PRV Province Healthcare Company

Province Healthcare Reports Fourth Quarter EPS of $0.24 From Continuing Operations BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Province Healthcare Company today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations for the fourth quarter increased 166.7% to $0.24 from $0.09 in the prior year's quarter, and for the year increased 19.4% to $0.86 from $0.72 in the prior year. Revenues from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2003 increased 14.9% to $199.1 million compared with $173.4 million in the same quarter of last year. Income from continuing operations for the quarter was $12.1 million, a 172.2% increase over last year's fourth quarter income from continuing operations of $4.5 million. Revenues from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2003, increased 13.2% to $762.0 million, compared with $673.2 million in 2002. Income from continuing operations for 2003 was $42.7 million, a 20.0% increase over last year's income from continuing operations of $35.6 million. Cash flow from operations totaled $106.2 million for the year, compared with $92.1 million in the prior year. As previously announced, the Company has signed a letter of intent to permit the Palm Beach Healthcare District to reacquire Glades General Hospital in Belle Glade, Florida. This transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2004. Pursuant to this plan of divestiture, the operations and non- cash impairment of assets charge related to this hospital are reported as "discontinued operations" and the consolidated financial statements and statistics for all prior periods have been adjusted to reflect this presentation. The Company's remaining 19 hospitals are now reported as "continuing operations." During the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment of assets charge from discontinued operations of ($8.9 million) or ($0.15) per diluted share. The Company's discontinued operations also incurred a ($0.9 million) or ($0.02) per diluted share loss from operations for the fourth quarter of 2003. For the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company's discontinued operations incurred a ($2.1 million) or ($0.04)per diluted share loss from operations and $0.5 million or $0.01 earnings per diluted share, respectively. For the fourth quarter of 2003 and 2002, actual and same-store hospital statistics include 19 hospitals. Inpatient admissions increased 6.1% inthe fourth quarter of 2003 compared to the prior year, adjusted admissions increased 6.9%, and net patient revenue per adjusted admission increased 7.4%. The Company announced its 2004 objectives for continuing operations as follows: 1% to 3% same-store hospital admissions growth, 4% to 6% same-store revenue growth, and EPS growth of 14% to 16% for the year. Martin S. Rash, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Province Healthcare, said, "We are extremely pleased with our 2003 results. Cash flow from operations reached $106.2 million, a Company record; we saw 106 new physicians begin practicing in our communities, another Province record; and revenues increased a robust 13.2%. The outlook for 2004 is also positive, as operating trends continue to be strong." A listen-only simulcast, of Province Healthcare's fourth quarter conference call, will be available on-line at http://www.prhc.net/ on February 19, 2004, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The Company owns or leases 20 general acute care hospitals (including one classified as "discontinued operations") in 13 states with a total of 2,262 licensed beds. The Company also provides management services to 36 non- urban hospitals in 14 states with a total of 2,985 licensed beds. Certain statements contained in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may include projections of revenues, income or loss, capital expenditures, capital structure or other financial items, statements regarding the plans and objectives of management for future operations, statements of future economic performance, statements of the assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoingstatements, and other statements which are other than statements of historical fact. These statements are based on current estimates of future events, and the Company has no obligation to update or correct these estimates unless considered material tothe Company. