<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001437749-24-007896.txt : 20240314
<SEC-HEADER>0001437749-24-007896.hdr.sgml : 20240314
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20240314173215
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001437749-24-007896
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20240312
FILED AS OF DATE:		20240314
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20240314

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Ussery Robert Michael
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001313364
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13489
		FILM NUMBER:		24751400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 VINE STREET, SUITE 1400
		STREET 2:		P. O. BOX 1398
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37130

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001047335
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES [8051]
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	08 Industrial Applications and Services
		IRS NUMBER:				522057472
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 E. VINE ST
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37130
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6158902020

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 E. VINE ST
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37130
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rdgdoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0508</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2024-03-12</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001047335</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NHC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001313364</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Ussery Robert Michael</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>100 VINE STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MURFREESBORO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37130</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>President &amp; COO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <aff10b5One>0</aff10b5One>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Shares of Common Stock owned by myself &amp; spouse</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2024-03-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>53.94</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>157609</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Shares of Common Stock owned by myself &amp; spouse</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2024-03-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3257</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>96.48</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>154352</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to Purchase Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>63.9600</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2023-02-18</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2027-02-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4234</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4234</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to Purchase Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>53.94</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2024-03-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2024-03-08</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2028-03-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>13500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to Purchase Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>94.1000</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2025-03-05</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2029-03-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>13500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These stock options were granted pursuant to the 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan on March 8, 2023. The grant and exercise of these stock options are exempt from Section 16(b) pursuant to Rule 16b-3(d).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shares were withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price and withholding tax obligations.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Total amount of shares beneficially owned following transactions reported on this form.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ R. Michael Ussery</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2024-03-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
