NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORP 10-Q

Item 1. Financial Statements.     NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (unaudited)       Three Months Ended March 31       2021     2020                     Revenues:                 Net patient revenues   $ 216,855     $ 244,095   Other revenues     11,369       12,029   Government stimulus income     22,749       -   Net operating revenues and grant income     250,973       256,124                     Cost and expenses:                 Salaries, wages, and benefits     145,130       147,469   Other operating     70,153       71,668   Facility rent     10,063       10,332   Depreciation and amortization     10,161       10,438   Interest     244       412   Total costs and expenses     235,751       240,319                     Income from operations     15,222       15,805                     Other income:                 Non–operating income     6,260       8,146   Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable equity securities     7,059       ( 60,392 )                   Income/(loss) before income taxes     28,541       ( 36,441 ) Income tax (provision)/benefit     ( 7,233 )     9,625   Net income/(loss)     21,308       ( 26,816 ) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest     ( 41 )     ( 36 )                   Net income/(loss) attributable to National HealthCare Corporation   $ 21,267     $ ( 26,852 )                   Earnings/(loss) per share attributable to National HealthCare Corporation stockholders:                 Basic   $ 1.39     $ ( 1.76 ) Diluted   $ 1.38     $ ( 1.76 )                   Weighted average common shares outstanding:           Basic     15,327,520       15,294,777   Diluted     15,390,076       15,294,777                     Dividends declared per common share   $ 0.52     $ 0.52     The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.   3 Table of Contents     NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (unaudited – in thousands)       Three Months Ended March 31       2021     2020                     Net income/(loss)   $ 21,308     $ ( 26,816 )                   Other comprehensive loss:                 Unrealized losses on investments in marketable debt securities     ( 2,440 )     ( 2,545 ) Reclassification adjustment for realized gains on sales of marketable debt securities     -       ( 2 ) Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive income     518       535   Other comprehensive loss, net of tax     ( 1,922 )     ( 2,012 )                   Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest     ( 41 )     ( 36 )                   Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to National HealthCare Corporation   $ 19,345     $ ( 28,864 )   The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.   4 Table of Contents     NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands)       March 31, 2021     December 31, 2020       unaudited           Assets                 Current Assets:                 Cash and cash equivalents   $ 134,107     $ 147,093   Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current portion     20,257       9,673   Marketable equity securities     135,246       128,590   Marketable debt securities     49,492       47,762   Restricted marketable equity securities     5,083       4,680   Restricted marketable debt securities, current portion     5,724       16,601   Accounts receivable     94,292       89,670   Inventories     8,117       8,781   Prepaid expenses and other assets     3,496       2,977   Notes receivable, current portion     8,804       928   Total current assets     464,618       456,755                     Property and Equipment:                 Property and equipment, at cost     1,034,747       1,030,426   Accumulated depreciation and amortization     ( 520,263 )     ( 510,108 ) Net property and equipment     514,484       520,318                     Other Assets:                 Restricted cash and cash equivalents, less current portion     1,727       1,736   Restricted marketable debt securities, less current portion     133,959       125,472   Deposits and other assets     4,661       4,580   Operating lease right-of-use assets     172,764       179,055   Goodwill     21,341       21,341   Notes receivable, less current portion     3,962       12,093   Investments in unconsolidated companies     37,796       40,782   Total other assets     376,210       385,059   Total assets   $ 1,355,312     $ 1,362,132     The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.   5 Table of Contents   NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued) (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)       March 31, 2021     December 31, 2020       unaudited           Liabilities and Stockholders ’ Equity                 Current Liabilities:                 Trade accounts payable   $ 16,113     $ 21,112   Finance lease obligations, current portion     4,489       4,423   Operating lease liabilities, current portion     25,759       25,451   Accrued payroll     64,406       86,183   Amounts due to third party payors     15,574       16,454   Accrued risk reserves, current portion     31,065       30,953   Other current liabilities     25,674       21,344   Provider relief funds     23,510       16,068   Contract liabilities     51,253       51,253   Dividends payable     8,003       7,987   Total current liabilities     265,846       281,228                     Finance lease obligations, less current portion     9,393       10,540   Operating lease liabilities, less current portion     147,005       153,604   Accrued risk reserves, less current portion     70,416       68,584   Refundable entrance fees     7,334       7,462   Deferred income taxes     15,157       14,079   Other noncurrent liabilities     29,973       28,375   Total liabilities     545,124       563,872                     Equity:                 Common stock, $ .01 par value; 45,000,000 shares authorized; 15,390,140 and 15,369,745 shares, respectively, issued and outstanding     154       153   Capital in excess of par value     227,487       226,943   Retained earnings     576,288       563,024   Accumulated other comprehensive income     3,135       5,057   Total National HealthCare Corporation stockholders’ equity     807,064       795,177   Noncontrolling interest     3,124       3,083   Total equity     810,188       798,260   Total liabilities and equity   $ 1,355,312     $ 1,362,132     The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.   6 Table of Contents     NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited – in thousands)          Three Months Ended March 31       2021     2020   Cash Flows From Operating Activities:                 Net income/(loss)   $ 21,308     $ ( 26,816 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                 Depreciation and amortization     10,161       10,438   Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments     ( 2,911 )     ( 2,811 ) Distributions from unconsolidated investments     5,897       2,349   Unrealized (gains)/losses on marketable equity securities     ( 7,059 )     60,392   Gains on sale of marketable debt securities     -       ( 2 ) Gains on acquisitions of equity method investments     -       ( 1,707 ) Deferred income taxes     1,596       ( 15,008 ) Stock–based compensation     496       466   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                 Accounts receivable     ( 4,622 )     ( 6,212 ) Federal income tax receivable     -       2,560   Inventories     664       ( 372 ) Prepaid expenses and other assets     ( 601 )     ( 1,515 ) Trade accounts payable     ( 4,999 )     ( 1,408 ) Accrued payroll     ( 21,777 )     ( 21,343 ) Amounts due to third party payors     ( 880 )     353   Accrued risk reserves     1,945       4,623   Provider relief funds     7,442       -   Other current liabilities     4,331       3,365   Other noncurrent liabilities     1,598       402   Net cash provided by operating activities     12,589       7,754   Cash Flows From Investing Activities:                 Purchases of property and equipment     ( 4,327 )     ( 6,628 ) Acquisition of equity method investment, net of cash acquired     -       ( 6,648 ) Investments in unconsolidated companies     -       ( 125 ) Investments in notes receivable     -       ( 250 ) Collections of notes receivable     255       376   Purchases of marketable securities     ( 7,866 )     ( 6,360 ) Proceeds from sale of marketable securities     6,086       3,410   Net cash used in investing activities     ( 5,852 )     ( 16,225 ) Cash Flows From Financing Activities:                 Borrowings under credit facility     -       40,000   Principal payments under finance lease obligations     ( 1,081 )     ( 1,019 ) Dividends paid to common stockholders     ( 7,988 )     ( 7,968 ) Noncontrolling interest contributions     -       281   Issuance of common shares     327       400   Repurchase of common shares     ( 278 )     ( 53 ) Entrance fee refunds     ( 128 )     -   Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities     ( 9,148 )     31,641   Net (Decrease)/Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents     ( 2,411 )     23,170   Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period     158,502       61,010   Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, End of Period   $ 156,091     $ 84,180                     Balance Sheet Classifications:                 Cash and cash equivalents   $ 134,107     $ 69,492   Restricted cash and cash equivalents     21,984       14,688   Total Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents   $ 156,091     $ 84,180     The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.   