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks include, among others, risks associatedwith general economic and business conditions, the effect of future governmental regulations, changes in reimbursement levels by government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid or other third party payers, the Company's continued ability to recruit and retain physicians and the Company's ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions. Those and other risks are described in the Company's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) December 31, December 31, 2003 2002(*) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $46,134 $14,648 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $66,875 in 2003 and $64,762 in 2002 111,957 109,948 Inventories 18,424 19,203 Prepaid expenses and other 11,832 13,649 Assets of discontinued operations 14,569 26,374 202,916 183,822 Property and equipment, net 460,031 440,358 Goodwill 309,271 311,172 Unallocated purchase price -- 466 Other assets 36,907 36,681 $1,009,125 $972,499 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $16,343 $19,735 Accrued salaries and benefits 28,740 24,478 Accrued expenses 14,238 12,877 Currentportion of long-term debt 743 974 Liabilities of discontinued operations 2,749 4,947 62,813 63,011 Long-term debt, less current portion 447,956 460,370 Other liabilities 49,573 33,304 Minority interests 1,910 2,612 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock - $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding -- -- Common stock - $0.01 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2003 and 2002, issued and outstanding 48,841,157 shares and 48,581,549 shares at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively 488 486 Additional paid-in-capital 306,091 304,102 Retained earnings 141,186 109,567 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (892) (953) Total stockholders' equity 446,873 413,202 $1,009,125 $972,499 (*) Derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Province and its subsidiaries, contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2003. PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Fourth Quarter 2003 2002 % of % of Amount Revenues Amount Revenues Revenues: Net patient revenue $192,174 $167,373 Other 6,941 5,985 199,115 100.0% 173,358 100.0% Expenses: Salaries, wages and benefits 74,886 37.6 73,113 42.2 Purchased services 18,132 9.1 18,575 10.7 Supplies 24,536 12.3 23,103 13.3 Provision for doubtful accounts 21,582 10.8 14,268 8.2 Other operating expenses 24,927 12.6 20,745 11.9 Rentals and leases 2,415 1.2 2,393 1.4 Depreciation and amortization 10,414 5.2 8,074 4.7 Interest expense 6,916 3.5 5,839 3.4 Minority interests 59 -- (38) -- Gain on sale of assets and other -- -- (130) (0.1) Income before provision for income taxes 15,248 7.7 7,416 4.3 Income taxes 3,126 1.6 2,962 1.7 Income from continuing operations 12,122 6.1% 4,454 2.6% Discontinued operations, net of tax: Loss from operations (870) (411) Impairment of assets (8,952) -- Net income $2,300 $4,043 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: Continuing operations (a) $0.24 $0.09 Discontinued operations: Loss from operations (0.02) (0.01) Impairment of assets (0.15) -- Net income $0.07 $0.08 (a) See calculation of diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations in the Selected Operating Statistics section(attached). PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Year Ended December 31, 2003 2002 % of % of Amount Revenues Amount Revenues Revenues: Net patient revenue $735,841 $649,954 Other 26,137 23,279 761,978 100.0% 673,233 100.0% Expenses: Salaries, wages and benefits 287,466 37.7 266,651 39.6 Purchased services 69,388 9.1 70,205 10.4 Supplies 95,675 12.6 84,524 12.6 Provision for doubtful accounts 72,678 9.5 53,059 7.9 Other operating expenses 96,568 12.7 77,341 11.4 Rentals and leases 9,323 1.2 8,592 1.3 Depreciation and amortization 37,753 5.0 32,313 4.8 Interest expense 26,262 3.4 21,285 3.2 Minority interests 260 -- 34 -- Loss (gain) on sale of assets 86 -- (77) -- Loss on early extinguishment of debt 486 0.1 -- -- Income before provision for income taxes 66,033 8.7 59,306 8.8 Income taxes 23,345 3.1 23,731 3.5 Income from continuing operations 42,688 5.6% 35,575 5.3% Discontinued operations, net of tax: (Loss) earnings from operations (2,117) 537 Impairment of assets (8,952) -- Net income $31,619 $36,112 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: Continuing operations(a) $0.86 $0.72 Discontinued operations: (Loss) earnings from operations (0.04) 0.01 Impairment of assets (0.15) -- Net income $0.67 $0.73 See accompanying footnotes on previous page. PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (In thousands) Fourth Quarter 2003 2002 Cash flows from operating activities: Income from continuing operations $12,122 $4,454 Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 10,414 8,074 Deferred income taxes 10,748 7,107 Provision for professional liability 670 1,806 Gain on sale of assets -- (130) Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and disposals: Accounts receivable (4,740) 8,166 Inventories 35 29 Prepaid expenses and other (3,948) 