million  to  $13.6  million  and 
approximated 33% and 32% of HealthStream Provider Solutions revenues for 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase is 
primarily associated with additions to personnel and increased hosting costs.   

Product Development. Product development expenses increased  approximately $1.6 million, or 7%, to $25.7 million for 
2018 from $24.1 million for 2017. Product development expenses as a percentage of revenues were approximately 11% of 
revenues for both 2018 and 2017. 

Product  development  expenses  for  HealthStream  Workforce  Solutions  increased  approximately  $1.3  million  to 
$20.9 million  and  approximated  11%  of  revenues  for  HealthStream  Workforce  Solutions  for  both  2018  and  2017.  The 
increase is primarily due to additions to personnel during 2018. Product development expenses for HealthStream Provider 
Solutions increased approximately $286,000 to $4.8 million and approximated 12% of revenues for HealthStream Provider 
Solutions for both 2018 and 2017. The increase is primarily due to additions to personnel during 2018. 

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses, including personnel costs, decreased approximately $2.9 million, or 
8%, to $35.7 million for 2018 from $38.6 million for 2017. Sales and marketing expenses were approximately 15% and 18% 
of revenues for 2018 and 2017, respectively. 

Sales and marketing expenses for HealthStream Workforce Solutions decreased approximately $2.9 million to $28.5 million 
and approximated 15% and 18% of revenues for HealthStream Workforce Solutions for 2018 and 2017, respectively. The 
decrease is primarily due to lower sales commissions expense in 2018 compared to 2017 due to the adoption of ASC 606, 
under  which  costs  to  acquire  contracts  with  customers,  such as  sales  commissions,  are  capitalized.  Sales  and  marketing 
expenses for HealthStream Provider Solutions increased approximately $162,000 to $6.1 million and approximated 15% 
and 16% of revenues for HealthStream Provider Solutions for 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase is primarily due to 
additions to personnel during 2018, offset by a reduction of sales commissions expense due to ASC 606. The unallocated 
corporate  portion  of  sales  and  marketing  expenses  decreased  by  $139,000  to  $1.1  million  over  2017  primarily  due  to 
reductions to personnel costs. 

Other  General  and  Administrative  Expenses.  Other  general  and  administrative  expenses  increased  approximately 
$3.0 million, or 9%, to $34.4 million for 2018 from $31.5 million for 2017. Other general and administrative expenses as a 
percentage of revenues were approximately 15% of revenues for both 2018 and 2017. 

Other general and administrative expenses for HealthStream Workforce Solutions increased approximately $1.6 million to 
$9.7 million and approximated 5% of revenues for HealthStream Workforce Solutions for both 2018 and 2017. The increase 
is primarily due to higher administrative costs and higher bad debt expense. Other general and administrative expenses for 
HealthStream  Provider  Solutions  decreased  approximately  $888,000 to  $4.6 million  and  approximated  11%  and  15%  of 
revenues for HealthStream Provider Solutions for 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction 
in bad debt expense, which resulted from improved collections and fewer bad debts from customers compared to the prior 
year. The unallocated corporate portion of other general and administrative expenses increased approximately $2.3 million 
to $20.1 million over 2017, primarily due to increases to personnel, contract labor, software expense, professional services, 
acquisition due diligence, and other administrative costs.   

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased approximately $184,000, or 0.8%, to $24.2 million 
for 2018 from $24.0 million for 2017. The increase resulted from amortization of capitalized software development, partially 
offset by lower depreciation of property and equipment. 

Other Income (Expense), Net. Other income (expense), net was income of approximately $1.1 million for 2018 compared 
to $733,000 for 2017. The increase is due higher interest income from cash and investments in marketable securities, partially 
offset by a $1.3 million decline in the fair value of a minority equity investment accounted for under the cost method of 
accounting. 

Income  Tax  Provision.  The  Company  recorded  a  provision  for  income  taxes  of  approximately  $3.3  million  for  2018 
compared to $1.3 million for 2017. The Company’s effective tax rate was approximately 20% for 2018 compared to 13% 
for 2017. The increase in income tax  expense during 2018 is primarily attributable to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and 
Jobs Act on December 22, 2017, which reduced the corporate federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%. This change in tax 
law resulted in an income tax benefit of approximately $1.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2017 through the revaluation 
of our net deferred tax liabilities. 

29 

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations. On February 12, 2018, the Company divested its PX business to Press Ganey 
for $65.2 million in cash (after giving effect to the post-closing working capital adjustment), resulting in a gain, net of tax, 
of $19.0 million in 2018. 

Net  Income.  Net  income  increased  approximately  $22.2 million,  or  222%,  to  $32.2 million  for  2018  compared  to  $10.0 
million for 2017. The increase resulted from the factors mentioned above. Earnings per diluted share were $1.00 per share 
for 2018 compared to $0.31 per share for 2017. 

Adjusted  EBITDA  (a  non-GAAP  financial  measure  which  we  define  as  net  income  before  interest,  income  taxes,  stock 
based  compensation,  depreciation  and  amortization,  and  changes  in  fair  value  of  cost  method  investments)  increased 
approximately 87% to approximately $71.1 million for 2018 compared to $37.9 million for 2017. The increase resulted from 
the  factors  mentioned  above.  See  Reconciliation  of  Non-GAAP  Financial  Measures  below  for  our  reconciliation  of  this 
calculation to measures under US GAAP. 

2017 Compared to 2016 

Revenues, net. Revenues increased approximately $22.8 million, or 12%, to $214.9 million for 2017 from $192.1 million 
for 2016. A comparison of revenues by business segment is as follows (in thousands): 

Revenues by Business Segment: 
Workforce Solutions 
Provider Solutions 

Total revenues, net 

% of Revenues 

Workforce Solutions 
Provider Solutions 

Year Ended December 31, 

2017 

2016 

   $ 

   $ 

178,061        $ 
36,838           
214,899        $ 

168,040         
24,084         
192,124         

Percentage 
Change 

6 % 
53 % 
12 % 

83 %       
17 %       

87 %     
13 %     

Revenues for HealthStream Workforce Solutions, which are primarily subscription-based, increased approximately $10.0 
million, or 6%, to $178.1 million for 2017 from $168.0 million for 2016. Revenues in 2017 were positively influenced by 
growth in subscriptions for courseware and our enterprise applications, but were partially offset by an expected decline in 
ICD-10  readiness  revenues.  Revenues  from  ICD-10  readiness  products  declined  by  $7.6  million  to  $909,000  in  2017 
compared to $8.5 million in 2016. The requirement mandated by CMS for healthcare organizations to transition to the ICD-
10  coding  system  was  effective  in  October  2015,  and  generated  significant  demand  for  our  ICD-10  readiness  training 
courseware from 2012 through 2015. Implemented subscribers increased by 4% during 2017 to 4.65 million subscribers at 
the end of 2017 compared to 4.47 million subscribers at the end of 2016. Additionally, total subscribers increased by 5%, 
with 4.77 million total subscribers at December 31, 2017 compared to 4.55 million total subscribers at December 31, 2016. 

Revenues for HealthStream Provider Solutions increased approximately $12.8 million, or 53%, to $36.8 million for 2017 
from  $24.1  million  for  2016.  Revenues  from  the  MAI  acquisition,  which  was  consummated  on  August 8,  2016,  were 
approximately $10.7 million during 2017, and represented the majority of the increase. 

Cost of Revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization). Cost of revenues increased approximately $12.2 million, or 
16%, to $87.2 million for 2017 from $75.0 million for 2016. Cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues was approximately 
41% and 39% of revenues for 2017 and 2016, respectively.   

Cost  of  revenues  for  HealthStream  Workforce  Solutions  increased  approximately  $7.9 million  to  $75.3 million  and 
approximated  42%  and  40%  of  revenues  for  HealthStream  Workforce  Solutions  for  2017  and  2016,  respectively.  The 
increase  is  primarily  associated  with  increased  royalties  paid  by  us  resulting  from  growth  in  courseware  subscription 
revenues  and  increased  personnel  costs.  Cost  of  revenues  for  HealthStream  Provider  Solutions  increased  approximately 
$4.3 million to $11.9 million and approximated 32% of HealthStream Provider Solutions revenues for both 2017 and 2016. 
The increase is primarily the result of the MAI acquisition and additions to personnel and increased hosting costs.   

30 

 
   
   
   
   
       
       
   
      
   
      
           
         
    
      
           
         
    
      
    
      
   
 
Product Development. Product development expenses decreased approximately $86,000, or 0.4%, to $24.1 million for 2017 
from $24.2 million for 2016. Product development expenses as a percentage of revenues were approximately 11% and 13% 
of revenues for 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

Product development expenses for HealthStream Workforce Solutions decreased approximately $799,000 to $19.6 million 
and approximated 11% and 12% of revenues for HealthStream Workforce Solutions for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The 
decrease is primarily due to lower outsourced labor expenses, partially offset by an increase  in personnel costs. Product 
development  expenses  for  HealthStream  Provider  Solutions  increased  approximately  $714,000  to  $4.5  million  and 
approximated 12% and 16% of revenues for HealthStream Provider Solutions for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase 
in  amount  is  primarily  associated  with  the  MAI  acquisition  and  additions  to  personnel,  partially  offset  by  higher  labor 
capitalization for internal software development.   

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses, including personnel costs, increased approximately $3.7 million, or 
11%, to $38.6 million for 2017 from $34.9 million for 2016. Sales and marketing expenses were approximately 18% of 
revenues for both 2017 and 2016. 

Sales and marketing expenses for HealthStream Workforce Solutions increased approximately $2.8 million to $31.4 million 
and approximated 18% and 17% of revenues for HealthStream Workforce Solutions for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The 
increase is mainly due to additional personnel and higher sales commissions. Sales and marketing expenses for HealthStream 
Provider  Solutions  increased  approximately  $674,000 to  $5.9 million  and  approximated  16%  and  22%  of  revenues  for 
HealthStream  Provider  Solutions  for  2017  and  2016,  respectively.  The  increase  is  primarily  the  result  of  higher  sales 
commissions resulting from growth in sales. The unallocated corporate portion of sales and marketing expenses increased 
by $165,000 to $1.3 million primarily due to higher personnel costs and increased marketing spending.   

Other  General  and  Administrative  Expenses.  Other  general  and  administrative  expenses  increased  approximately  $1.0 
million,  or  3%,  to  $31.5 million  for  2017  from  $30.5 million  for  2016.  Other  general  and  administrative  expenses  as  a 
percentage of revenues were approximately 15% and 16% of revenues for 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

Other general and administrative expenses for HealthStream Workforce Solutions increased approximately $2.1 million to 
$8.1 million over 2016 primarily associated with higher facility costs and increased technology infrastructure investments. 
Other  general  and  administrative  expenses  for  HealthStream  Provider  Solutions  increased  approximately  $1.7  million to 
$5.5 million over 2016 primarily associated with increased facility costs, contract labor, and higher bad debt expense. The 
unallocated  corporate  portion  of  other  general  and  administrative  expenses  decreased  approximately  $2.7 million  to 
$17.9 million over 2016, primarily due to lower professional service expenses as a result of the implementation of a new 
financial systems platform and the MAI transaction during the prior year period, reductions to contract labor, and reductions 
of other general administrative expenses, partially offset by implementation costs for compliance with ASC 606.   

Depreciation  and  Amortization.  Depreciation  and  amortization  increased  approximately  $3.7  million,  or  18%,  to 
$24.0 million  for  2017  from  $20.4 million  for  2016.  The  increase  primarily  resulted  from  amortization  of  capitalized 
software  development,  amortization  of  intangible  assets  from  recent  acquisitions  (including  amortization  of  software 
acquired for resale), and depreciation expense associated with capital expenditures. 

Other Income (Expense), Net. Other income (expense), net was income of approximately $733,000 for 2017 compared to 
$581,000 for 2016. The increase is primarily due to an increase in interest income from cash and investments in marketable 
securities.     

Income  Tax  Provision.  The  Company  recorded  a  provision  for  income  taxes  of  approximately  $1.3 million  for  2017 
compared  to  $3.0 million  for  2016.  The  Company’s  effective  tax  rate  was  approximately  13%  for  2017  compared  to 
approximately 38% for 2016. The decrease in income tax expense during 2017 is primarily attributable to the enactment of 
the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017, which reduced the corporate federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%. 
This change in tax law resulted in an income tax benefit of approximately $1.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2017 
through the revaluation of our net deferred tax liabilities. 

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations. Income from discontinued operations increased in 2017 over 2016 primarily 
due  to  an  increase  in  operating  income  related  to  the  PX  business  included  in  discontinued  operations  coupled  with  an 
income tax benefit of $1.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2017 through the revaluation of net deferred tax liabilities 
due to changes in the corporate federal income tax rate. 

31 

Net Income. Net income increased approximately $6.2 million, or 166%, to $10.0 million for 2017 compared to $3.8 million 
for 2016. The increase resulted from the factors mentioned above. Earnings per diluted share were $0.31 per share for 2017 
compared to $0.12 per diluted share for 2016. 

Adjusted EBITDA increased approximately 27% to approximately $37.9 million for 2017 compared to $29.9 million for 
2016. The increase resulted from the factors mentioned above. See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures below 
for our reconciliation of this calculation to measures under US GAAP. 

Other Developments 

Our legacy agreements with Laerdal (Legacy Agreements) for the HeartCode and Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) 
products expired pursuant to their terms on December 31, 2018 and will not be renewed. Revenues associated with sales of 
HeartCode and RQI products pursuant to the Legacy Agreements have been significant in recent years, although margins 
on such products have been lower than HealthStream’s average margin. In 2018, revenue generated by HeartCode and RQI 
pursuant to the Legacy Agreements was approximately $55 million. In 2019, we expect the revenue from these products 
generated pursuant to the Legacy Agreements to modestly exceed the $55 million achieved in 2018. We expect 2019 revenue 
from HeartCode and RQI generated pursuant to the Legacy Agreements to peak near mid-year in 2019 and decline thereafter.   
We expect revenue from HeartCode and RQI sold pursuant to the Legacy Agreements to be $0 in the first quarter of 2021. 

On December 6, 2018, we announced a new agreement with RQI Partners, a joint venture between Laerdal and the American 
Heart Association. This agreement with RQI Partners is not an extension or renewal of the expired Legacy Agreements with 
Laerdal and should not be construed as such. Under our agreement with RQI Partners, HealthStream will neither market nor 
sell HeartCode or RQI. Our RQI Partner agreement provides for continuity of service for customers that desire to purchase 
HeartCode or RQI from RQI Partners after December 31, 2018 and receive it via the HealthStream Learning Center. RQI 
Partners will remit a fee to us when new sales of HeartCode and RQI are delivered via the HealthStream Learning Center.   
This fee will not be sufficient to supplant the revenue runout associated with the Legacy Agreements. 

We remain actively engaged in efforts to broaden the scope and utilization of our simulation-related offerings to include a 
range of clinical competencies that extend beyond resuscitation, and we intend to  bring to market a broadened scope of 
simulation-based offerings, including resuscitation programs. On January 17, 2019, as part of a seven-year collaboration 
agreement  with  the  American  Red  Cross,  which  spans  into  2026,  we  announced  the  launch of  the  American  Red  Cross 
Resuscitation Suite. We have now begun efforts to market, sell, and deliver the American Cross Resuscitation Suite. We 
believe these efforts, along with efforts to bring additional simulation-related offerings to market, have the potential to give 
rise to additional and higher margin opportunities than those that existed under the Legacy Agreements. However, there is 
no assurance that we will be successful in these efforts, and to the extent that new simulation-based or other solutions do not 
generate revenue and/or earnings in a manner that supplants the impact of the Legacy Agreements, our revenue and results 
of operations may be adversely affected. 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures 

This report contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP operating income, 
adjusted  EBITDA  from  continuing  operations,  and  adjusted EBITDA,  which  are  used  by  management  in  analyzing  our 
financial results and ongoing operational performance.   

