Q3 2024 Summary
Published Feb 7, 2025, 7:58 PM UTC- Launch of in-house Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) solution expected to significantly improve margins and drive growth. The company launched its own RPM solution within the last 30 days, moving away from a third-party partner. This shift allows them to leverage their core technology strengths, and they expect "great things ahead" in the coming year.
- Significant expense reductions totaling $26 million, leading to improved profitability and free cash flow. The company remains confident in achieving $26 million in cost rationalization by the end of the year, with $20 million realized in 2024 and the remaining benefits to be seen in the upcoming year. These reductions are achieved through leveraging proprietary AI technology, bringing work in-house, and utilizing their global business model.
- Resumption of preferred dividends and strong insider ownership align management with shareholders. The company will resume monthly dividend payments on their Series A and Series B preferred shares starting in March 2025. Management highlights that almost 40% of common shares are owned by insiders, aligning their interests with shareholders.
- The company faces ongoing challenges in its medSR division, with significant revenue declines due to losing Epic-related professional services. This loss amounted to between $18 million to $20 million, and the company admits it is challenging to predict future medSR revenue.
- The AI-driven solutions have generated only modest revenue, with only a subset of over 100+ users paying, indicating slow monetization of AI initiatives.
- Revenues from Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM) remain low, totaling approximately $2.8 million for the first nine months of 2024, suggesting limited contribution to overall revenue.
Metric | YoY Change | Reason |
---|---|---|
Total Revenue | -3% | The slight revenue decline to $28.50 million was driven primarily by continued softness in professional services, partially offset by higher revenue in other segments. Legacy customer losses in prior periods continued to affect growth. |
Healthcare IT | -5% | The drop to $24.30 million reflects ongoing challenges in medSR professional services and slower ramp in certain solutions, partially due to market-driven consolidation among health systems. Cost optimization helped mitigate the impact but not fully offset it. |
Professional Services | -14% | The decrease to $4.90 million was largely influenced by the continued loss of two major accounts from earlier periods and the shift toward recurring revenue models rather than project-based services, which remain volatile. |
Printing & Mailing | +29% | Revenues rose to $0.97 million, due in part to increased demand from existing clientele and new orders arising from internal cross-selling efforts. This growth offsets part of the overall revenue softness elsewhere. |
Group Purchasing | +56% | Sales reached $0.61 million, aided by expanding membership and more favorable supplier agreements. While still a relatively small contributor to total revenue, improved adoption rates have begun providing an incremental lift. |
Medical Practice Management | +15% | Revenue of $4.24 million reflects successful cross-selling among existing physician groups and bundling add-on services, building on growth initiatives taken in prior quarters and resulting in steady client retention. |
Operating Income (EBIT) | Turnaround from -$1.97M to $3.27M | The swing to positive EBIT primarily stemmed from aggressive cost reductions and operational efficiencies introduced in late 2023, which lowered direct operating and corporate overhead expenses, outweighing the modest revenue decline. |
Net Income | Turnaround from -$2.75M to $3.12M | Improved profitability followed the lift in EBIT, as lower operating expenses and reduced restructuring charges compared to the prior period helped the bottom line. This suggests continuing benefits from the company’s cost transformation initiatives. |
Metric | Period | Previous Guidance | Current Guidance | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
Revenue | FY 2024 | no prior guidance | $109 million to $111 million | no prior guidance |
Adjusted EBITDA | FY 2024 | no prior guidance | $23 million to $25 million | no prior guidance |
Topic | Previous Mentions | Current Period | Trend |
---|---|---|---|
AI Solutions Development and Monetization | Previously discussed across Q1 , Q2 and Q4 as early-stage pilot testing, product trials (30‑day risk‑free periods), and initial monetization efforts with AI transcription and documentation features | Q3 emphasizes an integrated solution that merges CirrusAI Notes with CirrusAI Guide, adds features such as chart summaries, and shows modest but growing revenue and operational efficiency improvements | Evolving approach: Maturing from early pilots to a more fully integrated, revenue‑driving solution with improved monetization and operational benefits |
Cost Reduction and Expense Management | Consistently highlighted in Q1 , Q2 and Q4 with initiatives such as shifting work from third‐party contractors and streamlined global resource consumption | Q3 continues to focus on utilizing proprietary technology and in‑house teams to reduce costs and realize significant expense cuts, contributing to increased free cash flow | Steady and positive: Consistent focus on aggressive cost cuts and margin improvement that has become a core part of the operational strategy |
Med SR Division Performance and Revenue Challenges | Addressed in Q1 , Q2 and Q4 as a division impacted by project‐based revenue fluctuations and external limitations (notably restrictions related to Epic) | Q3 reiterates challenges stemming from Epic restrictions causing notable revenue loss, while discussions indicate hopes to stabilize revenue levels moving forward | Persistent challenge: Ongoing revenue volatility due to external partner constraints with some expectation of stabilization in the future |
In-house Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Solution Launch | Q1 mentioned transitioning RPM work from third‑party providers for cost rationalization; Q2 and Q4 did not explicitly address an in‑house launch | Q3 announces the launch of an in‑house RPM solution driven by core technology strengths, aimed at improving margins and achieving better operational control | New emphasis: Emergence of a clear strategic initiative, marking a significant shift from previous outsourced approaches |
