SEC Filing | Community Health Systems, Inc.

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)


☑	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021


☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___________ to ________

Commission file number 001-15925

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	13-3893191
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

4000 Meridian Boulevard Franklin, Tennessee	37067 (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

615-465-7000

(Registrant’s telephone number)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value	CYH	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☐	Accelerated filer ☑	Smaller reporting company ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☐		Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑

As of April 23, 2021, there were outstanding 132,139,544 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value.

Community Health Systems, Inc.

Form 10-Q

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021



Part I.	Financial Information		Page

	Item 1.	Financial Statements:

		Condensed Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income – Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020 (Unaudited)	2

		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020 (Unaudited)	3

		Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (Unaudited)	4

		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020 (Unaudited)	5

		Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	6

	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	24

	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	45

	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	45

Part II.	Other Information

	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	46

	Item 1A.	Risk Factors	48

	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	48

	Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	48

	Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	48

	Item 5.	Other Information	48

	Item 6.	Exhibits	49

Signatures			50

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME

(In millions, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021			2020
Net operating revenues	$	3,013		$	3,025
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits		1,303			1,408
Supplies		491			498
Other operating expenses		738			737
Government and other legal settlements and related costs		—			2
Lease cost and rent		78			81
Pandemic relief funds		(82	)		—
Depreciation and amortization		138			144
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net		21			45
Total operating costs and expenses		2,687			2,915
Income from operations		326			110
Interest expense, net		231			262
Loss from early extinguishment of debt		71			4
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates		(10	)		(7	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		34			(149	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		69			(183	)
Net (loss) income		(35	)		34
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		29			16
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$	(64	)	$	18
(Loss) earnings per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:
Basic	$	(0.51	)	$	0.15
Diluted	$	(0.51	)	$	0.15
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic		125,753,278			114,301,519
Diluted		125,753,278			114,379,331

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021			2020
Net (loss) income	$	(35	)	$	34
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, net of tax		(3	)		2
Other comprehensive (loss) income		(3	)		2
Comprehensive (loss) income		(38	)		36
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		29			16
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$	(67	)	$	20

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except share data)

(Unaudited)

	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,251		$	1,676
Patient accounts receivable		1,961			1,927
Supplies		336			335
Prepaid income taxes		50			50
Prepaid expenses and taxes		190			184
Other current assets		316			338
Total current assets		4,104			4,510
Property and equipment		9,396			9,352
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(4,091	)		(4,030	)
Property and equipment, net		5,305			5,322
Goodwill		4,219			4,219
Deferred income taxes		59			59
Other assets, net		1,905			1,896
Total assets	$	15,592		$	16,006
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	20		$	123
Current operating lease liabilities		131			142
Accounts payable		730			783
Accrued liabilities:
Employee compensation		667			637
Accrued interest		159			150
Other		1,003			980
Total current liabilities		2,710			2,815
Long-term debt		11,897			12,093
Deferred income taxes		96			29
Long-term operating lease liabilities		528			524
Other long-term liabilities		1,475			1,599
Total liabilities		16,706			17,060
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries		481			484
STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders’ deficit:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; none issued		—			—
Common stock, $.01 par value per share, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 132,147,878 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021, and 129,612,117 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020		1			1
Additional paid-in capital		2,105			2,094
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(16	)		(13	)
Accumulated deficit		(3,771	)		(3,707	)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders’ deficit		(1,681	)		(1,625	)
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries		86			87
Total stockholders’ deficit		(1,595	)		(1,538	)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$	15,592		$	16,006

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021			2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(35	)	$	34
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		138			144
Deferred income taxes		68			(184	)
Government and other legal settlements and related costs		—			2
Stock-based compensation expense		8			2
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net		21			45
Loss from early extinguishment of debt		71			4
Other non-cash expenses, net		(40	)		49
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Patient accounts receivable		(34	)		158
Supplies, prepaid expenses and other current assets		(2	)		(53	)
Repayment/derecognition of Medicare accelerated payments		(18	)		—
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income taxes		(23	)		(78	)
Other		(53	)		(66	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		101			57
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of facilities and other related businesses		(4	)		—
Purchases of property and equipment		(105	)		(99	)
Proceeds from disposition of hospitals and other ancillary operations		6			2
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		2			—
Purchases of available-for-sale debt securities and equity securities		(22	)		(17	)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale debt securities and equity securities		26			21
Increase in other investments		(23	)		(16	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(120	)		(109	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of restricted stock shares for payroll tax withholding requirements		(5	)		(1	)
Deferred financing costs and other debt-related costs		(220	)		(32	)
Redemption of noncontrolling investments in joint ventures		—			(2	)
Distributions to noncontrolling investors in joint ventures		(21	)		(30	)
Proceeds from sale-lease back		—			2
Other borrowings		3			14
Issuance of long-term debt		2,870			1,462
Proceeds from ABL Facility		—			540
Repayments of long-term indebtedness		(3,033	)		(1,871	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(406	)		82
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(425	)		30
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		1,676			216
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	1,251		$	246
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest payments	$	(203	)	$	(264	)
Income tax (payments) refunds, net	$	—		$	2

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Community Health Systems, Inc. (the “Parent” or “Parent Company”) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). In the opinion of management, such information contains all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Certain information and disclosures normally included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2020, contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 18, 2021 (“2020 Form 10-K”).

Noncontrolling interests in less-than-wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries of the Parent are presented as a component of total equity on the condensed consolidated balance sheets to distinguish between the interests of the Parent Company and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. Noncontrolling interests that are redeemable or may become redeemable at a fixed or determinable price at the option of the holder or upon the occurrence of an event outside of the control of the Company are presented in mezzanine equity on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Substantially all of the Company’s operating costs and expenses are “cost of revenue” items. Operating costs that could be classified as general and administrative by the Company include the Company’s corporate office costs at its Franklin, Tennessee office, which were $60 million and $37 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Operating costs during the three months ended March 31, 2021 reflect increased stock compensation and annual cash incentive compensation compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Throughout these notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, Community Health Systems, Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to on a collective basis as the “Company.” This drafting style is not meant to indicate that the publicly traded Parent or any particular subsidiary of the Parent owns or operates any asset, business, or property. The hospitals, operations and businesses described in this filing are owned and operated by distinct and indirect subsidiaries of Community Health Systems, Inc.

Revenue Recognition.

Net Operating Revenues

Net operating revenues are recorded at the transaction price estimated by the Company to reflect the total consideration due from patients and third-party payors in exchange for providing goods and services in patient care. These services are considered to be a single performance obligation and have a duration of less than one year. Revenues are recorded as these goods and services are provided. The transaction price, which involves significant estimates, is determined based on the Company’s standard charges for the goods and services provided, with a reduction recorded for price concessions related to third party contractual arrangements as well as patient discounts and other patient price concessions. During both of the three month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the impact of changes to the inputs used to determine the transaction price was considered immaterial.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

Currently, several states utilize supplemental reimbursement programs for the purpose of providing reimbursement to providers that is not specifically tied to an individual’s care, some of which offsets a portion of the cost of providing care to Medicaid and indigent patients. These programs are designed with input from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) and are funded with a combination of state and federal resources, including, in certain instances, fees or taxes levied on the providers. Under these supplemental programs, the Company recognizes revenue and related expenses in the period in which amounts are estimable and collection is reasonably assured. Reimbursement under these programs is reflected in net operating revenues and fees, taxes or other program-related costs are reflected in other operating expenses.

The Company’s net operating revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 have been presented in the following table based on an allocation of the estimated transaction price with the patient between the primary patient classification of insurance coverage (in millions):

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Medicare	$	693	$	756
Medicaid		391		407
Managed Care and other third-party payors		1,915		1,832
Self-pay		14		30
Total	$	3,013	$	3,025

Patient Accounts Receivable

Patient accounts receivable are recorded at net realizable value based on certain assumptions determined by each payor. For third-party payors including Medicare, Medicaid, and Managed Care, the net realizable value is based on the estimated contractual reimbursement percentage, which is based on current contract prices or historical paid claims data by payor. For self-pay accounts receivable, which includes patients who are uninsured and the patient responsibility portion for patients with insurance, the net realizable value is determined using estimates of historical collection experience without regard to aging category. These estimates are adjusted for estimated conversions of patient responsibility portions, expected recoveries and any anticipated changes in trends.

Patient accounts receivable can be impacted by the effectiveness of the Company’s collection efforts. Additionally, significant changes in payor mix, business office operations, economic conditions or trends in federal and state governmental healthcare coverage could affect the net realizable value of accounts receivable. The Company also continually reviews the net realizable value of accounts receivable by monitoring historical cash collections as a percentage of trailing net operating revenues, as well as by analyzing current period net revenue and admissions by payor classification, days revenue outstanding, the composition of self-pay receivables between pure self-pay patients and the patient responsibility portion of third-party insured receivables, the impact of recent acquisitions and dispositions and the impact of current economic and other events.

Final settlements for some payors and programs are subject to adjustment based on administrative review and audit by third parties. As a result of these final settlements, the Company has recorded amounts due to third-party payors of $102 million and $98 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and these amounts are included in accrued liabilities-other in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amounts due from third-party payors were $123 million and $136 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and are included in other current assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Substantially all Medicare and Medicaid cost reports are final settled through 2016.

Charity Care

In the ordinary course of business, the Company renders services to patients who are financially unable to pay for hospital care. The Company’s policy is to not pursue collections for such amounts; therefore, the related charges for those patients who are financially unable to pay and that otherwise do not qualify for reimbursement from a governmental program are not reported in net operating revenues, and are thus classified as charity care. The Company determines amounts that qualify for charity care based on the patient’s household income relative to the federal poverty level guidelines, as established by the federal government. The Company updated its policy during the three months ended June 30, 2020 in a manner which increased the number of accounts qualifying for charity care. This resulted in an increase in charity care services during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

These charity care services are estimated to be $229 million and $166 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, representing the value (at the Company’s standard charges) of these charity care services that are excluded from net operating revenues. The estimated cost incurred by the Company to provide these charity care services to patients who are unable to pay was approximately $26 million and $19 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The estimated cost of these charity care services was determined using a ratio of cost to gross charges and applying that ratio to the gross charges associated with providing care to charity patients for the period.

Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company recorded a net loss on disposal of approximately $21 million, of which (i) approximately $27 million was recorded to adjust the carrying value of long-lived assets at several hospitals that were sold at a sales price below carrying value, (ii) approximately $2 million was recorded related to divestiture related expenses, and (iii) approximately $8 million of gain was recorded related to the disposal of the Company’s majority interest in a surgery center that was sold on January 1, 2021. Approximately $5 million of goodwill was allocated to facilities disposed of or held for sale during the three months ended March 31, 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded a total combined net impairment charge and gain on disposal of approximately $45 million. An impairment charge of approximately $64 million was recorded primarily to adjust the carrying value of long-lived assets at several hospitals where the Company was in discussions with potential buyers for divestiture at a sales price that indicated a fair value below carrying value. The impairment charge was partially offset by a gain of approximately $19 million related to three hospitals sold on January 1, 2020. The Company will continue to evaluate the potential for impairment of the long-lived assets of underperforming hospitals as well as evaluate offers for potential sales. Based on such analysis, additional impairment charges may be recorded in the future.

COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19, a disease caused by a novel strain of coronavirus, materially affected the Company’s results of operations during 2020 and continued to affect the Company’s results of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Federal and state governments have passed legislation, promulgated regulations and taken other administrative actions intended to assist healthcare providers in providing care to COVID-19 and other patients during the public health emergency. Sources of relief include the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), which was enacted on March 27, 2020, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (the “PPPHCE Act”), which was enacted on April 24, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “CAA”), which was enacted on December 27, 2020, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “ARPA”), which was enacted on March 11, 2021. Together, these stimulus laws authorize over $178 billion in funding to be distributed to hospitals and other healthcare providers through the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (the “PHSSEF”). In addition to the relief funding, the CARES Act provided for an expansion of the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program whereby inpatient acute care hospitals and other eligible providers were able to request accelerated payment of up to 100% of their Medicare payment amount for a six-month period to be repaid through withholding of future Medicare fee-for-service payments. Various state and local programs also exist to provide relief, either independently or through distribution of monies received via the CARES Act and other enacted federal legislation. The Company’s accounting policies for the recognition of these stimulus monies are as follows:

Pandemic Relief Funds

Through March 31, 2021, the Company received approximately $708 million in payments through the PHSSEF and various state and local programs on a cumulative basis since their enactment, of which approximately $705 million was received during the year ended December 31, 2020 and the balance of which was received during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The recognition of amounts received is conditioned upon the provision of care for individuals with possible or actual cases of COVID-19 after January 31, 2020, certification that payment will be used to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus and shall reimburse the recipient only for healthcare-related expenses or lost revenues, as defined by HHS, that are attributable to coronavirus, as well as receipt of the funds. Amounts are recognized as a reduction to operating costs and expenses only to the extent the Company is reasonably assured that underlying conditions have been met.

The Company’s assessment of whether the terms and conditions for amounts received are reasonably assured of having been met is updated each reporting period and considers, among other things, the requirements set forth in the CARES Act and CAA, all applicable frequently asked questions and other interpretive guidance issued by HHS, including the Post-Payment Notice of Reporting Requirements issued on January 15, 2021, and the Company’s expenses incurred attributable to the coronavirus and its results of operations during such period as compared to the Company’s 2020 budget. The HHS guidance, specifically the various Post-Payment Notice of Reporting Requirements notices and frequently asked questions, set forth the allowable methods for quantifying eligible healthcare related expenses and lost revenues. Only healthcare related expenses attributable to coronavirus that another source has not reimbursed and is not obligated to reimburse are eligible to be claimed. The use of funds calculation takes into account expenses

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

attributable to each respective entity, which for the Company primarily relate to incremental labor and supply costs, as well as lost revenues. During the year ended December 31, 2020, pandemic relief funds of approximately $601 million were recognized as a reduction of operating costs and expenses up to the amount which the Company was reasonably assured that it could or would choose to comply with conditions underlying amounts received. This included the allocation of general fund distributions among subsidiaries according to total unreimbursed losses but not the allocation of targeted fund distributions due to significant uncertainties as to the meaning and interpretation of conditions specific to the allocation of such targeted distribution payments, as previously disclosed. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company’s assessment of uncertainties associated with the allocation of targeted distribution payments was updated for additional facts and circumstances in the period. On the basis of this updated assessment, the Company is reasonably assured that underlying conditions for the allocation of targeted distribution payments can and have been met as of March 31, 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, pandemic relief funds of approximately $82 million were recognized as a reduction of operating costs and expenses on the basis of expenses incurred in the period attributable to the coronavirus, the Company’s results of operations during such period as compared to the Company’s 2020 budget for the same period and the allocation of targeted distribution payments to various subsidiaries as noted above. Amounts recognized are denoted by the caption “pandemic relief funds” within the condensed consolidated statements of (loss) income.

Amounts received through the PHSSEF or state and local programs that have not yet been recognized as a reduction to operating costs and expenses or otherwise have not been refunded to HHS or the various state and local agencies as of March 31, 2021, primarily relate to previously divested entities and certain targeted distribution payments for which satisfaction of the underlying terms and conditions is not reasonably assured of being met as of March 31, 2021. Such amounts are reflected within accrued liabilities-other in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Such unrecognized amounts may either be returned to HHS in one or more future periods when a procedure for doing so is established by HHS or may be recognized as a reduction in operating costs and expenses in future periods if the underlying conditions for recognition are reasonably assured of having been met. HHS’ interpretation of the underlying terms and conditions of such PHSSEF payments, including auditing and reporting requirements, continues to evolve. Additional guidance or new and amended interpretations of existing guidance on the terms and conditions of such PHSSEF payments may result in changes in the Company’s estimate of amounts for which the terms and conditions are reasonably assured of being met, and any such changes may be material. Additionally, any such changes may result in the Company’s inability to recognize additional PHSSEF payments or may result in the derecognition of amounts previously recognized, which (in any such case) may be material.

Medicare Accelerated Payments

Medicare accelerated payments of approximately $1.2 billion were received by the Company in April 2020. No additional Medicare accelerated payments have been received by the Company since such time, including during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Approximately $18 million and $77 million of amounts previously received were repaid to CMS or assumed by buyers related to hospitals the Company divested during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020, respectively. Payments under the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program are advances that must be repaid. Effective October 1, 2020, the program was amended such that providers are required to repay accelerated payments beginning one year after the payment was issued. After such one-year period, Medicare payments owed to providers will be recouped according to the repayment terms. The repayment terms specify that for the first 11 months after repayment begins, repayment will occur through an automatic recoupment of 25% of Medicare payments otherwise owed to the provider. At the end of the eleven-month period, recoupment will increase to 50% for six months. At the end of the six months (or 29 months from the receipt of the initial accelerated payment), Medicare will issue a letter for full repayment of any remaining balance, as applicable. In such event, if payment is not received within 30 days, interest will accrue at the annual percentage rate of four percent (4%) from the date the letter was issued, and will be assessed for each full 30-day period that the balance remains unpaid. As of March 31, 2021, approximately $546 million of Medicare accelerated payments are reflected within accrued liabilities-other in the condensed consolidated balance sheet while the remaining approximately $517 million is included within other long-term liabilities. The Company’s estimate of the current liability is a function of historical cash receipts from Medicare and the repayment terms set forth above. In April 2021, CMS began recouping Medicare accelerated payments previously received by the Company.

2. ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock-based compensation awards have been granted under the Community Health Systems, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Option and Award Plan, which was amended and restated as of March 20, 2020 and approved by the Company’s stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders held on May 12, 2020 (the “2009 Plan”). In addition, at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 11, 2021 (the “2021 Annual Meeting”), the Company’s stockholders will be voting on whether or not to approve the further amendment and restatement of the 2009 Plan (the “Amended 2009 Plan”) which was approved by the Board of Directors on March 17, 2021.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

The 2009 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the IRC and for the grant of stock options which do not so qualify, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance-based shares or units and other share awards. Persons eligible to receive grants under the 2009 Plan include the Company’s directors, officers, employees and consultants. To date, all options granted under the 2009 Plan have been “nonqualified” stock options for tax purposes. Generally, these options vest in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the award date and have a 10-year contractual term. As of March 31, 2021, 4,435,134 shares of unissued common stock were reserved for future grants under the 2009 Plan. In addition, if the Amended 2009 Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders at the 2021 Annual Meeting, 8,000,000 additional shares of unissued common stock will be reserved for future grants under the Amended 2009 Plan.

The exercise price of all options granted under the 2009 Plan is equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the option grant date.

The following table reflects the impact of total compensation expense related to stock-based equity plans on the reported operating results for the respective periods (in millions):

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021			2020
Effect on income (loss) before income taxes	$	(8	)	$	(2	)
Effect on net (loss) income	$	(6	)	$	(1	)

At March 31, 2021, $38 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding unvested stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units (the terms of which are summarized below) was expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 29 months. Of that amount, $6 million relates to outstanding unvested stock options expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 30 months and $32 million relates to outstanding unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 29 months. There were no modifications to awards during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

The fair value of stock options was estimated using the Black Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions and weighted-average fair values during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020
Expected volatility	84.3% - 88.9%			73.5	%
Expected dividends		—		—
Expected term	3 - 6 years		6 years
Risk-free interest rate	0.3% - 0.9%			1.0	%

In determining the expected term, the Company examined concentrations of option holdings and historical patterns of option exercises and forfeitures, as well as forward-looking factors, in an effort to determine if there were any discernable employee populations. From this analysis, the Company identified two primary employee populations, one consisting of certain senior executives and the other consisting of substantially all other recipients.

The expected volatility rate was estimated based on historical volatility. In determining expected volatility, the Company also reviewed the market-based implied volatility of actively traded options of its common stock and determined that historical volatility utilized to estimate the expected volatility rate did not differ significantly from the implied volatility.

The expected term computation is based on historical exercise and cancellation patterns and forward-looking factors, where present, for each population identified. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The pre-vesting forfeiture rate is based on historical rates and forward-looking factors for each population identified. The Company adjusts the estimated forfeiture rate to its actual experience.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

Options outstanding and exercisable under the 2009 Plan as of March 31, 2021, and changes during the three-month period following December 31, 2020, was as follows (in millions, except share and per share data):

						Weighted-	Aggregate
				Weighted-		Average	Intrinsic
				Average		Remaining	Value as of
				Exercise		Contractual	March 31,
	Shares			Price		Term	2021
Outstanding at December 31, 2020		1,817,525			8.77
Granted		749,250			8.81
Exercised		(65,165	)		4.97
Forfeited and cancelled		(173,189	)		34.66
Outstanding at March 31, 2021		2,328,421		$	6.96	8.6 years	$	16
Exercisable at March 31, 2021		753,496		$	7.36	7.3 years	$	6

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $6.22 and $3.17, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value (calculated as the number of in-the-money stock options multiplied by the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the reporting period ($13.52) and the exercise price of the respective stock options) in the table above represents the amount that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on March 31, 2021. This amount changes based on the market value of the Company’s common stock. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was less than $1 million. There were no options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The aggregate intrinsic value of options vested and expected to vest approximates that of the outstanding options.

The Company has awarded restricted stock under the 2009 Plan to employees of certain subsidiaries. With respect to time-based vesting restricted stock that has been awarded under the 2009 Plan, the restrictions on these shares have generally lapsed in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the award date. In addition, certain of the restricted stock awards granted to the Company’s senior executives have contained performance objectives required to be met in addition to any time-based vesting requirements. If the applicable performance objectives are not attained, these awards will be forfeited in their entirety. For performance-based awards, the performance objectives are measured cumulatively over a three-year period. If the applicable target performance objective is met at the end of the three-year period, then the restricted stock award subject to such performance objective will vest in full on the third anniversary of the award date. Additionally, for these performance-based awards, based on the level of achievement for the applicable performance objective within the parameters specified in the award agreement, the number of shares to be issued in connection with the vesting of the award may be adjusted to decrease or increase the number of shares specified in the original award. Notwithstanding the above-mentioned performance objectives and vesting requirements, the restrictions with respect to restricted stock granted under the 2009 Plan may lapse earlier in the event of death, disability or termination of employment by the Company for any reason other than for cause of the holder of the restricted stock, or change in control of the Company. On March 1, 2021, restricted stock awards subject to performance objectives granted on March 1, 2018 vested at 200% of the shares originally granted based on the Company’s cumulative performance compared to objectives for the 2018-2020 performance period. Restricted stock awards subject to performance objectives that have not yet been satisfied are not considered outstanding for purposes of determining earnings per share unless the performance objectives have been satisfied on the basis of results through the end of each respective reporting period.

Restricted stock outstanding under the 2009 Plan as of March 31, 2021, and changes during the three-month period following December 31, 2020, was as follows:

				Weighted-
				Average Grant
	Shares			Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2020		4,555,735		$	4.84
Granted		2,829,250			7.97
Vested		(2,264,992	)		4.70
Forfeited		(37,334	)		4.94
Unvested at March 31, 2021		5,082,659			6.65

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) have been granted to the Company’s non-management directors under the 2009 Plan. Each of the Company’s then serving non-management directors received grants under the 2009 Plan of 34,483 RSUs and 19,296 RSUs on March 1, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Each of the 2020 and 2021 grants had a grant date fair value of approximately $170,000. Vesting of these RSUs occurs in one-third increments on each of the first three anniversaries of the award date or upon the director’s earlier cessation of service on the board, other than for cause. Beginning with the 2020 grant, each non-management director may elect, prior to the beginning of the calendar year in which the award is granted, to defer the receipt of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon vesting until either his or her (i) separation from service with the Company or (ii) attainment of an age specified in advance by the non-management director. A total of five directors elected to defer the receipt of RSUs granted on March 1, 2020 to a future date and a total of four directors elected to defer the receipt of RSUs granted on March 1, 2021 to a future date.

RSUs outstanding under the 2009 Plan as of March 31, 2021, and changes during the three-month period following December 31, 2020, was as follows:

				Weighted-
				Average Grant
	Shares			Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2020		613,739		$	4.89
Granted		173,664			8.81
Vested		(247,164	)		4.81
Forfeited		—			—
Unvested at March 31, 2021		540,239			6.19

3. ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

Acquisitions

The Company accounts for all transactions that represent business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, where the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquired entity are recognized and measured at their fair values on the date the Company obtains a controlling interest in the acquiree. Such fair values that are not finalized for reporting periods following the acquisition date are estimated and recorded as provisional amounts. Adjustments to these provisional amounts during the measurement period (defined as the date through which all information required to identify and measure the consideration transferred, the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interests has been obtained, limited to one year from the acquisition date) are recorded when identified. Goodwill is determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration conveyed in the acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired.

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, one or more subsidiaries of the Company paid approximately $4 million to acquire the operating assets and related businesses of certain physician practices, clinics and other ancillary businesses that operate within the communities served by the Company’s affiliated hospitals. The Company allocated the purchase price to property and equipment, working capital, noncontrolling interests and goodwill.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

Divestitures

The following table provides a summary of hospitals that the Company divested during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020:

			Licensed
Hospital	Buyer	City, State	Beds		Effective Date
2021 Divestitures:
Lea Regional Medical Center	Covenant Health System	Hobbs, NM	68		January 1, 2021
Tennova Healthcare - Tullahoma	Vanderbilt University Medical Center	Tullahoma, TN	135		January 1, 2021
Tennova Healthcare - Shelbyville	Vanderbilt University Medical Center	Shelbyville, TN	60		January 1, 2021
Northwest Mississippi Medical Center	Delta Health System	Clarksdale, MS	181		February 1, 2021

2020 Divestitures:
Berwick Hospital Center	Fayette Holdings, Inc.	Berwick, PA		90	December 1, 2020
Brownwood Regional Medical Center	Hendrick Health System	Brownwood, TX		188	October 27, 2020
Abilene Regional Medical Center	Hendrick Health System	Abilene, TX		231	October 27, 2020
San Angelo Community Medical Center	Shannon Health System	San Angelo, TX		171	October 24, 2020
Bayfront Health St. Petersburg	Orlando Health, Inc.	St. Petersburg, FL		480	October 1, 2020
Hill Regional Hospital	AHRK Holdings, LLC	Hillsboro, TX	25		August 1, 2020
St. Cloud Regional Medical Center	Orlando Health, Inc.	St. Cloud, FL	84		July 1, 2020
Northern Louisiana Medical Center	Allegiance Health Management, Inc.	Ruston, LA	130		July 1, 2020
Shands Live Oak Regional Medical Center	HCA Healthcare, Inc., or HCA,	Live Oak, FL	25		May 1, 2020
Shands Starke Regional Medical Center	HCA	Starke, FL	49		May 1, 2020
Southside Regional Medical Center	Bon Secours Mercy Health System	Petersburg, VA	300		January 1, 2020
Southampton Memorial Hospital	Bon Secours Mercy Health System	Franklin, VA	105		January 1, 2020
Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center	Bon Secours Mercy Health System	Emporia, VA	80		January 1, 2020

On December 8, 2020, one or more affiliates of the Company entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of substantially all of the assets of AllianceHealth Midwest (255 licensed beds) in Midwest City, Oklahoma, to affiliates of SSM Health Care of Oklahoma. This disposition was completed on April 1, 2021 as further described in Note 12.

The following table discloses amounts included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets for hospitals classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in millions). Other assets, net primarily includes the net property and equipment for hospitals held for sale. No divestitures or potential divestitures meet the criteria for reporting as a discontinued operation.

	March 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
Other current assets	$	5	$	12
Other assets, net		2		11
Accrued liabilities		3		16

4. INCOME TAXES

The total amount of unrecognized benefit that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized, was less than $1 million as of March 31, 2021. A total of less than $1 million of interest and penalties is included in the amount of the liability for uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2021. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized benefits in its condensed consolidated statements of (loss) income as income tax expense.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

It is possible the amount of unrecognized tax benefit could change in the next 12 months as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations and settlements with taxing authorities; however, the Company does not anticipate the change will have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations or financial position.

The Company’s federal income tax returns for the 2009 and 2010 tax years have been settled with the Internal Revenue Service. The results of these examinations were not material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position. The Company’s federal income tax returns for the 2014 and 2015 tax years remain under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company believes the results of these examinations will not be material to its condensed consolidated results of operations or financial position. The Company has extended the federal statute of limitations through December 31, 2021 for Community Health Systems, Inc. for the tax periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2015. The Company’s federal income tax return for the 2018 tax year is under examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

The Company’s effective tax rates were 202.9% and 122.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The difference in the Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021, when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020, was primarily due to an increase in the valuation allowance recognized on IRC Section 163(j) interest carryforwards created as a result of the financing transactions completed during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 reflected the impact of discrete tax benefits of approximately $240 million related to the release of federal and state valuation allowances on IRC Section 163(j) interest carryforwards as a result of an increase to the deductible interest expense allowed for 2019 and 2020 under the CARES Act.

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received, resulted in a net payment of less than $1 million, and a net refund of approximately $2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

5. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt, net of unamortized deferred debt issuance costs, consists of the following (in millions):

	March 31,			December 31,
	2021			2020
6⅞% Senior Notes due 2022	$	—		$	126
6¼% Senior Secured Notes due 2023		—			95
8⅝% Senior Secured Notes due 2024		—			1,033
6⅝% Senior Secured Notes due 2025		1,462			1,462
8% Senior Secured Notes due 2026		2,101			2,101
8% Senior Secured Notes due 2027		700			700
5⅝% Senior Secured Notes due 2027		1,900			1,900
6⅞% Senior Notes due 2028		767			767
6% Senior Secured Notes due 2029		900			900
4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031		1,095			—
9⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2023		—			1,769
8⅛% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2024		1,348			1,348
6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029		1,775			—
ABL Facility		—			—
Finance lease and financing obligations		238			239
Other		21			26
Less: Unamortized deferred debt issuance costs		(390	)		(250	)
Total debt		11,917			12,216
Less: Current maturities		(20	)		(123	)
Total long-term debt	$	11,897		$	12,093

On January 28, 2021, the remaining principal amount of the 6¼% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 of approximately $95 million was redeemed using cash on hand.

On February 2, 2021, the Company completed a private offering of $1.775 billion aggregate principal amount of 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due April 15, 2029 (the “6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029”). The proceeds of the offering,

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

together with cash on hand, were used to redeem the 9⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2023 in February 2021 and to pay related fees and expenses. The 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029 bear interest at a rate of 6.875% per year payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on October 15, 2021. The 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029 are unconditionally guaranteed on a junior-priority secured basis by the Company and each of the current and future domestic subsidiaries of CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc. (“CHS”) that provide guarantees under CHS’ ABL Facility, any capital market debt securities of CHS (including CHS’ outstanding senior notes) and certain other long-term debt of CHS.

The 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029 and the related guarantees are secured by shared (i) second-priority liens on the Non-ABL Priority Collateral that secures on a first-priority basis CHS’ senior-priority secured notes and (ii) third-priority liens on the ABL-Priority Collateral that secures on a first-priority basis the ABL Facility (and also secures on a second-priority basis CHS’ senior-priority secured notes), in each case subject to permitted liens described in the indenture governing the 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029.

At any time and from time to time prior to April 15, 2024, CHS may redeem the 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029 in whole or in part, at its option, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029 to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, plus a “make-whole” premium, as described in the indenture governing the 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029. In addition, CHS may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029 at any time prior to April 15, 2024 using the net proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 106.875% of the principal amount of the 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029 redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

At any time and from time to time on or after April 15, 2024, CHS may redeem the 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029 in whole or in part, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice at a redemption price equal to the percentage of principal amount set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029 redeemed, to, but excluding, the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:

Period	Redemption Price
April 15, 2024 to April 14, 2025		103.438	%
April 15, 2025 to April 14, 2026		101.719	%
April 15, 2026 to April 14, 2029		100.000	%

On February 9, 2021, the Company completed a private offering of $1.095 billion aggregate principal amount of 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due February 15, 2031 (the “4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031”). The proceeds of the offering, together with cash on hand, were used to redeem the 8⅝% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 on February 9, 2021, and to pay related fees and expenses. The 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 bear interest at a rate of 4.750% per year payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2021. The 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior-priority secured basis by each of CHS’ current and future domestic subsidiaries that provide guarantees under the ABL facility, any capital market debt securities of CHS (including CHS’ outstanding senior notes) and certain other long-term debt of CHS.

The 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 and the related guarantees are secured by shared (i) first-priority liens on the Non-ABL Priority Collateral and (ii) second-priority liens on the ABL Priority Collateral that secures on a first-priority basis the ABL Facility, in each case subject to permitted liens described in the indenture governing the 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031.

CHS is entitled, at its option, to redeem all or a portion of the 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 at any time prior to February 15, 2026, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, plus a “make-whole” premium, as described in the indenture governing the 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031.

CHS may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 at any time prior to February 15, 2024 using the net proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 104.750% of the principal amount of the 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, any time prior to February 15, 2026, but not more than once during each twelve-month period, CHS may redeem up to 10% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 at a redemption price equal to 103% of the principal amount of the 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

At any time and from time to time on or after February 15, 2026, CHS may redeem the 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 in whole or in part, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice at a redemption price equal to the percentage of principal amount set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 redeemed, to, but excluding, the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on February 15 of the years indicated below:

Period	Redemption Price
February 15, 2026 to February 14, 2027		102.375	%
February 15, 2027 to February 14, 2028		101.583	%
February 15, 2028 to February 14, 2029		100.792	%
February 15, 2029 to February 14, 2031		100.000	%

On March 1, 2021, the Company redeemed the remaining principal amount of the 6⅞% Senior Notes due 2022 of approximately $126 million using cash on hand.

The maximum aggregate principal amount under the ABL Facility is $1.0 billion. At March 31, 2021, the available borrowing base under the ABL Facility was $633 million, of which the Company had no outstanding borrowings. Letters of credit were reduced during the three months ended March 31, 2021 by $30 million in relation to a professional liability claim that was settled and funded during the three months ended December 31, 2020. Inclusive of this reduction, letters of credit totaling $120 million were issued as of March 31, 2021. The issued letters of credit were primarily in support of potential insurance-related claims and certain bonds.