In order to better assess the Company’s financial results, management believes that net income before interest, income taxes, 
share-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, and changes in fair value of cost method investments (adjusted 
EBITDA) is a useful measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company because adjusted EBITDA reflects 
net income adjusted for certain non-cash and non-operating items. Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 
2016-01, which (among other things) requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of 
accounting  or  those  that  result  in  consolidation  of  the  investee)  to  be  measured  at  fair  value  with  changes  in  fair  value 
recognized in net income. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded a reduction to net 
income and net income from continuing operations from a change in the fair value of a minority equity investment accounted 
for under the cost method of accounting. The Company has included this adjustment in the calculation of adjusted EBITDA, 
and intends to continue to include any positive or negative changes in fair value of cost method investments in the calculation 
of adjusted EBITDA on a prospective basis, because management believes that such changes do not represent the ongoing 
operational performance of the Company. Management also believes that adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations is 
a useful measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company because such measure excludes the results of 
operations of the PX business that we sold in February 2018 and thus reflects the Company’s ongoing business operations 

32 

and assists in comparing the Company’s results of operations between periods. We also believe that adjusted EBITDA and 
adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations are useful to many investors to assess the Company’s ongoing results from 
current operations. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations are non-GAAP financial measures 
and should not be considered as measures of financial performance under GAAP. Because adjusted EBITDA and adjusted 
EBITDA  from  continuing  operations  are  not  measurements  determined  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  such  non-GAAP 
financial  measures  are  susceptible  to  varying  calculations.  Accordingly,  adjusted  EBITDA  and  adjusted  EBITDA  from 
continuing  operations,  as  presented,  may  not  be  comparable  to  other  similarly  titled  measures  of  other  companies,  have 
limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for an analysis of the Company’s 
results as reported under US GAAP. 

In recent years, including in connection with the August 2016 acquisition of MAI, the Company has acquired businesses 
whose  net  tangible  assets  include  deferred  revenue.  In  accordance  with  GAAP  reporting  requirements,  following  the 
completion of any such acquisition, the Company must record the acquired deferred revenue at fair value as defined in US 
GAAP, which may result in a write-down of deferred revenue. If the Company is required to record a write-down of deferred 
revenue, it may result in lower recognized revenue, operating income, and net income in subsequent periods. 

In connection therewith, this report presents below non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP net income, which in each 
case reflects the corresponding GAAP figures adjusted to exclude the impact of the deferred revenue write-down associated 
with fair value accounting for acquired businesses as referenced above. Management believes that the presentation of these 
non-GAAP financial measures assists investors in understanding the Company’s performance between periods by excluding 
the impact of this deferred revenue write-down and provides a useful measure of the ongoing performance of the Company. 
Revenue for any such acquired business is deferred and typically recognized over a one-to-two year period following the 
completion of any particular acquisition, so our GAAP revenues (and, thus, our GAAP operating income and net income) 
for this one-to-two year period will not reflect the full amount of revenues that would have been reported if the acquired 
deferred  revenue  was  not  written  down  to  fair  value.  A  reconciliation  of  these  non-GAAP  financial  measures  to  the 
corresponding GAAP measures is set forth below. 

GAAP income from continuing operations 
Interest income 
Interest expense 
Income tax provision 
Stock based compensation expense 
Depreciation and amortization 
Change in fair value of cost method investments 
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations 

GAAP net income 
Interest income 
Interest expense 
Income tax provision 
Stock based compensation expense 
Depreciation and amortization 
Change in fair value of cost method investments 
Adjusted EBITDA 

GAAP operating income 
Adjustment for deferred revenue write-down 
Non-GAAP operating income 

GAAP net income 
Adjustment for deferred revenue write-down, net of tax 
Non-GAAP net income 

2018 

2017 

2016 

13,251       $ 
(2,444 )       
130          
3,324          
1,777          
24,231          
1,271          
41,540       $ 

32,217       $ 
(2,444 )       
130          
13,783          
1,686          
24,412          
1,271          
71,055       $ 

8,838       $ 
(870 )       
132          
1,302          
1,736          
24,047          
—          
35,185       $ 

10,004       $ 
(870 )       
131          
529          
1,852          
26,283          
—          
37,929       $ 

4,791    
(574 ) 
102    
2,961    
1,895    
20,366    
—    
29,541    

3,755    
(574 ) 
102    
2,393    
1,968    
22,207    
—    
29,851    

15,491       $ 
887          
16,378       $ 

9,407       $ 
1,621          
11,028       $ 

7,171    
3,838    
11,009    

32,217       $ 
709          
32,926       $ 

10,004       $ 
1,413          
11,417       $ 

3,755    
2,371    
6,126   

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

33 

   
   
      
      
   
      
      
      
      
      
      
   
      
          
          
    
      
      
      
      
      
      
   
      
          
          
    
      
   
      
          
          
    
      
FINANCIAL OUTLOOK FOR 2019 
The  Company  provides  projections  and  other  forward-looking  information  in  this  “Financial  Outlook  for  2019”  section 
within “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” This section contains 
many  forward-looking  statements,  particularly  relating  to  the  Company’s  future  financial  performance.  These  forward-
looking statements are estimates based on information currently available to the Company, are made pursuant to the safe 
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are subject to the precautionary statements 
set forth in the introduction in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the risks and uncertainties described in Item 
1A, Risk Factors and elsewhere in this report, as well as additional risks or uncertainties not presently known by us, or that 
we currently deem immaterial. Actual results are likely to differ, and in the past have differed, materially from those forecast 
by the Company, depending on the outcome of various factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth in Item 1A, Risk 
Factors. 

We are providing 2019 financial guidance as set forth below: 

Revenue: 

Workforce Solutions 
Provider Solutions 
Consolidated 

Operating Income 

Capital Expenditures 

Annual Effective Income Tax Rate 

Full-Year 2019 Guidance 

$ 
$ 
$ 

$ 

207    
44    
251    

-  $ 
-  $ 
-  $ 

213    million 
45    million 
258    million 

10.0    

-  $ 

12.4    million 

    $ 

35    million 

26    

- 

28    percent 

The  above  guidance  includes  the  acquisition  of  Providigm,  LLC,  which  was  consummated  on  January  10,  2019  and  is 
included in our Workforce Solutions segment. 

During  2019,  we  anticipate  higher  operating  expenses  associated  with  our  expanded,  new  corporate  office—which 
consolidates our middle Tennessee operations, and investments in product development and sales of our new resuscitation 
products, as well as investments to support the growth and expanded market positioning of solutions attained through the 
acquisition of Providigm, LLC.   

We anticipate that capital expenditures associated with our office consolidation to a central location in Nashville, Tennessee 
will approximate $15 million of the $35 million total estimate during 2019.   

This consolidated guidance does not include the impact of any other acquisitions that we may complete during 2019. 

SELECTED QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS 
The  following  tables  set  forth  selected  statements  of  income  data  for  each  of  the  four  quarters  in  the  periods  ended 
December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The information for each quarter has been prepared on the same 
basis as the audited statements included in other parts of this report and, in our opinion, includes all adjustments, consisting 
of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for these periods. You 
should read this information in conjunction with HealthStream’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto 
included elsewhere in this report. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results to be 
expected in the future. Revenues from our subscription-based products are recognized ratably over the subscription term.   

34 

 
 
   
      
   
          
      
   
   
    
       
       
   
   
    
       
       
   
    
   
   
    
       
       
   
   
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA: 
Revenues, net 
Total operating costs and expenses 
Operating income 
Income from continuing operations 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Net income 
Net income per share - diluted (1) : 

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Net income per share - diluted 

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - diluted 

STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA: 
Revenues, net 
Total operating costs and expenses 
Operating income 
Income from continuing operations 
(Loss) income from discontinued operations 
Net income 
Net income per share - diluted (1) : 

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Net income per share - diluted 

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - diluted 

Quarter Ended 

    March 31,         June 30, 

      September 30,      December 31,    

2018 

2018 

2018 

2018 

(In thousands, except per share data) 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

54,858       $ 
51,128          
3,730          
3,629          
20,217          
23,846       $ 

57,008       $ 
52,744          
4,264          
3,656          
(1,111 )       
2,545       $ 

0.11       $ 
0.63          
0.74       $ 
32,132          

0.11       $ 
(0.03 )       
0.08       $ 
32,378          

59,925      $ 
55,264         
4,661         
3,036         
—         
3,036      $ 

0.09      $ 
—         
0.09      $ 
32,415         

59,825    
56,988    
2,837    
2,931    
(141 ) 
2,790    

0.09    
—    
0.09    
32,416    

Quarter Ended 

    March 31,         June 30, 

      September 30,      December 31,    

2017 

2017 

2017 

2017 

(In thousands, except per share data) 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

51,967       $ 
49,602          
2,365          
1,709          
(424 )       
1,285       $ 

52,920       $ 
50,119          
2,801          
2,225          
41          
2,266       $ 

0.05       $ 
(0.01 )       
0.04       $ 
32,104          

0.07       $ 
—        
0.07       $ 
32,229          

54,743      $ 
52,012         
2,731         
1,735         
769         
2,504      $ 

0.05      $ 
0.03         
0.08      $ 
32,217         

55,269    
53,758    
1,511    
3,170    
778    
3,948    

0.10    
0.02    
0.12    
32,236   

(1) – Due to the nature of interim earnings per share calculations, the sum of quarterly earnings per share amounts may not equal the reported earnings per share for 
the full year. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 
Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $44.3 million during 2018 compared to $42.6 million during 
2017, an increase of 4%. The number of days sales outstanding (DSO) was 59 days for 2018 compared to 64 days for 2017. 
The  Company  calculates  DSO  by  dividing  the  average  accounts  receivable  balance  (excluding  unbilled  and  other 
receivables) by average daily revenues for the year. The improvement in DSO resulted from improved collections during 
the year primarily in our Provider Solutions segment. The Company’s primary sources of cash were receipts generated from 
the  sales  of  our  products  and  services.  The  primary  uses  of  cash  to  fund  operations  included  personnel  expenses,  sales 
commissions,  royalty  payments,  payments  for  contract  labor  and  other  direct  expenses  associated  with  delivery  of  our 
products and services, and general corporate expenses. 

Net cash provided by investing activities was approximately $36.7 million during 2018 while $8.8 million of cash was used 
in investing activities during 2017. During 2018, the Company received net proceeds from the sale of the PX business of 
$44.0 million and maturities of marketable securities of $69.0 million. These sources of cash were partially offset by $57.1 
million in purchases of marketable securities, $11.3 million spent for capitalized software development, $7.2 million for 
purchases of property and equipment, and $833,000 in minority investments. During 2017, the Company purchased $83.3 
million of marketable securities, spent $9.6 million for capitalized software development, and purchased $5.5 million of 
property and equipment. These uses of cash were partially offset by maturities of marketable securities of $90.1 million. 

35 

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
     
   
   
   
   
      
          
          
         
    
      
      
      
      
      
          
          
         
    
      
      
   
         
            
            
           
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
     
   
   
   
   
      
          
          
         
    
      
      
      
      
      
          
          
         
    
      
      
 
Cash used in financing activities was approximately $30.3 million during 2018 while $1,000 was provided by financing 
activities  during  2017.  The  primary  uses  of  cash  during  2018  related  to  $32.4  million  for  payments  of  cash  dividends, 
$338,000 for payments of payroll taxes from stock based compensation arrangements, $100,000 for payment of debt issue 
costs, and $38,000 for payment of an earn-out related to a prior acquisition. During 2018, the primary source of cash from 
financing activities resulted from $2.6 million from the exercise of employee stock options. During 2017, the primary source 
of cash from financing activities resulted from $413,000 from the exercise of employee stock options. The primary uses of 
cash during 2017 related to $412,000 for payments of payroll taxes from stock based compensation arrangements. 

Our balance sheet reflects positive working capital of $134.6 million at December 31, 2018 compared to $98.7 million at 
December 31, 2017. The increase in working capital was primarily due to net cash provided by operating activities. The 
Company’s  primary  source  of  liquidity  is  $168.8  million  of  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  marketable  securities.  The 
Company also has a $50.0 million revolving credit facility loan agreement, all of which was available at December 31, 2018. 
For  additional  information  regarding  our  revolving  credit  facility,  see  Note  13  to  the  Company’s  consolidated  financial 
statements included elsewhere in this report. 

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, cash generated from operations, and available 
borrowings  under our  revolving  credit  facility  will  be  sufficient  to  meet  anticipated  working  capital needs,  new  product 
development, and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. 

The  Company’s  growth  strategy  includes  acquiring  businesses  that  provide  complementary  product  and  services.  It  is 
anticipated  that  future  acquisitions,  if  any,  would  be  effected  through  cash  consideration,  stock  consideration,  or  a 
combination of both. The issuance of our stock as consideration for an acquisition or to raise additional capital could have 
a  dilutive  effect  on  earnings  per  share  and  could  adversely  affect  our  stock  price.  The  revolving  credit  facility  contains 
financial  covenants  and  availability  calculations  designed  to  set  a  maximum  leverage  ratio  of  outstanding  debt  to 
consolidated EBITDA (as defined in our credit facility) and an interest coverage ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest 
expense. Therefore,  the  maximum  borrowings  against  the  revolving  credit  facility  would  be  dependent  on  the  covenant 
values at the time of borrowing. As of December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all covenants. There can 
be no assurance that amounts available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to consummate 
any possible acquisitions, and we cannot assure you that if we need additional financing that it will be available on terms 
favorable to us, or at all. Failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or raise additional capital when required 
in sufficient amounts and on terms acceptable to us could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations 
The  Company’s  off-balance  sheet  arrangements  primarily  consist  of  operating  leases,  contractual  obligations,  and  our 
revolving credit facility, which is described further in Note 13 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included 
elsewhere in this report. 

The following table presents a summary of future anticipated payments due by the Company under contractual obligations 
with firm minimum commitments as of December 31, 2018, excluding amounts already recorded in the consolidated balance 
sheets (in thousands): 

Payments due by period 

   Less than 1            

year 

      1-3 years       3-5 years      

     More than 5            
years 

      Total 

Operating leases 
Purchase obligations 
Total 

   $ 

   $ 

2,408       $ 
438          
2,846       $ 

7,810       $ 
1,921          
9,731       $ 

7,280       $ 
-          
7,280       $ 

26,085       $  43,583    
2,359    
26,085       $  45,942   

-          

36 

   
   
 
   
           
 
   
   
 
      
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements 
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842), which supersedes the lease requirements in Accounting 
Standards Codification (ASC) 840, Leases. ASC 842 requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases and 
provide enhanced disclosures. The Company will adopt ASC 842 effective January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective 
approach. As permitted under the transition guidance, we will carry forward the assessment of whether our contracts contain 
or are leases, classification of our leases, and remaining lease terms. Based on our portfolio of leases as of January 1, 2019, 
approximately $5.0 million of lease assets and liabilities relating to real estate will be recognized on our balance sheet upon 
adoption. Additionally, we anticipate recording a material lease asset and liability upon the commencement date of our new 
corporate headquarters of approximately $24 million. Except as set forth above, we do not anticipate that the adoption of 
ASC 842 will have any significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations. We 
are substantially complete with our implementation efforts. 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-03, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (ASC 326): Measurement of Credit 
Losses on Financial Instruments, which amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis 
and  available  for  sale  debt  securities.  For  assets  held  at  amortized  cost  basis,  ASC  326  eliminates  the  probable  initial 
recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit 
losses. The standard will be effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 
15, 2019. The Company will adopt this ASU on January 1, 2020 and is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this 
ASU will have on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations. 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. We do not have any foreign currency exchange rate 
risk or commodity price risk. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had no outstanding debt. We may become subject to 
interest rate market risk associated with any future borrowings under our revolving credit facility. The interest rate under 
the revolving credit facility varies depending on the interest rate option selected by the Company plus a margin determined 
in accordance with a pricing grid. We are exposed to market risk with respect to our cash and investment balances, which 
approximated $168.8 million at December 31, 2018. Assuming a hypothetical 10% decrease in interest rates, interest income 
from cash and investments would decrease on an annualized basis by approximately $365,000. 

The  Company’s  investment  policy  and  strategy  is  focused  on  investing  in  highly  rated  securities,  with  the  objective  of 
minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. The Company’s policy limits the amount of credit exposure to any single 
issuer and sets limits on the average portfolio maturity. 