7 Table of Contents     NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders ’ Equity (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (unaudited)       Common Stock     Capital in Excess of     Retained     Accumulated Other Comprehensive     Non- controlling     Total Stockholders’       Shares     Amount     Par Value     Earnings     Income     Interest     Equity   Balance at January 1, 2020     15,332,206     $ 153     $ 222,787     $ 553,093     $ 2,560     $ 476     $ 779,069   Net income/(loss)     –       –       –       ( 26,852 )     –       36       ( 26,816 ) Equity contributed by noncontrolling interest     –       –       –       –       –       281       281   Other comprehensive loss     –       –       –       –       ( 2,012 )     –       ( 2,012 ) Stock–based compensation     –       –       466       –       –       –       466   Shares sold – options exercised     15,006       –       400       –       –       –       400   Repurchase of common shares     ( 611 )     –       ( 53 )     –       –       –       ( 53 ) Dividends declared to common stockholders ($ 0.52 per share)     –       –       –       ( 7,980 )     –       –       ( 7,980 ) Balance at March 31, 2020     15,346,601     $ 153     $ 223,600     $ 518,261     $ 548     $ 793       743,355           Common Stock     Capital in Excess of     Retained     Accumulated Other Comprehensive     Non- controlling     Total Stockholders’       Shares     Amount     Par Value     Earnings     Income     Interest     Equity   Balance at January 1, 2021     15,369,745     $ 153     $ 226,943     $ 563,024     $ 5,057     $ 3,083     $ 798,260   Net income     –       –       –       21,267       –       41       21,308   Other comprehensive loss     –       –       –       –       ( 1,922 )     –       ( 1,922 ) Stock–based compensation     –       –       496       –       –       –       496   Shares sold – options exercised     24,331       1       326       –       –       –       327   Repurchase of common shares     ( 3,936 )     –       ( 278 )     –       –       –       ( 278 ) Dividends declared to common stockholders ($ 0.52 per share)     -       –       -       ( 8,003 )     –       –       ( 8,003 ) Balance at March 31, 2021     15,390,140     $ 154     $ 227,487     $ 576,288     $ 3,135     $ 3,124       810,188     The accompanying notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.   8 Table of Contents   NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements March 31, 2021 (unaudited)             Note 1 – Description of Business   National HealthCare Corporation (“NHC” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of senior health care services. As of March 31, 2021, we operate or manage, through certain affiliates, 75 skilled nursing facilities with a total of 9,463 licensed beds, 24 assisted living facilities, five independent living facilities, one behavioral health hospital, and 35 homecare programs. We operate specialized care units within certain of our healthcare centers such as Alzheimer's disease care units and sub-acute nursing units. We also have a noncontrolling ownership interest in a hospice care business that services NHC-owned skilled nursing facilities and others. In addition, we provide insurance services, management and accounting services, and we lease properties to operators of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. We operate in 10 states and are located primarily in the southeastern United States.       Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies   The listing below is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all our significant accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), with limited need for management’s judgment in their application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result. See our audited December 31, 2020 consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which contain accounting policies and other disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Our audited December 31, 2020 consolidated financial statements are available at our web site: www.nhccare.com .   Basis of Presentation   The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements to which these notes are attached include all normal, recurring adjustments which are necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of NHC. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all entities controlled by NHC. 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 NHC and the noncontrolling interest in its consolidated statements of operations.   We assume that users of these interim financial statements have read or have access to the audited December 31, 2020  consolidated financial statements and that the adequacy of additional disclosure needed for a fair presentation, except in regard to material contingencies, may be determined in that context. Accordingly, footnotes and other disclosures which would substantially duplicate the disclosure contained in our most recent annual report to stockholders have been omitted. This interim financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year for a variety of reasons.   Estimates and Assumptions   The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and could cause our reported net income to vary significantly from period to period, including but not limited to, the potential future effects of the novel coronavirus (“COVID- 19” ).   Net Patient Revenues and Accounts Receivable   Net patient revenues are derived from services rendered to patients for skilled and intermediate nursing, rehabilitation therapy, assisted living and independent living, and home health care services. Net patient revenue is reported at the amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for providing patient services. These amounts are due from patients, governmental programs, and other third -party payors, and include variable consideration for retroactive revenue adjustments due to settlement of audits, reviews, and investigations.   9 Table of Contents   The Company recognizes revenue as its performance obligations are completed. Routine services are treated as a single performance obligation satisfied over time as services are rendered. These routine services represent a bundle of services that are not capable of being distinct. The performance obligations are satisfied over time as the patient simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the healthcare services provided. Additionally, there may be ancillary services which are not included in the daily rates for routine services, but instead are treated as separate performance obligations satisfied at a point in time when those services are rendered.  Contract liabilities are recorded for payments the Company receives in which performance obligations have not been completed.   The Company determines the transaction price based on established billing rates reduced by contractual adjustments provided to third party payors. Contractual adjustments are based on contractual agreements and historical experience. The Company considers the patient's ability and intent to pay the amount of consideration upon admission. Credit losses are recorded as bad debt expense, which is included as a component of other operating expenses in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations. Bad debt expense was $ 919,000 and $ 830,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the Company has recorded allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 6,268,000 and $ 5,672,000 , respectively, as our best estimate of expected losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance.   