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The Ensign Group

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FY2012 Annual Report · The Ensign Group
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2 0 1 2   A n n u a l   R e p o r t

Dear Fellow Shareholder: 

We are pleased to report that 2012 was another record year for The Ensign Group, Inc. As a direct result of 
our  locally-centered,  one-facility-at-a-time  business  model,  the  company’s  operations  improved  across 
almost every key metric. These operating results for the year came in the midst of an unprecedented 11.1% 
reduction  in  Medicare  rates  to  skilled  nursing  facilities,  as  well  as  a  simultaneous  change  in  therapy 
regulations  that  increased  the  cost  of  delivering  physical  and  other  types  of  therapy  to  skilled  nursing 
patients, all of which went into effect in late 2011. 

Total  revenue  for  2012  was  $824.7  million,  up  8.8%,  compared  to  $758.3  million  for  the  prior  year. 
Adjusted  EBITDA  grew  by  $13.3  million  to  $129.3  million,  an  11.5%  increase  over  fiscal  2011,  and 
adjusted earnings per share grew by 8.5% from $2.34 to a record $2.54 per share for the year. The company 
generated net cash from operations of $82.1 million for the year and had cash and cash equivalents of $40.9 
million  at  year  end.    The  company  continues  to  maintain  an  industry-low  debt  ratio.    Even  after  the 
completion of a $21.5 million seven-year term financing in the first quarter 2012, the company’s adjusted 
net-debt-to-EBITDAR ratio is just over 2.3 times.  

Our  footprint  continued  to  grow  as  we  acquired  six  new  facilities,  two  home  health  operations  and  one 
hospice business during 2012.  We also opened three urgent care centers in the Seattle, Washington area 
and  the  company  also  acquired  a  majority  interest  in  a  small  but  well-regarded  mobile  ancillary  services 
provider.    We  expect  to  continue  a  pattern  of  disciplined  growth  and  to  capitalize  on  opportunities  for 
organic  growth  and  improvement  across  the  company’s  expanding  portfolio,  as  local  leaders  continue  to 
focus on business fundamentals and as recent acquisitions start to mature.   

With these successes, in the fourth quarter our Board of Directors was able to raise Ensign’s quarterly cash 
dividend by 8.3%, to $0.065 per share. Ensign has been a dividend-paying company since 2002. 

Most importantly, we continued to recruit, hire, train and reward some of the finest leaders and caregivers 
found anywhere in the healthcare industry today.  Our largest challenges continue to be found during the 
integration  of  newly  acquired  facilities,  which  often  come  with  significant  regulatory,  financial  and 
reputational  baggage,  into  our  existing  base  of  operations.  Our  commitment  to  clinical  improvement  and 
quality care is stronger than ever, and we continue to bring better people, new technologies and innovative 
systems to bear in pursuing this goal.   

As the low-cost provider of so many of our country’s healthcare system’s more pressing needs, we believe 
that the skilled nursing industry in general, and Ensign in particular, will be central to the solution of rising 
healthcare costs. Whatever the future holds, Ensign has always been, and we are working to remain, nimble 
so that we can quickly respond to any changes in the healthcare landscape. With intelligent and empowered 
leaders  at  the  head  of  every  operation,  a  strong  cash  position,  and  a  solid  balance  sheet,  we  remain 
extremely agile and ready to adjust to upcoming changes to the healthcare system, market by market and 
facility by facility, regardless of the uncertainties we face. 

Finally, in celebrating 2012 we wish to salute the facility CEOs and COOs, the caregivers and all of our 
other  partners.   The  extraordinary  leadership  and  quality  care  they  provide  to  their  residents  and 
communities are the hallmarks of our organization and have been, and will continue to be, the bedrock of 
our success. Through them, and with your continuing support, we believe we can achieve our core goal of 
creating a world-class service organization that can reach unheard-of levels of quality care, and set a new 
standard for the post-acute care industry. 

Sincerely,  

Christopher R. Christensen 
President and Chief Executive Officer 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(This page has been left blank intentionally.)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
Form 10-K 

(Mark One)

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

  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(a) OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the transition period from          to          

Commission file number: 001-33757 

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC. 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) 

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of 
Incorporation or Organization) 
27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450,
Mission Viejo, CA
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) 

33-0861263
(I.R.S. Employer 
Identification No.) 

92691
(Zip Code) 

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 
(949) 487-9500 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of Each Class

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

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     

 No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 

Act.  

 Yes     

 No 

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     

 No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every 
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).  

 Yes     

 No 

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 the 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.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller 
reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 
of the Exchange Act. (Check one): 

Large accelerated filer 

  Accelerated filer 

Non-accelerated filer 

  Smaller reporting company 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  
The aggregate market value of the registrant's common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the 

 Yes     

 No 

closing price as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, June 30, 2012, was 
approximately $490,500,000. 

On February 11, 2013, The Ensign Group, Inc. had 21,756,540 shares of Common Stock outstanding. 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: 

Part III of this Form 10-K incorporates information by reference from the Registrant's definitive proxy statement for the Registrant's 
2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this annual report. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC. 
INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PART I.

Item 1.

Business

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

Item 2.

Properties

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Item 5.

PART II.
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases 
of Equity Securities

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

Item 7.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

Item 9B.

Other Information

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

PART III.

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 
Matters

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statements and Schedules

PART IV.

4

21

47

48

48

50

51

54

58

81

83

83

83

86

86

86

86

86

86

86

87

Signatures
EX-23.1
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32.1
EX-32.2
EX-101

 
 
 
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements, which include, but are not limited to the Company's 
expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, budgets, capital expenditures, 
competitive positions, growth opportunities and plans and objectives of management. Forward-looking statements can often be 
identified by words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” 
“should,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. 
These statements are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities and Exchange Act of 
1934.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are 
difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking 
statements as a result of various factors, some of which are listed under the section “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual 
Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These 
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Report, and are based on our current expectations, estimates and 
projections about our industry and business, management's beliefs, and certain assumptions made by us, all of which are subject 
to  change. We  undertake  no  obligation  to  revise  or  update  publicly  any  forward-looking  statement  for  any  reason,  except  as 
otherwise required by law. As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the words, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to The Ensign 
Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. All of our facilities, operations, the Service Center (defined below) and our wholly-
owned captive insurance subsidiary (the Captive) are operated by separate, wholly-owned, independent subsidiaries that have 
their own management, employees and assets. The use of “we”, “us”, “our” and similar verbiage in this annual report is not meant 
to imply that any of our facilities, business operations, the Service Center or the Captive are operated by the same entity. 

The Ensign Group, Inc. is a holding company with no direct operating assets, employees or revenues. All of our skilled 
nursing and assisted living facilities, home health and hospice operations, urgent care centers and majority owned subsidiaries are 
operated by separate, wholly-owned, independent subsidiaries, each of which have their own management, employees and assets. 
In addition, one of our wholly-owned independent subsidiaries, referred to as the Service Center, provides centralized accounting, 
payroll, human resources, information technology, legal, risk management and other centralized services to the other operating 
subsidiaries through contractual relationships with such subsidiaries. In addition, we have the Captive that provides some claims-
made coverage to our operating subsidiaries for general and professional liability, as well as for certain workers' compensation 
insurance liabilities. 

Like our operations, the Service Center and Captive are operated by separate, wholly-owned, independent subsidiaries that 
have their own management, employees and assets.  Reference herein to the consolidated “Company” and “its” assets and activities, 
as well as the use of the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and similar verbiage in this annual report is not meant to imply that The Ensign 
Group, Inc. has direct operating assets, employees or revenue, or that any of the facilities, the Service Center or the Captive are 
operated by the same entity. We were incorporated in 1999 in Delaware. Our corporate address is 27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450, 
Mission Viejo, CA 92691, and our telephone number is (949) 487-9500. Our corporate website is located at www.ensigngroup.net. 
The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website does not constitute a part of this annual report. 

EnsignTM is our United States trademark. All other trademarks and trade names appearing in this annual report are the property 

of their respective owners. 

3

 
 
 
Item 1. 

Business

Overview

PART I.

We are a provider of skilled nursing and rehabilitative care services through the operation of 108 facilities, seven home 
health and six hospice operations, located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah 
and Washington. Our operations, each of which strives to be the service of choice in the community it serves, provide a broad 
spectrum  of  skilled  nursing,  assisted  living,  home  health  and  hospice  services,  including  physical,  occupational  and  speech 
therapies, and other rehabilitative and healthcare services, for both long-term residents and short-stay rehabilitation patients.  In 
addition, we own and operate urgent care centers in the Seattle, Washington area and an urgent care franchise system with locations 
in several states.  These walk-in clinics will offer daily access to healthcare for minor injuries and illnesses, including x-ray and 
lab services, all from convenient neighborhood locations with no appointments.  As of December 31, 2012, we owned 86 of our 
108 facilities and operated an additional 22 facilities under long-term lease arrangements, and had options to purchase two of 
those 22 facilities. 

We encourage and empower our leaders and staff to make their facility the “facility of choice” in the community it serves. 
This  means  that  our  leaders  and  staff  are  generally  free  to  discern  and  address  the  unique  needs  and  priorities  of  healthcare 
professionals, customers and other stakeholders in the local community or market, and then work to create a superior service 
offering and reputation for that particular community or market to encourage prospective customers and referral sources to choose 
or recommend the facility.  

Our organizational structure is centered upon local leadership. We believe our organizational structure, which empowers 
leaders and staff at the local level, is unique within the skilled nursing industry. Each of our operations is led by highly dedicated 
individuals who are responsible for key operational decisions at their facilities. Leaders and staff are trained and motivated to 
pursue superior clinical outcomes, high patient and family satisfaction, operating efficiencies and financial performance at their 
facilities. In addition, our leaders are enabled and motivated to share real-time operating data and otherwise benchmark clinical 
and operational performance against their peers in other facilities in order to improve clinical care, maximize patient satisfaction 
and augment operational efficiencies, promoting the sharing of best practices. 

We view skilled nursing primarily as a local business, influenced by personal relationships and community reputation. We 
believe our success is largely dependent upon our ability to build strong relationships with key stakeholders from the local healthcare 
community, based upon a solid foundation of reliably superior care. Accordingly, our brand strategy is focused on encouraging 
the leaders and staff of each facility to focus on clinical excellence, and promote their facility independently within their local 
community. 

Much of our historical growth can be attributed to our expertise in acquiring under-performing facilities and transforming 
them into market leaders in clinical quality, staff competency, employee loyalty and financial performance. We plan to continue 
to grow our revenue and earnings by: 

•  continuing to grow our talent base and develop future leaders;

• 

increasing the overall percentage or “mix” of higher-acuity residents;

• 

focusing on organic growth and internal operating efficiencies;

•  continuing to acquire additional facilities in existing and new markets; and

•  expanding and renovating our existing facilities, and potentially constructing new facilities.

Company History 

Our company was formed in 1999 with the goal of establishing a new level of quality care within the skilled nursing industry. 
The name “Ensign” is synonymous with a “flag” or a “standard,” and refers to our goal of setting the standard by which all others 
are measured. We believe that through our efforts and leadership, we can foster a new level of patient care and professional 
competence at our facilities, and set a new industry standard for quality skilled nursing and rehabilitative care services. 

4

 
 
 
We  organize  our  facilities  into  portfolio  companies,  which  we  believe  has  enabled  us  to  maintain  a  local,  field-driven 
organizational  structure  and  attract  additional  qualified  leadership  talent,  and  to  identify,  acquire,  and  improve  facilities  at  a 
generally faster rate.  Each of our portfolio companies has its own president. These presidents, who are experienced and proven 
leaders that are generally taken from the ranks of facility CEOs, serve as leadership resources within their own portfolio companies, 
and have the primary responsibility for recruiting qualified talent, finding potential acquisition targets, and identifying other internal 
and external growth opportunities. We believe this reorganization has improved the quality of our recruiting and will continue to 
facilitate successful acquisitions.

Cumulative Facility Growth 

We have an established track record of successful acquisitions. Many of our earliest acquisitions were completed at a time 
when  the  skilled  nursing  industry  was  undergoing  a  major  restructuring.  From  2001  to  2003,  we  acquired  a  number  of 
underperforming facilities, as several long-term care providers disposed of troubled facilities from their portfolios. We then applied 
our core operating expertise to turn these facilities around, both clinically and financially. In 2004 and 2005, we focused on the 
integration and improvement of our existing operations while limiting our acquisitions to strategically situated properties, acquiring 
five facilities over that period.

 With the introduction in early 2006 of the portfolio companies and our New Market CEO program, described above, our 
acquisition activity accelerated, allowing us to add 15 facilities between January 1, 2006 and July 31, 2007.  We then effectively 
suspended our acquisition program while we effected our initial public offering, which was completed in November 2007.  From 
January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2011, we acquired 41 facilities which added 4,597 operational beds to our operations. 

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company acquired five stand alone skilled nursing facilities, one of which 
also offers assisted living services, one stand alone assisted living facility, two home health operations and one hospice operation. 
The following table summarizes our growth from our formation in 1999 through December 31, 2012:

1999   2000   2001   2002   2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   2008   2009

2010

2011

2012

December 31,

Cumulative
number of
facilities

Cumulative
number of
operational
skilled nursing,
assisted living
and independent
living beds

5  

13  

19  

24  

41  

43  

46  

57  

61  

63  

77

82

102

108

665   1,571   2,155   2,751   4,959   5,213   5,585   6,667   7,105   7,324   8,948

9,539

11,702

12,198

New Market CEO and New Ventures Programs.  In order to broaden our reach to new markets, and in an effort to provide 
existing leaders in our company with the entrepreneurial opportunity and challenge of entering a new market and starting a new 
business, we established our New Market CEO program in 2006. Supported by our Service Center and other resources, a New 
Market CEO evaluates a target market, develops a comprehensive business plan, and relocates to the target market to find talent 
and connect with other providers, regulators and the healthcare community in that market, with the goal of ultimately acquiring 
facilities and establishing an operating platform for future growth.  In addition, this program was expanded to broaden our reach 
to other lines of business closely related to the skilled nursing industry through our New Ventures program.  The New Ventures 
program encourages facility CEOs to evaluate new lines of business with the goal of establishing an operating platform in new 
markets.  We believe that this program will not only continue to drive growth, but will also provide a valuable training ground for 
our next generation of leaders, who will have experienced the challenges of growing and operating a new business.

Recent Developments

U.S. Government Inquiries — We, through the special committee and our outside counsel, continue to work cooperatively 
with the U.S Department of Justice (DOJ).  Ensign anticipates that this ongoing dialogue will continue in 2013 as part of our effort 
to resolve this matter. Based on information gathered by us in connection with the work of the special committee, our outside 
counsel and their experts, we recorded an estimated liability in the amount of $15.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 related 
to  our  efforts  to  achieve  a  global,  company-wide,  resolution  of  any  claims  connected  to  the  investigation. Active  settlement 
discussions with the DOJ are ongoing and, until concluded, the outcome remains uncertain and the amount related to the resolution 
of any claims connected to this pending investigation could differ materially from our estimates.  At this time, we cannot estimate 
the possible range of loss that may result from any such proceedings or discussions.

5

 
 
 
 
 
We cannot predict or provide any assurance as to the possible outcome of the investigations or any possible related proceedings, 
or as to the possible outcome of any litigation.  If any litigation were to proceed, and we are subjected to, alleged to be liable for, 
or agree to a settlement of, claims or obligations under federal Medicare statutes, the federal False Claims Act, or similar state 
and federal statutes and related regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows could be 
materially and adversely affected and our stock price could be adversely impacted.  Among other things, any settlement or litigation 
could involve the payment of substantial sums to settle any alleged civil violations, and may also include our assumption of specific 
procedural  and  financial  obligations  going  forward  under  a  corporate  integrity  agreement  and/or  other  arrangement  with  the 
government.

Board  of  Directors  —  Effective  June  15,  2012,  Mr.  Daren  J.  Shaw  was  appointed  by  the  board  of  directors,  at  the 
recommendation of the nomination and corporate governance committee, to serve on the audit committee with Mr. John Nackel 
and Mr. Thomas Maloof (Chair).  Mr. Shaw has also been appointed by the board of directors to serve on the nomination and 
corporate governance committee and the compensation committee.  On July 26, 2012, the board of directors appointed Mr. Shaw 
to serve as the chair of the audit committee effective September 1, 2012.

On October 31, 2012, Van R. Johnson informed the board of directors that he intends to retire from the board of directors at 
the close of the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders for 2013.  Mr. Johnson's resignation is due to his acceptance of a full-time 
volunteer assignment from his church that will require him to step away from all outside business engagements, including the 
board of directors.  Mr. Johnson has served on the board of directors since 2009 and is currently serving as the Chairman of the 
Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee.

Senior Credit Facility — On February 1, 2013, we entered into the third amendment to the senior credit facility with a six-
bank lending consortium arranged by SunTrust and Wells Fargo (the Senior Credit Facility) (the Third Amendment), which amends 
our existing Senior Credit Facility agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011.  The Third Amendment revises the Senior Credit Facility 
agreement to, among other things, (i) increase the revolving credit portion of the Senior Credit Facility by $75.0 million to an 
aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million, and (ii) extend the maturity date from July 15, 2016 to February 1, 2018.  Except 
as set forth in the Third Amendment, all other terms and conditions of the Senior Credit Facility remain in full force and effect. 

Urgent Care

Immediate Clinic (IC) — On January 10, 2012, we announced a joint venture to develop and operate urgent care facilities 
and related businesses.   Immediate Clinic (IC) will offer daily access to healthcare for minor injuries and illnesses, including x-
ray and lab services, all from convenient neighborhood locations with no appointments.  Design and construction planning for 
several new locations is currently underway, and IC is also seeking opportunities to acquire existing urgent care operations across 
the United States.  As of December 31, 2012, IC was operating three urgent care centers, and anticipates opening two additional 
centers during the first quarter of 2013.

Our joint venture partner and IC's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. John Shufeldt resigned on September 12, 2012.  On October 
4,  2012,  we  invested  an  additional  $6.0  million  to  IC  in  exchange  for  senior  preferred  stock  which  resulted  in  our  holding 
approximately 96% of the outstanding interests in the joint venture on a fully-diluted basis.  The proceeds of such investment will 
be used to continue the development of additional clinics in the Northwest.  In addition, on December 20, 2012, IC redeemed all 
remaining minority interests in IC. 

On February 15, 2012, IC purchased an equity investment in an urgent care software service provider for $1.4 million.  In 
addition, on March 1, 2012, DRX Urgent Care LLC (DRX), a newly formed subsidiary of IC, purchased substantially all of the 
assets and assumed certain liabilities of Doctors Express Franchising LLC, a national urgent care franchise system for $2.0 million, 
adjusted for certain items at the time of close and redeemable noncontrolling interest of $11.6 million. We recognized intangible 
assets of $7.9 million in trade name, $3.0 million in franchise relationships and $2.7 million in goodwill as part of this transaction.  
On December 31, 2012, IC purchased the remaining ownership interest in DRX for approximately $5.3 million. 

Mobile X-Ray and Diagnostics

On December 31, 2012, the Company purchased 80% of the membership interest of a mobile x-ray and diagnostic company 
for $5.8 million, plus preliminary net working capital of approximately $1.3 million for total consideration of approximately $7.1 
million, which was paid in cash.  The mobile diagnostic company is a leader in providing mobile diagnostic services, including 
digital x-ray, ultrasound, electrocardiograms, ankle-brachial index, and phlebotomy services to people in their homes or at long-
term  care  facilities.   The  Company  believes  the  acquisition  is  strategic  given  the  mobile  diagnostic  company's  experienced 
management team.  This acquisition will provide the Company with a broad set of services to its customers in the markets it serves.

6

The Company recognized intangible assets of approximately $0.9 million in trade name, $4.2 million in customer relationship 
and $2.1 million in goodwill as part of this transaction. See additional details in Note 9 Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived 
Intangible Assets-Net in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  The Company's preliminary determination of the fair value 
of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to 
change.  During the measurement period, when information becomes available which would indicate adjustments are required to 
the purchase price allocation, such adjustment will be included in the purchase price allocation retrospectively.  The measurement 
period is expected to extend as long as one year from the date of acquisition.

Facility Acquisition History

The following table sets forth the location and number of licensed and independent living beds located at our skilled 

nursing and assisted living facilities as of December 31, 2012: 

Number of facilities

35

13

23

11

5

3

6

3

4

5

108

CA

AZ

TX

UT

CO

WA

ID

NV

NE

IA

Total

Operational skilled nursing,
assisted living and
independent living beds

3,864

1,902

2,918

1,344

463

274

477

304

296

356

12,198

On January 1, 2013, we acquired one home health operation in Washington and two hospice operations in California and 
Arizona, respectively, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $4.5 million, which was paid in cash.  These acquisitions 
did not impact our overall bed count.

During the fourth quarter of 2012, we purchased a skilled nursing facility in Texas for $2.6 million, which was paid in cash.  

This acquisition added 92 operational skilled nursing beds to our operations.

During the third quarter of 2012, we purchased two skilled nursing facilities in Idaho for $4.5 million in one transaction, 
which was paid in cash.  One of the skilled nursing facilities acquired also offers assisted living services.  This acquisition added 
94 operational skilled nursing beds and 24 assisted living units to our operations.

During the second quarter of 2012, we purchased a home health and hospice business with operations in Utah and Arizona 
and a skilled nursing facility in Texas in two separate transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $11.0 million.  All second 
quarter acquisitions were paid for in cash.  The skilled nursing facility acquisition added 150 operational skilled nursing beds, 
while the home health operations did not impact our overall bed count.

During the first quarter of 2012, we purchased one assisted living facility in Nevada, one home health operation in Oregon 
and one skilled nursing facility in Idaho in three separate transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $5.4 million.  All first 
quarter acquisitions were paid for in cash.  These acquisitions added an aggregate of 113 operational skilled nursing beds and 60  
assisted living units to our operations, while the home health operation acquisition did not impact our overall bed count.  

We also entered into separate operations transfer agreements with the prior operator as part of each of the above noted 

transactions.

In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2012, we purchased the underlying assets of three of our skilled nursing 
facilities in California which we previously operated under long-term lease agreements, which contained options to purchase, for 
$11.4 million, which was paid in cash.  These acquisitions did not impact our operational bed count.

Industry Trends

The  skilled  nursing  industry  has  evolved  to  meet  the  growing  demand  for  post-acute  and  custodial  healthcare  services 
generated by an aging population, increasing life expectancies and the trend toward shifting of patient care to lower cost settings. 
The skilled nursing industry has evolved in recent years, which we believe has led to a number of favorable improvements in the 
industry, as described below:

• 

Shift of Patient Care to Lower Cost Alternatives. The growth of the senior population in the United States continues to 
increase healthcare costs, often faster than the available funding from government-sponsored healthcare programs. In 
response, federal and state governments have adopted cost-containment measures that encourage the treatment of patients 
in more cost-effective settings such as skilled nursing facilities, for which the staffing requirements and associated costs 

7

• 

• 

• 

are often significantly lower than acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and other post-acute care settings. 
As a result, skilled nursing facilities are generally serving a larger population of higher-acuity patients than in the past.

Significant Acquisition and Consolidation Opportunities. The skilled nursing industry is large and highly fragmented, 
characterized predominantly by numerous local and regional providers. We believe this fragmentation provides significant 
acquisition and consolidation opportunities for us.

Improving Supply and Demand Balance. The number of skilled nursing facilities has declined modestly over the past 
several years. We expect that the supply and demand balance in the skilled nursing industry will continue to improve due 
to the shift of patient care to lower cost settings, an aging population and increasing life expectancies.

Increased Demand Driven by Aging Populations and Increased Life Expectancy. As life expectancy continues to increase 
in the United States and seniors account for a higher percentage of the total U.S. population, we believe the overall demand 
for skilled nursing services will increase. At present, the primary market demographic for skilled nursing services is 
primarily individuals age 75 and older. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, there were over 40 million people in the 
United States in 2010 that are over 65 years old. The 2010 U.S. Census estimates this group is one of the fastest growing 
segments of the United States population and is expected to more than double between 2000 and 2030.

We believe the skilled nursing industry has been and will continue to be impacted by several other trends. The use of long-
term care insurance is increasing among seniors as a means of planning for the costs of skilled nursing services. In addition, as a 
result of increased mobility in society, reduction of average family size, and the increased number of two-wage earner couples, 
more seniors are looking for alternatives outside the family for their care. 

Effects of Changing Prices

Medicare reimbursement rates and procedures are subject to change from time to time, which could materially impact our 
revenue.  Medicare reimburses our skilled nursing facilities under a prospective payment system (PPS) for certain inpatient covered 
services. Under the PPS, facilities are paid a predetermined amount per patient, per day, based on the anticipated costs of treating 
patients. The amount to be paid is determined by classifying each patient into a resource utilization group (RUG) category that is 
based upon each patient’s acuity level.  As of October 1, 2010, the RUG categories were expanded from 53 to 66 with the introduction 
of minimum data set (MDS) 3.0. Should future changes in skilled nursing facility payments reduce rates or increase the standards 
for reaching certain reimbursement levels, our Medicare revenues could be reduced, with a corresponding adverse impact on our 
financial condition or results of operations.  

In October 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a final rule reducing Medicare skilled 
nursing facility PPS payments in fiscal year 2012 by 11.1%. CMS recalibrated the case-mix indexes (CMIs) for fiscal year 2012 
to restore overall payments to their intended levels on a prospective basis.  This reduction was partially offset by the fiscal year 
2012 update to Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities.  The update, a 1.7% or $600 million increase, reflected a 2.7% 
market basket increase, reduced by a 1.0% multi-factor productivity (MFP) adjustment mandated by the Patient Protection and 
Affordable Care Act (PPACA).  The combined MFP-adjusted market basket increase and the fiscal year 2012 recalibration was 
projected to yield a net reduction of $3.87 billion, or 11.1%. 

On August 2, 2011, the President signed into law the Budget Control Act of 2011 (Budget Control Act), which raised the 
debt ceiling and put into effect a series of actions for deficit reduction. The Budget Control Act creates a Congressional Joint Select 
Committee on Deficit Reduction (the Committee) that was tasked with proposing additional deficit reduction of at least $1.5 
trillion over ten years.  As the Committee was unable to achieve its targeted savings, this regulation triggered automatic reductions 
in discretionary and mandatory spending starting in 2013, including reductions of not more than 2% to payments to Medicare 
providers. The Budget Control Act also requires Congress to vote on an amendment to the Constitution that would require a 
balanced budget. 

On January 2, 2013 the President signed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 into law.  This statute delays significant 
cuts in Medicare rates for physician services until December 31, 2013.  The statute also creates a Commission on Long Term Care, 
the goal of which is to develop a plan for the establishment, implementation, and financing of a comprehensive, coordinated, and 
high-quality system that ensures the availability of long-term care services and supports for individuals in need of such services 
and supports.   Any implementation of recommendations from this commission may have an impact on coverage and payment for 
our services.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Rulings — On July 27, 2012, the CMS announced a final rule updating 
Medicare skilled nursing facility PPS payments in fiscal year 2013.  The update, a 1.8% or $670 million increase, reflects a 2.5% 
market basket increase, reduced by a 0.7% MFP adjustment mandated by PPACA.  This increase is expected to be offset by the 
2% sequestration reduction, discussed below, which will become effective April 1, 2013.

8

In November 2012, CMS issued final regulations regarding Medicare payment rates for home health agencies effective 
January 1, 2013. These final regulations implement a net market basket increase of 1.3% consisting of a 2.3% market basket 
inflation increase, less a 1.0% adjustment mandated by the PPACA. In addition, CMS implemented a 1.3% reduction in case mix. 
CMS has projected the impact of these changes will result in a less than 0.1% decrease in payments to home health agencies.

Additionally, there is further uncertainty on how Medicare will reimburse for home health services when rebasing of rates 
becomes effective in 2014; when Medicare will reset the rates and change how CMS reimburses for home health services. The 
methodology for rebasing has yet to be determined, but we expect it will result in further reimbursement reductions.

In July 2012, CMS issued its final rule for hospice services for its 2013 fiscal year.  These final regulations implement a net 
market basket increase of 1.6% consisting of a 2.6% market basket inflation increase, less offsets to the standard payment conversion 
factor mandated by the PPACA of 0.7% to account for the effect of a productivity adjustment, and 0.3% as required by statute. 
CMS has projected the impact of these changes will result in a 0.9% increase in payments to hospice providers.

Should future changes in PPS include further reduced rates or increased standards for reaching certain reimbursement levels, 
our Medicare revenues derived from our skilled nursing facilities (including rehabilitation therapy services provided at our skilled 
nursing facilities) could be reduced, with a corresponding adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

Medicare Part B Therapy Cap — Some of our rehabilitation therapy revenue is paid by the Medicare Part B program under 
a fee schedule. Congress has established annual caps that limit the amounts that can be paid (including deductible and coinsurance 
amounts) for rehabilitation therapy services rendered to any Medicare beneficiary under Medicare Part B.  The Deficit Reduction 
Act of 2005 (DRA) added Sec. 1833(g)(5) of the Social Security Act and directed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 
to develop a process that allows exceptions for Medicare beneficiaries to therapy caps when continued therapy is deemed medically 
necessary.

The therapy cap exception was reauthorized in a number of subsequent laws, most recently in the American Taxpayer Relief  
Act of 2012 which extends the exceptions process through December 31, 2013.  The statutory Medicare Part B outpatient therapy 
cap for occupational therapy and the combined cap for physical therapy and speech-language pathology services are $1,880, 
respectively, for 2012. These amounts represent annual per beneficiary therapy caps determined for each calendar year.  These 
cap amounts will increase to $1,900 in 2013.  Similar to the therapy cap, Congress established a threshold of $3,700 for physical 
therapy and speech-language pathology services combined and a separate threshold of $3,700 for occupational therapy services.  
All therapy services rendered above this limit are subject to medical review and beginning October 1, 2012, CMS rolled out a 
pilot program requiring some therapy providers to submit pre-approval requests for exceptions.  Prior to October 1, 2012 there 
was no requirement for an exception request to be pre-approved when the threshold was exceeded.  The pilot program was rolled 
out to our facilities in groups beginning in October 2012.

In addition, the Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction (MPPR) will be increased to 50% and applied to therapy by reducing 
payments for practice expense of the second and subsequent therapies when therapies are provided on the same day, instead of 
the existing 25% discount.  The change from 25% of the practice expense to a 50% reduction is expected to take effect on April 
1, 2013.  

The application of annual caps, or the discontinuation of exceptions to the annual caps, could have an adverse effect on our 
rehabilitation therapy revenue.  Additionally, the exceptions to these caps may not be extended beyond December 31, 2013, which 
could also have an adverse effect on our revenue after that date.

Medicare Coverage Settlement Agreement — A proposed federal class action settlement was filed in federal district court on 
October 16, 2012 that would end the Medicare coverage standard for skilled nursing, home health and outpatient therapy services 
that a beneficiary's condition must be expected to improve.  The settlement was approved on January 24, 2013, which tasked CMS 
with  revising  its  Medicare  Benefit  Manual  and  numerous  other  policies,  guidelines  and  instructions  to  ensure  that  Medicare 
coverage is available for skilled maintenance services in the home health, skilled nursing and outpatient settings.  CMS must also  
develop and implement a nationwide education campaign for all who make Medicare determinations to ensure that beneficiaries 
with chronic conditions are not denied coverage for critical services because their underlying conditions will not improve.       At 
the conclusion of the CMS education campaign, the members of the class will have the opportunity for re-review of their claims, 
and a two- or three-year monitoring period will commence.  Implementation of the provisions of this settlement agreement could 
favorably impact reimbursement for our services.

9

Historically, adjustments to reimbursement under Medicare have had a significant effect on our revenue. For a discussion 
of historic adjustments and recent changes to the Medicare program and related reimbursement rates see Risk Factors - Risks 
Related to Our Business and Industry - “Our revenue could be impacted by federal and state changes to reimbursement and other 
aspects of Medicaid and Medicare,” “Our future revenue, financial condition and results of operations could be impacted by 
continued cost containment pressures on Medicaid spending,” “We may not be fully reimbursed for all services for which each 
facility bills through consolidated billing, which could adversely affect our revenue, financial condition and results of operations” 
and “Reforms to the U.S. healthcare system will impose new requirements upon us and may lower our reimbursements." The 
federal government and state governments continue to focus on efforts to curb spending on healthcare programs such as Medicare 
and Medicaid. We are not able to predict the outcome of the legislative process. We also cannot predict the extent to which proposals 
will be adopted or, if adopted and implemented, what effect, if any, such proposals and existing new legislation will have on us. 
Efforts to impose reduced allowances, greater discounts and more stringent cost controls by government and other payors are 
expected to continue and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

Payor Sources 

Total Revenue by Payor Sources.  We derive revenue primarily from the Medicaid and Medicare programs, private pay 
patients and managed care payors. Medicaid typically covers patients that require standard room and board services, and provides 
reimbursement rates that are generally lower than rates earned from other sources. We monitor our quality mix, which is the 
percentage of non-Medicaid revenue from each of our facilities, to measure the level received from each payor across each of our 
business units. We intend to continue to focus on enhancing our care offerings to accommodate more high acuity patients. 

Medicaid.  Medicaid is a state-administered program financed by state funds and matching federal funds. Medicaid programs 
are administered by the states and their political subdivisions, and often go by state-specific names, such as Medi-Cal in California 
and  the Arizona  Healthcare  Cost  Containment  System  in Arizona.  Medicaid  programs  generally  provide  health  benefits  for 
qualifying  individuals,  and  may  supplement  Medicare  benefits  for  financially  needy  persons  aged  65  and  older.  Medicaid 
reimbursement formulas are established by each state with the approval of the federal government in accordance with federal 
guidelines. Seniors who enter skilled nursing facilities as private pay clients can become eligible for Medicaid once they have 
substantially depleted their assets. Medicaid is the largest source of funding for nursing home facilities. 

Private and Other Payors.  Private and other payors consist primarily of individuals, family members or other third parties 

who directly pay for the services we provide. 

Medicare.  Medicare is a federal program that provides healthcare benefits to individuals who are 65 years of age or older 
or are disabled. To achieve and maintain Medicare certification, a skilled nursing facility must meet the CMS, “Conditions of 
Participation”, on an ongoing basis, as determined in periodic facility inspections or “surveys” conducted primarily by the state 
licensing agency in the state where the facility is located. Medicare pays for inpatient skilled nursing facility services under the 
prospective payment system. The prospective payment for each beneficiary is based upon the medical condition of and care needed 
by the beneficiary. Medicare skilled nursing facility coverage is limited to 100 days per episode of illness for those beneficiaries 
who require daily care following discharge from an acute care hospital. 

Managed Care and Private Insurance.  Managed care patients consist of individuals who are insured by a third-party entity, 
typically a senior HMO plan, or who are Medicare beneficiaries who have assigned their Medicare benefits to a senior HMO plan. 
Another type of insurance, long-term care insurance, is also becoming more widely available to consumers, but is not expected 
to contribute significantly to industry revenues in the near term. 

Billing and Reimbursement.  Our revenue from government payors, including Medicare and state Medicaid agencies, is 
subject to retroactive adjustments in the form of claimed overpayments and underpayments based on rate adjustments and asserted 
billing and reimbursement errors. We believe billing and reimbursement errors, disagreements, overpayments and underpayments 
are common in our industry, and we are regularly engaged with government payors and their fiscal intermediaries in reviews, 
audits and appeals of our claims for reimbursement due to the subjectivity inherent in the processes related to patient diagnosis 
and care, recordkeeping, claims processing and other aspects of the patient service and reimbursement processes, and the errors 
and disagreements those subjectivities can produce. 

10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We take seriously our responsibility to act appropriately under applicable laws and regulations, including Medicare and 
Medicaid billing and reimbursement laws and regulations. Accordingly, we employ accounting, reimbursement and compliance 
specialists who train, mentor and assist our clerical, clinical and rehabilitation staffs in the preparation of claims and supporting 
documentation,  regularly  monitor  billing  and  reimbursement  practices  within  our  facilities,  and  assist  with  the  appeal  of 
overpayment and recoupment claims generated by governmental, fiscal intermediary and other auditors and reviewers. In addition, 
due to the potentially serious consequences that could arise from any impropriety in our billing and reimbursement processes, we 
investigate all allegations of impropriety or irregularity relative thereto, and sometimes do so with the aid of outside auditors, 
other than our independent registered public accounting firm, attorneys and other professionals. 

Whether information about our billing and reimbursement processes is obtained from external sources or activities such as 
Medicare and Medicaid audits or probe reviews, internal investigations, or our regular day-to-day monitoring and training activities, 
we collect and utilize such information to improve our billing and reimbursement functions and the various processes related 
thereto. While, like other operators in our industry, we experience billing and reimbursement errors, disagreements and other 
effects of the inherent subjectivities in reimbursement processes on a regular basis, we believe that we are in substantial compliance 
with applicable Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement requirements. We continually strive to improve the efficiency and accuracy 
of all of our operational and business functions, including our billing and reimbursement processes. 

The following table sets forth the payor sources of our total revenue for the periods indicated:

Revenue:

Medicaid- custodial

Medicare

Medicaid-skilled

Total

Managed care
Private and other payors(1)

Total revenue

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

$

%

$

%

$

%

(Dollars in thousands)

$ 302,046

36.6% $ 277,736  

36.6% $ 259,711

40.0%

278,578

25,418

606,042

106,268

112,409

33.8

3.1

73.5

12.9

13.6

272,283  

20,290  

570,309  

94,266  

93,702  

35.9

2.7

75.2

12.4

12.4

219,217

17,573

496,501

84,364

68,667

33.7

2.7

76.4

13.0

10.6

$ 824,719

100.0% $ 758,277  

100.0% $ 649,532

100.0%

(1)  Private and other payors includes revenue from urgent care centers and franchising businesses.

Payor Sources as a Percentage of Skilled Nursing Services.  We use both our skilled mix and quality mix as measures of 
the quality of reimbursements we receive at our skilled nursing facilities over various periods. The following table sets forth our 
percentage of skilled nursing patient days by payor source: 

Year Ended December 31,
2011

2010

2012

Percentage of Skilled Nursing Days:
Medicare
Managed care
Other skilled

Skilled mix

Private and other payors

Quality mix

Medicaid
Total skilled nursing

15.3%
9.0
1.6
25.9
13.2
39.1
60.9
100.0%

15.2%  
8.9
1.4
25.5
12.6
38.1
61.9
100.0%  

14.5%
9.2
1.3
25.0
11.7
36.7
63.3
100.0%

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reimbursement for Specific Services 

Reimbursement for Skilled Nursing Services.  Skilled nursing facility revenue is primarily derived from Medicaid, private 
pay, managed care and Medicare payors. Our skilled nursing facilities provide Medicaid-covered services to eligible individuals 
consisting of nursing care, room and board and social services. In addition, states may, at their option, cover other services such 
as physical, occupational and speech therapies. 

Reimbursement for Rehabilitation Therapy Services.  Rehabilitation therapy revenue is primarily received from private pay 
and Medicare for services provided at skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. The payments are based on negotiated 
patient per diem rates or a negotiated fee schedule based on the type of service rendered. 

Reimbursement for Assisted Living Services.  Assisted living facility revenue is primarily derived from private pay residents 
at rates we establish based upon the services we provide and market conditions in the area of operation. In addition, Medicaid or 
other state-specific programs in some states where we operate supplement payments for board and care services provided in assisted 
living facilities. 

Reimbursement  for  Hospice  Services.  Hospice  revenues  are  primarily  derived  from  Medicare. We  receive  one  of  four 
predetermined daily or hourly rates based on the level of care we furnish to the beneficiary. These rates are subject to annual 
adjustments based on inflation and geographic wage considerations. 

We are subject to two limitations on Medicare payments for hospice services. First, if inpatient days of care provided to 
patients at a hospice exceed 20% of the total days of hospice care provided for an annual period beginning on November 1st, then 
payment for days in excess of this limit are paid for at the routine home care rate. 

Second, overall payments made by Medicare to us on a per hospice program basis are also subject to a cap amount calculated 
by the Medicare fiscal intermediary at the end of the hospice cap period. The Medicare revenue paid to a hospice program from 
November 1 to October 31 may not exceed the annual aggregate cap amounts.  For cap years ending on or after October 31, 2012, 
and all subsequent cap years, the hospice aggregate cap is calculated using the proportional method.  Under the proportional 
method, the hospice shall include in its number of Medicare beneficiaries only that fraction which represents the portion of a 
patient's total days of care in all hospices and all years that were spent in that hospice in that cap year, using the best data available 
at the time of the calculation. The whole and fractional shares of Medicare beneficiaries' time in a given cap year are then summed 
to compute the total number of Medicare beneficiaries served by that hospice in that cap year.  The hospice's total Medicare 
beneficiaries in a given cap year is multiplied by the Medicare per beneficiary cap amount, resulting in that hospice's aggregate 
cap, which is the allowable amount of total Medicare payments that hospice can receive for that cap year.  If a hospice exceeds 
its aggregate cap, then the hospice must repay the excess back to Medicare.  The Medicare cap amount is reduced proportionately 
for patients who transferred in and out of our hospice services. 

Reimbursement for Home Health Services.  We derive substantially all of the revenue from our home health business from 
Medicare and Managed Care sources. Our home health care services generally consist of providing some combination of the 
services of registered nurses, speech, occupational and physical therapists, medical social workers and certified home health aides. 
Home health care is often a cost-effective solution for patients, and can also increase their quality of life and allow them to receive 
quality medical care in the comfort and convenience of a familiar setting. 

 Competition 

The skilled nursing industry is highly competitive, and we expect that the industry will become increasingly competitive in 
the future. The industry is highly fragmented and characterized by numerous local and regional providers, in addition to large 
national providers that have achieved geographic diversity and economies of scale. We also compete with inpatient rehabilitation 
facilities and long-term acute care hospitals. Competitiveness may vary significantly from location to location, depending upon 
factors such as the number of competing facilities, availability of services, expertise of staff, and the physical appearance and 
amenities of each location. We believe that the primary competitive factors in the skilled nursing industry are: 

• 

• 

• 

ability to attract and to retain qualified management and caregivers;

reputation and commitment to quality;

attractiveness and location of facilities;

12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 

• 

• 

the expertise and commitment of the facility management team and employees;

community value, including amenities and ancillary services; and

for private pay and HMO patients, price of services.

We seek to compete effectively in each market by establishing a reputation within the local community as the “facility of 
choice.” This means that the facility leaders are generally free to discern and address the unique needs and priorities of healthcare 
professionals, customers and other stakeholders in the local community or market, and then create a superior service offering and 
reputation for that particular community or market that is calculated to encourage prospective customers and referral sources to 
choose or recommend the facility. 

Increased competition could limit our ability to attract and retain patients, maintain or increase rates or to expand our business. 
Some of our competitors have greater financial and other resources than we have, may have greater brand recognition and may 
be more established in their respective communities than we are. Competing companies may also offer newer facilities or different 
programs or services than we offer, and may therefore attract individuals who are currently residents of our facilities, potential 
residents of our facilities, or who are otherwise receiving our healthcare services. Other competitors may have lower expenses or 
other competitive advantages than us and, therefore, provide services at lower prices than we offer. 

Our Competitive Strengths 

We believe that we are well positioned to benefit from the ongoing changes within our industry. We believe that our ability 

to acquire, integrate and improve our facilities is a direct result of the following key competitive strengths: 

 Experienced and Dedicated Employees.  We believe that our employees are among the best in their respective industry. We 
believe each of our operations is led by an experienced and caring leadership team, including dedicated front-line care staff, who 
participates daily in the clinical and operational improvement of their individual operations. We have been successful in attracting, 
training, incentivizing and retaining a core group of outstanding business and clinical leaders to lead our operations. These leaders 
operate as separate local businesses. With broad local control, these talented leaders and their care staffs are able to quickly meet 
the needs of their patients and residents, employees and local communities, without waiting for permission to act or being bound 
to a “one-size-fits-all” corporate strategy. 

 Unique Incentive Programs.  We believe that our employee compensation programs are unique within the industry.  Employee 
stock options and performance bonuses, based on achieving target clinical quality and financial benchmarks, represent a significant 
component of total compensation for our operational leaders. We believe that these compensation programs assist us in encouraging 
our leaders and key employees to act with a shared ownership mentality. Furthermore, our leaders are motivated to help local 
operations within a defined “cluster,” which is a group of geographically-proximate operations that share clinical best practices, 
real-time financial data and other resources and information. 

 Staff and Leadership Development.  We have a company-wide commitment to ongoing education, training and professional 
development. Accordingly, our operational leaders participate in regular training. Most participate in training sessions at Ensign 
University, our in-house educational system, generally four or five times each year. Other training opportunities are generally 
offered on a monthly basis. Training and educational topics include leadership development, our values, updates on Medicaid and 
Medicare  billing  requirements,  updates  on  new  regulations  or  legislation,  emerging  healthcare  service  alternatives  and  other 
relevant clinical, business and industry specific coursework. Additionally, we encourage and provide ongoing education classes 
for our clinical staff to maintain licensing and increase the breadth of their knowledge and expertise. We believe that our commitment 
to, and substantial investment in, ongoing education will further strengthen the quality of our operational leaders and staff, and 
the quality of the care they provide to our patients and residents.

 Innovative Service Center Approach.  We do not maintain a corporate headquarters; rather, we operate a Service Center to 
support the efforts of each operation. Our Service Center is a dedicated service organization that acts as a resource and provides 
centralized information technology, human resources, accounting, payroll, legal, risk management, educational and other key 
services,  so  that  local  leaders  can  focus  on  delivering  top-quality  care  and  efficient  business  operations.  Our  Service  Center 
approach allows individual operations to function with the strength, synergies and economies of scale found in larger organizations, 
but without what we believe are the disadvantages of a top-down management structure or corporate hierarchy. We believe our 
Service Center approach is unique within the industry, and allows us to preserve the “one-facility-at-a-time” focus and culture 
that has contributed to our success. 

13

 
 
 
 
 
Proven Track Record of Successful Acquisitions.  We have established a disciplined acquisition strategy that is focused on 
selectively acquiring operations within our target markets. Our acquisition strategy is highly operations driven. Prospective leaders 
are included in the decision making process and compensated as these acquired operations reach pre-established clinical quality 
and financial benchmarks, helping to ensure that we only undertake acquisitions that key leaders believe can become clinically 
sound and contribute to our financial performance. 

Since April 1999, we have acquired 108 facilities with 12,198 operational beds, including 1,322 assisted living beds and 
477 independent living units, through both long-term leases and purchases. We believe our experience in acquiring these facilities 
and our demonstrated success in significantly improving their operations enables us to consider a broad range of acquisition targets. 
In addition, we believe we have developed expertise in transitioning newly-acquired facilities to our unique organizational culture 
and operating systems, which enables us to acquire facilities with limited disruption to patients, residents and facility operating 
staff, while significantly improving quality of care. We also intend to consider the construction of new facilities as we determine 
that market conditions justify the cost of new construction in some of our markets. 

Reputation for Quality Care.  We believe that we have achieved a reputation for high-quality and cost-effective care and 
services to our patients and residents within the communities we serve. We believe that our reputation for quality, coupled with 
the integrated skilled nursing and rehabilitation services that we offer, allows us to attract patients that require more intensive and 
medically complex care and generally result in higher reimbursement rates than lower acuity patients. 

Community Focused Approach.  We view skilled nursing care primarily as a local, community-based business. Our local 
leadership-centered management culture enables each facility's nursing and support staff and leaders to meet the unique needs of 
their residents and local communities. We believe that our commitment to this “one-facility-at-a-time” philosophy helps to ensure 
that each facility, its residents, their family members and the community will receive the individualized attention they need. By 
serving our residents, their families, the community and our fellow healthcare professionals, we strive to make each individual 
facility the facility of choice in its local community. 

We further believe that when choosing a healthcare provider, consumers usually choose a person or people they know and 
trust, rather than a corporation or business. Therefore, rather than pursuing a traditional organization-wide branding strategy, we 
actively seek to develop the facility brand at the local level, serving and marketing one-on-one to caregivers, our residents, their 
families, the community and our fellow healthcare professionals in the local market. 

Attractive  Asset  Base.  We  believe  that  our  facilities  are  among  the  best-operated  in  their  respective  markets. As  of 
December 31, 2012, we owned 86 of the 108 facilities that we operated, and had purchase agreements or options to purchase two 
of the 22 facilities that we operated under long-term lease arrangements. We will consider exercising these purchase options as 
they become exercisable. Assuming we eventually exercise all purchase options we currently hold and we don't dispose of any of 
our current facilities, we would own approximately 81% of the facilities we currently operate. By owning our facilities, we believe 
we will have better control over our occupancy costs over time, as well as increased financial and operational flexibility. We plan 
to continue to invest in our facilities, both owned and leased, to keep them physically attractive and clinically sound. 

Investment in Information Technology.  We have acquired information technology that enables our facility leaders to access, 
and to share with their peers, both clinical and financial performance data in real time. Armed with relevant and current information, 
our facility leaders and their management teams are able to share best practices and latest information, adjust to challenges and 
opportunities on a timely basis, improve quality of care, mitigate risk and improve both clinical outcomes and financial performance. 
We have also invested in specialized healthcare technology systems to assist our nursing and support staff. We have installed 
automated software and touch-screen interface systems in each facility to enable our clinical staff to more efficiently monitor and 
deliver patient care and record patient information. We believe these systems have improved the quality of our medical and billing 
records, while improving the productivity of our staff. 