The  above  market  risk  discussion  and  the  estimated  amounts  presented  are  forward-looking  statements  of  market  risk 
assuming the occurrence of certain adverse market conditions. Actual results in the future may differ materially from those 
projected as a result of actual developments in the market. 

37 

 
 
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
Consolidated Statements of Income 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

    Page 

39 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 

The supplementary financial information required by this Item 8 is included in Item 7 under the caption “Selected Quarterly 
Operating Results.”

38 

 
  
  
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of HealthStream, Inc. 

Opinion on the Financial Statements 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of HealthStream, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 
December 31, 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows 
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated 
financial  statements”).  In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  present fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the financial 
position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three 
years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 

We  also  have  audited,  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  (United  States) 
(PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal 
Control-Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (2013 
framework) and our report dated February 25, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 

Adoption of New Accounting Standard 
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method for recognizing revenue in 2018 
due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as amended. 

Basis for Opinion 
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the 
Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required 
to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and 
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the 
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error 
or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether 
due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, 
evidence  regarding  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements.  Our  audits  also  included  evaluating  the  accounting 
principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by  management,  as  well  as  evaluating  the  overall  presentation  of  the  financial 
statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1998. 
Nashville, Tennessee 
February 25, 2019 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of HealthStream, Inc. 

Opinion on the Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 
We  have  audited  HealthStream,  Inc.’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December 31,  2018,  based  on  criteria 
established  in  Internal  Control—Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, HealthStream, Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material 
respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the COSO criteria. 

We  also  have  audited,  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  (United  States) 
(PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of HealthStream, Inc. as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated 
statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 
December 31, 2018, and the related notes and our report dated February 25, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 

Basis for Opinion 
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment 
of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying  Management’s Report on Internal 
Control Over  Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial 
reporting based on our audit.    We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with 
the respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities 
and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the 
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material 
respects.   

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness 
exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing 
such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for 
our opinion. 

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability 
of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external  purposes  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted 
accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain 
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of  the assets 
of  the  company;  (2)  provide  reasonable  assurance  that  transactions  are  recorded  as necessary  to permit  preparation  of financial 
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being 
made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance 
regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a 
material effect on the financial statements. 

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements.  Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because 
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP 

Nashville, Tennessee 
February 25, 2019 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(In thousands)  

December 31, 
2018 

December 31, 
2017 

    $ 

    $ 

    $ 

Current assets: 

ASSETS 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Marketable securities 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,161 and 
      $1,979 at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 
Accounts receivable - unbilled 
Prepaid royalties, net of amortization 
Other prepaid expenses and other current assets 
Current assets of discontinued operations 

Total current assets 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $20,827 and 
      $24,392 at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 
Capitalized software development, net of accumulated amortization of $46,757 and 
      $37,174 at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 
Goodwill 
Customer-related intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $23,245 and 
      $17,033 at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $9,663 and 
      $7,708 at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 
Deferred tax assets 
Deferred commissions 
Non-marketable equity investments 
Other assets 
Long-term assets of discontinued operations 

Total assets 

Current liabilities: 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

Accounts payable 
Accrued royalties 
Accrued liabilities 
Accrued compensation and related expenses 
Deferred revenue 
Current liabilities of discontinued operations 

Total current liabilities 

Deferred tax liabilities 
Deferred revenue, noncurrent 
Other long term liabilities 
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations 
Commitments and contingencies 

Shareholders’ equity: 

Common stock, no par value, 75,000 shares authorized; 32,325 and 31,908 shares 
      issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 
      respectively 
Retained earnings 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 

Total shareholders’ equity 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

286,597           
32,373           
(23 )        
318,947           
441,948        $ 

    $ 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

41 

134,321        $ 
34,497           

38,124           
2,880           
13,596           
18,016           
—           
241,434           

84,768    
46,350    

36,691    
1,327    
16,137    
8,330    
6,125    
199,728    

15,866           

8,092    

18,352           
86,144           

16,014    
86,144    

53,469           

59,681    

5,909           
145           
16,470           
3,376           
783           
—           
441,948        $ 

8,497        $ 
15,756           
13,458           
3,082           
66,061           
—           
106,854           

11,068           
2,868           
2,211           
—           

8,816    
45    
—    
3,772    
754    
28,073    
411,119    

4,178    
12,849    
9,567    
2,762    
64,938    
6,772    
101,066    

—    
6,287    
1,048    
2,548    

282,666    
17,542    
(38 ) 
300,170    
411,119   

 
 
   
   
      
   
   
   
      
   
       
           
    
       
           
    
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
   
       
           
    
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
   
       
           
    
       
           
    
       
           
    
       
       
       
       
       
       
   
       
           
    
       
       
       
       
       
           
    
   
       
           
    
       
           
    
       
       
       
       
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
(In thousands, except per share data) 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 

2016 

2018 

    $ 

231,616        $ 

214,899        $ 

192,124    

Revenues, net 
Operating costs and expenses: 

Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization) 
Product development 
Sales and marketing 
Other general and administrative expenses 
Depreciation and amortization 

Total operating costs and expenses 

Operating income 

Other income, net 

Income from continuing operations before income tax provision 
Income tax provision 

Income from continuing operations 

Discontinued operations 

(Loss) income from discontinued operations before income tax provision        
Gain on sale of discontinued operations 
Income tax provision (benefit) 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations 

Net Income 

Net income per share – basic: 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Net income per share - basic 

Net income per share - diluted: 
Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Net income per share - diluted 

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding: 

Basic 
Diluted 

Dividends declared per share 

    $ 

    $ 

    $ 

    $ 

    $ 

    $ 

96,014           
25,735           
35,698           
34,447           
24,231           
216,125           

87,208           
24,148           
38,606           
31,483           
24,047           
205,492           

74,966    
24,234    
34,929    
30,458    
20,366    
184,953    

15,491           

9,407           

7,171    

1,084           

733           

581    

16,575           
3,324           
13,251           

(64 )        
29,489           
10,459           
18,966           
32,217        $ 

0.41    
0.59    
1.00    

 $ 

 $ 

0.41    
0.59    
1.00    

 $ 

 $ 

10,140           
1,302           
8,838           

393           
—           
(773 )        
1,166           
10,004        $ 

0.27        $ 
0.04           
0.31        $ 

0.27        $ 
0.04           
0.31        $ 

7,752    
2,961    
4,791    

(1,604 ) 
—    
(568 ) 
(1,036 ) 
3,755    

0.15    
(0.03 ) 
0.12    

0.15    
(0.03 ) 
0.12    

32,264           
32,335           

1.00        $ 

31,861           
32,196           
—        $ 

31,721    
32,068    
—   

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

42 

 
 
  
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
   
       
           
           
    
       
       
       
       
       
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
       
       
       
           
           
    
       
       
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
           
           
    
       
    
   
       
    
    
           
    
       
    
    
           
    
       
    
   
       
           
           
    
       
           
           
    
       
       
 
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(In thousands) 

Net income 

Other comprehensive income, net of taxes: 

Unrealized gain on marketable securities 

Total other comprehensive income 
Comprehensive income 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 

2018 

2016 

    $ 

32,217        $ 

10,004        $ 

3,755    

15           
15           
32,232        $ 

13           
13           
10,017        $ 

19    
19    
3,774   

    $ 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

43 

 
 
  
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
   
   
       
           
           
    
       
           
           
    
       
       
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
(In thousands) 

Balance at December 31, 2015 

Net income 
Comprehensive income 
Stock based compensation 
Tax benefit from equity awards 
Common stock issued under stock plans, net of 
shares withheld for employee taxes 

Balance at December 31, 2016 

Cumulative effect of accounting change 
Net income 
Comprehensive income 
Stock based compensation 
Common stock issued under stock plans, net of 
shares withheld for employee taxes 

Balance at December 31, 2017 

Cumulative effect of accounting change 
Net income 
Comprehensive income 
Dividends declared on common stock ($1.00 per share) 
Stock based compensation 
Common stock issued under stock plans, net of 
shares withheld for employee taxes 

Balance at December 31, 2018 

       Retained        
       Earnings        

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive       
Loss 

Total 
Shareholders’    

       Equity 

    Shares 

Common Stock 

       Amount 
31,647       $  278,799       $ 
—          
—          
1,968          
217          

—          
—          
—          
—          

101          

(171 )       
31,748           280,813          
—          
—          
—          
1,852          

—          
—          
—          
—          

160          

1          
31,908           282,666          
—          
—          
—          
—          
1,686          

—          
—          
—          
—          
—          

1,591       $ 
3,755          
—          
—          
—          

—          
5,346          
2,192          
10,004          
—          
—          

—          
17,542          
15,132          
32,217          
—          
(32,518 )       
—          

(70 )    $ 
—          
19          
—          
—          

—          
(51 )       
—          
—          
13          
—          

—          
(38 )       
—          
—          
15          
—          
—          

280,320    
3,755    
19    
1,968    
217    

(171 ) 
286,108    
2,192    
10,004    
13    
1,852    

1    
300,170    
15,132    
32,217    
15    
(32,518 ) 
1,686    

417          

2,245          
32,325       $  286,597       $ 

—          
32,373       $ 

—          
(23 )    $ 

2,245    
318,947   

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

44 

 
 
  
   
   
   
   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(In thousands) 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 

2016 

2018 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES: 
Net income 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 

    $ 

32,217        $ 
(18,966 )        

10,004        $ 
(1,166 )        

Depreciation and amortization 
Stock-based compensation 
Amortization of deferred commissions 
Excess tax benefits from equity awards 
Provision for doubtful accounts 
Deferred income taxes 
(Gain) loss on non-marketable equity investments 
Change in fair value of cost method investments 
Other 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 
Accounts and unbilled receivables 
Prepaid royalties 
Other prepaid expenses and other current assets 
Deferred commissions 
Other assets 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 
Accrued royalties 
Deferred revenue 

Net cash provided by continuing operating activities 
Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued operating activities 
Net cash provided by operating activities 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES: 
Business combinations, net of cash acquired 
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax 
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities 
Purchases of marketable securities 
Payments to acquire cost method investments 
Proceeds for sale of long-lived assets 
Payments associated with capitalized software development 
Purchases of property and equipment 

Net cash provided by (used in) continuing investing activities 
Net cash used in discontinued investing activities 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES: 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 
Taxes paid related to net settlement of equity awards 
Excess tax benefits from equity awards 
Payment of earn-out related to prior acquisitions 
Payment of debt issue costs 
Payment of cash dividends 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: 

Interest paid 

Income taxes paid 

Non-cash additions to property and equipment 

24,231           
1,777           
7,659           
—           
1,033           
3,017           
(42 )        
1,271           
(9 )        

(4,050 )        
1,639           
(3,938 )        
(11,577 )        
(30 )        
2,008           
2,907           
5,103           
44,250           
(1,004 )        
43,246           

—           
44,049           
68,992           
(57,085 )        
(833 )        
—           
(11,284 )        
(7,166 )        
36,673           
(115 )        
36,558           

2,582           
(338 )        
—           
(38 )        
(100 )        
(32,357 )        
(30,251 )        

49,553           
84,768           
134,321        $ 

117        $ 

16,513        $ 

1,013        $ 

    $ 

    $ 

    $ 

    $ 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

45 

3,755    
1,036    

20,366    
1,895    
—    
(217 ) 
590    
1,447    
(120 ) 
—    
1,026    

(7,964 ) 
(4,008 ) 
(1,176 ) 
—    
323    
1,674    
3,675    
1,586    
23,888    
346    
24,234    

(55,255 ) 
—    
119,395    
(106,965 ) 
—    
975    
(8,979 ) 
(4,806 ) 
(55,635 ) 
(1,021 ) 
(56,656 ) 

145    
(316 ) 
217    
—    
—    
—    
46    

24,047           
1,736           
—           
—           
1,568           
(2,144 )        
5           
—           
409           

1,125           
2,046           
(25 )        
—           
(201 )        
5,784           
(32 )        
(552 )        
42,604           
4,108           
46,712           

—           
—           
90,073           
(83,279 )        
(500 )        
—           
(9,597 )        
(5,515 )        
(8,818 )        
(2,761 )        
(11,579 )        

413           
(412 )        
—           
—           
—           
—           
1           

35,134           
49,634           
84,768        $ 

(32,376 ) 
82,010    
49,634    

101        $ 

638        $ 
—        $ 

76    

2,496    
—   

 
 
  
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
   
       
           
           
    
       
       
           
           
    
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
           
           
    
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
           
           
    
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
           
           
    
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
           
           
    
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

Reporting Entity and Segments 
HealthStream,  Inc.  (the  Company)  was  incorporated  in  1990  as  a  Tennessee  corporation  and  is  headquartered  in  Nashville, 
Tennessee.  As  of  December 31,  2018,  the  Company  operated  in  two  segments:  HealthStream  Workforce  Solutions  and 
HealthStream  Provider  Solutions.  Workforce  Solutions  products  consist  of  software-as-a-service  (SaaS)  based  services  and 
subscription-based  solutions  to  meet  the  ongoing  training,  certification,  assessment,  and  development  needs  of  the  healthcare 
community. These solutions provide, deliver, and track online education for our customers in the United States through our SaaS 
model. Provider Solutions products offer healthcare organizations software  applications for administering and tracking provider 
credentialing, privileging, call center, and enrollment activities. 

On February 12, 2018, the Company divested its Patient Experience (PX) business to Press Ganey Associates (Press Ganey) for 
$65.2 million in cash (after giving effect to the post-closing working capital adjustment). This sale of the PX business resulted in 
the divestiture of the Company’s patient experience solutions business segment. The results of operations for PX are presented as 
discontinued operations within the notes to consolidated financial statements herein. 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards 
The Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue 
from  Contracts  with  Customers,  and  related  guidance  (ASC  606),  effective  January 1,  2018  using  the  modified  retrospective 
transition approach. ASC 606 requires entities to recognize revenues when control of the promised goods or services is transferred 
to the customer at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or 
services. See Note 5 for further details. 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Sub Topic 825-10), which addresses certain 
aspects of the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The guidance, among other things, 
requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation 
of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The Company adopted ASU 2016-
01 effective January 1, 2018 on a prospective basis. See Note 17 for additional information regarding ASU 2016-01 and its impact 
on the Company’s balance sheet and statements of income.  

Recognition of Revenue 
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects 
the consideration the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring those goods or services. 

Revenue is recognized based on the following five step model: 
Identification of the contract with a customer 
Identification of the performance obligations in the contract 

(cid:2) 
(cid:2) 
(cid:2)  Determination of the transaction price 
(cid:2)  Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract 
(cid:2)  Recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation 

Subscription/SaaS services revenues primarily consist of fees in consideration of providing customers access to one or more of our 
SaaS-based solutions and/or courseware subscriptions, as well as fees related to licensing agreements, all of which include routine 
customer support and technology enhancements. Revenue is generally recognized over time during the contract term beginning 
when the service is made available to the customer. Subscription/SaaS contracts are generally non-cancelable, one to five years in 
length, and billed annually, semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly in advance. 

Professional services revenues primarily consist of fees for implementation services, consulting, custom courseware development, 
and training. The majority of our professional services contracts are billed in advance based on a fixed price basis, and revenue is 
recognized over time as the services are performed. For both subscription/SaaS services and professional services, the time between 
billing the customer and when performance obligations are satisfied is generally not significant. 

Our  contracts  with  customers  often  contain  multiple  performance  obligations.  For  these  contracts,  the  Company  accounts  for 
individual performance obligations separately if they are distinct. The contract price, which represents transaction price, is allocated 
to the separate performance obligations on a relative standalone selling price basis. We generally determine standalone selling prices 
based on the standard list price for each product, taking into consideration certain factors, including contract length and the number 
of subscribers within the contract. 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

We  receive  payments  from  customers  based  on  billing  schedules  established  in  our  contracts.  Accounts  receivable  -  unbilled 
represent contract assets related to our conditional right to consideration for subscription/SaaS and professional services contracts 
where  performance  has  occurred  under  the  contract.  Accounts  receivable  are  primarily  comprised  of  trade  receivables  that  are 
recorded at the invoice amount, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts, when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. 
Other receivables, which are included within Accounts Receivable, include receivables from certain content partners and are not 
material.   

