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Astrana Health, Inc. (AMEH)·Q3 2023 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2023 revenue was $348.2M, up 10% year over year; diluted EPS was $0.47 versus $0.50 in Q3 2022 and $0.28 in Q2 2023. Adjusted EBITDA was $52.0M, with management highlighting a 15% adjusted EBITDA margin .
- Guidance was narrowed: revenue to $1.34–$1.39B (low raised, high lowered), net income $59.5–$71.5M (low raised), EBITDA $114.5–$129.5M (low raised), adjusted EBITDA $135–$150M (low raised/high lowered), and diluted EPS $1.10–$1.20 (low raised) .
- Strategic catalysts: agreement to acquire Community Family Care (≈200k members), expanded provider partnerships, $700M credit capacity including a new $300M term loan, and a $100M share repurchase agreement with APC, intended to be financed via the amended credit facility .
- Execution headwinds: YoY decline in risk pool settlements and incentives and lower operating income versus the prior year, offset by strong capitation growth (+34% YoY) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Capitation growth and margin profile: Capitated revenue rose 34% YoY to $305.7M; adjusted EBITDA was $52.0M, and management emphasized a 15% adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter .
- Strategic expansion: Announced intent to acquire Community Family Care (≈200k members), plus partnerships with Associated Hispanic Physicians (~25k members) and Advantage Health Network (~4.5k members), reinforcing growth in value-based care arrangements .
- Financing flexibility: Amended credit agreement added a $300M term loan and increased capacity for specified share repurchases (up to $300M), raising total facility to $700M and enabling a $100M repurchase from APC .
Management quotes:
- “I’m pleased to report strong third quarter performance with total revenue up 10% and capitated revenue up 34% compared to a year ago. We delivered a 15% adjusted EBITDA margin…” — Brandon Sim, Co-CEO .
- “Our platform’s momentum is accelerating as we work towards our mission of ensuring that everyone across the country has access to high-quality and high-value healthcare…” — Brandon Sim, Co-CEO .
What Went Wrong
- Operating income compression: Income from operations declined to $39.1M versus $50.1M in Q3 2022, reflecting higher costs and lower risk pool settlements YoY .
- Lower risk pool settlements and incentives: Fell to $15.0M from $64.8M YoY, creating a headwind to the revenue mix .
- Segment pressure in Care Delivery: Care Delivery posted an operating loss of $(1.0)M in Q3 2023, reflecting ongoing investment and mix evolution .
Financial Results
Segment breakdown (Q3 2023):
KPIs:
Guidance Changes
Notes: Net income and EBITDA guidance include the impact of APC excluded assets; Adjusted EBITDA and EPS diluted are unaffected by gains/losses from APC excluded assets .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We delivered a 15% adjusted EBITDA margin, we narrowed our guidance range for the full year, and we ended the third quarter well-positioned to generate sustainable and profitable growth going forward.” — Brandon Sim, Co-CEO .
- “Today, we also announced our intent to acquire assets relating to Community Family Care Medical Group… diversifying our membership mix and providing us a pathway to expand our value-based Care Partners business.” — Brandon Sim, Co-CEO .
- “Our strong second quarter performance reflects the sustained momentum and scalability of the ApolloMed model, with revenue up 29%… and adjusted EBITDA up 44%…” — Brandon Sim, Co-CEO (Q2) .
- “We began 2023 on a strong note… growing our membership… and taking additional financial responsibility for care delivery in our risk-bearing entities… [RKK license] allows us to take global risk.” — Brandon Sim, Co-CEO (Q1) .
Q&A Highlights
- Focus areas included guidance narrowing and its drivers (capitation growth, risk pool dynamics), capital allocation (credit amendment, APC share repurchase), and strategic rationale/expected synergies for the Community Family Care acquisition (transitioning lives to full-risk) .
- Management reiterated that APC excluded asset impacts do not affect adjusted EBITDA or diluted EPS, and highlighted operational progress in Care Enablement and Care Partners .
- Clarifications on membership onboarding timelines for Associated Hispanic Physicians and Advantage Health Network to platform/care segments supported near-term growth visibility .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus estimates for AMEH Q3 2023 (EPS, revenue, EBITDA) were unavailable due to missing CIQ mapping; as a result, we cannot provide definitive comparisons versus Wall Street consensus for this quarter [SpgiEstimatesError; GetEstimates].
- Implication: The narrowing and raising of the low end of FY2023 guidance suggests management confidence despite variability in risk pool settlements; sell-side models may adjust upward at the low end for revenue, EBITDA, EPS to reflect updated ranges .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Durable top-line growth with capitation up 34% YoY and total revenue +10% YoY; adjusted EBITDA rebounded sequentially in Q3 to $52.0M from $35.8M in Q2, underscoring margin stabilization into year-end .
- Guidance tightening at higher lows across revenue, EBITDA, EPS signals increased confidence; watch for execution against full-risk transitions and membership onboarding to sustain margin momentum .
- Strategic M&A (CFC) and partnerships deepen Medicaid/Medicare reach, with identified synergies from moving members to full-risk arrangements; monitor deal close timing and integration KPIs in early 2024 .
- Enhanced financing capacity (now $700M) and targeted buybacks (including $100M from APC) provide capital deployment flexibility; this can support inorganic growth and shareholder returns without constraining operations .
- Risk pool volatility is a known headwind; diversified payer mix (63% Medicare, 20% Medicaid) and platform investments aim to mitigate variability and improve outcomes/costs over time .
- Tax restatement disclosures continued, with non-GAAP measures unaffected; normalization efforts remain an important governance/tax efficiency milestone to track .
- Near-term trading: Catalysts include regulatory/closing milestones on CFC, updates on onboarding timelines, and any additional capital allocation actions; medium-term thesis centers on scaling full-risk membership and sustaining double-digit revenue growth with improving EBITDA margins .