The ABL Facility contains customary representations and warranties, subject to limitations and exceptions, and customary covenants restricting the Company’s ability, subject to certain exceptions, to, among other things (1) declare dividends, make distributions or redeem or repurchase capital stock, (2) prepay, redeem or repurchase other debt, (3) incur liens or grant negative pledges, (4) make loans and investments and enter into acquisitions and joint ventures, (5) incur additional indebtedness or provide certain guarantees, (6) engage in mergers, acquisitions and asset sales, (7) conduct transactions with affiliates, (8) alter the nature of the Company’s, CHS’ or the guarantors’ businesses, (9) grant certain guarantees with respect to physician practices, (10) engage in sale and leaseback transactions or (11) change the Company’s fiscal year. The Company is also required to comply with a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, upon certain triggering events described below, and various affirmative covenants. The consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of (x) consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the ABL Facility) less capital expenditures to (y) the sum of consolidated interest expense (as defined in the ABL Facility), scheduled principal payments, income taxes and restricted payments made in cash or in permitted investments. For purposes of calculating the consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, the calculation of consolidated EBITDA as defined in the ABL Facility is a trailing 12-month calculation that begins with the Company’s consolidated net income (loss), with certain adjustments for interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, stock compensation expense, restructuring costs, and the financial impact of other non-cash or non-recurring items recorded during any such 12-month period. The consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio is a required covenant only in periods where the total borrowings outstanding under the ABL Facility reduce the amount available in the facility to less than the greater of (i) $95 million or (ii) 10% of the calculated borrowing base. As a result, in the event the Company has less than $95 million available under the ABL Facility, the Company would need to comply with the consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio. At March 31, 2021, the Company is not subject to the consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio as such triggering event had not occurred during the last twelve months ended March 31, 2021.

The Company paid interest of $203 million and $264 million on borrowings during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

6. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The fair value of financial instruments has been estimated by the Company using available market information as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and valuation methodologies considered appropriate. The estimates presented in the table below are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange (in millions):

	March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
	Carrying		Estimated Fair		Carrying		Estimated Fair
	Amount		Value		Amount		Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,251	$	1,251	$	1,676	$	1,676
Investments in equity securities		121		121		129		129
Available-for-sale debt securities		115		115		110		110
Trading securities		12		12		12		12
Liabilities:
6⅞% Senior Notes due 2022		—		—		125		125
6¼% Senior Secured Notes due 2023		—		—		95		99
8⅝% Senior Secured Notes due 2024		—		—		1,025		1,080
6⅝% Senior Secured Notes due 2025		1,429		1,548		1,427		1,543
8% Senior Secured Notes due 2026		2,075		2,272		2,074		2,275
8% Senior Secured Notes due 2027		692		768		692		760
5⅝% Senior Secured Notes due 2027		1,810		1,988		1,809		2,048
6⅞% Senior Notes due 2028		758		701		758		618
6% Senior Secured Notes due 2029		857		954		857		973
4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031		1,090		1,070		—		—
9⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2023		—		—		1,756		1,861
8⅛% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2024		1,337		1,416		1,336		1,408
6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029		1,614		1,857		—		—
ABL Facility and other debt		18		18		23		23

The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt in the above table is presented net of unamortized deferred debt issuance costs. The estimated fair value is determined using the methodologies discussed below in accordance with accounting standards related to the determination of fair value based on the U.S. GAAP fair value hierarchy as discussed in Note 7. The estimated fair value for financial instruments with a fair value that does not equal its carrying value is considered a Level 1 valuation. The Company utilizes the market approach and obtains indicative pricing through publicly available subscription services such as Bloomberg to determine fair values where relevant.

Cash and cash equivalents. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments (less than three months).

Investments in equity securities. Estimated fair value is based on closing price as quoted in public markets.

Available-for-sale debt securities. Estimated fair value is based on closing price as quoted in public markets or other various valuation techniques.

Trading securities. Estimated fair value is based on closing price as quoted in public markets.

Senior Notes, Senior Secured Notes and Junior-Priority Secured Notes. Estimated fair value is based on the closing market price for these notes.

ABL Facility and other debt. The carrying amount of ABL Facility and all other debt approximates fair value due to the nature of these obligations.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

7. FAIR VALUE

Fair Value Hierarchy

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 Company utilizes the U.S. GAAP 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 assumption about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).

The inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 includes values determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques reflecting the Company’s own assumptions.

In instances where the determination of the fair value hierarchy measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment of factors specific to the asset or liability. Transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy are recognized by the Company on the date of the change in circumstances that requires such transfer. There were no transfers between levels during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 or 2020.

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in millions):

	March 31, 2021		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Investments in equity securities	$	121	$	121	$	—	$	—
Available-for-sale debt securities		115		—		115		—
Trading securities		12		—		12		—
Total	$	248	$	121	$	127	$	—

	December 31, 2020		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Investments in equity securities	$	129	$	129	$	—	$	—
Available-for-sale debt securities		110		—		110		—
Trading securities		12		—		12		—
Total	$	251	$	129	$	122	$	—

Investments in Equity Securities, Available-for-Sale Debt Securities and Trading Securities

Investments in equity securities and trading securities classified as Level 1 are measured using quoted market prices. Level 2 available-for-sale debt securities and trading securities primarily consisted of bonds and notes issued by the United States government and its agencies and domestic and foreign corporations. The estimated fair values of these securities are determined using various valuation techniques, including a multi-dimensional relational model that incorporates standard observable inputs and assumptions such as benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids/offers and other pertinent reference data.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

8. LEASES

The Company utilizes operating and finance leases for the use of certain hospitals, medical office buildings, and medical equipment. The components of lease cost and rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows (in millions):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
Lease Cost	2021			2020
Operating lease cost:
Operating lease cost	$	48		$	51
Short-term rent expense		25			26
Variable lease cost		6			5
Sublease income		(1	)		(1	)
Total operating lease cost	$	78		$	81
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$	3		$	3
Interest on finance lease liabilities		1			2
Total finance lease cost	$	4		$	5

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows (in millions):

	Balance Sheet Classification	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Operating Leases:
Operating Lease ROU Assets	Other assets, net	$	647		$	642

Finance Leases:
Finance Lease ROU Assets	Property and equipment
	Land and improvements	$	8		$	8
	Buildings and improvements		134			134
	Equipment and fixtures		9			8
	Property and equipment		151			150
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(49	)		(46	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	102		$	104

Current finance lease liabilities	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	5		$	5
Long-term finance lease liabilities	Long-term debt		73			74

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows (in millions):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
Cash flow information	2021		2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases ⁽¹⁾	$	56	$	47
Operating cash flows from finance leases		1		2
Financing cash flows from finance leases		1		1
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities		—		17
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities		26		35

(1)	Included in the change in other operating assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

9. STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

Authorized capital shares of the Company include 400,000,000 shares of capital stock consisting of 300,000,000 shares of common stock and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Each of the aforementioned classes of capital stock has a par value of $0.01 per share. Shares of preferred stock, none of which were outstanding as of March 31, 2021, may be issued in one or more series having such rights, preferences and other provisions as determined by the Board of Directors without approval by the holders of common stock.

The Company is a holding company which operates through its subsidiaries. The Company’s ABL Facility and the indentures governing each series of the Company’s outstanding notes contain various covenants under which the assets of the subsidiaries of the Company are subject to certain restrictions relating to, among other matters, dividends and distributions, as referenced in the paragraph below.

The ABL Facility and the indentures governing each series of the Company’s outstanding notes restrict the Company’s subsidiaries from, among other matters, paying dividends and making distributions to the Company, which thereby limits the Company’s ability to pay dividends and/or repurchase stock. As of March 31, 2021, under the most restrictive test in these agreements (and subject to certain exceptions), the Company has approximately $200 million of capacity to pay permitted dividends and/or repurchase shares of stock or make other restricted payments.

The following schedule presents the reconciliation of the carrying amount of total equity, equity attributable to the Company’s stockholders, and equity attributable to noncontrolling interests as of March 31, 2021, and during the three-month period following December 31, 2020 (in millions):

				Community Health Systems, Inc. Stockholders
	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest			Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Accumulated Deficit			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Stockholders’ Deficit
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	484		$	1	$	2,094		$	(13	)	$	(3,707	)	$	87		$	(1,538	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		21			—		—			(3	)		(64	)		8			(59	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(12	)		—		—			—			—			(9	)		(9	)
Disposition of less-than-wholly owned business		(7	)		—		—			—			—			—			—
Noncontrolling interest in acquired entity		2			—		—			—			—			—			—
Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests		(7	)		—		7			—			—			—			7
Cancellation of restricted stock for tax withholdings on vested shares		—			—		(4	)		—			—			—			(4	)
Share-based compensation		—			—		8			—			—			—			8
Balance, March 31, 2021	$	481		$	1	$	2,105		$	(16	)	$	(3,771	)	$	86		$	(1,595	)

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

The following schedule presents the reconciliation of the carrying amount of total equity, equity attributable to the Company’s stockholders, and equity attributable to the noncontrolling interests as of March 31, 2020, and during the three-month period following December 31, 2019 (in millions):

				Community Health Systems, Inc. Stockholders
	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest			Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Accumulated Deficit			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Stockholders’ Deficit
Balance, December 31, 2019	$	502		$	1	$	2,008		$	(9	)	$	(4,218	)	$	77		$	(2,141	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		8		—		—				2			18			8			28
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(22	)	—		—			—			—				(8	)		(8	)
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests		(1	)	—			(1	)	—			—			—				(1	)
Other reclassifications of noncontrolling interests		8		—		—			—			—				(8	)		(8	)
Adjustment to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests		7		—			(7	)	—			—			—				(7	)
Cancellation of restricted stock for tax withholdings on vested shares	—			—			(1	)	—			—			—				(1	)
Share-based compensation	—			—			2		—			—			—				2
Balance, March 31, 2020	$	502		$	1	$	2,001		$	(7	)	$	(4,200	)	$	69		$	(2,136	)

The following schedule discloses the effects of changes in the Company’s ownership interest in its less-than-wholly-owned subsidiaries on Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders’ deficit (in millions):

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021			2020
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$	(64	)	$	18
Transfers to noncontrolling interests:
Net increase in Community Health Systems, Inc. paid-in-capital for purchase of subsidiary partnership interests		—			(1	)
Net transfers to noncontrolling interests		—			(1	)
Change to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit from net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders and transfers to noncontrolling interests	$	(64	)	$	17

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

10. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the components of the denominator for the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding — basic		125,753,278		114,301,519
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock awards		—		77,336
Employee stock options		—		476
Other equity-based awards		—	—
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding — diluted		125,753,278		114,379,331

The Company generated a loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2021, so the effect of dilutive securities is not considered because their effect would be antidilutive. If the Company had generated income during the three months ended March 31, 2021, the effect of restricted stock awards, employee stock options, and other equity-based awards on the diluted shares calculation would have been an increase of 2,267,756 shares.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Dilutive securities outstanding not included in the computation of earnings per share because their effect is antidilutive:
Employee stock options and restricted stock awards		858,586		4,851,171

11. CONTINGENCIES

The Company is a party to various legal, regulatory and governmental proceedings incidental to its business. Based on current knowledge, management does not believe that loss contingencies arising from pending legal, regulatory and governmental matters will have a material adverse effect on the condensed consolidated financial position or liquidity of the Company. However, in light of the inherent uncertainties involved in pending legal, regulatory and governmental matters, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, and the very large or indeterminate damages sought in some of these matters, an adverse outcome in one or more of these matters could be material to the Company’s results of operations or cash flows for any particular reporting period.

With respect to all legal, regulatory and governmental proceedings, the Company considers the likelihood of a negative outcome. If the Company determines the likelihood of a negative outcome with respect to any such matter is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company records an accrual for the estimated loss for the expected outcome of the matter. If the likelihood of a negative outcome with respect to material matters is reasonably possible and the Company is able to determine an estimate of the possible loss or a range of loss, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, the Company discloses the estimate of the possible loss or range of loss. However, the Company is unable to estimate a possible loss or range of loss in some instances based on the significant uncertainties involved in, and/or the preliminary nature of, certain legal, regulatory and governmental matters.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - continued

Probable Contingencies

The table below presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability balances (in millions) during the three months ended March 31, 2021, with respect to the Company’s determination of the contingencies of the Company in respect of which an accrual has been recorded. The liability as of March 31, 2021 is comprised of individually insignificant amounts for various matters.

Summary of Recorded Amounts

	Probable
	Contingencies
Balance as of December 31, 2020	$	11
Expense		—
Reserve for insured claim		—
Cash payments		(1	)
Balance as of March 31, 2021	$	10

In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes a liability for litigation, regulatory and governmental matters for which, based on information currently available, the Company believes that a negative outcome is known or is probable and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. For all such matters (whether or not discussed in this contingencies footnote), such amounts have been recorded in other accrued liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and are included in the table above. Due to the uncertainties and difficulty in predicting the ultimate resolution of these contingencies, the actual amount could differ from the estimated amount reflected as a liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

In the aggregate, attorneys’ fees and other costs incurred but not included in the table above related to probable contingencies totaled less than $1 million and approximately $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and are included in other operating expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of (loss) income.

12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated all material events occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date for events requiring disclosure or recognition in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

On April 1, 2021, one or more affiliates of the Company sold substantially all of the assets of AllianceHealth Midwest (255 licensed beds) in Midwest City, Oklahoma, to affiliates of SSM Health Care of Oklahoma. The net proceeds from this sale were received at a preliminary closing on March 31, 2021.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read this discussion together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included herein.

Throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we refer to Community Health Systems, Inc., or the Parent Company, and its consolidated subsidiaries in a simplified manner and on a collective basis, using words like “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company”. This drafting style is suggested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and is not meant to indicate that the publicly traded Parent Company or any particular subsidiary of the Parent Company owns or operates any asset, business or property. The hospitals, operations and businesses described in this filing are owned and operated by distinct and indirect subsidiaries of Community Health Systems, Inc.

Executive Overview

We are one of the largest publicly traded hospital companies in the United States and a leading operator of general acute care hospitals and outpatient facilities in communities across the country. We provide healthcare services through the hospitals that we own and operate and affiliated businesses in non-urban and selected urban markets throughout the United States. We generate revenues by providing a broad range of general and specialized hospital healthcare services and outpatient services to patients in the communities in which we are located. As of March 31, 2021, we owned or leased 85 hospitals, comprised of 83 general acute care hospitals and two stand-alone rehabilitation or psychiatric hospitals. We are paid for our services by governmental agencies, private insurers and directly by the patients we serve.

We previously implemented a portfolio rationalization and deleveraging strategy involving the divestiture of hospitals and non-hospital businesses which concluded on December 31, 2020 (inclusive of definitive agreements with respect to the sale of five hospitals entered into in 2020 which have closed in 2021). However, we continue to receive interest from potential acquirers for certain of our hospitals, and may, from time to time, consider selling additional hospitals if we consider any such disposition to be in our best interests.

COVID-19 Pandemic

A novel strain of coronavirus causing the disease known as COVID-19 was first identified in December 2019, and has spread throughout the world, including across the United States. The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, has renewed the agency’s declaration of a national public health emergency, which was originally declared in January 2020, due to the continued consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an attempt to contain the spread and impact of COVID-19, authorities throughout the United States and the world have continued to recommend and mandate precautions such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders, the promotion of social distancing, and limitations on business activity. As vaccines have become more available, the number of COVID-19 cases have declined in the United States in recent months, certain precautions and restrictive measures have been lessened or ended, and economic conditions have improved.

As a provider of healthcare services, we are significantly affected by the public health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety of our patients, physicians, nurses, and employees in the communities in which we serve remains our primary focus. We have been working with federal, state and local health authorities to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in the communities we serve and have been taking or supporting measures to try to limit the spread of the virus and to mitigate the burden on the healthcare system, including, at times, rescheduling or cancelling elective procedures at our hospitals and other healthcare facilities. In addition, some states have been requiring hospitals to maintain a reserve of personal protective equipment and mandating COVID-19 screening for new patients and certain hospital staff.

Our hospitals, medical clinics, medical personnel, and employees have been actively caring for COVID-19 patients. Although we have been implementing considerable safety measures, treatment of COVID-19 patients has associated risks, which may include the manner in which medical personnel perceive and respond to such risks. While our hospitals have not generally experienced major capacity constraints to date arising from the treatment of COVID-19 patients, there are hospitals in the United States that are located in centers of the COVID-19 outbreak and have been overwhelmed in caring for COVID-19 patients, which has prevented such hospitals from treating all patients who seek care. One or more of our hospitals could be subject to such conditions in the future if a major COVID-19 outbreak occurs in a geographic region where any of our hospitals are located.

We have incurred, and may continue to incur, certain increased expenses arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, including additional labor, supply chain, capital and other expenditures.

Broad economic factors resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including high unemployment and underemployment levels and reduced consumer spending and confidence, have affected, and may continue to affect, our service mix, revenue mix, payor mix and/or patient volumes, as well as our ability to collect outstanding receivables. Business closures and layoffs in the geographic areas in which we operate have led to increases in the uninsured and underinsured populations, which may continue to adversely affect demand for our services, as well as the ability of patients and other payors to pay for services rendered. We have observed deterioration in the collectability of patient accounts receivable from uninsured patients compared to pre-pandemic levels which, if sustained, may continue to adversely affect our financial results and require an increased level of working capital.