14

 
 
 
 
 
 
Our Growth Strategy 

We believe that the following strategies are primarily responsible for our growth to date, and will continue to drive the 

growth of our business: 

Grow Talent Base and Develop Future Leaders.  Our primary growth strategy is to expand our talent base and develop future 
leaders. A key component of our organizational culture is our belief that strong local leadership is a primary key to the success of 
each operation. While we believe that significant acquisition opportunities exist, we have generally followed a disciplined approach 
to growth that permits us to acquire an operation only when we believe, among other things, that we will have qualified leadership 
for that operation. To develop these leaders, we have a rigorous “CEO-in-Training Program” that attracts proven business leaders 
from various industries and backgrounds, and provides them the knowledge and hands-on training they need to successfully lead 
one of our operations. We generally have between five and fifteen prospective administrators progressing through the various 
stages of this training program, which is generally much more rigorous, hands-on and intensive than the minimum 1,000 hours 
of training mandated by the licensing requirements of most states where we do business. Once administrators are licensed and 
assigned to an operation, they continue to learn and develop in our facility Chief Executive Officer Program, which facilitates the 
continued development of these talented business leaders into outstanding facility CEOs, through regular peer review, our Ensign 
University and on-the-job training. 

In addition, our Chief Operating Officer Program recruits and trains highly-qualified Directors of Nursing to lead the clinical 
programs in our skilled nursing facilities. Working together with their facility CEO and/or administrator, other key facility leaders 
and front-line staff, these experienced nurses manage delivery of care and other clinical personnel and programs to optimize both 
clinical outcomes and employee and patient satisfaction. 

Increase Mix of High Acuity Patients.  Many skilled nursing facilities are serving an increasingly larger population of patients 
who require a high level of skilled nursing and rehabilitative care, whom we refer to as high acuity patients, as a result of government 
and other payors seeking lower-cost alternatives to traditional acute-care hospitals. We generally receive higher reimbursement 
rates for providing care for these patients. In addition, many of these patients require therapy and other rehabilitative services, 
which we are able to provide as part of our integrated service offerings. Where therapy services are prescribed by a patient's 
physician or other healthcare professional, we generally receive additional revenue in connection with the provision of those 
services. By making these integrated services available to such patients, and maintaining established clinical standards in the 
delivery of those services, we are able to increase our overall revenues. We believe that we can continue to attract high acuity 
patients  and  therapy  patients  to  our  facilities  by  maintaining  and  enhancing  our  reputation  for  quality  care,  continuing  our 
community focused approach, and strengthening our referral networks. 

Focus on Organic Growth and Internal Operating Efficiencies.  We plan to continue to grow organically by focusing on 
increasing patient occupancy within our existing facilities. Although some of the facilities we have acquired were in good physical 
and operating condition, the majority have been clinically and financially troubled, with some facilities having had occupancy 
rates as low as 30% at the time of acquisition. Additionally, we believe that incremental operating margins on the last 20% of our 
beds are significantly higher than on the first 80%, offering real opportunities to improve financial performance within our existing 
facilities.  Our overall occupancy is impacted significantly by the number of facilities acquired and the operational occupancy on 
the acquisition date.  Therefore, consolidated occupancy will vary significantly based on these factors.  Our average occupancy 
rates for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were 79.0%, 79.2% and 79.9%, respectively. 

 We also believe we can generate organic growth by improving operating efficiencies and the quality of care at the patient 
level. By focusing on staff development, clinical systems and the efficient delivery of quality patient care, we believe we are able 
to deliver higher quality care at lower costs than many of our competitors. 

 We also have achieved incremental occupancy and revenue growth by creating or expanding outpatient therapy programs 
in existing facilities. Physical, occupational and speech therapy services account for a significant portion of revenue in most of 
our skilled nursing facilities. By expanding therapy programs to provide outpatient services in many markets, we are able to 
increase revenue while spreading the fixed costs of maintaining these programs over a larger patient base. Outpatient therapy has 
also proven to be an effective marketing tool, raising the visibility of our facilities in their local communities and enhancing the 
reputation of our facilities with short-stay rehabilitation patients. 

15

 
 
 
 
 
Add New Facilities and Expand Existing Facilities.  A key element of our growth strategy includes the acquisition of new 
and existing facilities from third parties, the expansion and upgrade of current facilities, and the potential construction of new 
facilities. In the near term, we plan to take advantage of the fragmented skilled nursing industry by acquiring facilities within 
select geographic markets and may consider the construction of new facilities. In addition, historically we have targeted facilities 
that we believed were underperforming, and where we believed we could improve service delivery, occupancy rates and cash 
flow. With experienced leaders in place at the community level, and demonstrated success in significantly improving operating 
conditions  at  acquired  facilities,  we  believe  that  we  are  well  positioned  for  continued  growth.  While  the  integration  of 
underperforming facilities generally has a negative short-term effect on overall operating margins, these facilities are typically 
accretive to earnings within 12 to 18 months following their acquisition. For the 87 facilities that we acquired from 2001 through 
2011, the aggregate EBITDAR (defined below) as a percentage of revenue improved from 11.1% during the first full three months 
of operations to 14.2% during the thirteenth through fifteenth months of operations. 

Labor 

 The operation of our skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, home health and hospice operations and urgent care centers  
requires a large number of highly skilled healthcare professionals and support staff. At December 31, 2012, we had approximately 
10,371  full-time  equivalent  employees,  employed  by  our  Service  Center  and  our  operating  subsidiaries.  For  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2012, approximately 60% of our total expenses were payroll related. Periodically, market forces, which vary by 
region, require that we increase wages in excess of general inflation or in excess of increases in reimbursement rates we receive. 
We believe that we staff appropriately, focusing primarily on the acuity level and day-to-day needs of our patients and residents. 
In most of the states where we operate, our skilled nursing facilities are subject to state mandated minimum staffing ratios, so our 
ability to reduce costs by decreasing staff, notwithstanding decreases in acuity or need, is limited. We seek to manage our labor 
costs by improving staff retention, improving operating efficiencies, maintaining competitive wage rates and benefits and reducing 
reliance on overtime compensation and temporary nursing agency services. 

The healthcare industry as a whole has been experiencing shortages of qualified professional clinical staff. We believe 

that our ability to attract and retain qualified professional clinical staff stems from our ability to offer attractive wage and 
benefits packages, a high level of employee training, an empowered culture that provides incentives for individual efforts and a 
quality work environment.

Government Regulations

 The regulatory environment within the skilled nursing industry continues to intensify in the amount and type of laws and 
regulations affecting it. In addition to this changing regulatory environment, federal, state and local officials are increasingly 
focusing their efforts on the enforcement of these laws. In order to operate our businesses we must comply with federal, state and 
local laws relating to licensure, delivery and adequacy of medical care, distribution of pharmaceuticals, equipment, personnel, 
operating  policies,  fire  prevention,  rate-setting,  billing  and  reimbursement,  building  codes  and  environmental  protection. 
Additionally,  we  must  also  adhere  to  anti-kickback  laws,  physician  referral  laws,  and  safety  and  health  standards  set  by  the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Changes in the law or new interpretations of existing laws may have an 
adverse impact on our methods and costs of doing business.

Our operations are also subject to various regulations and licensing requirements promulgated by state and local health and 
social service agencies and other regulatory authorities. Requirements vary from state to state and these requirements can affect, 
among other things, personnel education and training, patient and personnel records, services, staffing levels, monitoring of patient 
wellness, patient furnishings, housekeeping services, dietary requirements, emergency plans and procedures, certification and 
licensing of staff prior to beginning employment, and patient rights. These laws and regulations could limit our ability to expand 
into new markets and to expand our services and facilities in existing markets. 

Federal Regulations — On August 2, 2011, the President signed into law the Budget Control Act of 2011 (Budget Control 
Act), which raised the debt ceiling and put into effect a series of actions for deficit reduction. The Budget Control Act creates a 
Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the Committee) that was tasked with proposing additional deficit 
reduction of at least $1.5 trillion over ten years.  As the Committee was unable to achieve its targeted savings, this regulation 
triggered automatic reductions in discretionary and mandatory spending starting in 2013, including reductions of not more than 
2% to payments to Medicare providers. The Budget Control Act also requires Congress to vote on an amendment to the Constitution 
that would require a balanced budget.

16

 
State Regulations — On March 24, 2011, the governor of California signed Assembly Bill 97 (AB 97), the budget trailer bill 
on health, into law.  AB 97 outlines significant cuts to  state  health and human services programs.  Specifically, the law reduced 
provider payments by 10% for physicians, pharmacies, clinics, medical transportation, certain hospitals, home health, and nursing 
facilities.  AB X1 19 Long Term Care  was subsequently approved by the governor on June 28, 2011.  Federal approval was 
obtained on October 27, 2011.  AB X1 19 limited  the 10% payment reduction to skilled-nursing providers to 14 months for the 
services provided on June 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012. The 10% reduction in provider payments was repaid by December 31, 
2012. 

Federal Health Care Reform — On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed PPACA into law, which contained several 
sweeping changes to America’s health insurance system. Among other reforms contained in PPACA, many Medicare providers 
received reductions in their market basket updates. Unlike for some other Medicare providers, PPACA makes no reduction to the 
market basket update for skilled nursing facilities in fiscal years 2010 or 2011. However, under PPACA, the skilled nursing facility 
market basket update will be subject to a full productivity adjustment beginning in fiscal year 2012. In addition, PPACA enacted 
several reforms with respect to skilled nursing facilities and hospice organizations, including payment measures to realize significant 
savings of federal and state funds by deterring and prosecuting fraud and abuse in both the Medicare and Medicaid programs. 
While many of the provisions of PPACA will not take effect for several years or are subject to further refinement through the 
promulgation of regulations, some key provisions of PPACA are:

•  Enhanced  CMPs  and  Escrow  Provisions  —  PPACA  included  expanded  civil  monetary  penalty  (CMP) provisions 
applicable to all Medicare and Medicaid providers. PPACA provided for the imposition of CMPs of up to $50,000 and, 
in some cases, treble damages, for actions relating to alleged false statements to the federal government.

•  Nursing Home Transparency Requirements — In addition to expanded CMP provisions, PPACA imposed substantial new 
transparency requirements for Medicare-participating nursing facilities. Existing law required Medicare providers to 
disclose to CMS: (1) any person or entity that owns directly or indirectly an ownership interest of five percent or more 
in a provider; (2) officers and directors (if a corporation) and partners (if a partnership); and (3) holders of a mortgage, 
deed of trust, note or other obligation secured by the entity or the property of the entity. PPACA expanded the information 
required  to  be  disclosed  to  include:  (4) the  facility’s  organizational  structure;  (5) additional  information  on  officers, 
directors, trustees, and “managing employees” of the facility (including their names, titles, and start dates of services); 
and (6) information on any “additional disclosable party” of the facility.  CMS has not yet promulgated regulations to 
implement these provisions. 

•  Face-to-Face Encounter Requirements — PPACA imposed new patient face-to-face encounter requirements on home 
health agencies and hospices to establish a patient's ongoing eligibility for Medicare home health services or hospice 
services, as applicable. Effective for patients with home health starts of care on or after January 1, 2011 and for hospice 
patients with a third or later benefit period on or after January 1, 2011, a certifying physician or other designated health 
care professional must conduct and properly document the face-to-face encounters with the Medicare beneficiary within 
a specified timeframe, and failure of the face-to-face encounter to occur and be properly documented during the applicable 
timeframe could render the patient's care ineligible for reimbursement under Medicare.

• 

Suspension of Payments During Pending Fraud Investigations — PPACA also provided the federal government with 
expanded authority to suspend payment if a provider is investigated for allegations or issues of fraud. Section 6402 of 
the PPACA provides that Medicare and Medicaid payments may be suspended pending a “credible investigation of fraud,” 
unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services determined that good cause exists not to suspend payments. “Credible 
investigation of fraud” is undefined, although the Secretary must consult with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in 
determining whether a credible investigation of fraud exists. This suspension authority created a new mechanism for the 
federal government to suspend both Medicare and Medicaid payments for allegations of fraud, independent of whether 
a state exercised its authority to suspend Medicaid payments pending a fraud investigation. To the extent the Secretary 
applied this suspension of payments provision to one or more of our facilities for allegations of fraud, such a suspension 
could adversely affect our revenue, cash flow, financial condition and results of operations.  OIG promulgated regulations 
making these provisions effective as of March 25, 2011.

•  Overpayment Reporting and Repayment; Expanded False Claims Act Liability — PPACA also enacted several important 
changes that expand potential liability under the federal False Claims Act. PPACA provided that overpayments related 
to services provided to both Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries must be reported and returned to the applicable payor 
within the later of sixty days of identification of the overpayment, or the date the corresponding cost report (if applicable) 
is due. Any overpayment retained after the deadline is considered an “obligation” for purposes of the federal False Claims 
Act.

17

• 

Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Program — PPACA required the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS) to develop a plan to implement a value-based purchasing program for Medicare payments to skilled 
nursing facilities.  HHS delivered a report to Congress outlining its plans for implementing this value-based purchasing 
program.  The value-based purchasing program would provide payment incentives for Medicare-participating skilled 
nursing facilities to improve the quality of care provided to Medicare beneficiaries.  Among the most relevant factors in 
HHS' plans to implement value-based purchasing for skilled nursing facilities is the current Nursing Home Value-Based 
Purchasing Demonstration Project, which concluded in December 2012.  HHS indicates it will complete an evaluation 
of the demonstration program in the autumn of 2013, and any permanent value-based purchasing program for skilled 
nursing facilities will be implemented after that evaluation.

•  Voluntary Pilot Program — Bundled Payments — To support the policies of making all providers responsible during an 
episode of care and rewarding value over volume, HHS will establish, test and evaluate alternative payment methodologies 
for Medicare services through a five-year, national, voluntary pilot program starting in 2013. This program will provide 
incentives for providers to coordinate patient care across the continuum and to be jointly accountable for an entire episode 
of care centered around a hospitalization. HHS will develop qualifying provider payment methods that may include 
bundled payments and bids from entities for episodes of care that begins three days prior to hospitalization and spans 
30 days  following  discharge. The  bundled  payment  will  cover  the  costs  of  acute  care  inpatient  services;  physicians’ 
services delivered in and outside of an acute care hospital; outpatient hospital services including emergency department 
services;  post-acute  care  services,  including  home  health  services,  skilled  nursing  services,  inpatient  rehabilitation 
services;  and  inpatient  hospital  services. The  payment  methodology  will  include  payment  for  services,  such  as  care 
coordination, medication reconciliation, discharge planning and transitional care services, and other patient-centered 
activities. Payments for items and services cannot result in spending more than would otherwise be expended for such 
entities if the pilot program were not implemented. As with Medicare’s shared savings program discussed above, payment 
arrangements among providers on the backside of the bundled payment must take into account significant hurdles under 
the Anti-kickback Law, the Stark Law and the Civil Monetary Penalties Law. This pilot program may expand in 2016 if 
expansion would reduce Medicare spending without also reducing quality of care.

•  Accountable Care Organizations — PPACA authorized CMS to enter into contracts with Accountable Care Organizations 
(ACOs).  ACOs are entities of providers and suppliers organized to deliver services to Medicare beneficiaries and eligible 
to receive a share of any cost savings the entity can achieve by delivering services to those beneficiaries at a cost below 
a set baseline and with sufficient quality of care.  CMS recently finalized regulations to implement the ACO initiative.  
The widespread adoption of ACO payment methodologies in the Medicare program, and in other programs and payors, 
could impact our operations and reimbursement for our services.

On June 28, 2012 the United States Supreme Court ruled that the enactment of PPACA did not violate the Constitution of 
the United States.  This ruling permits the implementation of most of the provisions of PPACA to proceed.  The provisions of 
PPACA discussed above are only examples of federal health reform provisions that we believe may have a material impact on the 
long-term care industry and on our business. However, the foregoing discussion is not intended to constitute, nor does it constitute, 
an exhaustive review and discussion of PPACA. It is possible that these and other provisions of PPACA may be interpreted, 
clarified, or applied to our facilities or operations in a way that could have a material adverse impact on the results of operations.

Regulations Regarding Our Facilities.  Governmental and other authorities periodically inspect our facilities to assess our 
compliance  with  various  standards.  The  intensified  regulatory  and  enforcement  environment  continues  to  impact  healthcare 
providers,  as  these  providers  respond  to  periodic  surveys  and  other  inspections  by  governmental  authorities  and  act  on  any 
noncompliance identified in the inspection process. Unannounced surveys or inspections generally occur at least annually, and 
also following a government agency's receipt of a complaint about a facility. We must pass these inspections to maintain our 
licensure under state law, to obtain or maintain certification under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, to continue participation 
in the Veterans Administration (VA) program at some facilities, and to comply with our provider contracts with managed care 
clients at many facilities. From time to time, we, like others in the healthcare industry, may receive notices from federal and state 
regulatory agencies alleging that we failed to comply with applicable standards. These notices may require us to take corrective 
action, may impose civil monetary penalties for noncompliance, and may threaten or impose other operating restrictions on skilled 
nursing facilities such as admission holds, provisional skilled nursing license or increased staffing requirements. If our facilities 
fail  to  comply  with  these  directives  or  otherwise  fail  to  comply  substantially  with  licensure  and  certification  laws,  rules  and 
regulations, we could lose our certification as a Medicare or Medicaid provider, or lose our state licenses to operate the facilities. 

18

 
Regulations Protecting Against Fraud.  Various complex federal and state laws exist which govern a wide array of referrals, 
relationships  and  arrangements,  and  prohibit  fraud  by  healthcare  providers.  Governmental  agencies  are  devoting  increasing 
attention and resources to such anti-fraud efforts. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and 
the  Balanced  Budget Act  of  1997  (BBA)  expanded  the  penalties  for  healthcare  fraud. Additionally,  in  connection  with  our 
involvement with federal healthcare reimbursement programs, the government or those acting on its behalf may bring an action 
under the False Claims Act, alleging that a healthcare provider has defrauded the government. These claimants may seek treble 
damages for false claims and payment of additional civil monetary penalties. The False Claims Act allows a private individual 
with knowledge of fraud to bring a claim on behalf of the federal government and earn a percentage of the federal government's 
recovery. Due to these “whistleblower” incentives, suits have become more frequent. 

In May 2009, Congress passed the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act (FERA) of 2009 which made significant changes 
to the federal False Claims Act (FCA), expanding the types of activities subject to prosecution and whistleblower liability. Following 
changes by FERA, health care providers face significant penalties for the knowing retention of government overpayments, even 
if no false claim was involved. Health care providers can now be liable for knowingly and improperly avoiding or decreasing an 
obligation  to  pay  money  or  property  to  the  government.  This  includes  the  retention  of  any  government  overpayment.  The 
government can argue, therefore, that a FCA violation can occur without any affirmative fraudulent action or statement, as long 
as it is knowingly improper. In addition, FERA extended protections against retaliation for whistleblowers, including protections 
not only for employees, but also contractors and agents. Thus, there is no need for an employment relationship in order to qualify 
for protection against retaliation for whistleblowing. 

In July 2010, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). The 
Dodd-Frank Act establishes rigorous standards and supervision to protect the economy and American consumers, investors and 
businesses. Included under Section 922 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will be required 
to pay a reward to individuals who provide original information to the SEC resulting in monetary sanctions exceeding $1.0 million 
in civil or criminal proceedings. The award will range from 10 to 30 percent of the amount recouped and the amount of the award 
shall be at the discretion of the SEC. The purpose of this reward program is to “motivate those with inside knowledge to come 
forward and assist the Government to identify and prosecute persons who have violated securities laws and recover money for 
victims of financial fraud.”

On January 2, 2013 the President signed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 into law.   This statute lengthened the 
retrospective time period for which CMS can recover overpayments from health care providers, from three years following the 
year in which payment was made, to five years following the year in which payment was made.  

Regulations  Regarding  Financial  Arrangements.  We  are  also  subject  to  federal  and  state  laws  that  regulate  financial 
arrangement by healthcare providers, such as the federal and state anti-kickback laws, the Stark laws, and various state referral 
laws.  The federal anti-kickback laws and similar state laws make it unlawful for any person to pay, receive, offer, or solicit any 
benefit, directly or indirectly, for the referral or recommendation for products or services which are eligible for payment under 
federal healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. For the purposes of the anti-kickback law, a “federal healthcare 
program” includes Medicare and Medicaid programs and any other plan or program that provides health benefits which are funded 
directly, in whole or in part, by the United States Government. 

The arrangements prohibited under these anti-kickback laws can involve nursing homes, hospitals, physicians and other 
healthcare providers, plans and suppliers. These laws have been interpreted very broadly to include a number of practices and 
relationships between healthcare providers and sources of patient referral. The scope of prohibited payments is very broad, including 
anything of value, whether offered directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind. Federal “safe harbor” regulations describe certain 
arrangements that will not be deemed to constitute violations of the anti-kickback law. Arrangements that do not comply with all 
of the strict requirements of a safe harbor are not necessarily illegal, but, due to the broad language of the statute, failure to comply 
with a safe harbor may increase the potential that a government agency or whistleblower will seek to investigate or challenge the 
arrangement. The safe harbors are narrow and do not cover a wide range of economic relationships. 

Violations of the federal anti-kickback laws can result in criminal penalties of up to $25,000 and five years imprisonment. 
Violations of the anti-kickback laws can also result in civil monetary penalties of up to $50,000 and an assessment of up to three 
times the total amount of remuneration offered, paid, solicited, or received. Violation of the anti-kickback laws may also result in 
an individual's or organization's exclusion from future participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other state and federal healthcare 
programs. Exclusion of us or any of our key employees from the Medicare or Medicaid program could have a material adverse 
impact on our operations and financial condition. 

19

 
 
 
 
In addition to these regulations, we may face adverse consequences if we violate the federal Stark laws related to certain 
Medicare physician referrals. The Stark laws prohibit a physician from referring Medicare patients for certain designated health 
services where the physician has an ownership interest in or compensation arrangement with the provider of the services, with 
limited exceptions. Also, any services furnished pursuant to a prohibited referral are not eligible for payment by the Medicare 
programs, and the provider is prohibited from billing any third party for such services. The Stark laws provide for the imposition 
of a civil monetary penalty of $15,000 per prohibited claim, and up to $100,000 for knowingly entering into certain prohibited 
cross-referral schemes, and potential exclusion from Medicare for any person who presents or causes to be presented a bill or 
claim the person knows or should know is submitted in violation of the Stark laws. Such designated health services include physical 
therapy services; occupational therapy services; radiology services, including CT, MRI and ultrasound; durable medical equipment 
and services; radiation therapy services and supplies; parenteral and enteral nutrients, equipment and supplies; prosthetics, orthotics 
and prosthetic devices and supplies; home health services; outpatient prescription drugs; inpatient and outpatient hospital services; 
clinical laboratory services; and diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medical services. 

 Regulations Regarding Patient Record Confidentiality.  We are also subject to laws and regulations enacted to protect the 
confidentiality of patient health information. For example, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued rules 
pursuant to HIPAA, which relate to the privacy of certain patient information. These rules govern our use and disclosure of protected 
health information. We have established policies and procedures to comply with HIPAA privacy requirements at these facilities. 
We believe that we are in compliance with all current HIPAA laws and regulations. 

 Antitrust Laws.  We are also subject to federal and state antitrust laws. Enforcement of the antitrust laws against healthcare 
providers is common, and antitrust liability may arise in a wide variety of circumstances, including third party contracting, physician 
relations, joint venture, merger, affiliation and acquisition activities. In some respects, the application of federal and state antitrust 
laws to healthcare is still evolving, and enforcement activity by federal and state agencies appears to be increasing. At various 
times, healthcare providers and insurance and managed care organizations may be subject to an investigation by a governmental 
agency charged with the enforcement of antitrust laws, or may be subject to administrative or judicial action by a federal or state 
agency or a private party. Violators of the antitrust laws could be subject to criminal and civil enforcement by federal and state 
agencies, as well as by private litigants.

Environmental Matters 

 Our business is subject to a variety of federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. As a healthcare provider, 
we face regulatory requirements in areas of air and water quality control, medical and low-level radioactive waste management 
and disposal, asbestos management, response to mold and lead-based paint in our facilities and employee safety. 

 As an owner or operator of our facilities, we also may be required to investigate and remediate hazardous substances that 
are located on and/or under the property, including any such substances that may have migrated off, or may have been discharged 
or transported from the property. Part of our operations involves the handling, use, storage, transportation, disposal and discharge 
of medical, biological, infectious, toxic, flammable and other hazardous materials, wastes, pollutants or contaminants. In addition, 
we are sometimes unable to determine with certainty whether prior uses of our facilities and properties or surrounding properties 
may have produced continuing environmental contamination or noncompliance, particularly where the timing or cost of making 
such determinations is not deemed cost-effective. These activities, as well as the possible presence of such materials in, on and 
under our properties, may result in damage to individuals, property or the environment; may interrupt operations or increase costs; 
may result in legal liability, damages, injunctions or fines; may result in investigations, administrative proceedings, penalties or 
other governmental agency actions; and may not be covered by insurance. 

We believe that we are in material compliance with applicable environmental and occupational health and safety requirements. 
However, we cannot assure you that we will not encounter environmental liabilities in the future, and such liabilities may result 
in material adverse consequences to our operations or financial condition. 

Available Information

We are subject to the reporting requirements under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). 
Consequently, we are required to file reports and information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including 
reports on the following forms: annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and 
amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These 
reports and other information concerning the Company may be accessed through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. 

20

 
 
  
 
You may also find on our website at http://www.ensigngroup.net, electronic copies of our annual report on Form 10-K, 
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to 
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Such filings are placed on our website as soon as reasonably possible after they are 
filed with the SEC. All such filings are available free of charge. Information contained in our website is not deemed to be a part 
of this Annual Report. 

Item 1A. 

Risk Factors

Set forth below are certain risk factors that could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. You 
should carefully read the following risk factors, together with the financial statements, related notes and other information contained 
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that contain risks 
and uncertainties. Please refer to the section entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page 1 of 
this Annual Report on Form 10-K in connection with your consideration of the risk factors and other important factors that may 
affect future results described below. 

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Our revenue could be impacted by federal and state changes to reimbursement and other aspects of Medicaid and Medicare.

We derived 39.7% and 39.3% of our revenue from the Medicaid program for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, 
respectively. We derived 33.8% and 35.9% of our revenue from the Medicare program for the years ended December 31, 2012 
and 2011, respectively. If reimbursement rates under these programs are reduced or fail to increase as quickly as our costs, or if 
there are changes in the way these programs pay for services, our business and results of operations would be adversely affected. 
The services for which we are currently reimbursed by Medicaid and Medicare may not continue to be reimbursed at adequate 
levels or at all. Further limits on the scope of services being reimbursed, delays or reductions in reimbursement or changes in 
other aspects of reimbursement could impact our revenue. For example, in the past, the enactment of the Deficit Reduction Act 
of 2005 (DRA), the Medicaid Voluntary Contribution and Provider-Specific Tax Amendments of 1991 and the Balanced Budget 
Act of 1997 (BBA) caused changes in government reimbursement systems, which, in some cases, made obtaining reimbursements 
more difficult and costly and lowered or restricted reimbursement rates for some of our residents. 

The Medicaid and Medicare programs are subject to statutory and regulatory changes affecting base rates or basis of payment, 
retroactive rate adjustments, annual caps that limit the amount that can be paid (including deductible and coinsurance amounts) 
for rehabilitation therapy services rendered to Medicare beneficiaries, administrative or executive orders and government funding 
restrictions, all of which may materially adversely affect the rates and frequency at which these programs reimburse us for our 
services. For example, the Medicaid Integrity Contractor (MIC) program is increasing the scrutiny placed on Medicaid payments, 
and could result in recoupments of alleged overpayments in an effort to rein in Medicaid spending.  In April 2012 President Obama 
released a budget proposal that would cut $302.8 billion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs over the next decade.  Included 
within this budget are proposals that would impact long-term care facilities.  The President's budget proposal would reduce skilled 
nursing facility payments by up to 3% beginning in 2016 for facilities with high rates of preventable hospital readmissions.  The 
budget proposal would also adjust payment rate updates for post-acute care providers.  In addition, the budget proposal would 
create a home health care co-payment of $100 for each 60-day episode of care.  Implementation of these and other measures to 
reduce or delay reimbursement could result in substantial reductions in our revenue and profitability. Payors may disallow our 
requests for reimbursement based on determinations that certain costs are not reimbursable or reasonable because either adequate 
or additional documentation was not provided or because certain services were not covered or considered reasonably necessary. 
Additionally, revenue from these payors can be retroactively adjusted after a new examination during the claims settlement process 
or as a result of post-payment audits. New legislation and regulatory proposals could impose further limitations on government 
payments to healthcare providers. 

In  addition,  on  October  1,  2010,  the  next  generation  of  the  Minimum  Data  Set  (MDS)  3.0  was  implemented,  creating 
significant changes in the methodology for calculating the RUGS category under Medicare Part A, most notably eliminating 
Section T. Because therapy does not necessarily begin upon admission, MDS 2.0 and the RUGS-III system included a provision 
to capture therapy services that are scheduled to occur but have not yet been provided in order to calculate a RUG level that better 
reflects the level of care the recipient would actually receive. This is eliminated with MDS 3.0, which creates a new category of 
assessment called the Medicare Short Stay Assessment. This assessment provides for calculation of a rehabilitation RUG for 
residents discharged on or before day eight who received less than five days of therapy.

21

On July 27, 2012, the CMS announced a final rule updating Medicare skilled nursing facility PPS payments in fiscal year 
2013.  The update, a 1.8% or $670 million increase, reflects a 2.5% market basket increase, reduced by a 0.7% multi-factor 
productivity (MFP) adjustment mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).  This increase will be offset 
by the 2% sequestration reduction, discussed below, which is expected to become effective April 1, 2013.

In November 2012, CMS issued final regulations regarding Medicare payment rates for home health agencies effective 
January 1, 2013. These final regulations implement a net market basket increase of 1.3% consisting of a 2.3% market basket 
inflation increase, less a 1.0% adjustment mandated by the PPACA. In addition, CMS implemented a 1.3% reduction in case mix. 
CMS has projected the impact of these changes will result in a less than 0.1% decrease in payments to home health agencies.

Additionally, there is further uncertainty on how Medicare will reimburse for home health services when rebasing of rates 
becomes effective in 2014; when Medicare will reset the rates and change how CMS reimburses for home health services. The 
methodology for rebasing has yet to be determined, but we expect it will result in further reimbursement reductions.

In July 2012, CMS issued its final rule for hospice services for its 2013 fiscal year.  These final regulations implement a net 
market basket increase of 1.6% consisting of a 2.6% market basket inflation increase, less offsets to the standard payment conversion 
factor mandated by the PPACA of 0.7% to account for the effect of a productivity adjustment, and 0.3% as required by statute. 
CMS has projected the impact of these changes will result in a 0.9% increase in payments to hospice providers.

On February 22, 2012, the President signed into law H.R. 3630, which among other things, delayed a cut in physician and 
Part B services.  In establishing the funding for the law, payments to nursing facilities for residents' unpaid Medicare A co-insurance 
was  reduced.    The  Deficit  Reduction Act  of  2005  had  previously  limited  reimbursement  of  bad  debt  to  70%  on  privately 
responsibility co-insurance. However, under H.R. 3630, this reimbursement will be reduced to 65%. 

Further, prior to the introduction of H.R. 3630, we were reimbursed for 100% of bad debt related to dual-eligible Medicare 
residents' co-insurance.  H.R. 3630 will phase down the dual-eligible reimbursement over three years.  Effective October 1, 2012, 
Medicare dual-eligible co-insurance reimbursement decreased from 100% to 88%, with further reductions to 77% and 65% as of 
October 1, 2013 and 2014, respectively.  Any reductions in Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement could materially adversely affect 
our profitability.

On August 2, 2011, the President signed into law the Budget Control Act of 2011 (Budget Control Act), which raised the 
debt ceiling and put into effect a series of actions for deficit reduction. The Budget Control Act creates a Congressional Joint 
Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the Committee) that was tasked with proposing additional deficit reduction of at least 
$1.5 trillion over ten years.  As the Committee was unable to achieve its targeted savings, this regulation triggered automatic 
reductions in discretionary and mandatory spending starting in 2013, including reductions of not more than 2% to payments to 
Medicare providers. The Budget Control Act also requires Congress to vote on an amendment to the Constitution that would 
require a balanced budget.   

On January 2, 2013 the President signed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 into law.  This statute delays significant 
cuts in Medicare rates for physician services until December 31, 2013.  The statute also creates a Commission on Long Term Care, 
the goal of which is to develop a plan for the establishment, implementation, and financing of a comprehensive, coordinated, and 
high-quality system that ensures the availability of long-term care services and supports for individuals in need of such services 
and supports.   Any implementation of recommendations from this commission may have an impact on coverage and payment for 
our services.

 Should future changes in PPS, similar to those described above, include further reduced rates or increased standards for 
reaching certain reimbursement levels, our Medicare revenues derived from our skilled nursing facilities (including rehabilitation 
therapy services provided at our skilled nursing facilities) could be reduced, with a corresponding adverse impact on our financial 
condition or results of operations. 

22

Our future revenue, financial condition and results of operations could be impacted by continued cost containment pressures 
on Medicaid spending. 

Medicaid, which is largely administered by the states, is a significant payor for our skilled nursing services. Rapidly increasing 
Medicaid spending, combined with slow state revenue growth, has led many states to institute measures aimed at controlling 
spending growth. For example, in February 2009, the California legislature approved a new budget to help relieve a $42 billion 
budget deficit. The budget package was signed after months of negotiation, during which time California's governor declared a 
fiscal state of emergency in California. The new budget implemented spending cuts in several areas, including Medi-Cal spending. 
Some of the spending cuts were triggered only if an inadequate amount of federal funding is received from the American Recovery 
and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Further, California initially had extended its cost-based Medi-Cal long-term care reimbursement 
system enacted through Assembly Bill 1629 (A.B.1629) through the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 rate years with a growth rate of 
up to five percent for both years. However, due to California's severe budget crisis, in July 2009, the State passed a budget-
balancing proposal that eliminated this five percent growth cap by amending the current statute to provide that, for the 2009-2010 
and 2010-2011 rate years, the weighted average Medi-Cal reimbursement rate paid to long-term care facilities shall not exceed 
the weighted average Medi-Cal reimbursement rate for the 2008-2009 rate year. In addition, the budget proposal increased the 
amounts that California nursing facilities will pay to Medi-Cal in quality assurance fees for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 rate 
years by including Medicare revenue in the calculation of the quality assurance fee that nursing facilities pay under A.B. 1629. 
Although overall reimbursement from Medi-Cal remained stable, individual facility rates varied.

California's  Governor  signed  the  budget  trailer  into  law  in  October  2010.  Despite  its  enactment,  these  changes  in 
reimbursement to long-term care facilities were to be implemented retroactively to the beginning of the calendar quarter in which 
California submitted its request for federal approval of CMS.  On January 10, 2011, the California Governor proposed a budget 
for 2011-2012 which proposes to reduce Medi-Cal provider payments by 10%, including payments to long-term care facilities. 

Because state legislatures control the amount of state funding for Medicaid programs, cuts or delays in approval of such 
funding by legislatures could reduce the amount of, or cause a delay in, payment from Medicaid to skilled nursing facilities. Since 
a significant portion of our revenue is generated from our skilled nursing operations in California, these budget reductions, if 
approved, could adversely affect our net patient service revenue and profitability. We expect continuing cost containment pressures 
on Medicaid outlays for skilled nursing facilities, and any such decline could adversely affect our financial condition and results 
of operations. 

On March 24, 2011, the governor of California signed Assembly Bill 97 (AB 97), the budget trailer bill on health, into 
law.  AB 97 outlines significant cuts to  state  health and human services programs.  Specifically, the law reduced provider payments 
by 10% for physicians, pharmacies, clinics, medical transportation, certain hospitals, home health, and nursing facilities.  AB X1 
19 Long Term Care  was subsequently approved by the governor on June 28, 2011.  Federal approval was obtained on October 
27, 2011.  AB X1 19 limited  the 10% payment reduction to skilled-nursing providers to 14 months for the services provided on 
June 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012. The 10% reduction in provider payments was repaid by December 31, 2012.

To generate funds to pay for the increasing costs of the Medicaid program, many states utilize financial arrangements such 
as provider taxes. Under provider tax arrangements, states collect taxes or fees from healthcare providers and then return the 
revenue to these providers as Medicaid expenditures. Congress, however, has placed restrictions on states' use of provider tax and 
donation programs as a source of state matching funds. Under the Medicaid Voluntary Contribution and Provider-Specific Tax 
Amendments of 1991, the federal medical assistance percentage available to a state was reduced by the total amount of healthcare 
related taxes that the state imposed, unless certain requirements are met. The federal medical assistance percentage is not reduced 
if the state taxes are broad-based and not applied specifically to Medicaid reimbursed services. In addition, the healthcare providers 
receiving  Medicaid  reimbursement  must  be  at  risk  for  the  amount  of  tax  assessed  and  must  not  be  guaranteed  to  receive 
reimbursement through the applicable state Medicaid program for the tax assessed. Lower Medicaid reimbursement rates would 
adversely affect our revenue, financial condition and results of operations. 

23

We may not be fully reimbursed for all services for which each facility bills through consolidated billing, which could adversely 
affect our revenue, financial condition and results of operations. 

Skilled nursing facilities are required to perform consolidated billing for certain items and services furnished to patients and 
residents.  The  consolidated  billing  requirement  essentially  confers  on  the  skilled  nursing  facility  itself  the  Medicare  billing 
responsibility for the entire package of care that its residents receive in these situations. The BBA also affected skilled nursing 
facility payments by requiring that post-hospitalization skilled nursing services be “bundled” into the hospital's Diagnostic Related 
Group (DRG) payment in certain circumstances. Where this rule applies, the hospital and the skilled nursing facility must, in 
effect, divide the payment which otherwise would have been paid to the hospital alone for the patient's treatment, and no additional 
funds are paid by Medicare for skilled nursing care of the patient. At present, this provision applies to a limited number of DRGs, 
but already is apparently having a negative effect on skilled nursing facility utilization and payments, either because hospitals are 
finding it difficult to place patients in skilled nursing facilities which will not be paid as before or because hospitals are reluctant 
to discharge the patients to skilled nursing facilities and lose part of their payment. This bundling requirement could be extended 
to more DRGs in the future, which would accentuate the negative impact on skilled nursing facility utilization and payments. We 
may not be fully reimbursed for all services for which each facility bills through consolidated billing, which could adversely affect 
our revenue, financial condition and results of operations. 

Reforms to the U.S. healthcare system will impose new requirements upon us and may lower our reimbursements. 

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 
(the Reconciliation Act) were enacted as law. These laws include sweeping changes to how health care is paid for and furnished 
in the United States. 

PPACA, as modified by the Reconciliation Act, is projected to expand access to Medicaid for approximately 16 million 
additional people. It also reduces the projected growth of Medicare by $500 billion over ten years by tying payments to providers 
more closely to quality outcomes. It also imposes new obligations on skilled nursing facilities, requiring them to disclose information 
regarding ownership, expenditures and certain other information. This information will be disclosed on a website for comparison 
by members of the public. 

To address potential fraud and abuse in federal health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, PPACA includes 
provider screening and enhanced oversight periods for new providers and suppliers, as well as enhanced penalties for submitting 
false claims. It also provides funding for enhanced anti-fraud activities. The new law imposes enrollment moratoria in elevated 
risk areas by requiring providers and suppliers to establish compliance programs. PPACA also provides the federal government 
with expanded authority to suspend payment if a provider is investigated for allegations or issues of fraud. Section 6402 of the 
PPACA provides that Medicare and Medicaid payments may be suspended pending a “credible investigation of fraud,” unless the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that good cause exists not to suspend payments.  To the extent the Secretary 
applies this suspension of payments provision to one of our facilities for allegations of fraud, such a suspension could adversely 
affect our results of operations. 

Under  PPACA,  the  U.S.  Department  of  Health  and  Human  Services  (HHS)  will  establish,  test  and  evaluate  alternative 
payment methodologies for Medicare services through a five-year, national, voluntary pilot program starting in 2013. This program 
will provide incentives for providers to coordinate patient care across the continuum and to be jointly accountable for an entire 
episode  of  care  centered  around  a  hospitalization.  HHS  will  develop  qualifying  provider  payment  methods  that  may  include 
bundled payments and bids from entities for episodes of care that begins three days prior to hospitalization and spans 30 days 
following discharge. The bundled payment will cover the costs of acute care inpatient services; physicians’ services delivered in 
and  outside  of  an  acute  care  hospital;  outpatient  hospital  services  including  emergency  department  services;  post-acute  care 
services, including home health services, skilled nursing services; inpatient rehabilitation services; and inpatient hospital services. 
The payment methodology will include payment for services, such as care coordination, medication reconciliation, discharge 
planning and transitional care services, and other patient-centered activities. Payments for items and services cannot result in 
spending more than would otherwise be expended for such entities if the pilot program were not implemented. As with Medicare’s 
shared savings program discussed above, payment arrangements among providers on the backside of the bundled payment must 
take into account significant hurdles under the Anti-kickback Law, the Stark Law and the Civil Monetary Penalties Law. This pilot 
program may expand in 2016 if expansion would reduce Medicare spending without also reducing quality of care. 

24

PPACA attempts to improve the health care delivery system through incentives to enhance quality, improve beneficiary 
outcomes  and  increase  value  of  care.  One  of  these  key  delivery  system  reforms  is  the  encouragement  of Accountable  Care 
Organizations (ACOs). ACOs will facilitate coordination and cooperation among providers to improve the quality of care for 
Medicare beneficiaries and reduce unnecessary costs. Participating ACOs that meet specified quality performance standards will 
be eligible to receive a share of any savings if the actual per capita expenditures of their assigned Medicare beneficiaries are a 
sufficient percentage below their specified benchmark amount. Quality performance standards will include measures in such 
categories as clinical processes and outcomes of care, patient experience and utilization of services. 

In addition, PPACA required HHS to develop a plan to implement a value-based purchasing program for Medicare payments 
to skilled nursing facilities.  HHS delivered a report to Congress outlining its plans for implementing this value-based purchasing 
program.  The value-based purchasing program would provide payment incentives for Medicare-participating skilled nursing 
facilities to improve the quality of care provided to Medicare beneficiaries.   Among the most relevant factors in HHS' plans to 
implement  value-based  purchasing  for  skilled  nursing  facilities  is  the  current  Nursing  Home  Value-Based  Purchasing 
Demonstration Project, which will conclude in December 2012.  HHS indicates it will complete an evaluation of the demonstration 
program  in  the  autumn  of  2013,  and  any  permanent  value-based  purchasing  program  for  skilled  nursing  facilities  will  be 
implemented after that evaluation.

We cannot predict what effect these changes will have on our business, including the demand for our services or the amount 
of reimbursement available for those services. However, it is possible these new laws may lower reimbursement and adversely 
affect our business. 

On June 28, 2012 the United States Supreme Court ruled that the enactment of PPACA did not violate the Constitution of 
the United States.  This ruling permits the implementation of most of the provisions of PPACA to proceed.  The provisions of 
PPACA discussed above are only examples of federal health reform provisions that we believe may have a material impact on the 
long-term care industry and on our business. However, the foregoing discussion is not intended to constitute, nor does it constitute, 
an exhaustive review and discussion of PPACA. It is possible that these and other provisions of PPACA may be interpreted, 
clarified, or applied to our facilities or operations in a way that could have a material adverse impact on the results of operations.

Increased competition for, or a shortage of, nurses and other skilled personnel could increase our staffing and labor costs 
and subject us to monetary fines. 

Our success depends upon our ability to retain and attract nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) and therapists. Our 
success also depends upon our ability to retain and attract skilled management personnel who are responsible for the day-to-day 
operations of each of our facilities. Each facility has a facility leader responsible for the overall day-to-day operations of the 
facility, including quality of care, social services and financial performance. Depending upon the size of the facility, each facility 
leader is supported by facility staff that is directly responsible for day-to-day care of the patients and marketing and community 
outreach programs. Other key positions supporting each facility may include individuals responsible for physical, occupational 
and speech therapy, food service and maintenance. We compete with various healthcare service providers, including other skilled 
nursing providers, in retaining and attracting qualified and skilled personnel. 

We operate one or more skilled nursing facilities in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, 
Nevada, Texas, Utah and Washington. With the exception of Utah, which follows federal regulations, each of these states has 
established minimum staffing requirements for facilities operating in that state. Failure to comply with these requirements can, 
among other things, jeopardize a facility's compliance with the conditions of participation under relevant state and federal healthcare 
programs. In addition, if a facility is determined to be out of compliance with these requirements, it may be subject to a notice of 
deficiency, a citation, or a significant fine or litigation risk. For example, we are aware of one company in our industry that is 
subject to a substantial judgment as a result of not complying with minimum staffing laws. Deficiencies may also result in the 
suspension of patient admissions and/or the termination of Medicaid participation, or the suspension, revocation or nonrenewal 
of the skilled nursing facility's license. If the federal or state governments were to issue regulations which materially change the 
way compliance with the minimum staffing standard is calculated or enforced, our labor costs could increase and the current 
shortage of healthcare workers could impact us more significantly. 

Increased competition for or a shortage of nurses or other trained personnel, or general inflationary pressures may require 
that we enhance our pay and benefits packages to compete effectively for such personnel. We may not be able to offset such added 
costs by increasing the rates we charge to our patients. Turnover rates and the magnitude of the shortage of nurses or other trained 
personnel vary substantially from facility to facility. An increase in costs associated with, or a shortage of, skilled nurses, could 
negatively impact our business. In addition, if we fail to attract and retain qualified and skilled personnel, our ability to conduct 
our business operations effectively would be harmed. 

25

 
We are subject to various government reviews, audits and investigations that could adversely affect our business, including 
an obligation to refund amounts previously paid to us, potential criminal charges, the imposition of fines, and/or the loss of 
our right to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs. 

As a result of our participation in the Medicaid and Medicare programs, we are subject to various governmental reviews, 
audits and investigations to verify our compliance with these programs and applicable laws and regulations.  We are also subject 
to audits under various government programs, including Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC), Zone Program Integrity Contractors 
(ZPIC), Program Safeguard Contractors (PSC) and Medicaid Integrity Contributors (MIC) programs, in which third party firms 
engaged by CMS conduct extensive reviews of claims data and medical and other records to identify potential improper payments 
under the Medicare programs. Private pay sources also reserve the right to conduct audits. We believe that billing and reimbursement 
errors and disagreements are common in our industry. We are regularly engaged in reviews, audits and appeals of our claims for 
reimbursement  due  to  the  subjectivities  inherent  in  the  process  related  to  patient  diagnosis  and  care,  record  keeping,  claims 
processing  and  other  aspects  of  the  patient  service  and  reimbursement  processes,  and  the  errors  and  disagreements  those 
subjectivities can produce. An adverse review, audit or investigation could result in: 

•  an obligation to refund amounts previously paid to us pursuant to the Medicare or Medicaid programs or from private 

payors, in amounts that could be material to our business;

•  state or federal agencies imposing fines, penalties and other sanctions on us;

• 

loss of our right to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs or one or more private payor networks;

•  an increase in private litigation against us; and

•  damage to our reputation in various markets.

In 2004, one of our Medicare fiscal intermediaries began to conduct selected reviews of claims previously submitted by and 
paid to some of our facilities. While we have always been subject to post-payment audits and reviews, more intensive “probe 
reviews” appear to be a permanent procedure with our fiscal intermediary. Although some of these probe reviews identified patient 
miscoding, documentation deficiencies and other errors in our recordkeeping and Medicare billing, these errors resulted in no 
Medicare  revenue  recoupment,  net  of  appeal  recoveries,  to  the  federal  government  and  related  resident  copayments. As  of 
December 31, 2012, we had one facility under probe review. 

If the government or court were to conclude that such errors and deficiencies constituted criminal violations, or were to 
conclude that such errors and deficiencies resulted in the submission of false claims to federal healthcare programs, or if it were 
to discover other problems in addition to the ones identified by the probe reviews that rose to actionable levels, we and certain of 
our officers might face potential criminal charges and/or civil claims, administrative sanctions and penalties for amounts that could 
be material to our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, we and/or some of our key personnel could 
be temporarily or permanently excluded from future participation in state and federal healthcare reimbursement programs such 
as Medicaid and Medicare. In any event, it is likely that a governmental investigation alone, regardless of its outcome, would 
divert material time, resources and attention from our management team and our staff, and could have a materially detrimental 
impact on our results of operations during and after any such investigation or proceedings. 