867 Accounts payable and accrued expenses (15,128) (13,622) Accrued salaries and benefits 3,426 1,597 Other 2,618 (536) Net cash provided by operating activities 16,217 17,812 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property and equipment (9,798) (9,859) Purchase of hospitals and healthcare entities -- 550 Net cash used in investing activities (9,798) (9,309) Cash flows from financing activities: Repayments of debt (398) (5,522) Issuance of common stock 1,218 532 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 820 (4,990) Net cash provided by continuing operations 7,239 3,513 Net cash used in discontinued operations (179) (864) Increase in cash and cash equivalents 7,060 2,649 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 39,074 11,999 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $46,134 $14,648 PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (In thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2003 2002 Cash flows from operating activities: Income from continuing operations $42,688 $35,575 Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 37,753 32,313 Deferred income taxes 14,217 8,947 Provision for professional liability 5,476 7,209 Loss on early extinguishment of debt 486 -- Loss (gain) of sale of assets 86 (77) Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and disposals: Accounts receivable (994) 6,410 Inventories 712 (1,311) Prepaid expenses and other (2,662) 7,555 Accounts payable and accrued expenses (3,992) (5,254) Accrued salaries and benefits 4,262 (141) Other 8,205 885 Net cash provided by operating activities 106,237 92,111 Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property and equipment (53,766) (45,522) Purchase of hospitals and healthcare entities (3,247) (171,157) Net cash used in investing activities (57,013) (216,679) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from long-term debt 194,199 134,321 Repayments of debt (213,049) (44,048) Issuance of common stock 2,574 11,037 Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (16,276) 101,310 Net cash provided by continuing operations 32,948 (23,258) Net cash used in discontinued operations (1,462) (1,076) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 31,486 (24,334) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 14,648 38,982 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $46,134 $14,648 PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES SELECTED OPERATING STATISTICS (Unaudited) Actual Same Store(1) Fourth Quarter Fourth Quarter December 31, December 31, 2003 2002 %Change 2003 2002 %Change Consolidated Hospitals (Continuing Operations): Number of hospitals at end of period 19 19 --% 19 19 --% Licensed beds at end of period 2,189 2,207 (0.8) 2,189 2,207 (0.8) Beds in serviceat end of period 1,933 1,933 -- 1,933 1,933 -- Inpatient admissions 18,598 17,526 6.1 18,598 17,526 6.1 Adjusted admissions (2) 33,426 31,272 6.9 33,426 31,272 6.9 Net patient revenue per adjusted admission $5,749 $5,352 7.4 $5,749 $5,352 7.4 Patient days 78,964 75,103 5.1 78,964 75,103 5.1 Adjusted patient days (3) 141,925 134,051 5.9 141,925 134,051 5.9 Average length of stay (days) 4.25 4.29 (0.9) 4.25 4.29 (0.9) Net patient revenue (000's) $192,174 $167,373 14.8 $192,174 $167,373 14.8 Gross revenue (000's): Inpatient $240,819 $207,456 16.1% $240,819 $207,456 16.1% Outpatient 191,824 162,759 17.9 191,824 162,759 17.9 $432,643 $370,215 16.9 $432,643 $370,215 16.9 Net Patient Revenue by Payor (Continuing Operations): Medicare 37.9% 40.8% 37.9% 40.8% Medicaid 9.1 10.8 9.1 10.8 Other 53.0 48.4 53.0 48.4 Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Three Months Ended December 31, 2003 2002 % Change Diluted Earnings Per Share From Continuing Operations Calculation (000's, except for share amounts): Income from continuing operations $12,122 $4,454 172.2% Add convertible notes interest, net of tax (4) 1,838 -- $13,960 $4,454 Basic shares plus stock options 49,791 49,183 Convertible shares (4) 9,099 -- 58,890 49,183 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $0.24 $0.09 166.7% (1) Represents hospitals owned or leased during both periods. (2) Used by management and investors as a general measure of combined inpatient and outpatient volume. Adjusted admissions are computed by multiplying admissions (inpatient volume) by the outpatient factor. The outpatient factor is the sum of gross inpatient revenue and gross outpatient revenue divided by gross inpatient revenue. The adjusted admissions computation equates outpatient revenue to the volume measure (admissions) used to measure inpatient volume, resulting in a general measure of combined inpatient and outpatient volume. (3) Adjusted patient days are computed by multiplying patient days (inpatient volume) by the outpatient factor. The