Developments related to COVID-19 materially affected our results of operations during 2020, and have continued to affect the Company’s results of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, COVID-19 contributed to a decrease in patient volumes which resulted in a decrease in same-store admissions and same-store adjusted admissions compared to the prior year period, but also impacted the mix of services provided and payor mix in a manner that positively impacted our same-store operating results compared to the prior year period.

While we are not able to fully quantify the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our future financial results, we expect developments related to COVID-19 to continue to affect our financial performance. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic may otherwise have material adverse effects on our results of operations, financial position, and/or our cash flows, particularly if economic and/or public health conditions in the United States deteriorate or negative conditions persist for a significant period of time. The ultimate impact of the pandemic on our financial results will depend on, among other factors, the duration and severity of the pandemic as well as negative economic conditions arising from the pandemic, the volume of canceled or rescheduled procedures at our facilities, the volume of COVID-19 patients cared for across our health systems, the timing and availability of effective medical treatments and vaccines, the timing and effectiveness of the ongoing rollout of currently available vaccines, the spread of potentially more contagious and/or virulent forms of the virus and the impact of government actions and administrative regulation on the hospital industry and broader economy, including through existing and any future stimulus efforts. As discussed below under “Legislative Overview”, we have received, and may continue to receive, payments and advances made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security act, or the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, or the PPPHCE Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, or the CAA, and other stimulus laws, which have been beneficial in partially mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operation and financial position to date. The recently enacted American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, or ARPA, is another relief package with a number provisions that affect healthcare providers. The federal government may consider additional stimulus and relief efforts but we are unable to predict whether any additional stimulus measures will be enacted or their impact, if any. We are unable to assess the extent to which anticipated ongoing negative impacts on us arising from the COVID-19 pandemic will ultimately be offset by amounts received, and benefits which we may in the future receive, under the CARES Act, the PPPHCE Act, the CAA, the ARPA or any future stimulus measures.

Completed Divestiture and Acquisition Activity

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we completed the divestiture of four hospitals, including three which closed effective January 1, 2021 (for these hospitals we received net proceeds at a preliminary closing on December 31, 2020). In addition, the divestiture of one hospital was completed on February 1, 2021 for which we received immaterial net proceeds. These four hospitals represented annual net operating revenues in 2020 of approximately $179 million and, including the net proceeds for the three hospital divestitures that preliminarily closed on December 31, 2020, we received total net proceeds of approximately $23 million in connection with the disposition of these hospitals. In addition, we completed the divestiture of one additional hospital on April 1, 2021 for which we received net proceeds of approximately $5 million at a preliminary closing held on March 31, 2021.

During 2020, we completed the divestiture of 13 hospitals, including three which closed effective January 1, 2020 (for these hospitals we received the net proceeds at a preliminary closing on December 31, 2019), but not including the divestiture of three hospitals noted in the prior paragraph which closed on January 1, 2021. These 13 hospitals represented annual net operating revenues in 2019 of approximately $1.2 billion and, including the net proceeds for the divestiture of three hospitals that preliminarily closed on December 31, 2019, we received total net proceeds of approximately $845 million in connection with the disposition of these hospitals.

The following table provides a summary of hospitals that we divested during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020:

Hospital	Buyer	City, State	Licensed Beds		Effective Date
2021 Divestitures:
Lea Regional Medical Center	Covenant Health System	Hobbs, NM	68		January 1, 2021
Tennova Healthcare - Tullahoma	Vanderbilt University Medical Center	Tullahoma, TN	135		January 1, 2021
Tennova Healthcare - Shelbyville	Vanderbilt University Medical Center	Shelbyville, TN	60		January 1, 2021
Northwest Mississippi Medical Center	Delta Health System	Clarksdale, MS	181		February 1, 2021

2020 Divestitures:
Berwick Hospital Center	Fayette Holdings, Inc.	Berwick, PA		90	December 1, 2020
Brownwood Regional Medical Center	Hendrick Health System	Brownwood, TX		188	October 27, 2020
Abilene Regional Medical Center	Hendrick Health System	Abilene, TX		231	October 27, 2020
San Angelo Community Medical Center	Shannon Health System	San Angelo, TX		171	October 24, 2020
Bayfront Health St. Petersburg	Orlando Health, Inc.	St. Petersburg, FL		480	October 1, 2020
Hill Regional Hospital	AHRK Holdings, LLC	Hillsboro, TX	25		August 1, 2020
St. Cloud Regional Medical Center	Orlando Health, Inc.	St. Cloud, FL	84		July 1, 2020
Northern Louisiana Medical Center	Allegiance Health Management, Inc.	Ruston, LA	130		July 1, 2020
Shands Live Oak Regional Medical Center	HCA Healthcare, Inc., or HCA,	Live Oak, FL	25		May 1, 2020
Shands Starke Regional Medical Center	HCA	Starke, FL	49		May 1, 2020
Southside Regional Medical Center	Bon Secours Mercy Health System	Petersburg, VA	300		January 1, 2020
Southampton Memorial Hospital	Bon Secours Mercy Health System	Franklin, VA	105		January 1, 2020
Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center	Bon Secours Mercy Health System	Emporia, VA	80		January 1, 2020

On April 1, 2021, we sold substantially all of the assets of AllianceHealth Midwest (255 licensed beds) in Midwest City, Oklahoma, to affiliates of SSM Health Care of Oklahoma. The proceeds from this sale were received at a preliminary closing on March 31, 2021.

While the Company’s formal portfolio rationalization program concluded as of December 31, 2020 (inclusive of definitive agreements entered into in 2020 for the sale of five hospitals which have been completed in 2021), we continue to receive interest from potential acquirers for certain of our hospitals, and may, from time to time, consider selling additional hospitals if we consider any such disposition to be in our best interests. We expect proceeds from any such divestitures to be used for general corporate purposes and capital expenditures.

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we paid approximately $4 million to acquire the operating assets and related businesses of certain physician practices, clinics and other ancillary businesses that operate within the communities served by our hospitals. We allocated the purchase price to property and equipment, working capital, noncontrolling interests and goodwill.

Overview of Operating Results

Our net operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2021 decreased $12 million to approximately $3.013 billion compared to approximately $3.025 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2020, primarily as a result of hospitals divested during 2020, and developments related to COVID-19 as highlighted above. On a same-store basis, net operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2021 increased $269 million.

We had a net loss of $35 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to net income of $34 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2021 included the following:

•

an after-tax charge of $93 million associated with a loss on the early extinguishment of debt,

•

an after-tax benefit of $64 million for the recognition of pandemic relief funds,

•

an after-tax charge of $17 million to adjust the carrying value of long-lived assets at several hospitals that were sold at a sales price below carrying value, net of gains recognized upon the sale of certain facilities.

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 included the following:

•

an after-tax charge of $1 million for government and other legal settlements and related costs,

•

an after-tax charge of $3 million for loss from early extinguishment of debt,

•

an after-tax charge of $35 million for the impairment of long-lived assets of hospitals sold or held for sale based on their estimated fair values,

•

an after-tax charge of $1 million for legal expenses related to the final global resolution and settlement of certain Health Management Associates, Inc., or HMA, legal proceedings entered into with the U.S. Department of Justice during the three months ended September 30, 2018, or the HMA Legal Matters, and

•

income of approximately $240 million due to discrete tax benefits related to the release of federal and state valuation allowances on IRC Section 163(j) interest carryforwards as a result of an increase to the deductible interest expense allowed for 2019 and 2020 under the CARES Act that was enacted during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Consolidated inpatient admissions for the three months ended March 31, 2021, decreased 14.0%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. Consolidated adjusted admissions for the three months ended March 31, 2021, decreased 15.8%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. Same-store inpatient admissions for the three months ended March 31, 2021, decreased 4.9%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020, and same-store adjusted admissions for the three months ended March 31, 2021, decreased 7.2%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. These same-store decreases primarily resulted from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Self-pay revenues represented approximately 0.5% and 1.0% of net operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The amount of foregone revenue related to providing charity care services as a percentage of net operating revenues was approximately 7.6% and 5.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Direct and indirect costs incurred in providing charity care services as a percentage of net operating revenues was approximately 0.9% and 0.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Legislative Overview

The U.S. Congress and certain state legislatures have introduced and passed a large number of proposals and legislation designed to make major changes in the healthcare system, including changes that have impacted access to health insurance. The most prominent of these recent efforts, the Affordable Care Act, affected how healthcare services are covered, delivered and reimbursed. The Affordable Care Act increased health insurance coverage through a combination of public program expansion and private sector health insurance reforms and mandated that substantially all U.S. citizens maintain health insurance. The Affordable Care Act also made a number of changes to Medicare and Medicaid, such as a productivity offset to the Medicare market basket update and reductions to the Medicare and Medicaid disproportionate share hospital, or DSH, payments. However, reductions to DSH payments have been delayed by the CAA through 2023.

The future of the Affordable Care Act is uncertain. The law has been subject to legislative and regulatory changes and court challenges and, although the current presidential administration has indicated its intent to protect the Affordable Care Act, it is possible that there may be continued changes to the law, its implementation or its interpretation. For example, final rules issued in 2018 expand availability of association health plans and allow the sale of short-term, limited-duration health plans, neither of which are required to cover all of the essential health benefits mandated by the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, effective January 1, 2019, the financial penalty associated with the individual mandate was eliminated as part of the 2017 tax reform legislation. In December 2018, as a result of this change, a federal judge in Texas found the individual mandate unconstitutional and determined the rest of the Affordable Care Act was therefore invalid. In December 2019, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld this decision with respect to the individual mandate, but remanded for further consideration of how this affects the rest of the law. In November 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding this case. Pending a decision, the law remains in effect. The elimination of the individual mandate penalty and other changes may impact the number of individuals that elect to obtain public or private health insurance or the scope of such coverage, if purchased.

Of critical importance to us will be the potential impact of any changes specific to the Medicaid program, including the funding and expansion provisions of the Affordable Care Act or any subsequent legislation or agency initiatives. Historically, the states with the greatest reductions in the number of uninsured adult residents have expanded Medicaid. A number of states have opted out of the Medicaid coverage expansion provisions, but could ultimately decide to expand their programs at a later date. Of the 16 states in which we operated hospitals as of March 31, 2021, nine states have taken action to expand their Medicaid programs. At this time, the other seven states have not, including Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas, where we operated a significant number of hospitals as of March 31, 2021. Some states use, or have applied to use, waivers granted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, to implement expansion, impose different eligibility or enrollment restrictions, or otherwise implement programs that vary from federal standards.

We believe that the Affordable Care Act has had a positive impact on net operating revenues and income as the result of the expansion of private sector and Medicaid coverage that has occurred. However, other provisions of the Affordable Care Act, such as requirements related to employee health insurance coverage and changes to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, have increased our operating costs or adversely impacted the reimbursement we receive. Legislative and executive branch efforts related to healthcare reform could result in increased prices for consumers purchasing health insurance coverage, or destabilize insurance markets. Some current initiatives, requirements and proposals, including those aimed at price transparency and out-of-network charges, may impact prices and the relationships between hospitals and insurers. In addition, members of Congress have proposed measures that would expand government-sponsored coverage, including single-payor models.

It is difficult to predict the ongoing effect of the Affordable Care Act due to executive orders, changes to the law’s implementation, clarifications and modifications resulting from the rule-making process, judicial interpretations resulting from court challenges to its constitutionality and interpretation, whether and how many states ultimately decide to expand Medicaid coverage, the number of uninsured who elect to purchase health insurance coverage, budgetary issues at federal and state levels, and efforts to change or repeal the statute. We may not be able to fully realize the positive impact the Affordable Care Act may otherwise have on our business, results of operations, cash flow, capital resources and liquidity. We cannot predict whether we will be able to modify certain aspects of our operations to offset any potential adverse consequences from the Affordable Care Act or the impact of any alternative provisions that may be adopted.

In recent years, a number of laws, including the Affordable Care Act and Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, or MACRA, have promoted shifting from traditional fee-for-service reimbursement models to alternative payment models that tie reimbursement to quality and cost of care. CMS currently administers various accountable care organizations and bundled payment demonstration projects and has indicated that it will continue to pursue similar initiatives. However, the COVID-19 pandemic may impact provider performance and data reporting under these initiatives. CMS has temporarily modified requirements of certain programs by, for example, extending reporting deadlines.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal and state governments have passed legislation, promulgated regulations, and taken other administrative actions intended to assist healthcare providers in providing care to COVID-19 and other patients during the public health emergency. These measures include temporary relief from Medicare conditions of participation requirements for healthcare providers, temporary relaxation of licensure requirements for healthcare professionals, temporary relaxation of privacy restrictions for telehealth remote communications, promoting use of telehealth by temporarily expanding the scope of services for which Medicare reimbursement is available, and limited waivers of fraud and abuse laws for activities related to COVID-19 during the emergency period.

One of the primary sources of relief for healthcare providers is the CARES Act, an economic stimulus package signed into law on March 27, 2020. The PPPHCE Act and the CAA, both expansions of the CARES Act that include additional emergency appropriations, were signed into law on April 24, 2020 and December 27, 2020, respectively. The ARPA, another relief package with numerous provisions that affect healthcare providers, was enacted on March 11, 2021. In total, these stimulus laws authorize over $178 billion in funding to be distributed through the PHSSEF to eligible providers, including public entities and Medicare- and/or Medicaid-enrolled providers. PHSSEF payments are intended to compensate healthcare providers for lost revenues and incremental expenses incurred in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are not required to be repaid, provided that recipients attest to and comply with certain terms and conditions, including limitations on balance billing, not using PHSSEF funds to reimburse expenses or losses that other sources have been or are obligated to reimburse and audit and reporting requirements.

In addition, the CARES Act expanded the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program to increase cash flow to providers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Inpatient acute care hospitals were able to request accelerated payment of up to 100% of their Medicare payment amount for a six-month period. The Medicare Accelerated and Advanced Payment Program payments are advances that providers must repay. Providers are required to repay accelerated payments beginning one year after the payment was issued. After such one-year period, Medicare payments owed to providers will be recouped according to the repayment terms. The repayment terms specify that for the first 11 months after repayment begins, repayment will occur through an automatic recoupment of 25% of Medicare payments otherwise owed to the provider. At the end of the eleven-month period, recoupment will increase to 50% for six months. At the end of the six months (or 29 months from the receipt of the initial accelerated payment), Medicare will issue a letter for full repayment of any remaining balance, as applicable. In such event, if payment is not received within 30 days, interest will accrue at the annual percentage rate of four percent (4%) from the date the letter was issued, and will be assessed for each full 30-day period that the balance remains unpaid.

The CARES Act and related legislation include other provisions offering financial relief, for example suspending the Medicare sequestration payment adjustment from May 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021, which would have otherwise reduced payments to Medicare providers by 2% as required by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (but also extending sequestration through 2030). These laws also delay scheduled reductions to Medicaid DSH payments, provide a 20% add-on to the inpatient PPS DRG rate for COVID-19 patients for the duration of the public health emergency, and permit the deferral of payment of the employer portion of social security

taxes between March 27, 2020 and December 31, 2020, with 50% of the deferred amount due December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% due December 31, 2022. However, in addition to providing funding for healthcare providers, the ARPA increases the federal budget deficit in a manner that triggers an additional statutorily mandated sequestration under the Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, or PAYGO Act. As a result, absent congressional action, Medicare spending will be reduced by up to four percentage points in fiscal year 2022, in addition to the existing sequestration requirements of the Budget Control Act of 2011.

Through March 31, 2021, we have received approximately $708 million in payments through the PHSSEF and various state and local programs on a cumulative basis since their enactment of which approximately $705 million was received during the year ended December 31, 2020 and the balance of which was received during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The estimate of the amount of payments received through the PHSSEF or state and local programs for which we are reasonably assured of meeting the underlying terms and conditions is based on, among other things, the CARES Act, the CAA, various Post-Payment Notice of Reporting Requirements issued by HHS during the period, responses to frequently asked questions as published by HHS, expenses incurred attributable to coronavirus and our results of operations during such period as compared to our 2020 budget. The PHSSEF and state and local program payments recognized to-date did not impact net operating revenues, and had a positive impact on net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders during the three months ended March 31, 2021, in the amount of $62 million. No amounts were recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2020. Amounts received through the PHSSEF or state and local programs that have not yet been recognized as a reduction in operating costs and expenses or otherwise have not been refunded to HHS are included within accrued liabilities-other in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, and such unrecognized amounts may be returned to HHS in one or more future periods when a procedure for doing so is established by HHS or may be recognized as a reduction in operating costs and expenses in future periods if the underlying conditions for recognition are reasonably assured of being met.

HHS’ interpretation of the underlying terms and conditions of such PHSSEF payments, including auditing and reporting requirements, continues to evolve. Additional guidance or new and amended interpretations of existing guidance on the terms and conditions of such PHSSEF payments may result in changes in our estimate of amounts for which the terms and conditions are reasonably assured of being met, and any such changes may be material. Additionally, any such changes may result in our inability to recognize additional PHSSEF payments or may result in the derecognition of amounts previously recognized, which (in any such case) may be material. In addition, to the extent that any unrecognized PHSSEF payments that have been or may be received by us do not qualify for reimbursement based on future operations, we may be required to return such unrecognized payments to HHS following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic or other future time as may be determined by HHS guidance.