Deferred revenue represents contract liabilities that are recorded when cash payments are received or are due in advance of our 
satisfaction of performance obligations. 

Principles of Consolidation 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany 
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 

Use of Estimates 
The  consolidated  financial  statements  are  prepared  in  accordance  with  U.S.  generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  These 
accounting  principles  require  management  to  make  estimates  and  assumptions  that  affect  the  amounts  reported  in  the  financial 
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material to the 
consolidated financial statements. 

Cash Equivalents 
The  Company  considers  cash  equivalents  to  be  unrestricted,  highly  liquid  investments  with  initial  maturities  of  less  than  three 
months. 

Marketable Securities 
Marketable securities are classified as available for sale and are stated at fair market value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net 
of  tax,  reported  in other  accumulated  comprehensive  income  (loss)  on  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets.  Realized 
gains and losses and declines in market value judged to be other than temporary on investments in marketable securities are included 
in interest and other income on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The cost of securities sold is based on the 
specific  identification  method.  Interest  and  dividends  on  securities  classified  as  available  for  sale  are  included  in  other  income 
(expense)  on  the  accompanying  consolidated  statements  of  income.  Premiums  and  discounts  are  amortized  over  the  life  of  the 
related available for sale security as an adjustment to the yield using the effective interest method. 

Deferred Commissions 
Deferred commissions represent costs to acquire contracts with customers, such as the initial sales commission payment, which are 
capitalized and amortized consistent with the transfer of the goods or services to the customer over the expected period of benefit. 
The capitalized contract cost is included under the caption “deferred commissions” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. 
The expected period of benefit is the contract term, except when the capitalized commission is expected to provide economic benefit 
to  the  Company  for  a  period  longer  than  the  contract  term,  such  as  for  new  customer  or  incremental  sales  where  renewals  are 
expected and renewal commissions are not commensurate with initial commissions. Non-commensurate commissions are amortized 
over the greater of the contract term or expected customer relationship period, limited by the technological obsolescence period of 
approximately three years. 

Prepaid Royalties 
Prepaid royalties represents advance payments associated with the sale of third party products, such as courseware subscriptions. 
Royalties are typically paid in advance at the commencement of the revenue cycle or periodically throughout the revenue cycle, 
such  as quarterly,  bi-annual, or  annual  installments.  Royalty  payments  are  amortized  over  the  term  of  the  underlying  contracts, 
which generally range from 12 to 60 months, in order to match the direct royalty costs to the same period the subscription revenue 
is recognized. Amortization of royalties is included under the caption “cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)” 
in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. 

47 

 
 
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 
The Company estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts to include accounts that may become uncollectible in the future, along 
with using a specific identification method in which management considers the facts and circumstances surrounding each potentially 
uncollectible receivable. Uncollectible receivables are written-off in the period management believes it has exhausted its ability to 
collect payment from the customer. Bad debt expense is recorded when events or circumstances indicate an additional allowance is 
required. 

Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts and the amounts charged to bad debt expense from continuing operations for the 
years ended December 31 were as follows (in thousands): 

2018 
2017 
2016 

Allowance Balance at 
Beginning of Period 

Charged to Costs and 
Expenses 

Write-offs 

Allowance Balance at 
End of Period 

    $ 

1,979        $ 
839           
292           

1,033        $ 
1,568           
590           

(1,851 )     $ 
(428 )        
(43 )        

1,161    
1,979    
839   

Capitalized Software Development 
Capitalized software development is stated on the basis of cost and is presented net of accumulated amortization. The Company 
capitalizes  costs  incurred  during  the  software  development  phase  for  projects  when  such  costs  are  material.  These  assets  are 
generally  amortized using the straight-line method over three  years.  The Company  capitalized approximately $11.9 million and 
$10.2 million during 2018 and 2017, respectively. Amortization of capitalized software development from continuing operations 
was  approximately  $9.6  million,  $8.9  million,  and  $6.8  million  during  2018,  2017,  and  2016,  respectively.  Maintenance  and 
operating costs are expensed as incurred. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no capitalized software development costs 
for external computer software developed for resale. 

Fair Value Measurements 
Fair  value  is  defined  as  the  price  that  would  be  received  to  sell  an  asset  or  paid  to  transfer  a  liability  in  the  principal  or  most 
advantageous  market  in  an  orderly  transaction  between  market  participants  at  the  measurement  date.  The  fair  value  hierarchy 
prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used in measuring fair value. There are three levels to the fair value hierarchy based 
on the reliability of inputs, as follows: 

Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. 

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. 

Level 3  –  Unobservable  inputs  in  which  little  or  no  market  data  exists,  therefore  requiring  the  Company  to  develop  its  own 
assumptions. 

The Company evaluates assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis to determine the appropriate 
level  at  which  to  classify  them  for  each  reporting  period.  This  determination  requires  significant  judgments  to  be  made  by  the 
Company. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of marketable securities, 
which are classified as available for sale (see Note 4 – Marketable Securities). 

Property and Equipment 
Property and equipment are stated on the basis of cost. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the following 
estimated useful lives, except for assets under capital leases and leasehold improvements, which are amortized over the shorter of 
the estimated useful life or their respective lease term. 

Furniture and fixtures 
Equipment 

Years 

5 - 7    
3    

48 

 
 
 
 
   
   
      
      
      
   
       
       
 
 
   
   
   
   
       
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets 
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price in a business combination over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired. 
The carrying amount of our goodwill is evaluated for impairment at least annually during the fourth quarter and whenever events 
or changes in facts or circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and 
Other, companies may opt to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a 
reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. A qualitative assessment includes factors such as financial performance, industry and 
market metrics, and other factors affecting the reporting unit. If this assessment concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair 
value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, then goodwill is not considered impaired and no further impairment testing is 
required. Conversely, if the qualitative assessment concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is 
less than its carrying value, we must then compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. The Company determines 
fair value of the reporting units using both income and market based models. These models require the use of various assumptions 
relating to cash flow projections, growth rates, discount rates and terminal value calculations. There were no goodwill impairments 
identified or recorded for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, or 2016. 

As  of  December 31,  2018,  intangible  assets  include  customer  relationships,  internally-developed  technology  and  patents,  non-
competition  agreements,  and  trade  names.  These  intangible  assets  are  considered  to  have  definite  useful  lives  and  are  being 
amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging between five and thirteen years. The weighted average amortization period 
for definite lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2018 was 11.3 years. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever 
events or changes in facts or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. There were no 
intangible asset impairments identified or recorded for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, or 2016. 

Long-Lived Assets 
Long-lived assets to be held for use are reviewed for events or changes in facts and circumstances, both internally and externally, 
which may indicate that an impairment of long-lived assets held for use is present. The Company measures any impairment using 
observable market values or discounted future cash flows from the related long-lived assets. The cash flow estimates and discount 
rates  incorporate  management’s  best  estimates,  using  appropriate  and  customary  assumptions  and  projections  at  the  date  of 
evaluation. Management periodically evaluates whether the carrying value of long-lived assets, including intangible assets, property 
and equipment, capitalized software development, deferred commissions, and other assets will be recoverable. There were no long-
lived asset impairments identified or recorded for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, or 2016. 

Non-Marketable Equity Investments 
Non-marketable equity investments are accounted for using the equity method when the Company can exercise significant influence 
over the investee. Investments for which the Company is not able to exercise significant influence over the investee are accounted 
for under the cost method, and measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The proportionate share 
of income or loss from equity method investments and any changes in fair value of cost method investments are recorded under the 
caption “other income, net” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. 

Financial Instruments 
The Company has various financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts receivable-
unbilled,  accounts  payable,  accrued  liabilities,  and  deferred  revenue.  The  carrying  amounts  of  these  financial  instruments 
approximate  fair  value  because  of  the  short  term  maturity  or  short  term  nature  of  such  instruments.  The  Company  also  has 
marketable securities, which are recorded at approximate fair value based on quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources 
(see Note 4 – Marketable Securities). 

Advertising 
The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 
2016 was approximately $721,000, $868,000, and $824,000, respectively, and is included under the  caption “sales and marketing 
expense” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. 

Shipping and Handling Costs 
Shipping and handling costs that are associated with our products and services are included in cost of revenues. 

Income Taxes 
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based 
on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities measured at tax rates that will 
be in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Management evaluates all available evidence, 
both positive and negative, to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance is needed. Future 
realization of the tax benefit of an existing deductible temporary difference or carryforward ultimately depends on the existence of 
sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character within the carryback or carryforward period available under the tax law. There 

49 

 
 
 
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

are four possible sources of taxable income that may be available under the tax law to realize a tax benefit for deductible temporary 
differences and carryforwards: 1) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, 2) future taxable income exclusive of 
reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, 3) taxable income in prior carryback year(s) if carryback is permitted under the 
tax  law,  and  4)  tax-planning  strategies  that  would,  if  necessary,  be  implemented  to  realize  deductible  temporary  differences  or 
carryforwards  prior  to  their  expiration.  Management  reviews  the  realizability  of  its  deferred tax  assets  each  reporting  period  to 
identify whether any significant changes in circumstances or assumptions have occurred that could materially affect the realizability 
of deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had established a valuation allowance of $311,000 for the portion 
of  its  net  deferred  tax  assets  that  are  not  more  likely  than  not  expected  to  be  realized.The  Company  accounts  for  income  tax 
uncertainties using a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold based on the technical merits of the tax position taken. Tax positions 
that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured in order to determine the tax benefit to be recognized in the 
financial statements. The Company expenses any penalties or interest associated with tax obligations as general and administrative 
expenses and interest expense, respectively. 

Earnings per Share 
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income available to common shareholders for the period by the weighted 
average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income 
for the period by the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Common 
equivalent shares are composed of incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and restricted share units 
subject to vesting. The dilutive effect of common equivalent shares is included in diluted earnings per share by application of the 
treasury stock method. Common equivalent shares that have an anti-dilutive effect on diluted net income per share were excluded 
from the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016. 

Concentrations of Credit Risk and Significant Customers 
The  Company’s  credit  risks  relate  primarily  to  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  marketable  securities,  and  accounts  receivable.  The 
Company  places  its  temporary  excess  cash  investments  in  high  quality,  short-term  money  market  instruments.  At  times,  such 
investments may be in excess of the FDIC insurance limits. Marketable securities consist primarily of investment grade corporate 
debt securities and government sponsored enterprise debt securities. 

The Company sells its products and services to various companies in the healthcare industry that are primarily located in the United 
States. Customer credit worthiness evaluations are performed on an ongoing basis, and the Company generally requires no collateral 
from customers. An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for potentially uncollectible accounts receivable. The Company 
did not have any single customer representing over 10% of net revenues or accounts receivable during 2018, 2017, or 2016. 

Stock Based Compensation 
As of December 31, 2018, the Company maintains two stock based compensation plans under which awards are outstanding, as 
described in Note 11. The Company accounts for stock based compensation using the fair-value based method for costs related to 
share-based payments, including stock options and restricted share units. The Company uses the Black Scholes option pricing model 
for calculating the fair value of option awards issued under its stock based compensation plan. The Company measures compensation 
cost  of  restricted  share  units  based  on  the  closing  fair  market  value  of  the  Company’s  stock  on  the  date  of  grant.  Stock  based 
compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award that is ultimately expected to vest, and is 
recognized as an expense over the requisite service period. The Company recognizes tax benefits from stock based compensation if 
an excess tax benefit is realized. Excess tax benefits are reflected in the statement of income as a component of the provision for 
income taxes when realized. 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted 
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842), which supersedes the lease requirements in ASC 840, Leases. 
ASC 842 requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases and provide enhanced disclosures. The Company will 
adopt ASC 842 effective January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective approach. As permitted under the transition guidance, we 
will carry forward the assessment of whether our contracts contain or are leases, classification of our leases, and remaining lease 
terms. Based on our portfolio of leases as of January 1, 2019, approximately $5.0 million of lease assets and liabilities relating to 
real estate will be recognized on our balance sheet upon adoption. Additionally, we anticipate recording a material lease asset and 
liability upon the commencement date of our new corporate headquarters of approximately $24 million. Except as set forth above, 
we do not anticipate that the adoption of ASC 842 will have any significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position 
and results of operations. We are substantially complete with our implementation efforts. 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-03, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (ASC 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on 
Financial Instruments, which amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for 
sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost basis, ASC 326 eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current 
GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. The standard will be effective for 
the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will adopt this ASU on 
January 1, 2020 and is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this ASU will have on the Company’s consolidated financial 
position and results of operations. 

2. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

Common Stock 
The Company is authorized to issue up to 75 million shares of common stock. The number of common shares issued and outstanding 
as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was approximately 32.3 million and 31.9 million, respectively. 

Preferred Stock 
The Company is authorized to issue up to 10 million shares of preferred stock in one or more series, having the relative voting 
powers, designations, preferences, rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions, and other terms as the Board of Directors 
may fix in providing for the issuance of such series, without any vote or action of the shareholders. 

3. EARNINGS PER SHARE 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three years ended December 31, 2018 
(in thousands, except per share amounts):  

Numerator: 

Income from continuing operations 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations 

Net income 

Denominator: 

Weighted-average shares outstanding 
Effect of dilutive shares 

Weighted-average diluted shares 

Earnings (loss) per share – basic: 

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

Earnings per share - basic 

Earnings (loss) per share – diluted: 

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Earnings per share - diluted 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2017 

2016 

2018 

 $ 

 $ 

    $ 

    $ 

    $ 

    $ 

13,251    
18,966    
32,217    

 $ 

 $ 

32,264           
71           
32,335           

0.41        $ 
0.59           
1.00        $ 

0.41        $ 
0.59           
1.00        $ 

8,838    
1,166    
10,004    

 $ 

 $ 

31,861           
335           
32,196           

0.27        $ 
0.04           
0.31        $ 

0.27        $ 
0.04           
0.31        $ 

4,791    
(1,036 ) 
3,755    

31,721    
347    
32,068    

0.15    
(0.03 ) 
0.12    

0.15    
(0.03 ) 
0.12   

Potentially  dilutive  shares  representing  approximately  91,000,  58,000,  and  38,000  shares  of common  stock  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their 
effect would have been anti-dilutive. 

51 

 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
   
       
           
           
    
    
    
    
       
           
           
    
       
       
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
           
           
    
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
           
           
    
       
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

4. MARKETABLE SECURITIES 

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the fair value of marketable securities, which were all classified as available for sale, included the 
following (in thousands):  

Level 2: 

Corporate debt securities 
Government-sponsored enterprise debt securities 

Total 

Level 2: 

December 31, 2018 

Adjusted 
Cost 

Unrealized 
Gains 

Unrealized 
Losses 

       Fair Value 

   $ 

   $ 

31,521       $ 
2,999          
34,520       $ 

—       $ 
—          
—       $ 

(23 )    $ 
—          
(23 )    $ 

31,498    
2,999    
34,497   

December 31, 2017 

Adjusted 
Cost 

Unrealized 
Gains 

Unrealized 
Losses 

       Fair Value     

Corporate debt securities 
Government-sponsored enterprise debt securities 

Total 

   $ 

   $ 

41,900       $ 
4,488          
46,388       $ 

1       $ 
1          
2       $ 

(39 )    $ 
(1 )       
(40 )    $ 

41,862    
4,488    
46,350   

The  carrying  amounts  of  the  marketable  securities  reported  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  approximate  fair  value  based  on 
quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs. As of December 31, 2018, the 
Company  does  not  consider  any  of  its  marketable  securities  to  be  other  than  temporarily  impaired.  During  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not reclassify any items out of accumulated other comprehensive income to net 
income.  All  investments  in  marketable  securities  are  classified  as  a  current  asset  on  the  balance  sheet  because  the  underlying 
securities mature within one year from the balance sheet date. 

5. REVENUE RECOGNITION AND SALES COMMISSIONS 

Adoption of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers 

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective approach applied to contracts not completed 
as of January 1, 2018. As such, results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while 
prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with ASC 605. 