Strategic Partnerships and Industry Relationships | Previously a consistent theme in Q1 , Q2 and Q4 with discussions around partnerships with Meditech, Epic, and medical billing companies to diversify revenue channels | Q3 details both challenges (e.g., Epic-related revenue losses) and proactive moves toward new reseller relationships and life sciences partnerships | Balanced and opportunistic: Continued reliance on strategic relationships with an evolving focus to overcome challenges and tap new markets |
Preferred Dividends Policy Changes and Evolving Financial Flexibility | Discussed across Q1 , Q2 and Q4 primarily in the context of dividend suspensions to preserve cash, with proposals for restructuring dividend terms | Q3 presents plans to resume dividends (effective March 15, 2025), equalize dividend rates, and introduce exchange features that enhance financial flexibility and cash preservation | Transitioning positively: A clear shift from cash-conserving measures to a blueprint for future dividend resumption backed by a stronger balance sheet |
Digital Health Revenue Growth and Technology‑Enabled Solutions | Addressed with robust growth in Q1 , significant expansion in Q2 and strategic enhancements in Q4 highlighting rising demand for digital health, RCM, AI-enhanced solutions | Q3 notes that while recurring technology‑enabled business solution revenue was relatively flat year‑over‑year, integration of AI tools continues to promise long‑term revenue and efficiency gains | Mixed signals with long‑term promise: Short‑term flat performance contrasted with ongoing investments in technology that are expected to drive future growth |
Competitive Dynamics in the AI Market | Previously mentioned in Q1 , Q2 and Q4 to underscore the highly competitive ambient transcription and AI documentation landscape, while emphasizing integration as a competitive advantage | Q3 does not explicitly discuss competitive dynamics; instead, the focus is on internal integration and differentiation through integrated workflow solutions | Less explicit in Q3: While earlier periods stressed competitive pressures, Q3 shifts attention to internal product enhancements, leaving competitive commentary more implicit |
Future Profitability Focus, EBITDA Improvement, and Margin Expansion | Consistently emphasized in Q1 , Q2 and Q4 with references to cost optimizations, operating leverage, and strategic initiatives driving EBITDA and margin improvements | Q3 reports record-adjusted EBITDA figures, significant margin expansion, and a renewed focus on free cash flow generation and profit sustainability | Highly positive trajectory: Demonstrates a consistent, upward trend in profitability and margins with record EBITDA performance and a clear focus on long‑term financial strength |
-
Dividend Resumption and Preferred Share Changes
Q: Will you discuss resuming dividends and preferred share changes?
A: The company plans to resume dividends in the first quarter of next year. We made three key changes to our Series A preferred shares: modifying the change of control provision to protect shareholders, equalizing dividends at 8.75%, saving about $2.5 million annually , and adding an exchange feature to potentially save shareholders $35 million. These changes benefit all shareholders and align with our goal of preserving capital for reinvestment. -
Expense Reductions of $26 Million
Q: Are you still on track to achieve $26 million in expense cuts?
A: Yes, we are confident in achieving $26 million in cost rationalization by the end of this year. Approximately $20 million will impact this year's financials, with the rest benefiting next year. We've accomplished these cuts by leveraging our proprietary AI technology, bringing outsourced work in-house, and utilizing our global business model to reduce costs. -
medSR Revenue Impact and Outlook
Q: Can you provide an update on medSR's revenue and future prospects?
A: After acquiring medSR in 2021, we lost $18–$20 million in revenue due to Epic prohibiting us from servicing their clients. This has made it challenging to predict medSR's quarterly revenue. We hope to enter 2025 with the same booked and backlog business as last year but cannot guarantee matching prior revenue numbers. -
AI Services Rollout and Monetization
Q: What progress have you made in monetizing your AI services?
A: We've enhanced and merged our CirrusAI applications to support doctors by converting conversations into structured charts and suggesting diagnoses. We initially offered a 60-day trial and have started converting users into paying clients, though revenue is modest. Over 100 providers are using our AI features, with a subset now paying. -
Launch of In-House RPM Solution
Q: How is your in-house RPM solution performing and what's the outlook?
A: We've launched our own remote patient monitoring solution in-house within the last 30 days. This will significantly improve margins and better meet client needs. For the first nine months of 2024, RPM and chronic care management generated approximately $2.7–$2.8 million in revenue. -
Life Sciences Partnerships and Data Monetization
Q: Can you elaborate on your life sciences partnerships?
A: We've entered partnerships to leverage our 20+ years of data, including clinical and demographic information, to support life sciences companies. For example, we assist in medicine adherence programs and provide data to help companies with risk assessment and research. While revenue is not yet separately identified, we anticipate it contributing to our goals next year. -
Capitalized Software and Credit Line Expenses
Q: Will capitalized software expenses decrease, and what are the costs of your reduced credit line?
A: We can provide specific answers offline but are not able to detail them right now. -
Analyst's Positive Outlook on Common Stock
Q: Do you have any comments on the investment thesis for your common stock?
A: We appreciate the positive feedback and agree that investing in our Series A, B, or common shares offers a compelling thesis.