With respect to the Medicare Accelerated and Advanced Payment Program, we received Medicare accelerated payments of approximately $1.2 billion in April 2020. No additional Medicare accelerated payments have been received by us since such time and approximately $18 million and $77 million of amounts previously received were repaid to CMS or assumed by buyers related to hospitals we divested during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, respectively. As a result of CMS no longer accepting new applications for accelerated payments, we do not expect to receive additional Medicare accelerated payments. As of March 31, 2021 approximately $546 million of Medicare accelerated payments are reflected within accrued liabilities-other in the condensed consolidated balance sheet while the remaining approximately $517 million is included within other long-term liabilities. In April 2021, CMS began recouping Medicare accelerated payments previously received by the Company.

Due to the recent enactment of the CARES Act and other stimulus legislation, there is still a high degree of uncertainty surrounding their implementation, and the public health emergency continues to evolve. Some of the measures allowing for flexibility in delivery of care and various financial supports for health care providers are available only for the duration of the public health emergency, and it is unclear whether or for how long the public health emergency declaration will be extended. The current declaration expires July 20, 2021. The HHS Secretary may choose to renew the declaration for successive 90-day periods for as long as the emergency continues to exist and may terminate the declaration whenever he determines that the public health emergency no longer exists, but has indicated that the public health emergency will likely extend through 2021 and that HHS will provide states with 60 days’ notice prior to termination of the declaration. The federal government may consider additional stimulus and relief efforts, but we are unable to predict whether additional stimulus measures will be enacted or their impact on us. There can be no assurance as to the total amount of financial and other types of assistance we will receive under the CARES Act, other enacted stimulus legislation, or future measures, if any, and it is difficult to predict the impact of such measures on our operations or how they will affect operations of our competitors. Further, there can be no assurance that the terms of provider relief funding or other programs will not change or be interpreted in ways that affect our funding or eligibility to participate or our ability to comply with applicable requirements and retain amounts received. We continue to assess the potential impact of the CARES Act and other enacted stimulus legislation, the potential impact of future stimulus measures, if any, and the impact of other laws, regulations, and guidance related to COVID-19 on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

In June 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Azar v. Allina Health Services that HHS failed to comply with statutory notice and comment rulemaking procedures before announcing an earlier policy related to DSH payments made under Medicare to hospitals. In response to this adverse ruling, CMS proposed a new rule in August 2020 in an attempt to retroactively cure the underlying procedural

errors cited by the U.S. Supreme Court as the basis in their decision. CMS’ action has introduced uncertainty regarding the potential outcomes of this case and such action is widely expected to result in further litigation. If HHS or CMS are unsuccessful in their attempt to assert the proposed rule or another legal basis for their policy, one potential outcome is the federal government could be required to reimburse hospitals, including our affiliated hospitals, for Medicare DSH payments which otherwise would have been payable over certain prior time periods absent the enactment of this policy. While the ruling in this case was specific to the DSH payments calculated for federal fiscal year 2012 for the plaintiff hospitals, we believe that prior time periods with the potential for higher DSH payments because of the precedent of this ruling could include federal fiscal years 2005 to 2013. There continues to be uncertainty regarding the extent to which, if any, Medicare DSH payments will be remitted to our affiliated hospitals as the result of this ruling, and if so the timing of any such payments. However, we anticipate that if it is ultimately determined that our affiliated hospitals are entitled to receive such Medicare DSH payments for these prior time periods, these payments could have a material positive impact on a non-recurring basis in any future period in which net income is recognized in respect thereof as well as on our cash flows from operations in any future period in which these payments are received.

As a result of our current levels of cash, funds we have received and may in the future receive under the CARES Act. Other enacted stimulus legislation and any future stimulus measures, available borrowing capacity, long-term outlook on our debt repayments, the refinancing of certain of our notes, proceeds from the sale of hospitals and the continued projection of our ability to generate cash flows, we anticipate that we will be able to invest the necessary capital in our business over the next twelve months. We believe there continues to be ample opportunity to strengthen our market share in substantially all of our markets by decreasing the need for patients to travel outside their communities for healthcare. Furthermore, we will continue to strive to improve operating efficiencies and procedures in order to improve the performance of our hospitals.

Sources of Revenue

The following table presents the approximate percentages of net operating revenues by payor source for the periods indicated. The data for the periods presented are not strictly comparable due to the effect that hospital acquisitions and divestitures have had on these statistics.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020
Medicare		23.0	%		25.0	%
Medicaid		13.0			13.5
Managed Care and other third-party payors		63.5			60.5
Self-pay		0.5			1.0
Total		100.0	%		100.0	%

As shown above, we receive a substantial portion of our revenues from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Included in Managed Care and other third-party payors is operating revenues from insurance companies with which we have insurance provider contracts, Medicare managed care, insurance companies for which we do not have insurance provider contracts, workers’ compensation carriers and non-patient service revenue, such as rental income and cafeteria sales. In the future, we generally expect the portion of revenues received from the Medicare and Medicaid programs to increase over the long-term due to the general aging of the population and the impact of the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act has increased the number of insured patients in states that have expanded Medicaid, which in turn, has reduced the percentage of revenues from self-pay patients. However, it is unclear whether the trend of increased coverage will continue. In addition, there has been a trend toward increased enrollment in Medicare and Medicaid managed care, which may adversely affect our operating revenue. The Affordable Care Act imposes significant reductions in amounts the government pays Medicare managed care plans. Further, an executive order issued in October 2019 seeks to accelerate the shift away from traditional fee-for-service Medicare to Medicare managed care. We may also be impacted by regulatory requirements imposed on insurers, such as minimum medical-loss ratios and specific benefit requirements. Furthermore, in the normal course of business, managed care programs, insurance companies and employers actively negotiate the amounts paid to hospitals. Our relationships with payors may be impacted by price transparency initiatives and out-of-network billing restrictions. There can be no assurance that we will retain our existing reimbursement arrangements or that these third-party payors will not attempt to further reduce the rates they pay for our services.

Net operating revenues include amounts estimated by management to be reimbursable by Medicare and Medicaid under prospective payment systems and provisions of cost-based reimbursement and other payment methods. In addition, we are reimbursed by non-governmental payors using a variety of payment methodologies. Amounts we receive for the treatment of patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid and non-governmental payors are generally less than our standard billing rates. We account for the differences between the estimated program reimbursement rates and our standard billing rates as contractual allowance adjustments, which we deduct from gross revenues to arrive at net operating revenues. Final settlements under some of these programs are subject to adjustment based on administrative review and audit by third parties. We account for adjustments to previous program reimbursement

estimates as contractual allowance adjustments and report them in the periods that such adjustments become known. Contractual allowance adjustments related to final settlements and previous program reimbursement estimates impacted net operating revenues and net (loss) income by an insignificant amount in each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

The payment rates under the Medicare program for hospital inpatient and outpatient acute care services are based on a prospective payment system, depending upon the diagnosis of a patient’s condition. These rates are indexed for inflation annually, although increases have historically been less than actual inflation. On September 18, 2020, CMS issued the final rule to increase this index by 2.4% for hospital inpatient acute care services that are reimbursed under the prospective payment system, beginning October 1, 2020. The final rule also provides for a 0.5 percentage point increase in accordance with MACRA, which, together with other changes to payment policies is expected to yield an average 2.9% increase in reimbursement for hospital inpatient acute care services. Hospitals that do not submit required patient quality data are subject to a reduction in payments. We are complying with this data submission requirement. Payments may also be affected by various other adjustments, such as admission and medical review criteria for inpatient services commonly known as the “two midnight rule.” This rule limits when services to Medicare beneficiaries are payable as inpatient hospital services. Reductions in the rate of increase or overall reductions in Medicare reimbursement may cause a decline in the growth of our net operating revenues.

Payment rates under the Medicaid program vary by state. In addition to the base payment rates for specific claims for services rendered to Medicaid enrollees, several states utilize supplemental reimbursement programs to make separate payments that are not specifically tied to an individual’s care, some of which offset a portion of the cost of providing care to Medicaid and indigent patients. These programs are designed with input from CMS and are funded with a combination of state and federal resources, including, in certain instances, fees or taxes levied on the providers. The programs are generally authorized for a specified period of time and require CMS’s approval to be extended. We are unable to predict whether or on what terms CMS will extend the supplemental programs in the states in which we operate. Under these supplemental programs, we recognize revenue and related expenses in the period in which amounts are estimable and collection is reasonably assured. Reimbursement under these programs is reflected in net operating revenues and included as Medicaid revenue in the table above, and fees, taxes or other program related costs are reflected in other operating expenses.

Results of Operations

Our hospitals offer a variety of services involving a broad range of inpatient and outpatient medical and surgical services. These include general acute care, emergency room, general and specialty surgery, critical care, internal medicine, obstetrics, diagnostic services, psychiatric and rehabilitation services. Historically, the strongest demand for hospital services generally occurs during January through April and the weakest demand for these services generally occurs during the summer months. Accordingly, eliminating the effects of new acquisitions and/or divestitures, our net operating revenues and earnings are historically highest during the first quarter and lowest during the third quarter. As previously noted, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the pattern of demand for services we provide.

The following tables summarize, for the periods indicated, selected operating data.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021			2020
Operating results, as a percentage of net operating revenues:
Net operating revenues		100.0	%		100.0	%
Operating expenses (a)		(83.9	)		(90.1	)
Depreciation and amortization		(4.6	)		(4.8	)
Impairment and gain (loss) on sale of businesses, net		(0.7	)		(1.5	)
Income from operations		10.8			3.6
Interest expense, net		(7.7	)		(8.7	)
Loss from early extinguishment of debt		(2.3	)		(0.1	)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates		0.3			0.3
Income (loss) before income taxes		1.1			(4.9	)
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes		(2.3	)		6.0
Net (loss) income		(1.2	)		1.1
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(0.9	)		(0.5	)
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders		(2.1	)%		0.6	%

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020
Percentage (decrease) increase from prior year:
Net operating revenues		(0.4	)%		(10.4	)%
Admissions (b)		(14.0	)		(13.3	)
Adjusted admissions (c)		(15.8	)		(12.8	)
Average length of stay (d)		11.1			(2.2	)
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.		(455.6	)		115.3
Same-store percentage increase (decrease) from prior year (e):
Net operating revenues		9.8	%		(3.5	)%
Admissions (b)		(4.9	)		(5.2	)
Adjusted admissions (c)		(7.2	)		(4.8	)

(a)	Operating expenses include salaries and benefits, supplies, other operating expenses, government and other legal settlements and related costs, lease cost and rent, net of the reduction in operating expenses through March 31, 2021, resulting from the recognition of pandemic relief funds.

(b)	Admissions represents the number of patients admitted for inpatient treatment.

(c)	Adjusted admissions is a general measure of combined inpatient and outpatient volume. We computed adjusted admissions by multiplying admissions by gross patient revenues and then dividing that number by gross inpatient revenues.

(d)	Average length of stay represents the average number of days inpatients stay in our hospitals.

(e)	Excludes information for the hospitals sold or closed during 2020 and the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Items (b) – (e) are metrics used to manage our performance. These metrics provide useful insight to investors about the volume and acuity of services we provide, which aid in evaluating our financial results.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

Net operating revenues decreased by 0.4% to approximately $3.013 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2021, from approximately $3.025 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Net operating revenues on a same-store basis from hospitals that were operated throughout both periods increased $269 million, or 9.8%, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase in same-store net operating revenues was primarily due to COVID-19 pandemic-induced changes in the mix of services provided and payor mix compared to the prior period, partially offset by a decline in volumes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Non-same-store net operating revenues decreased $281 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, in comparison to the prior year period, with the decrease attributable primarily to the divestiture of hospitals during 2020 and 2021. On a consolidated basis, inpatient admissions decreased by 14.0% during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. Also on a consolidated basis, adjusted admissions decreased by 15.8% during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. On a same-store basis, net operating revenues per adjusted admission increased 18.3%, while inpatient admissions decreased by 4.9% and adjusted admissions decreased by 7.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Operating costs and expenses, as a percentage of net operating revenues, decreased from 96.4% during the three months ended March 31, 2020 to 89.2% during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Operating costs and expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization and impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, as a percentage of net operating revenues, decreased from 90.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 to 83.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Salaries and benefits, as a percentage of net operating revenues, decreased from 46.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 to 43.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Supplies, as a percentage of net operating revenues, decreased from 16.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 to 16.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Other operating expenses, as a percentage of net operating revenues, increased from 24.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 to 24.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Expense related to government and other legal settlements and related costs, as a percentage of net operating revenues, decreased from 0.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 to less than 0.1% during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Lease cost and rent, as a percentage of net operating revenues, decreased from 2.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 to 2.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Pandemic relief funds, as a percentage of net operating revenues, was (2.7)% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to 0% for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease in salaries and benefits, as a percentage of net operating revenues, during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to March 31, 2020 is primarily due to the reduction in personnel associated with divestitures. The increase in pandemic relief funds (reflected as a reduction to operating costs and expenses), as a percentage of net operating revenues, during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to March 31, 2020 is due to pandemic relief funds not having been received during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Depreciation and amortization, as a percentage of net operating revenues, decreased from 4.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 to 4.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, primarily due to ceasing depreciation on property and equipment at hospitals sold or held for sale.

Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net was $21 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $45 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, related primarily to divestitures in each respective period.

Interest expense, net, decreased by $31 million to $231 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $262 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. This was primarily due to our debt refinancing activities in 2020 and 2021 as discussed further in Capital Resources.

Loss from early extinguishment of debt of $71 million was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2021, as a result of the refinancing of certain of our outstanding notes as discussed further in Capital Resources. Loss from early extinguishment of debt of $4 million was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2020, as a result of the refinancing of certain of our outstanding notes.

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, as a percentage of net operating revenues, was (0.3%) for both of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

The net results of the above-mentioned changes resulted in income before income taxes increasing $183 million from a $149 million net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2020 to net income of $34 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Our provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $69 million compared to a benefit from income taxes of $183 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Our effective tax rates were 202.9% and 122.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The difference in our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020, was primarily due to an increase in the valuation allowance recognized on IRC Section 163(j) interest carryforwards created as a result of financing transactions completed during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 reflects discrete tax benefits of approximately $240 million related to the release of federal and state valuation allowances on IRC Section 163(j) interest carryforwards as a result of an increase to the deductible interest expense allowed for 2019 and 2020 under the CARES Act that was enacted during the three months ended March 31, 2020

Net (loss) income, as a percentage of net operating revenues, was (1.2)% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to 1.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests as a percentage of net operating revenues was 0.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to 0.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. was $(64) million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to net income of $18 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $44 million, from approximately $57 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, to $101 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to the timing and amount of interest payments. Cash paid for interest was $203 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $264 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received, resulted in a net payment of less than $1 million, and a net refund of approximately $2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Our net cash used in investing activities was approximately $120 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to approximately $109 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, a decrease of approximately $11 million. The cash used in investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was primarily impacted by an increase in cash used in the purchase of property and equipment of $6 million, an increase of $4 million in cash used for acquisition of facilities and other related businesses, and an increase in cash used to purchase other investments of $7 million. The increase in cash used in investing activities was partially offset by a $4 million increase in cash proceeds from dispositions of hospitals and other ancillary operations, and a $2 million increase in cash proceeds from the sale of property and equipment.

Our net cash used in financing activities was $406 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $82 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase in cash used in financing activities of approximately $488 million. This was primarily due to the net effect of our debt repayments, refinancing activities, and cash paid for deferred financing costs and other debt-related costs during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Amounts received through the PHSSEF or state and local programs that had not yet been recognized as a reduction in operating costs and expenses or otherwise refunded to HHS as of March 31, 2021 totaled approximately $25 million. Such amount is included within accrued liabilities-other in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, and such unrecognized amounts may either be returned to HHS in one or more future periods when a procedure for doing so is established by HHS or may be recognized as a reduction in operating costs and expenses in future periods if the underlying conditions for recognition are met.

As noted above, we received Medicare accelerated payments of approximately $1.2 billion in April 2020 under the Medicare Accelerated and Advanced Payments Program. No additional Medicare accelerated payments have been received by us since such time and approximately $18 million and $77 million of amounts previously received were repaid to CMS or assumed by buyers related to hospitals we divested during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, approximately $546 million of Medicare accelerated payments are reflected within accrued liabilities-other in the condensed consolidated balance sheet while the remaining approximately $517 million are included within other long-term liabilities. In April 2021, CMS began recouping Medicare accelerated payments previously received by the Company.

The CARES Act provides for deferred payment of the employer portion of social security taxes between March 27, 2020 and December 31, 2020, with 50% of the deferred amount due December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% due December 31, 2022. We began deferring the employer portion of social security taxes in mid-April 2020 and, as of December 31, 2020, we had deferred approximately $144 million. As of March 31, 2021, of this amount, approximately $72 million is included within accrued liabilities employee compensation and approximately $72 million is included within other long-term liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

There have been no material changes outside of the ordinary course of business to our upcoming cash obligations during the three months ended March 31, 2021 from those disclosed in the table on page 64 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on February 18, 2021, or 2020 Form 10-K, except as discussed below related to debt refinancing activity during 2021.