The cumulative effect of the changes made to the Company’s consolidated January 1, 2018 balance sheet in connection with the 
adoption of ASC 606 was as follows (in thousands): 

Balance Sheet 
Assets 
Unbilled receivables 
Prepaid royalties, net 
Other prepaid expenses and other current assets 
Current assets of discontinued operations 
Deferred commissions 
Deferred tax assets 
Non-current assets of discontinued operations 

Liabilities 
Deferred revenue, current 
Current liabilities of discontinued operations 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Deferred revenue, noncurrent 

Shareholders’ equity 
Retained earnings 

Balance at 
December 31, 2017       

ASC 606 
Adjustments 

Balance at 
January 1, 2018     

   $ 

1,327       $ 
16,137          
8,330          
6,125          
—          
45          
28,073          

64,938          
6,772          
—          
6,287          

31       $ 
(902 )       
(2,900 )       
(274 )       
12,552          
(45 )       
3,166          

(4,488 )       
(1,374 )       
5,205          
(2,848 )       

1,358    
15,235    
5,430    
5,851    
12,552    
—    
31,239    

60,450    
5,398    
5,205    
3,439    

17,542          

15,132          

32,674   

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HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

The impact of adopting ASC 606 on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 and statements of income 
for the year ended December 31, 2018 was as follows (in thousands): 

Balance Sheet 
Assets 
Prepaid royalties, net 
Other prepaid expenses and other current assets 
Deferred commissions 

Liabilities 
Deferred revenue, current 
Deferred revenue, noncurrent 

Shareholders’ equity 
Retained earnings 

Income Statement 
Revenues, net 

Costs and expenses 
Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization) 
Sales and marketing 
Operating income 
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision 
Income tax provision 
Income from continuing operations 
Net income 

Revenue Recognition 

December 31, 2018 
Balances 
without 
Adoption of 
ASC 606 

As 
reported 

Effect of Change 
Higher/(Lower)    

    $ 

13,596        $ 
18,016           
16,470           

14,801        $ 
20,167           
—           

(1,205 ) 
(2,151 ) 
16,470    

66,061           
2,868           

70,796           
6,210           

(4,735 ) 
(3,342 ) 

32,373           

29,382           

2,991   

Year Ended December 31, 2018 
Balances 
without 
Adoption of 
ASC 606 

As 
reported 

    $ 

231,616        $ 

230,876        $ 

Effect of Change 
Higher/(Lower)    
740    

96,014           
35,698           
15,491           
16,575           
3,324           
13,251           
32,217           

95,711           
39,008           
11,744           
12,828           
2,568           
10,260           
29,226           

303    
(3,310 ) 
3,747    
3,747    
756    
2,991    
2,991   

Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects 
the consideration the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring those goods or services. 

Revenue is recognized based on the following five step model: 

Identification of the contract with a customer 
Identification of the performance obligations in the contract 

(cid:2) 
(cid:2) 
(cid:2)  Determination of the transaction price 
(cid:2)  Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract 
(cid:2)  Recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation 

The  following  table  represents  revenues  included  in  continuing  operations  disaggregated  by  revenue  source  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2018 (in thousands). Sales taxes are excluded from revenues. 

Business Segments 
Subscription/SaaS services 
Professional services 

Total revenues, net 

Workforce 
Solutions 

Year Ended December 31, 2018 
Provider 
Solutions 

    $ 

    $ 

184,926        $ 
5,213       
190,139        $ 

35,542        $ 
5,935       
41,477        $ 

53 

Consolidated 

220,468    
11,148    
231,616   

 
 
 
   
   
   
   
      
      
       
           
           
    
       
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
           
           
    
       
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
           
           
    
       
 
   
   
   
   
      
      
   
       
           
           
    
       
           
           
    
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
 
   
   
   
   
      
      
   
   
   
   
   
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

Subscription/SaaS services revenues primarily consist of fees in consideration of providing customers access to one or more of our 
SaaS-based solutions and/or courseware subscriptions, as well as for license arrangements, all of which include routine customer 
support and technology  enhancements. Revenue is generally  recognized over time during the contract term beginning when the 
service is made available to the customer. Subscription/SaaS contracts are generally non-cancelable, one to five years in length, and 
billed annually, semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly in advance. 

Professional services revenues primarily consist of fees for implementation services, consulting, custom courseware development, 
and training. The majority of our professional services contracts are billed in advance based on a fixed price basis, and revenue is 
recognized over time as the services are performed. For both subscription/SaaS services and professional services, the time between 
billing the customer and when performance obligations are satisfied is not significant. 

Our  contracts  with  customers  often  contain  multiple  performance  obligations.  For  these  contracts,  the  Company  accounts  for 
individual performance obligations separately if they are distinct. The contract price, which represents transaction price, is allocated 
to the separate performance obligations on a relative standalone selling price basis. We generally determine standalone selling prices 
based on the standard list price for each product, taking into consideration certain factors, including contract length and the number 
of subscribers within the contract. 

We  receive  payments  from  customers  based  on  billing  schedules  established  in  our  contracts.  Accounts  receivable  -  unbilled 
represent contract assets related to our conditional right to consideration for subscription/SaaS and professional services contracts 
where  performance  has  occurred  under  the  contract.  Accounts  receivable  are  primarily  comprised  of  trade  receivables  that  are 
recorded at the invoice amount, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts, when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. 
Other receivables, which are included within Accounts Receivable, include receivables from certain content partners and are not 
material. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized $1.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively, 
in impairment losses on receivables and contract assets arising from the Company’s contracts with customers. 

Deferred revenue represents contract liabilities that are recorded when cash  payments are received or are due in advance of our 
satisfaction of performance obligations. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized revenues of approximately $63.7 
million from amounts included in deferred revenue at the beginning of the period. As of December 31, 2018, approximately $447 
million of revenue is expected to be recognized from remaining performance obligations under contracts with customers. We expect 
to recognize revenue on approximately 48% of these remaining performance obligations over the 12 months ending December 31, 
2019, with the remaining amounts recognized thereafter. 

Sales Commissions 

Sales commissions earned by our sales organization are considered incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with 
a customer. The Company’s sales commission plans for 2018 typically include multiple payments, including initial payments in the 
period a customer contract is obtained and subsequent payments either 15 or 27 months after the initial payment. Under ASC 606, 
costs to acquire contracts with customers, such as the initial sales commission payment, are capitalized and amortized consistent 
with the pattern of revenue recognition, whereas subsequent sales commission payments which require a substantive performance 
condition of the employee are expensed ratably through the payment date. In contrast, under ASC 605, initial sales commission 
payments were expensed in the period earned. Under ASC 606, the initial commission payments are capitalized in the period a 
customer  contract  is  obtained  and  are  amortized  consistent  with  the  transfer  of  the  goods  or  services  to  the  customer  over  the 
expected period of benefit. The capitalized contract cost is included under the caption “deferred commissions” in the accompanying 
consolidated balance sheet. The expected period of benefit is the contract term, except when the capitalized commission is expected 
to provide economic benefit to the Company for a period longer than the contract term, such as for new customer or incremental 
sales where renewals are expected and renewal commissions are not commensurate with initial commissions. Non-commensurate 
commissions  are  amortized  over  the  greater  of  the  contract  term  or  expected  customer  relationship  period,  limited  by  the 
technological obsolescence period of approximately three years. The Company recorded amortization of deferred commissions of 
$7.7  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2018,  which  is  included  in  Sales  and  marketing  expenses  in  the  accompanying 
consolidated statement of income.   

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

6. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 

Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):  

Equipment 
Leasehold improvements 
Furniture and fixtures 
Gross property and equipment 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization 

Property and equipment, net 

December 31, 

2018 

2017 

    $ 

    $ 

21,129        $ 
11,572           
3,992           
36,693           
(20,827 )        
15,866        $ 

23,776    
4,951    
3,757    
32,484    
(24,392 ) 
8,092   

Depreciation  of  property  and  equipment  totaled  approximately  $5.5  million,  $5.9  million,  and  $6.1 million  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. 

7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in thousands): 

Balance at January 1, 2018 
Changes in carrying amount 
Balance at December 31, 2018 

Balance at January 1, 2017 
Acquisition of Morrisey Associates, Inc. 
Balance at December 31, 2017 

Workforce 
Solutions 

Provider 
Solutions 

    $ 

    $ 

16,381        $ 
—           
16,381        $ 

69,763        $ 
—           
69,763        $ 

Total 

86,144    
—    
86,144   

Workforce 
Solutions 

Provider 
Solutions 

    $ 

    $ 

16,381        $ 
—           
16,381        $ 

69,230        $ 
533           
69,763        $ 

Total 

85,611    
533    
86,144   

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a measurement period adjustment of approximately $533,000 of 
additional goodwill in relation to the August 2016 acquisition of Morrisey Associates, Inc.   

Intangible  assets  other  than  goodwill  are  considered  to  have  finite  useful  lives.  Customer-related  intangibles  include  customer 
relationships and are amortized over their estimated useful lives ranging from five to thirteen years. Other intangible assets include 
technology  and  patents  and  trade  names  and  are  amortized  over  their  estimated  useful  lives  ranging  from  five  to  nine  years. 
Amortization of intangible assets was approximately $9.1 million, $9.2 million, and $7.4 million for the years ended December 31, 
2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. 

Identifiable intangible assets are comprised of the following (in thousands): 

Customer related 
Other 

Total 

Gross 
Amount        
   $  76,714       $ 
       15,572          
   $  92,286       $ 

As of December 31, 2018 
Accumulated 
Amortization        Net 

As of December 31, 2017 
Accumulated 
Amortization        Net 

Gross 
Amount        

(23,245 )    $  53,469       $  76,714       $ 
(9,663 )       
5,909           16,524          
(32,908 )    $  59,378       $  93,238       $ 

(17,033 )    $  59,681    
(7,708 )       
8,816    
(24,741 )    $  68,497   

The expected future annual amortization expense for the years ending December 31, is as follows (in thousands): 

2019 
2020 
2021 
2022 
2023 
Thereafter 
Total 

    $ 

    $ 

8,792    
8,139    
7,356    
6,277    
5,649    
23,165    
59,378   

55 

 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
      
   
       
       
       
       
 
   
   
      
      
   
       
  
   
   
      
      
   
       
 
 
 
   
   
      
   
   
   
      
   
 
 
       
       
       
       
       
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

8. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 

On February 12, 2018, the Company divested its PX business to Press Ganey for $65.2 million in cash (after giving effect to the 
post-closing  working  capital  adjustment),  resulting  in  a  gain,  net  of  tax,  of  $19.0  million.  Approximately  $6.55  million  of  the 
proceeds are being held in escrow for a period of time following the closing as a source of recovery for any indemnification claims 
by Press Ganey. The Company estimated the fair value of the contingent consideration asset based on the likelihood of receiving 
cash proceeds from the escrow. Such contingent consideration is remeasured at fair value based on changes in facts each period and 
are recorded within the “Gain on sale of discontinued operations” caption within the consolidated statements of income. The sale 
of the PX business was effected (i) by the contribution by the Company of specified assets and certain liabilities used in the PX 
business to a newly-formed wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and (ii) immediately thereafter, the sale by the Company to 
Press  Ganey  of  all  the  outstanding  equity  interests  of  such  wholly-owned  subsidiary.  In  connection  with  such  contribution,  the 
Company retained certain liabilities related to the PX business. 

This  sale  of  the  PX  business  resulted  in  the  divestiture  of  the  Company’s  patient  experience  solutions  business  segment.  The 
Company has classified the results of its PX business segment as discontinued operations in its consolidated statements of income 
and  cash  flows  for  all  periods  presented.  Additionally,  the  related  assets  and  liabilities  are  reported  as  assets  and  liabilities  of 
discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017.   

The financial results of the PX business for the period prior to divestiture during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017,  and 
2016 are presented in discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The following table presents 
the financial results of the PX business (in thousands):  

Revenues, net 
Operating costs and expenses: 

Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization) 
Product development 
Sales and marketing 
Other general and administrative expenses 
Depreciation and amortization 

Total operating costs and expenses 

Operating (loss) income 

Other income 

2018 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2017 

2016 

    $ 

3,342        $ 

32,763        $ 

33,850    

1,982           
554           
460           
229           
181           
3,406           

(64 )        

—           

18,792           
3,751           
4,310           
3,282           
2,235           
32,370           

21,668    
4,664    
4,074    
3,208    
1,840    
35,454    

393           

(1,604 ) 

—           

—    

(Loss) income from discontinued operations before income tax 
provision 

Income tax benefit 

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 

    $ 

(64 )        
—           
(64 )     $ 

393           
(773 )        
1,166        $ 

(1,604 ) 
(568 ) 
(1,036 ) 

56 

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
   
       
           
           
    
       
       
       
       
       
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
   
       
           
           
    
       
       
 
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

The following table presents the aggregate carrying amounts of the classes of assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as of 
December 31, 2017 (in thousands): 

Carrying amounts of assets included as part of discontinued operations: 
Accounts receivable, net 
Accounts receivable – unbilled 
Prepaid royalties, net of amortization 
Other prepaid expenses and other current assets 
Current assets of discontinued operations 

Property and equipment, net 
Capitalized software development, net 
Goodwill 
Customer-related intangibles, net 
Other intangible assets, net 
Other assets 

Long-term assets of discontinued operations 

Total assets of discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheet 

Carrying amounts of liabilities included as part of discontinued operations: 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 
Accrued royalties 
Deferred revenue 

Current liabilities of discontinued operations 

Deferred tax liabilities 
Deferred revenue, noncurrent 
Other long term liabilities 

Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations 

    $ 

    $ 

    $ 

Total liabilities of discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheet 

    $ 

4,158    
1,275    
37    
655    
6,125    

901    
2,683    
24,154    
276    
42    
17    
28,073    

34,198    

2,728    
27    
4,017    
6,772    

1,971    
15    
562    
2,548    

9,320   

57 

 
 
 
 
       
    
       
       
       
       
   
       
    
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
   
       
    
   
       
    
       
    
       
       
       
   
       
    
       
       
       
       
   
       
    
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

9. BUSINESS SEGMENTS 

The Company  provides  services  to  healthcare organizations  and  other  members  within the healthcare  industry.  The  Company’s 
services  are  focused  on  the  delivery  of  workforce  development  products  and services  (HealthStream  Workforce  Solutions) and 
provider credentialing, privileging, call center, and enrollment products and services (HealthStream Provider Solutions). 

The Company measures segment performance based on operating income before income taxes and prior to the allocation of certain 
corporate overhead expenses, interest income, interest expense, gains and losses from equity investments, and depreciation. The 
Unallocated  component  below  includes  corporate  functions,  such  as  accounting,  human  resources,  legal,  investor  relations, 
administrative and executive personnel, depreciation, a portion of amortization, and certain other expenses, which are not currently 
allocated in measuring segment performance. The following is the Company’s business segment information as of and for the years 
ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 (in thousands). 

Revenues, net: 

Workforce Solutions 
Provider Solutions 

Total revenues, net 

Operating income: 

Workforce Solutions 
Provider Solutions 
Unallocated 

Total operating income 

Segment assets * 

Workforce Solutions 
Provider Solutions 
Discontinued operations 
Unallocated 

Total assets 

2018 
190,139        $ 
41,477           
231,616        $ 

2017 
178,061        $ 
36,838           
214,899        $ 

2016 
168,040    
24,084    
192,124   

    $ 

    $ 

2018 

2017 

2016 

    $ 

    $ 

38,834        $ 
3,474           
(26,817 )        
15,491        $ 

33,579        $ 
879           
(25,051 )        
9,407        $ 

37,329    
(2,443 ) 
(27,715 ) 
7,171   

    December 31, 2018         December 31, 2017 
    $ 

104,668        $ 
145,637           
—           
191,643           
441,948        $ 

90,055    
150,797    
34,198    
136,069    
411,119   

    $ 

*  Segment  assets  include  accounts  and  unbilled  receivables,  prepaid  royalties,  prepaid  and  other  current  assets,  other  assets,  capitalized  software  development,  deferred 
commissions, certain property and equipment, and intangible assets. Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities are not allocated to individual segments, and are included 
within Unallocated. A significant portion of property and equipment assets are included within Unallocated. 

