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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements (the Financial Statements) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). The Company is the sole member or stockholder of various consolidated limited liability companies and corporations established to operate various acquired skilled nursing operations, senior living operations and related ancillary services. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company presents noncontrolling interests within the equity section of its consolidated balance sheets and the amount of consolidated net income that is attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc. and the noncontrolling interests in its consolidated statements of income. The Financial Statements include the accounts of all independent subsidiaries controlled by the Company through its ownership of a majority voting interest.
Reclassifications
ReclassificationsCertain amounts in the prior period statements of income and statements of cash flows have been reclassified to conform to the presentation of the current period financial statements. These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported net income.
Estimates and Assumptions Estimates and Assumptions The preparation of the Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management 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 revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. The most significant estimates in the Company’s Financial Statements relate to revenue, acquired property and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill, right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, impairment of long-lived assets, as well as general and professional liabilities, workers' compensation and healthcare claims included in accrued self-insurance liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates
Fair Value Considerations
Fair Value ConsiderationsThe Company’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, debt security investments, accounts receivable, insurance subsidiary deposits, deferred compensation investment funds, equity investments, accounts payable and borrowings. The Company believes all of the financial instruments’ recorded values approximate fair values because of their nature or respective short durations.

Fair value measurements are based on a three-tier hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. See Note 5, Fair Value Measurements for additional information.
The Company's non-financial assets, which includes goodwill, intangible assets, property and equipment and right-of-use assets, are not required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. However, on a periodic basis, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable, the Company assesses its long-lived assets for impairment. When impairment has occurred, such long-lived assets are written down to fair value.
Service Revenue Recognition, Rental Revenue Recognition
Service Revenue RecognitionThe Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606). The Company's service revenue is derived primarily from providing healthcare services to its patients. Revenue is recognized when services are provided to patients at the amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to be entitled from patients and third-party payors, including Medicaid, Medicare and insurers (private and Medicare replacement plans), in exchange for providing patient care. The healthcare services provided pursuant to skilled patient contracts include routine services in exchange for a contractual agreed-upon amount or rate. Routine services are treated as a single performance obligation satisfied over time as services are rendered. As such, patient care services represent a bundle of services that are not capable of being distinct. Additionally, there may be ancillary services that are not included in the daily rates for routine services, but instead are treated as separate performance obligations satisfied at a point in time, if and when those services are rendered.

Revenue recognized from healthcare services are adjusted for estimates of variable consideration to arrive at the transaction price. The Company determines the transaction price based on contractually agreed-upon amounts or rates on a per day basis, adjusted for estimates of variable consideration. The Company uses the expected value method in determining the variable component that should be used to arrive at the transaction price, using contractual agreements and historical reimbursement experience within each payor type. The amount of variable consideration that is included in the transaction price may be constrained and is included in net revenue only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized will not occur in a future period. If actual amounts of consideration ultimately received differ from the Company’s estimates, the Company adjusts these estimates, which would affect net revenue in the period such variances become known.

As the Company’s contracts with its patients have an original duration of one year or less, the Company uses the practical expedient applicable to its contracts and does not consider the time value of money. Further, because of the short duration of these contracts, the Company has not disclosed the transaction price for the remaining performance obligations as of the end of each reporting period or when the Company expects to recognize this revenue. In addition, the Company has applied the practical expedient provided by FASB ASC Topic 340, Other Assets and Deferred Costs, and all incremental customer contract acquisition costs are expensed as they are incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less.
Rental Revenue Recognition The Company's rental revenues are primarily generated by leasing healthcare-related properties through triple-net lease arrangements, under which the tenant is solely responsible for the costs related to the property. Revenue for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term when collectability of all minimum lease payments is probable in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 842, Leases (ASC 842). The Company has elected the single component practical expedient, which allows a lessor, by class of underlying asset, not to allocate the total consideration to the lease and non-lease components based on their relative stand-alone selling prices where certain criteria are met.