In some cases, probe reviews can also result in a facility being temporarily placed on prepayment review of reimbursement 
claims, requiring additional documentation and adding steps and time to the reimbursement process for the affected facility. Failure 
to meet claim filing and documentation requirements during the prepayment review could subject a facility to an even more 
intensive “targeted review,” where a corrective action plan addressing perceived deficiencies must be prepared by the facility and 
approved by the fiscal intermediary. During a targeted review, additional claims are reviewed pre-payment to ensure that the 
prescribed corrective actions are being followed. Failure to make corrections or to otherwise meet the claim documentation and 
submission requirements could eventually result in Medicare decertification. None of our operations are currently on prepayment 
review, although some may be placed on prepayment review in the future. We have no operations that are currently undergoing 
targeted review. 

26

Public and government calls for increased survey and enforcement efforts toward long-term care facilities could result in 
increased scrutiny by state and federal survey agencies.  In addition, potential sanctions and remedies based upon alleged 
regulatory deficiencies could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.

CMS has undertaken several initiatives to increase or intensify Medicaid and Medicare survey and enforcement activities, 
including federal oversight of state actions. CMS is taking steps to focus more survey and enforcement efforts on facilities with 
findings of substandard care or repeat violations of Medicaid and Medicare standards, and to identify multi-facility providers with 
patterns of noncompliance. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services has adopted a rule that requires CMS to 
charge user fees to healthcare facilities cited during regular certification, recertification or substantiated complaint surveys for 
deficiencies, which require a revisit to assure that corrections have been made. CMS is also increasing its oversight of state survey 
agencies and requiring state agencies to use enforcement sanctions and remedies more promptly when substandard care or repeat 
violations are identified, to investigate complaints more promptly, and to survey facilities more consistently. 

The intensified and evolving enforcement environment impacts providers like us because of the increase in the scope or 
number of inspections or surveys by governmental authorities and the severity of consequent citations for alleged failure to comply 
with  regulatory  requirements.  We  also  divert  personnel  resources  to  respond  to  federal  and  state  investigations  and  other 
enforcement actions. The diversion of these resources, including our management team, clinical and compliance staff, and others 
take away from the time and energy that these individuals could otherwise spend on routine operations. As noted, from time to 
time in the ordinary course of business, we receive deficiency reports from state and federal regulatory bodies resulting from such 
inspections or surveys. The focus of these deficiency reports tends to vary from year to year. Although most inspection deficiencies 
are resolved through an agreed-upon plan of corrective action, the reviewing agency typically has the authority to take further 
action against a licensed or certified facility, which could result in the imposition of fines, imposition of a provisional or conditional 
license, suspension or revocation of a license, suspension or denial of payment for new admissions, loss of certification as a 
provider under state or federal healthcare programs, or imposition of other sanctions, including criminal penalties. In the past, we 
have experienced inspection deficiencies that have resulted in the imposition of a provisional license and could experience these 
results in the future. We currently have no facilities operating under provisional licenses which were the result of inspection 
deficiencies. 

Furthermore, in some states, citations in one facility impact other facilities in the state. Revocation of a license at a given 
facility could therefore impair our ability to obtain new licenses or to renew existing licenses at other facilities, which may also 
trigger defaults or cross-defaults under our leases and our credit arrangements, or adversely affect our ability to operate or obtain 
financing in the future. If state or federal regulators were to determine, formally or otherwise, that one facility's regulatory history 
ought to impact another of our existing or prospective facilities, this could also increase costs, result in increased scrutiny by state 
and federal survey agencies, and even impact our expansion plans. Therefore, our failure to comply with applicable legal and 
regulatory requirements in any single facility could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations as a whole. 

When  a  facility  is  found  to  be  deficient  under  state  licensing  and  Medicaid  and  Medicare  standards,  sanctions  may  be 
threatened or imposed such as denial of payment for new Medicaid and Medicare admissions, civil monetary penalties, focused 
state and federal oversight and even loss of eligibility for Medicaid and Medicare participation or state licensure. Sanctions such 
as denial of payment for new admissions often are scheduled to go into effect before surveyors return to verify compliance. 
Generally, if the surveyors confirm that the facility is in compliance upon their return, the sanctions never take effect. However, 
if they determine that the facility is not in compliance, the denial of payment goes into effect retroactive to the date given in the 
original notice. This possibility sometimes leaves affected operators, including us, with the difficult task of deciding whether to 
continue accepting patients after the potential denial of payment date, thus risking the retroactive denial of revenue associated 
with those patients' care if the operators are later found to be out of compliance, or simply refusing admissions from the potential 
denial of payment date until the facility is actually found to be in compliance.  In the past, some of our facilities have been in 
denial of payment status due to findings of continued regulatory deficiencies, resulting in an actual loss of the revenue associated 
with the Medicare and Medicaid patients admitted after the denial of payment date. Additional sanctions could ensue and, if 
imposed,  these  sanctions,  entailing  various  remedies  up  to  and  including  decertification,  would  further  negatively  affect  our 
financial condition and results of operations.  From time to time, we have opted to voluntarily stop accepting new patients pending 
completion of a new state survey, in order to avoid possible denial of payment for new admissions during the deficiency cure 
period, or simply to avoid straining staff and other resources while retraining staff, upgrading operating systems or making other 
operational improvements.

27

 
Facilities  with  otherwise  acceptable  regulatory  histories  generally  are  given  an  opportunity  to  correct  deficiencies  and 
continue their participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs by a certain date, usually within nine months, although where 
denial  of  payment  remedies  are  asserted,  such  interim  remedies  go  into  effect  much  sooner.  Facilities  with  deficiencies  that 
immediately jeopardize patient health and safety and those that are classified as poor performing facilities, however, are not 
generally given an opportunity to correct their deficiencies prior to the imposition of remedies and other enforcement actions. 
Moreover, facilities with poor regulatory histories continue to be classified by CMS as poor performing facilities notwithstanding 
any intervening change in ownership, unless the new owner obtains a new Medicare provider agreement instead of assuming the 
facility's existing agreement. However, new owners (including us, historically) nearly always assume the existing Medicare provider 
agreement due to the difficulty and time delays generally associated with obtaining new Medicare certifications, especially in 
previously-certified locations with sub-par operating histories. Accordingly, facilities that have poor regulatory histories before 
we acquire them and that develop new deficiencies after we acquire them are more likely to have sanctions imposed upon them 
by CMS or state regulators. In addition, CMS has increased its focus on facilities with a history of serious quality of care problems 
through the special focus facility initiative. A facility's administrators and owners are notified when it is identified as a special 
focus facility. This information is also provided to the general public. The special focus facility designation is based in part on the 
facility's compliance history typically dating before our acquisition of the facility. Local state survey agencies recommend to CMS 
that facilities be placed on special focus status. A special focus facility receives heightened scrutiny and more frequent regulatory 
surveys. Failure to improve the quality of care can result in fines and termination from participation in Medicare and Medicaid.  
A facility “graduates” from the program once it demonstrates significant improvements in quality of care that are continued over 
time. 

We have received notices of potential sanctions and remedies based upon alleged regulatory deficiencies from time to time, 
and such sanctions have been imposed on some of our facilities.  We have had several facilities placed on special focus facility 
status, due largely or entirely to their respective regulatory histories prior to our acquisition of the operations, and have successfully 
graduated four facilities from the program to date.  CMS currently has not included any of our facilities on its special focus facilities 
listing, however, facilities may be identified for such status in the future.  

Annual caps that limit the amounts that can be paid for outpatient therapy services rendered to any Medicare beneficiary 
may reduce our future revenue and profitability or cause us to incur losses. 

Some of our rehabilitation therapy revenue is paid by the Medicare Part B program under a fee schedule. Congress has 
established annual caps that limit the amounts that can be paid (including deductible and coinsurance amounts) for rehabilitation 
therapy services rendered to any Medicare beneficiary under Medicare Part B. The BBA requires a combined cap for physical 
therapy and speech-language pathology and a separate cap for occupational therapy. 

The DRA directs CMS to create a process to allow exceptions to therapy caps for certain medically necessary services 
provided on or after January 1, 2006 for patients with certain conditions or multiple complexities whose therapy services are 
reimbursed under Medicare Part B. A significant portion of the residents in our skilled nursing facilities and patients served by 
our rehabilitation therapy programs whose therapy is reimbursed under Medicare Part B have qualified for the exceptions to these 
reimbursement caps. DRA added Sec. 1833(g)(5) of the Social Security Act and directed them to develop a process that allows 
exceptions for Medicare beneficiaries to therapy caps when continued therapy is deemed medically necessary. 

The therapy cap exception was reauthorized in a number of subsequent laws, most recently in the American Taxpayer Relief  
Act of 2012 which extends the exceptions process through December 31, 2013.  The statutory Medicare Part B outpatient therapy 
cap for occupational therapy and the combined cap for physical therapy and speech-language pathology services are $1,880, 
respectively, for 2012. These amounts represent annual per beneficiary therapy caps determined for each calendar year.  These 
cap amounts will increase to $1,900 in 2013.  Similar to the therapy cap, Congress established a threshold of $3,700 for physical 
therapy and speech-language pathology services combined and a separate threshold of $3,700 for occupational therapy services.  
All therapy services rendered above this limit are subject to medical review and beginning October 1, 2012, CMS rolled out a 
pilot program requiring some therapy providers to submit pre-approval requests for exceptions.  Prior to October 1, 2012 there 
was no requirement for an exception request to be pre-approved when the threshold was exceeded.  The pilot program was rolled 
out to our facilities in groups beginning in October 2012.

In addition, the Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction (MPPR) will be increased to 50% and applied to therapy by reducing 
payments for practice expense of the second and subsequent therapies when therapies are provided on the same day, instead of 
the existing 25% discount.  The change from 25% of the practice expense to a 50% reduction is expected to take effect on April 
1, 2013.  

28

The application of annual caps, or the discontinuation of exceptions to the annual caps, could have an adverse effect on our 
rehabilitation therapy revenue. Additionally, the exceptions to these caps may not be extended beyond December 31, 2013, which 
could also have an adverse effect on our revenue after that date. 

Our hospice operations are subject to annual Medicare caps calculated by Medicare. If such caps were to be exceeded by 
any of our hospice providers, our business and consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could 
be materially adversely affected. 

With respect to our hospice operations, overall payments made by Medicare to each provider number are subject to an 
inpatient cap amount and an overall payment cap, which are calculated and published by the Medicare fiscal intermediary on an 
annual basis covering the period from November 1 through October 31. If payments received by any one of our hospice provider 
numbers exceeds either of these caps, we may be required to reimburse Medicare for payments received in excess of the caps, 
which could have a material adverse effect on our business and consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash 
flows. 

We are subject to extensive and complex federal and state government laws and regulations which could change at any time 
and increase our cost of doing business and subject us to enforcement actions. 

We, along with other companies in the healthcare industry, are required to comply with extensive and complex laws and 

regulations at the federal, state and local government levels relating to, among other things:

• 

facility and professional licensure, certificates of need, permits and other government approvals;

•  adequacy and quality of healthcare services;

•  qualifications of healthcare and support personnel;

•  quality of medical equipment;

•  confidentiality, maintenance and security issues associated with medical records and claims processing;

• 

relationships with physicians and other referral sources and recipients;

•  constraints on protective contractual provisions with patients and third-party payors;

•  operating policies and procedures;

•  certification of additional facilities by the Medicare program; and

•  payment for services.

The laws and regulations governing our operations, along with the terms of participation in various government programs, 
regulate how we do business, the services we offer, and our interactions with patients and other healthcare providers. These laws 
and regulations are subject to frequent change. We believe that such regulations may increase in the future and we cannot predict 
the ultimate content, timing or impact on us of any healthcare reform legislation. Changes in existing laws or regulations, or the 
enactment of new laws or regulations, could negatively impact our business. If we fail to comply with these applicable laws and 
regulations, we could suffer civil or criminal penalties and other detrimental consequences, including denial of reimbursement, 
imposition of fines, temporary suspension of admission of new patients, suspension or decertification from the Medicaid and 
Medicare programs, restrictions on our ability to acquire new facilities or expand or operate existing facilities, the loss of our 
licenses to operate and the loss of our ability to participate in federal and state reimbursement programs. 

We are subject to federal and state laws, such as the Federal False Claims Act, state false claims acts, the illegal remuneration 
provisions of the Social Security Act, the federal anti-kickback laws, state anti-kickback laws, and the federal “Stark” laws, that 
govern financial and other arrangements among healthcare providers, their owners, vendors and referral sources, and that are 
intended to prevent healthcare fraud and abuse. Among other things, these laws prohibit kickbacks, bribes and rebates, as well as 
other direct and indirect payments or fee-splitting arrangements that are designed to induce the referral of patients to a particular 
provider for medical products or services payable by any federal healthcare program, and prohibit presenting a false or misleading 
claim for payment under a federal or state program. They also prohibit some physician self-referrals. Possible sanctions for violation 
of any of these restrictions or prohibitions include loss of eligibility to participate in federal and state reimbursement programs 
and civil and criminal penalties. Changes in these laws could increase our cost of doing business. If we fail to comply, even 
inadvertently, with any of these requirements, we could be required to alter our operations, refund payments to the government, 
enter into corporate integrity, deferred prosecution or similar agreements with state or federal government agencies, and become 
subject to significant civil and criminal penalties. 

29

In May 2009, Congress passed the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act (FERA) of 2009 which made significant changes 
to the federal False Claims Act (FCA), expanding the types of activities subject to prosecution and whistleblower liability. Following 
changes by FERA, health care providers face significant penalties for known retention of government overpayments, even if no 
false  claim  was  involved.  Health  care  providers  can  now  be  liable  for  knowingly  and  improperly  avoiding  or  decreasing  an 
obligation  to  pay  money  or  property  to  the  government.  This  includes  the  retention  of  any  government  overpayment.  The 
government can argue, therefore, that a FCA violation can occur without any affirmative fraudulent action or statement, as long 
as it is knowingly improper. In addition, FERA extended protections against retaliation for whistleblowers, including protections 
not only for employees, but also contractors and agents. Thus, there is no need for an employment relationship in order to qualify 
for protection against retaliation for whistleblowing. 

We  are  also  required  to  comply  with  state  and  federal  laws  governing  the  transmission,  privacy  and  security  of  health 
information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires us to comply with certain standards 
for the use of individually identifiable health information within our company, and the disclosure and electronic transmission of 
such information to third parties, such as payors, business associates and patients. These include standards for common electronic 
healthcare transactions and information, such as claim submission, plan eligibility determination, payment information submission 
and the use of electronic signatures; unique identifiers for providers, employers and health plans; and the security and privacy of 
individually identifiable health information. In addition, some states have enacted comparable or, in some cases, more stringent 
privacy and security laws. If we fail to comply with these state and federal laws, we could be subject to criminal penalties and 
civil sanctions and be forced to modify our policies and procedures. 

On  January  25,  2013  the  Department  of  Health  and  Human  Services  promulgated  new  HIPAA  privacy,  security,  and 
enforcement regulations, which increase significantly the penalties and enforcement practices of the Department regarding HIPAA 
violations.  In addition, any breach of individually identifiable health information can result in obligations under HIPAA and state 
laws to notify patients, federal and state agencies, and in some cases media outlets, regarding the breach incident.  Breach incidents 
and violations of HIPAA or state privacy and security laws could subject us to significant penalties, and could have a significant 
impact on our business.

Our failure to obtain or renew required regulatory approvals or licenses or to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, 
the suspension or revocation of our licenses or our disqualification from participation in federal and state reimbursement programs, 
or  the  imposition  of  other  harsh  enforcement  sanctions  could  increase  our  cost  of  doing  business  and  expose  us  to  potential 
sanctions. Furthermore, if we were to lose licenses or certifications for any of our facilities as a result of regulatory action or 
otherwise, we could be deemed to be in default under some of our agreements, including agreements governing outstanding 
indebtedness and lease obligations.

Increased civil and criminal enforcement efforts of government agencies against skilled nursing facilities could harm our 
business, and could preclude us from participating in federal healthcare programs. 

Both federal and state government agencies have heightened and coordinated civil and criminal enforcement efforts as part 
of  numerous  ongoing  investigations  of  healthcare  companies  and,  in  particular,  skilled  nursing  facilities. The  focus  of  these 
investigations includes, among other things:

•  cost reporting and billing practices;

•  quality of care;

• 

financial relationships with referral sources; and

•  medical necessity of services provided.

If any of our facilities is decertified or loses its licenses, our revenue, financial condition or results of operations would be 
adversely affected. In addition, the report of such issues at any of our facilities could harm our reputation for quality care and lead 
to a reduction in our patient referrals and ultimately a reduction in occupancy at these facilities. Also, responding to enforcement 
efforts would divert material time, resources and attention from our management team and our staff, and could have a materially 
detrimental impact on our results of operations during and after any such investigation or proceedings, regardless of whether we 
prevail on the underlying claim. 

30

Federal law provides that practitioners, providers and related persons may not participate in most federal healthcare programs, 
including the Medicaid and Medicare programs, if the individual or entity has been convicted of a criminal offense related to the 
delivery of a product or service under these programs or if the individual or entity has been convicted under state or federal law 
of a criminal offense relating to neglect or abuse of patients in connection with the delivery of a healthcare product or service. 
Other individuals or entities may be, but are not required to be, excluded from such programs under certain circumstances, including, 
but not limited to, the following: 

•  medical necessity of services provided;

•  conviction related to fraud;

•  conviction relating to obstruction of an investigation;

•  conviction relating to a controlled substance;

• 

licensure revocation or suspension;

•  exclusion or suspension from state or other federal healthcare programs;

• 

filing claims for excessive charges or unnecessary services or failure to furnish medically necessary services;

•  ownership or control of an entity by an individual who has been excluded from the Medicaid or Medicare programs, 
against whom a civil monetary penalty related to the Medicaid or Medicare programs has been assessed or who has been 
convicted of a criminal offense under federal healthcare programs; and

• 

the transfer of ownership or control interest in an entity to an immediate family or household member in anticipation of, 
or following, a conviction, assessment or exclusion from the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

The OIG, among other priorities, is responsible for identifying and eliminating fraud, abuse and waste in certain federal 
healthcare programs. The OIG has implemented a nationwide program of audits, inspections and investigations and from time to 
time issues “fraud alerts” to segments of the healthcare industry on particular practices that are vulnerable to abuse. The fraud 
alerts inform healthcare providers of potentially abusive practices or transactions that are subject to criminal activity and reportable 
to the OIG. An increasing level of resources has been devoted to the investigation of allegations of fraud and abuse in the Medicaid 
and Medicare programs, and federal and state regulatory authorities are taking an increasingly strict view of the requirements 
imposed on healthcare providers by the Social Security Act and Medicaid and Medicare programs. Although we have created a 
corporate compliance program that we believe is consistent with the OIG guidelines, the OIG may modify its guidelines or interpret 
its guidelines in a manner inconsistent with our interpretation or the OIG may ultimately determine that our corporate compliance 
program is insufficient. 

In some circumstances, if one facility is convicted of abusive or fraudulent behavior, then other facilities under common 
control or ownership may be decertified from participating in Medicaid or Medicare programs. Federal regulations prohibit any 
corporation or facility from participating in federal contracts if it or its principals have been barred, suspended or declared ineligible 
from participating in federal contracts. In addition, some state regulations provide that all facilities under common control or 
ownership licensed within a state may be de-licensed if one or more of the facilities are de-licensed. If any of our facilities were 
decertified or excluded from participating in Medicaid or Medicare programs, our revenue would be adversely affected. 

The Office of the Inspector General or other organizations may choose to more closely scrutinize the billing practices of for-
profit  skilled  nursing  facilities,  which  could  result  in  an  increase  in  regulatory  monitoring  and  oversight,  decreased 
reimbursement rates, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In  December  2010,  the  OIG  released  a  report  entitled  “Questionable  Billing  by  Skilled  Nursing  Facilities.” The  report 
examined the billing practices of skilled nursing facilities based on Medicare Part A claims from 2006 to 2008 and found, among 
other things, that for-profit skilled nursing facilities were more likely to bill for higher paying therapy RUGs, particularly in the 
ultra high therapy categories, than government and not-for-profit operators. It also found that for-profit skilled nursing facilities 
showed a higher incidence of patients using RUGs with higher activities of daily living (ADL) scores, and had a “long” average 
length of stay among Part A beneficiaries, compared to their government and not-for-profit counterparts. The OIG recommended 
that CMS vigilantly monitor overall payments to skilled nursing facilities, adjust RUG rates annually, change the method for 
determining how much therapy is needed to ensure appropriate payments and conduct additional reviews for skilled nursing 
operators that exceed certain thresholds for higher paying therapy RUGs. CMS concurred with and agreed to take action on three 
31

of the four recommendations, declining only to change the methodology for assessing a patient's therapy needs.  The OIG issued 
a separate memorandum to CMS listing 384 specific facilities that the OIG had identified as being in the top one percent for use 
of ultra high therapy, RUGs with high ADL scores, or “long” average lengths of stay, and CMS agreed to forward the list to the 
appropriate  fiscal  intermediaries  or  other  contractors  for  follow  up. Although  we  believe  our  therapy  assessment  and  billing 
practices  are  consistent  with  applicable  law  and  CMS  requirements,  we  cannot  predict  the  extent  to  which  the  OIG's 
recommendations to CMS will be implemented and, what effect, if any, such proposals would have on us.  Two of our facilities 
have been listed on the report. Our business model, like those of some other for-profit operators, is based in part on seeking out 
higher-acuity patients whom we believe are generally more profitable, and over time our overall patient mix has consistently 
shifted to higher-acuity and higher-RUGs patients in most facilities we operate. We also use specialized care-delivery software 
that assists our caregivers in more accurately capturing and recording ADL services in order to, among other things, increase 
reimbursement to levels appropriate for the care actually delivered. These efforts may place us under greater scrutiny with the 
OIG, CMS, our fiscal intermediaries, recovery audit contractors and others, as well as other government agencies, unions, advocacy 
groups and others who seek to pursue their own mandates and agendas. Efforts by officials and others to make or advocate for 
any increase in regulatory monitoring and oversight, adversely change RUG rates, revise methodologies for assessing and treating 
patients, or conduct more frequent or intense reviews of our treatment and billing practices, could reduce our reimbursement, 
increase our costs of doing business and otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

State efforts to regulate or deregulate the healthcare services industry or the construction or expansion of healthcare facilities 
could impair our ability to expand our operations, or could result in increased competition. 

Some states require healthcare providers, including skilled nursing facilities, to obtain prior approval, known as a certificate 

of need, for: 

• 

the purchase, construction or expansion of healthcare facilities;

•  capital expenditures exceeding a prescribed amount; or

•  changes in services or bed capacity.

In addition, other states that do not require certificates of need have effectively barred the expansion of existing facilities 
and the development of new ones by placing partial or complete moratoria on the number of new Medicaid beds they will certify 
in certain areas or in the entire state. Other states have established such stringent development standards and approval procedures 
for constructing new healthcare facilities that the construction of new facilities, or the expansion or renovation of existing facilities, 
may become cost-prohibitive or extremely time-consuming. Our ability to acquire or construct new facilities or expand or provide 
new services at existing facilities would be adversely affected if we are unable to obtain the necessary approvals, if there are 
changes in the standards applicable to those approvals, or if we experience delays and increased expenses associated with obtaining 
those approvals. We may not be able to obtain licensure, certificate of need approval, Medicaid certification, or other necessary 
approvals for future expansion projects. Conversely, the elimination or reduction of state regulations that limit the construction, 
expansion or renovation of new or existing facilities could result in increased competition to us or result in overbuilding of facilities 
in some of our markets. If overbuilding in the skilled nursing industry in the markets in which we operate were to occur, it could 
reduce the occupancy rates of existing facilities and, in some cases, might reduce the private rates that we charge for our services. 

Changes in federal and state employment-related laws and regulations could increase our cost of doing business. 

Our operations are subject to a variety of federal and state employment-related laws and regulations, including, but not 
limited  to,  the  U.S.  Fair  Labor  Standards Act  which  governs  such  matters  as  minimum  wages,  overtime  and  other  working 
conditions, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar state laws that provide civil rights protections to individuals 
with  disabilities  in  the  context  of  employment,  public  accommodations  and  other  areas,  the  National  Labor  Relations Act, 
regulations of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), regulations of the Office of Civil Rights, regulations of 
state Attorneys General, family leave mandates and a variety of similar laws enacted by the federal and state governments that 
govern these and other employment law matters. Because labor represents such a large portion of our operating costs, changes in 
federal and state employment-related laws and regulations could increase our cost of doing business. 

32

The compliance costs associated with these laws and evolving regulations could be substantial. For example, all of our 
facilities are required to comply with the ADA. The ADA has separate compliance requirements for “public accommodations” 
and “commercial properties,” but generally requires that buildings be made accessible to people with disabilities. Compliance 
with ADA requirements could require removal of access barriers and non-compliance could result in imposition of government 
fines or an award of damages to private litigants. Further legislation may impose additional burdens or restrictions with respect 
to access by disabled persons. In addition, federal proposals to introduce a system of mandated health insurance and flexible work 
time and other similar initiatives could, if implemented, adversely affect our operations. We also may be subject to employee-
related claims such as wrongful discharge, discrimination or violation of equal employment law. While we are insured for these 
types of claims, we could experience damages that are not covered by our insurance policies or that exceed our insurance limits, 
and we may be required to pay such damages directly, which would negatively impact our cash flow from operations. 

Compliance with federal and state fair housing, fire, safety and other regulations may require us to make unanticipated 
expenditures, which could be costly to us. 

We must comply with the federal Fair Housing Act and similar state laws, which prohibit us from discriminating against 
individuals if it would cause such individuals to face barriers in gaining residency in any of our facilities. Additionally, the Fair 
Housing Act and other similar state laws require that we advertise our services in such a way that we promote diversity and not 
limit it. We may be required, among other things, to change our marketing techniques to comply with these requirements. 

In addition, we are required to operate our facilities in compliance with applicable fire and safety regulations, building codes 
and other land use regulations and food licensing or certification requirements as they may be adopted by governmental agencies 
and bodies from time to time. Like other healthcare facilities, our skilled nursing facilities are subject to periodic surveys or 
inspections by governmental authorities to assess and assure compliance with regulatory requirements. Surveys occur on a regular 
(often annual or biannual) schedule, and special surveys may result from a specific complaint filed by a patient, a family member 
or one of our competitors. We may be required to make substantial capital expenditures to comply with these requirements. 

We  depend  largely  upon  reimbursement  from  third-party  payors,  and  our  revenue,  financial  condition  and  results  of 
operations could be negatively impacted by any changes in the acuity mix of patients in our facilities as well as payor mix 
and payment methodologies. 

Our revenue is affected by the percentage of our patients who require a high level of skilled nursing and rehabilitative care, 
whom we refer to as high acuity patients, and by our mix of payment sources. Changes in the acuity level of patients we attract, 
as  well  as  our  payor  mix  among  Medicaid,  Medicare,  private  payors  and  managed  care  companies,  significantly  affect  our 
profitability because we generally receive higher reimbursement rates for high acuity patients and because the payors reimburse 
us at different rates. For the year ended December 31, 2012, 73.5% of our revenue was provided by government payors that 
reimburse us at predetermined rates. If our labor or other operating costs increase, we will be unable to recover such increased 
costs from government payors. Accordingly, if we fail to maintain our proportion of high acuity patients or if there is any significant 
increase in the percentage of our patients for whom we receive Medicaid reimbursement, our results of operations may be adversely 
affected. 

Initiatives undertaken by major insurers and managed care companies to contain healthcare costs may adversely affect our 
business. Among other initiatives, these payors attempt to control healthcare costs by contracting with healthcare providers to 
obtain services on a discounted basis. We believe that this trend will continue and may limit reimbursements for healthcare services. 
If insurers or managed care companies from whom we receive substantial payments were to reduce the amounts they pay for 
services, we may lose patients if we choose not to renew our contracts with these insurers at lower rates. 

Compliance with state and federal employment, immigration, licensing and other laws could increase our cost of doing 
business. 

We have hired personnel, including skilled nurses and therapists, from outside the United States. If immigration laws are 
changed, or if new and more restrictive government regulations proposed by the Department of Homeland Security are enacted, 
our access to qualified and skilled personnel may be limited. 

33

We operate in at least one state that requires us to verify employment eligibility using procedures and standards that exceed 
those required under federal Form I-9 and the statutes and regulations related thereto. Proposed federal regulations would extend 
similar requirements to all of the states in which our facilities operate. To the extent that such proposed regulations or similar 
measures become effective, and we are required by state or federal authorities to verify work authorization or legal residence for 
current and prospective employees beyond existing Form I-9 requirements and other statutes and regulations currently in effect, 
it may make it more difficult for us to recruit, hire and/or retain qualified employees, may increase our risk of non-compliance 
with state and federal employment, immigration, licensing and other laws and regulations and could increase our cost of doing 
business. 

We are subject to litigation that could result in significant legal costs and large settlement amounts or damage awards. 

The skilled nursing business involves a significant risk of liability given the age and health of our patients and residents and 
the services we provide. We and others in our industry are subject to a large and increasing number of claims and lawsuits, including 
professional liability claims, alleging that our services have resulted in personal injury, elder abuse, wrongful death or other related 
claims. The defense of these lawsuits has in the past, and may in the future, result in significant legal costs, regardless of the 
outcome, and can result in large settlement amounts or damage awards. Plaintiffs tend to sue every healthcare provider who may 
have been involved in the patient's care and, accordingly, we respond to multiple lawsuits and claims every year. 

In addition, plaintiffs' attorneys have become increasingly more aggressive in their pursuit of claims against healthcare 
providers, including skilled nursing providers and other long-term care companies, and have employed a wide variety of advertising 
and publicity strategies. Among other things, these strategies include establishing their own Internet websites, paying for premium 
advertising space on other websites, paying Internet search engines to optimize their plaintiff solicitation advertising so that it 
appears in advantageous positions on Internet search results, including results from searches for our company and facilities, using 
newspaper, magazine and television ads targeted at customers of the healthcare industry generally, as well as at customers of 
specific providers, including us. From time to time, law firms claiming to specialize in long-term care litigation have named us, 
our facilities and other specific healthcare providers and facilities in their advertising and solicitation materials. These advertising 
and solicitation activities could result in more claims and litigation, which could increase our liability exposure and legal expenses, 
divert the time and attention of our personnel from day-to-day business operations, and materially and adversely affect our financial 
condition and results of operations. Furthermore, to the extent the frequency and/or severity of losses from such claims and suits 
increases, our liability insurance premiums could increase and/or available insurance coverage levels could decline, which could 
materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. 

Other companies in our industry have been the subject of lawsuits alleging negligence, abuses and other causes of action 
which have, in some cases, resulted in large damage awards and settlements.  In addition, there has been an increase in the number 
of class-action suits filed against us and other companies in our industry, which also have the potential to result in large damage 
awards and settlements.  A class action suit was previously filed against us in the State of California alleging, among other things, 
violations of certain Health and Safety Code provisions and a violation of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act at certain of our 
California facilities. In 2007, we settled this class action suit, and the settlement was approved by both the class and the Court. 

Healthcare litigation is common and is filed based upon a wide variety of claims and theories, and we are routinely subjected 
to  varying  types  of  claims.    One  particular  type  of  suit  arises  from  alleged  violations  of  state-established  minimum  staffing 
requirements for skilled nursing facilities.  Failure to meet these requirements can, among other things, jeopardize a facility's 
compliance with conditions of participation under certain state and federal healthcare programs; it may also subject the facility 
to a notice of deficiency, a citation, civil money penalties, or litigation.  These "staffing" suits have become more prevalent in the 
wake of a previous substantial jury award against one of our competitors, and we expect the plaintiff's bar to become increasingly 
aggressive in their pursuit of these staffing and similar claims.  We are currently defending one such staffing class-action claim 
filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, and have reached a tentative settlement with class counsel that is awaiting court approval.  
The total costs associated with the settlement, including attorney's fees, estimated class payout, and related costs and expense, are 
projected to be $5.0 million, of which $2.6 million of this amount was recorded in the quarter ended June 30, 2012, with the 
balance having been expensed in prior periods.  Assuming that the settlement is approved by the court, the settlement will not 
have a material ongoing adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. 

34

Other claims and suits, including class actions, continue to be filed against us and other companies in our industry.  For 
example, there has been an increase in the number of wage and hour class action claims filed in several of the jurisdictions where 
we are present. Allegations typically include claimed failures to permit or properly compensate for meal and rest periods, or failure 
to pay for time worked.  If there were a significant increase in the number of these claims or an increase in amounts owing should 
plaintiffs be successful in their prosecution of these claims, this could have a material adverse effect to our business, financial 
condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, we contract with a variety of landlords, lenders, vendors, suppliers, 
consultants and other individuals and businesses. These contracts typically contain covenants and default provisions. If the other 
party to one or more of our contracts were to allege that we have violated the contract terms, we could be subject to civil liabilities 
which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  

Were litigation to be instituted against one or more of our subsidiaries, a successful plaintiff might attempt to hold us or 
another subsidiary liable for the alleged wrongdoing of the subsidiary principally targeted by the litigation. If a court in such 
litigation decided to disregard the corporate form, the resulting judgment could increase our liability and adversely affect our 
financial condition and results of operations. 

On February 26, 2009, Congress reintroduced the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2009. After failing to be 
enacted into law in the 110th Congress in 2008, the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2009 was introduced in the 111th 
Congress and referred to the House and Senate judiciary committees in March 2009. The 111th Congress did not pass the bill and 
therefore has been cleared from the present agenda. This bill may be reintroduced in the 112th Congress. If enacted, this bill would 
require, among other things, that agreements to arbitrate nursing home disputes be made after the dispute has arisen rather than 
before prospective residents move in, to prevent nursing home operators and prospective residents from mutually entering into a 
pre-admission pre-dispute arbitration agreement. We use arbitration agreements, which have generally been favored by the courts, 
to streamline the dispute resolution process and reduce our exposure to legal fees and excessive jury awards. If we are not able 
to  secure  pre-admission  arbitration  agreements,  our  litigation  exposure  and  costs  of  defense  in  patient  liability  actions  could 
increase, our liability insurance premiums could increase, and our business may be adversely affected. 

The U.S. Department of Justice is conducting an investigation into the billing and reimbursement processes of some of our 
operating subsidiaries, which could adversely affect our operations and financial condition. 

In late 2006, we learned that we might be the subject of an on-going criminal and civil investigation by the U.S. Department 
of Justice (DOJ) and this was confirmed in March 2007. The investigation relates to claims submitted to the Medicare program 
for  rehabilitation  services  provided  at  skilled  nursing  facilities  in  Southern  California,  that  we  believe  is  tied  to  a  pending 
whistleblower complaint. We, through our outside counsel and a special committee of independent directors established by our 
board, have worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney's office to produce information requested by the government as part of 
an ongoing dialogue designed to try to resolve the issue. 

In December 2011, we were formally notified that the DOJ had elected to close its criminal investigation without action 
although, as is typical, it reserved the right to reopen the criminal case if new facts came to light. As a result, only the civil 
investigation remains.

In January 2012, the DOJ indicated that the government would be seeking certain additional information in furtherance of 
the remaining civil investigation, and that it would formalize its request for that information in a new subpoena. In January 2012, 
the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) served the new subpoena, 
seeking specific patient records and documents from 2007 to 2011 from six Southern California skilled nursing facilities that had 
been the subject of previous requests. HHS also issued a subpoena to our independent external auditors requesting an update to 
the information requested in the 2007 subpoena to them, and a subpoena to the Company's independent internal auditors requesting 
similar information.

We, through the special committee and our outside counsel, continue to work cooperatively with the DOJ. Ensign anticipates 
that this ongoing dialogue will continue in 2013 as part of our effort to resolve this matter.  Based on information gathered by us 
in connection with the work of the special committee, our outside counsel and their experts, we recorded an estimated liability in 
the amount of $15.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 related to our efforts to achieve a global, company-wide, resolution of 
any claims connected to the investigation.  Active settlement discussions with the DOJ are ongoing and, until concluded, the 
outcome remains uncertain and the amount related to the resolution of any claims connected to this pending investigation could 
differ materially from our estimates.  At this time, we cannot estimate the possible range of loss that may result from any such 
proceedings or discussions.

35

We cannot predict or provide any assurance as to the possible outcome of the investigations or any possible related 
proceedings, or as to the possible outcome of any litigation.  If any litigation were to proceed, and we are subjected to, alleged 
to be liable for, or agree to a settlement of, claims or obligations under federal Medicare statutes, the federal False Claims Act, 
or similar state and federal statutes and related regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash 
flows could be materially and adversely affected and our stock price could be adversely impacted.  Among other things, any 
settlement or litigation could involve the payment of substantial sums to settle any alleged civil violations, and may also 
include our assumption of specific procedural and financial obligations going forward under a corporate integrity agreement 
and/or other arrangement with the government. 

We  conduct  regular  internal  investigations  into  the  care  delivery,  recordkeeping  and  billing  processes  of  our  operating 
subsidiaries. These reviews sometimes detect instances of noncompliance which we attempt to correct, which can decrease 
our revenue. 

From time to time our systems and controls highlight potential compliance issues, which we investigate as they arise. We 
have initiated internal inquiries into possible recordkeeping and related irregularities at our skilled nursing facilities, which were 
detected by our internal compliance team in the course of its ongoing reviews. 

Through these internal inquiries, we have identified potential deficiencies in the assessment of and recordkeeping for small 
subsets  of  patients. We  have  also  identified  and,  at  the  conclusion  of  such  investigations,  assisted  in  implementing,  targeted 
improvements in the assessment and recordkeeping practices to make them consistent with the existing standards and policies 
applicable to our skilled nursing facilities in these areas.  We continue to monitor the measures implemented for effectiveness, 
and perform follow-up reviews to ensure compliance.  Consistent with healthcare industry accounting practices, we record any 
charge for refunded payments against revenue in the period in which the claim adjustment becomes known. 

If  additional  reviews  result  in  identification  and  quantification  of  additional  amounts  to  be  refunded,  we  would  accrue 
additional liabilities for claim costs and interest, and repay any amounts due in normal course. If future investigations ultimately 
result in findings of significant billing and reimbursement noncompliance which could require us to record significant additional 
provisions or remit payments, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected 
and our stock price could decline.

We may be unable to complete future facility or business acquisitions at attractive prices or at all, which may adversely affect 
our revenue; we may also elect to dispose of underperforming or non-strategic operations, which would also decrease our 
revenue. 

To date, our revenue growth has been significantly driven by our acquisition of new facilities and businesses. Subject to 
general market conditions and the availability of essential resources and leadership within our company, we continue to seek both 
single-and multi-facility acquisition and business acquisition opportunities that are consistent with our geographic, financial and 
operating objectives. 

We face competition for the acquisition of facilities and businesses and expect this competition to increase. Based upon 
factors  such  as  our  ability  to  identify  suitable  acquisition  candidates,  the  purchase  price  of  the  facilities,  prevailing  market 
conditions, the availability of leadership to manage new facilities and our own willingness to take on new operations, the rate at 
which we have historically acquired facilities has fluctuated significantly. In the future, we anticipate the rate at which we may 
acquire facilities will continue to fluctuate, which may affect our revenue. 

We have also historically acquired a few facilities, either because they were included in larger, indivisible groups of facilities 
or under other circumstances, which were or have proven to be non-strategic or less desirable, and we may consider disposing of 
such facilities or exchanging them for facilities which are more desirable. To the extent we dispose of such a facility without 
simultaneously acquiring a facility in exchange, our revenues might decrease. 

36

We may not be able to successfully integrate acquired facilities and businesses into our operations, and we may not achieve 
the benefits we expect from any of our facility acquisitions. 

We may not be able to successfully or efficiently integrate new acquisitions with our existing operations, culture and systems. 
The process of integrating acquired facilities into our existing operations may result in unforeseen operating difficulties, divert 
management's attention from existing operations, or require an unexpected commitment of staff and financial resources, and may 
ultimately be unsuccessful. Existing facilities available for acquisition frequently serve or target different markets than those that 
we currently serve. We also may determine that renovations of acquired facilities and changes in staff and operating management 
personnel are necessary to successfully integrate those facilities into our existing operations. We may not be able to recover the 
costs incurred to reposition or renovate newly acquired facilities. The financial benefits we expect to realize from many of our 
acquisitions are largely dependent upon our ability to improve clinical performance, overcome regulatory deficiencies, rehabilitate 
or improve the reputation of the facilities in the community, increase and maintain occupancy, control costs, and in some cases 
change the patient acuity mix. If we are unable to accomplish any of these objectives at facilities we acquire, we will not realize 
the anticipated benefits and we may experience lower than anticipated profits, or even losses. 

During the year ended December 31, 2012, we acquired six facilities and three business with a total of 441 operational beds.  
During the year ended December 31, 2011, we acquired twenty facilities and three businesses with a total of 2,161 operational 
beds.  This growth has placed and will continue to place significant demands on our current management resources. Our ability 
to manage our growth effectively and to successfully integrate new acquisitions into our existing business  will require us to 
continue to expand our operational, financial and management information systems and to continue to retain, attract, train, motivate 
and manage key employees, including facility-level leaders and our local directors of nursing. We may not be successful in attracting 
qualified individuals necessary for future acquisitions to be successful, and our management team may expend significant time 
and energy working to attract qualified personnel to manage facilities we may acquire in the future. Also, the newly acquired 
facilities may require us to spend significant time improving services that have historically been substandard, and if we are unable 
to improve such facilities quickly enough, we may be subject to litigation and/or loss of licensure or certification. If we are not 
able to successfully overcome these and other integration challenges, we may not achieve the benefits we expect from any of our 
facility acquisitions, and our business may suffer. 

In undertaking acquisitions, we may be adversely impacted by costs, liabilities and regulatory issues that may adversely affect 
our operations. 

In undertaking acquisitions, we also may be adversely impacted by unforeseen liabilities attributable to the prior providers 
who operated those facilities, against whom we may have little or no recourse. Many facilities we have historically acquired were 
underperforming financially and had clinical and regulatory issues prior to and at the time of acquisition. Even where we have 
improved operations and patient care at facilities that we have acquired, we still may face post-acquisition regulatory issues related 
to  pre-acquisition  events.  These  may  include,  without  limitation,  payment  recoupment  related  to  our  predecessors'  prior 
noncompliance, the imposition of fines, penalties, operational restrictions or special regulatory status. Further, we may incur post-
acquisition compliance risk due to the difficulty or impossibility of immediately or quickly bringing non-compliant facilities into 
full compliance. Diligence materials pertaining to acquisition targets, especially the underperforming facilities that often represent 
the greatest opportunity for return, are often inadequate, inaccurate or impossible to obtain, sometimes requiring us to make 
acquisition decisions with incomplete information. Despite our due diligence procedures, facilities that we have acquired or may 
acquire in the future may generate unexpectedly low returns, may cause us to incur substantial losses, may require unexpected 
levels of management time, expenditures or other resources, or may otherwise not meet a risk profile that our investors find 
acceptable. For example, in July of 2006 we acquired a facility that had a history of intermittent noncompliance. Although the 
facility had already been surveyed once by the local state survey agency after being acquired by us, and that survey would have 
met the heightened requirements of the special focus facility program, based upon the facility's compliance history prior to our 
acquisition, in January 2008, state officials nevertheless recommended to CMS that the facility be placed on special focus facility 
status. In addition, in October of 2006, we acquired a facility which had a history of intermittent non-compliance. This facility 
was surveyed by the local state survey agency during the third quarter of 2008 and passed the heightened survey requirements of 
the special focus facility program. Both facilities have successfully graduated from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' 
Special Focus program. We currently have no facilities on special focus facility status. 

37

In addition, we might encounter unanticipated difficulties and expenditures relating to any of the acquired facilities, including 
contingent liabilities. For example, when we acquire a facility, we generally assume the facility's existing Medicare provider 
number for purposes of billing Medicare for services. If CMS later determined that the prior owner of the facility had received 
overpayments from Medicare for the period of time during which it operated the facility, or had incurred fines in connection with 
the operation of the facility, CMS could hold us liable for repayment of the overpayments or fines. If the prior operator is defunct 
or otherwise unable to reimburse us, we may be unable to recover these funds. We may be unable to improve every facility that 
we acquire. In addition, operation of these facilities may divert management time and attention from other operations and priorities, 
negatively impact cash  flows,  result  in  adverse or  unanticipated  accounting charges,  or  otherwise  damage other areas  of  our 
company if they are not timely and adequately improved. 

We also incur regulatory risk in acquiring certain facilities due to the licensing, certification and other regulatory requirements 
affecting our right to operate the acquired facilities. For example, in order to acquire facilities on a predictable schedule, or to 
acquire declining operations quickly to prevent further pre-acquisition declines, we frequently acquire such facilities prior to 
receiving license approval or provider certification. We operate such facilities as the interim manager for the outgoing licensee, 
assuming financial responsibility, among other obligations for the facility. To the extent that we may be unable or delayed in 
obtaining a license, we may need to operate the facility under a management agreement from the prior operator. Any inability in 
obtaining consent from the prior operator of a target acquisition to utilizing its license in this manner could impact our ability to 
acquire additional facilities. If we were subsequently denied licensure or certification for any reason, we might not realize the 
expected benefits of the acquisition and would likely incur unanticipated costs and other challenges which could cause our business 
to suffer. 

Termination of our patient admission agreements and the resulting vacancies in our facilities could cause revenue at our 
facilities to decline. 

Most state regulations governing skilled nursing and assisted living facilities require written patient admission agreements 
with each patient. Several of these regulations also require that each patient have the right to terminate the patient agreement for 
any reason and without prior notice. Consistent with these regulations, all of our skilled nursing patient agreements allow patients 
to terminate their agreements without notice, and all of our assisted living resident agreements allow residents to terminate their 
agreements upon thirty days' notice. Patients and residents terminate their agreements from time to time for a variety of reasons, 
causing some fluctuations in our overall occupancy as patients and residents are admitted and discharged in normal course. If an 
unusual number of patients or residents elected to terminate their agreements within a short time, occupancy levels at our facilities 
could decline. As a result, beds may be unoccupied for a period of time, which would have a negative impact on our revenue, 
financial condition and results of operations. 

We face significant competition from other healthcare providers and may not be successful in attracting patients and residents 
to our facilities. 

The skilled nursing, assisted living, home health and hospice fields are highly competitive, and we expect that these fields 
may become increasingly competitive in the future. Our skilled nursing facilities compete primarily on a local and regional basis 
with many long-term care providers, from national and regional multi-facility providers that have substantially greater financial 
resources to small providers who operate a single nursing facility. We also compete with other skilled nursing and assisted living 
facilities, and with inpatient rehabilitation facilities, long-term acute care hospitals, home healthcare and other similar services 
and care alternatives. Increased competition could limit our ability to attract and retain patients, attract and retain skilled personnel, 
maintain or increase private pay and managed care rates or expand our business. 

We may not be successful in attracting patients to our operations, particularly Medicare, managed care, and private pay 
patients who generally come to us at higher reimbursement rates. Some of our competitors have greater financial and other resources 
than us, may have greater brand recognition and may be more established in their respective communities than we are. Competing 
companies may also offer newer facilities or different programs or services than we do and may thereby attract current or potential 
patients. Other competitors may have lower expenses or other competitive advantages, and, therefore, present significant price 
competition for managed care and private pay patients. In addition, some of our competitors operate on a not-for-profit basis or 
as charitable organizations and have the ability to finance capital expenditures on a tax-exempt basis or through the receipt of 
charitable contributions, neither of which are available to us. 

38

If we do not achieve and maintain competitive quality of care ratings from CMS and private organizations engaged in similar 
monitoring activities, or if the frequency of CMS surveys and enforcement sanctions increases, our business may be negatively 
affected. 

CMS, as well as certain private organizations engaged in similar monitoring activities, provides comparative data available 
to the public on its web site, rating every skilled nursing facility operating in each state based upon quality-of-care indicators. 
These quality-of-care indicators include such measures as percentages of patients with infections, bedsores and unplanned weight 
loss. In addition, CMS has undertaken an initiative to increase Medicaid and Medicare survey and enforcement activities, to focus 
more survey and enforcement efforts on facilities with findings of substandard care or repeat violations of Medicaid and Medicare 
standards, and to require state agencies to use enforcement sanctions and remedies more promptly when substandard care or repeat 
violations are identified.  We have found a correlation between negative Medicaid and Medicare surveys and the incidence of 
professional liability litigation. From time to time, we experience a higher than normal number of negative survey findings in 
some of our facilities. 

In December 2008, CMS introduced the Five-Star Quality Rating System to help consumers, their families and caregivers 
compare nursing homes more easily. The Five-Star Quality Rating System gives each nursing home a rating of between one and 
five stars in various categories. In cases of acquisitions, the previous operator's clinical ratings are included in our overall Five-
Star Quality Rating. The prior operator's results will impact our rating until we have sufficient clinical measurements subsequent 
to the acquisition date. If we are unable to achieve quality of care ratings that are comparable or superior to those of our competitors, 
our ability to attract and retain patients could be adversely affected. 

If we are unable to obtain insurance, or if insurance becomes more costly for us to obtain, our business may be adversely 
affected. 

