2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of LTC, our wholly‑owned subsidiaries and our controlled partnership, prior to its liquidation in 2013. All intercompany investments, accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Any reference to the number of properties, number of schools, number of units, number of beds, and yield on investments in real estate are unaudited and outside the scope of our independent registered public accounting firm’s audit of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period consolidated financial statements to conform to the current period presentation, including changes in presentation of Provision for doubtful accounts as a result of the application of accounting guidance for presentation of each major income statement caption prescribed by Regulation S-X and change in presentation of Debt issue cost as a result of early adoption of accounting guidance for presentation of debt issuance cost as a reduction from the carrying amount of debt liability. These adjustments are normal and recurring in nature.

Use of Estimates. Preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased and are stated at cost which approximates market.

Owned Properties. We make estimates as part of our allocation of the purchase price of acquisitions to the various components of the acquisition based upon the fair value of each component. In determining fair value, we use current appraisals or other third party opinions of value. The most significant components of our allocations are typically the allocation of fair value to land and buildings and, for certain of our acquisitions, in‑place leases and other intangible assets. In the case of the fair value of buildings and the allocation of value to land and other intangibles, the estimates of the values of these components will affect the amount of depreciation and amortization we record over the estimated useful life of the property acquired or the remaining lease term. In the case of the value of in‑place leases, we make best estimates based on the evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease. Factors considered include estimates of carrying costs during hypothetical expected lease‑up periods, market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. These assumptions affect the amount of future revenue that we will recognize over the remaining lease term for the acquired in‑place leases. We evaluate each purchase transaction to determine whether the acquired assets meet the definition of a business. Transaction costs related to acquisitions that are not deemed to be businesses are included in the cost basis of the acquired assets, while transaction costs related to acquisitions that are deemed to be businesses are expensed as incurred.

We capitalize direct construction and development costs, including predevelopment costs, interest, property taxes, insurance and other costs directly related and essential to the acquisition, development or construction of a real estate asset. We capitalize construction and development costs while substantive activities are ongoing to prepare an asset for its intended use. We consider a construction project as substantially complete and held available for occupancy upon the issuance of the certificate of occupancy. Costs incurred after a project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, or after development activities have ceased, are expensed as incurred. For redevelopment, renovation and expansion of existing operating properties, we capitalize the cost for the construction and improvement incurred in connection with the redevelopment, renovation and expansion. Costs previously capitalized related to abandoned acquisitions or developments are charged to earnings. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Depreciation is computed principally by the straight‑line method for financial reporting purposes over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 5 years for computers, 3 to 15 years for furniture and equipment, 35 to 50 years for buildings, 10 to 20 years for building improvements and the respective lease term for acquired lease intangibles.

Mortgage Loans Receivable. Mortgage loans receivable we originate are recorded on an amortized cost basis. Mortgage loans we acquire are recorded at fair value at the time of purchase net of any related premium or discount which is amortized as a yield adjustment to interest income over the life of the loan.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon the expected collectability of our receivables and is maintained at a level believed adequate to absorb potential losses in our receivables. In determining the allowance we perform a quarterly evaluation of all receivables. If this evaluation indicates that there is a greater risk of receivable charge‑offs, additional allowances are recorded in current period earnings.

Debt Issuance Cost. In April 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03 (or ASU 2015-03), Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. ASU 2015-03 requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements (Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting) (or ASU 2015-15). ASU 2015-15 allows debt issuance costs related to line of credit agreements to be presented in the balance sheet as an asset. ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We have early adopted ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15 as of December 31, 2015 using the full retrospective method as required by these ASUs and we elected to present debt issuance costs related to our unsecured revolving line of credit as an asset on our consolidated balance sheet. As a result, $1,049,000 of debt issuance costs previously reported within “debt issuance costs” were reclassified to “Senior unsecured notes” line item on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014.

Impairments. Assets that are classified as held-for-use are periodically evaluated for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired or the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable through future undiscounted cash flows. Management assesses the impairment of properties individually and impairment losses are calculated as the excess of the carrying amount over the estimated fair value of assets as of the measurement date. In determining fair value, we use current appraisals or other third party opinions of value and other estimates of fair value such as estimated discounted future cash flows.