Tenant reimbursements related to property taxes and insurance are neither considered lease nor non-lease components under ASC 842. Lessee payments for taxes and insurance paid directly to a third party, on behalf of the Company, are excluded from variable lease payments and rental revenue in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Otherwise, tenant reimbursements for taxes and insurance that are paid by the Company directly to a third party are classified as additional rental revenue and expense and recognized by the Company on a gross basis.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts due from Medicare and Medicaid programs, other government programs, managed care health plans and private payor sources, net of estimates for variable consideration.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents consist of bank term deposits, money market funds and treasury bill related investments with original maturities of three months or less at time of purchase and therefore approximate fair value. The fair value of money market funds is determined based on “Level 1” inputs, which consist of unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets. The Company places its cash and short-term investments with high credit quality financial institutions.
Insurance Subsidiary Deposits and Other Investments
Insurance Subsidiary Deposits and Other Investments — The Company's captive insurance subsidiary cash and cash equivalents, deposits and investments are designated to support long-term insurance subsidiary liabilities and have been classified as short-term and long-term assets based on the timing of expected future payments of the Company's captive insurance liabilities. The majority of these deposits and investments are currently held in AA, A and BBB rated debt security investments and the remainder is held in a bank account with a high credit quality financial institution. Investments classified as held-to-maturity are financial instruments that the Company has the intent and ability to hold to maturity and are reported net of any related amortization and are not remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis.
The Company's non-qualified deferred compensation plan's (the DCP) contracts insuring the lives of certain employees who are eligible to participate in the DCP are held in a rabbi trust. Cash surrender value of the contracts is based on funds that shadow the investment allocations specified by participants in the deferred compensation plan.
When evaluating an investment for its current expected credit losses, the Company reviews factors such as historical experience with defaults, losses, credit ratings, term, market sector and macroeconomic trends, including current conditions and forecasts to the extent they are reasonable and supportable.
Property and Equipment Property and Equipment Property and equipment are initially recorded at their historical cost. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets (ranging from three to 59 years). Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining lease term.
Leases
Leases The Company leases skilled nursing facilities, senior living facilities and commercial office space. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease and performs an evaluation to determine whether the lease should be classified as an operating or finance lease at the inception of the lease. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has three financing lease that are not material to the consolidated balance sheet. Rights and obligations of the operating leases are included as right-of-use assets and current and long-term lease liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. As the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at lease commencement date in determining the present value of future lease payments. The Company utilizes a third-party credit specialist to assist in estimating the incremental borrowing rate.
The Company records rent expense for operating leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The lease term used for straight-line rent expense is calculated from the date the Company is given control of the leased premises through the end of the lease term. Renewals are not assumed in the determination of the lease term unless they are deemed to be reasonably assured at the inception of the lease. The lease term used for this evaluation also provides the basis for establishing depreciable lives for buildings subject to lease and leasehold improvements.
The Company's real estate leases generally have initial lease terms of ten years or more and typically include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that generally extend the lease term for an additional ten to 15 years. Exercise of the renewal options is generally subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions which vary by contract and generally follow payment terms that are consistent with those in place during the initial term. The Company reassesses the renewal option using a "reasonably certain" threshold, which is understood to be a high threshold. For leases where the Company is reasonably certain to exercise its renewal option, the option periods are included within the lease term and, therefore, the measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability. The Company's leases generally contain annual escalation clauses that are either fixed or variable in nature, some of which are dependent upon published indices. The Company recognizes lease expense for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less on a straight-line basis over the lease term. These leases are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. Certain of the Company's lease agreements include rental payments that are adjusted periodically for inflation. The lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
The Company subleases skilled nursing facilities to third-party operators and considers the subleases to be separate contracts as the Company is not relieved of its primary obligation under its operating lease. The rental income from third-parties related to these subleases is presented on a gross basis from the rent expense associated with the Company's lease obligations and is not material to the consolidated statements of income.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets that are held and used in the Company’s independent subsidiaries for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is determined based upon expected undiscounted future net cash flows from the independent subsidiaries to which the assets relate, utilizing management’s best estimate, appropriate assumptions and projections at the time. If the carrying value is determined to be unrecoverable from future operating cash flows, the asset is deemed impaired and an impairment loss would be recognized to the extent the carrying value exceeded the estimated fair value of the asset. The Company estimates the fair value of assets based on the estimated future discounted cash flows of the asset.
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Intangible Assets and Goodwill Definite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of patient base, facility trade names and customer relationships. Patient base is amortized over a period of four to eight months, depending on the classification of the patients and the level of occupancy in a new acquisition on the acquisition date. Trade names at independent subsidiaries are amortized over 30 years and customer relationships are amortized over a period of up to 20 years.