It may become more difficult and costly for us to obtain coverage for resident care liabilities and other risks, including 
property and casualty insurance. For example, the following circumstances may adversely affect our ability to obtain insurance 
at favorable rates: 

•  we experience higher-than-expected professional liability, property and casualty, or other types of claims or losses;

•  we receive survey deficiencies or citations of higher-than-normal scope or severity;

•  we acquire especially troubled operations or facilities that present unattractive risks to current or prospective insurers;

• 

insurers tighten underwriting standards applicable to us or our industry; or

• 

insurers or reinsurers are unable or unwilling to insure us or the industry at historical premiums and coverage levels.

If any of these potential circumstances were to occur, our insurance carriers may require us to significantly increase our self-
insured retention levels or pay substantially higher premiums for the same or reduced coverage for insurance, including workers 
compensation,  property  and  casualty,  automobile,  employment  practices  liability,  directors  and  officers  liability,  employee 
healthcare and general and professional liability coverages.

In some states, the law prohibits or limits insurance coverage for the risk of punitive damages arising from professional 
liability and general liability claims or litigation. Coverage for punitive damages is also excluded under some insurance policies. 
As a result, we may be liable for punitive damage awards in these states that either are not covered or are in excess of our insurance 
policy limits. Claims against us, regardless of their merit or eventual outcome, also could inhibit our ability to attract patients or 
expand our business, and could require our management to devote time to matters unrelated to the day-to-day operation of our 
business. 

With few exceptions, workers' compensation and employee health insurance costs have also increased markedly in recent 
years. To partially offset these increases, we have increased the amounts of our self-insured retention (SIR) and deductibles in 
connection  with  general  and  professional  liability  claims.  We  also  have  implemented  a  self-insurance  program  for  workers 
compensation in California, and elected non-subscriber status for workers' compensation in Texas. If we are unable to obtain 
insurance, or if insurance becomes more costly for us to obtain, or if the coverage levels we can economically obtain decline, our 
business may be adversely affected. 

39

 
Our self-insurance programs may expose us to significant and unexpected costs and losses. 

We have maintained general and professional liability insurance since 2002 and workers' compensation insurance since 2005 
through a wholly-owned subsidiary insurance company, Standardbearer Insurance Company, Ltd. (Standardbearer), to insure our 
SIR and deductibles as part of a continually evolving overall risk management strategy. We establish the insurance loss reserves 
based on an estimation process that uses information obtained from both company-specific and industry data. The estimation 
process requires us to continuously monitor and evaluate the life cycle of the claims. Using data obtained from this monitoring 
and our assumptions about emerging trends, we, along with an independent actuary, develop information about the size of ultimate 
claims based on our historical experience and other available industry information. The most significant assumptions used in the 
estimation process include determining the trend in costs, the expected cost of claims incurred but not reported and the expected 
costs to settle or pay damages with respect to unpaid claims. It is possible, however, that the actual liabilities may exceed our 
estimates of loss. We may also experience an unexpectedly large number of successful claims or claims that result in costs or 
liability significantly in excess of our projections. For these and other reasons, our self-insurance reserves could prove to be 
inadequate, resulting in liabilities in excess of our available insurance and self-insurance. If a successful claim is made against us 
and it is not covered by our insurance or exceeds the insurance policy limits, our business may be negatively and materially 
impacted. 

Further, because our SIR under our general and professional liability and workers compensation programs applies on a per 
claim basis, there is no limit to the maximum number of claims or the total amount for which we could incur liability in any policy 
period. 

In May 2006, we began self-insuring our employee health benefits. With respect to our health benefits self-insurance, our 
reserves and premiums are computed based on a mix of company specific and general industry data that is not specific to our own 
company. Even with a combination of limited company-specific loss data and general industry data, our loss reserves are based 
on actuarial estimates that may not correlate to actual loss experience in the future. Therefore, our reserves may prove to be 
insufficient and we may be exposed to significant and unexpected losses. 

The geographic concentration of our facilities could leave us vulnerable to an economic downturn, regulatory changes or 
acts of nature in those areas. 

Our facilities located in California, Texas and Arizona account for the majority of our total revenue. As a result of this 
concentration, the conditions of local economies, changes in governmental rules, regulations and reimbursement rates or criteria, 
changes  in  demographics,  state  funding,  acts  of  nature  and  other  factors  that  may  result  in  a  decrease  in  demand  and/or 
reimbursement for skilled nursing services in these states could have a disproportionately adverse effect on our revenue, costs and 
results of operations. Moreover, since approximately 30% of our facilities are located in California, we are particularly susceptible 
to revenue loss, cost increase or damage caused by natural disasters such as fires, earthquakes or mudslides. 

In addition, our facilities in Texas, Nebraska and Iowa are more susceptible to revenue loss, cost increases or damage caused 
by natural disasters including hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding.  These acts of nature may cause disruption to us, our employees 
and our facilities, which could have an adverse impact on our patients and our business. In order to provide care for our patients, 
we are dependent on consistent and reliable delivery of food, pharmaceuticals, utilities and other goods to our facilities, and the 
availability of employees to provide services at our facilities. If the delivery of goods or the ability of employees to reach our 
facilities were interrupted in any material respect due to a natural disaster or other reasons, it would have a significant impact on 
our facilities and our business.  Furthermore, the impact, or impending threat, of a natural disaster may require that we evacuate 
one or more facilities, which would be costly and would involve risks, including potentially fatal risks, for the patients. The impact 
of disasters and similar events is inherently uncertain. Such events could harm our patients and employees, severely damage or 
destroy one or more of our facilities, harm our business, reputation and financial performance, or otherwise cause our business to 
suffer in ways that we currently cannot predict. 

The actions of a national labor union that has pursued a negative publicity campaign criticizing our business in the past 
may adversely affect our revenue and our profitability. 

We continue to maintain our right to inform our employees about our views of the potential impact of unionization upon the 
workplace generally and upon individual employees. With one exception, to our knowledge the staffs at our facilities that have 
been approached to unionize have uniformly rejected union organizing efforts. If employees decide to unionize, our cost of doing 
business could increase, and we could experience contract delays, difficulty in adapting to a changing regulatory and economic 
environment, cultural conflicts between unionized and non-unionized employees, strikes and work stoppages, and we may conclude 
that affected facilities or operations would be uneconomical to continue operating. 

40

The unwillingness on the part of both our management and staff to accede to union demands for “neutrality” and other 
concessions has resulted in a negative labor campaign by at least one labor union, the Service Employees International Union. 
From 2002 to 2007, this union, and individuals and organizations allied with or sympathetic to this union actively prosecuted a 
negative retaliatory publicity action, also known as a “corporate campaign,” against us and filed, promoted or participated in 
multiple legal actions against us. The union's campaign asserted, among other allegations, poor treatment of patients, inferior 
medical services provided by our employees, poor treatment of our employees, and health code violations by us. In addition, the 
union has publicly mischaracterized actions taken by the DHS against us and our facilities. In numerous cases, the union's allegations 
created the false impression that violations and other events that occurred at facilities prior to our acquisition of those facilities 
were caused by us. Since a large component of our business involves acquiring underperforming and distressed facilities, and 
improving the quality of operations at these facilities, we may have been associated with the past poor performance of these 
facilities. To the extent this union or another elects to directly or indirectly prosecute a corporate campaign against us or any of 
our facilities, our business could be negatively affected. 

The Service Employees International Union has issued in the past, and may again issue in the future, public statements 
alleging that we or other for-profit skilled nursing operators have engaged in unfair, questionable or illegal practices in various 
areas, including staffing, patient care, patient evaluation and treatment, billing and other areas and activities related to the industry 
and our operations. We continue to anticipate similar criticisms, charges and other negative publicity from such sources on a 
regular  basis,  particularly  in  the  current  political  environment  and  following  the  recent  December  2010  OIG  report  entitled 
“Questionable Billing by Skilled Nursing Facilities," described above in "The Office of the Inspector General or other organizations 
may choose to more closely scrutinize the billing practices of for-profit skilled nursing facilities, which could result in an increase 
in regulatory monitoring and oversight, decreased reimbursement rates, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial 
condition and results of operations." Two of our facilities have been listed on the report.  Such reports provide unions and their 
allies with additional opportunities to make negative statements about, and to encourage regulators to seek investigatory and 
enforcement actions against, the industry in general and non-union operators like us specifically. Although we believe that our 
operations and business practices substantially conform to applicable laws and regulations, we cannot predict the extent to which 
we might be subject to adverse publicity or calls for increased regulatory scrutiny from union and union ally sources, or what 
effect, if any, such negative publicity would have on us, but to the extent they are successful, our revenue may be reduced, our 
costs may be increased and our profitability and business could be adversely affected. 

This union has also attempted to pressure hospitals, doctors, insurers and other healthcare providers and professionals to 
cease doing business with or referring patients to us. If this union or another union is successful in convincing our patients, their 
families or our referral sources to reduce or cease doing business with us, our revenue may be reduced and our profitability could 
be adversely affected. Additionally, if we are unable to attract and retain qualified staff due to negative public relations efforts by 
this or other union organizations, our quality of service and our revenue and profits could decline. Our strategy for responding to 
union  allegations  involves  clear  public  disclosure  of  the  union's  identity,  activities  and  agenda,  and  rebuttals  to  its  negative 
campaign. 

Our ability to respond to unions, however, may be limited by some state laws, which purport to make it illegal for any 
recipient of state funds to promote or deter union organizing. For example, such a state law passed by the California Legislature 
was successfully challenged on the grounds that it was preempted by the National Labor Relations Act, only to have the challenge 
overturned by the Ninth Circuit in 2006 before being ultimately upheld by the United States Supreme Court in 2008. In addition, 
proposed legislation making it more difficult for employees and their supervisors to educate co-workers and oppose unionization, 
such as the proposed Employee Free Choice Act which would allow organizing on a single “card check” and without a secret 
ballot and similar changes to federal law, regulation and labor practice being advocated by unions and considered by Congress 
and  the  National  Labor  Relations  Board,  could  make  it  more  difficult  to  maintain  union-free  workplaces  in  our  facilities.  If 
proponents of these and similar laws are successful in facilitating unionization procedures or hindering employer responses thereto, 
our ability to oppose unionization efforts could be hindered, and our business could be negatively affected. 

A number of our facilities are operated under master lease arrangements or leases that contain cross-default provisions, and 
in some cases the breach of a single facility lease could subject multiple facilities to the same risk. 

We currently occupy approximately 6% of our facilities under agreements that are structured as master leases. Under a master 
lease, we may lease a large number of geographically dispersed properties through an indivisible lease. With an indivisible lease, 
it is difficult to restructure the composition of the portfolio or economic terms of the lease without the consent of the landlord. 
Failure to comply with Medicare or Medicaid provider requirements is a default under several of our master lease and debt financing 
instruments. In addition, other potential defaults related to an individual facility may cause a default of an entire master lease 
portfolio and could trigger cross-default provisions in our outstanding debt arrangements and other leases, which would have a 
negative impact on our capital structure and our ability to generate future revenue, and could interfere with our ability to pursue 
our growth strategy. 

41

In addition, we occupy approximately 7% of our facilities under individual facility leases that are held by the same or related 
landlords, the largest of which covers five of our facilities. These leases typically contain cross-default provisions that could cause 
a default at one facility to trigger a technical default with respect to one or more other locations, potentially subjecting us to the 
various remedies available to the landlords under each of the related leases. 

Failure to generate sufficient cash flow to cover required payments or meet operating covenants under our long-term debt, 
mortgages and long-term operating leases could result in defaults under such agreements and cross-defaults under other 
debt, mortgage or operating lease arrangements, which could harm our operations and cause us to lose facilities or experience 
foreclosures. 

At December 31, 2012, we had $208.5 million of outstanding indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility, Ten Project 
Note, promissory notes, bonds and mortgage notes, plus $115.6 million of operating lease obligations. We intend to continue 
financing our facilities through mortgage financing, long-term operating leases and other types of financing, including borrowings 
under our lines of credit and future credit facilities we may obtain. 

We may  not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to cover  required interest, principal and lease payments.  In 
addition, our outstanding credit facilities and mortgage loans contain restrictive covenants and require us to maintain or satisfy 
specified coverage tests on a consolidated basis and on a facility or facilities basis. These restrictions and operating covenants 
include, among other things, requirements with respect to occupancy, debt service coverage, project yield, net leverage ratios, 
minimum interest coverage ratios and minimum asset coverage ratios.  These restrictions may interfere with our ability to obtain 
additional advances under existing credit facilities or to obtain new financing or to engage in other business activities, which may 
inhibit our ability to grow our business and increase revenue.

  From time to time the financial performance of one or more of our mortgaged facilities may not comply with the required 
operating covenants under the terms of the mortgage. Any non-payment, noncompliance or other default under our financing 
arrangements could, subject to cure provisions, cause the lender to foreclose upon the facility or facilities securing such indebtedness 
or, in the case of a lease, cause the lessor to terminate the lease, each with a consequent loss of revenue and asset value to us or a 
loss of property. Furthermore, in many cases, indebtedness is secured by both a mortgage on one or more facilities, and a guaranty 
by us. In the event of a default under one of these scenarios, the lender could avoid judicial procedures required to foreclose on 
real property by declaring all amounts outstanding under the guaranty immediately due and payable, and requiring us to fulfill 
our obligations to make such payments. If any of these scenarios were to occur, our financial condition would be adversely affected. 
For tax purposes, a foreclosure on any of our properties would be treated as a sale of the property for a price equal to the outstanding 
balance of the debt secured by the mortgage. If the outstanding balance of the debt secured by the mortgage exceeds our tax basis 
in  the  property,  we  would  recognize  taxable  income  on  foreclosure,  but  would  not  receive  any  cash  proceeds,  which  would 
negatively impact our earnings and cash position. Further, because our mortgages and operating leases generally contain cross-
default and cross-collateralization provisions, a default by us related to one facility could affect a significant number of other 
facilities and their corresponding financing arrangements and operating leases. 

Because our term loans, promissory notes, bonds, mortgages and lease obligations are fixed expenses and secured by specific 
assets, and because our revolving loan obligations are secured by virtually all of our assets, if reimbursement rates, patient acuity 
mix or occupancy levels decline, or if for any reason we are unable to meet our loan or lease obligations, we may not be able to 
cover our costs and some or all of our assets may become at risk. Our ability to make payments of principal and interest on our 
indebtedness and to make lease payments on our operating leases depends upon our future performance, which will be subject to 
general economic conditions, industry cycles and financial, business and other factors affecting our operations, many of which 
are beyond our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service our debt or to 
make lease payments on our operating leases, we may be required, among other things, to seek additional financing in the debt 
or equity markets, refinance or restructure all or a portion of our indebtedness, sell selected assets, reduce or delay planned capital 
expenditures or delay or abandon desirable acquisitions. Such measures might not be sufficient to enable us to service our debt 
or to make lease payments on our operating leases. The failure to make required payments on our debt or operating leases or the 
delay or abandonment of our planned growth strategy could result in an adverse effect on our future ability to generate revenue 
and sustain profitability. In addition, any such financing, refinancing or sale of assets might not be available on terms that are 
economically favorable to us, or at all. 

42

If we decide to expand our presence in the assisted living, home health, hospice or urgent care industries, we would become 
subject to risks in a market in which we have limited experience. 

The majority of our facilities have historically been skilled nursing facilities. If we decide to expand our presence in the 
assisted living, home health, hospice and urgent care industries or other relevant healthcare service, our existing overall business 
model would change and we would become subject to risks in a market in which we have limited experience. Although assisted 
living operations generally have lower costs and higher margins than skilled nursing, they typically generate lower overall revenue 
than skilled nursing operations. In addition, assisted living and urgent care revenue is derived primarily from private payors as 
opposed to government reimbursement. In most states, skilled nursing, assisted living, home health, hospice and urgent care are 
regulated by different agencies, and we have less experience with the agencies that regulate assisted living, home health, hospice 
and urgent care. In general, we believe that assisted living is a more competitive industry than skilled nursing. If we decided to 
expand our presence in the assisted living, home health, hospice and urgent care industries, we might have to adjust part of our 
existing business model, which could have an adverse effect on our business. 

If our referral sources fail to view us as an attractive skilled nursing provider, or if our referral sources otherwise refer fewer 
patients, our patient base may decrease. 

We rely significantly on appropriate referrals from physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers in the communities 
in which we deliver our services to attract appropriate residents and patients to our facilities. Our referral sources are not obligated 
to refer business to us and may refer business to other healthcare providers. We believe many of our referral sources refer business 
to us as a result of the quality of our patient care and our efforts to establish and build a relationship with our referral sources. If 
we lose, or fail to maintain, existing relationships with our referral resources, fail to develop new relationships, or if we are 
perceived by our referral sources as not providing high quality patient care, our occupancy rate and the quality of our patient mix 
could suffer. In addition, if any of our referral sources have a reduction in patients whom they can refer due to a decrease in their 
business, our occupancy rate and the quality of our patient mix could suffer. 

We may need additional capital to fund our operations and finance our growth, and we may not be able to obtain it on terms 
acceptable to us, or at all, which may limit our ability to grow. 

Our ability to maintain and enhance our facilities and equipment in a suitable condition to meet regulatory standards, operate 
efficiently and remain competitive in our markets requires us to commit substantial resources to continued investment in our 
facilities and equipment. We are sometimes more aggressive than our competitors in capital spending to address issues that arise 
in connection with aging and obsolete facilities and equipment. In addition, continued expansion of our business through the 
acquisition of existing facilities, expansion of our existing facilities and construction of new facilities may require additional 
capital, particularly if we were to accelerate our acquisition and expansion plans. Financing may not be available to us or may be 
available to us only on terms that are not favorable. In addition, some of our outstanding indebtedness and long-term leases restrict, 
among other things, our ability to incur additional debt. If we are unable to raise additional funds or obtain additional funds on 
terms acceptable to us, we may have to delay or abandon some or all of our growth strategies. Further, if additional funds are 
raised through the issuance of additional equity securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders would be diluted. Any 
newly issued equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of our common stock. 

The condition of the financial markets, including volatility and deterioration in the capital and credit markets, could limit 
the availability of debt and equity financing sources to fund the capital and liquidity requirements of our business, as well 
as, negatively impact or impair the value of our current portfolio of cash, cash equivalents and investments, including U.S. 
Treasury securities and U.S.-backed investments.

Financial markets experienced significant disruptions from 2008 through 2010. These disruptions impacted liquidity in the 
debt markets, making financing terms for borrowers less attractive and, in certain cases, significantly reducing the availability of 
certain types of debt financing.  As a result of these market conditions, the cost and availability of credit has been and may continue 
to be adversely affected by illiquid credit markets and wider credit spreads.  Concern about the stability of the markets has led 
many lenders and institutional investors to reduce, and in some cases, cease to provide credit to borrowers.  

Further, our cash, cash equivalents and investments are held in a variety of interest-bearing instruments, including U.S. 
treasury securities.  As a result of the uncertain domestic and global political, credit and financial market conditions, investments 
in these types of financial instruments pose risks arising from liquidity and credit concerns.   Given that future deterioration in 
the U.S. and global credit and financial markets is a possibility, no assurance can be made that losses or significant deterioration 
in the fair value of our cash, cash equivalents, or investments will not occur.  Uncertainty surrounding the trading market for U.S. 
government securities or impairment of the U.S. government's ability to satisfy its obligations under such treasury securities could 
impact the liquidity or valuation of our current portfolio of cash, cash equivalents, and investments, a substantial portion of which 
43

were invested in U.S. treasury securities.  Further, unless and until the current U.S. and global political, credit and financial market 
crisis has been sufficiently resolved, it may be difficult for us to liquidate our investments prior to their maturity without incurring 
a loss, which would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 Though we anticipate that the cash amounts generated internally, together with amounts available under the revolving credit 
facility portion of the Senior Credit Facility, will be sufficient to implement our business plan for the foreseeable future, we may 
need additional capital if a substantial acquisition or other growth opportunity becomes available or if unexpected events occur 
or opportunities arise. We cannot assure you that additional capital will be available or available on terms favorable to us. If capital 
is not available, we may not be able to fund internal or external business expansion or respond to competitive pressures or other 
market conditions. 

Delays in reimbursement may cause liquidity problems. 

If we experience problems with our information systems or if issues arise with Medicare, Medicaid or other payors, we may 
encounter delays in our payment cycle. From time to time, we have experienced such delays as a result of government payors 
instituting planned reimbursement delays for budget balancing purposes or as a result of prepayment reviews. For example, in 
January 2009, the State of California announced expected cash shortages in February which impacted payments to Medi-Cal 
providers from late March through April.  Medi-Cal had also delayed the release of the reimbursement rates which were announced 
in January 2010. These rate increases were put in place on a retrospective basis, effective August 1, 2009. 

Further, on March 24, 2011, the governor of California signed Assembly Bill 97 (AB 97), the budget trailer bill on health, into 
law.  AB 97 outlines significant cuts to  state  health and human services programs.  Specifically, the law reduced provider payments 
by 10% for physicians, pharmacies, clinics, medical transportation, certain hospitals, home health, and nursing facilities.  AB X1 
19 Long Term Care  was subsequently approved by the governor on June 28, 2011.  Federal approval was obtained on October 
27, 2011.  AB X1 19 limited  the 10% payment reduction to skilled-nursing providers to 14 months for the services provided on 
June 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012. The 10% reduction in provider payments was repaid by December 31, 2012.  There can be 
no  assurance  that  similar  delays  or  reductions  in  our  payment  cycle  of  provider  payments  will  not  lead  to  material  adverse 
consequences in the future.

Compliance with the regulations of the Department of Housing and Urban Development may require us to make unanticipated 
expenditures which could increase our costs. 

Two of our facilities are currently subject to regulatory agreements with the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
(HUD) that give the Commissioner of HUD broad authority to require us to be replaced as the operator of those facilities in the 
event that the Commissioner determines there are operational deficiencies at such facilities under HUD regulations. In 2006, one 
of our HUD-insured mortgaged facilities did not pass its HUD inspection. Following an unsuccessful appeal of the decision, we 
requested a re-inspection. The re-inspection occurred in the fourth quarter of 2009 and the facility passed its HUD re-inspection. 
Compliance  with  HUD's  requirements  can  often  be  difficult  because  these  requirements  are  not  always  consistent  with  the 
requirements of other federal and state agencies. Appealing a failed inspection can be costly and time-consuming and, if we do 
not successfully remediate the failed inspection, we could be precluded from obtaining HUD financing in the future or we may 
encounter limitations or prohibitions on our operation of HUD-insured facilities. 

Failure to comply with existing environmental laws could result in increased expenditures, litigation and potential loss to 
our business and in our asset value. 

Our operations are subject to regulations under various federal, state and local environmental laws, primarily those relating 
to the handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of medical waste; the identification and warning of the presence 
of asbestos-containing materials in buildings, as well as the encapsulation or removal of such materials; and the presence of other 
substances in the indoor environment. 

Our facilities generate infectious or other hazardous medical waste due to the illness or physical condition of the patients. 
Each of our facilities has an agreement with a waste management company for the proper disposal of all infectious medical waste, 
but the use of a waste management company does not immunize us from alleged violations of such laws for operations for which 
we are responsible even if carried out by a third party, nor does it immunize us from third-party claims for the cost to cleanup 
disposal sites at which such wastes have been disposed. 

44

Some of the facilities we lease, own or may acquire may have asbestos-containing materials. Federal regulations require 
building  owners  and  those  exercising  control  over  a  building's  management  to  identify  and  warn  their  employees  and  other 
employers operating in the building of potential hazards posed by workplace exposure to installed asbestos-containing materials 
and potential asbestos-containing materials in their buildings. Significant fines can be assessed for violation of these regulations. 
Building owners and those exercising control over a building's management may be subject to an increased risk of personal injury 
lawsuits. Federal, state and local laws and regulations also govern the removal, encapsulation, disturbance, handling and disposal 
of asbestos-containing materials and potential asbestos-containing materials when such materials are in poor condition or in the 
event of construction, remodeling, renovation or demolition of a building. Such laws may impose liability for improper handling 
or a release into the environment of asbestos containing materials and potential asbestos-containing materials and may provide 
for fines to, and for third parties to seek recovery from, owners or operators of real properties for personal injury or improper work 
exposure associated with asbestos-containing materials and potential asbestos-containing materials. The presence of asbestos-
containing materials, or the failure to properly dispose of or remediate such materials, also may adversely affect our ability to 
attract and retain patients and staff, to borrow when using such property as collateral or to make improvements to such property. 

The presence of mold, lead-based paint, underground storage tanks, contaminants in drinking water, radon and/or other 
substances at any of the facilities we lease, own or may acquire may lead to the incurrence of costs for remediation, mitigation or 
the implementation of an operations and maintenance plan and may result in third party litigation for personal injury or property 
damage. Furthermore, in some circumstances, areas affected by mold may be unusable for periods of time for repairs, and even 
after successful remediation, the known prior presence of extensive mold could adversely affect the ability of a facility to retain 
or attract patients and staff and could adversely affect a facility's market value and ultimately could lead to the temporary or 
permanent closure of the facility. 

If  we  fail  to  comply  with  applicable  environmental  laws,  we  would  face  increased  expenditures  in  terms  of  fines  and 
remediation of the underlying problems, potential litigation relating to exposure to such materials, and a potential decrease in 
value to our business and in the value of our underlying assets. 

In addition, because environmental laws vary from state to state, expansion of our operations to states where we do not 

currently operate may subject us to additional restrictions in the manner in which we operate our facilities. 

If we fail to safeguard the monies held in our patient trust funds, we will be required to reimburse such monies, and we may 
be subject to citations, fines and penalties. 

Each of our facilities is required by federal law to maintain a patient trust fund to safeguard certain assets of their residents 
and patients. If any money held in a patient trust fund is misappropriated, we are required to reimburse the patient trust fund for 
the amount of money that was misappropriated. In 2005 we became aware of two separate and unrelated instances of employees 
misappropriating  an  aggregate  of  approximately  $0.4  million  in  patient  trust  funds,  some  of  which  was  recovered  from  the 
employees and some of which we were required to reimburse from our funds. If any monies held in our patient trust funds are 
misappropriated in the future and are unrecoverable, we will be required to reimburse such monies, and we may be subject to 
citations, fines and penalties pursuant to federal and state laws. 

We are a holding company with no operations and rely upon our multiple independent operating subsidiaries to provide us 
with the funds necessary to meet our financial obligations. Liabilities of any one or more of our subsidiaries could be imposed 
upon us or our other subsidiaries. 

We are a holding company with no direct operating assets, employees or revenues. Each of our facilities is operated through 
a separate, wholly-owned, independent subsidiary, which has its own management, employees and assets. Our principal assets 
are the equity interests we directly or indirectly hold in our multiple operating and real estate holding subsidiaries. As a result, we 
are dependent upon distributions from our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our financial obligations and pay 
dividends. Our subsidiaries are legally distinct from us and have no obligation to make funds available to us. The ability of our 
subsidiaries  to  make  distributions  to  us  will  depend  substantially  on  their  respective  operating  results  and  will  be  subject  to 
restrictions under, among other things, the laws of their jurisdiction of organization, which may limit the amount of funds available 
for distribution to investors or shareholders, agreements of those subsidiaries, the terms of our financing arrangements and the 
terms of any future financing arrangements of our subsidiaries. 

45

Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock 

We may not be able to pay or maintain dividends and the failure to do so would adversely affect our stock price. 

Our ability to pay and maintain cash dividends is based on many factors, including our ability to make and finance acquisitions, 
our ability to negotiate favorable lease and other contractual terms, anticipated operating cost levels, the level of demand for our 
beds, the rates we charge and actual results that may vary substantially from estimates. Some of the factors are beyond our control 
and a change in any such factor could affect our ability to pay or maintain dividends. In addition, the revolving credit facility 
portion of the Senior Credit Facility restricts our ability to pay dividends to stockholders if we receive notice that we are in default 
under this agreement.  The failure to pay or maintain dividends could adversely affect our stock price. 

If the ownership of our common stock continues to be highly concentrated, it may prevent you and other stockholders from 
influencing significant corporate decisions and may result in conflicts of interest that could cause our stock price to decline. 

Our current executive officers, directors and their affiliates, if they act together, will have substantial influence over the 
outcome of corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, any merger, consolidation or sale 
of  all  or  substantially  all  of  our  assets  or  any  other  significant  corporate  transactions. The  significant  concentration  of  stock 
ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock due to investors' perception that conflicts of interest may 
exist or arise.

The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile, which could result in rapid and substantial losses 
for our stockholders. 

The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations. In addition, the 
trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. We cannot assure you that the 
market price of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future. On some occasions in the past, when 
the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have instituted securities class action litigation against the 
company that issued the stock. If any of our stockholders brought a lawsuit against us, we could incur substantial costs defending 
or settling the lawsuit. Such a lawsuit could also divert the time and attention of our management from our business. 

Future offerings of debt or equity securities by us may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. 

In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by offering debt or additional equity securities, including 
commercial paper, medium-term notes, senior or subordinated notes, series of preferred shares or shares of our common stock. 
Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and preferred shares, and lenders with respect to other borrowings, would receive 
a distribution of our available assets prior to any distribution to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings may 
dilute the economic and voting rights of our existing stockholders or reduce the market price of our common stock, or both. 
Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our 
control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our common stock 
bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting their shareholdings in us. We 
also intend to continue to actively pursue acquisitions of facilities and may issue shares of stock in connection with these acquisitions. 

Any shares issued in connection with our acquisitions, the exercise of outstanding stock options or otherwise would dilute 

the holdings of the investors who purchase our shares. 

Failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could result in a 
restatement of our financial statements, cause investors to lose confidence in our financial statements and our company and 
have a material adverse effect on our business and stock price. 

We produce our consolidated financial statements in accordance with the requirements of GAAP. Effective internal controls 
are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports to help mitigate the risk of fraud and to operate successfully as a publicly 
traded company. As a public company, we are required to document and test our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the 
requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, which requires annual management assessments 
of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. 

46

Testing and maintaining internal controls can divert our management's attention from other matters that are important to our 
business. We may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in 
accordance with Section 404 or our independent registered public accounting firm may not be able or willing to issue an unqualified 
report if we conclude that our internal controls over financial reporting are not effective. If either we are unable to conclude that 
we have effective internal controls over financial reporting or our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to 
provide  us  with  an  unqualified  report  as  required  by  Section  404,  investors  could  lose  confidence  in  our  reported  financial 
information and our company, which could result in a decline in the market price of our common stock, and cause us to fail to 
meet our reporting obligations in the future, which in turn could impact our ability to raise additional financing if needed in the 
future. 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions 
that could discourage transactions resulting in a change in control, which may negatively affect the market price of our 
common stock. 

In addition to the effect that the concentration of ownership by our significant stockholders may have, our amended and 
restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that may enable our management to 
resist a change in control. These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent a change in the ownership of our company or a 
change in our management, even if doing so might be beneficial to our stockholders. In addition, these provisions could limit the 
price that investors would be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. Such provisions set forth in our amended 
and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws include: 

•  our board of directors are authorized, without prior stockholder approval, to create and issue preferred stock, commonly 

referred to as “blank check” preferred stock, with rights senior to those of common stock;

•  advance notice requirements for stockholders to nominate individuals to serve on our board of directors or to submit 

proposals that can be acted upon at stockholder meetings;

•  our board of directors are classified so not all members of our board are elected at one time, which may make it more 

difficult for a person who acquires control of a majority of our outstanding voting stock to replace our directors;

•  stockholder action by written consent is limited;

•  special meetings of the stockholders are permitted to be called only by the chairman of our board of directors, our chief 

executive officer or by a majority of our board of directors;

•  stockholders are not permitted to cumulate their votes for the election of directors;

•  newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors or vacancies on our board 

of directors are filled only by majority vote of the remaining directors;

•  our board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal our bylaws; and

•  stockholders are permitted to amend our bylaws only upon receiving the affirmative vote of at least a majority of our 

outstanding common stock.

These  and  other  provisions  in  our  amended  and  restated  certificate  of  incorporation,  amended  and  restated  bylaws  and 
Delaware law could discourage acquisition proposals and make it more difficult or expensive for stockholders or potential acquirers 
to obtain control of our board of directors or initiate actions that are opposed by our then-current board of directors, including 
delaying or impeding a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving us. Any delay or prevention of a change of control transaction 
or changes in our board of directors could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. 

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

47

 
Item 2.  Properties

Service Center.  We currently lease 29,829 square feet of office space in Mission Viejo, California for our Service Center 
pursuant to a lease that expires in August 2019. We have two options to extend our lease term at this location for an additional 
five-year term for each option. 

Facilities.  As of December 31, 2012, we operated 108 facilities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, 
Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington, with the operational capacity to serve approximately 12,200 residents. Of the 108 
facilities that we operated, we owned 86 facilities and leased 22 facilities pursuant to operating leases, two of which contain 
purchase options that provide us with the right to purchase or agreements to purchase the facility in the future, which we believe 
will enable us to better control our occupancy costs over time. We currently do not manage any facilities for third parties, except 
on a short-term basis pending receipt of new operating licenses by our operating subsidiaries. 

The following table provides summary information regarding the number of operational beds at our facilities at December 31, 

2012: 

State
California
Arizona
Texas
Utah
Colorado
Washington
Idaho
Nevada
Nebraska
Iowa
Total

Skilled nursing
Assisted living
Independent living
Total

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

Leased without a
Purchase Option

Purchase Agreement
or Leased with a
Purchase Option

Owned

Total Operational
Beds

1,510  
575  
112  
108  
—  
—  
—  
—
—
—
2,305  

2,305  
—  
—  
2,305  

414  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—  
—
—
—
414  

344  
70  
—  
414  

1,940  
1,327  
2,806  
1,236  
463  
274  
477  
304
296
356
9,479  

7,750  
1,252  
477  
9,479  

3,864
1,902
2,918
1,344
463
274
477
304
296
356
12,198

10,399
1,322
477
12,198

In late 2006, we learned that we might be the subject of an on-going criminal and civil investigation by the U.S. Department 
of Justice (DOJ) and this was confirmed in March 2007. The investigation relates to claims submitted to the Medicare program 
for  rehabilitation  services  provided  at  skilled  nursing  facilities  in  Southern  California,  that  we  believe  is  tied  to  a  pending 
whistleblower complaint. We, through our outside counsel and a special committee of independent directors established by our 
board, have worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney's office to produce information requested by the government as part of 
an ongoing dialogue designed to try to resolve the issue. 

In December 2011, we were formally notified that the DOJ had elected to close its criminal investigation without action 
although, as is typical, it reserved the right to reopen the criminal case if new facts came to light. As a result, only the civil 
investigation remains.

In January 2012, the DOJ indicated that the government would be seeking certain additional information in furtherance of 
the remaining civil investigation, and that it would formalize its request for that information in a new subpoena. In January 2012, 
the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) served the new subpoena, 
seeking specific patient records and documents from 2007 to 2011 from six Southern California skilled nursing facilities that had 
been the subject of previous requests. HHS also issued a subpoena to our independent external auditors requesting an update to 
the information requested in the 2007 subpoena to them, and a subpoena to the Company's independent internal auditors requesting 
similar information.

48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We, through the special committee and our outside counsel, continue to work cooperatively with the DOJ. Ensign anticipates 
that this ongoing dialogue will continue in 2013 as part of our effort to resolve this matter.  Based on information gathered by us 
in connection with the work of the special committee, our outside counsel and their experts, we recorded an estimated liability in 
the amount of $15.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 related to our efforts to achieve a global, company-wide, resolution of 
any  claims  connected  to  the  investigation. Active  settlement  discussions  with  the  DOJ  are  ongoing  and,  until  concluded,  the 
outcome remains uncertain and the amount related to the resolution of any claims connected to this pending investigation could 
differ materially from our estimates.  At this time, we cannot estimate the possible range of loss that may result from any such 
proceedings or discussions.

We cannot predict or provide any assurance as to the possible outcome of the investigations or any possible related proceedings, 
or as to the possible outcome of any litigation.  If any litigation were to proceed, and we are subjected to, alleged to be liable for, 
or agree to a settlement of, claims or obligations under federal Medicare statutes, the federal False Claims Act, or similar state 
and federal statutes and related regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows could be 
materially and adversely affected and our stock price could be adversely impacted.  Among other things, any settlement or litigation 
could involve the payment of substantial sums to settle any alleged civil violations, and may also include our assumption of specific 
procedural  and  financial  obligations  going  forward  under  a  corporate  integrity  agreement  and/or  other  arrangement  with  the 
government.

We are party to various legal actions and administrative proceedings and are subject to various claims arising in the ordinary 
course of business, including claims that our services have resulted in injury or death to the residents of our facilities and claims 
related to employment and commercial matters. Although we intend to vigorously defend ourselves in these matters, there can be 
no assurance that the outcomes of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial 
condition. In certain states in which we have or have had operations, insurance coverage for the risk of punitive damages arising 
from general and professional liability litigation may not be available due to state law public policy prohibitions. There can be no 
assurance that we will not be liable for punitive damages awarded in litigation arising in states for which punitive damage insurance 
coverage is not available. 

The skilled nursing business involves a significant risk of liability given the age and health of our patients and residents and 
the services we provide. We and others in our industry are subject to a large and increasing number of claims and lawsuits, including 
professional liability claims, alleging that our services have resulted in personal injury, elder abuse, wrongful death or other related 
claims. The defense of these lawsuits has in the past, and may in the future, result in significant legal costs, regardless of the 
outcome, and can result in large settlement amounts or damage awards. Plaintiffs tend to sue every healthcare provider who may 
have been involved in the patient's care and, accordingly, we respond to multiple lawsuits and claims every year. 

In addition, plaintiffs' attorneys have become increasingly more aggressive in their pursuit of claims against healthcare 
providers, including skilled nursing providers and other long-term care companies, and have employed a wide variety of advertising 
and publicity strategies. Among other things, these strategies include establishing their own Internet websites, paying for premium 
advertising space on other websites, paying Internet search engines to optimize their plaintiff solicitation advertising so that it 
appears in advantageous positions on Internet search results, including results from searches for our company and facilities, using 
newspaper, magazine and television ads targeted at customers of the healthcare industry generally, as well as at customers of 
specific providers, including us. From time to time, law firms claiming to specialize in long-term care litigation have named us, 
our facilities and other specific healthcare providers and facilities in their advertising and solicitation materials. These advertising 
and solicitation activities could result in more claims and litigation, which could increase our liability exposure and legal expenses, 
divert the time and attention of our personnel from day-to-day business operations, and materially and adversely affect our financial 
condition and results of operations. Furthermore, to the extent the frequency and/or severity of losses from such claims and suits 
increases, our liability insurance premiums could increase and/or available insurance coverage levels could decline, which could 
materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. 

Other companies in our industry have been the subject of lawsuits alleging negligence, abuses and other causes of action 
which have, in some cases, resulted in large damage awards and settlements.  In addition, there has been an increase in the number 
of class-action suits filed against us and other companies in our industry, which also have the potential to result in large damage 
awards and settlements.  A class action suit was previously filed against us in the State of California alleging, among other things, 
violations of certain Health and Safety Code provisions and a violation of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act at certain of our 
California facilities. In 2007, we settled this class action suit, and the settlement was approved by both the class and the Court. 

49

Healthcare litigation is common and is filed based upon a wide variety of claims and theories, and we are routinely subjected 
to  varying  types  of  claims.    One  particular  type  of  suit  arises  from  alleged  violations  of  state-established  minimum  staffing 
requirements for skilled nursing facilities.  Failure to meet these requirements can, among other things, jeopardize a facility's 
compliance with conditions of participation under certain state and federal healthcare programs; it may also subject the facility to 
a notice of deficiency, a citation, civil money penalties, or litigation.  These "staffing" suits have become more prevalent in the 
wake of a previous substantial jury award against one of our competitors, and we expect the plaintiff's bar to become increasingly 
aggressive in their pursuit of these staffing and similar claims.  We are currently defending one such staffing class-action claim 
filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, and have reached a tentative settlement with class counsel that is awaiting court approval.  
The total costs associated with the settlement, including attorney's fees, estimated class payout, and related costs and expense, are 
projected to be $5.0 million, of which $2.6 million of this amount was recorded in the quarter ended June 30, 2012, with the 
balance having been expensed in prior periods.  Assuming that the settlement is approved by the court, the settlement will not 
have a material ongoing adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. 

Other claims and suits, including class actions, continue to be filed against us and other companies in our industry.  For 
example, there has been an increase in the number of wage and hour class action claims filed in several of the jurisdictions where 
we are present. Allegations typically include claimed failures to permit or properly compensate for meal and rest periods, or failure 
to pay for time worked.  If there were a significant increase in the number of these claims or an increase in amounts owing should 
plaintiffs be successful in their prosecution of these claims, this could have a material adverse effect to our business, financial 
condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, we contract with a variety of landlords, lenders, vendors, suppliers, 
consultants and other individuals and businesses. These contracts typically contain covenants and default provisions. If the other 
party to one or more of our contracts were to allege that we have violated the contract terms, we could be subject to civil liabilities 
which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  

We operate in an industry that is extremely regulated. As such, in the ordinary course of business, we are continuously subject 
to state and federal regulatory scrutiny, supervision and control. Such regulatory scrutiny often includes inquiries, investigations, 
examinations, audits, site visits and surveys, some of which are non-routine. In addition to being subject to direct regulatory 
oversight of state and federal regulatory agencies, our industry is frequently subject to the regulatory practices, which could subject 
us to civil, administrative or criminal fines, penalties or restitutionary relief, and reimbursement authorities could also seek the 
suspension or exclusion of the provider or individual from participation in their program. We believe that there has been, and will 
continue  to  be,  an  increase  in  governmental  investigations  of  long-term  care  providers,  particularly  in  the  area  of  Medicare/
Medicaid false claims, as well as an increase in enforcement actions resulting from these investigations. Adverse discriminations 
in legal proceedings or governmental investigations, whether currently asserted or arising in the future, could have a material 
adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. 

Item 4.   

Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

50

PART II.

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

Market Information 

Our common stock has been traded under the symbol “ENSG” on the NASDAQ Global Select Market since our initial 
public offering on November 8, 2007. Prior to that time, there was no public market for our common stock. The following table 
shows the high and low sale prices for the common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market for the periods 
indicated: 

Fiscal 2011

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter
Fiscal 2012

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

High

Low

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

32.80

34.85

32.65

26.20

$

$

$

$

29.73   $

28.71   $

30.76   $

31.25   $

23.09

26.09

19.61

20.46

24.01

23.40

26.53

24.97

During fiscal 2012, we declared aggregate cash dividends of $0.245 per share of common stock, for a total of approximately 

$5.3 million. 

As of February 11, 2013, there were approximately 226 holders of record of our common stock. 

51

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
The graph below shows the cumulative total stockholder return of an investment of $100 (and the reinvestment of any 
dividends thereafter) on December 31, 2007 in (i) our common stock, (ii) the Skilled Nursing Facilities Peer Group 1 and (iii) the 
NASDAQ Market Index. Our stock price performance shown in the graph below is not indicative of future stock price performance. 

COMPARISON OF 60 MONTH CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Ensign Group, the NASDAQ Composite Index
and a Peer Group

*$100 invested on 12/31/07 in stock in index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.

Comparison of 60 month cumulative total return among The Ensign Group, Inc., NASDAQ Market Index, Skilled 
Nursing Facilities 

The Ensign Group, Inc. 
NASDAQ Market Index
Peer Group

December 31,

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

$ 100.00 $ 117.82 $ 109.63 $ 179.38 $ 178.29 $ 199.35
$ 100.00 $ 60.02 $ 87.24 $ 103.08 $ 102.26 $ 120.41
$ 100.00 $ 79.13 $ 74.46 $ 106.00 $ 94.24 $ 103.51

The current composition of the Skilled Nursing Facilities Peer Group 1, SIC Code 8051 is as follows: 

AdCare Health Systems, Inc., Advocat, Inc., Five Star Quality Care, Inc., National Healthcare Corporation, Skilled Healthcare 
Group, Inc., Regent Assisted Living, Inc., and The Ensign Group, Inc. 

52

 
 
 
Dividend Policy 

The following table summarizes common stock dividends declared to shareholders during the two most recent fiscal years: 

2011
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
2012
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

Dividend per
Share

Aggregate
Dividend
Declared

(in thousands)

$
$
$
$

$
$
$
$

0.055   $
0.055   $
0.055   $
0.060   $

0.060   $
0.060   $
0.060   $
0.065   $

1,157
1,161
1,169
1,283

1,292
1,298
1,306
1,424

We do not have a formal dividend policy but we currently intend to continue to pay regular quarterly dividends to the holders 
of our common stock. From 2002 to 2012, we paid aggregate annual dividends equal to approximately 5% to 15% of our net 
income. However, future dividends will continue to be at the discretion of our board of directors, and we may or may not continue 
to pay dividends at such rate. We expect that the payment of dividends will depend on many factors, including our results of 
operations, financial condition and capital requirements, earnings, general business conditions, legal restrictions on the payment 
of dividends and other factors the board of directors deems relevant. The senior credit facility agreement governing our revolving 
line of credit with a five-bank lending consortium arranged by SunTrust and Wells Fargo restricts our subsidiaries and our ability 
to pay dividends to stockholders in excess of 20% of consolidated net income, or at all if we receive notice that we are in default 
under this agreement. In addition, we are a holding company with no direct operating assets, employees or revenues. As a result, 
we are dependent upon distributions from our independent subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our financial 
obligations and pay dividends. It is possible that in certain quarters, we may pay dividends that exceed our net income for such 
period as calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). 

Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities 

 Common Stock Repurchase Program.  In the fourth quarter of 2012, the board of directors authorized the renewal of our 

common stock repurchase program, authorizing the repurchase of up to $10.0 million of our common stock over the next 12 
months.  Under this program, we are authorized to repurchase our issued and outstanding common shares from time to time in 
open-market and privately negotiated transactions and block trades in accordance with federal securities laws, including Rule 
10b-18 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. 

The number of shares repurchased will depend entirely upon the levels of cash available, the attractiveness of alternate 
investment and business opportunities either at hand or on the horizon, Management's perception of value relative to market price 
and other legal, regulatory and contractual requirements. The repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any particular 
dollar amount or number of shares of common stock.   During the year ended December 31, 2012, we repurchased 7,340 shares 
of our common stock for a total of $0.2 million. 

53

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

The following selected consolidated financial data for the periods indicated have been derived from our consolidated financial 
statements. The financial data set forth below should be read in connection with Item 7 - “Management's Discussion and Analysis 
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto: 

Revenue
Expense:

Cost of services (exclusive of facility rent and
depreciation and amortization shown separately below)
Charge related to U.S. Government inquiry
Facility rent - cost of services
General and administrative expense
Depreciation and amortization

Total expenses

Income from operations
Other income (expense):

Interest expense
Interest income

Other expense, net

Income before provision for income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net income
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests(2)
Net income attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc.
Net income per share(1):

Basic
Diluted

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic
Diluted

2012

$ 824,719

660,070
15,000
13,319
31,819
28,464
748,672
76,047

(12,229)
255
(11,974)
64,073
24,265
39,808
(783)
40,591

1.89
1.85

$

$
$

2011

December 31,
2010
(In thousands, except per share data)
$ 649,532

$ 542,002

2009

$ 758,277

2008

$ 469,372

600,804
—
13,725
29,766
23,286
667,581  
90,696  

516,668
—
14,478
26,099
16,633
573,878  
75,654  

434,318
—
14,703
20,767
13,276
483,064  
58,938  

376,742
—
14,932
20,017
9,026
420,717
48,655

(13,778)
249
(13,529)
77,167
29,492
47,675
—
47,675

2.27
2.21

$

$
$

$

$
$

(9,123)
248
(8,875)
66,779
26,253
40,526
—
40,526

1.95
1.92

$

$
$

(5,691)
279
(5,412)
53,526
21,040
32,486
—
32,486

1.58
1.55

$

$
$

(4,784)
1,374
(3,410)
45,245
17,736
27,509
—
27,509

1.34
1.33

21,429
21,942

20,967
21,583

20,744
21,159

20,603
20,925

20,520
20,715

(1) See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2) See Notes 6 and 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents
Working capital
Total assets
Long-term debt, less current maturities
Equity
Cash dividends declared per common share

December 31,

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

(In thousands, except per share data)

$

$

40,923
46,252
690,862
200,505
327,884
0.245

$

$

29,584
40,252
596,339
181,556
277,485
0.225

$

$

72,088
76,642
479,892
139,451
228,203
0.205

$

$

38,855
45,559
391,348
107,401
187,559
0.185

$

$

41,326
46,811
296,901
59,489
156,021
0.165

54

 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
Other Non-GAAP Financial Data:
EBITDA(1)
Adjusted EBITDA(1)(2)
EBITDAR(1)
Adjusted EBITDAR(1)(2)

_______________________

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Year Ended December 31,

(In thousands)

$ 105,294
129,307
118,613
141,766

$ 113,982   $
115,978
127,707  
129,703

92,287   $
92,622
106,765  
107,100

72,214   $
72,563
86,917  
87,266

57,681
57,681
72,613
72,613

(1)  EBITDA,  EBITDAR, Adjusted  EBITDA  and Adjusted  EBITDAR  are  supplemental  non-GAAP  financial  measures. 
Regulation G, Conditions for Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, and other provisions of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, define and prescribe the conditions for use of certain non-GAAP financial information. We 
calculate EBITDA as net income, adjusted for net losses attributable to noncontrolling interest, before (a) interest expense, 
net, (b) provision for income taxes, and (c) depreciation and amortization. We calculate EBITDAR by adjusting EBITDA 
to exclude facility rent—cost of services. These non-GAAP financial measures are used in addition to and in conjunction 
with results presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be relied upon to the 
exclusion of GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects 
of our operations that, when viewed with our GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliations to corresponding GAAP 
financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business.