outpatient factor is the sum of gross inpatient revenue and gross outpatient revenue divided by gross inpatient revenue. The adjusted patient days computation equates outpatient revenue to the volume measure (patient days) used to measure inpatient volume, resulting in a general measure of combined inpatient and outpatient volume. (4) The Company's two outstanding series of convertible notes are anti-dilutive for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2002 and thus, are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation for such periods. PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES SELECTED OPERATING STATISTICS (Unaudited) Actual Same Store(1) Year Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2003 2002 %Change 2003 2002 %Change Consolidated Hospitals (Continuing Operations): Number of hospitals at end of period 19 19 --% 19 19 --% Licensed beds at end of period 2,189 2,207 (0.8) 2,189 2,207 (0.8) Beds in service at end of period 1,933 1,933 -- 1,933 1,933 -- Inpatient admissions 72,630 69,107 5.1 68,205 67,694 0.8 Adjusted admissions(2) 131,557 120,990 8.7 121,707 118,035 3.1 Net patient revenue per adjusted admission $5,593 $5,372 4.1 $5,521 $5,363 2.9 Patient days 307,195 299,138 2.7 287,880 293,248 (1.8) Adjusted patient days(3) 556,331 523,307 6.3 513,539 510,906 0.5 Average length of stay (days) 4.23 4.33 (2.3) 4.22 4.33 (2.5) Net patient revenue (000's) $735,841 $649,954 13.2 $671,910 $633,005 6.1 Gross revenue (000's): Inpatient $903,740 $799,358 13.1% $857,340 $787,050 8.9% Outpatient 732,844 599,333 22.3 672,018 584,687 14.9 $1,636,584 $1,398,691 17.0 $1,529,358 $1,371,737 11.5 Net Patient Revenue by Payor (Continuing Operations): Medicare 38.5% 45.4% 38.5% 45.4% Medicaid 10.311.3 10.3 11.3 Other 51.2 43.3 51.2 43.3 Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2003 2002 % Change Diluted Earnings Per Share From Continuing Operations Calculation (000's, except per share amounts): Income from continuing operations $42,688 $35,575 20.0% Add convertible notes interest, net of tax (4) 8,325 -- $51,013 $35,575 Basic shares plus stock options 49,305 49,453 Convertible shares (4) 10,243 -- 59,548 49,453 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $0.86 $0.72 19.4% See accompanying footnotes on previous page. PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) For the Year Ended December 31, 2003 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter $ % of rev $ % of rev $ % of rev Revenues: Net Patient revenue $179,680 $181,758 $182,229 Other 6,784 6,112 6,300 186,464 100.0% 187,870 100.0% 188,529 100.0% Expenses: Salaries, wages & benefits $72,355 38.8% 71,925 38.3% 68,300 36.2% Purchased services 16,650 8.9% 17,682 9.4% 16,924 9.0% Supplies 24,022 13.0% 23,065 12.3% 24,052 12.7% Provision for doubtful accts 16,041 8.6% 16,263 8.7% 18,792 10.0% Rentals and leases 2,319 1.2% 2,313 1.2% 2,276 1.2% Other operating expense 23,698 12.7% 23,524 12.5% 24,419 13.0% 155,085 83.2% 154,772 82.4% 154,763 82.1% Adjusted EBITDA (a) 31,379 16.8% 33,098 17.6% 33,766 17.9% Depreciation & amortization 8,878 4.8% 9,112 4.9% 9,349 5.0% Interest expense 5,722 3.0% 6,635 3.5% 6,989 3.7% Other (income) expense -- --% 477 0.3% 10 --% Loss on sale of assets 3 --% -- --% 82 --% Minority interests 67 --% 82 --% 52 --% Income before income taxes 16,709 9.0% 16,792 8.9% 17,284 9.2% Income taxes 6,670 3.6% 6,682 3.5% 6,867 3.7% Income from continuing operations $10,039 5.4% $10,110 5.4% $10,417 5.5% EPS Calculations: Income from continuing operations $10,039 $10,110 $10,417 Add convertible notes interest, net of tax -- -- -- $10,039 $10,110 $10,417 Diluted shares 48,758 49,032 49,639 Convertible shares -- -- -- 48,758 49,032 49,639 Diluted EPS from continuing operations $0.20 $0.21 $0.21 % change from prior year: Revenues 18.2% 13.0% 7.2% Operating expenses 21.0 14.8 6.6 Adjusted EBITDA 6.2 5.1 10.1 Income from continuing operations (8.8) (6.0) 11.2 Diluted EPS from continuing operations (9.1) (4.5) 10.5 PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) For the Year Ended December 31, 2003 Fourth Quarter Year $ % of rev $ % of rev Revenues: Net Patient revenue $192,174 $735,841 Other 6,941 26,137 199,115 100.0% 761,978 100.0% Expenses: Salaries, wages & benefits 74,886 37.6% 287,466 37.7% Purchased services 18,132 9.1% 69,388 9.1% Supplies 24,536 12.3% 95,675 12.6% Provision for doubtful accts 21,582 10.8% 72,678 9.5% Rentals and leases 2,415 1.2% 9,323 1.2% Other operating expense 24,927 12.6% 96,568 12.7% 166,478 83.6% 631,098 82.8% Adjusted EBITDA (a) 32,637 16.4% 130,880 17.2% Depreciation & amortization 10,414 5.2% 37,753 5.0% Interest expense 6,916 3.5% 26,262 3.4% Other (income) expense (1) --% 486 0.1% Loss on sale of assets 1 --% 86 --% Minority interests 59 --% 260 --% Income before income