The Company's indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names and Medicare and Medicaid licenses. The Company tests indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the intangible asset may not be recoverable.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations. The Company tests goodwill during the fourth quarter of each year or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment. The Company performs its analysis for each reporting unit that constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is produced and reviewed by operating segment management and provides services that are distinct from the other components of the operating segment, in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (ASC 350). This guidance provides the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If, based on a review of qualitative factors, it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company performs a goodwill impairment test by comparing the carrying value of each reporting unit to its respective fair value. The Company determines the estimated fair value of each reporting unit using a discounted cash flow analysis. The fair value of the reporting unit is the implied fair value of goodwill. In the event a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss will be recognized. An impairment loss is measured by the difference between the carrying value of the reporting unit and its fair value. The Company anticipates that the majority of goodwill recognized will be fully deductible for tax purposes as of December 31, 2024.
Self-Insurance
Self-Insurance — The Company is partially self-insured for general and professional liability claims up to a base amount per claim (the self-insured retention) with an aggregate, one-time deductible above this limit. Losses beyond these amounts are insured through third-party policies with coverage limits per claim, per location and on an aggregate basis for the Company. The combined self-insured retention is $750 per claim, subject to an additional one-time deductible of $1,500 for the Company's independent subsidiaries in California. For the independent subsidiaries not in California, the self-insured claim is $650 per claim, subject to an additional one-time, deductible of $1,400. For all independent subsidiaries, except those located in Colorado, the third-party coverage above these limits is $1,000 per claim, $3,000 per operation, with a $10,000 aggregate limit and an additional state-specific aggregate where required by state law. In Colorado, the third-party coverage above these limits is $1,000 per claim and $3,000 per operation, which is independent of the aforementioned aggregate limits that apply outside of Colorado. Subsequent to December 31, 2024, the combined self-insured retention is $1,000 per claim ($750 if an enforceable arbitration agreement applies), subject to an additional one-time deductible of $2,950 for the Company's independent subsidiaries in California. For the independent subsidiaries not in California, the self-insured claim is $750 per claim ($650 if an enforceable arbitration agreement applies), subject to an additional one-time, deductible of $4,500.
The majority of the self-insured retention and deductible limits for general and professional liabilities and workers' compensation liabilities are self-insured through the captive insurance subsidiary, the related assets and liabilities of which are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The captive insurance subsidiary is subject to certain statutory requirements as an insurance provider.
The Company’s policy is to accrue amounts equal to the actuarial estimated costs to settle open claims of insureds, as well as an estimate of the cost of insured claims that have been incurred but not reported. The Company develops information about the size of the ultimate claims based on historical experience, current industry information and actuarial analysis, and evaluates the estimates for claim loss exposure on a quarterly basis. The Company uses actuarial valuations to estimate the liability based on historical experience and industry information.
The Company’s independent subsidiaries are self-insured for workers’ compensation liabilities in California. To protect itself against loss exposure in California with this policy, the Company has purchased individual specific excess insurance coverage that insures individual claims that exceed $625 per occurrence. In Texas, the independent subsidiaries have elected non-subscriber status for workers’ compensation claims and the Company has purchased individual stop-loss coverage that insures individual claims that exceed $750 per occurrence. The Company’s independent subsidiaries in all other states, with the exception of Washington, are under a loss sensitive plan that insures individual claims that exceed $350 per occurrence. In the state of Washington, the Company is self-insured and has purchased individual specific excess insurance coverage that insures individual claims that exceed $500 per occurrence. For all of the self-insured plans and retention, the Company accrues amounts equal to the estimated costs to settle open claims, as well as an estimate of the cost of claims that have been incurred but not reported. The Company uses actuarial valuations to estimate the liability based on historical experience and industry information.
The Company self-funds medical (including prescription drugs) and dental healthcare benefits to the majority of its employees. The Company is fully liable for all financial and legal aspects of these benefit plans. To protect itself against loss exposure with this policy, the Company has purchased individual stop-loss insurance coverage that insures individual claims that exceed $525 for each covered person.