Also, we evaluate the carrying values of mortgage loans receivable on an individual basis. Management periodically evaluates the realizability of future cash flows from the mortgage loan receivable when events or circumstances, such as the non‑receipt of principal and interest payments and/or significant deterioration of the financial condition of the borrower, indicate that the carrying amount of the mortgage loan receivable may not be recoverable. An impairment charge is recognized in current period earnings and is calculated as the difference between the carrying amount of the mortgage loan receivable and the discounted cash flows expected to be received, or if foreclosure is probable, the fair value of the collateral securing the mortgage.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The FASB requires the disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. Accordingly, the aggregate fair market value amounts presented in the notes to these consolidated financial statements do not represent our underlying carrying value in financial instruments.

The FASB provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. The FASB emphasizes that fair value is a market‑based measurement, not an entity‑specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the FASB establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy). Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices).

The fair value guidance issued by the FASB excludes accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements for purposes of lease classification or measurement. However, this scope exception does not apply to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that are required to be measured at fair value, regardless of whether those assets and liabilities are related to leases.

In accordance with the accounting guidance regarding the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities, entities are permitted to choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, with the change in unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected reported in earnings. We have not elected the fair value option for any of our financial assets or liabilities.

The FASB requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. See Note 14. Fair Value Measurements for the disclosure about fair value of our financial instruments.

Consolidation. At inception, and on an ongoing basis, as circumstances indicate the need for reconsideration, we evaluate each legal entity that is not wholly-owned by us for consolidation, first under the variable interest model, then under the voting model. Our evaluation considers all of our variable interests, including common or preferred equity ownership, loans, and other participating instruments. The variable interest model applies to entities that meet both of the following criteria:

• A legal structure been established to conduct business activities and to hold assets.

• The entity established has variable interests - i.e. it has equity ownership or other financial interests that change with changes in the fair value of the entity's net assets.

If an entity does not meet these criteria, or qualifies for a scope exception from the variable interest model, then we evaluate such entity under the voting model or apply other GAAP, including the cost or equity method of accounting.

A legal entity is determined to be a variable interest entity (or VIE) if it has any of the following three characteristics:

The entity does not have sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support;

The equity holders, as a group lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, as evidenced by all of the following characteristics:

• The power, through voting rights or similar rights, to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance;

• The obligation to absorb the entity's expected losses;

• The right to receive the entity's expected residual returns; or

The entity is established with non-substantive voting rights (i.e. the entity is structured such that majority economic interest holder(s) have disproportionately few voting rights).

If any of the three characteristics of a VIE are met, we conclude that the entity is a VIE and evaluate it for consolidation under the variable interest model.

If an entity is determined to be a variable interest entity VIE, we evaluate whether we are the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary analysis is a qualitative analysis based on power and benefits. We consolidate a VIE if we have both power and benefits - that is (i) we have the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance (power), and (ii) we have the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that potentially could be significant to the VIE (benefits). If we have a variable interest in a VIE but we are not the primary beneficiary, we account for our investment using the equity method of accounting.

If a legal entity fails to meet any of the three of the characteristics of a VIE, we evaluate such entity under the voting interest model. Under the voting interest model, we consolidate the entity if we determine that we, directly or indirectly, have greater than 50% of the voting shares or if we are the general partner or managing member of the entity and the limited partners or non-managing members do not have substantive participating, liquidation, or kick-out rights that preclude our presumption of control.

In February 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02 (or ASU 2015-02), Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ASU 2015-02 amends the consolidation guidance for variable interest entities and voting interest entities, among other items, by eliminating the consolidation model previously applied to limited partnerships, emphasizing the risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest and reducing the frequency of the application of related-party guidance when determining a controlling financial interest. This update modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities, and eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. This update affects the consolidation analyses of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related-party relationships. For public business entities, the update is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of adopting this new guidance on our unconsolidated equity investments and other contractual relationships.

Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures. From time to time, we provide funding to third party operators for the acquisition, development and construction (or ADC) of a property. Under an ADC arrangement, we may participate in the residual profits of the project through the sale or refinancing of the property. We evaluate the ADC arrangement to determine if it has characteristics similar to a loan or if the characteristics are more similar to a joint venture or partnership such as participating in the risks and rewards of the project as an owner or an investment partner. If we determine that the characteristics are more similar to a jointly-owned investment or partnership, we account for the ADC arrangement as an investment in an unconsolidated joint venture under the equity method of accounting or a direct investment (consolidated basis of accounting) instead of applying loan accounting. If we determine the ADC arrangement should be accounted for as an investment rather than a loan, we evaluate the investment pursuant to ASC 805, Consolidation, to determine whether the ADC arrangement meets the definition of a VIE and whether we are the primary beneficiary. If the ADC arrangement is deemed to be a VIE but we are not the primary beneficiary, or if it is deemed to be a voting interest entity but we do not have a controlling financial interest, we account for our investment in the ADC arrangement using the equity method. Under the equity method, we initially record our investment at cost and subsequently recognize our share of net earnings or losses and other comprehensive income or loss, cash contributions made and distributions received, and other adjustments, as appropriate. Allocations of net income or loss may be subject to preferred returns or allocation formulas defined in operating agreements and may not be according to percentage ownership interests. In certain circumstances where we have a substantive profit-sharing arrangement which provides a priority return on our investment, a portion of our equity in earnings may consist of a change in our claim on the net assets of the underlying joint venture. Distributions of operating profit from the joint ventures are reported as part of operating cash flows, while distributions related to a capital transaction, such as a refinancing transaction or sale, are reported as investing activities.

We perform a quarterly evaluation of our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures to determine whether the fair value of each investment is less than the carrying value, and, if such decrease in value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, writes the investment down to its estimated fair value as of the measurement date.

Revenue Recognition. Interest income on mortgage loans is recognized using the effective interest method. We follow a policy related to mortgage interest whereby we consider a loan to be non‑performing after 60 days of non‑ payment of amounts due and do not recognize unpaid mortgage interest income from that loan until the past due amounts have been received.

Rental income from operating leases is generally recognized on a straight‑line basis over the terms of the leases. Substantially all of our leases contain provisions for specified annual increases over the rents of the prior year and are generally computed in one of four methods depending on specific provisions of each lease as follows:

(i)

a specified annual increase over the prior year’s rent, generally between 2.0% and 3.0%;

(ii)

a calculation based on the Consumer Price Index;

(iii)

as a percentage of facility revenues in excess of base amounts or

(iv)

specific dollar increases.

The FASB does not provide for the recognition of contingent revenue until all possible contingencies have been eliminated. We consider the operating history of the lessee and the general condition of the industry when evaluating whether all possible contingencies have been eliminated and have historically, and expect in the future, to not include contingent rents as income until received. We follow a policy related to rental income whereby we consider a lease to be non‑performing after 60 days of non‑payment of past due amounts and do not recognize unpaid rental income from that lease until the amounts have been received.

Rental revenues relating to non‑contingent leases that contain specified rental increases over the life of the lease are recognized on the straight‑line basis. Recognizing income on a straight‑line basis requires us to calculate the total non‑contingent rent containing specified rental increases over the life of the lease and to recognize the revenue evenly over that life. This method results in rental income in the early years of a lease being higher than actual cash received, creating a straight‑line rent receivable asset included in our consolidated balance sheet. At some point during the lease, depending on its terms, the cash rent payments eventually exceed the straight‑line rent which results in the straight‑line rent receivable asset decreasing to zero over the remainder of the lease term. We assess the collectability of straight‑line rent in accordance with the applicable accounting standards and our reserve policy. If the lessee becomes delinquent in rent owed under the terms of the lease, we may provide a reserve against the recognized straight‑line rent receivable asset for a portion, up to its full value, that we estimate may not be recoverable.

Payments made to or on behalf of our lessees represent incentives that are deferred and amortized as a yield adjustment over the term of the lease on a straight-line basis. Net loan fee income and commitment fee income are amortized over the life of the related loan.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (or ASU 2014-09), Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606. ASU 2014-09 provides for a single comprehensive principles based standard for the recognition of revenue across all industries through the application of the following five-step process:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 3: Determine the transaction price.

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

ASU 2014-09 requires expanded disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim reporting periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2016. In July 2015, FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date to December 2017. However, the FASB will permit public companies to adopt the amendment as of the original effective date. Early adoption prior to the original effective date is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the effects of this adoption on our consolidated financial statements.

Federal Income Taxes. LTC qualifies as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and as such, no provision for Federal income taxes has been made. A REIT is required to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders and a REIT may deduct dividends in computing taxable income. If a REIT distributes 100% of its taxable income and complies with other Internal Revenue Code requirements, it will generally not be subject to Federal income taxation.

