<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001437749-24-024307.txt : 20240801
<SEC-HEADER>0001437749-24-024307.hdr.sgml : 20240801
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20240801163812
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001437749-24-024307
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20240722
FILED AS OF DATE:		20240801
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20240801

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Shelly Timothy J.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0002031428
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13489
		FILM NUMBER:		241167382

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 VINE STREET
		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>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rdgdoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>INITIAL FILING
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2024-07-22</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0002031428</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Shelly Timothy J.</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>Sr.VP Operations</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Shares of Common Stock in my name and/or my spouse's name</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>614</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </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>2400</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to Purchase Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>53.9400</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2024-03-08</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2028-03-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7200</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <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>8000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <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 February 18, 2022. The grant and exercise of these stock options are exempt from Section 16(b) pursuant to Rule 16b-3(d).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">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="F3">These stock options were granted pursuant to the 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan on March 5, 2024. The grant and exercise of these stock options are exempt from Section 16(b) pursuant to Rule 16b-3(d).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Timothy J. Shelly</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2024-07-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