taxes 15,248 7.7% 66,033 8.7% Income taxes 3,126 1.6% 23,345 3.1% Income from continuing operations $12,122 6.1% $42,688 5.6% EPS Calculations: Income from continuing operations $12,122 $42,688 Add convertible notes interest, net of tax 1,838 8,325 $13,960 $51,013 Diluted shares 49,791 49,305 Convertible shares 9,099 10,243 58,890 59,548 Diluted EPS from continuing operations $0.24 $0.86 % change from prior year: Revenues 14.9% 13.2% Operating expenses 9.4 12.6 Adjusted EBITDA 54.2 16.0 Income from continuing operations 172.2 20.0 Diluted EPS from continuing operations 166.7 19.4 PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (continued) For the Year Ended December 31, 2003 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter % change % change % change from from from prior prior prior $ year $ year$ year Volumes (Continuing Operations): Inpatient admissions 18,724 9.7% 17,579 4.1% 17,729 0.7% Adjusted admissions 33,109 19.2% 32,143 7.9% 32,879 2.2% Net patient revenue per adjusted admission $5,427 (0.8)% $5,655 4.9% $5,542 4.8% Patient days 80,583 4.8% 74,713 2.4% 72,935 (1.7)% Adjusted patient days 142,518 13.9% 136,619 6.2% 135,269 (0.2)% Average daily census 895 4.8% 821 2.4% 793 (1.7)% Average length of stay 4.30 (4.4)% 4.25 (1.6)% 4.11 (2.4)% ER visits 73,365 20.6% 73,192 6.5% 74,031 (1.0)% Occupancy rate (average licensed beds) 40.6% (1.0)% 37.2% 3.9% 35.9% (0.3)% Occupancy rate (average .beds in service) 46.3% (4.1)% 42.5% 4.4% 41.0% (6.2)% Other Indicators (Continuing Operations): Number of hospitals at end of period 19 11.8% 19 --% 19 --% Licensed beds at end of period 2,208 6.0% 2,208 (1.5)% 2,208 (1.5)% Beds in service at end of period 1,933 9.1% 1,933(1.9)% 1,933 4.8% Net Patient Revenue by Payor (Continuing Operations): Medicare 39.5% 38.5% 38.0% Medicaid 10.7% 10.7% 11.0% Other 49.8% 50.8% 51.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% (a) Adjusted EBITDA for 2003 and 2002, represents income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, interest, minority interests, loss on sale of assets and loss on extinguishment of debt. The Company's bank credit facility also uses Adjusted EBITDA for numerous financial covenants. Adjusted EBITDA serves as a measure of leveragecapacity and debt service ability, and is commonly used as an analytical indicator within the healthcare industry. Adjusted EBITDA, however, is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and should not be considered an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities as a measure of liquidity. Because Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and is susceptible to varying calculations, Adjusted EBITDA as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (continued) For theYear Ended December 31, 2003 Fourth Quarter Year % change % change from from prior prior $ year $ year Volumes (Continuing Operations): Inpatient admissions 18,598 6.1% 72,630 5.1% Adjusted admissions 34,426 6.9% 131,557 8.7% Net patient revenue per adjusted admission $5,749 7.4% $5,593 4.1% Patient days 78,964 5.1% 307,195 2.7% Adjusted patient days 141,925 5.9% 556,331 6.3% Average daily census 858 5.1% 842 2.7% Average length of stay 4.25 (0.9)% 4.23 (2.3)% ER visits 77,231 7.5% 297,819 7.9% Occupancy rate (average licensed beds) 39.2% 5.9% 38.4% 3.5% Occupancy rate (average .beds in service) 44.4% 5.2% 43.5% 2.3% Other Indicators (Continuing Operations): Number of hospitals at end of period 19 --% 19 --% Licensed beds at end of period 2,189 (0.8)% 2,189 (0.8)% Beds in service at end of period 1,933 --% 1,933 --% Net Patient Revenue by Payor (Continuing Operations): Medicare 37.9% 38.4% Medicaid 9.1% 10.3% Other 53.0% 51.3% 100.0% 100.0% (a) Adjusted EBITDA for 2003 and 2002, represents income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, interest, minority interests, loss on sale of assets and loss on extinguishment of debt. The Company's bank credit facility also uses Adjusted EBITDA for numerous financial covenants. Adjusted EBITDA serves as a measure of leverage capacity anddebt service ability, and is commonly used as an analytical indicator within the healthcare industry. Adjusted EBITDA, however, is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in theUnited States, and should not be considered an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities as a measure of liquidity. Because Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and is susceptible to varying calculations, Adjusted EBITDA as presented may not be comparable to other similarlytitled measures of other companies. DATASOURCE: Province Healthcare Company CONTACT: Merilyn H. Herbert, Vice President, Investor Relations of Province Healthcare Company, +1-615-370-1377 Web site: http://www.provincehealthcare.com/ http://www.prhc.net/

Copyright