For Federal tax purposes, depreciation is generally calculated using the straight‑line method over a period of 27.5 years. Earnings and profits, which determine the taxability of distributions to stockholders, use the straight‑line method over 40 years. Both Federal taxable income and earnings and profits differ from net income for financial statement purposes principally due to the treatment of certain interest income, rental income, other expense items, impairment charges and the depreciable lives and basis of assets. At December 31, 2015, the tax basis of our net depreciable assets exceeds our book basis by approximately $56,074,000 (unaudited), primarily due to an investment recorded as an acquisition for tax and a mortgage loan for GAAP.

The FASB clarified the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. The guidance utilizes a two‑step approach for evaluating tax positions. Recognition (step one) occurs when a company concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. Measurement (step two) is only addressed if step one has been satisfied (i.e., the position is more likely than not to be sustained). Under step two, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit (determined on a cumulative probability basis) that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. We currently do not have any uncertain tax positions that would not be sustained on its technical merits on a more‑likely than not basis.

We may from time to time be assessed interest or penalties by certain tax jurisdictions. In the event we have received an assessment for interest and/or penalties, it has been classified in our consolidated financial statements as General and administrative expenses.

Concentrations of Credit Risk. Financial instruments which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, mortgage loans receivable, marketable debt securities and operating leases on owned properties. Our financial instruments, mortgage loans receivable and operating leases, are subject to the possibility of loss of carrying value as a result of the failure of other parties to perform according to their contractual obligations or changes in market prices which may make the instrument less valuable. We obtain various collateral and other protective rights, and continually monitor these rights, in order to reduce such possibilities of loss. In addition, we provide reserves for potential losses based upon management’s periodic review of our portfolio. See Note 3. Major Operators for further discussion of concentrations of credit risk from our tenants.

Discontinued Operations. Properties classified as held‑for‑sale on the consolidated balance sheet include only those properties available for immediate sale in their present condition and for which management believes that it is probable that a sale of the property will be completed within one year. Accordingly, we record reclassification adjustments to reflect properties sold subsequent to the respective consolidated balance sheet date as held‑for‑ sale in the prior period consolidated balance sheet. Properties held‑for‑sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated selling costs. No depreciation expense is recognized on properties held‑for‑sale once they have been classified as such. The operating results of real estate assets designated as held‑for‑sale are included in discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of income. In addition, all gains and losses from real estate sold are also included in discontinued operations.

In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08 (or ASU 2014-08), Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. The amendments in ASU 2014-08 change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. Under ASU 2014-08, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. Those strategic shifts should have a major effect on the organization’s operations and financial results. Examples include a disposal of a major geographic area, a major line of business, or a major equity method investment. ASU 2014-08 is effective in the first quarter of 2015 with early adoption permitted. We elected early adoption of ASU 2014-08 and have not reclassified results of operations for properties disposed subsequent to January 1, 2014 as discontinued operations as these disposals do not represent strategic shifts in our operations.

Extraordinary Items. In January 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01 (or ASU 2015-01), Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items. ASU 2015-01 eliminates the separate classification, presentation and disclosure of extraordinary events and transactions. ASU 2015-01 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We elected early adoption of ASU 2015-01 as of January 1, 2015. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Net Income Per Share. Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted‑average shares of common stock outstanding during the period excluding common stock equivalents. Diluted earnings per share includes the effect of all dilutive common stock equivalents.

In accordance with the accounting guidance regarding the determination of whether instruments granted in share‑based payments transactions are participating securities, we have applied the two‑class method of computing basic earnings per share. This guidance clarifies that outstanding unvested share‑based payment awards that contain rights to non‑forfeitable dividends participate in undistributed earnings with common stockholders and are considered participating securities.

Stock‑Based Compensation. The FASB requires all share‑based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. We use the Black‑Scholes‑Merton formula to estimate the value of stock options granted to employees. This model requires management to make certain estimates including stock volatility, expected dividend yield and the expected term. If management incorrectly estimates these variables, the results of operations could be affected. The FASB also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow. Because we qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, we are generally not subject to Federal income taxation. Therefore, this reporting requirement does not have an impact on our statement of cash flows.

Segment Disclosures. The FASB accounting guidance regarding disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information establishes standards for the manner in which public business enterprises report information about operating segments. Our investment decisions in senior housing and health care properties, including mortgage loans, property lease transactions and other investments, are made and resulting investments are managed as a single operating segment for internal reporting and for internal decision‑making purposes. Therefore, we have concluded that we operate as a single segment.