Other Revenues   Other revenues include revenues from the provision of insurance services, management and accounting services to other long–term care providers, and rental income. Our insurance revenues consist of premiums that are generally paid in advance and then amortized into income over the policy period. We charge for management services based on a percentage of net revenues. We charge for accounting services based on a monthly fee or a fixed fee per bed of the healthcare center under contract. We record other revenues as the performance obligations are satisfied based on the terms of our contractual arrangements.   We recognize rental income based on the terms of our operating leases. Under certain of our leases, we receive variable rent, which is based on the increase in revenues of a lessee over a base year. We recognize variable rent annually or monthly, as applicable, when, based on the actual revenue of the lessee is earned.   Government Grants   In the absence of specific guidance to account for government grants under U.S. GAAP, we have concluded to account for government grants in accordance with International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 20, Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance , and as such, we recognize grant income on a systematic basis in line with the recognition of specific expenses and lost revenues for which the grants are intended to compensate.      Segment Reporting   In accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 280, Segment Reporting , the Company is required to report financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments. The Company has two reportable operating segments: ( 1 ) inpatient services, which includes the operation of skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, and one behavioral health hospital, and ( 2 ) homecare services. The Company also reports an “all other” category that includes revenues from rental income, management and accounting services fees, insurance services, and costs of the corporate office. See Note 7 for further disclosure of the Company’s operating segments.   Other Operating Expenses   Other operating expenses include the costs of care and services that we provide to the residents of our facilities and the costs of maintaining our facilities. Our primary patient care costs include drugs, medical supplies, purchased professional services, food, and professional liability insurance and licensing fees. The primary facility costs include utilities and property insurance.   General and Administrative Costs   With the Company being a healthcare provider, the majority of our expenses are "cost of revenue" items. Costs that could be classified as "general and administrative" by the Company would include its corporate office costs, excluding stock-based compensation, which were $ 5,369,000 and $ 5,498,000  for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.   Long-Term Leases   The Company’s lease portfolio primarily consists of finance and operating real estate leases for certain skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare offices, and pharmacy warehouses. The original terms of the leases typically range from two to fifteen years. Several of the real estate leases include renewal options which vary in length and may not include specific rent renewal amounts. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception of a contract. We determine the lease term by assuming exercise of renewal options that are reasonably certain.   10 Table of Contents   The Company records right-of-use assets and liabilities on the interim condensed consolidated balance sheets for non-cancelable real estate operating leases with original or remaining lease terms in excess of one year. Leases with a lease term of 12 months or less at inception are not recorded on our interim condensed consolidated balance sheets and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term in our interim condensed consolidated statements of operations. We recognize lease components and non-lease components together and not as separate parts of a lease for real estate leases.   Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recorded at the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The present value of the lease payments are discounted using the incremental borrowing rate associated with each lease. The variable components of the lease payment that fluctuate with the operations of a health facility are not included in determining the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Rather, these variable components are expensed as incurred.   Property and Equipment   Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method over the expected useful lives of the assets estimated as follows: buildings and improvements, 20 - 40 years and equipment and furniture, 3 - 15 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over periods that do not exceed the non-cancelable respective lease terms using the straight-line method.   Finance leases are recorded at cost. Finance leases are amortized in accordance with the provision codified within ASC 842, Leases . Amortization of finance lease assets is included in depreciation and amortization expense.   Goodwill   We perform our annual goodwill impairment assessment on the first day of the fourth quarter.  At March 31, 2021, the Company reviewed the carrying value of goodwill for impairment indicators, including due to the events and circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus Pandemic ("COVID- 19" ). As a result of the review, there were no impairment indicators regarding the Company’s goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2021 that required a quantitative test to be performed. However, our accounting estimates could materially change from period to period due to changing market factors, including those driven by COVID- 19. We will continue to monitor future events, changes in circumstances, and the potential impact thereof. If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and estimates, we may be exposed to future goodwill impairment losses.   Accrued Risk Reserves      We are self–insured for risks related to health insurance and have wholly–owned limited purpose insurance companies that insure risks related to workers’ compensation and general and professional liability insurance claims. The accrued risk reserves include a liability for reported claims and estimates for incurred but unreported claims. Our policy is to engage an external, independent actuary to assist in estimating our exposure for claims obligations (for both asserted and unasserted claims). We reassess our accrued risk reserves on a quarterly basis.   Professional liability remains an area of particular concern to us. The long-term care industry has seen an increase in personal injury/wrongful death claims based on alleged negligence by skilled nursing facilities and their employees in providing care to residents. 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 patient care and treatment. A significant increase in the number of these claims, or an increase in the amounts due as a result of these claims could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. It is also possible that future events could cause us to make significant adjustments or revisions to these reserve estimates and cause our reported net income to vary significantly from period to period.   We are principally self-insured for incidents occurring in all centers owned or leased by us. The coverages include both primary policies and excess policies. In all years, settlements, if any, in excess of available insurance policy limits and our own reserves would be expensed by us.   Continuing Care Contracts   We have one continuing care retirement center (“CCRC”) within our operations. Residents at this retirement center may enter into continuing care contracts with us. The contracts provide that 10 % of the resident entry fee becomes non-refundable upon occupancy, and the remaining refundable portion of the entry fee is calculated using the lessor of the price at which the apartment is re-assigned or 90 % of the original entry fee, plus 40 % of any appreciation if the apartment value exceeds the original resident’s entry fee.   Non-refundable fees are included as a component of the transaction price and are amortized into revenue over the actuarily determined remaining life of the resident, which is the expected period of occupancy by the resident. We pay the refundable portion of our entry fees to residents when they relocate from our community and the apartment is re-occupied. Refundable entrance fees are not included as part of the transaction price and are classified as noncurrent liabilities section of our consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, we have recorded refundable entrance fees in the amount of $ 7,334,000 and $ 7,462,000 , respectively.   