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    A.J. Rice • UBS Group AG

    A.J. Rice's questions to AMN Healthcare Services Inc (AMN) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to AMN Healthcare Services Inc (AMN) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice from UBS Group inquired if hospital hiring freezes were boosting the supply of clinicians for travel assignments. He also asked about the current state of the MSP market, including trends in client model preferences and AMN's opportunities to gain market share.

    Answer

    President & CEO Cary Grace responded that clinician supply is healthy and the primary challenge is demand and attractive pay packages, not a lack of interested professionals. Regarding MSPs, she explained that while there was a post-COVID bias toward vendor-neutral models, the pipeline is now showing a slight bias back to supplier-led programs. Grace emphasized AMN's strategy to serve all models, which has helped maintain market share.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Privia Health Group Inc (PRVA) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Privia Health Group Inc (PRVA) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice from UBS Group asked about the implications of the recent proposed physician fee schedule rule, which appears to prioritize office-based and primary care, and what opportunities this might present for Privia's business.

    Answer

    CEO Parth Mehrotra viewed the proposed rule as a net positive for Privia. He expressed satisfaction that the reimbursement for community-based physician practices, the lowest-cost setting of care, is being recognized and adjusted for inflation. He stated that since Medicare lives constitute 15-25% of their patient panels depending on the state, the change will be a net positive for both their physician partners and Privia's overall results.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Acadia Healthcare Company Inc (ACHC) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Acadia Healthcare Company Inc (ACHC) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice inquired about the specific drivers of weaker Medicaid volumes in the acute care business and the reasons for the $10 million increase in projected startup costs for the year.

    Answer

    CEO Christopher Hunter attributed weaker Medicaid volumes to evolving utilization patterns by managed Medicaid plans facing cost pressures, impacting admission trends. CFO Heather Dixon explained the higher startup costs are due to an accelerated pace of opening new facilities, effectively pulling forward expenses from 2026.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to DaVita Inc (DVA) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to DaVita Inc (DVA) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice requested more detail on the $40 million revenue pull-forward in the Integrated Kidney Care (IKC) business and why it wasn't indicative of a better underlying trend. He also asked for the reason the cyber attack negatively impacted revenue per treatment (RPT).

    Answer

    CFO Joel Ackerman explained the IKC revenue was a timing issue, as the company gained actuarial clarity on shared savings from 2024 plan years earlier than anticipated, pulling revenue from Q3/Q4 into Q2 without changing the full-year expectation. He stated the RPT impact from the cyber attack was due to an expected lower yield on claims processed manually during the disruption and a reduced ability to collect on older, previously denied claims.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Encompass Health Corp (EHC) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Encompass Health Corp (EHC) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice of UBS inquired about current managed care contracting dynamics and the status of the de novo development pipeline, including discussions with potential JV partners.

    Answer

    EVP & CFO Doug Coltharp noted that aside from the favorable VA contract, managed care pricing is standard with 2.5-3% annual increases. He confirmed the development pipeline remains robust at around 50 projects. CEO Mark Tarr added that growth includes entering new states like Connecticut, Utah, and Nevada.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Surgery Partners Inc (SGRY) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Surgery Partners Inc (SGRY) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice of UBS Group sought clarification on the comment that the company may be at the lower end of its EBITDA guidance, asking about the in-year contribution from M&A. He also asked if the mix of same-store volume versus rate growth would rebalance in the second half of the year.

    Answer

    CFO Dave Doherty confirmed the guidance commentary was due to the timing of M&A. The initial guidance assumed a mid-year deployment of $200 million, contributing about $12.5 million to EBITDA, which is now less certain due to the slower H1 pace. CEO Eric Evans added that while case growth will remain positive, he expects a more balanced contribution from volume and rate by year-end to achieve the full-year target of near 6% same-store growth.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Select Medical Holdings Corp (SEM) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Select Medical Holdings Corp (SEM) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice of UBS Group inquired about the fundamental supply-demand dynamics in the LTAC business, separate from reimbursement pressures. He also asked for an update on expense trends, particularly labor costs, across Select Medical's main business segments.