58 

 
 
 
 
   
       
       
   
       
 
 
   
       
       
   
       
       
 
 
   
       
       
       
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

10. INCOME TAXES 

The provision (benefit) for income taxes is comprised of the following (in thousands): 

Current federal 
Current state 
Deferred federal 
Deferred state 

Provision for income taxes 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 

2016 

2018 

    $ 

    $ 

(79 )     $ 
386           
2,661           
356           
3,324        $ 

1,819        $ 
923           
(1,464 )        
24           
1,302        $ 

514    
1,032    
1,176    
239    
2,961   

A  reconciliation  of  income  taxes  at  the  statutory  federal  income  tax  rate  to  the  provision  for  income  taxes  included  in  the 
accompanying consolidated statements of income is as follows (in thousands): 

Federal tax provision at the statutory rate 
State income tax provision, net of federal benefit 
Tax credits 
Change in state valuation allowance 
Tax Act revaluation of deferred tax balances 
Stock compensation 
Other 

Provision for income taxes 

Year Ended December 31, 
2017 

2016 

2018 

   $ 

   $ 

3,482       $ 
658          
(509 )       
2          
—          
(560 )       
251          
3,324       $ 

3,549       $ 
491          
(583 )       
151          
(1,680 )       
(626 )       
—          
1,302       $ 

2,713    
757    
(560 ) 
132    
—    
(9 ) 
(72 ) 
2,961   

Management periodically assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets, and to the extent that a recovery is not likely, a valuation 
allowance  is  established  to  reduce  the  deferred  tax  asset  to  the  amount  estimated  to  be  recoverable.  At  December 31,  2018,  a 
valuation allowance of $311,000 exists. 

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had state net operating loss carryforwards of $4.8 million. These loss carryforwards will 
expire in years 2030 through 2038. The Company is subject to income taxation at the federal and various state levels. The Company 
is subject to U.S. federal tax examinations for tax years 2015 through 2018. Loss carryforwards and credit carryforwards generated 
or utilized in years earlier than 2015 are also subject to examination and adjustment. The Company has completed examinations 
with the Internal Revenue Service for tax years 2013 and 2014.   

On December 22, 2017, the President signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act), reducing the U.S. corporate income 
tax rate to 21% effective January 1, 2018. Under ASC 740, the effects of new legislation are recognized in the period that includes 
the date of enactment.   

Subsequent  to  the  enactment  of  the  Tax  Act,  the  SEC  staff  issued  Staff  Accounting  Bulletin  No.  118,  Income  Tax  Accounting 
Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (SAB 118), which allows companies to record provisional amounts related to the effects 
of the Tax Act to the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but the company 
is able to determine a reasonable estimate during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year from the enactment date. 
The Company previously made provisional estimates for the impact of the Tax Act as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 
related to the remeasurement of our deferred tax liability. The impact was to remeasure our deferred tax liability by $1.7 million as 
of December 31, 2017, which has been reflected in our effect tax rate reconciliation. As of December 31, 2018, we have completed 
our accounting and measurement analyses related to the income tax effects of the Tax Act, and no significant adjustments to the 
provisional amounts were recorded during the year ended December 31, 2018. 

59 

 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
   
       
       
       
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
   
      
      
      
      
      
      
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as 
follows (in thousands): 

Balance at beginning of year 
Additions for tax positions in the current year 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years 
Balance at end of year 

December 31, 

2018 

2017 

    $ 

    $ 

360        $ 
2           
(23 )        
339        $ 

397    
10    
(47 ) 
360   

The Company recognized a nominal amount for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for 
income  taxes  during  the  years  ended  December 31,  2018  and  2017.  Unrecognized  tax  benefits  included  tax  positions  of 
approximately  $339,000  and  $337,000  at  December 31,  2018  and  2017,  respectively,  that  if  recognized  would  impact  the 
Company’s effective tax rate. The reduction for tax positions of prior years reflected in the table above as of December 31, 2018 
relates to an item considered to be effectively settled due to lapse of the statute of limitations. 

Deferred federal and state income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of deferred 
tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows (in thousands): 

Deferred tax assets: 

Allowance for doubtful accounts 
Accrued liabilities 
Tax credits 
Stock based compensation 
Deferred revenue 
Depreciation 
Basis difference on investments 
Net operating loss carryforwards 

Total deferred tax assets 

Less: Valuation allowance 

Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance 

Deferred tax liabilities: 
Deductible goodwill 
Nondeductible intangible assets 
Prepaid assets 
Capitalized software development 
Depreciation 
PX sale deferral 

Total deferred tax liabilities 

Net deferred tax liabilities (assets) 

    $ 

December 31, 

2018 

2017 

297        $ 
2,276           
—           
623           
135           
—           
396           
291           
4,018           
(311 )        
3,707           

1,760           
1,049           
5,698           
4,746           
659           
718           
14,630           

488    
1,580    
3,115    
743    
1,467    
621    
327    
215    
8,556    
(310 ) 
8,246    

1,212    
1,330    
1,784    
3,875    
—    
—    
8,201    

    $ 

10,923        $ 

(45 ) 

The Company realized approximately $540,000 of excess tax benefits related to stock based awards during the year ended December 
31, 2018, which was reflected in the statement of income as a component of the provision for income taxes.   

60 

 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
      
   
       
       
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
      
   
       
           
    
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
           
    
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
   
       
           
    
 
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

11. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION 

Stock Incentive Plans 

The Company has outstanding equity-based awards under its 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (2016 Plan) and 2010 Stock Incentive 
Plan (2010 Plan) (collectively, the 2016 Plan and the 2010 Plan, referred to as the Plans). In addition, the 2016 Plan authorizes the 
grant of options, restricted share units (RSUs), or other forms of stock based compensation to employees, officers, directors, and 
others, and such grants must be approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Options which have been 
granted under the Plans have terms of no more than ten years, with certain restrictions. The 2016 Plan allows the Compensation 
Committee of the Board of Directors to determine the vesting period and parameters of each grant. The vesting period of the options 
and RSUs granted has historically ranged from immediate vesting to annual vesting up to four years, generally beginning one year 
after the grant date. As of December 31, 2018, approximately 1.1 million shares of unissued common stock remained reserved for 
future stock incentive grants under the 2016 Plan. The Company issues new shares of common stock when options are exercised or 
when RSUs become vested. 

Stock Option Activity 

A summary of activity and various other information relative to stock options for the year ended December 31, 2018 is presented 
in the tables below (in thousands, except exercise price). 

Outstanding at beginning of period 
Granted 
Exercised 
Expired 
Forfeited 
Outstanding at end of period 
Exercisable at end of period 

    Common 

Shares 

       Weighted- 
Average 

Aggregate 

       Exercise Price         Intrinsic Value     
7.44           
—           
7.23           
—           
—           
11.27        $ 
11.27        $ 

376        $ 
—           
(357 )        
—           
—           
19        $ 
19        $ 

245    
245   

The aggregate intrinsic value for stock options in the table above represents the total difference between the Company’s closing 
stock price on December 31, 2018 (the last trading day of the year) of $24.15 per share and the option exercise price, multiplied by 
the  number  of  in-the-money  options  as  of  December 31,  2018.  The  weighted  average  remaining  contractual  term  of  options 
outstanding at December 31, 2018 was 0.3 years. Options exercisable at December 31, 2018 have a weighted average remaining 
contractual term of 0.3 years. 

Other information relative to option activity during the three years ended December 31, 2018 is as follows (in thousands): 

Total grant date fair value of stock options vested 

Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised 
Cash proceeds from exercise of stock options 

2018 

2017 

2016 

    $ 
    $ 
    $ 

—        $ 
6,130        $ 
2,582        $ 

—        $ 
1,973        $ 
413        $ 

—    
820    
145   

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HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

Restricted Share Unit Activity 

A summary of activity relative to RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2018 is as follows (in thousands, except weighted average 
grant date fair value): 

       Weighted- 
Average 
Grant Date        

    Number of 

RSU’s 

       Fair Value 

Aggregate 
       Intrinsic Value     

Outstanding at beginning of period 
Granted 
Vested 
Forfeited 
Outstanding at end of period 

254        $ 
163           
(73 )        
(55 )        
289        $ 

23.13           
25.65           
23.94           
23.28           
24.31        $ 

6,975   

The aggregate fair value of RSUs that vested during the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, as of the respective vesting dates, 
was approximately $1.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively. A portion of RSUs that vested in 2018 and 2017 were net-share 
settled  such  that  the  Company  withheld  shares  with  value  equivalent  to  the  employees’  minimum  statutory  obligation  for  the 
applicable income and other employment taxes, and remitted the cash to the appropriate taxing authorities. The total shares withheld 
for RSUs during 2018 and 2017 were 13,300 and 17,122, respectively, and were based on the value of the RSUs on their respective 
settlement  dates  as  determined  by  the  Company’s  closing  stock  price.  Total  payments  related  to  RSUs  for  the  employees’  tax 
obligations to taxing authorities were approximately $338,000 in 2018, $412,000 in 2017, and $316,000 in 2016, and are reflected 
as  a  financing  activity  within  the  consolidated  statements  of  cash  flows.  These  net-share  settlements  had  the  effect  of  share 
repurchases by the Company as they reduced and retired the number of shares that would have otherwise been issued as a result of 
the vesting and did not represent an expense to the Company. 

Stock Based Compensation 

Total stock based compensation expense, which is recorded in our consolidated statements of income, recorded for the years ended 
December 31, is as follows (in thousands): 

Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization) 
Product development 
Sales and marketing 
Other general and administrative 

Total stock based compensation expense 

Years Ended December 31, 
2017 

2016 

2018 

    $ 

    $ 

37        $ 
296           
183           
1,261           
1,777        $ 

29        $ 
228           
244           
1,235           
1,736        $ 

62    
174    
274    
1,385    
1,895   

The  Company  amortizes  the  fair  value  of  all  stock  based  awards,  net  of  estimated  forfeitures,  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the 
requisite service period, which generally is the vesting period. As of December 31, 2018, total unrecognized compensation expense 
related to non-vested stock options and RSUs was approximately $3.2 million, net of estimated forfeitures, with a weighted average 
expense recognition period remaining of 2.2 years. The Company realized approximately $540,000 of excess tax benefits related to 
stock based awards during the year ended December 31, 2018, which was reflected in the statement of income as a component of 
the provision for income taxes. 

Stock based compensation cost for RSUs is measured based on the closing fair market value of the Company’s stock on the date of 
grant. Stock based compensation cost for stock options is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value calculated using the 
Black-Scholes method. The Company did not grant any stock options during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, or 2016. 

62 

 
 
 
 
   
       
   
             
   
   
      
   
   
   
       
    
       
    
       
    
       
    
       
 
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
   
       
       
       
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN 

401(k) Plan 
The Company has a defined-contribution employee benefit plan (401(k) Plan) incorporating provisions of Section 401(k) of the 
Internal Revenue Code. Employees must have attained the age of 21 and have completed thirty days of service to be eligible to 
participate in the 401(k) Plan. Under the provisions of the 401(k) Plan, a plan member may make contributions, on a tax-deferred 
basis,  subject  to  IRS  limitations.  The  Company  elected  to  provide  eligible  employees  with  matching  contributions  totaling 
approximately $1.3 million, $764,000, and $311,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. 

13. DEBT 

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had no debt outstanding. 

Revolving Credit Facility 

The  Company  entered  into  a  Second  Amendment  to  Revolving  Credit  Agreement  (Revolving  Credit  Facility),  amending  the 
Revolving  Credit  Facility,  dated  as  of  December 31,  2018  with  SunTrust  Bank  (SunTrust),  extending  the  maturity  date  to 
November 24,  2020.  Under  the  Revolving  Credit  Facility,  the  Company  may  borrow  up  to  $50.0 million,  which  includes  a 
$5.0 million swing line sub-facility and a $5.0 million letter of credit sub-facility, as well as an accordion feature that allows the 
Company to increase the Revolving Credit Facility by a total of up to $25.0 million, subject to securing additional commitments 
from existing lenders or new lending institutions. The obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by each of the 
Company’s subsidiaries. At the Company’s election, the borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at either (1) a 
rate per annum equal to the highest of SunTrust’s prime rate or 0.5% in excess of the Federal Funds Rate or 1.0% in excess of one-
month LIBOR (the Base Rate), plus an applicable margin, or (2) the one, two, three, or six-month per annum LIBOR for deposits 
in the applicable currency (the Eurocurrency Rate), as selected by the Company, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin 
for Eurocurrency Rate loans depends on the Company’s funded debt leverage ratio and varies from 1.50% to 2.00%. The applicable 
margin for Base Rate loans depends on the Company’s funded debt leverage ratio and varies from 0.50% to 1.50%. Commitment 
fees  and  letter  of  credit  fees  are  also  payable  under  the  Revolving  Credit  Facility.  Principal  is  payable  in  full  at  maturity  on 
November 24, 2020, and there are no scheduled principal payments prior to maturity. The Company is required to pay a commitment 
fee  ranging  between  20  and  30  basis  points  per  annum  of  the  average  daily  unused  portion  of  the  Revolving  Credit  Facility, 
depending on the Company’s funded debt leverage ratio. 

The purpose of the Revolving Credit Facility is for general working capital needs, permitted  acquisitions (as defined in the Loan 
Agreement), and for stock repurchase and/or redemption transactions that the Company may authorize. 

The  Revolving  Credit  Facility  contains  certain  covenants  that,  among  other  things,  restrict  additional  indebtedness,  liens  and 
encumbrances, changes to the character of the Company’s business, acquisitions, asset dispositions, mergers and consolidations, 
sale or discount of receivables, creation or acquisitions of additional subsidiaries, and other matters customarily restricted in such 
agreements. 

In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility requires the Company to meet certain financial tests, including, without limitation: 

(cid:2) 

(cid:2) 

a funded debt leverage ratio (consolidated debt/consolidated EBITDA) of not greater than 3.0 to 1.0; and 
an interest coverage ratio (consolidated EBITDA/consolidated interest expense) of not less than 3.0 to 1.0. 

As of December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all covenants. There were no balances outstanding on the Revolving 
Credit Facility as of December 31, 2018 and there were no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility during the year ended 
December 31, 2018. 

63 

 
 
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

14. LEASES 

The Company has non-cancellable operating leases primarily for office space and hosting facilities. Some lease agreements contain 
provisions for escalating rent payments over the initial terms of the lease. The Company accounts for these leases by recognizing 
rent expense on a straight-line basis and adjusting the deferred rent expense liability for the difference between the straight-line rent 
expense and the amount of rent paid. The terms of the lease agreements generally provide the Company the option to renew. Total 
rent  expense  under  all  operating  leases  was  approximately  $7.4  million,  $6.6  million,  and  $4.1  million  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. 

Future rental payment commitments at December 31, 2018 under non-cancelable operating leases, with initial terms of one year or 
more, are as follows (in thousands): 

2019 
2020 
2021 
2022 
2023 
Thereafter 
Total minimum lease payments 

    $ 

    $ 

2,156    
4,013    
3,766    
3,602    
3,678    
26,085    
43,300   

15. COLLABORATIVE ARRANGEMENT 

The Company participated in a collaborative arrangement, SimVenturesTM, with Laerdal Medical A/S (Laerdal Medical), which 
ended effective March 1, 2018. Prior to the termination of this collaborative arrangement, the Company received 50 percent of the 
profits  or  losses  generated  from  the  collaborative  arrangement.  For  the  year  ended  December 31,  2018,  the  Company  recorded 
$391,000 of revenues and $187,000 of expenses related to the collaborative arrangement. For the year ended December 31, 2017, 
the Company recorded $2.2 million of revenues and $1.2 million of expenses related to the collaborative arrangement. For the year 
ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded $2.7 million of revenues and $1.4   million of expenses related to the collaborative 
arrangement. 

16. LITIGATION 

In  connection  with  its  business,  the  Company  is  from  time  to  time  involved  in  various  legal  actions.  The  litigation  process  is 
inherently uncertain and it is possible that the resolution of such matters might have a material adverse effect upon the financial 
condition and/or results of operations of the Company. However, in the opinion of the Company’s management, matters currently 
pending or threatened against the Company are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of 
operations of the Company. 