11 Table of Contents   We also annually estimate the present value of the cost of future services and the use of facilities to be provided to the current CCRC residents and compare that amount with the balance of non-refundable deferred revenue from entrance fees received. If the present value of the cost of future services exceeds the related anticipated revenues, a liability is recorded with a corresponding charge to income. As of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, we have recorded a future service obligation liability in the amount of $2,177,000. This obligation is reflected within other noncurrent liabilities in the interim condensed consolidated balance sheets.    Other Noncurrent Liabilities   Other noncurrent liabilities include reserves primarily related to various uncertain income tax positions, deferred revenue, and obligations to provide future services to our CCRC residents. Deferred revenue includes the deferred gain on the sale of assets to National Health Corporation (“National”) and the non-refundable portion ( 10% ) of CCRC entrance fees being amortized over the remaining life expectancies of the residents.   Noncontrolling Interest   The noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is presented within total equity in the Company's interim condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company presents the noncontrolling interest and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to NHC in its interim condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s earnings per share is calculated based on net income attributable to NHC’s stockholders. The carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest is adjusted based on an allocation of the subsidiary earnings, contributions, and distributions.   Variable Interest Entities   We have equity interests in unconsolidated limited liability companies that operate various post-acute and senior healthcare businesses. We analyze our investments in these limited liability companies to determine if the company is considered a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and would require consolidation. To the extent that we own interests in a VIE and we (i) have the power to direct the activities of the VIE and (ii) have the obligation or rights to absorb the VIE's losses or receive its benefits, then we would be determined to be the primary beneficiary and would consolidate the VIE. To the extent we own interests in a VIE, then at each reporting period, we re-assess our conclusions as to which, if any, party within the VIE is considered the primary beneficiary.   The Company's maximum exposure to losses in its investments in unconsolidated VIEs cannot be quantified and may or may not be limited to its investment in the unconsolidated VIE. The investments in unconsolidated VIEs are classified as “investments in limited liability companies” in the consolidated balance sheets.   Prior Period Classification   Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.       Note 3 – Coronavirus Pandemic   In early March 2020, COVID- 19, a disease caused by the novel strain of the coronavirus, was characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The COVID- 19 virus spread rapidly, with every state in the United States (“U.S.”) having confirmed cases. The rapid spread resulted in authorities around the U.S. implementing various measures to contain the virus, such as quarantines, shelter-in-place orders and business shutdowns. The pandemic and these containment measures had an adverse impact on the Company's results of operations in 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2021. For the first time since the beginning of the COVID- 19 pandemic, the census in our skilled nursing facilities increased approximately 3.5 % from January 1, 2021 through  March 31, 2021.  We began our first vaccination clinics in our skilled nursing facilities around the middle of December 2020. As of  March 31, 2021, each of our 75  skilled nursing facilities had hosted at least three vaccination clinics onsite for our patients and partners (employees). As the vaccination clinics progressed and as the vaccine became more accessible, we began to see a significant decline in COVID- 19 cases among our operations.      The U.S. government enacted several laws beginning in March 2020 designed to help the nation respond to the COVID- 19 pandemic. The new laws impacted healthcare providers in a variety of ways, but the largest legislation from a monetary relief perspective is the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act"). Through the CARES Act, as well as the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act ("PPPCHE"), the federal government has allocated $178 billion to the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund , which is referred to as the Provider Relief Fund. The Provider Relief Fund is administered through grants and other mechanisms to skilled nursing providers, home health providers, hospitals, and other Medicare and Medicaid enrolled providers to cover any unreimbursed health care related expenses or lost revenue attributable to the public health emergency resulting from COVID- 19.        During the three months ending March 31, 2021, we received additional disbursements from the Provider Relief Fund which totaled $ 30,191,000 . These funds come with terms and condition certifications in which all providers are required to submit documents to ensure the funds will be used for healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID- 19. The Company recorded $ 22,749,000  of government stimulus income from the Provider Relief Funds for the three  months ended March 31, 2021.  The grant income was determined on a systemic basis in line with the recognition of specific expenses and lost revenues for which the grants are intended to compensate. The Company’s assessment of whether the terms and conditions for amounts received have been met for income recognition and the Company’s related income calculation considered all frequently asked questions and other interpretive guidance issued to date by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”).   12 Table of Contents   As of March 31, 2021, amounts not recognized as income are $ 23,510,000  and are reflected in the current liability section of our interim condensed consolidated balance sheet (provider relief funds). We anticipate incurring additional COVID- 19 related expenses or lost revenues in the future; therefore, at this time, we believe that we will fully utilize the remaining $23,510,000  of provider relief funds before the reporting requirement deadlines outlined by HHS.   Additionally, as part of the CARES Act, the legislation included an expansion of the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program. The expanded Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program is a streamlined version of existing policy that allows the Medicare Administrative Contractors (“MAC’s”) to issue up to three months of advance Medicare payments to help increase cash flow and liquidity to Medicare Part A and Part B providers in certain circumstances that include national emergencies. We received approximately $ 51,253,000  as part of this program. These funds will begin to be applied against claims for services provided to Medicare patients after approximately one year from the date we received the funds. During the first eleven months after repayment begins, repayment will occur through an automatic recoupment of twenty-five percent of Medicare payments. During the succeeding six months, repayment will occur through an automatic recoupment of fifty percent of Medicare payments. Any remaining balance that was not paid through the recoupment process within twenty-nine months of receipt of the funds will be required to be paid on-demand, subject to an interest rate of four percent. Recoupment of the accelerated payments began in the second quarter of 2021. As of March 31, 2021, the accelerated payments are reflected within contract liabilities in the interim condensed consolidated balance sheet as the related performance obligations have not been completed.   The CARES Act temporarily suspended Medicare sequestration beginning May 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. The Medicare sequestration policy reduces fee-for-service Medicare payments by 2 percent. On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 further suspended the 2.0% payment adjustment through March 31, 2021. On April 14, 2021, Congress extended the Medicare sequestration suspension period to December 31, 2021.   