We believe EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR are useful to investors and other external 

users of our financial statements in evaluating our operating performance because:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

they are widely used by investors and analysts in our industry as a supplemental measure to evaluate the overall operating 
performance of companies in our industry without regard to items such as interest expense, net and depreciation and 
amortization, which can vary substantially from company to company depending on the book value of assets, capital 
structure and the method by which assets were acquired; and

they help investors evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the impact of 
our capital structure and asset base from our operating results.

We use EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR:

as measurements of our operating performance to assist us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis;

to allocate resources to enhance the financial performance of our business;

to evaluate the effectiveness of our operational strategies; and

to compare our operating performance to that of our competitors.

We typically use EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR to compare the operating performance 
of each operation.  EBITDA and EBITDAR are useful in this regard because they do not include such costs as net interest expense, 
income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, and, with respect to EBITDAR, facility rent — cost of services, which may 
vary from period-to-period depending upon various factors, including the method used to finance facilities, the amount of debt 
that we have incurred, whether a facility is owned or leased, the date of acquisition of a facility or business, and the tax law of the 
state in which a business unit operates. As a result, we believe that the use of EBITDA and EBITDAR provide a meaningful and 
consistent comparison of our business between periods by eliminating certain items required by GAAP.

We also establish compensation programs and bonuses for our leaders that are partially based upon the achievement of 

Adjusted EBITDAR targets.

55

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
Despite the importance of these measures in analyzing our underlying business, designing incentive compensation and for 
our goal setting, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR are non-GAAP financial measures that have 
no standardized meaning defined by GAAP. Therefore, our EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR 
measures have limitations as analytical tools, and they should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our 
results as reported in accordance with GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

they do not reflect our current or future cash requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

they do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

they do not reflect the net interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, 
on our debt;

they do not reflect any income tax payments we may be required to make;

although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have 
to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and EBITDAR do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; 
and

other companies in our industry may calculate these measures differently than we do, which may limit their usefulness 
as comparative measures.

We compensate for these limitations by using them only to supplement net income on a basis prepared in accordance with 

GAAP in order to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business.

Management strongly encourages investors to review our consolidated financial statements in their entirety and to not rely 
on any single financial measure. Because these non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to 
compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. For 
information about our financial results as reported in accordance with GAAP, see our consolidated financial statements and related 
notes included elsewhere in this document.

(2)  Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted for non-core business items, which for the reported periods includes, to the extent 

applicable:

Settlement of a class action lawsuit regarding minimum staffing requirements in the State of California.
Impairment charges

•  Charge related to the U.S. Government inquiry.
•  Legal costs incurred in connection with the U.S. Government inquiry.
• 
• 
•  Losses incurred by our newly opened urgent care centers
•  Acquisition-related costs
•  Costs incurred to recognize income tax credits

Adjusted EBITDAR is EBITDAR adjusted for the above noted non-core business items.

56

The table below reconciles net income to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR for the 

periods presented:

Consolidated Statements of Income Data:

Net income

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

Interest expense, net

Provision for income taxes

Depreciation and amortization

EBITDA

Facility rent—cost of services

EBITDAR

EBITDA

Charge related to the U.S. Government inquiry(a)

Legal costs(b)

Settlement of class action lawsuit(c)

Impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived 
intangibles(d)

Urgent care center losses(e)

Acquisition related costs(f)

Costs incurred to recognize income tax credits(g)

Rent related to non-core business items above(h)

Adjusted EBITDA

Facility rent—cost of services

Less: rent related to non-core business items above(h)

Adjusted EBITDAR

_______________________

December 31,

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

(In thousands)

$ 39,808

$ 47,675

$ 40,526

$ 32,486

$ 27,509

783

11,974

24,265

28,464

—

13,529

29,492

23,286

—

8,875

26,253

16,633

—

5,412

21,040

13,276

—

3,410

17,736

9,026

$ 105,294

$ 113,982

$ 92,287

$ 72,214

$ 57,681

13,319

13,725

14,478

14,703

14,932

$ 118,613

$ 127,707

$ 106,765

$ 86,917

$ 72,613

$ 105,294

$ 113,982

$ 92,287

$ 72,214

$ 57,681

15,000

1,945

2,596

2,225

546

250

591

860

—

1,544

—

—

—

452

—

—

—

—

—

185

—

150

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

349

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

$ 129,307

$ 115,978

$ 92,622

$ 72,563

$ 57,681

13,319
(860)
$ 141,766

13,725

14,478

14,703

14,932

—

—

—

—

$ 129,703

$ 107,100

$ 87,266

$ 72,613

(a)  Estimated liability related to our efforts to achieve a global, company-wide, resolution of any claims connected to the 

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation.

(b)  Legal costs incurred in connection with the ongoing investigation into the billing and reimbursement processes of some 

of our subsidiaries being conducted by the DOJ.

(c)  Settlement of a class action lawsuit regarding minimum staffing requirements in the state of California during the period 

ended June 30, 2012.

(d)  Impairment  charges  recorded  at  DRX,  which  we  attribute  to  a  decline  in  the  estimated  fair  value  of  redeemable 

noncontrolling interest.

(e)  Revenues and expenses incurred at newly opened urgent care centers, which are not already excluded through the net 

loss attributable to noncontrolling interests.

(f)  Costs incurred to acquire an operation which are not capitalizable.
(g)  Costs incurred to recognize income tax credits which contributed to a decrease in effective tax rate.
(h)  Rent related to urgent care operations, not included in item (e) above and straight-line rent amortization at one facility, 
for which the Company has begun construction activities, but has not commenced operations of a skilled nursing facility.

57

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, 
which  appear  elsewhere  in  this  Annual  Report.  This  discussion  contains  forward-looking  statements  that  involve  risks  and 
uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of 
various  factors,  including  those  discussed  below  and  elsewhere  in  this  Annual  Report.  See  Item 1A. -  “Risk  Factors”    and 
"Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."

Overview

We are a provider of skilled nursing and rehabilitative care services through the operation of 108 facilities, six home health 
and four hospice operations as of December 31, 2012, located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, 
Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. Our operations, each of which strives to be the service provider of choice in the community 
it  serves,  provide  a  broad  spectrum  of  skilled  nursing,  assisted  living,  home  health  and  hospice  services,  including  physical, 
occupational and speech therapies, and other rehabilitative and healthcare services, for both long-term residents and short-stay 
rehabilitation patients.  We recently entered into a business to develop and operate urgent care centers.  These walk-in clinics will 
offer daily access to healthcare for minor injuries and illnesses, including x-ray and lab services, all from convenient neighborhood 
locations with no appointments.  As of December 31, 2012, we owned 86 of our 108 facilities and operated an additional 22 
facilities under long-term lease arrangements, and had options to purchase two of those 22 facilities. 

We encourage and empower our facility leaders and staff to make their facility the “facility of choice” in the community it 
serves. This means that our leaders and staff are generally free to discern and address the unique needs and priorities of healthcare 
professionals, customers and other stakeholders in the local community or market, and then work to create a superior service 
offering and reputation for that particular community or market to encourage prospective customers and referral sources to choose 
or recommend the facility.  

The following table summarizes our facilities and operational skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living beds 

by ownership status as of December 31, 2012:

Number of facilities

Percent of total

Owned

86

79.6%

Operational skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living beds

9,479

Percent of total

77.7%

Leased
(with a
Purchase
Option)

2

1.9%

414

3.4%

Leased
(without a
Purchase
Option)

20

Total

108

18.5%

100.0%

2,305

12,198

18.9%

100.0%

The Ensign Group, Inc. is a holding company with no direct operating assets, employees or revenues. All of our operations 
are operated by separate, independent subsidiaries, which have their own management, employees and assets. In addition, one of 
our wholly-owned independent subsidiaries, which we call our Service Center, provides centralized accounting, payroll, human 
resources, information technology, legal, risk management and other services to each operating subsidiary through contractual 
relationships between such subsidiaries. We also have the Captive that provides some claims-made coverage to our operating 
subsidiaries for general and professional liability, as well as for certain workers’ compensation insurance liabilities. References 
herein to the consolidated “Company” and “its” assets and activities, as well as the use of the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and similar 
verbiage in this annual report is not meant to imply that The Ensign Group, Inc. has direct operating assets, employees or revenue, 
or that any of the operations, the Service Center or the Captive are operated by the same entity.

58

Recent Developments

U.S. Government Inquiry — We, through the special committee and our outside counsel, continue to work cooperatively 
with the DOJ. Ensign anticipates that this ongoing dialogue will continue in 2013 as part of our effort to resolve this matter.  Based 
on information gathered by us in connection with the work of the special committee, our outside counsel and their experts, we 
recorded an estimated liability in the amount of $15.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 related to our efforts to achieve a global, 
company-wide, resolution of any claims connected to the investigation. Active settlement discussions with the DOJ are ongoing 
and, until concluded, the outcome remains uncertain and the amount related to the resolution of any claims connected to this 
pending investigation could differ materially from our estimates.  At this time, we cannot estimate the possible range of loss that 
may result from any such proceedings or discussions.

We cannot predict or provide any assurance as to the possible outcome of the investigations or any possible related proceedings, 
or as to the possible outcome of any litigation.  If any litigation were to proceed, and we are subjected to, alleged to be liable for, 
or agree to a settlement of, claims or obligations under federal Medicare statutes, the federal False Claims Act, or similar state 
and federal statutes and related regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows could be 
materially and adversely affected and our stock price could be adversely impacted.  Among other things, any settlement or litigation 
could involve the payment of substantial sums to settle any alleged civil violations, and may also include our assumption of specific 
procedural  and  financial  obligations  going  forward  under  a  corporate  integrity  agreement  and/or  other  arrangement  with  the 
government.

Board  of  Directors  —  Effective  June  15,  2012,  Mr.  Daren  J.  Shaw  was  appointed  by  the  board  of  directors,  at  the 
recommendation of the nomination and corporate governance committee, to serve on the audit committee with Mr. John Nackel 
and Mr. Thomas Maloof (Chair).  Mr. Shaw has also been appointed by the board of directors to serve on the nomination and 
corporate governance committee and the compensation committee.  On July 26, 2012, the board of directors appointed Mr. Shaw 
to serve as the chair of the audit committee effective September 1, 2012.

On October 31, 2012, Van R. Johnson informed the board of directors that he intends to retire from the board of directors at 
the close of the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders for 2013.  Mr. Johnson's resignation is due to his acceptance of a full-time 
volunteer assignment from his church that will require him to step away from all outside business engagements, including the 
board of directors.  Mr. Johnson has served on the board of directors since 2009 and is currently serving as the Chairman of the 
Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee.

Senior Credit Facility — On February 1, 2013, we entered into the third amendment to the senior credit facility with a six-
bank lending consortium arranged by SunTrust and Wells Fargo (the Senior Credit Facility) (the Third Amendment), which amends 
our existing Senior Credit Facility agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011.  The Third Amendment revises the Senior Credit Facility 
agreement to, among other things, (i) increase the revolving credit portion of the Senior Credit Facility by $75.0 million to an 
aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million, and (ii) extend the maturity date from July 15, 2016 to February 1, 2018.  Except 
as set forth in the Third Amendment, all other terms and conditions of the Senior Credit Facility remain in full force and effect. 

Urgent Care

Immediate Clinic (IC) — On January 10, 2012, we announced a joint venture to develop and operate urgent care facilities 
and related businesses.   Immediate Clinic (IC) will offer daily access to healthcare for minor injuries and illnesses, including x-
ray and lab services, all from convenient neighborhood locations with no appointments.  Design and construction planning for 
several new locations is currently underway, and IC is also seeking opportunities to acquire existing urgent care operations across 
the United States.  As of December 31, 2012, IC was operating three urgent care centers, and anticipates opening two additional 
centers during the first quarter of 2013.

Our joint venture partner and IC's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. John Shufeldt resigned on September 12, 2012.  On October 
4,  2012,  we  invested  an  additional  $6.0  million  to  IC  in  exchange  for  senior  preferred  stock  which  resulted  in  our  holding 
approximately 96% of the outstanding interests in the joint venture on a fully-diluted basis.  The proceeds of such investment will 
be used to continue the development of additional clinics in the Northwest.  In addition, on December 20, 2012, IC redeemed all 
remaining minority interests in IC. 

59

On February 15, 2012, IC purchased an equity investment in an urgent care software service provider for $1.4 million.  In 
addition, on March 1, 2012, DRX Urgent Care LLC (DRX), a newly formed subsidiary of IC, purchased substantially all of the 
assets and assumed certain liabilities of Doctors Express Franchising LLC, a national urgent care franchise system for $2.0 million, 
adjusted for certain items at the time of close and redeemable noncontrolling interest of $11.6 million. We recognized intangible 
assets of $7.9 million in trade name, $3.0 million in franchise relationships and $2.7 million in goodwill as part of this transaction.  
On December 31, 2012, IC purchased the remaining ownership interest in DRX for approximately $5.3 million. 

Mobile X-Ray and Diagnostics

On December 31, 2012, the Company purchased 80% of the membership interest of a mobile x-ray and diagnostic company 
for $5.8 million, plus preliminary net working capital of approximately $1.3 million for total consideration of approximately $7.1 
million, which was paid in cash.  The mobile diagnostic company is a leader in providing mobile diagnostic services, including 
digital x-ray, ultrasound, electrocardiograms, ankle-brachial index, and phlebotomy services to people in their homes or at long-
term  care  facilities.   The  Company  believes  the  acquisition  is  strategic  given  the  mobile  diagnostic  company's  experienced 
management team.  This acquisition will provide the Company with a broad set of services to its customers in the markets it serves.

The Company recognized intangible assets of approximately $0.9 million in trade name, $4.2 million in customer relationship 
and $2.1 million in goodwill as part of this transaction. See additional details in Note 9 Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived 
Intangible Assets-Net in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  The Company's preliminary determination of the fair value 
of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to 
change.  During the measurement period, when information becomes available which would indicate adjustments are required to 
the purchase price allocation, such adjustment will be included in the purchase price allocation retrospectively.  The measurement 
period is expected to extend as long as one year from the date of acquisition.

Acquisitions

On January 1, 2013, we acquired one home health operation in Washington and two hospice operations in California and 
Arizona, respectively, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $4.5 million, which was paid in cash.  These acquisitions 
did not impact our overall bed count.

During the fourth quarter of 2012, we purchased a skilled nursing facility in Texas for $2.6 million, which was paid in cash.  

This acquisition added 92 operational skilled nursing beds to our operations.

During the third quarter of 2012, we purchased two skilled nursing facilities in Idaho for $4.5 million in one transaction, 
which was paid in cash.  One of the skilled nursing facilities acquired also offers assisted living services.  This acquisition added 
94 operational skilled nursing beds and 24 assisted living units to our operations.

During the second quarter of 2012, we purchased a home health and hospice business with operations in Utah and Arizona 
and a skilled nursing facility in Texas in two separate transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $11.0 million.  All second 
quarter acquisitions were paid for in cash.  The skilled nursing facility acquisition added 150 operational skilled nursing beds, 
while the home health operations did not impact our overall bed count.

During the first quarter of 2012, we purchased one assisted living facility in Nevada, one home health operation in Oregon 
and one skilled nursing facility in Idaho in three separate transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $5.4 million.  All first 
quarter acquisitions were paid for in cash.  These acquisitions added an aggregate of 113 operational skilled nursing beds and 60  
assisted living units to our operations, while the home health operations acquisition did not impact our overall bed count.  

We also entered into separate operations transfer agreements with the prior operator as part of each of the above noted 

transactions.

In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2012, we purchased the underlying assets of three of our skilled nursing 
facilities in California which we previously operated under long-term lease agreements, which contained options to purchase, for 
$11.4 million, which was paid in cash.  These acquisitions did not impact our operational bed count.

See further discussion of acquisitions in Note 6 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

60

Key Performance Indicators

We manage our skilled nursing business by monitoring key performance indicators that affect our financial performance. 

These indicators and their definitions include the following:

•  Routine revenue: Routine revenue is generated by the contracted daily rate charged for all contractually inclusive skilled 
nursing services. The inclusion of therapy and other ancillary treatments varies by payor source and by contract. Services 
provided outside of the routine contractual agreement are recorded separately as ancillary revenue, including Medicare 
Part B therapy services, and are not included in the routine revenue definition.

• 

• 

Skilled revenue: The amount of routine revenue generated from patients in our skilled nursing facilities who are receiving 
higher levels of care under Medicare, managed care, Medicaid, or other skilled reimbursement programs. The other skilled 
residents that are included in this population represent very high acuity residents who are receiving high levels of nursing 
and ancillary services which are reimbursed by payors other than Medicare or managed care. Skilled revenue excludes 
any revenue generated from our assisted living services.

Skilled mix: The amount of our skilled revenue as a percentage of our total routine revenue. Skilled mix (in days) represents 
the number of days our Medicare, managed care, or other skilled patients are receiving services at our skilled nursing 
facilities divided by the total number of days patients (less days from assisted living services) from all payor sources are 
receiving services at our skilled nursing facilities for any given period (less days from assisted living services).

•  Quality mix: The amount of routine non-Medicaid revenue as a percentage of our total routine revenue. Quality mix (in 
days) represents the number of days our non-Medicaid patients are receiving services at our skilled nursing facilities 
divided by the total number of days patients from all payor sources are receiving services at our skilled nursing facilities 
for any given period (less days from assisted living services).

•  Average daily rates: The routine revenue by payor source for a period at our skilled nursing facilities divided by actual 

patient days for that revenue source for that given period.

•  Occupancy percentage (operational beds): The total number of residents occupying a bed in a skilled nursing, assisted 
living or independent living facility as a percentage of the beds in a facility which are available for occupancy during the 
measurement period.

•  Number of facilities and operational beds: The total number of skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living 

facilities that we own or operate and the total number of operational beds associated with these facilities.

Skilled and Quality Mix. Like most skilled nursing providers, we measure both patient days and revenue by payor. Medicare, 
managed care and other skilled patients, whom we refer to as high acuity patients, typically require a higher level of skilled nursing 
and rehabilitative care. Accordingly, Medicare and managed care reimbursement rates are typically higher than from other payors. 
In most states, Medicaid reimbursement rates are generally the lowest of all payor types. Changes in the payor mix can significantly 
affect our revenue and profitability.

The following table summarizes our overall skilled mix and quality mix for the periods indicated as a percentage of our total 
routine revenue (less revenue from assisted living services) and as a percentage of total patient days (less days from assisted living 
services):

Skilled Mix:

Days

Revenue
Quality Mix:

Days

Revenue

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

25.9%

50.0%

39.1%

59.5%

25.5%

51.3%

38.1%

60.1%

25.0%

49.1%

36.7%

57.8%

61

 
 
 
Occupancy. We define occupancy as the ratio of actual patient days (one patient day equals one resident occupying one bed 
for one day) during any measurement period to the number of beds in facilities which are available for occupancy during the 
measurement period. The number of licensed and independent living beds in a skilled nursing, assisted living or independent living 
facility that are actually operational and available for occupancy may be less than the total official licensed bed capacity. This 
sometimes occurs due to the permanent dedication of bed space to alternative purposes, such as enhanced therapy treatment space 
or other desirable uses calculated to improve service offerings and/or operational efficiencies in a facility. In some cases, three- 
and four-bed wards have been reduced to two-bed rooms for resident comfort, and larger wards have been reduced to conform to 
changes  in  Medicare  requirements. These  beds  are  seldom  expected  to  be  placed  back  into  service. We  define  occupancy  in 
operational beds as the ratio of actual patient days during any measurement period to the number of available patient days for that 
period. We believe that reporting occupancy based on operational beds is consistent with industry practices and provides a more 
useful measure of actual occupancy performance from period to period.

The following table summarizes our overall occupancy statistics for the periods indicated:

Occupancy:

Operational beds at end of period

Available patient days

Actual patient days
Occupancy percentage (based on operational beds)

Revenue Sources

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

12,198

11,702

4,371,034

3,945,511

3,452,598

3,124,724

9,539

3,389,313

2,706,543

79.0%

79.2%

79.9%

Our total revenue represents revenue derived primarily from providing services to patients and residents of skilled nursing 
facilities, and to a lesser extent from assisted living facilities and ancillary services. We receive service revenue from Medicaid, 
Medicare, private payors and other third-party payors, and managed care sources. The sources and amounts of our revenue are 
determined by a number of factors, including bed capacity and occupancy rates of our healthcare facilities, the mix of patients at 
our facilities and the rates of reimbursement among payors. Payment for ancillary services varies based upon the service provided 
and the type of payor. The following table sets forth our total revenue by payor source and as a percentage of total revenue for the 
periods indicated:

Revenue:

Medicaid- custodial

Medicare
Medicaid-skilled

Total

Managed care
Private and other payors(1)

Total revenue

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

$

%

$

%

$

%

(Dollars in thousands)

$ 302,046

36.6% $ 277,736  

36.6% $ 259,711

40.0%

278,578
25,418

606,042

106,268

112,409

33.8
3.1

73.5

12.9

13.6

272,283  
20,290  

570,309  

94,266  

93,702  

35.9
2.7

75.2

12.4

12.4

219,217
17,573

496,501

84,364

68,667

33.7
2.7

76.4

13.0

10.6

$ 824,719

100.0% $ 758,277  

100.0% $ 649,532

100.0%

(1) Private and other payors includes revenue from urgent care centers and franchising businesses.

62

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Primary Components of Expense 

Cost  of  Services  (exclusive  of  facility  rent  and  depreciation  and  amortization  shown  separately).  Our  cost  of  services 
represents the costs of operating our facilities and primarily consists of payroll and related benefits, supplies, purchased services, 
and ancillary expenses such as the cost of pharmacy and therapy services provided to residents. Cost of services also includes the 
cost of general and professional liability insurance and other general cost of services with respect to our operations. 

Facility Rent - Cost of Services.  Facility rent - cost of services consists solely of base minimum rent amounts payable under 
lease agreements to third-party owners of the facilities that we operate but do not own and does not include taxes, insurance, 
impounds, capital reserves or other charges payable under the applicable lease agreements. 

General and Administrative Expense.  General and administrative expense consists primarily of payroll and related benefits 
and travel expenses for our Service Center personnel, including training and other operational support. General and administrative 
expense also includes professional fees (including accounting and legal fees), costs relating to our information systems, stock-
based compensation and rent for our Service Center office.

Depreciation  and  Amortization.  Property  and  equipment  are  recorded  at  their  original  historical  cost.  Depreciation  is 
computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets. The following is a summary of 
the depreciable lives of our depreciable assets: 

Buildings and improvements
Leasehold improvements
Furniture and equipment

Critical Accounting Policies 

Generally 15 to 30 years
Shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life, generally 5 to 15 years
3 to 10 years

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial 
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The 
preparation of these financial statements and related disclosures requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that 
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial 
statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis we review our 
judgments and estimates, including those related to doubtful accounts, income taxes, stock compensation, intangible assets and 
loss contingencies. We base our estimates and judgments upon our historical experience, knowledge of current conditions and our 
belief of what could occur in the future considering available information, including assumptions that we believe to be reasonable 
under the circumstances. By their nature, these estimates and judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty and actual 
results could differ materially from the amounts reported. The following summarizes our critical accounting policies, defined as 
those policies that we believe: (a) are the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations; and 
(b) require management's most subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects 
of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when the following four conditions have been met: (i) there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement 
exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or service has been rendered; (iii) the price is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collection is reasonably 
assured. Our revenue is derived primarily from providing healthcare services to residents and is recognized on the date services 
are provided at amounts billable to individual residents. For residents under reimbursement arrangements with third-party payors, 
including Medicaid, Medicare and private insurers, revenue is recorded based on contractually agreed-upon amounts on a per 
patient, daily basis.

Revenue from the Medicare and Medicaid programs accounted for 73.5% and 75.2% of our revenue for the years ended 
December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We record revenue from these governmental and managed care programs as services 
are performed at their expected net realizable amounts under these programs. Our revenue from governmental and managed care 
programs is subject to audit and retroactive adjustment by governmental and third-party agencies. Consistent with healthcare 
industry accounting practices, any changes to these governmental revenue estimates are recorded in the period the change or 
adjustment becomes known based on final settlement. We recorded retroactive adjustments that increased (decreased) revenue by 
$0.1 million, $0.3 million and $(0.1) million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our service specific revenue recognition policies are as follows:

Skilled Nursing Revenue

Our revenue is derived primarily from providing long-term healthcare services to residents and is recognized on the date 
services are provided at amounts billable to individual residents. For residents under reimbursement arrangements with third-party 
payors, including Medicaid, Medicare and private insurers, revenue is recorded based on contractually agreed-upon amounts on 
a per patient, daily basis. We record revenue from private pay patients, at the agreed upon rate, as services are performed.

Home Health and Hospice Revenue Recognition

Episodic Based Revenue —Net service revenue is typically recorded on a 60-day episode payment rate. We make adjustments 
to revenue on completed episodes to reflect differences between estimated and actual payment amounts, an inability to obtain 
appropriate billing documentation or authorizations acceptable to the payor and other reasons unrelated to credit risk. We record 
an estimate for the impact of such payment adjustments based on its historical experience. In addition to revenue recognized on 
completed episodes, we also recognize a portion of revenue associated with episodes in progress. Episodes in progress are 60-day 
episodes of care that begin during the reporting period, but were not completed as of the end of the period. We estimate this revenue 
on a monthly basis. The primary factors underlying this estimate are the number of episodes in progress at the end of the reporting 
period and expected Medicare revenue per episode.

Non-episodic Based Revenue — Revenue is recorded on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal 

to our established or estimated per-visit rates, as applicable.

Hospice Revenue — Revenue is recorded on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal to the estimated 
payment rates. The estimated payment rates are daily rates for each of the levels of care we deliver. We make adjustments to 
revenue for an inability to obtain appropriate billing documentation or authorizations acceptable to the payor and other reasons 
unrelated to credit risk.  Additionally, as Medicare hospice revenue is subject to an inpatient cap limit and an overall payment cap, 
we monitor our provider numbers and estimates amounts due back to Medicare if a cap has been exceeded. We record these 
adjustments as a reduction to revenue and increases other accrued liabilities.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 

Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts due from Medicare and Medicaid programs, other government programs, 
managed care health plans and private payor sources. Estimated provisions for doubtful accounts are recorded to the extent it is 
probable that a portion or all of a particular account will not be collected.  

In evaluating the collectability of accounts receivable, we consider a number of factors, including the age of the accounts, 
changes in collection patterns, the composition of patient accounts by payor type and the status of ongoing disputes with third-
party payors.  On an annual basis, the historical collection percentages are reviewed by payor and by state and are updated to 
reflect our recent collection experiences.  In order to determine the appropriate reserve rate percentages which ultimately establish 
the allowance, we analyze historical cash collection patterns by payor and by state.  The percentages applied to the aged receivable 
balances are based on our historical experience and time limits, if any, for managed care, Medicare, Medicaid and other payors. 
We periodically refine our estimates of the allowance for doubtful accounts based on experience with the estimation process and 
changes in circumstances.

Self-Insurance

We are partially self-insured for general and professional liability up to a base amount per claim (the self-insured retention) 
with an aggregate, one-time deductible above this limit. Losses beyond these amounts are insured through third-party policies 
with coverage limits per occurrence, per location and on an aggregate basis. For claims made after April 1, 2012, the combined 
self-insured retention was $0.5 million per claim with an aggregate $1.8 million deductible limit. For all facilities, except those 
located in Colorado, the third-party coverage above these limits was $1.0 million per occurrence, $3.0 million per facility, with a 
$10.0 million blanket aggregate and an additional state-specific aggregate where required by state law. In Colorado, the third-
party coverage above these limits was $1.0 million per occurrence and $3.0 million per facility, which is independent of the $10.0 
million blanket aggregate applicable to our other 103 facilities.

64

The self-insured retention and deductible limits for general and professional liability and workers' compensation are self-
insured through the Captive, the related assets and liabilities of which are included in the accompanying consolidated balance 
sheets. The Captive is subject to certain statutory requirements as an insurance provider. These requirements include, but are not 
limited to, maintaining statutory capital. Our policy is to accrue amounts equal to the actuarially estimated costs to settle open 
claims of insureds, as well as an estimate of the cost of insured claims that have been incurred but not reported. We develop 
information about the size of the ultimate claims based on historical experience, current industry information and actuarial analysis, 
and evaluate the estimates for claim loss exposure on a quarterly basis.  In addition, in accordance with guidance provided by the 
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in August 2010, we recorded an asset and equal liability in order to present the 
ultimate costs of malpractice claims and the anticipated insurance recoveries on a gross basis. 

Our operating subsidiaries are self-insured for workers’ compensation liability in California. To protect ourself against loss 
exposure in California with this policy, we have purchased individual stop-loss insurance coverage that insures individual claims 
that  exceed  $0.5  million  for  each  claim.  In Texas,  the  operating  subsidiaries  have  elected  non-subscriber  status  for  workers’ 
compensation claims and, effective February 1, 2011, we have purchased individual stop-loss  coverage that insures individual 
claims that exceed $0.8 million for each claim. Our operating subsidiaries in other states have third party guaranteed cost coverage. 
In California and Texas, we accrue amounts equal to the estimated costs to settle open claims, as well as an estimate of the cost 
of claims that have been incurred but not reported. We use actuarial valuations to estimate the liability based on historical experience 
and industry information.  

We  provide  self-insured  medical  (including  prescription  drugs)  and  dental  healthcare  benefits  to  the  majority  of  our 
employees. We are fully liable for all financial and legal aspects of these benefit plans. To protect ourself against loss exposure 
with this policy, we have purchased individual stop-loss insurance coverage that insures individual claims that exceed $0.3 million 
for each covered person with an aggregate individual stop loss deductible of approximately $0.1 million.

We believe that adequate provision has been made in the Financial Statements for liabilities that may arise out of patient 
care, workers’ compensation, healthcare benefits and related services provided to date. The amount of our reserves was determined 
based on an estimation process that uses information obtained from both company-specific and industry data. This estimation 
process requires us to continuously monitor and evaluate the life cycle of the claims. Using data obtained from this monitoring 
and our assumptions about emerging trends, we, with the assistance of an independent actuary, develops information about the 
size of ultimate claims based on our historical experience and other available industry information. The most significant assumptions 
used in the estimation process include determining the trend in costs, the expected cost of claims incurred but not reported and 
the expected costs to settle or pay damage awards with respect to unpaid claims. The self-insured liabilities are based upon estimates, 
and while management believes that the estimates of loss are reasonable, the ultimate liability may be in excess of or less than the 
recorded amounts. Due to the inherent volatility of actuarially determined loss estimates, it is reasonably possible that we could 
experience changes in estimated losses that could be material to net income. If our actual liability exceeds our estimates of loss, 
its future earnings, cash flows and financial condition would be adversely affected.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax 
basis of our assets and liabilities at tax rates in effect when such temporary differences are expected to reverse. We generally expect 
to fully utilize our deferred tax assets; however, when necessary, we record a valuation allowance to reduce our net deferred tax 
assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

When we take uncertain income tax positions that do not meet the recognition criteria, we record a liability for underpayment 
of income taxes and related interest and penalties, if any. In considering the need for and magnitude of a liability for such positions, 
we must consider the potential outcomes from a review of the positions by the taxing authorities.

In determining the need for a valuation allowance, the annual income tax rate, or the need for and magnitude of liabilities 
for uncertain tax positions, we make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are based on, among 
other things, knowledge of operations, markets, historical trends and likely future changes and, when appropriate, the opinions of 
advisors with knowledge and expertise in certain fields. Due to certain risks associated with our estimates and assumptions, actual 
results could differ.

65

Noncontrolling Interest 

The  noncontrolling  interest  in  a  subsidiary  is  initially  recognized  at  estimated  fair  value  on  the  acquisition  date  and  is 
presented  within  total  equity  in  our  consolidated  balance  sheets.    We  present  the  noncontrolling  interest  and  the  amount  of 
consolidated net income attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc. in our consolidated statements of income and net income per share 
is calculated based on net income attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc.'s stockholders.  The carrying amount of the noncontrolling 
interest is adjusted based on an allocation of subsidiary earnings based on ownership interest.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

We evaluate variable and fixed interest rate risk exposure on a routine basis and to the extent we believe that it is appropriate, 
we will offset most of our variable risk exposure by entering into interest rate swap agreements. It is our policy to only utilize 
derivative instruments for hedging purposes (i.e. not for speculation). We formally designate our interest rate swap agreements as 
hedges and documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items. We formally assess effectiveness of our 
hedging relationships, both at the hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, then measures and records ineffectiveness. We would 
discontinue hedge accounting prospectively (i) if it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting change in 
the cash flows of a hedged item, (ii) when the derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, (iii) if it is no longer probable 
that the forecasted transaction will occur, or (iv) if management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedge instrument 
is no longer appropriate. Our derivative is recorded on the balance sheet at its fair value.  

New Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the FASB amended its guidance on reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive 
income.    The  amendment  requires  companies  to  report  the  effect  of  significant  reclassifications  out  of  accumulated  other 
comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under GAAP to be 
reclassified in its entirety to net income.  For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety 
to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under GAAP that 
provide additional detail about those amounts.  This amendment applies to all entities that issue financial statements that are 
presented in conformity with GAAP and that report items of other comprehensive income and is effective for public companies 
for interim periods beginning after December 31, 2012. We are evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this amendment 
could have on our financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB clarified that an advance fee from a continuing care retirement community resident should be classified 
as deferred revenue if (1) the contract stipulates that this advance fee must be repaid when a room is reoccupied by a future resident 
and (2) the refundable amount is "limited to the proceeds from reoccupancy."  If the refundable amount is not limited to the 
proceeds from reoccupancy, the advance fee must be reported as a liability.  The above clarification is effective for fiscal periods 
beginning after December 15, 2012, however early adoption is permitted.  We do not believe the adoption of this clarification will 
have a material effect on our financial statements.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

In  July  2012,  the  FASB  amended  the  guidance  on  testing  indefinite-lived  intangible  assets,  other  than  goodwill,  for 
impairment.  The amendment was issued in response to feedback on the amendments made to the goodwill impairment testing 
requirements by allowing an entity to perform a qualitative impairment assessment before proceeding to the two-step impairment 
test.  Under the amended guidance, an entity testing an indefinite-lived intangible asset for impairment has the option of performing 
a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the asset.  Although this amendment revises the examples of events 
and circumstances that an entity should consider in interim periods, it does not revise the requirements to test (1) indefinite-lived 
intangible assets annually for impairment and (2) between annual tests if there is a change in events or circumstances.  This 
amendment is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012; 
however, early adoption is permitted.  We adopted this amendment during our current fiscal year impairment analysis in the fourth 
quarter.  The adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on our financial  statements.

In December 2011, the FASB indefinitely deferred the provisions that required entities to present reclassification adjustments 
out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the 
statement in which Other Comprehensive Income is presented (for both interim and annual financial statements).  During the 
deferral period, entities will still need to comply with the existing U.S. GAAP requirements for the presentation of reclassification 
adjustments.  The adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on our financial statements. 

66

  
In July 2011, the FASB amended its standards on how health care entities present revenue and bad debt expense.  Under the 
new guidance, health care entities are required to present bad debt expense related to patient service revenue as a reduction of 
patient service revenue (net of contractual allowances and discounts) on the statement of income for entities that do not assess a 
patient's ability to pay prior to rendering services.  Further, it was determined, net presentation of bad debt expense in revenue 
would only apply to bad debts that are related to patient service revenue, to entities that provide services prior to assessing a 
patient's ability to pay, or to entities that recognize revenue prior to deciding that collection is reasonably assured.  In addition, 
the final consensus requires health care entities to disclose information about the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts, 
such as recoveries and write-offs, by using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative data.  It will also require disclosure of our 
policies  for  (i)  assessing  the  timing  and  amount  of  uncollectible  revenue  recognized  as  bad  debt  expense;  and  (ii)  assessing 
collectability in the timing and amount of revenue (net of contractual allowances and discounts).  We adopted the disclosure 
requirements of this amendment during the first quarter of the current year.  We determined the requirements for presentation of 
bad debt expense related to patient service revenue as a reduction of patient service revenue outlined in the amendment is not 
applicable as we assess each patient's ability to pay prior to rendering services.

67

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth details of our revenue, expenses and earnings as a percentage of total revenue for the 

periods indicated:

Revenue

Expenses:

Cost of services (exclusive of facility rent, general and administrative expense and
depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

Charge related to U.S. Government inquiry

Facility rent—cost of services

General and administrative expense

Depreciation and amortization

Total expenses

Income from operations

Other income (expense):

Interest expense

Interest income

Other expense, net

Income before provision for income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Net income

Less: net (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests

Net income attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc.

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

80.0

1.8

1.6

3.9

3.5

90.8

9.2

(1.5)
—
(1.5)
7.7

2.9

4.8
(0.1)
4.9%

79.2

—

1.8

3.9

3.1

88.0

12.0

(1.8)
—
(1.8)
10.2

3.9

6.3

—

79.5

—

2.2

4.0

2.6

88.3

11.7

(1.4)
—
(1.4)
10.3

4.1

6.2

—

6.3%

6.2%

68

 
Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2011

Total Facility Results:

Revenue
Number of facilities at period end
Actual patient days
Occupancy percentage — Operational beds
Skilled mix by nursing days
Skilled mix by nursing revenue

Same Facility Results(1):

Revenue
Number of facilities at period end
Actual patient days
Occupancy percentage — Operational beds
Skilled mix by nursing days
Skilled mix by nursing revenue

Transitioning Facility Results(2):

Revenue
Number of facilities at period end
Actual patient days
Occupancy percentage — Operational beds
Skilled mix by nursing days
Skilled mix by nursing revenue

Recently Acquired Facility Results(3):

Revenue
Number of facilities at period end
Actual patient days
Occupancy percentage — Operational beds
Skilled mix by nursing days
Skilled mix by nursing revenue

_______________________

Year Ended
December 31,

2012
2011
(Dollars in thousands)

Change

% Change

$

824,719
108
3,452,598

$

758,277
102
3,124,724

$

66,442
6
327,874

79.0%
25.9%
50.0%

79.2%  
25.5%  
51.3%  

8.8 %
5.9 %
10.5 %
(0.2)%
0.4 %
(1.3)%

Year Ended
December 31,

2012
2011
(Dollars in thousands)

Change

% Change

$

563,719
62
2,152,011

$

568,087
62
2,137,951

$

(4,368)
—
14,060

82.7%
29.5%
54.2%

82.2%  
29.0%  
55.4%  

(0.8)%
— %
0.7 %
0.5 %
0.5 %
(1.2)%

Year Ended
December 31,

2012
2011
(Dollars in thousands)

Change

% Change

$

147,104
20
662,290

$

138,521
20
640,396

$

8,583
—
21,894

75.0%
18.3%
39.0%

72.7%  
16.3%  
37.3%  

6.2%
—%
3.4%
2.3%
2.0%
1.7%

Year Ended
December 31,

2011
2012
(Dollars in thousands)

Change

% Change

$

113,896
26
638,297

$

51,669
20
346,377

$

62,227
6
291,920

72.1%
17.5%
38.2%

74.9%
14.2%  
34.0%  

NM
NM
NM
NM
NM
NM

(1)  Same Facility results represent all facilities purchased prior to January 1, 2009. 

(2)  Transitioning Facility results represents all facilities purchased from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010.

(3)  Recently Acquired Facility (or “Acquisitions”) results represent all facilities purchased on or subsequent to January 1, 

2011.

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue. Revenue increased $66.4 million, or 8.8%, to $824.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 
$758.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. Of the $66.4 million increase, Medicare and managed care revenue increased 
$18.3 million, or 5.0%, Medicaid revenue increased $24.3 million, or 8.8%, private and other revenue increased $18.7 million, 
or 20.0% and other skilled revenue increased $5.1 million, or 25.3%.  Revenue generated by Recently Acquired Facilities increased 
by approximately $62.2 million, due to the Company's acquisition of 26 facilities, five home health and two hospice operations 
in ten states since January 1, 2011.

Revenue generated by Same Facilities decreased $4.4 million, or 0.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared 
to the year ended December 31, 2011.  Medicare revenue per patient day at Same Facilities decreased 8.6% during the year ended 
December 31, 2012 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011.  This decrease was primarily due to the impact of the 
CMS-imposed 11.1% reduction in Medicare skilled nursing PPS payments and therapy changes, which were implemented on 
October 1, 2011.  This reduction was partially offset by an increase in occupancy of 0.5% to 82.7%, as well as an increase in 
skilled mix by nursing days of 0.5%, to 29.5%, which was the result of an increase in other skilled patient days at Same Facilities 
of 9.8%, as well as increases in Medicare and managed care patient days as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011.

Revenue at Transitioning Facilities increased by $8.6 million, or 6.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared 
to the year ended December 31, 2011.  This increase was achieved despite a decrease in Medicare revenue per patient day of 7.1% 
at Transitioning Facilities for the year ended December 31, 2012.  This increase in revenue was primarily due to an increase in 
occupancy of 2.3% to 75.0%, as well as an increase in skilled mix by nursing days of 2.0%, to 18.3%, which was the result of 
increases in managed care and Medicare patient days of 35.4% and 6.6%, respectively, as compared to the year ended December 31, 
2011.

The following table reflects the change in the skilled nursing average daily revenue rates by payor source, excluding services 

that are not covered by the daily rate:

Same Facility

Transitioning

Acquisitions

Total

%

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

Change

Years Ended December 31,

Skilled Nursing Average
Daily Revenue Rates:

Medicare

Managed care

Other skilled

Total skilled revenue

Medicaid

Private and other payors

Total skilled nursing
revenue

$ 564.94

$ 618.22

$ 485.07

$ 522.28

$ 471.49

$ 464.57

$ 541.63

$ 595.30

377.94

521.11

492.71

170.76

196.64

367.74

542.93

519.82

168.36

188.21

408.23

571.97

470.08

164.91

167.34

415.82

554.10

497.87

161.43

173.40

400.94

610.62

461.19

154.04

165.64

408.28

382.13

— 528.00

458.06

138.48

158.35

486.98

167.78

181.52

372.41

564.60

515.90

165.11

179.42

(9.0)%

2.6 %

(6.5)%

(5.6)%

1.6 %

1.2 %

$ 268.24

$ 272.35

$ 221.20

$ 218.01

$ 211.56

$ 191.02

$ 252.18

$ 256.34

(1.6)%

The 2011 results include the impact of the implementation of RUGS IV on both revenue reimbursement and related cost 
structure changes included in MDS 3.0 and concurrent therapy in the first three quarters of 2011.  Medicare daily rates decreased 
by 9.0%, due to the impact of the CMS imposed 11.1% reduction in Medicare skilled nursing PPS payments and therapy changes, 
which were implemented in October 2011.  The average Medicaid rate increased 1.6% for the year ended December 31, 2012 
relative to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to increases in rates in several states and increased acuity in case mix 
states where rates were cut, partially offset by decreases in rates in Arizona due to changes in base reimbursement rates.

Historically, we have generally experienced lower occupancy rates, lower skilled mix and quality mix at Recently Acquired 
Facilities and therefore, we anticipate generally lower overall occupancy during years of growth.  In the future, if we acquire 
additional facilities into our overall portfolio, we expect this trend to continue. Accordingly, we anticipate our overall occupancy 
will vary from quarter to quarter based upon the maturity of the facilities within our portfolio.

70

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payor Sources as a Percentage of Skilled Nursing Services. We use both our skilled mix and quality mix as measures of the 
quality of reimbursements we receive at our skilled nursing facilities over various periods. The following tables set forth our 
percentage of skilled nursing patient revenue and days by payor source:

Percentage of Skilled Nursing
Revenue:

Medicare

Managed care

Other skilled

Skilled mix

Private and other payors

Quality mix

Medicaid

Years Ended December 31,

Same Facility

Transitioning

Acquisitions

Total

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

34.4%

37.1%

26.3%

28.3%

33.3%

30.5%

32.9%

35.3%

15.6

4.2

54.2

7.1

61.3

38.7

14.7

3.6

55.4

7.1

62.5

37.5

9.4

3.3

39.0

10.3

49.3

50.7

7.5

1.5

37.3

10.6

47.9

52.1

4.9

—

38.2

24.9

63.1

36.9

3.5

—

34.0

30.3

64.3

35.7

13.4

3.7

50.0

9.5

59.5

40.5

12.9

3.1

51.3

8.8

60.1

39.9

Total skilled nursing

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Percentage of Skilled Nursing
Days:

Medicare

Managed care

Other skilled

Skilled mix

Private and other payors

Quality mix

Medicaid

Years Ended December 31,

Same Facility

Transitioning

Acquisitions

Total

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

2012

2011

16.3%

16.3%

12.0%

11.8%

14.9%

12.5%

15.3%

15.2%

11.2

2.0

29.5

9.7

39.2

60.8

10.9

1.8

29.0

10.3

39.3

60.7

5.1

1.2

18.3

13.6

31.9

68.1

3.9

0.6

16.3

13.4

29.7

70.3

2.6

—

17.5

31.9

49.4

50.6

1.7

—

14.2

36.6

50.8

49.2

9.0

1.6

25.9

13.2

39.1

60.9

8.9

1.4

25.5

12.6

38.1

61.9

Total skilled nursing

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Cost of Services (exclusive of facility rent and depreciation and amortization shown separately). Cost of services increased 
$59.3 million, or 9.9%, to $660.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $600.8 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2011.  Of the $59.3 million increase, Same Facilities increased $1.4 million, or 0.3% and Recently Acquired Facilities 
increased $52.7 million.  The $1.4 million increase in Same Facility cost of services was primarily due to an increase in ancillary 
expenses, partially offset by decreases in wages and benefits. The increase in ancillary expenses was primarily due to increased 
therapy costs as was anticipated due to the change in therapy regulation implemented on October 1, 2011.  The decrease in wages 
and benefits was primarily due to reduced performance during the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 2011.  Included 
in the $52.7 million increase in cost of services at Recently Acquired Facilities were impairment charges to intangible assets of 
$2.2 million resulting from a decline in fair value of DRX.  See further discussion of impairment charges at Note 9, Goodwill and 
Other Indefinite-Lived Intangibles in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  Cost of services increased as a percent of total 
revenue to 80.0% for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 79.2% for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Charge Related to U.S. Government Inquiry.  During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company accrued an estimated 
liability of $15.0 million related to the ongoing investigation into some of our subsidiaries being conducted by the Department of 
Justice (DOJ).  See further discussion of the DOJ investigation and related estimated settlement in Liquidity and Capital Resources.

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Facility Rent — Cost of Services. Facility rent — cost of services decreased $0.4 million, or 3.0%, to $13.3 million for the 
year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $13.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. Facility rent-cost of services 
decreased as a percent of total revenue to 1.6% for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 1.8% for the year ended 
December 31, 2011.  The decrease in facility rent is due to our purchase of the underlying assets of eight of our skilled nursing 
facilities  in  California,  Utah  and  Idaho  which  we  previously  operated  under  long-term  lease  agreements,  partially  offset  by 
additional rent recognized for a facility for which the Company has begun construction activities, but has not commenced operations 
of a skilled nursing facility as of December 31, 2012, new leases related to our urgent care centers, and normal annual increases 
in rent at leased facilities.

General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense increased $2.0 million, or 6.9%, to $31.8 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $29.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. General and administrative 
expenses remained consistent as a percent of total revenue at 3.9% for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. The $2.0 
million increase was primarily due to increases in wages and benefits due to our growth and increased legal costs incurred in 
connection with the ongoing investigation into the billing and reimbursement process of some of our subsidiaries being conducted 
by the DOJ.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $5.2 million, or 22.2%, to $28.5 million for 
the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $23.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. Depreciation and amortization 
expense increased as a percent of total revenue to 3.5% for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 3.1% for the year 
ended December 31, 2011.  This increase was primarily related to the additional depreciation of $2.0 million at Recently Acquired 
Facilities, as well as increases of $2.0 million and $1.2 million at Same and Transitioning Facilities, respectively, due to recent 
renovations and the purchase of the underlying assets of eight of our skilled nursing facilities which we previously operated under 
a long-term lease agreements. Of the $2.0 million increase at Recently Acquired Facilities, $0.5 million represented amortization 
expense of patient base intangible assets which are amortized over four to eight months. 

Other  Income  (Expense).  Other  expense,  net  decreased  $1.5  million,  or  11.5%,  to  $12.0  million  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2012 compared to $13.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The decrease in other expense, net was 
primarily the result of a one-time exit fee and related extinguishment fees of $2.5 million upon prepaying the Six Project Note 
and exiting our former revolving credit facility during the year ended December 31, 2011.  This decrease was partially offset by 
increased interest expense due to the additional $21.5 million in long-term debt added with the promissory notes with RBS Asset 
Finance, Inc. (2012 RBS Loan) in February 2012.