Capital Expenditures

Cash expenditures for purchases of facilities and other related businesses were approximately $4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to less than $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Our expenditures for the three months ended March 1, 2021 and 2020 were primarily related to physician practices and other ancillary services.

Excluding the cost to construct replacement and de novo hospitals, our cash expenditures for routine capital for the three months ended March 31, 2021 totaled $76 million compared to $63 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. These capital expenditures related primarily to the purchase of additional equipment, minor renovations and information systems infrastructure. Costs to construct replacement hospitals totaled $16 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, related primarily to the construction of a replacement facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Costs to construct replacement hospitals totaled $29 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, related primarily to the construction of a replacement facility in La Porte, Indiana. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, we also had cash expenditures of $13 million and $8 million, respectively, that represent both planning and construction costs for two de novo hospitals in the Tucson, Arizona market. We commenced operations for an 18-bed micro-hospital in that market during the fourth quarter of 2020, while the other de novo hospital is expected to be completed by the end of 2021 and have 52 beds.

Pursuant to a hospital purchase agreement from our March 1, 2016 acquisition of Northwest Health - La Porte, formerly known as La Porte Hospital, and Northwest Health – Starke, formerly known as Starke Hospital, we committed to build replacement facilities in both La Porte, Indiana and Knox, Indiana. The completion of the replacement facility for Northwest Health – La Porte, in La Porte, Indiana, and transfer of operations, including renaming the hospital to Northwest Health – La Porte, was completed on October 24, 2020. Construction of the replacement facility for Northwest Health - Starke is required to be completed within five years of the date we enter into a new lease with Starke County, Indiana, the hospital lessor, or in the event we do not enter into a new lease with Starke County, construction shall be completed by September 30, 2026. We have not entered into a new lease with the lessor for Northwest Health - Starke and currently anticipate completing construction of the Northwest Health - Starke replacement facility in 2026. Construction costs for the Northwest Health - Starke replacement facility is currently estimated to be approximately $15 million.

Capital Resources

Net working capital was approximately $1.4 billion at March 31, 2021, compared to $1.7 billion at December 31, 2020. Net working capital decreased by approximately $301 million between December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021. The decrease is primarily due to the decrease in cash, as a result of debt repayments, refinancing activities and cash paid for deferred financing costs during the three months ended March 31, 2021, partially offset by a decrease in current maturities of long-term debt.

In addition to cash flows from operations, available sources of capital include amounts available under the asset-based loan (ABL) credit agreement, or the ABL Credit Agreement, which we entered into on April 3, 2018, as well as anticipated access to public and private debt markets.

Pursuant to the ABL Credit Agreement, the lenders have extended to CHS/Community Health Systems Inc., or CHS, a revolving asset-based loan facility, or the ABL Facility, in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion, subject to borrowing base capacity. At March 31, 2021, the available borrowing base under the ABL Facility was $633 million, of which we had no outstanding borrowings. Letters of credit were reduced during the three months ended March 31, 2021 by $30 million in relation to a professional liability claim that was settled and funded during the three months ended December 31, 2020. Inclusive of this reduction, letters of credit totaling $120 million were issued as of March 31, 2021. The issued letters of credit were primarily in support of potential insurance-related claims and certain bonds. Principal amounts outstanding under the ABL Facility, if any, will be due and payable in full on April 3, 2023.

On January 28, 2021, the remaining principal amount of the 6¼% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 of approximately $95 million was redeemed using cash on hand.

On February 2, 2021, we completed a private offering of $1.775 billion aggregate principal amount of 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due April 15, 2029 (the “6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029”). The proceeds of the offering were used, together with cash on hand, to redeem the 9⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2023 via a tender offer which was funded on February 2, 2021, or to the extent not tendered, to fund the redemption of the remaining notes on February 4, 2021, and to pay related fees and expenses. The 6⅞% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029 bear interest at a rate of 6.875% per year payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on October 15, 2021.

On February 9, 2021, we completed a private offering of $1.095 billion aggregate principal amount of 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due February 15, 2031 (the “4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031”). The proceeds of the offering were used, together with cash on hand, to redeem the 8⅝% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 on February 9, 2021 and to pay related fees and expenses. The 4¾% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 bear interest at a rate of 4.750% per year payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2021.

On March 1, 2021, we redeemed the remaining principal amount of the 6⅞% Senior Notes due 2022 of approximately $126 million using cash on hand.

Our ability to meet the restricted covenants and financial ratios and tests in the ABL Facility and the indentures governing our outstanding notes can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet those tests. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under the ABL Facility and/or the indentures that govern our outstanding notes. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the ABL Facility or indentures that govern our outstanding notes, all amounts outstanding under the ABL Facility and the indentures that govern our outstanding notes may become immediately due and payable and all commitments under the ABL Facility to extend further credit may be terminated.

As of March 31, 2021, approximately $20 million of our outstanding debt of $11.9 billion is due within the next 12 months.

Through March 31, 2021, we received approximately $1.2 billion of accelerated payments pursuant to the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program, of which approximately $1.1 billion remained outstanding as of March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, approximately $546 million of Medicare accelerated payments are reflected within accrued liabilities-other in the condensed consolidated balance sheet while the remaining approximately $517 million are included within other long-term liabilities. Recoupment of these funds by CMS began in April 2021 under the repayment framework more specifically described above under “Legislation Overview” of this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Additionally, the CARES Act permitted the deferral of payment of the employer portion of social security taxes between March 27, 2020 and December 31, 2020, with 50% of the deferred amount due December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% due December 31, 2022. Through December 31, 2020, we had deferred approximately $144 million of which, approximately $72 million is included within accrued liabilities employee compensation and approximately $72 million is included within other long-term liabilities as of March 31, 2021, in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The deferral of the employer portion of social security taxes along with the repayment of Medicare accelerated payments are expected to negatively impact our cash flows from operations during 2021.

As previously discussed, we may require an increased level of working capital if we experience extended billing and collection cycles resulting from negative economic conditions (including high unemployment and underemployment levels) arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, which may impact service mix, revenue mix, payor mix and patient volumes, as well as our ability to collect outstanding receivables. A material increase in the amount or deterioration in the collectability of accounts receivable will adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations, requiring an increased level of working capital.

We believe that internally generated cash flows and current levels of availability for additional borrowing under the ABL Facility, as well as our continued access to the capital markets, will be sufficient to finance acquisitions, capital expenditures, working capital requirements, and any debt repurchases or other debt repayments we may elect to make or be required to make through the next 12 months. PHSSEF funds that we have received and may continue to receive under the CARES Act and related legislation will be used according to their terms and conditions as reimbursement for lost revenues and incremental expenses attributable to COVID-19, including working capital requirements and capital expenditures. As noted above, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in, and may continue to result in, significant disruptions of financial and capital markets, which could reduce our ability to access capital and negatively affect our liquidity in the future. Additionally, while we have received PHSSEF payments and accelerated Medicare payments under the CARES Act and related legislation and may continue to receive and be able to utilize PHSSEF payments which have been received, as noted above, there is no assurance regarding the extent to which anticipated ongoing negative impacts on us arising from the COVID-19 pandemic will be offset by benefits which we may recognize or receive in the future under the CARES Act and related legislation or any future stimulus measures.

We may elect from time to time to continue to purchase our outstanding debt in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Any such debt repurchases will depend upon prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, applicable securities laws requirements, and other factors.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

Off-balance sheet arrangements consist of letters of credit of $120 million issued on the ABL Facility, primarily in support of potential insurance-related claims and certain bonds, as well as approximately $12 million representing the maximum potential amount of future payments under physician recruiting guarantee commitments in excess of the liability recorded at March 31, 2021.

As previously discussed, we have a commitment to build one replacement facility. As part of an acquisition in 2016, we agreed to build a replacement facility in Knox, Indiana. The estimated construction costs, including equipment costs, are currently estimated to be approximately $15 million. We have incurred no cost to date for the construction of the replacement facility in Knox, Indiana.

Noncontrolling Interests

We have sold noncontrolling interests in certain of our subsidiaries or acquired subsidiaries with existing noncontrolling interest ownership positions. As of March 31, 2021, we have hospitals in 10 of the markets we serve, with noncontrolling physician ownership interests ranging from 1% to 40%. In addition, as of March 31, 2021, we have five other hospitals with noncontrolling interests owned by non-profit entities or a for-profit subsidiary of a non-profit entity. Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries was $481 million and $484 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries was $86 million and $87 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The amount of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $29 million and $16 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As a result of the change in the Stark Law “whole hospital” exception included in the Affordable Care Act, we are not permitted to introduce physician ownership at any of our hospital facilities that did not have physician ownership at the time of the adoption of the Affordable Care Act, or increase the aggregate percentage of physician ownership in any of our former or existing hospital joint ventures in excess of the aggregate physician ownership level held at the time of the adoption of the Affordable Care Act.

Reimbursement, Legislative and Regulatory Changes

Ongoing legislative and regulatory efforts could reduce or otherwise adversely affect the payments we receive from Medicare and Medicaid and other payors. Within the statutory framework of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, there are substantial areas subject to administrative rulings, interpretations and discretion which may further affect payments made under those programs, and the federal and state governments might, in the future, reduce the funds available under those programs or require more stringent utilization and quality reviews of hospital facilities. Additionally, there may be a continued rise in managed care programs and additional restructuring of the financing and delivery of healthcare in the United States. These events could cause our future financial results to be adversely impacted. We cannot estimate the impact of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement changes that have been enacted or are under consideration. We cannot predict whether additional reimbursement reductions will be made or whether any such changes or other restructuring of the financing and delivery of healthcare would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions, results of operations, cash flow, capital resources and liquidity.

Inflation

The healthcare industry is labor intensive. Wages and other expenses increase during periods of inflation and when labor shortages occur in the marketplace. In addition, our suppliers pass along rising costs to us in the form of higher prices. We have implemented cost control measures, including our case and resource management program, to curb increases in operating costs and expenses. We have generally offset increases in operating costs by increasing reimbursement for services, expanding services and reducing costs in other areas. However, we cannot predict our ability to cover or offset future cost increases, particularly any increases in our cost of providing health insurance benefits to our employees.

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Critical accounting policies are defined as those policies that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the financial condition or results of operations of the registrant. We believe that our critical accounting policies are limited to those described below.

Revenue Recognition

We record net operating revenues at the transaction price estimated to reflect the total consideration due from patients and third-party payors in exchange for providing goods and services in patient care. These services are considered to be a single performance obligation and have a duration of less than one year. Revenues are recorded as these goods and services are provided. The transaction price, which involves significant estimates, is determined based on our standard charges for the goods and services provided, with a reduction recorded for price concessions related to third party contractual arrangements as well as patient discounts and patient price concessions. During each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the impact of changes to the inputs used to determine the transaction price was considered immaterial to the current period.

Currently, several states utilize supplemental reimbursement programs for the purpose of providing reimbursement to providers to offset a portion of the cost of providing care to Medicaid and indigent patients. These programs are designed with input from the CMS and are funded with a combination of state and federal resources, including, in certain instances, fees or taxes levied on the providers. Under these supplemental programs, we recognize revenue and related expenses in the period in which amounts are estimable and collection is reasonably assured. Reimbursement under these programs is reflected in net operating revenues and fees, taxes or other program-related costs are reflected in other operating expenses.

Net operating revenues include amounts estimated by management to be reimbursable by Medicare and Medicaid under prospective payment systems and provisions of cost-reimbursement and other payment methods. In addition, we are reimbursed by non-governmental payors using a variety of payment methodologies. Amounts we receive for treatment of patients covered by these programs are generally less than the standard billing rates. Explicit price concessions are recorded for contractual allowances that are calculated and recorded through internally-developed data collection and analysis tools to automate the monthly estimation of required contractual allowances. Within this automated system, payors’ historical paid claims data are utilized to calculate the contractual allowances. This data is automatically updated on a monthly basis. All hospital contractual allowance calculations are subjected to monthly review by management to ensure reasonableness and accuracy. We account for the differences between the estimated program reimbursement rates and the standard billing rates as contractual allowance adjustments, which is one component of the deductions from gross revenues to arrive at net operating revenues. The process of estimating contractual allowances requires us to estimate the amount expected to be received based on payor contract provisions. The key assumption in this process is the estimated contractual reimbursement percentage, which is based on payor classification, historical paid claims data and, when applicable, application of the expected managed care plan reimbursement based on contract terms.

Due to the complexities involved in these estimates, actual payments we receive could be different from the amounts we estimate and record. If the actual contractual reimbursement percentage under government programs and managed care contracts differed by 1% at March 31, 2021 from our estimated reimbursement percentage, net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2021 would have changed by approximately $82 million, and net accounts receivable at March 31, 2021 would have changed by $105 million. Final settlements under some of these programs are subject to adjustment based on administrative review and audit by third parties. We account for adjustments to previous program reimbursement estimates as contractual allowance adjustments and report them in the periods that such adjustments become known. Contractual allowance adjustments related to final settlements and previous program

reimbursement estimates impacted net operating revenues and net (loss) income by an insignificant amount for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

Patient Accounts Receivable

Substantially all of our accounts receivable are related to providing healthcare services to patients at our hospitals and affiliated businesses. Collection of these accounts receivable is our primary source of cash and is critical to our operating performance. Our primary collection risks relate to uninsured patients and outstanding patient balances for which the primary insurance payor has paid some but not all of the outstanding balance, with the remaining outstanding balance (generally deductibles and co-payments) owed by the patient. For all procedures scheduled in advance, our policy is to verify insurance coverage prior to the date of the procedure. Insurance coverage is not verified in advance of procedures for walk-in and emergency room patients.

We estimate any adjustments to the transaction price for implicit price concessions by reserving a percentage of all self-pay accounts receivable without regard to aging category, based on collection history, adjusted for expected recoveries and any anticipated changes in trends. Our ability to estimate the transaction price and any implicit price concessions is not impacted by not utilizing an aging of our net accounts receivable as we believe that substantially all of the risk exists at the point in time such accounts are identified as self-pay. The percentage used to reserve for all self-pay accounts is based on our collection history. We believe that we collect substantially all of our third-party insured receivables, which include receivables from governmental agencies.

Patient accounts receivable can be impacted by the effectiveness of our collection efforts. Additionally, significant changes in payor mix, business office operations, economic conditions or trends in federal and state governmental healthcare coverage could affect the net realizable value of accounts receivable. We also continually review the net realizable value of accounts receivable by monitoring historical cash collections as a percentage of trailing net operating revenues, as well as by analyzing current period net revenue and admissions by payor classification, days revenue outstanding, the composition of self-pay receivables between pure self-pay patients and the patient responsibility portion of third-party insured receivables, the impact of recent acquisitions and dispositions and the impact of current economic and other events. If the actual collection percentage differed by 1% at March 31, 2021 from our estimated collection percentage as a result of a change in expected recoveries, net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2021 would have changed by $39 million, and net accounts receivable at March 31, 2021 would have changed by $51 million. We also continually review our overall reserve adequacy by monitoring historical cash collections as a percentage of trailing net operating revenues, as well as by analyzing current period net revenue and admissions by payor classification, days revenue outstanding, the composition of self-pay receivables between pure self-pay patients and the patient responsibility portion of third-party insured receivables and the impact of recent acquisitions and dispositions.

Our policy is to write-off gross accounts receivable if the balance is under $10.00 or when such amounts are placed with outside collection agencies. We believe this policy accurately reflects our ongoing collection efforts and is consistent with industry practices. We had approximately $3.2 billion at March 31, 2021, and $3.3 billion December 31, 2020, being pursued by various outside collection agencies. We expect to collect less than 3%, net of estimated collection fees, of the amounts being pursued by outside collection agencies. As these amounts have been written-off, they are not included in our accounts receivable. Collections on amounts previously written-off are recognized as a recovery of net operating revenues when received. However, we take into consideration estimated collections of these future amounts written-off in determining the implicit price concessions used to measure the transaction price for the applicable portfolio of patient accounts receivable.

All of the following information is derived from our hospitals, excluding clinics, unless otherwise noted.

Patient accounts receivable from our hospitals represent approximately 98% of our total consolidated accounts receivable.