The CARES Act also temporarily permitted employers to defer the deposit and payment of the employer’s portion of the social security taxes ( 6.2% of employee wages) that otherwise would be due between March 27, 2020 and December 31, 2020. The provision requires that the deferred taxes be paid over a two -year period with half the amount required to be paid by December 31, 2021, and the other half by December 31, 2022. At March 31, 2021, we have deferred $ 21,153,000 of the Company’s share of the social security taxes.  At March 31, 2021, half of the payroll tax deferral is included in accrued payroll in the current liabilities section of the consolidated balance sheet and the other half of the payroll tax deferral is included in other noncurrent liabilities within our consolidated balance sheet.    We have also received from many of the states in which we operate a supplemental Medicaid payment to help mitigate the incremental costs resulting from the COVID- 19 public health emergency. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we have recorded $ 3,955,000 in net patient revenues in our interim condensed consolidated statements of operations for these supplemental Medicaid payments.       Note 4 – Net Patient Revenues   The Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers by service type and by payor.   Revenue by Service Type   The Company’s net patient services can generally be classified into the following two categories: ( 1 ) inpatient services, which includes the operation of skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, and a behavioral health hospital, and ( 2 ) homecare services (in thousands) .       Three Months Ended March 31       2021     2020   Net patient revenues:                 Inpatient services   $ 203,242     $ 230,987   Homecare     13,613       13,108   Total net patient revenue   $ 216,855     $ 244,095     13 Table of Contents   For inpatient services, revenue is recognized on a daily basis as each day represents a separate contract and performance obligation. For homecare, revenue is recognized when services are provided based on the number of days of service rendered in the period of care or on a per-visit basis. Typically, patients and third -party payors are billed monthly after services are performed or the patient is discharged, and payments are due based on contract terms.   As our performance obligations relate to contracts with a duration of one year or less, the Company is not required to disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied at the end of the reporting period. The Company has minimal unsatisfied performance obligations at the end of the reporting period as our patients are typically under no obligation to remain admitted in our facilities or under our care.  As the period between the time of service and time of payment is typically one year or less, the Company did  not adjust for the effects of a significant financing component.   Revenue by Payor   Certain groups of patients receive funds to pay the cost of their care from a common source. The following table sets forth sources of net patient revenues for the periods indicated:       Three Months Ended March 31   Source   2021     2020   Medicare     35 %       34 %   Managed Care     12 %       11 %   Medicaid     29 %       29 %   Private Pay and Other     24 %       26 %   Total     100 %       100 %     Medicare covers skilled nursing services for beneficiaries who require nursing care and/or rehabilitation services following a hospitalization of at least three consecutive days (there is temporary relief from the three -day hospital stay during the COVID- 19 emergency). For each eligible day a Medicare beneficiary is in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare pays the facility a daily payment, subject to adjustment for certain factors such as a wage index in the geographic area. The payment covers all services provided by the skilled nursing facility for the beneficiary that day, including room and board, nursing, therapy and drugs, as well as an estimate of capital–related costs to deliver those services.   For homecare services, Medicare pays based on the acuity level of the patient and based on periods of care. A period of care is defined as a length of care up to 30 days with multiple continuous periods allowed. The services covered by the payment include all disciplines of care, in addition to medical supplies, within the scope of the home health benefit.   Medicaid is operated by individual states with the financial participation of the federal government. The states in which we operate currently use prospective cost–based reimbursement systems. Under cost–based reimbursement systems, the skilled nursing facility is reimbursed for the reasonable direct and indirect allowable costs it incurred in a base year in providing routine resident care services as defined by the program.   Private pay, managed care, and other payment sources include commercial insurance, individual patient funds, managed care plans and the Veterans Administration. Private paying patients, private insurance carriers and the Veterans Administration generally pay based on the healthcare center's charges or specifically negotiated contracts. For private pay patients in skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities, the Company bills for room and board charges, with the remittance being due on receipt of the statement and generally by the 10th day of the month the services are performed.   Certain managed care payors for homecare services pay on a per-visit basis. This revenue is recorded on an accrual basis based upon the date of services at amounts equal to its established or estimated per-visit rates.        Contract Liabilities   Included in the Company’s interim condensed consolidated balance sheets are contract liabilities, which represent payments the Company receives in advance of services provided. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company has recorded $ 51,253,000 in contract liabilities related to receipts from the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program.  Recoupment of the accelerated payments began in the second quarter of 2021.   14 Table of Contents   A summary of the contract liabilities are follows ( in thousands ):   Balance at December 31, 2020   $ 51,253   Payments received     -   Payments recognized     -   Balance at March 31, 2021   $ 51,253     Third Party Payors   Laws and regulations governing the Medicare and Medicaid programs are complex and subject to interpretation. Noncompliance with such laws and regulations can be subject to regulatory actions including fines, penalties, and exclusion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. We believe that we are following all applicable laws and regulations.   Medicare and Medicaid program revenues, as well as certain Managed Care program revenues, are subject to audit and retroactive adjustment by government representatives or their agents. Settlements with third -party payors for retroactive adjustments due to audits, reviews or investigations are considered variable consideration and are included in the determination of the estimated transaction price for providing patient care. These settlements are estimated based on the terms of the payment agreement with the payor, correspondence from the payor and the Company’s historical settlement activity, including an assessment to ensure that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the retroactive adjustment is subsequently resolved. Estimated settlements are adjusted in future periods as adjustments become known, or as years are settled or are no longer subject to such audits, reviews, and investigations. We believe that any differences between the net revenues recorded and final determination will not materially affect the consolidated financial statements. We have made provisions of approximately $ 15,574,000 and $ 16,454,000 as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, for various Medicare, Medicaid, and Managed Care claims reviews and current and prior year cost reports.       Note 5 – Other Revenues   Other revenues are outlined in the table below. Revenues from rental income include health care real estate properties owned by us and leased to third party operators. Revenues from management and accounting services include fees provided to manage and provide accounting services to other healthcare operators. Revenues from insurance services include premiums for workers’ compensation and professional liability insurance policies that our wholly–owned insurance subsidiaries have written for certain healthcare operators to which we provide management or accounting services. "Other" revenues include miscellaneous health care related earnings (in thousands) .       