    Answer

    Co-Founder & Executive Chairman Robert Ortenzio confirmed that underlying patient demand for LTACs is very strong, driven by demographics and the need to decompress hospital ICUs; the primary challenge is the reimbursement structure, not patient flow. EVP & CFO Michael Malatesta added that labor rate inflation has moderated to below 3% from post-COVID highs of 5%, and agency costs are no longer a major headwind. The slight labor margin increase in the critical illness division was attributed to revenue pressure, not rising costs.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Brightspring Health Services Inc (BTSG) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Brightspring Health Services Inc (BTSG) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice of UBS Group asked for the specific reasons behind the $20 million full-year guidance increase, which significantly outpaced the Q2 earnings beat. He also inquired about the company's M&A pipeline and strategy in light of the pending divestiture and focus on debt reduction.

    Answer

    CEO Jon Rousseau attributed the guidance raise to broad-based momentum, particularly in the provider segment, continued growth in infusion and home health, and the impact of efficiency initiatives and favorable rate changes in the second half. Regarding M&A, Rousseau stated the focus remains on small, accretive tuck-in deals while prioritizing deleveraging to their target of 2.0-2.5x, which he believes is achievable by next year.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Service Corporation International (SCI) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Service Corporation International (SCI) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice of UBS Group AG asked about the quarterly dip in the cemetery preneed recognition rate, the moderating pace of the cremation rate increase, and the long-term sustainability of cash tax benefits from recent federal legislation.

    Answer

    Executive VP & CFO Eric Tanzberger attributed the cemetery recognition rate dip to the normal ebb and flow of construction project timing, expecting it to rise in the second half. Chairman, President & CEO Thomas Ryan noted the cremation rate's slowing increase is likely due to high saturation in metro areas and a favorable demographic mix, revising the expected revenue headwind down. Tanzberger also confirmed that cash tax benefits from accelerated depreciation are expected to be recurring due to ongoing capital improvements, not a one-time event.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Cigna Group (CI) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Cigna Group (CI) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice of UBS Group AG asked about the strategic advantage Cigna gains from integrating Evernorth's PBM insights to manage commercial healthcare trends, particularly concerning specialty drugs like GLP-1s.

    Answer

    Chairman and CEO David Cordani emphasized the growing importance of pharmacy services, now over 25% of total medical costs, and the interdependency between medical, pharmacy, and mental health. President and COO Brian Evanko added that this integrated model is crucial for managing the Medical Care Ratio (MCR) by providing a longitudinal view of patient care across both medical and pharmacy benefits, which is a key differentiator.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Option Care Health Inc (OPCH) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Option Care Health Inc (OPCH) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice questioned if the sequential increase in inventory was related to tariff preparations, whether manufacturer contract terms are changing post-Stelara, and what is driving the OpEx growth embedded in the second-half guidance.

    Answer

    CFO Mike Shapiro clarified the inventory increase was a deliberate response to robust business growth, not primarily for tariff hedging. CEO John Rademacher stated that manufacturer conversations are focused on clinical capabilities, not significant contract changes. Shapiro attributed higher OpEx to the Intramed acquisition burn and opportunistic investments in future growth initiatives.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Option Care Health Inc (OPCH) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice asked for the drivers behind the accelerated mid-teens growth in the acute business, questioning if it was due to market restructuring or other factors. He also inquired about the company's focus regarding potential policy changes from Washington, such as site-neutral payments, and whether this uncertainty was affecting the M&A environment.

    Answer

    CFO Michael Shapiro attributed the strong Q1 acute growth to both ongoing investments and the company's ability to capitalize on specific competitive dynamics in certain markets, but reiterated that mid-teens is not the sustainable underlying growth rate. CEO John Rademacher stated that the M&A pipeline remains steady. On policy, he said the company is focused on site neutrality and pricing transparency, positioning Option Care Health as a low-cost solution, and continues to advocate for expanded Medicare home infusion access.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Humana Inc (HUM) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Humana Inc (HUM) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice from UBS Group asked about the growth drivers for CenterWell's value-based care and requested an update on the potential impact of the proposed home health rule.

