Astrana Health, Inc. (AMEH)·Q4 2023 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Solid Q4 revenue growth with mixed profitability: total revenue rose 20% y/y to $353.0M; GAAP diluted EPS was $0.26; Adjusted EBITDA was $29.0M, up 23% y/y but down sequentially vs Q3 as costs and year-end items weighed .
- Full-year 2023 scaled well: revenue $1.3867B (+21% y/y) and Adjusted EBITDA $146.6M (+5% y/y); GAAP EPS diluted $1.29 (+30% y/y) .
- 2024 guidance implies continued topline and EBITDA growth: revenue $1.65–$1.85B, Adjusted EBITDA $165–$185M, GAAP EPS diluted $1.28–$1.52; management framed this as sustainable growth with profitability focus .
- Strategic catalysts: rebranding to Astrana Health (ASTH), BASS Medical Group partnership (SOFR+2.9% secured note), and initial closing of CFC assets; adding MSSP participation broadens value-based reach and should support longer-term membership and risk-mix expansion .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Strong revenue growth and return to profitability y/y in Q4: revenue +20% y/y to $353.0M; net income attributable swung to $12.4M from a $(3.7)M loss in Q4’22; Adjusted EBITDA +23% y/y to $29.0M .
- Strategic execution and pipeline: first close of CFC assets (~200k members in LA) and long-term BASS partnership to expand value-based arrangements across payer types; management emphasized expanding membership and moving up the risk spectrum .
- Full-year scale and platform KPIs: ~900k members in value-based arrangements, 10k+ providers, 32+ markets; 2023 revenue $1.39B and Adjusted EBITDA $146.6M underscore durable scale .
Management quote: “We continue to execute against our strategic roadmap: 1) expanding our membership base…, 2) increasing the level of accountability and risk…, 3) empowering our providers…, and 4) executing strategic acquisitions to further accelerate our growth trajectory…” — Brandon K. Sim, CEO .
What Went Wrong
- Sequential margin/EBITDA pressure in Q4: despite y/y growth, Q4 Adjusted EBITDA of $29.0M was down vs Q3’s $52.0M; loss from operations in Q4 reflects higher cost of services/G&A and year-end items; adjustments included APC excluded assets costs ($10.9M) and higher stock-based comp .
- Risk pool and management fee softness in Q4: risk pool settlements ($14.9M) and management fee income ($6.4M) were below Q3 levels, contributing to mix and profitability headwinds .
- S&P Global consensus estimates unavailable via tool: we cannot quantify beat/miss vs Street in this recap; this reduces precision of estimate-based performance framing (note below) (S&P Global consensus data unavailable via tool).
Financial Results
Q4 2023 revenue breakdown ($M):
- Capitation, net: $309.184
- Risk pool settlements and incentives: $14.863
- Management fee income: $6.390
- Fee-for-service, net: $18.442
- Other revenue: $4.157
Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation (Q4 2023, $M):
- EBITDA: $6.657
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- Stock-based compensation: $8.676
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- APC excluded assets costs: $10.949
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- Other, net: $4.721
- − Income from equity method investments: $(1.989)
- = Adjusted EBITDA: $29.014
FY 2023 segment performance:
Selected platform KPIs and scale:
- ~900k members in value-based care; 10k+ providers; 32+ markets; 20+ payer partners (as of early 2024) .
Guidance Changes
Note: 2023 guidance was updated in prior quarters; 2024 guidance was first provided with Q4 2023 results .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- Strategic priorities: “expanding our membership base… increasing the level of accountability and risk… empowering our providers… executing strategic acquisitions to further accelerate our growth trajectory” — Brandon K. Sim, CEO .
- Platform vision: technology-powered, provider-centric model to deliver accessible, high-quality, high-value care at scale (10k+ providers; ~900k value-based members) .
Q&A Highlights
- Based on disclosures, investor focus likely centered on: CFC closing cadence (first close done; second close expected Q1 2024, subject to approvals) ; BASS partnership structure and capital support (senior secured note at SOFR+2.9%, 2031 maturity) ; breadth of 2024 guidance framework and drivers ; and new MSSP participation alongside ACO REACH beginning Jan 1, 2024 .
- Clarifications provided in filings/supplement: 2024 Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation and components ; non-GAAP reconciliation mechanics (APC excluded assets costs, stock-based comp, other) .
Note: The full earnings call transcript could not be retrieved via the document reader; themes above are anchored to the company’s press release and earnings supplement .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global (Capital IQ) consensus estimates for Q4 2023 were unavailable via the estimates tool at this time; as a result, we cannot quantify beats/misses vs S&P Global consensus in this recap. Where estimate comparisons are required for decision-making, we recommend refreshing S&P Global data directly.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Topline momentum intact: Q4 revenue rose 20% y/y to $353.0M; full-year revenue grew 21% to $1.3867B, powered predominantly by capitation gains and membership expansion .
- Mixed sequential profitability in Q4: Adjusted EBITDA of $29.0M dropped sequentially from Q3 as cost mix and year-end items offset growth; watch Q1 run-rate normalization and risk pool seasonality .
- 2024 framework guides to continued growth: revenue $1.65–$1.85B and Adjusted EBITDA $165–$185M; execution on CFC/BASS and MSSP ramp should be primary drivers .
- Strategic expansion is broadening risk-mix and geography: CFC integration (Medicaid/full-risk capabilities), BASS multi-specialty footprint in Bay Area, and MSSP entry expand Astrana’s platform relevance across payers .
- Non-GAAP bridges matter: recurring adjustments (APC excluded assets costs, stock comp, other non-cash items) are material to quarterly EBITDA; monitor these lines closely to assess core margin trajectory .
- Watch tax and equity method lines: lower Q4 tax provision vs prior-year and variability in equity method/“other, net” affect GAAP earnings; underlying operating trends are better captured in Adjusted EBITDA and capitation growth .
- Near-term trading lens: stock narrative likely tied to execution against 2024 guide, pace of CFC second close and integration synergies, and visibility on member growth and risk conversion in California and new markets .
Appendix: Additional Detail
Q4 2023 income statement snapshot ($M):
- Loss from operations: $(3.870)
- Total other income (expense), net: $4.794
- Provision for income taxes: $1.018
- Net income (loss): $(0.094)
- Net income attributable to Astrana: $12.356 (reflects noncontrolling interest allocation) .
Full-year 2023 highlights:
- Total revenue $1.3867B (+21% y/y); Adjusted EBITDA $146.6M (+5% y/y); GAAP EPS diluted $1.29 (+30% y/y) .
- Balance sheet: cash and equivalents plus marketable securities ~$296.3M; stockholders’ equity $616.7M at year-end .
Sources:
- Q4 2023 8-K press release and exhibits, including earnings supplement .
- Q3 2023 8-K press release and supplement .
- Q2 2023 8-K press release and supplement .
Estimate disclaimer: S&P Global consensus data were unavailable via tool at the time of analysis; therefore, we have not presented S&P-based beat/miss figures in this recap.