Three Months Ended March 31       2021     2020   Rental income   $ 5,647     $ 5,679   Management and accounting services fees     4,324       4,478   Insurance services     1,264       1,382   Other     134       490   Total other revenues   $ 11,369     $ 12,029     Rental Income   The Company leases real estate assets consisting of skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities to third party operators. Additionally, we sublease four Florida skilled nursing facilities included in our lease from National Health Investors (“NHI”) as noted in Note 8 – Long Term Leases. Rental income reflected in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations consisted of the following (in thousands) :       Three Months Ended March 31       2021     2020   Operating lease payments   $ 5,506     $ 5,503   Variable lease payments     141       176   Total rental income   $ 5,647     $ 5,679     15 Table of Contents   Management Fees from National   We manage five skilled nursing facilities owned by National. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, we recognized management fees and interest on management fees of $ 896,000 and $ 1,537,000 from these centers, respectively.   Insurance Services   For workers’ compensation insurance services, the premium revenues reflected in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were $ 753,000 and $ 779,000 , respectively. Associated losses and expenses are reflected in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations as "Salaries, wages and benefits."   For professional liability insurance services, the premium revenues reflected in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were $ 511,000 and $ 603,000 , respectively. Associated losses and expenses including those for self–insurance are included in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations as "Other operating costs and expenses".       Note 6 – Non – Operating Income   Non–operating income includes equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments, dividends and other realized gains and losses on sales of marketable securities, and interest income (in thousands) .       Three Months Ended March 31       2021     2020   Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments   $ 2,911     $ 2,811   Dividends and net realized gains on sales of securities     1,962       2,022   Interest income     1,387       1,606   Gains on acquisitions of equity method investments     -       1,707   Total non-operating income   $ 6,260     $ 8,146     Caris HealthCare, L.P. ("Caris")   Our most significant equity method investment is a 75.1 % non–controlling ownership interest in Caris, a business that specializes in hospice care services. The carrying value of our investment is $ 35,480,000 and $ 38,916,000 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The carrying amounts are included in investments in unconsolidated companies in the consolidated balance sheets. Summarized financial information of Caris for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is provided below (in thousands):       Three Months Ended March 31       2021     2020   Net revenue   $ 15,228     $ 15,826   Expenses     11,946       12,356   Net income   $ 3,282     $ 3,470     Gains on Acquisitions of Equity Method Investments   Effective February 27, 2020, the Company expanded its controlled operations through an acquisition of the remaining ownership interest of a 166 -bed skilled nursing facility in Knoxville, Tennessee. We previously held a 25 % noncontrolling interest in the facility and accounted for the investment as an equity method investment. The operating results of the business have been included in the accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements since the remaining ownership interest acquisition date.   Upon acquiring the remaining ownership interest, the Company recorded and increased its previously held equity interest up to fair value as of the acquisition date. This remeasurement of our equity interest at fair value resulted in a gain of $ 1,707,000 . The gain was recorded in "Non-operating income" in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations.    16 Table of Contents     Note 7 – Business Segments   The Company has two reportable operating segments: ( 1 ) inpatient services, which includes the operation of skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, and our behavioral health hospital; and ( 2 ) homecare services. These reportable operating segments are consistent with information used by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, as chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), to assess performance and allocate resources.   The Company also reports an “all other” category that includes revenues from rental income, management and accounting services fees, insurance services, and costs of the corporate office. For additional information on these reportable segments see Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.   The Company’s CODM evaluates performance and allocates capital resources to each segment based on an operating model that is designed to improve the quality of patient care and profitability of the Company while enhancing long-term shareholder value. The CODM does not review assets by segment in his resource allocation and therefore, assets by segment are not disclosed below.   The following table sets forth the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations by business segment (in thousands ):       Three Months Ended March 31, 2021       Inpatient Services     Homecare     All Other     Total   Revenues:                                 Net patient revenues   $ 203,242     $ 13,613     $ -     $ 216,855   Other revenues     98       -       11,271       11,369   Government stimulus income     22,749       -       -       22,749   Net operating revenues and grant income     226,089       13,613       11,271       250,973                                     Costs and expenses:                                 Salaries, wages, and benefits     128,809       8,408       7,913       145,130   Other operating     64,810       2,942       2,401       70,153   Rent     8,194       431       1,438       10,063   Depreciation and amortization     9,263       87       811       10,161   Interest     244       -       -       244   Total costs and expenses     211,320       11,868       12,563       235,751                                     Income/(loss) from operations     14,769       1,745       ( 1,292 )     15,222   Non-operating income     -       -       6,260       6,260   Unrealized gains on marketable equity securities     -       -       7,059       7,059                                     Income before income taxes   $ 14,769     $ 1,745     $ 12,027     $ 28,541           Three Months Ended March 31, 2020       Inpatient Services     Homecare     All Other     Total   Revenues:                                 Net patient revenues   $ 230,987     $ 13,108     $ -     $ 244,095   Other revenues     435       -       11,594       12,029   Net operating revenues     231,422       13,108       11,594       256,124                                     Costs and expenses:                                 Salaries, wages and benefits     135,215       8,316       3,938       147,469   Other operating     65,105       3,819       2,744       71,668   Rent     8,378       457       1,497       10,332   Depreciation and amortization     9,571       54       813       10,438   Interest     382       -       30       412   Total costs and expenses     218,651       12,646       9,022       240,319                                     Income from operations     12,771       462       2,572       15,805                                     Non-operating income     -       -       8,146       8,146   Unrealized losses on marketable equity securities     -       -       ( 60,392 )     ( 60,392 )                                   Income/(loss) before income taxes   $ 12,771     $ 462     $ ( 49,674 )   $ ( 36,441 )   17 Table of Contents     Note 8 – Long-Term Leases   Operating Leases   At March 31, 2021, we leased from NHI the real property of 35 skilled nursing facilities, seven assisted living centers and three independent living centers under two separate lease agreements. As part of the first lease agreement, we sublease four Florida skilled nursing facilities to a third -party operator. Base rent expense under both NHI lease agreements totals $ 34,200,000 annually with rent thereafter escalating by 4 % of the increase in facility revenue over a base year. Total facility rent expense to NHI was $ 9,411,000 and $ 9,655,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.   