    Answer

    CFO Celeste Mellet explained that CenterWell's patient growth is driven by the successful ramping of new clinics, not a specific patient type. Regarding the home health rule, she expressed disappointment with the proposed rate cut but noted Humana has a natural hedge in its insurance business and other enterprise-level levers to mitigate the potential impact.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Universal Health Services Inc (UHS) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Universal Health Services Inc (UHS) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice of UBS Group AG inquired about the impact of managed care disruption on payer negotiations, labor trends in both business segments, and an update on pending state directed payment programs. He also asked for a breakdown of the long-term DPP headwind between the acute and behavioral segments.

    Answer

    Executive VP & CFO Steve Filton stated that while payer negotiations on the behavioral side remain strong due to access scarcity, the main challenge is the 'daily slog' of revenue cycle interactions like denials. He noted labor inflation has decelerated but staffing remains a challenge in some behavioral markets. Filton confirmed the Washington D.C. DPP is still pending and broke down the long-term DPP headwind as approximately 60% behavioral and 40% acute.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Universal Health Services Inc (UHS) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    A.J. Rice asked for the key assumptions behind the estimated $50 million headwind if ACA exchange subsidies expire and inquired about the expected 2025 impact from the new West Henderson and D.C. hospitals.

    Answer

    Executive Steve Filton clarified the $50 million figure is a high-level estimate, assuming about half of the 5% of acute patients on exchange plans would lose coverage. Regarding new hospitals, he expects the two facilities to be EBITDA positive on a combined basis in 2025. While they will likely depress same-store volume metrics due to cannibalization, they are not expected to be a drag on overall earnings.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Ensign Group Inc (ENSG) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Ensign Group Inc (ENSG) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice from UBS Group questioned if the outperformance of recent acquisitions is due to faster-than-historical improvements or more conservative initial assumptions. He also asked if recent legislative chatter has impacted the M&A pipeline or state rate discussions.

    Answer

    COO Spencer Burton attributed strong acquisition performance to a better labor environment, higher cluster density enabling faster resource deployment, and continuous operational learning. CIO Chad Keetch noted that while reasons for selling may change, the M&A pipeline remains consistently strong. CFO Suzanne Snapper added that the company has operational levers to mitigate potential state rate decreases.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to HCA Healthcare Inc (HCA) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to HCA Healthcare Inc (HCA) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice of UBS Group AG inquired about the drivers of HCA's updated EBITDA guidance, specifically the inclusion of the Tennessee DPP program, and sought commentary on the revised admissions outlook and underlying volume demand trends.

    Answer

    CFO Mike Marks explained the $300 million guidance increase is split between state supplemental programs, including the new Tennessee program, and improved portfolio performance. He noted volume guidance was adjusted due to lower-than-expected Medicaid and self-pay volumes. CEO Sam Hazen added that despite headline numbers, underlying qualitative growth was strong in areas like cardiac and obstetrics, marking 16 consecutive quarters of volume growth.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Centene Corp (CNC) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Centene Corp (CNC) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice of UBS Group AG asked for details on the Marketplace risk adjustment miss, questioning why it was identified only now. He also sought clarity on the 2026 repricing strategy, updated target margins, and assumptions for market-wide disenrollment.

    Answer

    CEO Sarah London explained the risk adjustment miss resulted from a significant, unexpected morbidity shift after healthy members left the market due to new program integrity measures. She confirmed Centene is repricing its entire 2026 book to account for this shift, aiming for profitability, but noted it's too early to provide specific target margins. She added that some expected 2026 market contraction was likely pulled forward into 2025.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Centene Corp (CNC) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice from UBS Group AG asked for clarification on the Marketplace business, questioning why the risk adjustment miss occurred given Centene's market scale and what the updated target margins and potential disenrollment impacts are for 2026.

