<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001437749-24-014187.txt : 20240501
<SEC-HEADER>0001437749-24-014187.hdr.sgml : 20240501
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20240501164054
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001437749-24-014187
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20240430
FILED AS OF DATE:		20240501
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20240501

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LAROCHE RICHARD F JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001012859
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES [8051]
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	08 Industrial Applications and Services
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13489
		FILM NUMBER:		24903699

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 1398
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37133-1398

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>OPTION EXERCISE
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    <periodOfReport>2024-04-30</periodOfReport>

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        <issuerCik>0001047335</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NHC</issuerTradingSymbol>
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            <rptOwnerName>LAROCHE RICHARD F JR</rptOwnerName>
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            <rptOwnerStreet1>100 VINE STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MURFREESBORO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37130</rptOwnerZipCode>
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            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock - Fam. Partnership (LR Ent.)</value>
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                    <value>GP</value>
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            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to Purchase Common Stock [2019 Grant]</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>77.92</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2024-04-30</value>
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            <transactionCoding>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
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            <expirationDate>
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            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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            <expirationDate>
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                    <value>D</value>
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            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to Purchase Common Stock [2022 Grant]</value>
            </securityTitle>
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                <value>69.1900</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2023-05-05</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2024-05-04</value>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                <value>Option to Purchase Common Stock [2023 Grant]</value>
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                <value>55.7500</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2024-05-04</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2028-05-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These stock options were granted pursuant to the 2010 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan on May 9, 2019. The grant and exercise of these stock options are exempt from Section 16(b) pursuant to Rule 16b-3(d).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Transaction totaled on the line below for securities of this title.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Shares were withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Total amount for this title following transactions reported on this form.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard F. LaRoche, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2024-05-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