Finance Leases   At March 31, 2021, we leased and operated three senior healthcare facilities in the state of Missouri under three separate lease agreements. Two of the healthcare facilities are skilled nursing facilities that also include assisted living facilities and the third healthcare facility is a memory care facility. Each of the leases is a ten -year lease with two five –year renewal options. Under the terms of the leases, base rent totals $ 5,200,000 annually with rent thereafter escalating by 4 % of the increase in facility revenue over the 2014 base year.   Minimum Lease Payments   The following table summarizes the maturity of our finance and operating lease liabilities as of March 31, 2021 ( in thousands ):       Finance Leases     Operating Leases   2022   $ 5,200     $ 35,224   2023     5,200       34,855   2024     4,767       34,554   2025     -       34,370   2026     -       34,233   Thereafter     -       31,400   Total minimum lease payments     15,167       204,636   Less: amounts representing interest     ( 1,285 )     ( 31,872 ) Present value of future minimum lease payments     13,882       172,764   Less: current portion     ( 4,489 )     ( 25,759 ) Noncurrent lease liabilities   $ 9,393     $ 147,005         Note 9 – Earnings per Share   Basic net income per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each period presented. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that would have occurred if securities to issue common stock were exercised, converted, or resulted in the issuance of common stock that would have then shared in our earnings.   The following table summarizes the earnings and the weighted average number of common shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts) :       Three Months Ended March 31       2021     2020   Basic:                 Weighted average common shares outstanding     15,327,520       15,294,777   Net income/(loss) attributable to National HealthCare Corporation   $ 21,267     $ ( 26,852 ) Earnings/(loss) per common share, basic   $ 1.39     $ ( 1.76 )                   Diluted:                 Weighted average common shares outstanding     15,327,520       15,294,777   Effects of dilutive instruments     62,556       -   Weighted average common shares outstanding     15,390,076       15,294,777                     Net income/(loss) attributable to National HealthCare Corporation   $ 21,267     $ ( 26,852 ) Earnings/(loss) per common share, diluted   $ 1.38     $ ( 1.76 )   In the above table, options to purchase 634,780 shares of our common stock have been excluded for the three months ended March 31, 2021 due to their anti-dilutive impact.      18 Table of Contents     Note 10 – Investments in Marketable Securities   Our investments in marketable equity securities are carried at fair value with the changes in unrealized gains and losses recognized in our results of operations at each measurement date. Our investments in marketable debt securities are classified as available for sale securities and carried at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income at each measurement date. Any credit related decline in fair market values of our available for sale debt securities are recorded in our results of operations through an allowance for credit losses. Realized gains and losses from securities sales are recognized in results of operations upon disposition of the securities using the specific identification method on a trade date basis. Refer to Note 11 for a description of the Company's methodology for determining the fair value of marketable securities.   Marketable securities consist of the following (in thousands) :       March 31, 2021     December 31, 2020       Amortized Cost     Fair Value     Amortized Cost     Fair Value   Investments available for sale:                                 Marketable equity securities   $ 30,176     $ 135,246     $ 30,176     $ 128,590   Corporate debt securities     26,540       26,420       25,812       25,778   Asset-backed securities     3,961       3,949       2,485       2,480   U.S. Treasury securities     19,148       19,123       19,519       19,504   Restricted investments available for sale:                                 Marketable equity securities     4,783       5,083       4,783       4,680   Corporate debt securities     63,907       67,205       61,709       66,247   Asset-based securities     38,156       39,140       40,655       41,769   U.S. Treasury securities     22,723       22,241       20,760       21,159   State and municipal securities     10,782       11,097       12,497       12,898       $ 220,176     $ 329,504     $ 218,396       323,105     Included in the marketable equity securities are the following (in thousands, except share amounts):       March 31, 2021     December 31, 2020       Shares     Cost     Fair Value     Shares     Cost     Fair Value   NHI Common Stock     1,630,642     $ 24,734     $ 117,863       1,630,642     $ 24,734     $ 112,792     The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities classified as available for sale, by contractual maturity, are as follows (in thousands) :       March 31, 2021     December 31, 2020       Cost     Fair Value     Cost     Fair Value   Maturities:                                 Within 1 year   $ 50,615     $ 50,855     $ 49,694     $ 49,863   1 to 5 years     98,320       101,326       99,143       103,002   6 to 10 years     36,282       36,994       34,326       36,685   Over 10 years     -       -       274       285       $ 185,217     $ 189,175     $ 183,437     $ 189,835     19 Table of Contents   Gross unrealized gains related to marketable equity securities are $ 105,464,000 and $ 98,445,000 as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Gross unrealized losses related to marketable equity securities are $ 94,000 and $ 134,000 as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized a net unrealized gain of $ 7,059,000 and a net unrealized loss of $ 60,392,000 , respectively, for the changes in fair market value of the marketable equity securities in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations.   Gross unrealized gains related to available for sale marketable debt securities are $ 4,973,000 and $ 6,759,000 as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Gross unrealized losses related to available for sale marketable debt securities are $ 1,015,000 and $ 361,000 as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company’s unrealized losses in our available for sale marketable debt securities were determined to be non-credit related.   The Company has not recognized any credit related impairments for the three months ending March 31, 2021 and 2020.   For the marketable securities in gross unrealized loss positions, (a) it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the investment securities before recovery of the unrealized losses, and (b) the Company expects that the contractual principal and interest will be received on the investment securities.   Proceeds from the sale of available for sale marketable debt securities during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were $ 6,086,000 and $ 3,410,000 , respectively. No investment gains were reported on these sales during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and $ 2,000 of investment gains were realized on these sales during the three months ended March 31, 2020. No sales were reported for marketable equity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.       Note 11 – Fair Value Measurements   The accounting standard for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This accounting standard establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:     Level   1  – The valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.   Level   2  – The valuation is based on observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model–based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.   Level   3  – The valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by minimal or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the instrument. Level 3 valuations are typically performed using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques that incorporate management’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the instrument, or valuations that require significant management judgment or estimation.   A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.   