17. NON-MARKETABLE EQUITY INVESTMENTS 

Non-marketable equity investments are accounted for using the equity method when the Company can exercise significant influence 
over the investee. Non-marketable equity investments where the Company is not able to exercise significant influence over the 
investee  are  accounted  for  under  the  cost  method.  ASU  2016-01,  Financial  Instruments  –  Overall  (Subtopic  825-10),  became 
effective  for  the  Company  as  of  January  1,  2018  and  requires  equity  investments  (except  those  accounted  for  under  the  equity 
method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value 
recognized in net income. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a $1.3 million reduction to the carrying 
value of a cost method investment due to a change in fair value, based on observable prices from an orderly transaction for a similar 
investment  made  in  this  investee.  The  fair  value  adjustment  is  included  in  “Other  (loss)  income,  net”  in  the  accompanying 
consolidated statements of income. The aggregate carrying amount of all cost method investments was $2.1 million and $2.5 million 
as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, which carrying value the Company evaluates for impairment at each 
reporting  period.  The  fair  value  of  a  cost  method  investment  is  not  estimated  if  there  are  no  identified  events  or  changes  in 
circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. 

64 

 
 
 
 
       
       
       
       
       
 
HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) 

18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 

On January 10, 2019, the Company acquired the outstanding equity of Providigm, LLC, a Denver-based company focused on quality 
assurance and performance improvement in healthcare, primarily serving skilled nursing facilities, for $18.0 million in cash, subject 
to a post-closing working capital adjustment. In addition, up to an additional $500,000 in cash may be paid contingent upon the 
performance of Providigm during an 18-month period following closing. The acquisition will be accounted for using the acquisition 
method of business combination under ASC 805, Business Combinations. The initial accounting for the business combination is 
incomplete due to the timing of the acquisition. Therefore, we are unable disclose certain information required by ASC 805. We 
will provide preliminary purchase price allocation information in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 
31, 2019. 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

None. 

Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

HealthStream’s chief executive officer and principal financial officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the 
Company’s  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  (as  defined  in  Rules  13a-15(e)  and  15d-15(e)  promulgated  under  the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act)) as of December 31, 2018. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive 
officer and principal financial officer have concluded that HealthStream’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective 
to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files or submits under 
the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and 
Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and the information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or 
submits under the Exchange Act was accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal 
executive and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions 
regarding required disclosure. 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined 
in  Rules 13a-15(f)  and  15d-15(f)  under  the  Exchange  Act,  and  for  assessing  the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  over 
financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance 
with GAAP. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain 
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the 
assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation 
of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only 
in  accordance  with  authorizations  of  management  and  directors  of  the  Company;  and  (3) provide  reasonable  assurance 
regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could 
have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. 
In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013 Framework). Management’s assessment included 
an evaluation of the design of our internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of our 
internal  control  over  financial  reporting.  Management  believes  that,  as  of  December 31,  2018,  the  Company’s  internal 
control  over  financial  reporting  was  effective  based  on  those  criteria.  The  Company’s  independent  registered  public 
accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has issued an audit report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, 
which appears in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

There were no changes in HealthStream’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 
2018 that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, HealthStream’s internal control over 
financial reporting. 

Item 9B.    Other Information 

None. 

66 

 
Item 10.    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 

PART III 

Information as to directors of the Company and corporate governance is incorporated by reference from the information to 
be contained in our proxy statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (2019 Proxy Statement) that we will file 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates. 
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3), certain information concerning executive officers of the Company is included in Part 
I of this Form 10-K, under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant.” 

Item 11.    Executive Compensation 

Incorporated by reference from the information to be contained in the Company’s 2019 Proxy Statement. 

Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 

Incorporated by reference from the information to be contained in the Company’s 2019 Proxy Statement. 

Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 

Incorporated by reference from the information to be contained in the Company’s 2019 Proxy Statement. 

Item 14.    Principal Accounting Fees and Services 

Incorporated by reference from the information to be contained in the Company’s 2019 Proxy Statement. 

67 

 
 
 
Item 15.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 

PART IV 

(a)(1) Financial Statements 
Reference is made to the financial statements included in Item 8 to this Report on Form 10-K. 
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules 

All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the Consolidated 
Financial Statements or the notes thereto. 
(a)(3) Exhibits 

Number 
2.1 (1) 

2.2 (2) 

2.3   (16) 

3.1* 
3.2 (8) * 
4.1* 
4.2* 
10.1^   (6) 
10.2^* 
10.3^   (3) 

10.4^   (4) 

10.5^   (4) 

10.6^   (4) 

10.7^   (5) 

10.8^   (5) 

10.9   (7) 

10.10^ 
10.11^   (10) 
10.12^   (11) 
10.13^   (12) 

10.14^   (12) 

10.15   (13) 

10.16   (14) 

10.17    (15) 

10.18^ 
10.19^ 
10.20^   (9) 

Description 

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2015, between HealthStream, 
Inc., Littrell Holdings, Inc., HealthLine Systems, Inc., the Shareholders of HealthLine Systems, Inc., 
and Dan Littrell in his individual capacity and as the Shareholders Representative. 
Stock Purchase Agreement, by and between Echo, Inc. and Morrisey Holdings, Inc., dated August 8, 
2016. 
Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, by and between HealthStream, Inc. and Press Ganey 
Associates, Inc., dated February 12, 2018. 

    Fourth Amended and Restated Charter of HealthStream, Inc. 
    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of HealthStream, Inc. 
    Form of certificate representing the common stock, no par value per share, of HealthStream, Inc. 
    Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2. 
    2010 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of May 27, 2010 
    Form of Indemnification Agreement 

Executive Employment Agreement, dated July 21, 2005, between HealthStream, Inc. and Robert A. 
Frist, Jr. 
Form of HealthStream, Inc. Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Employees) under 2010 Stock 
Incentive Plan 
Form of HealthStream, Inc. Incentive Stock Option Agreement (Employees) under 2010 Stock 
Incentive Plan 
Form of HealthStream, Inc. Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Directors) under 2010 Stock 
Incentive Plan 
Form of HealthStream, Inc. Restricted Share Unit Agreement (Officers) under 2010 Stock Incentive 
Plan 
Form of HealthStream, Inc. Restricted Share Unit Agreement (Non-Employee Director) under 2010 
Stock Incentive Plan 
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated November   24, 2014, by and among HealthStream, Inc., the 
several banks and other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto and 
SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent, issuing bank, and swingline lender 

    Summary of Director and Executive Officer Compensation 
    Letter Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2015, between HealthStream, Inc. and Michael Sousa. 
    2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan. 

Form of HealthStream, Inc. Restricted Share Unit Agreement (Officers) under 2016 Omnibus 
Incentive Plan. 
Form of HealthStream, Inc. Restricted Share Unit Agreement (Non-Employee Director) under 2016 
Omnibus Incentive Plan. 
Lease Agreement, dated April 3, 2017, by and between HealthStream, Inc. and Capitol View Joint 
Venture. 
First Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated November 13, 2017, by and between 
HealthStream, Inc. and SunTrust Bank. 
Second Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2018, by and 
between HealthStream, Inc. and SunTrust Bank. 

  HealthStream, Inc. 2018 Executive and Corporate Management Cash Incentive Bonus Plan 
  HealthStream, Inc. 2018 Provider Solutions Cash Incentive Bonus Plan 

Form of HealthStream, Inc. Restricted Share Unit Agreement (Performance) under 2016 Omnibus 
Plan between HealthStream, Inc. and J. Edward Pearson 

68 

 
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
10.21^   (9) 

21.1 
23.1 
31.1 

31.2 

32.1 

32.2 

101.1 INS 
101.1 SCH 
101.1 CAL 
101.1 DEF 
101.1 LAB 
101.1 PRE 
* 

^ 
(1) 

(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 
(10) 

(11) 
(12) 

(13) 

(14) 

(15) 

(16) 

Form of HealthStream, Inc. Restricted Share Unit Agreement (Performance) under 2016 Stock 
Incentive Plan between HealthStream, Inc. and Michael Sousa 

    Subsidiaries of HealthStream, Inc. 
    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 
2002 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 
2002 
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

    XBRL Instance Document 
    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema 
    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase 
    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase 
    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase 
    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Reg. 
No. 333-88939). 

    Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement 

Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 13, 
2015. 
Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 8, 2016. 
Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated July 25, 2005. 
Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 1, 2010. 
Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarterly 
period ended March 31, 2012 filed with the SEC on April 30, 2012. 
Incorporated by reference to Appendix B of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the 
SEC on April 29, 2010. 
Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 25, 
2014. 
Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 23, 
2015. 
Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 16, 2018. 
Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarterly 
period ended September 30, 2015, filed with the SEC on October 30, 2015. 
Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 31, 2016. 
Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarterly 
period ended March 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on May 1, 2017. 
Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarterly 
period ended June 30, 2017, filed with the SEC on July 31, 2017. 
Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 14, 
2017. 
Incorporated by  reference from exhibit filed on our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 2, 
2019. 
Incorporated by reference from exhibit filed on our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 12, 
2018. 

Item 16.    Form 10-K Summary 
None. 

69 

 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused 
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on this 25th day of February, 2019. 

SIGNATURES 

  HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 
  By: /s/ ROBERT A. FRIST, JR.                         
  Robert A. Frist, Jr. 
  Chief Executive Officer 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons 
on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated: 

Signature 

/s/ ROBERT A. FRIST, JR. 
Robert A. Frist, Jr. 
/s/ GERARD M. HAYDEN, JR. 
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. 
/s/ THOMPSON DENT 
Thompson Dent 
/s/ FRANK GORDON 
Frank Gordon 
/s/ C. MARTIN HARRIS 
C. Martin Harris 
/s/ JEFFREY L. MCLAREN 
Jeffrey L. McLaren 
/s/ DALE POLLEY 
Dale Polley 
/s/ LINDA REBROVICK 
Linda Rebrovick 
/s/ MICHAEL SHMERLING 
Michael Shmerling 
/s/ WILLIAM STEAD 
William Stead 
/s/ DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE 
Deborah Taylor Tate 

Title(s) 
    Chief Executive Officer and 
    Chairman (Principal Executive Officer) 
    Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President 
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 
    Director 

    Director 

    Director 

    Director 

    Director 

    Director 

    Director 

    Director 

    Director 

Date 
February 25, 2019 

February 25, 2019 

February 25, 2019 

February 25, 2019 

February 25, 2019 

February 25, 2019 

February 25, 2019 

February 25, 2019 

February 25, 2019 

February 25, 2019 

February 25, 2019 

70 

 
  
     
   
 
 
  
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
 
   
HealthStream, Inc. (the Company) 

Summary of Director and Executive Officer Compensation 

EXHIBIT 10.10 

I.  Director  Compensation.  Directors  who  are  employees  of  the  Company  do  not  receive  additional  compensation  for 
serving as directors of the Company. For fiscal year 2019, each director will receive an annual retainer of $5,000, except for 
the Audit Committee Chair and Nominating and Corporate Governance Chair, who will receive an additional annual retainer 
of $7,500, and the Compensation Committee Chair, who will receive an additional annual retainer of $2,000. Non-employee 
directors will also receive a $20,000 flat-fee, except for members of the Audit Committee who will receive $22,500, for 
board and committee meeting attendance and participation in lieu of per meeting fees. 

In addition to the cash compensation set forth above, each non-employee director is eligible to receive a nondiscretionary 
annual grant of restricted share units. The restricted share units are granted annually and vest ratably over a three year period. 

II. Executive Officer Compensation. The following table sets forth the current base salaries and fiscal 2018 performance 
bonuses provided to our executive officers, including the individuals who the Company expects to be its Named Executive 
Officers for 2019. 

Executive Officer 
Robert A. Frist, Jr. 
J. Edward Pearson 
Michael Sousa 
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr.1 
Jeffrey D. Cunningham 
Michael M. Collier 
Trisha L. Coady 
M. Scott McQuigg 

Current Base Salary 
$335,000 
$330,000 
$330,000 
$288,000 
$284,000 
$265,000 
$250,000 
$250,000 

Fiscal 2018 Bonus 
Amount 
$134,000 
$132,000 
$77,000 
$86,000 
$85,000 
$80,000 
$40,000 
$ - 

Base salary adjustments for 2019, bonus targets for 2019 cash bonuses, and 2019 equity grants for executive officers have 
not yet been determined by the Compensation Committee. 

III. Additional Information. The foregoing information is summary in nature. Additional information regarding Director 
and Named Executive Officer compensation will be contained in the Company’s 2019 Proxy Statement. 

1 As previously disclosed on the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by us on October 22, 2018, Mr. Hayden intends to resign 
as an officer of the Company following the filing of our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
      
   
   
     
   
   
     
   
   
     
   
   
     
   
   
     
   
   
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
HealthStream, Inc.  
Board of Directors  
Compensation Committee 
2018 Executive and Corporate Management Cash Incentive Bonus Plan 

EXHIBIT 10.18 

Overview: 

Pursuant to the HealthStream, Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) 
of the Board of Directors of HealthStream,  Inc.  (the “Company”) hereby  establishes this 2018 Executive and Corporate 
Management  Cash  Incentive  Bonus  Plan  (the  “Plan”).    The  Plan  is  the  cash-based,  short-term  incentive  portion  of 
HealthStream's incentive compensation structure for certain executive officers, as well as the vice presidents, associate vice 
presidents, and directors who are assigned to a corporate function, as opposed to a business unit specific function (such 
individuals referred to collectively as “Management”).  The purpose of the Plan is to specify appropriate opportunities to 
earn  a  cash  bonus  with  respect  to  the  Company’s  2018  fiscal  year  in  order  to  reward  Management  for  the  Company’s 
financial  performance  during  fiscal  year  2018  and  to  further  align  their  interests  with  those  of  the  shareholders  of  the 
Company. 

Definitions: 

(cid:129)  Actual  Operating  Income  before  bonuses  –  The  Company’s  Operating  Income  achieved  in  fiscal  2018, 

excluding bonuses.  

(cid:129)  Annual  Bonus  –  The  annual  bonus  paid  to  Management  after  the  Committee  determines  the  applicable 

financial measure has been achieved. 

(cid:129) 

Incremental Operating Income - Actual Operating Income before bonuses less Target Operating Income. 

(cid:129)  Operating Income – The Company’s operating income for the 2018 fiscal year calculated in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles under ASC 606 and consistent with the Company’s past practice and 
presented in the Company’s audited financial statements, provided the following expenses are excluded from 
the calculation of Operating Income: acquisition and divestiture expenses for transactions within the calendar 
year and operating income (loss) from acquisitions and divestitures consummated during the calendar year 
(the “Excluded Expenses”).  The Committee has the negative discretion to include the Excluded Expenses in 
the calculation of Operating Income.  

(cid:129)  Target  Operating  Income  –  Operating  Income  for  the  2018  fiscal  year  in  an  amount  established  by  the 

Committee by resolution within the first 90 days of the Company’s 2018 fiscal year. 

2018 Financial Measure and Plan Principles: 

1.  The financial measure for 2018 is Operating Income - Operating Income will be the financial measure for 2018. 

2.  The Annual Bonus is funded by Incremental Operating Income - The Annual Bonus will be earned from the 

amount of Incremental Operating Income.  

The Plan 

Eligibility 

Three groups are eligible for participation in the Plan: 

(cid:129) 

Executive Team – The maximum Annual Bonus that Executive Team members, other than the Chief 
Executive Officer of HealthStream and the President & Chief Operating Officer of HealthStream, shall 
be eligible to receive under the Plan shall be an amount equal to 30% of such member’s base salary; 
provided the CEO and the President & COO shall be eligible to receive an amount equal to 40% of their 
base salary.  Unless otherwise excluded below, the Executive Team eligible for participation includes the 

 
 
(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

(cid:129) 

Chief  Executive  Officer,  President  &  Chief  Operating  Officer,  and  Senior  Vice  Presidents  of  the 
Company. 

Leadership Team (Vice Presidents and Associate Vice Presidents) – The maximum Annual Bonus 
that Vice Presidents and Associate Vice Presidents of the Business Unit shall be eligible to receive under 
the  Plan  shall  be  an  amount  equal  to  16% of such  Vice  President  or  Associate  Vice  President’s base 
salary. 