Provision for Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes decreased $5.2 million, or 17.7%, to $24.3 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2012 compared to $29.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. This decrease resulted from the decrease 
in income before income taxes of $13.1 million, or 17.0%.  In addition, our effective tax rate decreased 0.3% to 37.9% for the 
year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 38.2% for the year ended December 31, 2011.

72

Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010

Total Facility Results:

Revenue
Number of facilities at period end
Actual patient days
Occupancy percentage — Operational beds
Skilled mix by nursing days
Skilled mix by nursing revenue

Same Facility Results(1):

Revenue
Number of facilities at period end
Actual patient days
Occupancy percentage — Operational beds
Skilled mix by nursing days
Skilled mix by nursing revenue

Transitioning Facility Results(2):

Revenue
Number of facilities at period end
Actual patient days
Occupancy percentage — Operational beds
Skilled mix by nursing days
Skilled mix by nursing revenue

Recently Acquired Facility Results(3):

Revenue
Number of facilities at period end
Actual patient days
Occupancy percentage — Operational beds
Skilled mix by nursing days
Skilled mix by nursing revenue

_______________________

Years Ended
December 31,

2010
2011
(Dollars in thousands)

Change

% Change

$

758,277
102
3,124,724

$

649,532
82
2,706,543

$

108,745
20
418,181

79.2%
25.5%
51.3%

79.9%  
25.0%  
49.1%  

16.7 %
24.4 %
15.5 %
(0.7)%
0.5 %
2.2 %

Years Ended
December 31,

2010
2011
(Dollars in thousands)

Change

% Change

$

555,894
60
2,090,370

$

522,048
60
2,091,188

$

33,846
—
(818)

82.7%
29.0%
55.5%

82.5%  
27.9%  
52.9%  

6.5 %
— %
— %
0.2 %
1.1 %
2.6 %

Years Ended
December 31,

2010
2011
(Dollars in thousands)

Change

% Change

$

111,561
17
511,784

$

101,424
17
510,243

$

10,137
—
1,541

71.4%
17.0%
38.4%

71.2%  
14.5%  
32.8%  

10.0%
—%
0.3%
0.2%
2.5%
5.6%

Years Ended
December 31,

2011
2010
(Dollars in thousands)

Change

% Change

$

90,822
25
522,570

$

26,060
5
105,112

$

64,762
20
417,458

74.7%
15.3%
35.8%

75.8%
15.2%  
32.0%  

NM
NM
NM
(1.1)%
0.1 %
3.8 %

(1)  Same Facility results represent all facilities purchased prior to January 1, 2008. 

(2)  Transitioning Facility results represents all facilities purchased from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009.

(3)  Recently Acquired Facility (or “Acquisitions”) results represent all facilities purchased on or subsequent to January 1, 

2010.

73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue. Revenue increased $108.8 million, or 16.7%, to $758.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared 
to $649.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Of the $108.8 million increase, Medicare and managed care revenue 
increased  $63.0 million, or 20.7%, Medicaid revenue increased $18.0 million, or 6.9%, private and other revenue increased $25.0 
million, or 36.5% and other skilled revenue increased $2.7 million, or 15.5%.  Approximately $64.8 million of the total revenue 
increase was due to revenue generated by Recently Acquired Facilities. From January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2011, the 
Company acquired 25 facilities, four home health and two hospice operations in eight states.

Revenue generated by Same Facilities increased $33.8 million, or 6.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared 
to the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase was primarily due to an increase in skilled mix by nursing days of 1.1%, to 
29.0%, which was the result of an increase in Medicare patient days at Same Facilities of 6.3%.  In addition, Medicare revenue 
per patient day increased by 7.5% during the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2010 
due to higher acuity and rate increases during the first three quarters of the year.  The revenue increase at Same Facilities occurred 
despite a minor decrease in patient days, due primarily to significant renovations at four facilities which temporarily removed 
operational beds from service that were completed in the fourth quarter of 2011.

The following table reflects the change in the skilled nursing average daily revenue rates by payor source, excluding services 

that are not covered by the daily rate:

Same Facility

Transitioning

Acquisitions

Total

%

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

Change

Years Ended December 31,

Skilled Nursing Average
Daily Revenue Rates:

Medicare

Managed care

Other skilled

Total skilled revenue

Medicaid

Private and other payors

$ 620.10

$ 573.50

$ 522.46

$ 465.03

$ 489.19

$ 434.48

$ 595.30

$ 553.61

365.94

565.58

521.81

168.04

188.83

346.66

546.35

483.18

163.96

184.32

424.97

545.72

493.67

159.90

173.90

412.45

550.00

453.47

154.38

172.54

392.56

570.60

480.28

154.32

160.23

363.74

625.23

437.16

165.67

166.24

372.41

564.60

515.90

165.11

179.42

351.11

548.94

478.92

162.00

180.72

Total skilled nursing

$ 272.87

$ 255.36

$ 218.55

$ 200.22

$ 205.95

$ 206.88

$ 256.34

$ 243.26

7.5 %

6.1 %

2.9 %

7.7 %

1.9 %

(0.7)%

5.4 %

Medicare daily rates increased by 7.5%, due to rate increases during the first three quarters of the year and increased acuity 
levels throughout the year.  The above results include the impact of the implementation of RUGS IV on revenue reimbursement 
and related concurrent therapy changes included in MDS 3.0.  In addition, the 2011 results include the impact of the CMS imposed 
11.1% reduction in Medicare skilled nursing PPS payments and therapy changes, which were implemented on October 1, 2011.  
The average Medicaid rate increased 1.9% for the year ended December 31, 2011 relative to the same period in the prior year, 
primarily due to increases in rates in several states and increased acuity in case mix states where rates were cut, partially offset 
by decreases in other states.  In addition, we have experienced continued growth in our managed care rates as we have and will 
continue  to  enhance  our  relationships  with  these  organizations  to  appropriately  service  resident  needs  in  their  respective 
communities.

   Historically, we have generally experienced lower occupancy rates, lower skilled mix and quality mix at Recently Acquired 
Facilities and therefore, we anticipate generally lower overall occupancy during years of growth.  In the future, if we acquire 
additional facilities into our overall portfolio, we expect this trend to continue. Accordingly, we anticipate our overall occupancy 
will vary from quarter to quarter based upon the maturity of the facilities within our portfolio.

74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payor Sources as a Percentage of Skilled Nursing Services. We use both our skilled mix and quality mix as measures of the 
quality of reimbursements we receive at our skilled nursing facilities over various periods. The following tables set forth our 
percentage of skilled nursing patient revenue and days by payor source:

Percentage of Skilled Nursing
Revenue:

Medicare

Managed care

Other skilled

Skilled mix

Private and other payors

Quality mix

Medicaid

Years Ended December 31,

Same Facility

Transitioning

Acquisitions

Total

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

37.3%

34.6%

27.3%

26.2%

31.4%

24.0%

35.3%

33.0%

14.5

3.7

55.5

7.0

62.5

37.5

14.8

3.5

52.9

7.9

60.8

39.2

10.0

1.1

38.4

10.9

49.3

50.7

6.6

—

32.8

11.9

44.7

55.3

3.3

1.1

35.8

21.3

57.1

42.9

4.5

3.5

32.0

14.0

46.0

54.0

12.9

3.1

51.3

8.8

60.1

39.9

13.2

2.9

49.1

8.7

57.8

42.2

Total skilled nursing

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Percentage of Skilled Nursing
Days:

Medicare

Managed care

Other skilled

Skilled mix

Private and other payors

Quality mix

Medicaid

Years Ended December 31,

Same Facility

Transitioning

Acquisitions

Total

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

2011

2010

16.4%

15.4%

11.4%

11.3%

13.2%

11.4%

15.2%

14.5%

10.8

1.8

29.0

10.2

39.2

60.8

10.9

1.6

27.9

11.0

38.9

61.1

5.1

0.5

17.0

13.7

30.7

69.3

3.2

—

14.5

13.8

28.3

71.7

1.7

0.4

15.3

27.4

42.7

57.3

2.6

1.2

15.2

17.4

32.6

67.4

8.9

1.4

25.5

12.6

38.1

61.9

9.2

1.3

25.0

11.7

36.7

63.3

Total skilled nursing

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Cost of Services (exclusive of facility rent and depreciation and amortization shown separately). Cost of services increased 
$84.1 million, or 16.3%, to $600.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $516.7 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2010.  Of the $84.1 million increase, Same Facilities increased $26.3 million, or 6.4% and Recently Acquired 
Facilities increased $51.0 million. The $26.3 million increase in Same Facility cost of services was primarily due to a $8.1 million  
increase in salaries and benefits, a $7.9 million increase in ancillary expenses and a $2.9 million increase in insurance costs. The 
increase in salaries and benefits was primarily due to increases in nursing wages and benefits due to increased services provided 
at Same Facilities.  The increase in ancillary expenses was primarily due to increased therapy wages. The increase in insurance 
was primarily due to increased general and professional liability costs.  Cost of services decreased as a percent of total revenue 
to 79.2% for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 79.5% for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Facility Rent — Cost of Services. Facility rent — cost of services decreased $0.8 million, or 5.2%, to $13.7 million for the 
year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Facility rent-cost of services 
decreased as a percent of total revenue to 1.8% for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2.2% for the year ended 
December 31, 2010.  The decrease in facility rent is due to our purchase of the underlying assets of five of our skilled nursing 
facilities in California, Utah and Idaho, which we previously operated under long-term lease agreements, partially offset by normal 
annual increases in rent at leased facilities.

75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense increased $3.7 million, or 14.1%, to $29.8 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $26.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.  General and administrative 
expenses decreased as a percent of total revenue to 3.9% for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 4.0% for the year 
ended December 31, 2010. The $3.7 million increase was primarily due to increases in wages and benefits due to our growth and 
improved  financial  performance  and  increased  legal  fees  associated  with  the  ongoing  investigation  into  the  billing  and 
reimbursement processes of some of our subsidiaries being conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $6.7 million, or 40.0%, to $23.3 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.  Depreciation and 
amortization expense increased as a percent of total revenue to 3.1% for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2.6% 
for the year ended December 31, 2010.  This increase was primarily related to the additional depreciation of $3.4 million at Recently 
Acquired Facilities, as well as increases of $2.2 million and $1.1 million at Same and Transitioning Facilities, respectively, due 
to recent renovations and the purchase of the underlying asset of five of our skilled nursing facilities which we previously operated 
under  a  long-term  lease  agreement.  Of  the  $3.4  million  increase  at  Recently Acquired  Facilities,  $1.0  million  represented 
amortization expense of patient base intangible assets which are amortized over four to twelve months. 

Other Income (Expense). Other expense, net increased $4.6 million, or 52.4%, to $13.5 million for the year ended December 
31, 2011 compared to $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Other expense, net increased as a percent of total revenue 
to 1.8% for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 1.4% for the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase was 
primarily the result of increased interest expense due to the additional capacity of the new Senior Credit Facility with a five-bank 
lending  consortium  arranged  by  SunTrust  and  Wells  Fargo  (the  Senior  Credit  Facility)  and  a  one-time  exit  fee  and  related 
extinguishment fees of $2.5 million upon prepaying the Six Project Note (described below) and exiting our revolving credit facility. 
See further discussion of the Senior Credit Facility in Liquidity and Capital Resources section below.  In addition, the increase in 
interest expense was a result of the additional $35.0 million in long term debt added with the promissory notes with RBS Asset 
Finance, Inc. (RBS Loan) on December 31, 2010.

Provision for Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes increased $3.2 million, or 12.3%, to $29.5 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2011 compared to $26.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase resulted from the increase in 
income before income taxes of $10.4 million, or 15.6%. Our effective tax rate was 38.2% for the year ended December 31, 2011 
as compared to 39.3% for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity have historically been derived from our cash flow from operations, proceeds from our IPO, 

long-term debt secured by our real property and our revolving credit facilities.

Since 2004, we have financed the majority of our facility acquisitions primarily through refinancing of existing facilities, 
and cash generated from operations or proceeds from our IPO. Cash paid for business acquisitions was $31.6 million,  $106.7 million 
and $21.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 respectively.  Cash paid for asset acquisitions was $11.3 
million and $23.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. There were no asset acquisitions executed 
in 2010.  Where we enter into a facility lease agreement, we typically do not pay any material amount to the prior facility operator, 
nor do we acquire any assets or assume any liabilities, other than our rights and obligations under the new lease and operations 
transfer agreement, as part of the transaction.  Total capital expenditures for property and equipment were $38.9 million, $40.8 
million and $28.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We currently have a combined 
$35.0 million budgeted for renovation projects for 2013.

We believe our current cash balances, our cash flow from operations and the revolving credit facility portion of our senior 
credit facility with a six-bank lending consortium arranged by SunTrust and Wells Fargo (the Senior Credit Facility), which was 
increased from $75.0 million to  $150.0 million on February 1, 2013, will be sufficient to cover our operating needs for at least 
the next 12 months.  We may in the future seek to raise additional capital to fund growth, capital renovations, operations and other 
business activities, but such additional capital may not be available on acceptable terms, on a timely basis, or at all.

76

Our cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2012 consisted of bank term deposits, money market funds and U.S. 
Treasury bill related investments. In addition, as of December 31, 2012, we held debt security investments of approximately $22.5 
million, which were split between AA- and A-rated securities.  Our market risk exposure is interest income sensitivity, which is 
affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates. The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve 
principal while at the same time maximizing the income we receive from our investments without significantly increasing risk. 
Due to the low risk profile of our investment portfolio, an immediate 10% change in interest rates would not have a material effect 
on the fair market value of our portfolio. Accordingly, we would not expect our operating results or cash flows to be affected to 
any significant degree by the effect of a sudden change in market interest rates on our securities portfolio.

The following table presents selected data from our consolidated statement of cash flows for the periods presented:

Year Ended December 31,
2011

2010

2012

Net cash provided by operating activities

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash 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

(In thousands)

$ 82,050
(84,258)
13,547

11,339

29,584
$ 40,923

$ 72,687
(156,052)
40,861
(42,504)
72,088
$ 29,584

$ 60,501
(57,186)
29,918

33,233

38,855
$ 72,088

Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2011 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $82.1 million compared to $72.7 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2011, an increase of $9.4 million.  The increase was primarily due to our improved operating 
results,  which  contributed  $94.5  million  in  2012  after  adding  back  depreciation  and  amortization,  the  charge  related  to  U.S. 
Government inquiry, impairment charges, deferred income taxes, provision for doubtful accounts, share-based compensation, 
excess tax benefits from share-based compensation and loss on disposition of property and equipment (non-cash charges), as 
compared to $85.3 million for 2011, an increase of $9.2 million.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $84.3 million compared to $156.1 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of $71.8 million. The decrease was primarily the result of $86.2 million in cash 
paid for business acquisitions, asset acquisitions and purchased property and equipment in the year ended December 31, 2012 
compared to $156.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2011.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $13.5 million as compared to $40.9 
million for the year ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of $27.4 million. This decrease was primarily due to the receipt of $75.0 
million in proceeds from the term loan portion of the Senior Credit Facility during the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared 
to $21.5 million in proceeds received from the 2012 RBS Loan during the year ended December 31, 2012, a decrease of $53.5 
million.  The reduction in long-term debt proceeds received was partially offset by a decrease in long-term debt repayments from 
$46.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $16.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, a difference of $29.5 
million.  The remaining decrease is due to the use of long-term debt proceeds to repay existing debt in the prior year.

Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $72.7 million compared to $60.5 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $12.2 million. This increase was primarily due to our improved operating 
results, which contributed $85.3 million in 2011 after adding back depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, provision 
for doubtful accounts, stock-based compensation, impairment charges, excess tax benefits from share based compensation and 
loss on disposition of property and equipment (non-cash charges), as compared to $64.7 million for 2010, an increase of $20.6 
million.  This increase was partially offset by an increase in outstanding accounts receivable of $11.7 million.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $156.1 million compared to $57.2 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $98.9 million. The increase was primarily the result of $156.7 million in 
cash paid for business acquisitions, asset acquisitions and purchased property and equipment in the year ended December 31, 2011 
compared to $56.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $100.0 million.

77

 
 
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $40.9 million as compared to $29.9 
million for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $11.0 million.  This increase was primarily the result of the receipt 
of proceeds from the issuance of debt of $90.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to $35.0 million 
in 2010, an increase of $55.0 million.  This increase was partially offset by the repayment of the Six Project Loan portion of the 
Amended Term Loan and other long term debt principal repayments of $46.3 million as compared to $2.1 million during the year 
ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $44.2 million. 

Principal Debt Obligations and Capital Expenditures

Total long-term debt obligations, net of debt discount, outstanding as of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 

and 2009 were as follows:

Senior Credit Facility

Ten Project Note

Six Project Loan

Mortgage Loan and Promissory Notes
Bond payable

December 31,

2009

2010

2011

2012

$

— $

— $

88,125

$

(in thousands)

53,200

39,970

15,064
1,232

52,229

39,495

49,744
1,038

51,185

—

48,560
—

89,375

50,072

—

68,245
—

Total

$

109,466

$

142,506

$

187,870

$

207,692

The following table represents the Company’s cumulative facility growth from 2008 to the present:

Cumulative number of facilities

63

77

82

102

108

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

December 31,

Senior Credit Facility with Six-Bank Lending Consortium Arranged by SunTrust and Wells Fargo (the Senior Credit 
Facility)

On February 1, 2013, we entered into the third amendment to the Senior Credit Facility (the Third Amendment), which 
amends our existing Senior Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011.  The Third Amendment revises the Senior Credit 
Facility Agreement to, among other things, (i) increase the revolving credit portion of the Senior Credit Facility by $75.0 million 
to an aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million, of which $20.0 million was drawn as of December 31, 2012 and the date of 
the Third Amendment, and (ii) extend the maturity date of the Senior Credit Facility from July 15, 2016 to February 1, 2018.  
Except as set forth in the Third Amendment, all other terms and conditions of the Senior Credit Facility remain in full force and 
effect as described below. 

On  July  15,  2011,  we  entered  into  the  Senior  Credit  Facility  in  an  aggregate  principal  amount  of  up  to  $150.0  million 
comprised of a $75.0 million revolving credit facility and a $75.0 million term loan advanced in one drawing on July 15, 2011.  
Borrowings under the term loan portion of the Senior Credit Facility amortize in equal quarterly installments that commenced on 
September 30, 2011, in an aggregate annual amount equal to 5.0% per annum of the original principal amount.  Interest rates per 
annum applicable to the Senior Facility will be, at our option, (i) LIBOR plus an initial margin of 2.5% or (ii) the Base Rate (as 
defined by the Senior Credit Facility) plus an initial margin of 1.5%.  Under the terms of the Senior Credit Facility, the applicable 
margin adjusts based on our leverage ratio as set forth in further detail in the Senior Credit Facility agreement. In addition, we 
have a commitment fee on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility that ranges from 0.3% to 0.5% based on our leverage 
ratio for the applicable four-quarter period.  Amounts borrowed pursuant to the Senior Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain 
of our wholly-owned subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of our personal property.  To reduce the risk related to interest 
rate fluctuations, we, on behalf of the subsidiaries, entered into an interest rate swap agreement to effectively fix the interest rate 
on the term loan portion of the Senior Credit Facility.  See further details of the interest rate swap at Note 4 in Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements, Fair Value Measurements.

78

 
 
 
 
 
Among other things, under the Senior  Credit Facility, we must maintain compliance with specified financial covenants 
measured on a quarterly basis, including a maximum net leverage ratio, minimum interest coverage ratio and minimum asset 
coverage  ratio.    The  loan  documents  also  include  certain  additional  reporting,  affirmative  and  negative  covenants  including 
limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, liens, investments in other businesses, dividends declared in excess of 
20% of consolidated net income, stock repurchases and capital expenditures.  As of December 31, 2012, we were in compliance 
with all loan covenants.  As of December 31, 2012, our subsidiaries had $89.4 million outstanding on the Senior Credit Facility.

Promissory Notes with RBS Asset Finance, Inc. 

On February 22, 2012, two of our real estate holding subsidiaries as Borrowers executed a promissory note in favor of RBS 
Asset Finance, Inc. (RBS) as Lender for an aggregate of $21.5 million (the 2012 RBS Loan). The 2012 RBS Loan was secured 
by Commercial Deed of Trust, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Filings on the two properties 
owned by the two Borrowers, and other related instruments and agreements, including without limitation a promissory note and 
a Company guaranty. The 2012 RBS Loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.75%.  Amounts borrowed under the 2012 RBS Loan 
may be prepaid starting after the second anniversary of the note subject to certain prepayment fees. The term of the RBS Loan is 
for seven years, with monthly principal and interest payments commencing on March 1, 2012 and the balance due on March 1, 
2019. 

Among other things, under the 2012 RBS Loan, we must maintain compliance with specified financial covenants measured 
on a quarterly basis, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio, an average occupancy rate and a minimum project yield. 
The Loan Documents also include certain additional affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on the disposition 
of the Borrowers and the collateral and minimum average cash balance requirements.  As of December 31, 2012, we were in 
compliance with all loan covenants.  As of December 31, 2012, our subsidiaries had $21.0 million outstanding on the 2012 RBS 
Loan.

On December 31, 2010, four of our real estate holding subsidiaries as Borrowers executed a promissory note in favor of 
RBS as Lender for an aggregate of $35.0 million (2010 RBS Loan). The 2010 RBS Loan was secured by Commercial Deeds of 
Trust,  Security Agreements, Assignment  of  Leases  and  Rents  and  Fixture  Fillings  on  the  four  properties  owned  by  the  four 
Borrowers, and other related instruments and agreements, including without limitation a promissory note and a Company guaranty. 
The 2010 RBS Loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.04%. Amounts borrowed under the 2010 RBS Loan may be prepaid starting 
after the second anniversary of the note subject to certain prepayment fees. The term of the 2010 RBS Loan is for seven years, 
with monthly principal and interest payments commencing on February 1, 2011 and the balance due on January 1, 2018. 

Among other things, under the 2010 RBS Loan, we must maintain compliance with specified financial covenants measured 
on a quarterly basis, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio, an average occupancy rate and a minimum project yield. 
The Loan Documents also include certain additional affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on the disposition 
of the Borrowers and the collateral and minimum average cash balance requirements.  As of December 31, 2012, we were in 
compliance with all loan covenants.  As of December 31, 2012, our subsidiaries had $33.2 million outstanding on the RBS Loan.

Term Loan with General Electric Capital Corporation

On December 29, 2006, a number of our independent real estate holding subsidiaries jointly entered into the Third Amended 
and Restated Loan Agreement, with GECC, which consists of an approximately $55.7 million multiple-advance term loan, further 
referred to as the Ten Project Note. The Ten Project Note matures in June 2016, and is currently secured by the real and personal 
property comprising the ten facilities owned by these subsidiaries.  The Ten Project Note was funded in advances, with each 
advance bearing interest at a separate rate. The interest rates range from 6.95% to 7.50% per annum. 

Under the Ten Project Note, we are subject to standard reporting requirements and other typical covenants for a loan of this 
type. Effective October 1, 2006 and continuing each calendar quarter thereafter, we are subject to restrictive financial covenants, 
including average occupancy, Debt Service (as defined in the agreement) and Project Yield (as defined in the agreement). As of 
December 31, 2012, we were in compliance with all loan covenants.  As of December 31, 2012, our subsidiaries had $50.1 million 
outstanding on the Ten Project Note.

79

Promissory Notes with Johnson Land Enterprises, Inc.

On October 1, 2009, four of our subsidiaries entered into four separate promissory notes with Johnson Land Enterprises, 
LLC, for an aggregate of $10.0 million, as a part of our acquisition of three skilled nursing facilities in Utah. The unpaid balance 
of principal and accrued interest from these notes is due on September 30, 2019. The notes bear interest at a rate of 6.0% per 
annum.  As of December 31, 2012, our subsidiaries had $9.2 million outstanding on the Promissory Notes.

Mortgage Loan with Continental Wingate Associates, Inc.

Ensign Southland LLC, a subsidiary of The Ensign Group, Inc., entered into a mortgage loan on January 30, 2001 with 
Continental Wingate Associates, Inc. The mortgage loan is insured with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
or HUD, which subjects our Southland facility to HUD oversight and periodic inspections. As of December 31, 2012, the balance 
outstanding on this mortgage loan was approximately $5.7 million. The unpaid balance of principal and accrued interest from this 
mortgage loan is due on February 1, 2027. The mortgage loan bears interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum.

This mortgage loan is secured by the real property comprising the Southland Care Center facility and the rents, issues and 

profits thereof, as well as all personal property used in the operation of the facility.

Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies 

Our principal contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2012 were as follows: 

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

  Thereafter  

Total

(In thousands)

Operating lease obligations

Long-term debt obligations

$ 13,051   $ 12,960   $ 12,825   $ 12,784   $ 12,756   $ 51,218   $ 115,594

7,187  

27,432  

7,672   106,964  

2,834  

56,425   208,514

Interest payments on long-term debt

10,490  

10,098  

9,697  

6,774  

3,336  

3,623  

44,018

Total

$ 30,728   $ 50,490   $ 30,194   $ 126,522   $ 18,926   $ 111,266   $ 368,126

Not included in the table above are our actuarially determined self-insured general and professional malpractice liability, 
worker's compensation and medical (including prescription drugs) and dental healthcare obligations which are broken out between 
current and long-term liabilities in our financial statements included in this annual report. 

We lease certain facilities and our Service Center office under operating leases, most of which have initial lease terms ranging 
from five to 20 years. Most of these leases contain options to renew or extend the lease term, some of which involve rent increases. 
We also lease a majority of our equipment under operating leases with initial terms ranging from three to five years. Total rent 
expense,  inclusive  of  straight-line  rent  adjustments,  was  $13.8  million,  $14.2  million  and  $14.9  million  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

U.S. Government Inquiry

In late 2006, we learned that we might be the subject of an on-going criminal and civil investigation by the U.S. Department 
of Justice (DOJ) and this was confirmed in March 2007. The investigation relates to claims submitted to the Medicare program 
for  rehabilitation  services  provided  at  skilled  nursing  facilities  in  Southern  California,  that  we  believe  is  tied  to  a  pending 
whistleblower complaint. We, through our outside counsel and a special committee of independent directors established by its 
board, have worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney's office to produce information requested by the government as part of 
an ongoing dialogue designed to try to resolve the issue.

In December 2011, we were formally notified that the DOJ had elected to close its criminal investigation without action 
although, as is typical, it reserved the right to reopen the criminal case if new facts came to light. As a result, only the civil 
investigation remains.

80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In January 2012, the DOJ indicated that the government would be seeking certain additional information in furtherance of 
the remaining civil investigation, and that it would formalize its request for that information in a new subpoena. In January 2012, 
the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) served the new subpoena, 
seeking specific patient records and documents from 2007 to 2011 from six Southern California skilled nursing facilities that had 
been the subject of previous requests. HHS also issued a subpoena to our independent external auditors requesting an update to 
the information requested in the 2007 subpoena to them, and a subpoena to the Company's independent internal auditors requesting 
similar information.

We, through the special committee and our outside counsel, continue to work cooperatively with the DOJ. Ensign anticipates 
that this ongoing dialogue will continue in 2013 as part of our effort to resolve the investigation and any qui tam (whistleblower) 
complaints that may have been filed. Based on information gathered by us in connection with the work of the special committee, 
the Company's outside counsel and their experts, we recorded an estimated liability in the amount of $15.0 million in the fourth 
quarter of 2012 related to our efforts to achieve a global, company-wide, resolution of any claims connected to the investigation. 
Active settlement discussions with the DOJ are ongoing and, until concluded, the outcome remains uncertain and the amount 
related to the resolution of any claims connected to this pending investigation could differ materially from our estimates.  At this 
time, we cannot estimate the possible range of loss that may result from any such proceedings or discussions.

See additional description of our contingencies in Notes 13, 15 and 18 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Inflation

We have historically derived a substantial portion of our revenue from the Medicare program. We also derive revenue from 
state Medicaid and similar reimbursement programs. Payments under these programs generally provide for reimbursement levels 
that are adjusted for inflation annually based upon the state’s fiscal year for the Medicaid programs and in each October for the 
Medicare program. These adjustments may not continue in the future, and even if received, such adjustments may not reflect the 
actual increase in our costs for providing healthcare services.

Labor and supply expenses make up a substantial portion of our cost of services. Those expenses can be subject to increase 
in periods of rising inflation and when labor shortages occur in the marketplace. To date, we have generally been able to implement 
cost control measures or obtain increases in reimbursement sufficient to offset increases in these expenses. We may not be successful 
in offsetting future cost increases.

Off-Balance Sheet and Other Arrangements 

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had approximately $2.0 million and $2.5 million of borrowing capacity on the 

Revolver pledged as collateral to secure outstanding letters of credit, respectively. 

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk. We are exposed to interest rate changes in connection with the revolving credit facility portion of the 
Senior  Credit  Facility,  which  is  available  but  historically  has  not  regularly  been  used  to  maintain  liquidity  and  fund  capital 
expenditures and operations. Our interest rate risk management objective is to balance the impact of interest rate changes on 
earnings and cash flows and maintain a lower interest rate. To achieve this objective, we have historically borrowed primarily at 
fixed rates, although the revolving credit facility portion of the Senior Credit Facility is available and could be used for short-term 
borrowing purposes. As of December 31, 2012, we had outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility portion of the 
Senior Credit Facility of $20.0 million.

The Senior Credit Facility agreement exposes us to variability in interest payments due to changes in LIBOR interest rates. 
We entered into an interest rate swap agreement to reduce risk from volatility in the income statement on the term loan portion of 
the Senior Credit Facility.  The swap agreement, with a notional amount of $75.0 million, amortizing concurrently with the related 
term loan portion of the Senior Credit Facility, is five years in length and set to mature on July 15, 2016.  Under the terms of this 
agreement, the net effect of the hedge was to record swap interest expense at a fixed rate of approximately 4.3%.

81

 
Our cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2012 consisted of bank term deposits, money market funds and U.S. 
Treasury bill related investments. In addition, as of December 31, 2012, we held debt security investments of approximately $22.5 
million, which were split between AA- and A-rated securities.  Our market risk exposure is interest income sensitivity, which is 
affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates. The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve 
principal while at the same time maximizing the income we receive from our investments without significantly increasing risk. 
Due to the low risk profile of our investment portfolio, an immediate 10% change in interest rates would not have a material effect 
on the fair market value of our portfolio. Accordingly, we would not expect our operating results or cash flows to be affected to 
any significant degree by the effect of a sudden change in market interest rates on our securities portfolio.

The above only incorporates those exposures that exist as of December 31, 2012, and does not consider those exposures or 
positions which could arise after that date. If we diversify our investment portfolio into securities and other investment alternatives, 
we may face increased risk and exposures as a result of interest risk and the securities markets in general. 

82

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) 

The following table presents our unaudited quarterly consolidated results of operations for each of the eight quarters in the 
two-year period ended December 31, 2012. The unaudited quarterly consolidated information has been derived from our unaudited 
quarterly  financial  statements  on  Forms 10-Q,  which  were  prepared  on  the  same  basis  as  our  audited  consolidated  financial 
statements. You should read the following table presenting our quarterly consolidated results of operations in conjunction with 
our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The 
operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for any future period. 

Dec. 31,
2012

  Sept. 30,
2012

  June 30,
2012

  Mar. 31,
2012

  Dec. 31,
2011

  Sept. 30,
2011

  June 30,
2011

  Mar. 31,
2011

(In thousands, except per share data)

Revenue

$ 211,101

$ 207,150

$ 204,308

$ 202,160   $ 192,662   $ 196,346   $ 186,326   $ 182,943

Cost of services (exclusive of
facility rent and depreciation and
amortization)

Charge related to U.S.
Government inquiry

Total expenses

171,765

164,877

162,599

160,829  

156,287  

155,725  

145,637  

143,155

15,000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

205,226

183,529

181,146

178,771  

173,712  

172,430  

162,208  

159,231

Income from operations

5,875  

23,621  

23,162  

23,389  

18,950  

23,916  

24,118  

23,712

Net income attributable to        
The Ensign Group, Inc.

Net income per share attributable
to The Ensign Group, Inc.:

$

1,937

$ 13,294

$ 12,456

$ 12,904   $ 10,355   $ 11,598   $ 12,976   $ 12,746

Basic

Diluted

$

$

0.09

0.09

$

$

0.62

0.60

$

$

0.58

0.57

$

$

0.61   $

0.49   $

0.55   $

0.62   $

0.59   $

0.48   $

0.54   $

0.60   $

0.61

0.59

Weighted average common shares
outstanding:

Basic

Diluted

21,605

22,075

21,488

22,010

21,368

21,886

21,251  

21,109  

20,995  

20,909  

20,854

21,796  

21,621  

21,570  

21,579  

21,516

The additional information required by this Item 8, including discussion of significant fourth quarter activities, including 
the charge related to U.S. Government inquiry, impairment of the fair value of DRX and redemption of the redeemable non-
controlling interests at DRX, is incorporated herein by reference to the financial statements set forth in Item 15 of this report, 
Exhibits, Financial Statement and Schedules.

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

None.

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures

(a)  Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information we are required to 
disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act) is recorded, 
processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. 
In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any system of controls and 
procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control 
objectives, as ours are designed to do, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-
benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. 

83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
In connection with the preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K our management evaluated, with the participation 
of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as 
such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, and to ensure that information required to be 
disclosed  is  accumulated  and  communicated  to  our  management,  including  our  principal  executive  and  financial  officers,  as 
appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and 
our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period 
covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

(b)  Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined 
in Rule 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act. 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  generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  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. 

Our  management,  with  the  participation  of  our  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  our  Chief  Financial  Officer,  evaluated  the 
effectiveness  of  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  using  the  criteria  set  forth  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework. Based on our evaluation, our management 
concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report 
on Form 10-K. 

Our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has audited the consolidated financial statements 
included in this annual report on Form 10-K and, as part of their audit, has issued an audit report, included herein, on the effectiveness 
of our internal control over financial reporting. Their report is set forth below. 

(c)  Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) promulgated under the 
Exchange Act, that occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to 
materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

84

 
 
 
 
(d)   Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of 
The Ensign Group, Inc. 
Mission Viejo, California 

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of The Ensign Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) 
as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. 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 conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States). 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. 

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's 
principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board 
of directors, management, and other personnel 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 the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or 
improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a 
timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods 
are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance 
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2012, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), 
the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012 of the 
Company and our report dated February 13, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial 
statement schedule.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP 

Costa Mesa, California 
February 13, 2013 

85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 9B. 

Other Information

None.

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

PART III.

There is incorporated herein by reference the information required by this Item in our definitive proxy statement for the 2013 
Annual Meeting of Stockholders that will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended 
December 31, 2012.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

There is incorporated herein by reference the information required by this Item in our definitive proxy statement for the  
2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders that will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended 
December 31, 2012. 

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

There is incorporated herein by reference the information required by this Item in our definitive proxy statement for the 2013 
Annual Meeting of Stockholders that will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended 
December 31, 2012. 

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

There is incorporated herein by reference the information required by this Item in our definitive proxy statement for the 2013 
Annual Meeting of Stockholders that will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended 
December 31, 2012.

Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services

There is incorporated herein by reference the information required by this Item in our definitive proxy statement for the 2013 
Annual Meeting of Stockholders that will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended 
December 31, 2012.

Part IV.

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statements and Schedules

The following documents are filed as a part of this report: 

(a) (1) Financial Statements: 

The Financial Statements are included in Item 8 and are filed as part of this report.

(2) Financial Statement Schedule: 

Schedule II: Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 

(a) (3) Exhibits:  An “Exhibit Index” has been filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated 

herein by reference. 

86

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report 

to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

Dated: February 13, 2013 

The Ensign Group, Inc.

By: /s/  Christopher R. Christensen

Christopher R. Christensen

Chief Executive Officer and President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following 

persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated. 

Signature

Title

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (principal
executive officer)

Date

  February 13, 2013

/s/  CHRISTOPHER R. CHRISTENSEN

Christopher R. Christensen

/s/  SUZANNE D. SNAPPER

Suzanne D. Snapper

/s/  ROY E. CHRISTENSEN

Roy E. Christensen

/s/  ANTOINETTE T. HUBENETTE

Antoinette T. Hubenette

/s/  VAN R. JOHNSON

Van R. Johnson

/s/  THOMAS A. MALOOF

Thomas A. Maloof

/s/  JOHN G. NACKEL

John G. Nackel

/s/  DAREN J. SHAW

Daren J. Shaw

Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting
officer)

  February 13, 2013

Chairman of the Board

  February 13, 2013

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

  February 13, 2013

  February 13, 2013

  February 13, 2013

  February 13, 2013

February 13, 2013

87

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC. 
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

89

90

91

92

93

94

96

88

 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
The Ensign Group, Inc.
Mission Viejo, California 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Ensign Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) 
as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' 
equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012. Our audits also included the financial 
statement  schedule  listed  in  the  Index  at  Item 15.  These  financial  statements  and  the  financial  statement  schedule  are  the 
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the 
financial statement schedule based on our audits. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial 
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates 
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a 
reasonable basis for our opinion. 

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The 
Ensign Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows 
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted 
in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic 
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), 
the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on the criteria established in Internal 
Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our 
report dated February 13, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting. 

/s/  DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Costa Mesa, California 
February 13, 2013 

89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Assets
Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable—less allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,811 and $12,782 at December 
31, 2012 and 2011, respectively
Investments—current
Prepaid income taxes
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Deferred tax asset—current

Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Insurance subsidiary deposits and investments
Escrow deposits
Deferred tax asset
Restricted and other assets
Intangible assets, net
Goodwill
Other indefinite-lived intangibles

Total assets

Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities:

Accounts payable
Accrued charge related to U.S. Government inquiry (Note 18)
Accrued wages and related liabilities
Accrued self-insurance liabilities—current
Other accrued liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt
Total current liabilities

Long-term debt—less current maturities
Accrued self-insurance liabilities—less current portion
Fair value of interest rate swap
Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 13, 15 and 18)
Equity:

Ensign Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock; $0.001 par value; 75,000 shares authorized; 22,244 and 21,719 shares issued 
and outstanding at December 31, 2012, respectively, and 21,575 and 21,179 shares issued and 
outstanding at December 31, 2011, respectively.
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 301 and 396 shares at December 31, 2012 and 2011, 
respectively
Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Total Ensign Group, Inc. stockholders' equity
Non-controlling interests
Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

December 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands, except par values)

$

40,923

$

29,584

94,187
5,195
3,787
8,636
14,871
167,599
447,877
17,315
4,635
2,234
8,643
9,015
22,656
10,888
690,862

26,069
15,000
35,847
16,034
21,210
7,187
121,347
200,505
34,849
2,866
3,411

22
90,949
239,344

(2,099)
(1,745)
326,471
1,413
327,884
690,862

$

$

$

86,311
—
5,882
7,667
11,195
140,639
403,862
16,752
175
3,514
10,418
2,321
17,177
1,481
596,339

21,169
—
41,958
12,369
18,577
6,314
100,387
181,556
31,904
2,143
2,864

22
77,257
204,073

(2,559)
(1,308)
277,485
—
277,485
596,339

$

$

$

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Revenue

Expense:

Cost of services (exclusive of facility rent, general and administrative and
depreciation and amortization expenses shown separately below)

Charge related to U.S. Government inquiry (Note 18)

Facility rent—cost of services

General and administrative expense

Depreciation and amortization

Total expenses

Income from operations

Other income (expense):

Interest expense

Interest income

Other expense, net

Income before provision for income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Net income

Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

Net income attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc.

Net income per share attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc.:

Basic

Diluted

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic

Diluted

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

(In thousands, except per share data)

$

824,719

$

758,277

$

649,532

660,070

600,804

516,668

15,000

13,319

31,819

28,464

748,672

76,047

(12,229)
255
(11,974)
64,073

24,265

39,808
(783)
40,591

1.89

1.85

21,429

21,942

$

$

$

—

13,725

29,766

23,286

667,581

90,696

(13,778)
249
(13,529)
77,167

29,492

47,675

—

47,675

2.27

2.21

20,967

21,583

$

$

$

—

14,478

26,099

16,633

573,878

75,654

(9,123)
248
(8,875)
66,779

26,253

40,526

—

40,526

1.95

1.92

20,744

21,159

$

$

$

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

91

 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Net income

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

(In thousands)

$

39,808

$

47,675

$

40,526

Net unrealized loss on interest rate swap, net of tax of $286, $835, and $0 for 
the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Comprehensive income

Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

Comprehensive income attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc.

$

(437)
39,371
(783)
40,154

(1,308)
46,367

—

—

40,526

—

$

46,367

$

40,526

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

92

 
 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 

Common Stock

Shares

  Amount

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

Retained
Earnings

  Treasury Stock

  Shares

  Amount

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

Non-
Controlling 
Interest

Redeemable 
Noncontrolling 
Interest

Total

Balance - January 1, 2010

20,642   $

21   $

66,765   $ 124,910  

638   $ (4,137)  

(In thousands)

Issuance of common stock to
employees and directors
resulting from the exercise of
stock options and grant of
stock awards

Dividends declared

Employee stock award
compensation

Excess tax benefit from
exercise of stock options

Net income

Balance - December 31,
2010

Issuance of common stock to
employees and directors
resulting from the exercise of
stock options and grant of
stock awards

Issuance of restricted stock to
employees

Dividends declared

Employee stock award
compensation

Excess tax benefit from
exercise of stock options

Net income

Accumulated other
comprehensive loss

Issuance of common stock to
employees and directors
resulting from the exercise of
stock options and grant of
stock awards

Issuance of restricted stock to
employees

Repurchase of common stock

Dividends declared

Employee stock award
compensation

Excess tax benefit from
exercise of stock options

Noncontrolling interests 
assumed related to 
acquisitions

Acquisition of noncontrolling 
interests, net of tax

Net loss attributable to 
noncontrolling interests

Net income attributable to 
The Ensign Group, Inc.

Accumulated other
comprehensive loss

Balance - December 31,
2012

Balance - December 31,
2011

21,179

173  

—  

—  

—  

626  

—  

—  

(4,268)  

(56)  

—  

337  

—  

—  

—  

2,904  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

519  

—  

—  

40,526  

—  

—  

—  

—  

20,815  

21  

70,814  

161,168  

582  

(3,800)  

344

20

—

—

—

—

—

488

52

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

22

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,607

—

—

3,356

1,480

—

—

—

—

(4,770)

—

—

47,675

—

(186)

1,241

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

77,257

204,073

396

(2,559)

4,067

1,360

—

—

3,379

1,868

—

3,018

—

—

—

—

—

—

(5,320)

—

—

—

—

—

40,591

—

(102)

634

—

7

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(174)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1,308)

(1,308)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(437)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

— $ 187,559

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

963

(4,268)

2,904

519

40,526

228,203

2,849

—

(4,770)

3,356

1,480

47,675

(1,308)

277,485

4,701

1,360

(174)

(5,320)

3,379

1,868

1,778

11,600

13,378

340

(705)

—

(11,522)

(8,164)

(78)

(783)

—

40,591

(437)

21,719

$

22

$

90,949

$ 239,344

301

$ (2,099)

(1,745)

1,413

— $ 327,884

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

2012

Year Ended December 31,
2011
(In thousands)

2010

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

$

39,808

$

47,675

$

40,526

Depreciation and amortization
Charge related to U.S. Government inquiry (Note 18)
Impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles (Note 9)
Amortization of deferred financing fees and debt discount
Deferred income taxes
Provision for doubtful accounts
Share-based compensation
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
Deferred income tax effect of purchase of noncontrolling interest
Impairment of software development costs
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Loss on disposition of property and equipment
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:

Accounts receivable
Prepaid income taxes
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Insurance subsidiary deposits and investments
Accounts payable
Accrued wages and related liabilities
Other accrued liabilities
Accrued self-insurance
Deferred rent liability

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment
Cash payment for business acquisitions
Cash payment for asset acquisitions
Escrow deposits
Escrow deposits used to fund business acquisitions
Cash proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
Restricted and other assets

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of debt
Payments on long-term debt
Repurchase of shares of common stock
Issuance of treasury stock upon exercise of options
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options
Dividends paid
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
Payments of deferred financing costs

Net cash provided by financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents end of period

$

94

28,464
15,000
2,225
826
(2,111)
9,474
4,739
(1,868)
(2,464)
—
—
412

(16,150)
2,095
(944)
(5,758)
3,152
(6,360)
4,908
6,205
397
82,050

(38,853)
(31,558)
(11,261)
(4,635)
175
155
1,719
(84,258)

36,525
(16,825)
(174)
634
4,067
(6,604)
1,868
(5,700)
(244)
13,547
11,339
29,584
40,923

$

23,286
—
—
717
1,090
7,921
3,356
(1,480)
—
—
2,542
190

(24,795)
(4,549)
(491)
(394)
2,701
4,581
6,367
4,059
(89)
72,687

(40,773)
(106,747)
(23,385)
(175)
14,422
766
(160)
(156,052)

90,000
(46,259)
—
1,241
1,607
(4,637)
1,480
—
(2,571)
40,861
(42,504)
72,088
29,584

$

16,633
—
185
644
(2,574)
6,312
2,904
(519)
—
188
—
403

(13,143)
(91)
(677)
(2,548)
(310)
8,621
(1,440)
5,230
157
60,501

(28,722)
(21,100)
—
(14,422)
7,595
112
(649)
(57,186)

35,000
(2,082)
—
337
626
(4,149)
519
—
(333)
29,918
33,233
38,855
72,088

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — (Continued)

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

Cash paid during the period for:

Interest

Income taxes

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

Accrued capital expenditures

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

(In thousands)

$

$

$

12,394

24,842

$

$

13,871

31,602

$

$

9,136

28,540

1,734

$

571

$

2,819

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

95

 
 
 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

The Company - The Ensign Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries (collectively, Ensign or the Company), provides skilled 
nursing and rehabilitative care services through the operation of 108 facilities, six home health and four hospice operations as of  
December 31,  2012,  located  in  Arizona,  California,  Colorado,  Idaho,  Iowa,  Nebraska,  Nevada,  Oregon,  Texas,  Utah  and 
Washington. The Company's operations, each of which strives to be the operation of choice in the community it serves, provide 
a broad spectrum of skilled nursing, assisted living, home health and hospice services, including physical, occupational and speech 
therapies, and other rehabilitative and healthcare services, for both long-term residents and short-stay rehabilitation patients.  In 
the first quarter of 2012, the Company entered into a business to develop and operate urgent care centers.  These walk-in clinics 
offer daily access to healthcare for minor injuries and illnesses, including x-ray and lab services, all from convenient neighborhood 
locations with no appointments.  The Company's facilities have a collective capacity of approximately 12,200 operational skilled 
nursing, assisted living and independent living beds. As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned 86 of its 108 facilities and 
operated an additional 22 facilities through long-term lease arrangements, and had options to purchase two of those 22 facilities. 

The Ensign Group, Inc. is a holding company with no direct operating assets, employees or revenue. All of the Company’s 
operations are operated by separate, independent subsidiaries, each of which has its own management, employees and assets. One 
of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, referred to as the Service Center, provides centralized accounting, payroll, human 
resources, information technology, legal, risk management and other centralized services to the other operating subsidiaries through 
contractual relationships with such subsidiaries. The Company also has a wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary (the Captive) 
that provides some claims-made coverage to the Company’s operating subsidiaries for general and professional liability, as well 
as coverage for certain workers’ compensation insurance liabilities.

Like the Company’s facilities, the Service Center and the Captive are operated by separate, wholly-owned, independent 
subsidiaries that have their own management, employees and assets. References herein to the consolidated “Company” and “its” 
assets and activities, as well as the use of the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and similar verbiage in this annual report is not meant to 
imply that The Ensign Group, Inc. has direct operating assets, employees or revenue, or that any of the facilities, the Service Center 
or the Captive are operated by the same entity.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements (Financial Statements) have been prepared in 
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).  The Company is the sole 
member or shareholder of various consolidated limited liability companies and corporations; each established to operate various 
acquired skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, home health and hospice operations, urgent care centers and related ancillary 
services.  All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company presents noncontrolling 
interest within the equity section of its consolidated balance sheets.  The Company presents the amount of consolidated net income 
that is attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc. and the noncontrolling interest in its consolidated statements of income. 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all entities controlled by the Company through its ownership 
of a majority voting interest and the accounts of any variable interest entities (VIEs) where the Company is subject to a majority 
of the risk of loss from the VIE's activities, or entitled to receive a majority of the entity's residual returns, or both.  The Company 
assesses the requirements related to the consolidation of VIEs, including a qualitative assessment of power and economics that 
considers which entity has the power to direct the activities that "most significantly impact" the VIE's economic performance and 
has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to, the VIE.  The Company's 
relationship with variable interest entities was not material at December 31, 2012.

Estimates and Assumptions — The preparation of Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to 
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and 
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. 
The most significant estimates in the Company’s Financial Statements relate to revenue, allowance for doubtful accounts, intangible 
assets and goodwill, impairment of long-lived assets, general and professional liability, worker’s compensation, and healthcare 
claims included in accrued self-insurance liabilities, interest rate swaps, and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those 
estimates.

