New York, June 19, 2012 -- Moody's Investors Service has affirmed Meriter Hospital's (MH) A1 rating on approximately $99 million of rated revenue bonds issued through the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. The rating outlook is revised to negative from stable. In addition to MH's rated debt, the Meriter Health Services (MHS) system has approximately $110 million of debt that does not carry an underlying rating by Moody's, including approximately $80 million of Series 2008A,B,&C variable rate demand bonds (VRDB), which are supported by an irrevocable direct pay letter of credit (LOC) from U.S. Bank National Association.
The analysis considers the financial performance of MHS. MH represents approximately 79% of MHS assets and 52% of MHS total operating revenues. Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation (PPIC), a for-profit HMO product of which MHS is approximately 67% owner, accounts for the majority of the remaining MHS revenues.
RATINGS RATIONALE
SUMMARY RATING RATIONALE: The affirmation of the A1 rating reflects MHS's good market reach in a quality service area bolstered by adequate balance sheet and debt coverage ratios. The outlook revision to negative from stable reflects MHS's depressed operating cash flow margin in fiscal year (FY) 2010 and FY 2011, due largely to challenges with the system's health plan and continued significant ramp up in MHS's employed physician practice.
STRENGTHS
*Favorable demographics in the Madison, WI area, characterized by good population growth and above average median household income level (based on US Census Bureau data). The area faces limited physician competition despite lack of certificate of need (CON) regulation in Wisconsin.
*Adequate pro forma Moody's adjusted debt coverage with 151% cash-to-debt, 30% debt-to-total operating revenue, 4.3 times maximum annual debt service (MADS) coverage, and 4.2 times debt-to-cash flow.
*Adequate balance sheet measures with 171 days cash on hand at fiscal year end (FYE) 2011.
*No new money debt plans after the current issuance through at least FYE 2014. Manageable capital spending plans, particularly after FY 2012.
CHALLENGES
*MHS recorded modest operating cash flow margins for the A1 rating category in FY 2010 (6.0%) and FY 2011 (5.4%). We note that, similar to other health systems with sizeable health insurance plans, MHS's health plan tends to suppress the operating cash flow margin.
*Prominent competitors in Madison with the presence of A1 rated University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics (UWHC) and St. Mary's Hospital (a member of SSM Health Care). UWHC plans to build a 40-80 bed hospital on the east side of the Madison market.
*Union presence, including unionized nurses.
Outlook
The outlook revision to negative reflects MHS's depressed operating cash flow margin in FY 2010 and FY 2011. Failure to improve the margin in the long-term likely would pressure the rating.
WHAT COULD MAKE THE RATING GO UP
Material and sustained revenue growth leading to consistently elevated cash flow generation and stronger operating margins and debt ratios; improved balance sheet ratios; material market share gain
WHAT COULD MAKE THE RATING GO DOWN
Continued modest operating cash flow margin, significant decline in patient volumes leading to material market share loss; thinner debt ratios; materially weaker balance sheet ratios; unexpected increase in debt beyond the Series 2012A,B,&C private placement debt without commensurate increase in cash flow generation
The principal methodology used in this rating was Not-For-Profit Healthcare Rating Methodology published in March 2012. Please see the Credit Policy page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
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Mark Pascaris Vice President - Senior Analyst Public Finance Group Moody's FIS Domestic Sales Office - Chicago IL JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653Beth I. Wexler VP - Senior Credit Officer Public Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc.250 Greenwich StreetNew York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653(C) 2012 Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and/or its licensors and affiliates (collectively, "MOODY'S"). All rights reserved.
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