Directors - The maximum Annual Bonus that Directors of the Business Unit shall be eligible to receive 
under the Plan shall be an amount equal to 4% of such Director’s base salary.  For purposes of clarity, 
Directors do not include members of the Board of Directors, but are management-level employees of the 
Company. 

Employment Requirements – Participants in the Plan who were employed with the Company through 
December  31,  2018  shall  be  eligible  to  receive  bonus  payments,  if  any,  under  the  Plan  regardless  of 
whether such employees are employed on the date such payments are actually made.  Notwithstanding 
the foregoing, in the case of death or disability, the participant’s pro rata share from January  1, 2018 
through the date of participant’s death or disability shall be awarded. 

Exclusions - Members of the Executive  Team with a commission based incentive compensation plan 
shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan.  Additionally, members of the Executive Team who are 
eligible to participate in any one of the following shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan:  (i) the 
2018 Workforce Development Cash Bonus Incentive Plan, (ii) the 2018 Echo, Inc. Cash Bonus Incentive 
Plan, or (iii) 2018 PX Cash Bonus Incentive Plan. 

Payout  

Payouts under the Plan shall be determined as follows: 

1. 

Incremental  Operating  Income  will  be  determined  by  subtracting  the  Target  Operating  Income  from  Actual 
Operating Income before bonuses.  The Incremental Operating Income will then be multiplied by 30% of base 
salary for each member of the Executive Team other than the Chief Executive Officer and the President & COO, 
40% of base salary for the CEO and the President & COO, 16% of base salary for each member of the Leadership 
Team, and 4% of base salary for each Director. 

2.  Any Annual Bonus payouts made to the Executive Team, Leadership Team, or Directors pursuant to the Plan shall 

be payable at such time as bonuses are paid generally to executive officers of the Company. 

 
 
HealthStream, Inc.  
Board of Directors  
Compensation Committee 
2018 Provider Solutions Cash Incentive Bonus Plan  
For Business Segment Management 

EXHIBIT 10.19 

Overview: 

Pursuant to the HealthStream, Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) 
of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  HealthStream,  Inc.  (the  “Company”)  hereby  establishes  this  2018  Provider  Solutions  Cash 
Incentive Bonus Plan for the Company-Level Leadership Team and Directors (the “Plan”).  The Plan is a cash-based, short-
term incentive portion of the Company’s Provider Solutions segment (the “Business Unit”) incentive compensation structure 
for  Company-level  Vice  Presidents,  Associate  Vice  Presidents,  and  Directors  who  are  assigned  to  the  Business  Unit 
(“Management”) of the Business Unit.  The purpose of the Plan is to specify appropriate opportunities to earn a cash bonus 
with  respect  to  the  (i)  Business  Unit’s  2018  fiscal  year  performance  and/or  (ii)  the  Company’s  overall  2018  fiscal  year 
performance, each in order to reward Management for the Business Unit’s and/or the Company’s financial performance 
during fiscal year 2018 and to further align his interest with those of the shareholders of the Company. 

Definitions: 

(cid:129) 

Provider  Solutions  Actual  Operating  Income  before  bonuses  –  The  Business  Unit’s  Operating  Income 
achieved in fiscal 2018, excluding bonuses. 

(cid:129)  Enterprise  Actual  Operating  Income  before  bonuses  –  The  Company’s  Operating  Income  achieved  in 

fiscal 2018, excluding bonuses. 

(cid:129)  Annual  Bonus  –  The  annual  bonus  paid  to  Management  after  the  Committee  determines  the  applicable 

financial measure has been achieved. 

(cid:129) 

Provider Solutions Incremental Operating Income – Provider Solutions Actual Operating Income before 
bonuses less Provider Solutions Target Operating Income. 

(cid:129)  Enterprise  Incremental  Operating  Income  –  Enterprise  Actual  Operating  Income  before  bonuses  less 

Enterprise Target Operating Income. 

(cid:129) 

Provider  Solutions  Operating  Income  –  The  Business  Unit’s  Operating  Income  for  the  2018 fiscal  year 
calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles under ASC 606 and consistent with 
the  Company’s  past  practice  and  presented  in  the  Company’s  audited  financial  statements,  provided  the 
following  expenses  are  excluded  from  the  calculation  of  Provider  Solutions  Operating  Income:  for 
acquisitions  and  divestitures  within  or  directly  impacting  the  Business  Unit,  acquisition  and  divestiture 
expenses  for  transactions  within  the  calendar  year  and  operating  income  (loss)  from  acquisitions  and 
divestitures  consummated  during  the  calendar  year  (the  “Excluded  Expenses”).    The  Committee  has  the 
negative  discretion  to  include  the  Excluded  Expenses  in  the  calculation  of  Provider  Solutions  Operating 
Income.  

(cid:129)  Enterprise  Operating  Income  -  The  Company’s  Operating  Income  for  the 2018 fiscal  year  calculated  in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles under ASC 606 and consistent with the Company’s 
past practice and presented in the Company’s audited financial statements, provided the following expenses 
are excluded from the calculation of Operating Income: acquisition and divestiture expenses for transactions 
within the calendar year and operating income (loss) from acquisitions and divestitures consummated during 
the  calendar  year  (the  “Excluded  Expenses”).    The  Committee  has  the  negative  discretion  to  include  the 
Excluded Expenses in the calculation of Enterprise Operating Income. 

(cid:129) 

Provider Solutions Target Operating Income – Provider Solutions Operating Income for the 2018 fiscal 
year in an amount established by the Committee by resolution within the first 90 days of the Company’s 2018 
fiscal year. 

 
 
(cid:129)  Enterprise Target Operating Income – Enterprise Operating Income for the 2018 fiscal year in an amount 
established by the Committee by resolution within the first 90 days of the Company’s 2018 fiscal year. 

2018 Financial Measure and Plan Principles: 

1.  The  financial  measures  for  2018  are  Provider  Solutions  and/or  Enterprise  Operating  Income  –  Provider 

Solutions and/or Enterprise Operating Income will be the financial measure for 2018. 

2.  The Annual Bonus is funded by Provider Solutions and/or Enterprise Incremental Operating Income – The 
Annual  Bonus  will  be  earned  from  an  amount  of  Provider  Solutions  and/or  Enterprise  Incremental  Operating 
Income.  

The Plan 

Eligibility 

Two groups are eligible for participation in the Plan: 

(cid:129)  Leadership Team (Vice Presidents and Associate Vice Presidents) – The maximum Annual Bonus that 
Company-Level Vice Presidents and Associate Vice Presidents assigned to the Business Unit shall be eligible 
to receive under the Plan shall be an amount equal to 16% of such Vice President or Associate Vice President’s 
base salary, with that 16% being comprised as follows:  12.8% from Provider Solutions Incremental Operating 
Income and 3.2% from Enterprise Incremental Income.  Therefore, 80% of each Vice President and Associate 
Vice  President’s  Annual  Bonus  is  based on  achieving and  exceeding  Provider  Solutions  Target  Operating 
Income and the other 20% is based on achieving and exceeding Enterprise Target Operating Income. 

(cid:129)  Directors - The maximum Annual Bonus that Company-Level Directors of the Business Unit shall be eligible 
to receive under the Plan shall be an amount equal to 4% of such Director’s base salary, with that 4% being 
comprised as follows:  3.2% from WFD Incremental Operating Income and 0.8% from Enterprise Incremental 
Income.  Therefore, 80% of each Director’s Annual Bonus is based on achieving and exceeding WFD Target 
Operating  Income  and  the  other  20%  is  based  on  achieving  and  exceeding  Enterprise  Target  Operating 
Income.    For  purposes  of  clarity,  Directors  do  not  include  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  but  are 
management-level employees of the Company. 

(cid:129)  Employment  Requirements  –  Participants  in  the  Plan  who  were  employed  with  the  Company  through 
December 31, 2018 shall be eligible to receive bonus payments, if any, under the Plan regardless of whether 
such employees are employed on the date such payments are actually made.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, 
in the case of death or disability, the participant’s pro rata share from January 1, 2018 through the date of 
participant’s death or disability shall be awarded. 

(cid:129)  Exclusions  –  Management  with  a  commission  based  incentive  compensation  plan  shall  not  be  eligible  to 
participate in the Plan.  Additionally, Management who are eligible to participate in any one of the following 
shall not be eligible to participate:  (i) the 2018 Executive & Corporate Management Cash Bonus Incentive 
Plan, or (ii) the 2018 Workforce Development Cash Bonus Incentive. 

(cid:129)  Company-level  Vice  Presidents,  Associate  Vice  Presidents,  and  Directors.    Management  includes  all 
individuals  who  are  considered  to  be  Company-level  (i.e.,  HealthStream  enterprise-wide)  Vice  Presidents, 
Associate  Vice  Presidents,  or  Directors,  as  opposed  to  just  vice  presidents,  associate  vice  presidents,  and 
directors at the Business Unit-level.  Given that the Business Unit is comprised of several companies from 
different  acquisitions,  the  working  job  titles  of  Management  may  differ  from  the  Company’s  standard 
hierarchy and have not been fully standardized.  Therefore, an individual who is considered a Director at the 
Company-level may have a different working job title at the Business Unit level.  A list of Company-level 
Vice Presidents, Associate Vice Presidents, and Directors, along with their working job title at the Business 
Unit level is attached hereto as Exhibit A.  This list is current as of March 15, 2018 and may be updated from 
time to time to reflect changes in employment (i.e., promotions, resignations, etc.) 

 
 
 
Payout  

Payouts under the Plan shall be determined as follows: 

1.  Provider Solutions Incremental Operating Income will be determined by subtracting the Provider Solutions Target 
Operating Income from Actual Operating Income before bonuses.  The Provider Solutions Incremental Operating 
Income will then be multiplied by 12.8% for each Company-level Vice President and Associate Vice President 
and 3.2% for each Company-level Director. 

2.  Enterprise  Incremental  Operating  Income  will  be  determined  by  subtracting  the  Enterprise  Target  Operating 
Income from Enterprise Actual Operating Income before bonuses.  The Enterprise Incremental Operating Income 
will then be multiplied by 3.2% for each Company-Level Vice President and Associate Vice President and 0.8% 
for each Company-level Director. 

3.  Any such Annual Bonus made to Management pursuant to the Plan shall be payable at such time as bonuses are 

paid generally to executive officers of the Company. 

 
 
 
 
Exhibit A 

Management entitled to participate in the Plan 
(current as of March 15, 2018) 

Company-Level Vice Presidents: 

Paul Holbel, CTO 

Company-Level Associate Vice Presidents: 

Roger Platt, Verity VP 
Vicki Searcy, Verity VP 

Company-Level Directors: 

Bruce Durbin 

Jennifer Grijalva 

Lisa Rothmuller 

Mark Westbrook 

Purti Barve 

Manshi Nawab 

Brandi Zevenbrgern 

Suzy Deller 

Mark Karger 

Sean Harvey 

Joe Deluca 

Erik Vedvik 

Steve Larsen 

Terry Griffith 

Bill Locke 

David Van Linge 

Sarah Moraes 

Scott Zoldan 

Andrew Huber 

Ryan, Clay 

Nordstrom, Tawnya 

Sr. Director, Quality & Cloud Services 

Director, Implementations & Upgrades 

Sr. Director, Client Consulting 

Sr. Director, Client Success 

Sr. Development Team Lead 

Data Analyst Lead 

Sr. Product Manager 

AVP, Verity Customer Experience 

Sr. Director, Verity PMO 

Sr. Manager, Data Services 

Director, Verity Customer Support 

Sr. Director, Data Services 

Sr. Director, Customer Support 

AVP, Verity Training & Learning Solutions 

VP, Software Development 

AVP, Software Development 

Sr. Director, Verity Marketing 

VP, Software Development 

Sr. Director, Professional Services 

Division Controller 

Director of Human Resources 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUBSIDIARIES OF HEALTHSTREAM, INC. 

EXHIBIT 21.1 

Names Under Which We Do Business 

Decision Critical, Inc. 
Verity, Inc., a HealthStream Company (f/k/a Echo, Inc.) 
Morrisey Associates, Inc. 
Performance Management Services, Inc. 
Nursing Registry Consultants Corporation 
Health Care Compliance Strategies, Inc. 
HealthStream Acquisition I, Inc. 
HealthStream Acquisition II, Inc. 

Providigm, LLC 

State or Other Jurisdiction of 
Incorporation or 
Organization 

Texas 
Tennessee 
Illinois 
California 
Delaware 
New York 
Tennessee 
Tennessee 

Colorado 

 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements: 

EXHIBIT 23.1 

(1)  Registration  Statement  (Form  S-8  No. 333-211725)  pertaining  to  the  2016  Omnibus  Incentive  Plan  of 

HealthStream, Inc., 

Inc., 

(2)  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-167241) pertaining to the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan of HealthStream, 

(3)  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-37440) pertaining to the 1994 Employee Stock Option Plan, 2000 Stock 

Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan of HealthStream, Inc., and 

(4)  Registration  Statement  (Form  S-3  No. 333-206897)  of  HealthStream,  Inc.,  as  amended  by  that  Post-Effective 

Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement (Form POS AM No. 333-206897); 

of our reports dated February 25, 2019, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of HealthStream, Inc. and the 
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of HealthStream, Inc., included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) 
of HealthStream, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2018. 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP 

Nashville, Tennessee 
February 25, 2019 

  
 
EXHIBIT 31.1 

CERTIFICATION 

I,  Robert A. Frist, Jr., certify that: 

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of HealthStream, Inc.; 

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present 
in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the 
periods presented in this report; 

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting 
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: 

a)  Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or  caused  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  to  be 
designed  under  our  supervision,  to  ensure  that  material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,  including  its 
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in 
which this report is being prepared; 

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting 
to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting 
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles; 

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered 
by this report based on such evaluation; and 

d)  Disclosed  in  this  report  any  change  in  the  registrant’s  internal  control over  financial  reporting  that  occurred 
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) 
that  has  materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the  registrant’s  internal  control  over 
financial reporting; and 

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 
over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or 
persons performing the equivalent functions): 

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and 
report financial information; and 

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role 
in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 

Date : February 25, 2019 

    /s/ ROBERT A. FRIST, JR.         
    Robert A. Frist, Jr. 
    Chief Executive Officer 

  
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 31.2 

CERTIFICATION 

I,  Gerard M. Hayden, Jr., certify that: 

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of HealthStream, Inc.; 

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present 
in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the 
periods presented in this report; 

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting 
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: 

a)  Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or  caused  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  to  be 
designed  under  our  supervision,  to  ensure  that  material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,  including  its 
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in 
which this report is being prepared; 

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting 
to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting 
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles; 

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered 
by this report based on such evaluation; and 

d)  Disclosed  in  this  report  any  change  in  the  registrant’s  internal  control over  financial  reporting  that  occurred 
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) 
that  has  materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the  registrant’s  internal  control  over 
financial reporting; and 

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 
over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or 
persons performing the equivalent functions): 

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and 
report financial information; and 

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role 
in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 

Date : February 25, 2019 

    /s/ GERARD M. HAYDEN, JR.           
    Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. 
    Chief Financial Officer 

  
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, 
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO 
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

EXHIBIT 32.1 

In  connection  with  the  Annual  Report  of  HealthStream,  Inc.  (the  “Company”)  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ending 
December 31, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Robert A. 
Frist, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Company certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: 

(1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 

1934; and 

(2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results 

of operations of the Company. 

/s/ ROBERT A. FRIST, JR.                      
Robert A. Frist, Jr. 
Chief Executive Officer 
February 25, 2019 

  
 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, 
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO 
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

EXHIBIT 32.2 

In  connection  with  the  Annual  Report  of  HealthStream,  Inc.  (the  “Company”)  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ending 
December 31, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Gerard M. 
Hayden, Jr., Chief Financial Officer of the Company certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of 
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: 

(1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 

1934; and 

(2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results 

of operations of the Company. 

/s/ GERARD M. HAYDEN, JR.                 
Gerard M. Hayden, Jr. 
Chief Financial Officer 
February 25, 2019 

  
 
(cid:3)