96

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

Business Segments — The Company has a single reportable segment — long-term care services, which includes the operation 
of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, home health and hospice operations, urgent care centers and related ancillary 
services. The Company’s single reportable segment is made up of several individual operating segments grouped together principally 
based on their geographical locations within the United States. Based on the similar economic and other characteristics of each of 
the operating segments, management believes the Company meets the criteria for aggregating its operating segments into a single 
reportable segment.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, 
debt security investments, interest rate swap agreements, accounts receivable, insurance subsidiary deposits, accounts payable and 
borrowings. The Company believes all of the financial instruments’ recorded values approximate fair values because of their nature 
or respective short durations.  The interest rate swap is carried at fair value on the balance sheet. The Company’s fixed-rate debt 
instruments do not actively trade in an established market. The fair values of this debt are estimated by discounting the principal 
and interest payments at rates available to the Company for debt with similar terms and maturities. See further discussion of debt 
security investments in Note 4, Fair Value Measurements.

Revenue Recognition — The Company recognizes revenue when the following four conditions have been met: (i) there is 
persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or service has been rendered; (iii) the price is fixed or 
determinable; and (iv) collection is reasonably assured.  The Company's revenue is derived primarily from providing healthcare 
services to residents and is recognized on the date services are provided at amounts billable to individual residents. For residents 
under reimbursement arrangements with third-party payors, including Medicaid, Medicare and private insurers, revenue is recorded 
based on contractually agreed-upon amounts on a per patient, daily basis.

Revenue from the Medicare and Medicaid programs accounted for 73.5%, 75.2% and 76.4% of the Company’s revenue for 
the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company records revenue from these governmental and 
managed care programs as services are performed at their expected net realizable amounts under these programs. The Company’s 
revenue from governmental and managed care programs is subject to audit and retroactive adjustment by governmental and third-
party agencies. Consistent with healthcare industry accounting practices, any changes to these governmental revenue estimates 
are recorded in the period the change or adjustment becomes known based on final settlement. The Company recorded retroactive 
adjustments that increased (decreased) revenue by $82, $321 and $(55) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, 
respectively.

The Company’s service specific revenue recognition policies are as follows:

Skilled Nursing Revenue

The Company’s revenue is derived primarily from providing long-term healthcare services to residents and is recognized 
on the date services are provided at amounts billable to individual residents. For residents under reimbursement arrangements with 
third-party payors, including Medicaid, Medicare and private insurers, revenue is recorded based on contractually agreed-upon 
amounts on a per patient, daily basis. The Company records revenue from private pay patients, at the agreed upon rate, as services 
are performed.

Home Health and Hospice Revenue Recognition

Episodic Based Revenue —Net service revenue is typically recorded on a 60-day episode payment rate.  The Company makes 
adjustments to revenue on completed episodes to reflect differences between estimated and actual payment amounts, an inability 
to obtain appropriate billing documentation or authorizations acceptable to the payor and other reasons unrelated to credit risk. 
The Company records an estimate for the impact of such payment adjustments based on its historical experience. In addition to 
revenue recognized on completed episodes, the Company also recognizes a portion of revenue associated with episodes in progress. 
Episodes in progress are 60-day episodes of care that begin during the reporting period, but were not completed as of the end of 
the period. The Company estimates this revenue on a monthly basis. The primary factors underlying this estimate are the number 
of episodes in progress at the end of the reporting period and expected Medicare revenue per episode.

Non-episodic Based Revenue — Revenue is recorded on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal 

to our established or estimated per-visit rates, as applicable.

97

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

Hospice Revenue — Revenue is recorded on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal to the estimated 
payment rates. The estimated payment rates are daily rates for each of the levels of care we deliver. The Company makes adjustments 
to revenue for an inability to obtain appropriate billing documentation or authorizations acceptable to the payor and other reasons 
unrelated to credit risk.  Additionally, as Medicare hospice revenue is subject to an inpatient cap limit and an overall payment cap, 
the Company monitors its provider numbers and estimates amounts due back to Medicare if a cap has been exceeded. The Company 
records these adjustments as a reduction to revenue and increases other accrued liabilities.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts — Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts due from 
Medicare and Medicaid programs, other government programs, managed care health plans and private payor sources. Estimated 
provisions for doubtful accounts are recorded to the extent it is probable that a portion or all of a particular account will not be 
collected.  

In evaluating the collectability of accounts receivable, the Company considers a number of factors, including the age of the 
accounts, changes in collection patterns, the composition of patient accounts by payor type and the status of ongoing disputes with 
third-party payors.  On an annual basis, the historical collection percentages are reviewed by payor and by state and are updated 
to reflect the recent collection experience of the Company.  In order to determine the appropriate reserve rate percentages which 
ultimately establish the allowance, the Company analyzes historical cash collection patterns by payor and by state.  The percentages 
applied to the aged receivable balances are based on the Company’s historical experience and time limits, if any, for managed care, 
Medicare, Medicaid and other payors. The Company periodically refines its estimates of the allowance for doubtful accounts based 
on experience with the estimation process and changes in circumstances.

 Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents consist of bank term deposits, money market funds and treasury 
bill related investments with original maturities of three months or less at time of purchase and therefore approximate fair value.  
The fair value of money market funds is determined based on “Level 1” inputs, which consist of unadjusted quoted prices in active 
markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets.  The Company places its cash and short-term 
investments with high credit quality financial institutions. 

Insurance Subsidiary Deposits and Investments — The Company's captive insurance subsidiary cash and cash equivalents, 
deposits and investments are designated to support long-term insurance subsidiary liabilities and have been classified as long-term 
assets. Insurance subsidiary deposits and investments classified as long-term were $17,315 and $16,752 as of December 31, 2012 
and  2011,  respectively.   The  majority  of  these  deposits  and  investments  are  currently  held  in AA-  and A-rated  debt  security 
investments and the remainder is held in a bank account with a high credit quality financial institution. 

Equity Investment — One of the Company's subsidiaries has a non-marketable equity investment which is accounted for 
under the equity method. The investment is initially recorded at cost and the Company adjusts the carrying amount for its share 
of the earnings or losses of the investee after the date of investment. The investment is evaluated periodically for impairment. If 
it is determined that a decline of the investment is other than temporary, then the carrying amount would be written down to fair 
value and the write-down would be included in earnings as a loss. 

Property and Equipment — Property and equipment are initially recorded at their historical cost. Repairs and maintenance 
are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable 
assets (generally ranging from three to 30 years). Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter 
of their estimated useful lives or the remaining lease term.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — The Company reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets that are held and used in 
the Company’s operations for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an 
asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is determined based upon expected undiscounted future net cash flows 
from the operations to which the assets relate, utilizing management’s best estimate, appropriate assumptions, and projections at 
the time. If the carrying value is determined to be unrecoverable from future operating cash flows, the asset is deemed impaired 
and an impairment loss would be recognized to the extent the carrying value exceeded the estimated fair value of the asset. The 
Company estimates the fair value of assets based on the estimated future discounted cash flows of the asset. Management has 
evaluated its long-lived assets and has not identified any asset impairment during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 or 
2010. 

98

 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

Intangible Assets and Goodwill — Definite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of favorable leases, lease acquisition 
costs, patient base, facility trade names, franchise relationships and customer relationships. Favorable leases and lease acquisition 
costs are amortized over the life of the lease of the facility, typically ranging from ten to 20 years. Patient base is amortized over 
a period of four to eight months, depending on the classification of the patients and the level of occupancy in a new acquisition 
on the acquisition date. Trade names at facilities are amortized over 30 years and franchise and customer relationships are each 
amortized over 25 years.

The Company's indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names and home health and hospice Medicare licenses.  
The Company tests indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes 
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the intangible asset may not be recoverable. 

Goodwill  represents  the  excess  of  the  purchase  price  over  the  fair  value  of  identifiable  net  assets  acquired  in  business 
combinations. Goodwill is subject to annual testing for impairment. In addition, goodwill is tested for impairment if events occur 
or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company defines 
reporting units as the individual operations. The Company performs its annual test for impairment during the fourth quarter of 
each year.  See further discussion at Note 9, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

Deferred Rent  —  Deferred rent represents rental expense (determined on a straight-line basis over the life of the related 

lease) in excess of actual rent payments. 

Self-Insurance — The Company is partially self-insured for general and professional liability up to a base amount per claim 
(the self-insured retention) with an aggregate, one-time deductible above this limit. Losses beyond these amounts are insured 
through third-party policies with coverage limits per occurrence, per location and on an aggregate basis for the Company. For 
claims made after April 1, 2012, the combined self-insured retention was $500 per claim with an aggregate $1,750 deductible 
limit. For all facilities, except those located in Colorado, the third-party coverage above these limits was $1,000 per occurrence, 
$3,000 per facility, with a $10,000 blanket aggregate and an additional state-specific aggregate where required by state law. In 
Colorado, the third-party coverage above these limits was $1,000 per occurrence and $3,000 per facility, which is independent of 
the $10,000 blanket aggregate applicable to our other 103 facilities.

The self-insured retention and deductible limits for general and professional liability and workers' compensation are self-
insured through the Captive, the related assets and liabilities of which are included in the accompanying consolidated balance 
sheets. The Captive is subject to certain statutory requirements as an insurance provider. These requirements include, but are not 
limited to, maintaining statutory capital. The Company’s policy is to accrue amounts equal to the actuarially estimated costs to 
settle open claims of insureds, as well as an estimate of the cost of insured claims that have been incurred but not reported. The 
Company develops information about the size of the ultimate claims based on historical experience, current industry information 
and actuarial analysis, and evaluates the estimates for claim loss exposure on a quarterly basis. 

 The Company’s operating subsidiaries are self-insured for workers’ compensation liability in California. To protect itself 
against loss exposure in California with this policy, the Company has purchased individual stop-loss insurance coverage that insures 
individual claims that exceed $500 for each claim. In Texas, the operating subsidiaries have elected non-subscriber status for 
workers’ compensation claims and, effective February 1, 2011, the Company has purchased individual stop-loss  coverage that 
insures individual claims that exceed $750 for each claim. The Company’s operating subsidiaries in other states have third party 
guaranteed cost coverage. In California and Texas, the Company accrues amounts equal to the estimated costs to settle open claims, 
as well as an estimate of the cost of claims that have been incurred but not reported. The Company uses actuarial valuations to 
estimate the liability based on historical experience and industry information.  

The Company presents the ultimate costs of general and professional liability and workers' compensation claims and the 
anticipated insurance recoveries on a gross basis and has recorded a liability and equal asset of $3,219 and $2,814 at December 31, 
2012 and 2011, respectively.  See Note 10, Restricted and Other Assets. 

The Company provides self-insured medical (including prescription drugs) and dental healthcare benefits to the majority of 
its employees. The Company is fully liable for all financial and legal aspects of these benefit plans. To protect itself against loss 
exposure with this policy, the Company has purchased individual stop-loss insurance coverage that insures individual claims that 
exceed $250 for each covered person with an aggregate individual stop loss deductible of $75.  

99

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

The Company believes that adequate provision has been made in the Financial Statements for liabilities that may arise out 
of patient care, workers’ compensation, healthcare benefits and related services provided to date. The amount of the Company’s 
reserves was determined based on an estimation process that uses information obtained from both company-specific and industry 
data. This estimation process requires the Company to continuously monitor and evaluate the life cycle of the claims. Using data 
obtained from this monitoring and the Company’s assumptions about emerging trends, the Company, with the assistance of an 
independent actuary, develops information about the size of ultimate claims based on the Company’s historical experience and 
other available industry information. The most significant assumptions used in the estimation process include determining the 
trend in costs, the expected cost of claims incurred but not reported and the expected costs to settle or pay damage awards with 
respect to unpaid claims. The self-insured liabilities are based upon estimates, and while management believes that the estimates 
of loss are reasonable, the ultimate liability may be in excess of or less than the recorded amounts. Due to the inherent volatility 
of actuarially determined loss estimates, it is reasonably possible that the Company could experience changes in estimated losses 
that could be material to net income. If the Company’s actual liability exceeds its estimates of loss, its future earnings, cash flows 
and financial condition would be adversely affected.

Income Taxes —Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting 
basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at tax rates in effect when such temporary differences are expected 
to reverse. The Company generally expects to fully utilize its deferred tax assets; however, when necessary, the Company records 
a valuation allowance to reduce its net deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

When the Company takes uncertain income tax positions that do not meet the recognition criteria, it records a liability for 
underpayment of income taxes and related interest and penalties, if any. In considering the need for and magnitude of a liability 
for such positions, the Company must consider the potential outcomes from a review of the positions by the taxing authorities.

In determining the need for a valuation allowance or the need for and magnitude of liabilities for uncertain tax positions, 
the  Company  makes  certain  estimates  and  assumptions. These  estimates  and  assumptions  are  based  on,  among  other  things, 
knowledge of operations, markets, historical trends and likely future changes and, when appropriate, the opinions of advisors with 
knowledge and expertise in certain fields. Due to certain risks associated with the Company’s estimates and assumptions, actual 
results could differ.

Noncontrolling Interest — The noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is initially recognized at estimated fair value on the 
acquisition date and is presented within total equity in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.  The Company presents the 
noncontrolling  interest  and  the  amount  of  consolidated  net  income  attributable  to The  Ensign  Group,  Inc.  in  its  consolidated 
statements  of  income  and  net  income  per  share  is  calculated  based  on  net  income  attributable  to  The  Ensign  Group,  Inc.'s 
stockholders.  The carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest is adjusted based on an allocation of subsidiary earnings based 
on ownership interest. 

Stock-Based Compensation — The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment 
awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options based on estimated fair values, ratably over the requisite 
service period of the award. Net income has been reduced as a result of the recognition of the fair value of all stock options and 
restricted stock awards issued, the amount of which is contingent upon the number of future grants and other variables.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities — The Company evaluates variable and fixed interest rate risk exposure on a routine 
basis and to the extent the Company believes that it is appropriate, it will offset most of its variable risk exposure by entering into 
interest rate swap agreements. It is the Company's policy to only utilize derivative instruments for hedging purposes (i.e. not for 
speculation). The Company formally designates its interest rate swap agreements as hedges and documents all relationships between 
hedging instruments and hedged items. The Company formally assesses effectiveness of its hedging relationships, both at the 
hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, then measures and records ineffectiveness. The Company would discontinue hedge 
accounting prospectively (i) if it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting change in the cash flows of 
a hedged item, (ii) when the derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, (iii) if it is no longer probable that the forecasted 
transaction will occur, or (iv) if management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedge instrument is no longer 
appropriate. The Company’s derivative is recorded on the balance sheet at its fair value.  

Leases and Leasehold Improvements — At the inception of each lease, the Company performs an evaluation to determine 
whether the lease should be classified as an operating or capital lease. The Company records rent expense for leases that contain 
scheduled rent increases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The lease term used for straight-line rent expense is 
calculated from the date the Company is given control of the leased premises through the end of the lease term. The lease term 
used for this evaluation also provides the basis for establishing depreciable lives for buildings subject to lease and leasehold 
improvements, as well as the period over which the Company records straight-line rent expense. 

100

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and Total Comprehensive Income — Accumulated other comprehensive loss refers 
to revenue, expenses, gains, and losses that are recorded as an element of stockholders’ equity but are excluded from net income. 
The Company’s other comprehensive loss consists of net deferred gains and losses on certain derivative instruments accounted 
for as cash flow hedges.  As of December 31, 2012, accumulated other comprehensive losses were $2,866, recorded net of tax of 
$1,121, or $1,745, in stockholders' equity.  As of December 31, 2011, accumulated other comprehensive losses were $2,143, net 
of tax of $835, or $1,308.

New Accounting Pronouncements — In February 2013, the FASB amended its guidance on reporting of reclassifications out 
of accumulated other comprehensive income.  The amendment requires companies to report the effect of significant reclassifications 
out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is 
required under GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income.  For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be 
reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures 
required under GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts.  This amendment applies to all entities that issue financial 
statements that are presented in conformity with GAAP and that report items of other comprehensive income and is effective for 
public companies for interim periods beginning after December 31, 2012. The Company is evaluating the potential impact the 
adoption of this amendment could have on its financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB clarified that an advance fee from a continuing care retirement community resident should be classified 
as deferred revenue if (1) the contract stipulates that this advance fee must be repaid when a room is reoccupied by a future resident 
and (2) the refundable amount is "limited to the proceeds from reoccupancy."  If the refundable amount is not limited to the proceeds 
from reoccupancy, the advance fee must be reported as a liability.  The above clarification is effective for fiscal periods beginning 
after December 15, 2012, however early adoption is permitted.  The Company does not believe the adoption of this clarification 
will have a material effect on its financial statements.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements — In July 2012, the FASB amended the guidance on testing indefinite-lived 
intangible assets, other than goodwill, for impairment.  The amendment was issued in response to feedback on the amendments 
made to the goodwill impairment testing requirements by allowing an entity to perform a qualitative impairment assessment before 
proceeding to the two-step impairment test.  Under the amended guidance, an entity testing an indefinite-lived intangible asset for 
impairment has the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the asset.  Although this 
amendment revises the examples of events and circumstances that an entity should consider in interim periods, it does not revise 
the requirements to test (1) indefinite-lived intangible assets annually for impairment and (2) between annual tests if there is a 
change in events or circumstances.  This amendment is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years 
beginning after September 15, 2012; however, early adoption is permitted.  The Company adopted this amendment during its 
current fiscal year impairment analysis in the fourth quarter.  The adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on 
the Company's financial  statements.

In December 2011, the FASB indefinitely deferred the provisions that required entities to present reclassification adjustments 
out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the 
statement in which Other Comprehensive Income is presented (for both interim and annual financial statements).  During the 
deferral period, entities will still need to comply with the existing U.S. GAAP requirements for the presentation of reclassification 
adjustments.  The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial statements. 

In July 2011, the FASB amended its standards on how health care entities present revenue and bad debt expense.  Under the 
new guidance, health care entities are required to present bad debt expense related to patient service revenue as a reduction of 
patient service revenue (net of contractual allowances and discounts) on the statement of income for entities that do not assess a 
patient's ability to pay prior to rendering services.  Further, it was determined, net presentation of bad debt expense in revenue 
would only apply to bad debts that are related to patient service revenue, to entities that provide services prior to assessing a 
patient's ability to pay, or to entities that recognize revenue prior to deciding that collection is reasonably assured.  In addition, the 
final consensus requires health care entities to disclose information about the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts, such 
as recoveries and write-offs, by using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative data.  It will also require disclosure of the Company's 
policies  for  (i)  assessing  the  timing  and  amount  of  uncollectible  revenue  recognized  as  bad  debt  expense;  and  (ii)  assessing 
collectability in the timing and amount of revenue (net of contractual allowances and discounts).  The Company adopted the 
disclosure requirements of this amendment during the first quarter of the current year.  The Company determined the requirements 
for presentation of bad debt expense related to patient service revenue as a reduction of patient service revenue outlined in the 
amendment is not applicable as the Company assesses each patient's ability to pay prior to rendering services.

101

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

3. COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

Basic net income per share is  computed by dividing net income attributable to Ensign  Group, Inc. stockholders by the 
weighted average number of outstanding common shares for the period.  The computation of diluted net income per share is similar 
to the computation of basic net income per share except that the denominator is increased to include contingently returnable shares 
and the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been 
issued.

A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the calculation of basic net income per common share follows:

Numerator:

Net Income
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests(2)
Net income attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc.

Denominator:

Years Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

$

39,808
(783)
40,591

$

47,675

$

40,526

—

—

47,675

40,526

Weighted average shares outstanding for basic net income per share

21,429

20,967

20,744

Basic net income per common share attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc.

$

1.89

$

2.27

$

1.95

A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the calculation of diluted net income per common share 

follows:

Numerator:

Years Ended December 31,
2011

2010

2012

Net Income
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests(2)
Net income attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc.

Denominator:

Weighted average common shares outstanding
Plus: incremental shares from assumed conversion(1)

Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding

$

39,808
(783)
40,591

$

47,675

$

40,526

—

—

47,675

40,526

21,429

513

21,942

20,967

616

21,583

20,744

415

21,159

Diluted net income per common share attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc.

$

1.85

$

2.21

$

1.92

(1)  In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 the Company had 340, 97 and 635 options 

outstanding which are anti-dilutive, or would reduce the amount of incremental shares from assumed conversion, and 
are therefore not factored into the weighted average common shares amount above.

(2)  See further discussions of noncontrolling interests at Note 6, Acquisitions and redeemable noncontrolling interests at 

Note 16, Temporary Equity - Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest.

102

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements are based on a three-tier hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  These tiers 
include:  Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other 
than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3, 
defined as observable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The  following  table  summarizes  the  financial  assets  and  liabilities  measured  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis  as  of 

December 31, 2012 and 2011:

Cash and cash equivalents

Fair value of interest rate swap

December 31,

2012

2011

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

$ 40,923

$ — $ — $ 29,584

$ — $ —

$ — $ 2,866

$ — $ — $ 2,143

$ —

Our non-financial assets, which include long-lived assets, including goodwill, intangible assets and property and equipment, 
are reported at carrying value and are not required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. However, on a periodic basis, 
or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable, we assess our long-
lived assets for impairment. When impairment has occurred, such long-lived assets are written down to fair value.  This fair value 
determination is categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.  See Note 2 for further discussion of our significant accounting 
policies and Note 9 for further discussion of impairment of long-lived assets in 2012.

Debt Security Investments - Held to Maturity

At  December 31,  2012  and  2011,  the  Company  had  approximately  $22,510  and  $16,466,  respectively,  in  debt  security 
investments which were classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost.  The carrying value of the debt securities 
approximates fair value.  The Company has the intent and ability to hold these debt securities to maturity.  At December 31, 2012, 
$6,310 is held in AA-rated debt securities and $16,200 is held in A-rated debt securities.  These debt securities mature from May 
2013 to January 2015.  At December 31, 2011, $10,140 was held in AAA-rated debt security investments guaranteed by the FDIC 
under the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program and the remaining $6,326  was held in AA-rated debt securities.

Interest Rate Swap Agreement 

In connection with the senior credit facility with a six-bank lending consortium arranged by SunTrust and Wells Fargo (the 
Senior Credit Facility), in July 2011, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement in accordance with Company 
policy to reduce risk from volatility in the income statement due to changes in the LIBOR interest rate. The swap agreement, with 
a notional amount of $75,000, amortizing concurrently with the related term loan portion of the Senior Credit Facility, was five 
years in length and set to mature on July 15, 2016. The interest rate swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge and, as such, 
changes in fair value are reported in other comprehensive income in accordance with hedge accounting. Under the terms of this 
swap agreement, the net effect of the hedge was to record swap interest expense at a fixed rate of approximately 4.3%, exclusive 
of fees. Net interest paid under the swap was $951 and $471 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.  In addition, based 
on the December 31, 2012 interest rate swap valuation, the Company expects to record swap interest expense of approximately 
$950 during the year ended December 31, 2013. 

The Company assesses hedge effectiveness at inception and on an ongoing basis by performing a regression analysis. The 
regression analysis compares to the historical monthly changes in fair value of the interest rate swap to the historical monthly 
changes in the fair value of a hypothetically perfect interest rate swap over the trailing 30 months.  The change in fair value of the 
hypothetical derivative is regarded as a proxy for the present value of the cumulative change in the expected future cash flows on 
the  hedged  transaction.  The  regression  analysis  serves  as  the  Company's  prospective  and  retrospective  assessment  of  hedge 
effectiveness. Assuming the hedging relationship qualifies as highly effective, the actual swap will be recorded at fair value on 
the balance sheet and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) will be adjusted to reflect the lesser of either the cumulative 
change in the fair value of the actual swap or the cumulative change in the fair value of the hypothetical derivative. 

103

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

The interest rate swap agreement is recorded at fair value based upon valuation models which utilize relevant factors such 
as the contractual terms of the interest rate swap agreements, credit spreads for the contracting parties and interest rate curves. 
Based  on  this  valuation  method,  the  Company  categorized  the  interest  rate  swap  as  Level  2  and  recorded  accumulated  other 
comprehensive losses as of December 31, 2012 of $2,866, net of tax of $1,121, or $1,745 in stockholders' equity, compared to 
$2,143, net of tax of $835, or $1,308 as of December 31, 2011. There are no amounts attributable to hedge ineffectiveness that 
were required to be recognized in earnings.

5. REVENUE AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 is summarized in the following table:

Medicaid — custodial

Medicare

Medicaid — skilled

Total Medicaid and Medicare

Managed care

Private and other payors

Revenue

2012

December 31,

2011

2010

$

%

$

%

$

%

$ 302,046

36.6% $ 277,736

36.6% $ 259,711

40.0%

278,578

25,418

606,042

106,268

112,409

33.8

3.1

73.5

12.9

13.6

272,283

20,290

570,309

94,266

93,702

35.9

2.7

75.2

12.4

12.4

219,217

17,573

496,501  

84,364

68,667

33.7

2.7

76.4

13.0

10.6

$ 824,719

100.0% $ 758,277

100.0% $ 649,532  

100.0%

Accounts receivable as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 is summarized in the following table: 

Medicaid
Managed care
Medicare
Private and other payors

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivable

December 31,

2012

28,534
26,707
32,168
20,589
107,998
(13,811)
94,187

$

$

2011
30,286
22,068
28,061
18,678
99,093
(12,782)
86,311

$

$

104

 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

6. ACQUISITIONS

The  Company’s  acquisition  policy  is  generally  to  purchase  or  lease  operations  to  complement  the  Company’s  existing 
portfolio.  The results of all the Company’s operations are included in the accompanying Financial Statements subsequent to the 
date of acquisition. Acquisitions are typically paid for in cash and are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. 
Where the Company enters into facility lease agreements, the Company typically does not pay any material amount to the prior 
facility operator nor does the Company acquire any assets or assume any liabilities, other than rights and obligations under the 
lease and operations transfer agreement, as part of the transaction. Some leases include options to purchase the facilities. As a 
result, from time to time, the Company will acquire facilities that the Company has been operating under third-party leases.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company acquired five stand-alone skilled nursing facilities, one stand-
alone assisted living facility, two home health operations and one hospice operation. The aggregate purchase price of the nine 
long-term care business acquisitions was approximately $31,558, which was paid in cash.  The Company also entered into a 
separate operations transfer agreement with the prior tenant as part of each transaction.  The operations acquired during the year 
ended December 31, 2012 are as follows:

•  On February 1, 2012, the Company purchased an assisted living facility in Nevada for approximately $2,111, which 

was paid in cash. This acquisition added 60 operational assisted living units to the Company's operations. 

•  On February 10, 2012, the Company acquired a home health operation in Oregon for approximately $530, which was 
paid in cash.  The acquisition did not have an impact on the Company's operational bed count.  The Company recognized 
$530 in other indefinite-lived intangible assets as part of this transaction.

•  On March 1, 2012, the Company acquired a skilled nursing facility in Idaho for approximately $2,780, which was paid 

in cash.  This acquisition added 113 operational skilled nursing beds to the Company's operations.

•  On April 1, 2012, the Company acquired a home health and a hospice operation in Utah and Arizona for approximately 
$3,000, which was paid in cash.  The acquisition did not have an impact on the Company's operational bed count.  The 
Company recognized $2,279 in goodwill and $687 in other indefinite-lived intangible assets as part of this transaction.

•  On June 1, 2012, the Company acquired a skilled nursing facility in Texas for $8,002, which was paid in cash.  This 

acquisition added 150 operational skilled nursing beds to the Company's operations. 

•  On August 1, 2012, the Company acquired two skilled nursing facilities in Idaho for $4,511, which was paid in cash.  
One of the skilled nursing facilities acquired also offers assisted living services.  These acquisitions added 94 skilled 
nursing beds and 24 assisted living units to the Company's operations.

•  On December 17, 2012, the Company acquired a skilled nursing facility in Texas for $2,604, which was paid in cash.  

This acquisition added 92 operational skilled nursing beds to the Company's operations.  

In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company purchased the underlying assets of three of its skilled 
nursing facilities in California which it previously operated under long-term lease agreements, which contained options to purchase, 
for $11,386, which was paid in cash.  These acquisitions did not impact the Company's operational bed count.

In January 2012, the Company announced the formation of Immediate Clinic (IC), a majority owned subsidiary, to develop 

and operate urgent care centers and related businesses. The first IC operated centers opened in the third quarter of 2012. 

•  On February 15, 2012, IC purchased an equity investment in an urgent care software service provider for $1,400.  See 
additional details in Note 10, Restricted and Other Assets.  On October 4, 2012, the Company invested an additional 
$6,000 to IC in exchange for senior preferred stock, which resulted in the Company holding approximately 96% of the 
outstanding interests in the joint venture on a fully-diluted basis.  On December 20, 2012, the Company purchased the 
remaining outstanding interests in IC for approximately $400.

•  On March 1, 2012, DRX Urgent Care LLC (DRX), a newly formed subsidiary of IC, purchased substantially all of the 
assets and assumed certain liabilities of Doctors Express Franchising LLC, a national urgent care franchise system for 
$2,000,  adjusted  for  certain  items  at  the  time  of  close  and  redeemable  noncontrolling  interest.  The  redeemable 
noncontrolling interest was fair valued at the acquisition date at $11,600. The Company recognized intangible assets of 
$7,900 in trade name, $3,000 in franchise relationships and $2,724 in goodwill. See additional details in Note 9, Goodwill 

105

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets - Net and Note 16, Temporary Equity - Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest.  
On December 31, 2012, IC purchased the remaining ownership interest in DRX for approximately $5,300. 

On December 31, 2012, the Company purchased 80% of the membership interest of a mobile x-ray and diagnostic company 
for $5,800, plus preliminary net working capital of approximately $1,300 for total consideration of approximately $7,100, which 
was paid in cash.  The Company recognized intangible assets of approximately $900 in trade name, $4,200 in customer relationship 
and $2,100 in goodwill.  The Company believes that goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.  See additional details in Note 
9 Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets-Net to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

The Company's preliminary determination of the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities 
assumed are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to change.  During the measurement period, when information 
becomes available which would indicate adjustments are required to the purchase price allocation, such adjustment will be included 
in the purchase price allocation retrospectively.  The measurement period is expected to extend as long as one year from the date 
of acquisition. 

The  mobile  diagnostic  company  is  a  leader  in  providing  mobile  x-ray  and  diagnostic  services,  including  digital  x-ray, 
ultrasound,  electrocardiograms,  ankle-brachial  index,  and  phlebotomy  services  to  people  in  their  homes  or  at  long-term  care 
facilities.  The Company believes the acquisition is strategic given the mobile diagnostic company's experienced management 
team.  This acquisition will provide the Company with a broad set of services to its customers in the markets it serves. 

The acquisition resulted in the Company acquiring 80% of the membership interest while the remaining 20% noncontrolling 
membership interest remained with a previous owner of the mobile diagnostic company.  The 20% noncontrolling membership 
interest is recognized in the statement of stockholders' equity and is adjusted for the pro rata profits and losses.  At December 31, 
2012, the noncontrolling interest balance was $1,800.

The table below presents the allocation of the purchase price, and reconciliation to cash paid, for the operations acquired in 

business combinations during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, noted above:

December 31,

2012

2011

Land

Building and improvements

Equipment, furniture, and fixtures

Assembled occupancy

Goodwill

Other indefinite-lived intangible assets

Definite-lived intangible assets
Other assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed

Total acquisitions

Less: redeemable noncontrolling interest (Note 16)

Less: noncontrolling interest in mobile diagnostic company acquired

Less: cash received at acquisition

Total cash paid for acquisitions

Subsequent Events

$

1,012

$

17,615

1,771

289

7,105

10,007

7,200
651

45,650
(11,600)
(1,778)
(714)
31,558

$

$

14,526

80,546

2,840

1,188

6,838

809

—
—

$

106,747

—

—

—

$

106,747

On January 1, 2013, the Company acquired one home health operation in Washington and two hospice operations in Arizona 
and California, respectively, in two separate transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $4,625, which was paid in cash.  The 
acquisition did not have an impact on the Company's operational bed count.  The Company also entered into a separate operations 
transfer agreement with the prior operator as part of this transaction.  As of the date of this filing, the preliminary allocation of the 
purchase price was not completed as necessary valuation information was not yet available.

106

 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

The Company’s acquisition strategy has been focused on identifying both opportunistic and strategic acquisitions within its 
target markets that offer strong opportunities for return on invested capital. The facilities acquired by the Company are frequently 
underperforming financially and can have regulatory and clinical challenges to overcome. Financial information, especially with 
underperforming facilities, is often inadequate, inaccurate or unavailable. Consequently, the Company believes that prior operating 
results are not meaningful, representative of the Company’s current operating results or indicative of the integration potential of 
its newly acquired facilities. The businesses acquired during the year ended December 31, 2012 were not material acquisitions to 
the Company individually or in the aggregate. Accordingly, pro forma financial information is not presented. These acquisitions 
have been included in the December 31, 2012 consolidated balance sheet of the Company, and the operating results have been 
included in the consolidated statements of income of the Company since the dates the Company gained effective control.

7. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consist of the following:

Land

Buildings and improvements
Equipment

Furniture and fixtures

Leasehold improvements

Construction in progress

Less: accumulated depreciation

Property and equipment, net

8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS — Net

December 31,

2012

2011

$

70,487

$

341,096
80,885

8,793

32,570

14,185

548,016
(100,139)
447,877

$

$

67,179

297,016
66,483

8,731

28,686

8,213

476,308
(72,446)
403,862

December 31,

2012

2011

Intangible Assets

Lease acquisition costs

Favorable lease

Assembled occupancy

Facility trade name

Franchise relationships

Customer relationships

Total

Wighted
Average
Life
(Years)

Gross
Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

Net

Gross
Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

15.5

15.0

0.5

30.0

25.0

20.0

$

684

$

1,596

2,255

733

3,000

4,200

$ 12,468

$

(545) $
(426)
(2,211)
(171)
(100)
—
(3,453) $

139

$

846

$

1,170

44

562

2,900

4,200

1,596

1,966

733

—

—

9,015

$

5,141

$

(604) $
(319)
(1,750)
(147)
—

—
(2,820) $

Net

242

1,277

216

586

—

—

2,321

Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $671, $1,329, and $771. Of the $671 in 
amortization expense incurred during the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately $461 related to the amortization of patient 
base intangible assets at recently acquired facilities, which is typically amortized over a period of four to eight months, depending 
on the classification of the patients and the level of occupancy in a new acquisition on the acquisition date.

107

 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

Estimated amortization expense for each of the years ending December 31  is as follows:

Year
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Thereafter

Amount

506
463
443
423
423
6,757
9,015

$

$

9. GOODWILL AND OTHER INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment analysis during the fourth quarter of each year for each reporting 
unit that constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is produced and reviewed by operating segment management 
and provides services that are distinct from the other components of the operating segment. The Company tests for impairment 
by comparing the net assets of each reporting unit to their respective fair values.  The Company determines the estimated fair 
value of each reporting unit using the income valuation approach, as well as other generally accepted valuation methodologies.   
If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, we perform the second step of the goodwill 
impairment test.  The second step of the goodwill impairment test involves comparing the implied fair value of the affected reporting 
unit's goodwill with the carrying value of that goodwill.  The amount by which the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds its 
implied fair value, if any, is recognized as an impairment loss.  The Company had not recorded any charges to goodwill impairment 
prior to 2010.  See summary of charges to goodwill impairment taken during the three years ended December 31, 2012 below.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recognized $7,900 in trade name intangible assets as part of the 
DRX acquisition on March 1, 2012.  Additionally, the Company recorded $1,183 in home health and hospice Medicare license 
intangible  assets  as  part  of  its  acquisitions  of  two  home  health  operations  and  one  hospice  operation  during  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2012.  Lastly, the Company recognized approximately $900 in trade name as part of its acquisition of a majority 
interest in a mobile diagnostics business.  See further discussion of DRX and the mobile x-ray and diagnostic business acquisitions 
at Note 6, Acquisitions.

The following table represents activity in goodwill as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:

January 1, 2010

Additions

Impairments
December 31, 2010

Additions

Impairments
December 31, 2011

Additions

Impairments
December 31, 2012

Goodwill

$

7,432

3,092
(185)
10,339
6,838

—

17,177

7,104
(1,625)
22,656

$

As of December 31, 2012, the Company anticipates that $22,656 in goodwill recognized will be fully deductible for tax 

purposes.  

108

 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

Other indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of the following:

Trade name

Home health and hospice Medicare license

December 31,

2012

2011

$

$

8,290

2,598

10,888

$

$

66

1,415

1,481

The initial fair value of DRX assets and liabilities incorporated the fair value analysis of the noncontrolling interest.  Therefore, 
the original carrying value was based on the fair value of the noncontrolling interest and cash paid.  In the course of performing 
its impairment analysis for the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company performed an impairment test over the assets of 
DRX.  As part of the impairment test, the Company calculated the fair value of certain assets, including trade name and franchise 
agreements.  To determine the implied value of goodwill, fair values were allocated to the assets and liabilities of DRX as of 
December 31, 2012.  The implied fair value of goodwill was measured as the excess of the fair value of DRX over the amounts 
assigned to its assets and liabilities.  The impairment loss for DRX was measured by the amount the carrying value of goodwill 
exceeded the implied fair value of the goodwill.  Based on this assessment, we recorded a charge to goodwill and trade name at 
DRX of $1,625 and $600, respectively, in the year ended December 31, 2012, which we attribute to a decline in the estimated fair 
value of redeemable noncontrolling interest. The remaining carrying value of the assets exceeds our cash investment in DRX.

10. RESTRICTED AND OTHER ASSETS

Restricted and other assets consist primarily of capital reserves and capitalized debt issuance costs. Capital reserves are 
maintained as part of the mortgage agreements of the Company and certain of its landlords with the U.S. Department of Housing 
and Urban Development. These capital reserves are restricted for capital improvements and repairs to the related facilities.

Restricted and other assets consist of the following:

Deposits with landlords

Capital improvement reserves with landlords and lenders

Debt issuance costs, net

Long-term insurance losses recoverable asset

Equity method investment

Restricted and other assets

December 31,

2012

2011

$

752

683

2,769

3,219

1,220

789

3,585

3,230

2,814

—

8,643

$

10,418

$

$

Included in other assets, as of December 31, 2012, are anticipated insurance recoveries related to the Company's general and 
professional liability and workers' compensation claims that are recorded on a gross rather than net basis in accordance with an 
Accounting Standards Update issued by the FASB and a non-marketable equity investment accounted for under the equity method. 
The investment is recorded at cost and is evaluated periodically for impairment.

109

 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

11. OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Other accrued liabilities consist of the following:

Quality assurance fee

Resident refunds payable

Deferred revenue

Cash held in trust for residents

Resident deposits

Dividends payable

Property taxes

Other

Other accrued liabilities

December 31,

2012

2011

$

2,010

$

4,564

5,661

1,520

1,666

—

2,264

3,525

3,912

3,346

1,856

1,648

1,397

1,283

2,224

2,911

$

21,210

$

18,577

Quality assurance fee represents amounts payable to California, Utah, Idaho, Washington, Colorado, Iowa, and Nebraska in 
respect of a mandated fee based on resident days. Resident refunds payable includes amounts due to residents for overpayments 
and duplicate payments. Deferred revenue occurs when the Company receives payments in advance of services provided. Cash 
held in trust for residents reflects monies received from, or on behalf of, residents. Maintaining a trust account for residents is a 
regulatory requirement and, while the trust assets offset the liability, the Company assumes a fiduciary responsibility for these 
funds. The cash balance related to this liability is included in other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

12.    INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 is summarized as follows: 

Current:

Federal

State

Deferred:

Federal
State

Total

December 31,
2011

2010

2012

$

24,401   $

24,217   $

24,277

4,439  

4,185  

28,840  

28,402  

4,550

28,827

(3,131)  
(1,444)  
(4,575)  
24,265   $

2,041  
(951)  
1,090  

29,492   $

(2,192)
(382)
(2,574)
26,253

$

110

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
   
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, 

respectively, is comprised as follows: 

Income tax expense at statutory rate

State income taxes - net of federal benefit

Non-deductible expenses

Other adjustments

Total income tax provision

2012

December 31,
2011

2010

35.0%  

35.0%  

35.0%

3.0

0.5
(0.6)
37.9%  

2.9

0.3

—  

38.2%  

4.1

0.2

—

39.3%

The Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are summarized as follows: 

Deferred tax assets (liabilities):

Accrued expenses

Allowance for doubtful accounts

State taxes

Tax credits

Captive insurance

Total deferred tax assets

State taxes

Depreciation and amortization

Prepaid expenses

Total deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax assets

December 31,

2012

2011

$

16,916   $

11,883

5,705  

—

2,400

7,360

32,381  
(327)  
(11,828)  
(3,121)
(15,276)  
17,105   $

5,254

145

1,775

6,807

25,864

—
(9,122)
(2,033)
(11,155)
14,709

$

The Company had state credit carryforwards as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 of $2,400 and $1,775, respectively.  These 
carryforwards almost entirely relate to state limitations on the application of Enterprise Zone employment-related tax credits.  
These Enterprise Zone credits are currently expected to carryforward indefinitely to offset future state income tax.  The remainder 
of these carryforwards relate to credits against the Texas margin tax and is expected to carryforward until 2027.

The Company had Federal net operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 of $932 and $0, respectively. 
These Federal net operating losses are expected to carry forward until 2032. The Company also had state net operating losses as 
of December 31, 2012 and 2011 of $1,134 and $0, respectively. These state net operating losses carry forward over various periods.

As of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the 

Company's effective tax rate.

The Federal statutes of limitations on the Company's 2006, 2007, and 2008 income tax years lapsed during the third quarter 
of 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively.  During the fourth quarter of each year, various state statutes of limitations also lapsed.  The 
net decreases in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of these lapses for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 were 
$0, $0, and $4, respectively.  

 During the first quarter of 2012, the State of California initiated an examination of the Company's income tax returns for 
the 2008 and 2009 income tax years.  The examination is primarily focused on the Captive and the treatment of related insurance 
matters. To date, California has not proposed any adjustments. The Company is not currently under examination by any other 
major income tax jurisdiction.  At this time, the Company is not aware of any events that might significantly impact the balance 
of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.

The Company classifies interest and/or penalties on income tax liabilities or refunds as additional income tax expense or 

income.  Such amounts are not material.

111

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

13. 

LEASES

 The Company leases certain facilities and its administrative offices under non-cancelable operating leases, most of which 
have initial lease terms ranging from five to 20 years. The Company also leases certain of its equipment under non-cancelable 
operating leases with initial terms ranging from three to five years. Most of these leases contain renewal options, certain of 
which involve rent increases. Total rent expense, inclusive of straight-line rent adjustments, was $13,779, $14,185 and $14,903 
for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. 

Future minimum lease payments for all leases as of December 31, 2012 are as follows: 

Year
2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Thereafter

Amount

$

13,051

12,960

12,825

12,784

12,756

51,218

$ 115,594

Six of the Company's facilities are operated under two separate three-facility master lease arrangements and a breach at a 
single facility could subject multiple facilities covered by the same master lease to the same default risk.  Under a master lease, 
the Company may lease a large number of geographically dispersed properties through an indivisible lease.  Failure to comply 
with Medicare and Medicaid provider requirements is a default under several of the Company's master lease agreements and debt 
financing instruments. In addition, other potential defaults related to an individual facility may cause a default of an entire master 
lease portfolio and could trigger cross-default provisions in the Company's outstanding debt arrangements and other leases. With 
an indivisible lease, it is difficult to restructure the composition of the portfolio or economic terms of the lease without the consent 
of the landlord. In addition, a number of the Company's individual facility leases are held by the same or related landlords, and 
some of these leases include cross-default provisions that could cause a default at one facility to trigger a technical default with 
respect to others, potentially subjecting certain leases and facilities to the various remedies available to the landlords under separate 
but cross-defaulted leases. The Company is not aware of any defaults as of December 31, 2012.

14.  SELF INSURANCE RESERVES

The following table represents activity in our insurance reserves as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 

2011: 

Balance January 1, 2011

Current year provisions

Claims paid and direct expenses

Long-term insurance losses recoverable
Balance December 31, 2011

Current year provisions

Claims paid and direct expenses

Long-term insurance losses recoverable
Balance December 31, 2012

General and
Professional
Liability

Worker's
Compensation

Health

Total

$

26,037

$

9,203

$

2,160

$

37,400

13,004
(9,845)
2,814

32,010

13,226
(9,207)
(921)
35,108   $

$

4,184
(3,560)
—

9,827

7,186
(5,031)
1,326

13,996
(13,720)
—

2,436

14,302
(14,271)
—

31,184
(27,125)
2,814

44,273

34,714
(28,509)
405

13,308   $

2,467   $

50,883

Included in long-term insurance losses recoverable as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, are anticipated insurance recoveries 
related to the Company's general and professional liability claims that are recorded on a gross rather than net basis in accordance 
with GAAP.  

112

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

15. DEBT

Long-term debt consists of the following:

Promissory note with RBS, principal and interest payable monthly and continuing through
March 2019, interest at a fixed rate, collateralized by real property, assignment of rents and
Company guaranty.

Senior Credit Facility with SunTrust and Wells Fargo, principal and interest payable
quarterly, balance due at July 15, 2016, secured by substantially all of the Company’s
personal property.

Ten Project Note with GECC, principal and interest payable monthly; interest is fixed,
balance due June 2016, collateralized by deeds of trust on real property, assignment of
rents, security agreements and fixture financing statements.

Promissory note with RBS, principal and interest payable monthly and continuing through
January 2018, interest at a fixed rate, collateralized by real property, assignment of rents
and Company guaranty.

Promissory notes, principal, and interest payable monthly and continuing through
October 2019, interest at fixed rate, collateralized by deed of trust on real property,
assignment of rents and security agreement.

Mortgage note, principal, and interest payable monthly and continuing through
February 2027, interest at fixed rate, collateralized by deed of trust on real property,
assignment of rents and security agreement.

Less current maturities

Less debt discount

December 31,

2012

2011

$

21,032

$

—

89,375

88,125

50,072

51,185

33,167

34,149

9,203

9,471

5,665

208,514
(7,187)
(822)
200,505

$

5,884

188,814
(6,314)
(944)
181,556

$

Senior Credit Facility with Six-Bank Lending Consortium Arranged by SunTrust and Wells Fargo (the Senior Credit 
Facility)

On February 1, 2013, the Company entered into the third amendment to the Senior Credit Facility (the Third Amendment), 
which amends the Company's existing Senior Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011.  The Third Amendment revises 
the Senior Credit Facility Agreement to, among other things, (i) increase the revolving credit portion of the Senior Credit Facility 
by $75,000 to an aggregate principal amount of $150,000, of which $20,000 was drawn as of December 31, 2012 and the date of 
the Third Amendment, and (ii) extend the maturity date of the Senior Credit Facility from July 15, 2016 to February 1, 2018.  
Except as set forth in the Third Amendment, all other terms and conditions of the Senior Credit Facility remain in full force and 
effect as described below. 

On July 15, 2011, the Company entered into the Senior Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150,000 
comprised of a $75,000 revolving credit facility and a $75,000 term loan advanced in one drawing on July 15, 2011.  Borrowings 
under the term loan portion of the Senior Credit Facility amortize in equal quarterly installments commencing on September 30, 
2011, in an aggregate annual amount equal to 5% per annum of the original principal amount.  Interest rates per annum applicable 
to the Senior Credit Facility will be, at the option of the Company, (i) LIBOR plus an initial margin of 2.5% or (ii) the Base Rate 
(as defined by the agreement) plus an initial margin of 1.5%.  Under the terms of the Senior Credit Facility, the applicable margin 
adjusts based on the Company’s leverage ratio as set forth in further detail in the Senior Credit Facility agreement.  In connection 
with the Senior Credit Facility, the Company incurred financing costs of approximately $2,500.  Further, the Company incurred 
a charge of $2,542 in termination and early extinguishment fees in connection with exiting the Six Project Loan (described below) 
which was recognized in the third quarter of 2011.  In addition, the Company has a commitment fee on the unused portion of the 
revolving credit facility that ranges from 0.3% to 0.5% based on the Company’s leverage ratio for the applicable four-quarter 
period.  Amounts borrowed pursuant to the Senior Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s wholly-owned 
subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of their personal property.  To reduce the risk related to interest rate fluctuations, the 
Company, on behalf of the subsidiaries, entered into an interest rate swap agreement to effectively fix the interest rate on the term 
loan portion of the Senior Credit Facility.  See further details of the interest rate swap at Note 4, Fair Value Measurements.

113

 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

Among  other  things,  under  the  Senior  Credit  Facility,  the  Company  must  maintain  compliance  with  specified  financial 
covenants measured on a quarterly basis, including a maximum net leverage ratio, minimum interest coverage ratio and minimum 
asset coverage ratio.  The loan documents also include certain additional reporting, affirmative and negative covenants including 
limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, liens, investments in other businesses, dividends declared in excess of 
20% of consolidated net income and repurchases and capital expenditures.  As of December 31, 2012, we were in compliance 
with all loan covenants. 