The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands) :       Fair Value Measurements Using   March 31, 2021   Fair Value     Quoted Prices in Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)     Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)     Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)   Cash and cash equivalents   $ 134,107     $ 134,107     $ –     $ –   Restricted cash and cash equivalents     21,984       21,984       –       –   Marketable equity securities     140,329       140,329       –       –   Corporate debt securities     93,625       51,961       41,664       –   Mortgage–backed securities     43,089       –       43,089       –   U.S. Treasury securities     41,364       41,364       –       –   State and municipal securities     11,097       –       11,097       –   Total financial assets   $ 485,595     $ 389,745     $ 95,850     $ –     20 Table of Contents       Fair Value Measurements Using   December 31, 2020   Fair Value     Quoted Prices in Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)     Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)     Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)   Cash and cash equivalents   $ 147,093     $ 147,093     $ –     $ –   Restricted cash and cash equivalents     11,409       11,409       –       –   Marketable equity securities     133,270       133,270       –       –   Corporate debt securities     92,025       56,772       35,253       –   Asset–backed securities     44,249       –       44,249       –   U.S. Treasury securities     40,663       40,663       –       –   State and municipal securities     12,898       –       12,898       –   Total financial assets   $ 481,607     $ 389,207     $ 92,400     $ –         Note 12 - Stock Repurchase Program   During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company repurchased 3,936 shares of its common stock for a total cost of $ 278,000 . The shares were funded from cash on hand and were cancelled and returned to the status of authorized but unissued.       Note 13 – Stock – Based Compensation   NHC recognizes stock–based compensation expense for all stock options granted over the requisite service period using the fair value at the date of grant using the Black–Scholes pricing model. Stock–based compensation totaled $ 496,000 and $ 466,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Stock–based compensation is included in “Salaries, wages and benefits” in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations.   At March 31, 2021, the Company had $ 2,637,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock–based compensation awards. This unrecognized compensation cost will be amortized over an approximate two -year period.   Stock Options   The following table summarizes the significant assumptions used to value the options granted for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020.       March 31, 2021     December 31, 2020   Risk–free interest rate     0.10 %       0.87 %   Expected volatility     44.74 %       20.1 %   Expected life, in years     1.0       2.2   Expected dividend yield     3.15 %       2.91 %     The following table summarizes our outstanding stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020.       Number of Shares     Weighted Average Exercise Price     Aggregate Intrinsic Value   Options outstanding at January 1, 2020     809,529     $ 71.24     $ –   Options granted     104,057       73.98       –   Options exercised     ( 43,630 )     63.37       –   Options cancelled     ( 3,000 )     72.94       –   Options outstanding at December 31, 2020     866,956       72.11       –   Options granted     10,704       67.28       –   Options exercised     ( 115,900 )     70.01       –   Options cancelled     ( 6,000 )     72.94       –   Options outstanding at March 31, 2021     755,760     $ 72.36     $ 4,541,600                             Options exercisable at March 31, 2021     210,686     $ 68.35     $ 767,000     21 Table of Contents   Options Outstanding March 31, 2021     Exercise Prices     Weighted Average Exercise Price     Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years   135,684       60.73 - 67.28       63.41       2.1   620,076       72.94 - 84.30       74.32       1.1   755,760                   72.36       1.3           Note 14 – Income Taxes   The Company's income tax provision as a percentage of our income before income taxes was 25.3 % and 26.4 % for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.    Typically, these percentages vary from the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% primarily due to state income taxes, excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation, benefits resulting from the lapsing of statute of limitations of items in our tax contingency reserve, and non-deductible expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the accrual of state income taxes was the only significant reconciling item.   Our quarterly income tax provision, and our estimate of our annual effective income tax rate, is subject to variation due to several factors, including volatility based on the amount of pre-tax income or loss.     The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state examinations by tax authorities for years before 2017 (with certain state exceptions).       Note 15 – Contingencies and Commitments   Accrued Risk Reserves   We are self–insured for risks related to health insurance and have wholly–owned limited purpose insurance companies that insure risks related to workers’ compensation and general and professional liability insurance claims both for our owned and leased entities and certain of the entities to which we provide management or accounting services. The liability we have recognized for reported claims and estimates for incurred but unreported claims totals $ 101,481,000 and $ 99,537,000 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The liability is included in accrued risk reserves in the interim condensed consolidated balance sheets and is subject to adjustment for actual claims incurred. It is possible that these claims plus unasserted claims could exceed our insurance coverages and our reserves, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.   As a result of the terms of our insurance policies and our use of wholly–owned limited purpose insurance companies, we have retained significant insurance risk with respect to workers’ compensation and general and professional liability. We consider the professional services of independent actuaries to assist us in estimating our exposures for claims obligations (for both asserted and unasserted claims) related to deductibles and exposures in excess of coverage limits, and we maintain reserves for these obligations. Such estimates are based on many variables including historical and statistical information and other factors.   Workers ’ Compensation   For workers’ compensation, we utilize a wholly–owned Tennessee domiciled property/casualty insurance company to write coverage for NHC affiliates and for third–party customers. Policies are written for a duration of twelve months and cover only risks related to workers’ compensation losses. All customers are companies which operate in the senior care industry. Business is written on a direct basis.    22 Table of Contents   General and Professional Liability Insurance and Lawsuits   The senior care industry has experienced significant increases in both the number of personal injury/wrongful death claims and in the severity of awards based upon alleged negligence by skilled nursing facilities and their employees in providing care to residents. 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 patient care and treatment. 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. Additional insurance is purchased through third party providers that serve to supplement the coverage provided through our wholly owned captive insurance company.   There is certain additional litigation incidental to our business, none of which, based upon information available to date, would be material to our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In addition, the long–term care industry is continuously subject to scrutiny by governmental regulators, which could result in litigation or claims related to regulatory compliance matters.   Governmental Regulations   Laws and regulations governing the Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs are complex and subject to interpretation. Management believes that it is following all applicable laws and regulations in all material respects. However, compliance with such laws and regulations can be subject to future government review and interpretation as well as significant regulatory action including fines, penalties, and exclusions from the Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs. There have been several enacted and proposed federal and state relief measures as a result of COVID- 19 which should provide support to us during this pandemic; however, the full benefit of any such programs would not be realized until these payments are fully implemented, government agencies issue applicable regulations, or guidance and such relief is provided.