Certain of our assets and liabilities are measured at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or the price that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value and requires companies to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy consists of three levels based on the objectivity of the inputs as follows:


Level 1 Inputs						Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs						Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3 Inputs						Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

The table below sets forth our fair value hierarchy for our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
June 30, 2024
Assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	7,157	$	—	$	7,157
Convertible debt investment	—		—		57,550		57,550
Foreign exchange forward contracts	—		25		—		25
Deferred compensation assets	—		38,978		—		38,978
Total assets	$	—	$	46,160	$	57,550	$	103,710
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	78	$	—	$	78
Foreign exchange forward contracts	—		7		—		7
Contingent consideration for business acquisitions	—		—		694		694
Total liabilities	$	—	$	85	$	694	$	779
December 31, 2023
Assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	7,546	$	—	$	7,546
Convertible debt investment	—		—		68,046		68,046
Deferred compensation assets	—		34,826		—		34,826
Total assets	$	—	$	42,372	$	68,046	$	110,418
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	307	$	—	$	307
Foreign exchange forward contracts	—		70		—		70
Contingent consideration for business acquisitions	—		—		2,074		2,074
Total liabilities	$	—	$	377	$	2,074	$	2,451

Interest rate swaps: The fair values of our interest rate swaps were derived using estimates to settle the interest rate swap agreements, which are based on the net present value of expected future cash flows on each leg of the swaps utilizing market-based inputs and a discount rate reflecting the risks involved. Refer to Note 9 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity” for additional information on our interest rate swaps.

Foreign exchange forward contracts: The fair values of our foreign exchange forward contracts were derived using estimates to settle the foreign exchange forward contracts agreements, which are based on the net present value of expected future cash flows on each contract utilizing market-based inputs, including both forward and spot prices, and a discount rate reflecting the risks involved. Refer to Note 9 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity” for additional information on our foreign exchange forward contracts.

Deferred compensation assets: We have a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) for the members of our board of directors and a select group of our employees. The deferred compensation liability is funded by the Plan assets, which consist of life insurance policies maintained within a trust. The cash surrender value of the life insurance policies approximates fair value and is based on third-party broker statements which provide the fair value of the life insurance policies' underlying investments, which are Level 2 inputs. The cash surrender value of the life insurance policies is invested primarily in mutual funds. The Plan assets are included in other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) from the deferred compensation assets are recorded to other income (expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations.

Convertible debt investment: Since 2014, we have invested $40.9 million in the form of 1.69% convertible debt in Shorelight Holdings, LLC (“Shorelight”), the parent company of Shorelight, a U.S.-based company that partners with leading nonprofit universities to increase access to and retention of international students, boost institutional growth, and enhance an institution’s global footprint. The convertible notes will mature on January 17, 2027, unless converted earlier.

To determine the appropriate accounting treatment for our investment, we performed a variable interest entity (“VIE”) analysis and concluded that Shorelight does not meet the definition of a VIE. We also reviewed the characteristics of our investment to confirm that the convertible notes are not in-substance common stock that would warrant equity method accounting. After we reviewed all of the terms of the investment, we concluded the appropriate accounting treatment to be that of an available-for-sale debt security. We continue to monitor the key factors of our VIE analysis and the terms of the convertible notes to ensure our accounting treatment is appropriate. We have not identified any changes to Shorelight or our investment that would change our classification of the investment as an available-for-sale debt security.

The investment is carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. The carrying value is recorded in long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets. We estimate the fair value of our investment using a scenario-based approach in the form of a hybrid analysis that consists of a Monte Carlo simulation model and an expected return analysis. The conclusion of value for our investment is based on the probability-weighted assessment of both scenarios. The hybrid analysis utilizes certain assumptions including the assumed holding period through the maturity date of January 17, 2027; the applicable waterfall distribution at the end of the expected holding period based on the rights and privileges of the various instruments; cash flow projections discounted at the risk-adjusted rate of 23.5% and 24.5% as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; and the concluded equity volatility of 40.0% and 35.0% as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, all of which are Level 3 inputs. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of the investment, which would result in different impacts to our consolidated balance sheet and comprehensive income. Actual results may differ from our estimates.

Contingent consideration for business acquisitions: We estimate the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration using either a probability-weighted assessment of the specific financial performance targets being measured or a Monte Carlo simulation model, as appropriate. These fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 inputs. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of our contingent consideration are our measures of the estimated payouts based on internally generated financial projections on a probability-weighted basis and a discount rate which was 6.3% as of both June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The fair value of the contingent consideration is reassessed quarterly based on assumptions used in our latest projections and input provided by practice leaders and management. Any change in the fair value estimate is recorded to other gains, net in our consolidated statement of operations for that period. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of our contingent consideration liability, which would result in different impacts to our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations. Actual results may differ from our estimates.

The table below sets forth the changes in the balance of the contingent consideration for business acquisitions for the six months ended June 30, 2024.


	Contingent Consideration for Business Acquisitions
Balance as of December 31, 2023	$	2,074
Acquisition	36
Payment	(1,000)
Change in fair value	(416)
Balance as of June 30, 2024	$	694

In the fourth quarter of 2019, we invested $5.0 million in a hospital-at-home company. The investment was made in the form of preferred stock. To determine the appropriate accounting treatment for our preferred stock investment, we performed a VIE analysis and concluded that the company does not meet the definition of a VIE. We also reviewed the characteristics of our investment to confirm that the preferred stock is not in-substance common stock that would warrant equity method accounting. After we reviewed all of the terms of the investment,

we concluded the appropriate accounting treatment for our investment to be that of an equity security with no readily determinable fair value. We elected to apply the measurement alternative at the time of the purchase and will continue to do so until the investment does not qualify to be so measured. Under the measurement alternative, the investment is carried at cost minus impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment in the same company. On a quarterly basis, we review the information available to determine whether an orderly and observable transaction for the same or similar equity instrument occurred or if factors indicate that a significant decrease in value has occurred. We remeasure to the fair value of the preferred stock using such identified information with changes in the fair value recorded in our consolidated statement of operations.

During the first six months of 2024 and 2023, there were no observable price changes or impairments of our preferred stock investment. Since our initial investment, we have recognized cumulative unrealized gains of $28.6 million and cumulative unrealized losses of $26.3 million. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying value of our preferred stock investment was $7.4 million.

The carrying value of our borrowings outstanding under our senior secured credit facility is stated at cost. Our carrying value approximates fair value, using Level 2 inputs, as the senior secured credit facility bears interest at variable rates based on current market rates as set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement. Refer to Note 7 “Financing Arrangements” for additional information on our senior secured credit facility.

Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair market value. The carrying values of all other financial instruments not described above reasonably approximate fair market value due to the nature of the financial instruments and the short-term maturity of these items.