Promissory Note with RBS Asset Finance, Inc. 

On February 17, 2012, two of the Company's real estate holding subsidiaries as Borrowers executed a promissory note in 
favor of RBS Asset Finance, Inc. (RBS) as Lender for an aggregate of $21,525 (the 2012 RBS Loan). The 2012 RBS Loan was 
secured by Commercial Deed of Trust, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Filings on the properties 
owned by the Borrowers, and other related instruments and agreements, including without limitation a promissory note and a 
Company guaranty. The 2012 RBS Loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.75%. Amounts borrowed under the 2012 RBS Loan 
may be prepaid starting after the second anniversary of the note subject to certain prepayment fees. The term of the RBS Loan is 
for seven years, with monthly principal and interest payments commencing on April 1, 2012 and the balance due on March 1, 
2019. 

Among  other  things,  under  the  RBS  Loan  the  Company  must  maintain  compliance  with  specified  financial  covenants 
measured on a quarterly basis, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio, an average occupancy rate and a minimum project 
yield.  The  Loan  Documents  also  include  certain  additional  affirmative  and  negative  covenants,  including  limitations  on  the 
disposition of the Borrowers and the collateral and minimum average cash balance requirements. As of December 31, 2012, the 
Company was in compliance with all loan covenants.

Promissory Notes with RBS Asset Finance, Inc. 

On December 31, 2010, four of the Company's real estate holding subsidiaries executed a promissory note with RBS Asset 
Finance, Inc. (RBS) as Lender for an aggregate of $35,000 (RBS Loan). The RBS Loan was secured by Commercial Deeds of 
Trust, Security Agreements, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Fillings on the four properties and other related instruments 
and agreements, including without limitation a promissory note and a Company guaranty. The RBS Loan bears interest at a fixed 
rate of 6.04%. Amounts borrowed under the RBS Loan may be prepaid starting after the second anniversary of the note subject 
to prepayment fees of 5.0% of the principal balance on the date of prepayment. These prepayment fees are reduced by 1.0% a 
year for years three through seven of the loan. The term of the RBS Loan is for seven years, with monthly principal and interest 
payments commencing on February 1, 2011 and the balance due on January 1, 2018.

Among other things, under the RBS Loan, the Company must maintain compliance with specified financial covenants 
measured on a quarterly basis, including a minimum debt service coverage ratio, an average occupancy rate and a minimum 
project yield. The loan documents also include certain additional affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on 
the disposition of the Borrowers and the collateral. As of December 31, 2012, we were in compliance with all loan covenants. 

Term Loan with General Electric Capital Corporation

On December 29, 2006, a number of the Company's independent real estate holding subsidiaries jointly entered into the 
Third  Amended  and  Restated  Loan  Agreement,  with  General  Electric  Capital  Corporation  (GECC),  which  consists  of  an 
approximately $55,700 multiple-advance term loan, further referred to as the Ten Project Note. The Ten Project Note matures in 
June 2016, and is currently secured by the real and personal property comprising the ten facilities owned by these subsidiaries.  
The Ten Project Note was funded in advances, with each advance bearing interest at a separate rate. The interest rates range from 
6.95% to 7.50% per annum. 

Under the Ten Project Note, the Company is subject to standard reporting requirements and other typical covenants for a 
loan of this type. Effective October 1, 2006 and continuing each calendar quarter thereafter, we are subject to restrictive financial 
covenants, including average occupancy, Debt Service (as defined in the agreement) and Project Yield (as defined in the agreement). 
As of December 31, 2012, we were in compliance with all loan covenants. 

114

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

Promissory Notes with Johnson Land Enterprises, Inc.

On October 1, 2009, four subsidiaries of The Ensign Group, Inc. entered into four separate promissory notes with Johnson 
Land Enterprises, LLC, for an aggregate of $10,000, as a part of the Company’s acquisition of three skilled nursing facilities in 
Utah. The unpaid balance of principal and accrued interest from these notes is due on September 30, 2019. The notes bear interest 
at a rate of 6.0% per annum. As a part of this transaction, the Company recorded a discount to the debt balance in the form of 
imputed interest of $1,218. This amount will be amortized over the term of the promissory notes, or 10 years.

Mortgage Loan with Continental Wingate Associates, Inc.

Ensign Southland LLC, a subsidiary of The Ensign Group, Inc., entered into a mortgage loan on January 30, 2001 with 
Continental Wingate Associates, Inc. The mortgage loan is insured with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
or HUD, which subjects the Company's Southland facility to HUD oversight and periodic inspections. As of December 31, 2012, 
the balance outstanding on this mortgage loan was approximately $5,665. The unpaid balance of principal and accrued interest 
from this mortgage loan is due on February 1, 2027. The mortgage loan bears interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum.

This mortgage loan is secured by the real property comprising the Southland Care Center facility and the rents, issues and 

profits thereof, as well as all personal property used in the operation of the facility.

The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt is considered to approximate the fair value of such debt for all periods 

presented based upon the interest rates that the Company believes it can currently obtain for similar debt.

Long-term debt matures in fiscal years ending after December 31, 2012 as follows: 

Years Ending

December 31,
2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Thereafter

$

Amount

7,187

27,432

7,672

106,964

2,834

56,425

$

208,514

16. TEMPORARY EQUITY- REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST

Owners of noncontrolling interests in one of the Company's subsidiaries had the right in certain circumstances to require it 
to purchase additional ownership interests in DRX at an amount defined in the applicable agreements. Accordingly, during 2012, 
the 25% noncontrolling interest in DRX was accounted for as redeemable noncontrolling interest as redemption was outside the 
Company's control and was reported in the mezzanine section in the Company's consolidated balance sheets as temporary equity.  
On December 31, 2012, Immediate Clinic (IC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, purchased the remaining ownership 
interests in DRX for approximately $5,300 and now owns 100% of DRX.  The difference between the purchase price and the 
carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests was recorded as a credit to additional paid-in capital, net of the income 
tax effect.  As such, as of December 31, 2012, the Company no longer has any redeemable noncontrolling interests.

115

 
 
 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

17. OPTIONS AND AWARDS

Stock-based compensation expense consists of share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including 
employee  stock  options  and  restricted  stock  awards,  based  on  estimated  fair  values.   As  stock-based  compensation  expense 
recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was based 
on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. The Company estimates forfeitures at the time 
of grant and, if necessary, revises the estimate in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ.

The Company has three option plans, the 2001 Stock Option, Deferred Stock and Restricted Stock Plan (2001 Plan), the 
2005 Stock Incentive Plan (2005 Plan) and the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (2007 Plan), all of which have been approved by the 
stockholders.  The total number of shares available under all of the Company’s stock incentive plans was 1,615 as of December 31, 
2012.

2001 Stock Option, Deferred Stock and Restricted Stock Plan - The 2001 Plan authorizes the sale of up to 1,980 shares of 
common stock to officers, employees, directors, and consultants of the Company.  Granted non-employee director options vest 
and become exercisable immediately.  Generally, all other granted options and restricted stock vest over five years at 20% per year 
on the anniversary of the grant date.  Options expire ten years from the date of grant.  The exercise price of the stock is determined 
by the board of directors, but shall not be less than 100% of the fair value on the date of grant.  At December 31, 2012, 2011 and 
2010, there were 319, 314 and 313, respectively, unissued shares of common stock available for issuance under this plan, including 
shares that have been forfeited and are available for reissue. 

2005 Stock Incentive Plan - The 2005 Plan authorizes the sale of up to 1,000 shares of treasury stock of which only 800 shares 
were repurchased and therefore eligible for reissuance.  Options granted to non-employee directors vest and become exercisable 
immediately. All other granted options vest over five years at 20% per year on the anniversary of the grant date. Options expire 
10 years from the date of grant. At December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, there were 147, 147 and 144, respectively, unissued shares 
of common stock available for issuance under this plan, including shares that have been forfeited and are available for reissue. 

2007  Omnibus  Incentive  Plan -  The  2007  Plan  authorizes  the  sale  of  up  to  1,000 shares  of  common  stock  to  officers, 
employees, directors and consultants of the Company. In addition, the number of shares of common stock reserved under the 2007 
Plan will automatically increase on the first day of each fiscal year, beginning on January 1, 2008, in an amount equal to the lesser 
of (i) 1,000 shares of common stock, or (ii) 2% of the number of shares outstanding as of the last day of the immediately preceding 
fiscal year, or (iii) such lesser number as determined by the Company's board of directors. Granted non-employee director options 
vest and become exercisable in three equal annual installments, or the length of the term if less than three years, on the completion 
of each year of service measured from the grant date. All other granted options vest over five years at 20% per year on the anniversary 
of the grant date. Options expire 10 years from the date of grant. At December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, there were 1,149, 1,039 
and 828 unissued shares of common stock available for issuance under this plan. 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to recognize the value of stock-based compensation expense 
for all share-based payment awards. Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of stock-based 
awards at the grant date requires considerable judgment, including estimating stock price volatility, expected option life and 
forfeiture rates. The Company develops estimates based on historical data and market information, which can change 
significantly over time. The Black-Scholes model required the Company to make several key judgments including: 

•  The  expected  option  term  reflects  the  application  of  the  simplified  method  set  out  in  Staff  Accounting  Bulletin 
(SAB) No. 107 Share-Based Payment (SAB 107), which was issued in March 2005. In December 2007, the Securities 
and Exchange Commission (SEC) released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110 (SAB 110), which extends the use of the 
“simplified” method, under certain circumstances, in developing an estimate of the expected term of “plain vanilla” share 
options.  Accordingly, the Company has utilized the average of the contractual term of the options and the weighted 
average vesting period for all options to calculate the expected option term. The Company will utilize its own experience 
to calculate the expected option term in the future when it has sufficient history.

•  Estimated volatility also reflects the application of SAB 107 interpretive guidance and, accordingly, incorporates historical 
volatility  of  similar  public  entities  until  sufficient  information  regarding  the  volatility  of  the  Company's  share  price 
becomes available.  The Company will utilize its own experience to calculate estimated volatility in the future when it 
has sufficient history.

•  The dividend yield is based on the Company's historical pattern of dividends as well as expected dividend patterns.

116

 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

•  The  risk-free  rate  is  based  on  the  implied  yield  of  U.S. Treasury  notes  as  of  the  grant  date  with  a  remaining  term 

approximately equal to the expected term.

•  Estimated forfeiture rate of approximately 8.45% per year is based on the Company's historical forfeiture activity of 

unvested stock options.

The Company used the following assumptions for stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2012, 

2011, and 2010:

Grant Year

2012

2011

2010

Options
Granted

Weighted Average
Risk-Free Rate

Expected
Life

246

97

138

0.84

1.42

1.58

- 1.18% 6.5 years

- 2.53% 6.5 years

- 2.82% 6.5 years

Weighted
Average
Volatility

Weighted 
Average 
Dividend 
Yield

55%

55%

55%

0.93%

0.93%

1.08%

For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the following represents the Company's weighted average 

exercise price and weighted average fair value displayed by grant year:

Grant Year
2012
2011

2010

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
Price

Granted

246
97

138

$
$

$

27.65
24.79

Weighted
Average
Fair Value
of Options
13.47
$
12.38
$

17.60

$

8.88

The exercise price of the option equaled the fair value of the Company's common stock on the grant date for all options 
granted during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and therefore, the intrinsic value of the options was $0 at 
date of grant.

The following table represents the employee stock option activity during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 

2010:

January 1, 2010

Granted

Forfeited

Exercised
December 31, 2010

Granted

Forfeited

Exercised
December 31, 2011

Granted

Forfeited

Exercised
December 31, 2012

Number of
Options
Outstanding

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Number of
Options Vested

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
of Options
Vested

2,025

$

138
(98)
(161)
1,904

97
(54)
(314)
1,633

246
(63)
(429)
1,387

$

$

$

10.68

17.60

11.21

6.00

11.55

24.79

13.57

7.90

12.97

27.65

15.80

10.95

16.06

117

709

$

7.29

921

$

9.07

936

$

10.65

739

$

11.88

 
 
 
 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

The following summary information reflects stock options outstanding, vested and related details as of December 31, 

2012:

Year of Grant

2003

2004

2005

2006

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012
Total

Stock Options Outstanding

Stock
Options
Vested

Exercise Price

Number
Outstanding

Black-
Scholes
Fair Value

Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)

Number
Vested and
Exercisable

0.81

2.46

5.75

7.50

$0.67 -

-

-

-

1.96

4.99

7.05

9.38

- 14.87

14.88 - 16.70

17.47 - 18.16

21.61 - 29.30

24.04 - 29.16

4

13

43

172

390

336

96

90

*

*

*

1,661

2,130

2,660

855

1,113

243
1,387

3,271
11,690

$

1

2

3

4

6

7

8

9

10

4

13

43

172

281

177

32

17

—
739

*     The Company will not recognize the Black-Scholes fair value for awards granted prior to January 1, 2006 unless such 

awards are modified.

In addition to the above, during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company granted 71 and 143 restricted 
stock awards, respectively.  All awards were granted at an exercise price of $0 and vest over five years.  The fair value per share 
of restricted awards granted in 2012 and 2011 ranged from  $24.04 to $29.16 and $21.61 to $29.30, respectively. 

A summary of the status of the Company's nonvested restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2012, and changes 

during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 is presented below:

Nonvested at January 1, 2011

Granted

Vested

Forfeited
Nonvested at December 31, 2011

Granted

Vested

Forfeited
Nonvested at December 31, 2012

Nonvested
Restricted Awards

Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value

102

$

143
(31)
(4)
210
71
(44)
(13)
224

$

$

18.05

25.52

24.18

19.16

22.32
27.78

27.53

21.98

23.04

In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company granted 16 automatic quarterly stock awards to non-
employee directors for their service on the Company's board of directors.  The fair value per share of these stock awards ranged 
from $24.71 to $30.65 based on the market price on the grant date.  

118

 
 
 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

Total share-based compensation expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was as 

follows:

Years Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

Share-based compensation expense related to stock options

$

1,903

$

2,265

$

2,559

Share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock awards

Share-based compensation expense related to stock awards

Total

1,084

1,752

1,091

—

345

—

$

4,739

$

3,356

$

2,904

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company expensed $392 in share-based compensation related to the quarterly 

stock awards to non-employee directors.

The Company recognized tax benefits related to share-based compensation expense of $1,740, $1,285, and $1,141 during 
years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  In future periods, the Company expects to recognize approximately 
$5,675 and $4,874 in share-based compensation expense for unvested options and unvested restricted stock awards, respectively, 
that were outstanding as of December 31, 2012. Future share-based compensation expense will be recognized over 3.5 and 3.7 
weighted average years for unvested options and restricted stock awards, respectively. There were 648 unvested and outstanding 
options at December 31, 2012, of which 616 are expected to vest. The weighted average contractual life for options vested at 
December 31, 2012 was 6.2 years.

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding, vested, expected to vest and exercised as of December 31, 2012, 

2011 and 2010 is as follows:

Outstanding

Vested

Expected to vest

Exercised

December 31,

2012

2011

2010

$

15,703

$

18,942

$

25,366

11,285

4,088

7,123

12,960

5,374

5,651

14,545

9,630

1,955

The intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the market value of the underlying common stock and the 

exercise price of the options.

18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Regulatory  Matters  —  Laws  and  regulations  governing  Medicare  and  Medicaid  programs  are  complex  and  subject  to 
interpretation. Compliance with such laws and regulations can be subject to future governmental review and interpretation, as well 
as  significant  regulatory  action  including  fines,  penalties,  and  exclusion  from  certain  governmental  programs. The  Company 
believes that it is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations.

A significant portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from Medicaid and Medicare, for which reimbursement rates are 
subject  to  regulatory  changes  and  government  funding  restrictions. Any  significant  future  change  to  reimbursement  rates  or 
regulation on how services are provided could have a material effect on the Company’s operations.

Cost-Containment Measures — Both government and private pay sources have instituted cost-containment measures designed 
to limit payments made to providers of healthcare services, and there can be no assurance that future measures designed to limit 
payments made to providers will not adversely affect the Company.

Income Tax Examinations — During the first quarter of 2012, the State of California initiated an examination of the Company's 
income tax returns for the 2008 and 2009 income tax years.  The examination is primarily focused on  the Captive and the treatment 
of related insurance matters. To date, California has not proposed any adjustments. The Company is not currently under examination 
by any other major income tax jurisdiction.  At this time, the Company is not aware of any events that might significantly impact 
the balance of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.  See Note 12, Income Taxes.

119

 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

Indemnities — From time to time, the Company enters into certain types of contracts that contingently require the Company 
to indemnify parties against third-party claims. These contracts primarily include (i) certain real estate leases, under which the 
Company may be required to indemnify property owners or prior facility operators for post-transfer environmental or other liabilities 
and other claims arising from the Company’s use of the applicable premises, (ii) operations transfer agreements, in which the 
Company agrees to indemnify past operators of facilities the Company acquires against certain liabilities arising from the transfer 
of the operation and/or the operation thereof after the transfer, (iii) certain lending agreements, under which the Company may be 
required  to  indemnify  the  lender  against  various  claims  and  liabilities,  (iv) agreements  with  certain  lenders  under  which  the 
Company may be required to indemnify such lenders against various claims and liabilities, and (v) certain agreements with the 
Company’s officers, directors and employees, under which the Company may be required to indemnify such persons for liabilities 
arising out of their employment relationships. The terms of such obligations vary by contract and, in most instances, a specific or 
maximum dollar amount is not explicitly stated therein. Generally, amounts under these contracts cannot be reasonably estimated 
until a specific claim is asserted. Consequently, because no claims have been asserted, no liabilities have been recorded for these 
obligations on the Company’s balance sheets for any of the periods presented.

Litigation — The skilled nursing business involves a significant risk of liability given the age and health of the Company’s 
patients and residents and the services the Company provides. The Company and others in the industry are subject to an increasing 
number of claims and lawsuits, including professional liability claims, alleging that services have resulted in personal injury, elder 
abuse, wrongful death or other related claims. The defense of these lawsuits may result in significant legal costs, regardless of the 
outcome, and can result in large settlement amounts or damage awards.

In addition to the potential lawsuits and claims described above, the Company is also subject to potential lawsuits under the 
Federal False Claims Act and comparable state laws alleging submission of fraudulent claims for services to any healthcare program 
(such as Medicare) or payor.  A violation may provide the basis for exclusion from federally-funded healthcare programs. Such 
exclusions could have a correlative negative impact on the Company’s financial performance. Some states, including California, 
Arizona and Texas, have enacted similar whistleblower and false claims laws and regulations. In addition, the Deficit Reduction 
Act of 2005 created incentives for states to enact anti-fraud legislation modeled on the Federal False Claims Act. As such, the 
Company could face increased scrutiny, potential liability and legal expenses and costs based on claims under state false claims 
acts in markets in which it does business.

In May 2009, Congress passed the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act (FERA) of 2009 which made significant changes 
to the Federal False Claims Act (FCA), expanding the types of activities subject to prosecution and whistleblower liability. Following 
changes by FERA, health care providers face significant penalties for the knowing retention of government overpayments, even 
if no false claim was involved. Health care providers can now be liable for knowingly and improperly avoiding or decreasing an 
obligation to pay money or property to the government. This includes the retention of any government overpayment. The government 
can argue, therefore, that a FCA violation can occur without any affirmative fraudulent action or statement, as long as it is knowingly 
improper.  In  addition,  FERA  extended  protections  against  retaliation  for  whistleblowers,  including  protections  not  only  for 
employees, but also contractors and agents. Thus, there is generally no need for an employment relationship in order to qualify 
for protection against retaliation for whistleblowing.

In July 2010, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). The 
Dodd-Frank Act establishes rigorous standards and supervision to protect the economy and American consumers, investors and 
businesses. Included under Section 922 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will be required 
to pay a reward to individuals who provide original information to the SEC resulting in monetary sanctions exceeding $1,000 in 
civil or criminal proceedings. The award will range from 10 to 30 percent of the amount recouped and the amount of the award 
shall be at the discretion of the SEC. The purpose of this reward program is to “motivate those with inside knowledge to come 
forward and assist the Government to identify and prosecute persons who have violated securities laws and recover money for 
victims of financial fraud.”

Other companies in the Company's industry have been the subject of lawsuits alleging negligence, abuses and other causes 
of action which have, in some cases, resulted in large demand awards and settlements.  In addition, there has been an increase in 
the number of class-action suits filed against the Company and other companies in its industry, which also have the potential to 
result in large damage awards and settlements.  For example, a class action suit was previously filed against the Company in the 
State of California, alleging, among other things, violations of certain Health and Safety Code provisions and a violation of the 
Consumer Legal Remedies Act at certain of the Company’s California facilities. In 2007, the Company settled this class action 
suit, and the settlement was approved by the affected class and the Court. 

120

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

Healthcare litigation is common and is filed based upon a wide variety of claims and theories, and we are routinely subjected 
to  varying  types  of  claims.    One  particular  type  of  suit  arises  from  alleged  violations  of  state-established  minimum  staffing 
requirements for skilled nursing facilities.  Failure to meet these requirements can, among other things, jeopardize a facility's 
compliance with conditions of participation under certain state and federal healthcare programs; it may also subject the facility to 
a notice of deficiency, a citation, civil money penalty, or litigation.  These "staffing" suits have become more prevalent in the wake 
of a previous substantial jury award against one of the Company's competitors, and the Company expects the plaintiff's bar to 
become increasingly aggressive in their pursuit of these staffing and similar claims.  The Company is currently defending one such 
staffing class-action claim filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, and has reached a tentative settlement with class counsel that is 
awaiting court approval.  The total costs associated with the settlement, including attorney's fees, estimated class payout, and 
related costs and expenses, are projected to be $5,000, of which, $2,596 of this amount was recorded in the quarter ended June 
30, 2012, with the balance having been expensed in prior periods.  Assuming that the settlement is approved by the court, the 
settlement will not have a material ongoing adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations. 

Other claims and suits, including class actions, continue to be filed against us and other companies in our industry.  For 
example, there has been an increase in the number of wage and hour class action claims filed in several of the jurisdictions where 
the Company is present. Allegations typically include claimed failures to permit or properly compensate for meal and rest periods, 
or failure to pay for time worked.  If there were a significant increase in the number of these claims or an increase in amounts 
owing should plaintiffs be successful in their prosecution of these claims, this could materially adversely affect the Company’s 
business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company has been, and continues to be, subject to claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business, 
including potential claims related to care and treatment provided at its facilities as well as employment related (e.g., wage and 
hour) claims. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on 
the Company’s business, cash flows, financial condition or results of operations.  A significant increase in the number of these 
claims  or  an  increase  in  amounts  owing  should  plaintiffs  be  successful  in  their  prosecution  of  these  claims,  could  materially 
adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Medicare Revenue Recoupments — The Company is subject to reviews relating to Medicare services, billings and potential 
overpayments. The Company had one operation subject to probe review during the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company 
anticipates that these probe reviews will increase in frequency in the future. Further, the Company currently has no facilities on 
prepayment review; however, others may be placed on prepayment review in the future. If a facility fails prepayment review, the 
facility could then be subject to undergo targeted review, which is a review that targets perceived claims deficiencies. The Company 
has no facilities that are currently undergoing targeted review.

U.S. Government Inquiry — In late 2006, the Company learned that it might be the subject of an on-going criminal and civil 
investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and this was confirmed in March 2007. The investigation relates to claims 
submitted to the Medicare program for rehabilitation services provided at skilled nursing facilities in Southern California, that the 
Company believes is tied to a pending whistleblower complaint. The Company, through its outside counsel and a special committee 
of independent directors established by its board, has worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney's office to produce information 
requested by the government as part of an ongoing dialogue designed to try to resolve the issue. 

In December 2011, the Company was formally notified that the DOJ had elected to close its criminal investigation without 
action although, as is typical, it reserved the right to reopen the criminal case if new facts came to light. As a result, only the civil 
investigation remains.

In January 2012, the DOJ indicated that the government would be seeking certain additional information in furtherance of 
the remaining civil investigation, and that it would formalize its request for that information in a new subpoena. In January 2012, 
the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) served the new subpoena, 
seeking specific patient records and documents from 2007 to 2011 from six Southern California skilled nursing facilities that had 
been the subject of previous requests. HHS also issued a subpoena to our independent external auditors requesting an update to 
the information requested in the 2007 subpoena to them, and a subpoena to the Company's independent internal auditors requesting 
similar information.

121

 
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

The Company, through the special committee and its outside counsel, continues to work cooperatively with the DOJ. Ensign 
anticipates that this ongoing dialogue will continue in 2013 as part of its effort to resolve this matter.  Based on information gathered 
by the Company in connection with the work of the special committee, its outside counsel and their experts, the Company recorded 
an estimated liability in the amount of $15,000 in the fourth quarter of 2012 related to the Company's efforts to achieve a global, 
company-wide, resolution of any claims connected to the investigation. Active settlement discussions with the DOJ are ongoing 
and, until concluded, the outcome remains uncertain and the amount related to the resolution of any claims connected to this 
pending investigation could differ materially from the Company's estimates.  At this time, the Company cannot estimate the possible 
range of loss that may result from any such proceedings or discussions.

The Company cannot predict or provide any assurance as to the possible outcome of the investigations or any possible related 
proceedings, or as to the possible outcome of any litigation.  If any litigation were to proceed, and the Company is subjected to, 
alleged to be liable for, or agrees to a settlement of, claims or obligations under federal Medicare statutes, the federal False Claims 
Act, or similar state and federal statutes and related regulations, its business, financial condition and results of operations and cash 
flows  could  be  materially  and  adversely  affected  and  its  stock  price  could  be  adversely  impacted.   Among  other  things,  any 
settlement or litigation could involve the payment of substantial sums to settle any alleged civil violations, and may also include 
the Company's assumption of specific procedural and financial obligations going forward under a corporate integrity agreement 
and/or other arrangement with the government.

Concentrations

Credit Risk — The Company has significant accounts receivable balances, the collectability of which is dependent on the 
availability of funds from certain governmental programs, primarily Medicare and Medicaid. These receivables represent the only 
significant concentration of credit risk for the Company. The Company does not believe there are significant credit risks associated 
with these governmental programs. The Company believes that an appropriate allowance has been recorded for the possibility of 
these  receivables  proving  uncollectible,  and  continually  monitors  and  adjusts  these  allowances  as  necessary. The  Company’s 
receivables from Medicare and Medicaid payor programs accounted for approximately 56.2% and 58.9% of its total accounts 
receivable  as  of  December 31,  2012  and  2011,  respectively.  Revenue  from  reimbursement  under  the  Medicare  and  Medicaid 
programs accounted for 73.5%, 75.2% and 76.4% of the Company’s revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 
2010, respectively.

Cash in Excess of FDIC Limits — The Company currently has bank deposits with financial institutions in the U.S. that 
exceed FDIC insurance limits. FDIC insurance provides protection for bank deposits up to $250. In addition, the Company has 
uninsured bank deposits with a financial institution outside the U.S.  As of February 12, 2013, the Company had approximately 
$1,001 in uninsured cash deposits.  All uninsured bank deposits are held at high quality credit institutions.

19.  DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

The Company has a 401(k) defined contribution plan (the 401(k) Plan), whereby eligible employees may contribute up to 
15% of their annual basic earnings. Additionally, the 401(k) Plan provides for discretionary matching contributions (as defined in 
the 401(k) Plan) by the Company. The Company expensed matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan of $444, $369 and $301  
during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Beginning in 2007, the Company's plan allowed eligible 
employees to contribute up to 90% of their eligible compensation, subject to applicable annual Internal Revenue Code limits.  

122

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

(b)   Financial Statement Schedules

THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

Schedule II
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 

Year Ended December 31, 2010

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Year Ended December 31, 2011

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Year Ended December 31, 2012

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Balance at
Beginning of
Year

Additions
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

Deductions

Balances at
End of Year

(In thousands)

$

$

(7,575)   $

(6,312) $

4,094   $

(9,793)

(9,793)   $

(7,921) $

4,932   $ (12,782)

$ (12,782)   $

(9,474) $

8,445   $ (13,811)

All other schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown 

in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto. 

123

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
(c)   Exhibit Index

Exhibit

No.

3.1

3.3

4.1

4.2

Exhibit Description
Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
The Ensign Group, Inc., filed with the Delaware Secretary
of State on November 15, 2007

  Form  
  10-Q   001-33757

No.

File

  Exhibit

No.

Filing

Date

Filed

  Herewith

3.1   12/21/2007  

Amended and Restated Bylaws of The Ensign Group, Inc.

  10-Q   001-33757

3.2   12/21/2007  

Specimen common stock certificate

Stock Position Management Agreement, dated October 16,
2008, between The Ensign Group, Inc. and Terri M.
Christensen

  S-1   333-142897  

4.1   10/5/2007  

  10-K   001-33757

4.2   2/18/2009  

10.1 + The Ensign Group, Inc. 2001 Stock Option, Deferred Stock

  S-1   333-142897  

10.1   7/26/2007  

and Restricted Stock Plan, form of Stock Option Grant
Notice for Executive Officers and Directors, stock option
agreement and form of restricted stock agreement for
Executive Officers and Directors

10.2 + The Ensign Group, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, form of

  S-1   333-142897  

99.2   7/26/2007  

Nonqualified Stock Option Award for Executive Officers
and Directors, and form of restricted stock agreement for
Executive Officers and Directors

10.3 + The Ensign Group, Inc. 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan

  S-1   333-142897  

10.3   10/5/2007  

10.4 + Amendment to The Ensign Group, Inc. 2007 Omnibus

  8-K   001-33757

10.2   7/28/2009  

Incentive Plan

10.5 + Form of 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan Notice of Grant of
Stock Options; and form of Non-Incentive Stock Option
Award Terms and Conditions

  S-1   333-142797  

10.4   10/5/2007  

10.6 + Form of 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan Restricted Stock

  S-1   333-142897  

10.5   10/5/2007  

Agreement

10.7 + Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between

  S-1   333-142897  

10.6   10/5/2007  

  8-K   001-33757

10.1   11/17/2009  

  S-1   333-142897  

10.8   7/26/2007  

  S-1   333-142897  

10.9   7/26/2007  

  S-1   333-142897   10.10   7/26/2007  

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

The Ensign Group, Inc. and its directors, officers and
certain key employees

Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of
November 10, 2009, by and among certain subsidiaries of
The Ensign Group, Inc. as Borrowers, and General Electric
Capital Corporation as Agent and Lender

Consolidated, Amended and Restated Promissory Note,
dated as of December 29, 2006, in the original principal
amount of $64,692,111.67, by certain subsidiaries of The
Ensign Group, Inc. in favor of General Electric Capital
Corporation

Third Amended and Restated Guaranty of Payment and
Performance, dated as of December 29, 2006, by The
Ensign Group, Inc. as Guarantor and General Electric
Capital Corporation as Agent and Lender, under which
Guarantor guarantees the payment and performance of the
obligations of certain of Guarantor's subsidiaries under the
Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement

Form of Amended and Restated Deed of Trust, Assignment
of Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Financing
Statement, dated as of June 30, 2006 (filed against Desert
Terrace Nursing Center, Desert Sky Nursing Home,
Highland Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center and
North Mountain Medical and Rehabilitation Center), by
and among Terrace Holdings AZ LLC, Sky Holdings AZ
LLC, Ensign Highland LLC and Valley Health Holdings
LLC as Grantors, Chicago Title Insurance Company as
Trustee, and General Electric Capital Corporation as
Beneficiary and Schedule of Material Differences therein

124

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit

File

  Exhibit

Filing

Filed

Exhibit Description

No.
10.12 Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents, Security Agreement and
Fixture Financing Statement, dated as of June 30, 2006 (filed
against Park Manor), by and among Plaza Health Holdings
LLC as Grantor, Chicago Title Insurance Company as Trustee,
and General Electric Capital Corporation as Beneficiary

10.13 Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents, Security Agreement and
Fixture Financing Statement, dated as of June 30, 2006 (filed
against Catalina Care and Rehabilitation Center), by and
among Rillito Holdings LLC as Grantor, Chicago Title
Insurance Company as Trustee, and General Electric Capital
Corporation as Beneficiary

Form  
S-1   333-142897   10.11   7/26/2007  

Date

No.

No.

  Herewith

S-1   333-142897   10.12   7/26/2007  

10.14 Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents, Security Agreement and

S-1   333-142897   10.13   7/26/2007  

Fixture Financing Statement, dated as of October 16, 2006
(filed against Park View Gardens at Montgomery), by and
among Mountainview Communitycare LLC as Grantor,
Chicago Title Insurance Company as Trustee, and General
Electric Capital Corporation as Beneficiary

10.15 Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents, Security Agreement and

S-1   333-142897   10.14   7/26/2007  

Fixture Financing Statement, dated as of October 16, 2006
(filed against Sabino Canyon Rehabilitation and Care Center),
by and among Meadowbrook Health Associates LLC as
Grantor, Chicago Title Insurance Company as Trustee and
General Electric Capital Corporation as Beneficiary

10.16 Form of Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents, Security

S-1   333-142897   10.15   7/26/2007  

Agreement and Fixture Financing Statement, dated as of
December 29, 2006 (filed against Upland Care and
Rehabilitation Center and Camarillo Care Center), by and
among Cedar Avenue Holdings LLC and Granada Investments
LLC as Grantors, Chicago Title Insurance Company as Trustee
and General Electric Capital Corporation as Beneficiary and
Schedule of Material Differences therein

10.17 Form of First Amendment to (Amended and Restated) Deed of

S-1   333-142897   10.16   7/26/2007  

Trust, Assignment of Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture
Financing Statement, dated as of December 29, 2006 (filed
against Desert Terrace Nursing Center, Desert Sky Nursing
Home, Highland Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center,
North Mountain Medical and Rehabilitation Center, Catalina
Care and Rehabilitation Center, Park Manor, Park View
Gardens at Montgomery, Sabino Canyon Rehabilitation and
Care Center), by and among Terrace Holdings AZ LLC, Sky
Holdings AZ LLC, Ensign Highland LLC, Valley Health
Holdings LLC, Rillito Holdings LLC, Plaza Health Holdings
LLC, Mountainview Communitycare LLC and Meadowbrook
Health Associates LLC as Grantors, Chicago Title Insurance
Company as Trustee, and General Electric Capital Corporation
as Beneficiary and Schedule of Material Differences therein

10.18 Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated
as of March 25, 2004, by and among The Ensign Group, Inc.
and certain of its subsidiaries as Borrower, and General
Electric Capital Corporation as Agent and Lender

S-1   333-142897   10.19   5/14/2007    

10.19 Amendment No. 1, dated as of December 3, 2004, to the

S-1   333-142897   10.20   5/14/2007    

Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, by and
among The Ensign Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries
as Borrower, and General Electric Capital Corporation as
Lender

10.20 Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note, dated

S-1   333-142897   10.19   7/26/2007    

as of December 3, 2004, in the original principal amount of
$20,000,000, by The Ensign Group, Inc. and certain of its
subsidiaries in favor of General Electric Capital Corporation

125

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit

No.
10.21 Amendment No. 2, dated as of March 25, 2007, to the

Exhibit Description

Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, by and
among The Ensign Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries
as Borrower, and General Electric Capital Corporation as
Lender

  Form  

File

No.

  Exhibit

No.

Filing

Date

Filed

  Herewith

S-1   333-142897   10.22   5/14/2007  

10.22 Amendment No. 3, dated as of June 22, 2007, to the

  S-1   333-142897   10.21   7/26/2007  

Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, by and
among The Ensign Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries
as Borrower and General Electric Capital Corporation as
Lender

10.23 Amendment No. 4, dated as of August 1, 2007, to the

  S-1   333-142897   10.42   8/17/2007  

Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, by and
among The Ensign Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries
as Borrowers and General Electric Capital Corporation as
Lender

10.24 Amendment No. 5, dated September 13, 2007, to the

  S-1   333-142897   10.43   10/5/2007  

Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, by and
among The Ensign Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries
as Borrowers and General Electric Capital Corporation as
Lender

10.25 Revolving Credit Note, dated as of September 13, 2007, in
the original principal amount of $5,000,000 by The Ensign
Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of General
Electric Capital Corporation

  S-1   333-142897   10.44   10/5/2007    

10.26 Commitment Letter, dated October 3, 2007, from General

  S-1   333-142897   10.46   10/5/2007    

Electric Capital Corporation to The Ensign Group, Inc.,
setting forth the general terms and conditions of the proposed
amendment to the revolving credit facility, which will
increase the available credit thereunder to $50.0 million

10.27 Amendment No. 6, dated November 19, 2007, to the

  8-K   001-33757

10.1   11/21/2007    

Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, by and
among The Ensign Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries
as Borrowers and General Electric Capital Corporation as
Lender

10.28 Amendment No. 7, dated December 21, 2007, to the

  8-K   001-33757

10.1   12/27/2007    

Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, by and
among The Ensign Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries
as Borrowers and General Electric Capital Corporation as
Lender

10.29 Amendment No. 1 and Joinder Agreement to Second

  8-K   001-33757

10.1  

2/9/2009    

Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, by
certain subsidiaries of The Ensign Group, Inc. as Borrower
and General Electric Capital Corporation as Lender

10.30 Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note, dated
February 4, 2009, by certain subsidiaries of The Ensign
Group, Inc. as Borrowers for the benefit of General Electric
Capital Corporation as Lender

  8-K   001-33757

10.2  

2/9/2009    

10.31 Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note, dated

  8-K   001-33757

10.2   2/27/2008    

February 21, 2008, by certain subsidiaries of The Ensign
Group, Inc. as Borrowers for the benefit of General Electric
Capital Corporation as Lender

10.32 Ensign Guaranty, dated February 21, 2008, between The

  8-K   001-33757

10.3   2/27/2008    

Ensign Group, Inc. as Guarantor and General Electric Capital
Corporation as Lender

10.33 Holding Company Guaranty, dated February 21, 2008, by and

  8-K   001-33757

10.4   2/27/2008    

among The Ensign Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries
as Guarantors and General Electric Capital Corporation as
Lender

126

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit

File

  Exhibit

Filing

Filed

No.
10.34 Pacific Care Center Loan Agreement, dated as of August 6,

Exhibit Description

1998, by and between G&L Hoquiam, LLC as Borrower and
GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation as Lender (later
assumed by Cherry Health Holdings, Inc. as Borrower and
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Lender)

10.35 Deed of Trust and Security Agreement, dated as of August 6,
1998, by and among G&L Hoquiam, LLC as Grantor, Ticor
Title Insurance Company as Trustee and GMAC Commercial
Mortgage Corporation as Beneficiary

10.36 Promissory Note, dated as of August 6, 1998, in the original
principal amount of $2,475,000, by G&L Hoquiam, LLC in
favor of GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation

  Form  
  S-1   333-142897   10.23   5/14/2007    

Date

No.

No.

  Herewith

  S-1   333-142897   10.24   7/26/2007    

  S-1   333-142897   10.25   7/26/2007    

10.37 Loan Assumption Agreement, by and among G&L Hoquiam,

  S-1   333-142897   10.26   5/14/2007  

LLC as Prior Owner; G&L Realty Partnership, L.P. as Prior
Guarantor; Cherry Health Holdings, Inc. as Borrower; and
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the Trustee for GMAC Commercial
Mortgage Securities, Inc., as Lender

10.38 Exceptions to Nonrecourse Guaranty, dated as of October

  S-1   333-142897   10.22   7/26/2007  

2006, by The Ensign Group, Inc. as Guarantor and Wells Fargo
Bank, N.A. as Trustee for GMAC Commercial Mortgage
Securities, Inc., under which Guarantor guarantees full and
prompt payment of all amounts due and owing by Cherry
Health Holdings, Inc. under the Promissory Note

10.39 Deed of Trust with Assignment of Rents, dated as of January

  S-1   333-142897   10.27   7/26/2007  

30, 2001, by and among Ensign Southland LLC as Trustor,
Brian E. Callahan as Trustee and Continental Wingate
Associates, Inc. as Beneficiary

10.40 Deed of Trust Note, dated as of January 30, 2001, in the

  S-1   333-142897   10.28   5/14/2007  

original principal amount of $7,455,100, by Ensign Southland,
LLC in favor of Continental Wingate Associates, Inc.

10.41 Security Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2001, by and
between Ensign Southland, LLC and Continental Wingate
Associates, Inc.

  S-1   333-142897   10.29   5/14/2007  

10.42 Master Lease Agreement, dated July 3, 2003, between

  S-1   333-142897   10.30   5/14/2007  

Adipiscor LLC as Lessee and LTC Partners VI, L.P., Coronado
Corporation and Park Villa Corporation collectively as Lessor

10.43 Lease Guaranty, dated July 3, 2003, between The Ensign

  S-1   333-142897   10.31   5/14/2007  

Group, Inc. as Guarantor and LTC Partners VI, L.P., Coronado
Corporation and Park Villa Corporation collectively as Lessor,
under which Guarantor guarantees the payment and
performance of Adipiscor LLC's obligations under the Master
Lease Agreement

10.44 Master Lease Agreement, dated September 30, 2003, between

  S-1   333-142897   10.32   5/14/2007  

Permunitum LLC as Lessee, Vista Woods Health Associates
LLC, City Heights Health Associates LLC, and Claremont
Foothills Health Associates LLC as Sublessees, and OHI Asset
(CA), LLC as Lessor

10.45 Lease Guaranty, dated September 30, 2003, between The

  S-1   333-142897   10.33   5/14/2007  

Ensign Group, Inc. as Guarantor and OHI Asset (CA), LLC as
Lessor, under which Guarantor guarantees the payment and
performance of Permunitum LLC's obligations under the
Master Lease Agreement

10.46 Lease Guaranty, dated September 30, 2003, between Vista

  S-1   333-142897   10.34   5/14/2007    

Woods Health Associates LLC, City Heights Health Associates
LLC and Claremont Foothills Health Associates LLC as
Guarantors and OHI Asset (CA), LLC as Lessor, under which
Guarantors guarantee the payment and performance of
Permunitum LLC's obligations under the Master Lease
Agreement

127

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit

File

  Exhibit

Filing

Filed

Exhibit Description

No.
10.47 Master Lease Agreement, dated January 31, 2003, between
Moenium Holdings LLC as Lessee and Healthcare Property
Investors, Inc., d/b/a in the State of Arizona as HC
Properties, Inc., and Healthcare Investors III collectively as
Lessor

  Form  
  S-1   333-142897   10.35   5/14/2007  

Date

No.

No.

  Herewith

10.48 Lease Guaranty, between The Ensign Group, Inc. as

  S-1   333-142897   10.36   5/14/2007  

Guarantor and Healthcare Property Investors, Inc. as Owner,
under which Guarantor guarantees the payment and
performance of Moenium Holdings LLC's obligations under
the Master Lease Agreement

10.49 First Amendment to Master Lease Agreement, dated May
27, 2003, between Moenium Holdings LLC as Lessee and
Healthcare Property Investors, Inc., d/b/a in the State of
Arizona as HC Properties, Inc., and Healthcare Investors III
collectively as Lessor

10.50 Second Amendment to Master Lease Agreement, dated
October 31. 2004, between Moenium Holdings LLC as
Lessee and Healthcare Property Investors, Inc., d/b/a in the
State of Arizona as HC Properties, Inc., and Healthcare
Investors III collectively as Lessor

  S-1   333-142897   10.37   5/14/2007  

  S-1   333-142897   10.38   5/14/2007  

10.51 Lease Agreement, by and between Mission Ridge

  S-1   333-142897   10.39   5/14/2007  

Associates LLC as Landlord and Ensign Facility Services,
Inc. as Tenant; and Guaranty of Lease, dated August 2,
2003, by The Ensign Group, Inc. as Guarantor in favor of
Landlord, under which Guarantor guarantees Tenant's
obligations under the Lease Agreement

10.52 First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated January 15,
2004, by and between Mission Ridge Associates LLC as
Landlord and Ensign Facility Services, Inc. as Tenant

  S-1   333-142897   10.40   5/14/2007  

10.53 Second Amendment to Lease Agreement dated December

  10-K   001-33757

  10.52  

3/6/2008  

13, 2007, by and between Mission Ridge Associates LLC as
Landlord and Ensign Facility Services, Inc. as Tenant; and
Reaffirmation of Guaranty of Lease, dated December 13,
2007, by The Ensign Group, Inc. as Guarantor in favor of
Landlord, under which Guarantor reaffirms its guaranty of
Tenants obligations under the Lease Agreement

10.54 Third Amendment to Lease Agreement dated February 21,

  10-K   001-33757

  10.54   2/17/2010  

2008, by and between Mission Ridge Associates LLC as
Landlord and Ensign Facility Services, Inc. as Tenant

10.55 Fourth Amendment to Lease Agreement dated July 15,

  10-K   001-33757

  10.55   2/17/2010  

2009, by and between Mission Ridge Associates LLC as
Landlord and Ensign Facility Services, Inc. as Tenant

10.56 Form of Independent Consulting and Centralized Services

  S-1   333-142897   10.41   5/14/2007    

Agreement between Ensign Facility Services, Inc. and
certain of its subsidiaries

10.57 Agreement of Purchase and Sale and Joint Escrow

  S-1   333-142897   10.45   10/5/2007    

Instructions, dated August 31, 2007, as amended on
September 6, 2007

10.58 Form of Health Insurance Benefit Agreement pursuant to

  S-1   333-142897   10.48   10/19/2007    

which certain subsidiaries of The Ensign Group, Inc.
participate in the Medicare program

10.59 Form of Medi-Cal Provider Agreement pursuant to which

  S-1   333-142897   10.49   10/19/2007    

certain subsidiaries of The Ensign Group, Inc. participate in
the California Medicaid program

10.60 Form of Provider Participation Agreement pursuant to

  S-1   333-142897   10.50   10/19/2007    

which certain subsidiaries of The Ensign Group, Inc.
participate in the Arizona Medicaid program

128

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit

File

  Exhibit

Filing

Filed

No.
10.61 Form of Contract to Provide Nursing Facility Services under

Exhibit Description

  Form  
S-1

No.
333-142897

No.
10.51   10/19/2007

Date

  Herewith

10.62

10.63

10.64

the Texas Medical Assistance Program pursuant to which
certain subsidiaries of The Ensign Group, Inc. participate in
the Texas Medicaid program

Form of Client Service Contract pursuant to which certain
subsidiaries of The Ensign Group, Inc. participate in the
Washington Medicaid program

Form of Provider Agreement for Medicaid and UMAP
pursuant to which certain subsidiaries of The Ensign Group,
Inc. participate in the Utah Medicaid program

Form of Medicaid Provider Agreement pursuant to which a
subsidiary of The Ensign Group, Inc. participates in the
Idaho Medicaid program

S-1

333-142897

10.52   10/19/2007

S-1

333-142897

10.53   10/19/2007

S-1

333-142897

10.54   10/19/2007

10.65 Six Project Promissory Note dated as of November 10,

8-K

001-33757

10.2   11/17/2009

2009, in the original principal amount of $40,000,000, by
certain subsidiaries of the Ensign Group, Inc. in favor of
General Electric Capital Corporation

10.66 Commercial Deeds of Trust, Security Agreement,

8-K 001-33757

10.1

1/6/2011

Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Filing, dated as
of December 31, 2010, made by certain subsidiaries of the
Company for the benefit of RBS Asset Finance, Inc.

10.67 Note, dated December 31, 2010 by certain subsidiaries of

8-K 001-33757

10.1

1/6/2011

the Company.

10.68 Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of

8-K 001-33757

10.1

7/19/2011

July 15, 2011, among the Ensign Group, Inc. and the several
banks and other financial institutions and lenders from time
to time party thereto (the "Lenders") and SunTrust Bank, in
its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders, as
issuing bank and as swingline lender.

10.69 Commercial Deeds of Trust, Security Agreements, 

8-K 001-33757

10.1

2/22/2012

Assignment of Leases and Rents and Future Filing, dated as 
of February 17, 2012, made by certain subsidiaries of the 
Company for the benefit of RBS Asset Finance, Inc. 8-K.

10.70 First Amendment to Revolving Credit and Term Loan 
Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2011, among The 
Ensign Group, Inc. and the several banks and other financial 
institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto (the 
"Lenders") and SunTrust Bank, in its capacity as 
administrative agent for the Lenders, as issuing bank and as 
swingline lender.

10.71 Second Amendment to Revolving Credit and Term Loan 

Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2012, among The Ensign 
Group, Inc. and the several banks and other financial 
institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto (the 
"Lenders") and SunTrust Bank, in its capacity as 
administrative agent for the Lenders, as issuing bank and as 
swingline lender.

10.72 Third Amendment to Revolving Credit and Term Loan 
Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2013, among The 
Ensign Group, Inc. and the several banks and other financial 
institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto (the 
"Lenders") and SunTrust Bank, in its capacity as 
administrative agent for the Lenders, as issuing bank and as 
swingline lender.

129

X

X

8-K 001-33757

10.1

2/6/2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit

Exhibit Description

No.
21.1 Subsidiaries of The Ensign Group, Inc., as amended
23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section

302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section

302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section

906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section

906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101 Interactive data file (furnished electronically herewith

pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulations S-T)

+ Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

  Form  

File

No.

  Exhibit

Filing

Filed

No.

Date

  Herewith

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

  X

X

130