The Company believes that adequate provision has been made in the Financial Statements for liabilities that may arise out of patient care, workers’ compensation, healthcare benefits and related services provided to date. The amount of the Company’s reserves was determined based on an estimation process that uses information obtained from both company-specific and industry data. This estimation process requires the Company to continuously monitor and evaluate the life cycle of the claims. Using data obtained from this monitoring and the Company’s assumptions about emerging trends, the Company, with the assistance of an independent actuary, develops information about the size of ultimate claims based on the Company’s historical experience and other available industry information. The most significant assumptions used in the estimation process include determining the trend in costs, the expected cost of claims incurred but not reported and the expected costs to settle or pay damage awards with respect to unpaid claims. The self-insured liabilities are based upon estimates, and while management believes that the estimates of loss are reasonable, the ultimate liability may be in excess of or less than the recorded amounts. Due to the inherent volatility of actuarially determined loss estimates, it is reasonably possible that the Company could experience changes in estimated losses that could be material to net income. If the Company’s actual liabilities exceed its estimates of losses, its future earnings, cash flows and financial condition would be adversely affected.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes — Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at tax rates in effect when such temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Company generally expects to fully utilize its deferred tax assets; however, when necessary, the Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its net deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
In determining the need for a valuation allowance or the need for and magnitude of liabilities for uncertain tax positions, the Company makes certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are based on, among other things, knowledge of operations, markets, historical trends and likely future changes and, when appropriate, the opinions of advisors with knowledge and expertise in certain fields. Due to certain risks associated with the Company’s estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ.
Standard Bearer was organized, has operated and intends to continue to operate in a manner to qualify for taxation as a REIT. In order to qualify as a REIT, Standard Bearer must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute to its shareholders, which in this case is the Company, at least 90% of its annual taxable income. As a REIT, Standard Bearer generally will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes as qualifying dividends, all of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders. If Standard Bearer fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates and generally will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service grants the Company relief under certain statutory provisions.
Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling Interest The noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is initially recognized at estimated fair value on the acquisition date and is presented within total equity in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company presents the noncontrolling interest and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc. in its consolidated statements of income. Net income per share is calculated based on net income attributable to The Ensign Group, Inc.'s stockholders. The carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest is adjusted based on an allocation of subsidiary earnings based on ownership interest.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based CompensationThe Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options and restricted stock awards based on estimated fair values, ratably over the requisite service period of the award. Net income has been reduced as a result of the recognition of the fair value of all stock options and restricted stock awards issued, the amount of which is based upon the number of grants and other variables. As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income was based on awards expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and, if necessary, revises the estimate in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ.
Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income The Company does not have any components of other comprehensive income recorded within its Financial Statements and, therefore, does not separately present a statement of comprehensive income in its Financial Statements.
Recently Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Except for rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws and a limited number of grandfathered standards, the FASB ASC is the sole source of authoritative GAAP literature recognized by the FASB and applicable to the Company. For any new pronouncements announced, the Company considers whether the new pronouncements could alter previous generally accepted accounting principles and determines whether any new or modified principles will have a material impact on the Company's reported financial position or operations in the near term. The applicability of any standard is subject to the formal review of the Company's financial management and certain standards are under consideration.
Recent Accounting Standards Adopted by the Company — In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-07 "Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures," which requires the Company to expand the breadth and frequency of segment disclosures to include additional information about significant segment expenses, the chief operating decision maker (CODM) and other items, and also require the annual disclosures on an interim basis. This guidance was effective for annual periods beginning with the Company's fiscal year 2024, and in interim periods within the Company's fiscal year 2025. The Company adopted the requirements of this ASU in Note 8, Business Segments of this Annual Report.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted — In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06 "Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative," which amends U.S. GAAP to include 14 disclosure requirements that are currently required under SEC Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K. Each amendment will be effective on the date on which the SEC removes the related disclosure requirement from SEC Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Financial Statements as these requirements were previously incorporated under the SEC Regulations.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures," which requires the Company to disclose disaggregated jurisdictional and categorical information for the tax rate reconciliation, income taxes paid and other income tax related amounts. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning with the Company's fiscal year 2025, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 "Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses," which requires the Company to disaggregate key expense categories such as employee compensation, depreciation and intangible asset amortization within its financial statements. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annuals periods beginning with the Company's fiscal year 2027, and interim periods within the Company's fiscal year 2028, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.