    Answer

    CEO Sarah London explained the risk adjustment miss was driven by a higher-than-anticipated exit of healthy members due to new program integrity measures, a dynamic that became clear only with full market data. For 2026, she stated that while it's too early for specific margin targets, the company is repricing its entire book to account for the new morbidity landscape and potential EAPTC expiration, with the goal of returning the business to profitability.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Molina Healthcare Inc (MOH) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Molina Healthcare Inc (MOH) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice from UBS Group asked about the margin deficit Molina faces heading into 2026 and whether upcoming rate updates would be sufficient to reach target margins. He also inquired about the potential acuity impact from the budget bill's work requirements and exposure related to undocumented immigrant coverage.

    Answer

    CFO Mark Keim stated that the January 1 rate cycle is critical to return to target margins and that if the industry is funded appropriately, Molina will be well-positioned. CEO Joseph Zubretsky addressed the budget bill, asserting the impact would be gradual and manageable. Regarding undocumented immigrants, he noted the exposure is minor for Molina, with California being the only material state, which they are monitoring.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Healthcare Services Group Inc (HCSG) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Healthcare Services Group Inc (HCSG) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice from UBS Group inquired about the Genesis Healthcare bankruptcy, asking if all exposure will be written off after Q3, the prospects for recovery, and the status of the resolution process. He also asked about the normalization of client retention rates and new business trends, as well as the current outlook on food cost inflation.

    Answer

    President & CEO Ted Wahl confirmed the Genesis exposure will be fully reserved after Q3 but noted it's too early to speculate on recoveries. He highlighted that Q2 marked the fifth consecutive quarter of revenue growth, driven by new wins and a return to 90%+ client retention, which he expects to continue. Chief Communications Officer Matthew McKee added that while food inflation is fluctuating, HCSG has contractual rights to pass through costs and uses menu management to mitigate impacts.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Tenet Healthcare Corp (THC) leadership

    A.J. Rice's questions to Tenet Healthcare Corp (THC) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice of UBS Group AG inquired about the potential impact of the proposed elimination of the inpatient-only rule on Tenet's hospital and ASC businesses, and also requested an update on public exchange volumes and the outlook if enhanced subsidies expire.

    Answer

    Chairman & CEO Saum Sutaria explained that eliminating the inpatient-only rule is a positive for the USPI business, as it plays to Tenet's advanced capabilities in high-acuity ASC procedures. EVP & CFO Sun Park provided an update on exchange volumes, noting a 23% year-over-year increase in admissions and a 28% increase in revenues, now representing about 8% of total admissions and 7% of consolidated revenues.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Tenet Healthcare Corp (THC) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    A.J. Rice asked how Tenet is preparing for potential healthcare policy uncertainty from Washington, such as changes to exchanges or site-neutral payments, and if this uncertainty affects their approach to multi-year managed care contract negotiations.

    Answer

    Saumya Sutaria, Chairman and CEO, outlined a prioritized strategy: 1) Continue growth and utilization momentum, 2) Enhance cost controls, including new actions on the supply side, 3) Engage directly in Washington policy discussions, and 4) Contingency planning, which is not yet a top priority. Regarding contracts, he sees little reason to deviate from typical 3-year deals, preferring the stability of fair, long-term partnerships with plans.

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    A.J. Rice's questions to Tenet Healthcare Corp (THC) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    A.J. Rice asked about the managed care contracting environment for 2025, including rate updates, and for an update on payer denial activity and prior authorization challenges.

    Answer

    Sun Park, EVP and CFO, stated that commercial rate increases continue in the 3-5% range, with some contracts at or above the high end. She noted they are over 90% contracted for 2025. Dr. Saum Sutaria, Chairman and CEO, added that while the denial environment is unchanged, Conifer's effectiveness results in lower denial rates than the industry average.

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