Days revenue outstanding, adjusted for the impact of receivables for state Medicaid supplemental payment programs and divested facilities, was 53 days and 52 days at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Total gross accounts receivable (prior to allowance for contractual adjustments and implicit price concessions) was approximately $15.3 billion as of March 31, 2021 and approximately $14.8 billion as of December 31, 2020. The approximate percentage of total gross accounts receivable (prior to allowance for contractual adjustments and implicit price concessions) summarized by aging categories is as follows:

As of March 31, 2021:
	% of Gross Receivables
Payor	0 - 90 Days			90 - 180 Days			180 - 365 Days			Over 365 Days
Medicare		14	%		—	%		—	%		—	%
Medicaid		7	%		1	%		1	%		1	%
Managed Care and Other		33	%		4	%		3	%		3	%
Self-Pay		7	%		5	%		9	%		12	%

As of December 31, 2020:
	% of Gross Receivables
Payor	0 - 90 Days			90 - 180 Days			180 - 365 Days			Over 365 Days
Medicare		13	%		1	%		—	%		—	%
Medicaid		7	%		1	%		1	%		1	%
Managed Care and Other		31	%		4	%		3	%		3	%
Self-Pay		8	%		6	%		9	%		12	%

The approximate percentage of total gross accounts receivable (prior to allowances for contractual adjustments and implicit price concessions) summarized by payor is as follows:

	March 31,			December 31,
	2021			2020
Insured receivables		67.3	%		64.3	%
Self-pay receivables		32.7			35.7
Total		100.0	%		100.0	%

The combined total at our hospitals and clinics for the estimated implicit price concessions for self-pay accounts receivable and allowances for other self-pay discounts and contractuals, as a percentage of gross self-pay receivables, was approximately 91% at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. If the receivables that have been written-off, but where collections are still being pursued by outside collection agencies, were included in both the allowances and gross self-pay receivables specified above, the percentage of combined allowances to total self-pay receivables would have been 94% at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of the consideration conveyed in the acquisition over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually and when an event occurs or circumstances change that, more likely than not, reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value. During 2017, we early adopted Accounting Standards Update, or ASU 2017-04, which allows a company to record a goodwill impairment when the reporting units carrying value exceeds the fair value determined in step one. We performed our last annual goodwill impairment evaluation during the fourth quarter of 2020 using the October 31, 2020 measurement date, which indicated no impairment.

At March 31, 2021, we had approximately $4.2 billion of goodwill recorded, all of which resides at our hospital operations reporting unit. A detailed evaluation of potential impairment indicators was performed as of March 31, 2021. On the basis of available evidence as of March 31, 2021, no impairment indicators were identified.

The determination of fair value in our goodwill impairment analysis is based on an estimate of fair value for the hospital operations reporting unit utilizing known and estimated inputs at the evaluation date. Some of those inputs include, but are not limited to, the

most recent price of our common stock or fair value of our long-term debt, estimates of future revenue and expense growth, estimated market multiples, expected capital expenditures, income tax rates, and costs of invested capital.

Future estimates of fair value could be adversely affected if the actual outcome of one or more of the assumptions described above changes materially in the future, including a decline in or volatility of our stock price and the fair value of its our long-term debt, lower than expected hospital volumes, higher market interest rates or increased operating costs. Such changes impacting the calculation of our fair value, the risks of which are amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, could result in a material impairment charge in the future.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets

Whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values of certain long-lived assets may be impaired, we project the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by these assets. If the projections indicate that the reported amounts are not expected to be recovered, such amounts are reduced to their estimated fair value based on a quoted market price, if available, or an estimate based on valuation techniques available in the circumstances.

Professional Liability Claims

As part of our business of owning and operating hospitals, we are subject to legal actions alleging liability on our part. We accrue for losses resulting from such liability claims, as well as loss adjustment expenses that are out-of-pocket and directly related to such liability claims. These direct out-of-pocket expenses include fees of outside counsel and experts. We do not accrue for costs that are part of our corporate overhead, such as the costs of our in-house legal and risk management departments. The losses resulting from professional liability claims primarily consist of estimates for known claims, as well as estimates for incurred but not reported claims. The estimates are based on specific claim facts, our historical claim reporting and payment patterns, the nature and level of our hospital operations, and actuarially determined projections. The actuarially determined projections are based on our actual claim data, including historic reporting and payment patterns which have been gathered over an approximately 20-year period. As discussed below, since we purchase excess insurance on a claims-made basis that transfers risk to third-party insurers, the liability we accrue does include an amount for the losses covered by our excess insurance. We also record a receivable for the expected reimbursement of losses covered by our excess insurance. Since we believe that the amount and timing of our future claims payments are reliably determinable, we discount the amount we accrue for losses resulting from professional liability claims using the risk-free interest rate corresponding to the timing of our expected payments.

The net present value of the projected payments was discounted using a weighted-average risk-free rate of 1.8% as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. This liability is adjusted for new claims information in the period such information becomes known to us. Professional malpractice expense includes the losses resulting from professional liability claims and loss adjustment expense, as well as paid excess insurance premiums, and is presented within other operating expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of (loss) income.

Our processes for obtaining and analyzing claims and incident data are standardized across all of our hospitals and have been consistent for many years. We monitor the outcomes of the medical care services that we provide and for each reported claim, we obtain various information concerning the facts and circumstances related to that claim. In addition, we routinely monitor current key statistics and volume indicators in our assessment of utilizing historical trends. The average lag period between claim occurrence and payment of a final settlement is between three and four years, although the facts and circumstances of individual claims could result in the timing of such payments being different from this average. Since claims are paid promptly after settlement with the claimant is reached, settled claims represent approximately 1.0% of the total liability at the end of any period.

For purposes of estimating our individual claim accruals, we utilize specific claim information, including the nature of the claim, the expected claim amount, the year in which the claim occurred and the laws of the jurisdiction in which the claim occurred. Once the case accruals for known claims are determined, information is stratified by loss layers and retentions, accident years, reported years, geography, and claims relating to the acquired HMA hospitals versus claims relating to our other hospitals. Several actuarial methods are used against this data to produce estimates of ultimate paid losses and reserves for incurred but not reported claims. Each of these methods uses our company-specific historical claims data and other information. This company-specific data includes information regarding our business, including historical paid losses and loss adjustment expenses, historical and current case loss reserves, actual and projected hospital statistical data, a variety of hospital census information, employed physician information, professional liability retentions for each policy year, geographic information and other data.

Based on these analyses, we determine our estimate of the professional liability claims. The determination of management’s estimate, including the preparation of the reserve analysis that supports such estimate, involves subjective judgment of management. Changes in reserving data or the trends and factors that influence reserving data may signal fundamental shifts in our future claim development patterns or may simply reflect single-period anomalies. Even if a change reflects a fundamental shift, the full extent of the change may not become evident until years later. Moreover, since our methods and models use different types of data and we select our liability from the results of all of these methods, we typically cannot quantify the precise impact of such factors on our estimates of the liability. Due to our standardized and consistent processes for handling claims and the long history and depth of our company-specific data, our methodologies have historically produced reliably determinable estimates of ultimate paid losses. Management considers any changes in the amount and pattern of its historical paid losses up through the most recent reporting period to identify any fundamental shifts or trends in claim development experience in determining the estimate of professional liability claims. However, due to the subjective nature of this estimate and the impact that previously unforeseen shifts in actual claim experience can have, future estimates of professional liability could be adversely impacted when actual paid losses develop unexpectedly based on assumptions and settlement events that were not previously known or anticipated.

We are primarily self-insured for these claims; however, we obtain excess insurance that transfers the risk of loss to a third-party insurer for claims in excess of our self-insured retentions. Our excess insurance is underwritten on a claims-made basis. For claims reported prior to June 1, 2002, substantially all of our professional and general liability risks were subject to a less than $1 million per occurrence self-insured retention and for claims reported from June 1, 2002 through June 1, 2003, these self-insured retentions were $2 million per occurrence. Substantially all claims reported after June 1, 2003 and before June 1, 2005 are self-insured up to $4 million per claim. Substantially all claims reported on or after June 1, 2005 and before June 1, 2014 are self-insured up to $5 million per claim. Substantially all claims reported on or after June 1, 2014 and before June 1, 2018 are self-insured up to $10 million per claim. Substantially all claims reported on or after June 1, 2018 are self-insured up to $15 million per claim. Management, on occasion, has selectively increased the insured risk at certain hospitals based upon insurance pricing and other factors and may continue that practice in the future. Excess insurance for all hospitals has been purchased through commercial insurance companies and generally covers us for liabilities in excess of the self-insured retentions. The excess coverage consists of multiple layers of insurance, the sum of which totals up to $95 million per occurrence and in the aggregate for claims reported on or after June 1, 2003, up to $145 million per occurrence and in the aggregate for claims reported on or after January 1, 2008, up to $195 million per occurrence and in the aggregate for claims reported on or after June 1, 2010, and up to at least $215 million per occurrence and in the aggregate for claims reported on or after June 1, 2015. In addition, for integrated occurrence malpractice claims, there is an additional $50 million of excess coverage for claims reported on or after June 1, 2014 and an additional $75 million of excess coverage for claims reported on or after June 1, 2015 through June 1, 2020. The $75 million in integrated occurrence coverage will also apply to claims reported between June 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021 for events that occurred prior to June 1, 2020 but which were not previously known or reported. For certain policy years prior to June 1, 2014, if the first aggregate layer of excess coverage becomes fully utilized, then the self-insured retention will increase to $10 million per claim for any subsequent claims in that policy year until our total aggregate coverage is met. Beginning June 1, 2018, this drop-down provision in the excess policies attaches over the $15 million per claim self-insured retention.

Effective June 1, 2014, the hospitals acquired from HMA were insured on a claims-made basis as described above and through commercial insurance companies as described above for substantially all claims reported on or after June 1, 2014 except for physician-related claims with an occurrence date prior to June 1, 2014. Prior to June 1, 2014, the former HMA hospitals obtained insurance coverage through a wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary and a risk retention group subsidiary which are domiciled in the Cayman Islands and South Carolina, respectively. Those insurance subsidiaries, which are collectively referred to as the “Insurance Subsidiaries,” provided (i) claims-made coverage to all of the former HMA hospitals and (ii) occurrence-basis coverage to most of the physicians employed by the former HMA hospitals. The employed physicians not covered by the Insurance Subsidiaries generally maintained claims-made policies with unrelated third party insurance companies. To mitigate the exposure of the program covering the former HMA hospitals and other healthcare facilities, the Insurance Subsidiaries bought claims-made reinsurance policies from unrelated third parties for claims above self-retention levels of $10 million or $15 million per claim, depending on the policy year.

Effective January 1, 2008, the former Triad hospitals were insured on a claims-made basis as described above and through commercial insurance companies as described above for substantially all claims occurring on or after January 1, 2002 and reported on or after January 1, 2008. Substantially all losses for the former Triad hospitals in periods prior to May 1, 1999 were insured through a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary of HCA, Triad’s owner prior to that time, and excess loss policies maintained by HCA. HCA has agreed to indemnify the former Triad hospitals in respect of claims covered by such insurance policies arising prior to May 1, 1999. From May 1, 1999 through December 31, 2006, the former Triad hospitals obtained insurance coverage on a claims incurred basis from HCA’s wholly-owned insurance subsidiary with excess coverage obtained from other carriers that is subject to certain deductibles. Effective for claims incurred after December 31, 2006, Triad began insuring its claims from $1 million to $5 million through its wholly-owned captive insurance company, replacing the coverage provided by HCA. Substantially all claims occurring during 2007 were self-insured up to $10 million per claim.

There were no significant changes in our estimate of the reserve for professional liability claims during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Income Taxes

We must make estimates in recording provision for income taxes, including determination of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities and any valuation allowances that might be required against the deferred tax assets. We believe that future income will enable us to realize certain deferred tax assets, subject to the valuation allowance we have established.

The total amount of unrecognized benefit that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was less than $1 million as of March 31, 2021. A total of less than $1 million of interest and penalties is included in the amount of liability for uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2021. It is our policy to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized benefits in our condensed consolidated statements of (loss) income as income tax expense.

It is possible the amount of unrecognized tax benefit could change in the next 12 months as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations and settlements with taxing authorities; however, we do not anticipate the change will have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position.

Our federal income tax returns for the 2009 and 2010 tax years have been settled with the Internal Revenue Service. The results of these examinations were not material to our consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position. Our federal income tax returns for the 2014 and 2015 tax years remain under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. We believe the results of these examinations will not be material to our consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position. We have extended the federal statute of limitations through December 31, 2021 for Community Health Systems, Inc. for the tax periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2015. Our federal income tax return for the 2018 tax year is under examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the matters discussed in this Report include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or that include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “thinks,” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things:

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developments related to COVID-19, including, without limitation, related to the length and severity of the pandemic; the volume of canceled or rescheduled procedures; the volume of COVID-19 patients cared for across our health systems; the timing and availability of effective medical treatments and vaccines, including the timing and effectiveness of the ongoing rollout of currently available vaccines; the spread of potentially more contagious and/or virulent forms of the virus; measures we are taking to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of government and administrative regulation on us; changes in net revenue due to patient volumes, payor mix and negative macroeconomic conditions; increased expenses related to labor, supply chain, capital and other expenditures; workforce disruptions; and supply shortages and disruptions;

•

uncertainty regarding the implementation of the CARES Act, the PPPHCE Act, the CAA, the ARPA and any other future stimulus measures related to COVID-19, including the magnitude and timing of any future payments or benefits we may receive or realize thereunder;

•

general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in the regions in which we operate, including economic and business conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic;

•

the impact of current or future federal and state health reform initiatives, including, without limitation, the Affordable Care Act, and the potential for the Affordable Care Act to be repealed or found unconstitutional or otherwise invalidated, or for additional changes to the law, its implementation or its interpretation (including through executive orders and court challenges);

•

the extent to and manner in which states support increases, decreases or changes in Medicaid programs, implement health insurance exchanges or alter the provision of healthcare to state residents through regulation or otherwise;

•

the future and long-term viability of health insurance exchanges and potential changes to the beneficiary enrollment process;

•

risks associated with our substantial indebtedness, leverage and debt service obligations, including our ability to refinance such indebtedness on acceptable terms or to incur additional indebtedness, and our ability to remain in compliance with debt covenants;

•

demographic changes;

•

changes in, or the failure to comply with, federal, state or local laws or governmental regulations affecting our business, including any such laws or governmental regulations which are adopted in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic;

•

potential adverse impact of known and unknown government investigations, audits, and federal and state false claims act litigation and other legal proceedings;

•

our ability, where appropriate, to enter into and maintain provider arrangements with payors and the terms of these arrangements, which may be further affected by the increasing consolidation of health insurers and managed care companies and vertical integration efforts involving payors and healthcare providers;

•

changes in, or the failure to comply with, contract terms with payors and changes in reimbursement policies or rates paid by federal or state healthcare programs or commercial payors;

•

any potential impairments in the carrying value of goodwill, other intangible assets, or other long-lived assets, or changes in the useful lives of other intangible assets;

•

changes in inpatient or outpatient Medicare and Medicaid payment levels and methodologies;

•

the effects related to the implementation of sequestration spending reductions pursuant to both the Budget Control Act of 2011 and the PAYGO Act and the potential for future deficit reduction legislation;

•

increases in the amount and risk of collectability of patient accounts receivable, including decreases in collectability which may result from, among other things, self-pay growth and difficulties in recovering payments for which patients are responsible, including co-pays and deductibles;

•

the efforts of insurers, healthcare providers, large employer groups and others to contain healthcare costs, including the trend toward value-based purchasing;

•

increases in wages as a result of inflation or competition for highly technical positions and rising supply and drug costs due to market pressure from pharmaceutical companies and new product releases;

•

liabilities and other claims asserted against us, including self-insured malpractice claims;

•

competition;

•

our ability to attract and retain, at reasonable employment costs, qualified personnel, key management, physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers;

•

trends toward treatment of patients in less acute or specialty healthcare settings, including ambulatory surgery centers or specialty hospitals or via telehealth;

•

changes in medical or other technology;

•

changes in U.S. GAAP;

•

the availability and terms of capital to fund any additional acquisitions or replacement facilities or other capital expenditures;

•

our ability to successfully make acquisitions or complete divestitures, our ability to complete any such acquisitions or divestitures on desired terms or at all, the timing of the completion of any such acquisitions or divestitures, and our ability to realize the intended benefits from any such acquisitions or divestitures;

•

the impact that changes in our relationships with joint venture or syndication partners could have on effectively operating our hospitals or ancillary services or in advancing strategic opportunities;

•

our ability to successfully integrate any acquired hospitals, or to recognize expected synergies from acquisitions;

•

the impact of seasonal severe weather conditions, including the timing and amount of insurance recoveries in relation to severe weather events;

•

our ability to obtain adequate levels of insurance, including general liability, professional liability, and directors and officers liability insurance;

•

timeliness of reimbursement payments received under government programs;

•

effects related to pandemics, epidemics, or outbreaks of infectious diseases, including the novel coronavirus causing the disease known as COVID-19 as noted above;

•

the impact of cyber-attacks or security breaches;

•

any failure to comply with the terms of the Corporate Integrity Agreement;

•

the concentration of our revenue in a small number of states;

•

our ability to realize anticipated cost savings and other benefits from our current strategic and operational cost savings initiatives;

•

any changes in or interpretations of income tax laws and regulations; and

•

the other risk factors set forth in our 2020 Form 10-K, and our other public filings with the SEC.

Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant regulatory, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and may be beyond our control. Accordingly, we cannot give any assurance that our expectations will in fact occur, and we caution that actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this filing. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, there have been no material changes in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures set forth in Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in our 2020 Form 10-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the participation of other members of management, have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluations, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective (at the reasonable assurance level) to ensure that the information required to be included in this report has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to ensure that the information required to be included in this report was accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2021 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we receive inquiries or subpoenas from state regulators, state Medicaid Fraud Control units, fiscal intermediaries, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Department of Justice and other government entities regarding various Medicare and Medicaid issues. In addition to the matters discussed below, we are currently responding to subpoenas and administrative demands concerning (a) an inquiry regarding certain services performed by one of our affiliated emergency services companies in Pennsylvania, (b) a civil investigative demand related to call coverage services provided by a cardiology group at one of our Tennessee hospitals; (c) a civil investigative demand related to charges for certain emergency department services at our four New Mexico hospitals and (d) a subpoena related to certain critical care procedures performed at one of our Texas hospitals. In addition, we are subject to other claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of our business including lawsuits and claims related to billing practices and the administration of charity care policies at our hospitals. Based on current knowledge, management does not believe that loss contingencies arising from pending legal, regulatory and governmental matters, including the matters described herein, will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or liquidity of the Company. However, in light of the inherent uncertainties involved in pending legal, regulatory and governmental matters, some of which are beyond our control, and the very large or indeterminate damages sought in some of these matters, an adverse outcome in one or more of these matters could be material to our results of operations or cash flows for any particular reporting period. Settlements of suits involving Medicare and Medicaid issues routinely require both monetary payments as well as corporate integrity agreements. Additionally, qui tam or “whistleblower” actions initiated under the civil False Claims Act may be pending but placed under seal by the court to comply with the False Claims Act’s requirements for filing such suits. In September 2014, the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice, or DOJ, announced that all qui tam cases will be shared with their Division to determine if a parallel criminal investigation should be opened. The Criminal Division has also frequently stated an intention to pursue corporations in criminal prosecutions. From time to time, we detect issues of non-compliance with Federal healthcare laws pertaining to claims submission and reimbursement practices and/or financial relationships with physicians. We avail ourselves of various mechanisms to address potential overpayments arising out of these issues, including repayment of claims, rebilling of claims, and participation in voluntary disclosure protocols offered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Office of the Inspector General. Participating in voluntary repayments and voluntary disclosure protocols can have the potential for significant settlement obligations or even enforcement action.

The following legal proceedings are described in detail because, although they may not be required to be disclosed in this Part II, Item 1 under SEC rules, due to the nature of the business of the Company, we believe that the following discussion of these matters may provide useful information to security holders. This discussion does not include claims and lawsuits covered by medical malpractice, general liability or employment practices insurance and risk retention programs, none of which claims or lawsuits would in any event be required to be disclosed in this Part II, Item 1 under SEC rules.

Shareholder Litigation

Caleb Padilla, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v Community Health Systems, Inc., Wayne T. Smith, Larry Cash, and Thomas J. Aaron. This purported federal securities class action was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on May 30, 2019. It seeks class certification on behalf of purchasers of our common stock between February 20, 2017 and February 27, 2018 and alleges misleading statements resulted in artificially inflated prices for our common stock. On November 20, 2019, the District Court appointed Arun Bhattacharya and Michael Gaviria as lead plaintiffs in the case. The lead plaintiffs filed a consolidated class complaint on January 21, 2020. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated class complaint on March 23, 2020. That motion is pending. We believe this matter is without merit and will vigorously defend this case.

Padilla Derivative Litigation. Five purported shareholder derivative cases have been filed in two District Courts relating to the factual allegations in the Padilla litigation; namely, Faisal Hussain v. Wayne T. Smith, et al, filed August 12, 2019 in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware; Roger Trombley v. Wayne T. Smith, et al, filed August 20, 2019 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee; Susheel Tanjavoor v. Wayne T. Smith, et al., filed August 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware; Roofers Local No. 149 Pension Fund v. John A. Clerico, et al, filed October 30, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware; and Kevin Aronson v. Wayne T. Smith, et al, filed April 29, 2020 in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. All five seek relief derivatively and on behalf of Community Health Systems, Inc. against certain Company officers and directors based on alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and other acts related to certain Company disclosures in 2017 and 2018 regarding the Company’s adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, which the Company adopted effective January 1, 2018. The defendants filed a Motion to Stay on October 21, 2020, which is pending.

Other Government Investigations

Florida LIP Program CIDs – On September 14, 2017, our hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida received a CID from the United States Department of Justice for information concerning its historic participation in the Florida Low Income Pool Program. The Low Income Pool Program, or LIP, is a funding pool to support healthcare providers that provide uncompensated care to Florida residents who are uninsured or underinsured. The CID sought documentation related to agreements between the hospital and Pinellas County. On June 13, 2019, an additional ten of our affiliated hospitals in Florida received CIDs related to the same subject matter, along with two CIDs addressed to our affiliated management company and the parent company. We are cooperating fully with this investigation.

Commercial Litigation and Other Lawsuits

Steadfast Insurance Company, et al v. Community Health Systems, Inc., CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., CHSPSC, LLC and Pecos Valley of New Mexico, LLC; Community Health Systems, Inc., et al v. Steadfast Insurance Company, et al; Anne Sperling, et al v. Community Insurance Group SPC, Ltd. These cases are filed in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware, the Chancery Court for the State of Delaware, and the First Judicial District Court for the State of New Mexico, respectively, and involve insurance coverage disputes related to a $73 million judgment rendered against Pecos Valley of New Mexico, LLC in Anne Sperling, et al v. Pecos Valley of New Mexico, LLC (“Sperling I”). The first case was brought by Steadfast Insurance Company in Delaware Superior Court seeking a declaration that the Sperling I judgment is not a covered loss as defined by the insurance policies that are the subject of the case. The second case, filed by the Company in Delaware Chancery Court, seeks reformation of the subject policies. The third case (“Sperling II”), filed by the plaintiffs in Sperling I, seeks recovery from Pecos Valley of New Mexico, LLC’s insurers for the judgment awarded the plaintiffs in their separate, previous action against Pecos Valley of New Mexico, LLC. The Steadfast complaint was served on November 30, 2018. On December 13, 2018, Admiral Insurance Company, Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd, and Illinois Union Insurance Company moved to intervene in the suit as petitioners. The Company has initiated counterclaims against each insurer in that case, including for bad faith against Steadfast. The Company filed the Community Health Systems complaint on January 22, 2020. Sperling II was filed on July 24, 2019. Plaintiffs amended their complaint to add Pecos Valley of New Mexico, LLC as a defendant in that action on May 21, 2020, and Pecos Valley of New Mexico, LLC filed a third party action against certain insurer defendants in the case on July 6, 2020. On November 12, 2020, Pecos Valley and one of its insurers reached a settlement with the plaintiffs in Sperling I, and as a result the Sperling I case was dismissed with prejudice on November 19, 2020. The Steadfast, Community Health Systems, Inc. and Sperling II cases remain pending. Trial in the Steadfast and Community Health Systems, Inc. consolidated cases is set for December 13, 2021. The Sperling II case is stayed pending the outcome of Steadfast and Community Health Systems, Inc. The Company will vigorously defend and prosecute these cases.

Becky Kirk, Perry Ayoob, and Dawn Karzenoski, as representatives of a class of similarly situated persons, and on behalf of the CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan v. Retirement Committee of CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., John and Jane Does 1-20, Principal Life Insurance Company, Principal Management Corporation, and Principal Global Investors, LLC. This purported class action was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on August 8, 2019. The plaintiffs seek to represent a class of current and former participants in the CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan and allege that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by offering certain investments in the Plan that were more expensive and/or did not perform as well as other marketplace alternatives. We have reached a tentative, immaterial settlement with the plaintiffs which was preliminarily approved by the District Court on December 8, 2020. The District Court approved the settlement at a Final Fairness Hearing on April 12, 2021.

Thomas Mason, MD, Steven Folstad, MD and Mid-Atlantic Emergency Medical Associates, PA v Health Management Associates, LLC f/k/a Health Management Associates, Inc., Mooresville Hospital Management Associates d/b/a Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and Statesville HMA, LLC d/b/a Davis Regional Medical Center, Envision Healthcare Corporation f/k/a Emergency Medical Services Corporation, Emcare Holdings, Inc., Emergency Medical Services, LP. This alleged wrongful retaliation case is filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. The plaintiffs allege their agreements with the defendants were terminated in retaliation for plaintiffs’ alleged refusal to admit patients unnecessarily to the defendant hospitals or otherwise perform unnecessary diagnostic testing. The allegations of the complaint relate to time periods prior to the hospitals’ affiliation with the Company. The plaintiffs filed a Third Amended Complaint on April 26, 2019. The defendants filed motions to dismiss, which were granted in part and denied in part on September 5, 2019. Trial of this matter is set for January 3, 2022. We believe these claims are without merit and will vigorously defend the case.

Tower Health, f/k/a Reading Health System, et al v CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., et al. This breach of contract action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs allege breaches of an asset purchase agreement in connection with the sale of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. The alleged breaches regard plaintiffs’ contention that the defendants failed to disclose certain conditions related to the physical plant of the hospital, along with various other alleged breaches of the asset purchase agreement. The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on July 22, 2019. Trial for this matter is set for May 3, 2021. We believe these claims are without merit and will vigorously defend the case.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes with regard to the risk factors previously disclosed in the 2020 Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table contains information about our purchases of common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased (a)		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (b)		Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (b)
January 1, 2021 -
January 31, 2021		5,114	$	7.28		—		—
February 1, 2021 -
February 28, 2021		—		—		—		—
March 1, 2021 -
March 31, 2021		563,370		8.81		—		—
Total		568,484	$	8.80		—		—

(a)	568,484 shares were withheld to satisfy the payment of tax obligations related to the vesting of restricted stock awards.

(b)	We had no publicly announced repurchase programs for shares of our common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

The ABL Facility and the indentures governing each series of our outstanding notes restrict our subsidiaries from, among other matters, paying dividends and making distributions to us, which thereby limits our ability to pay dividends and/or repurchase stock. As of March 31, 2021, under the most restrictive test in these agreements (and subject to certain exceptions), we have approximately $200 million of capacity to pay permitted dividends and/or repurchase shares of stock or make other restricted payments.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

No.		Description
4.1		Indenture, dated as of February 2, 2021, among CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., Community Health Systems, Inc., the guarantors party thereto, Regions Bank, as Trustee and Collateral Agent, relating to the 6.875% Junior-Priority Secured Notes due 2029 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Community Health Systems, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 2, 2021 (No. 001-15925))
4.2		Form of 6.875% Junior-Priority Secured Note due 2029 (included in Exhibit 4.1)
4.3		Amended and Restated Junior-Priority Collateral Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2021, among CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., Community Health Systems, Inc., the grantors named therein and Regions Bank, as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Community Health Systems, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 2, 2021 (No. 001-15925))
4.4		Indenture, dated as of February 9, 2021, among CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., Community Health Systems, Inc., the guarantors party thereto, Regions Bank, as Trustee, and Credit Suisse AG as Collateral Agent, relating to the 4.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Community Health Systems, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 9, 2021 (No. 001-15925))
4.5		Form of 4.750% Junior-Priority Secured Note due 2029 (included in Exhibit 4.4)
10.1	*†	Community Health Systems Supplemental Executive Benefits, dated December 31, 2008, as amended and restated as of April 1, 2015, December 11, 2019, and February 16, 2021
31.1	*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2	*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1	**	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2	**	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101	*	The following financial information from our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter and three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2021, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language: (i) the condensed consolidated statements of (loss) income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, (ii) the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, (iii) the condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, (iv) the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, and (v) the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
104	*	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

*	Filed herewith.

**	Furnished herewith.

†	Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


	COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. (Registrant)

	By:	/s/ Tim L. Hingtgen
		Tim L. Hingtgen
		Chief Executive Officer



	By:	/s/ Kevin J. Hammons
		Kevin J. Hammons
		President and
		Chief Financial Officer



	By:	/s/ Jason K. Johnson
		Jason K. Johnson
		Senior Vice President and
		Chief Accounting Officer

Date: April 29, 2021

cyh-ex101_12.htm

Exhibit 10.1

SUPPLEMENTAL

EXECUTIVE

BENEFITS

Original Document Effective as of December 31, 2008

Amended and Restated as of April 1, 2015, December 11, 2019 and February 16, 2021

INTRODUCTION

This document outlines the supplemental benefits for eligible executive employees of affiliates of Community Health Systems, Inc. (the “Company”), including the hospital companies whose operating results are consolidated with the Company’s operating results. Benefits are provided by the entity that employs the particular eligible executive (the “Employer”), provided, however, certain benefits are provided through group plans sponsored by the Employer or CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.

Plan benefit categories are based upon your position with an affiliate of the Company. The following benefit categories are referenced throughout this summary:

Executive		Corporate Vice Presidents (includes Vice Presidents (Officer) (elected by the Board of Directors of the Company), Regional Presidents, and Vice Presidents (Non-Officer)) and above

Group l		Corporate Senior Directors/Directors
		Facility Chief Executive Officers

Group 2		Corporate Senior Managers/Managers/Supervisors
		Facility Chief Administrative Officers
		Facility Chief Financial Officers
		Facility Chief Nursing Officers
		Facility Chief Operating Officers
		Facility Assistant Chief Executive Officers
		Facility Assistant Chief Financial Officers
		Facility Assistant Chief Nursing Officers
		Facility Administrators/Assistant Administrators

Benefit category determination is the exclusive right of the Employer at its sole discretion.

As used in this document, “Cause” means gross neglect of duties, which gross neglect continues more than 30 days after receiving written notice from the chief executive officer of the Company, its board of directors, or other officers of the Company or Employer of the actions or inactions constituting gross neglect; insubordination; intentional misconduct or deliberate disruption of the workplace and working environment; conviction of a felony; dishonesty, embezzlement, theft, or fraud committed in connection with employment resulting in substantial financial harm to the Company; the issuance of any final order for your removal as an employee or representative of the Company or Employer by any state or federal regulatory agency; and your material breach of any duty owed to the Company or Employer, including without limitation the duty of loyalty. “Cause” shall not include ordinary negligence or failure to act, whether due to an error in judgment or otherwise, if you have exercised substantial efforts in good faith to perform the duties reasonably assigned or appropriate to your position.

SURVIVOR BENEFITS

Survivor benefits are life insurance proceeds intended to provide cash to your beneficiary(ies) in the event of your death. These Survivor Benefits are provided through group-term life insurance or a combination of group-term life insurance and individually-owned life insurance policies, as determined by the plan sponsor.

Amount of Benefit.

The lesser of $2 million or:

Executive		4X Base Salary

Group 1		3X Base Salary

Group 2		2X Base Salary

POST-TERMINATION BENEFITS

Post-termination benefits are generally designed to provide supplemental retirement benefits. Eligibility (dependent upon the design of the particular plan, as amended from time to time) may include (or have included in the past) one or more of the following:

•

the Employer/Community Health Systems, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (Corporate Vice President (Non-Officer) and above);

•

the CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated January 1, 2009, as subsequently amended (Elected Officers (Vice President (Officer) and above));

•

the CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc. 2018 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan effective January 1, 2018, as subsequently amended (Elected Officers (Vice President (Officer) and above));

•

matching contributions under the CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc. 401(k) Plan; and

•

any other qualified or non-qualified retirement plan of the Company or any affiliate.

You should refer to the underlying policies and/or plan documents relating to these benefits to learn more about eligibility and your right to post-termination benefits under these policies and plans.

SEVERANCE BENEFITS

Payout upon Termination (Salary and Vacation Time).

In the event you are terminated from your employment by your Employer, without Cause, severance benefits of a multiple of your then base monthly salary will be paid to you based upon your position, as shown in the schedule below:


Benefits Category	Severance Multiple
Executive Chairman	24 months
CEO	24 months
President	24 months
Executive Vice President	24 months
Senior Vice President	12 months
Regional President	12 months
Vice President (Officer)	12 months
Vice President (Non-Officer)	9 months
Group 1 (Corporate Senior Director/Director & Facility CEO)	6 months
Group 2 (Corporate Senior Manager/ Manager/Supervisors & Other Facility Key Hospital Management positions as defined on Addendum – Severance Benefits – Benefits Categories)	3 months

The vacation time payout for elected officers (Vice President (Officer) and above) (for whom no accruals are maintained) shall be based upon a reasonable estimate, to be determined by Employer, of the vacation time taken during the twelve month period preceding the date of termination.

Additional Payments (to be made no later than March 15^th of the year following termination)

In addition, if your employment is terminated without Cause, you will receive an additional amount of severance pay determined as follows:

Elected Officers (Vice President (Officer) and Above): the Employer shall pay the terminated individual, at the same time that the Employer makes annual bonus payments under the 2019 Employee Performance Incentive Plan (or any replacement or successor plan providing for similar benefits, collectively the “Incentive Plan”) to other senior executives, a pro rata portion of the annual bonus that would have been paid to the terminated individual under the Incentive Plan in respect of the year in which the termination date occurred had the terminated individual remained employed through the applicable payment date under the Incentive Plan, calculated by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the year though the termination date and the denominator of which is 365.

Termination within First 12 Months of Employment

If your employment is terminated without Cause before completing 12 full months of employment, you will only receive one-half of the salary benefits provided for above and none of the bonus benefit. Severance payments will be in the form of a lump sum payment or salary continuation, as determined by Employer, and subject to withholdings and other deductions as described below.

COBRA Payment Limitation

In addition to the severance benefits described above, terminated eligible executive employees who elect continuation health coverage under COBRA will be required to pay only the equivalent of the active employee premium for this coverage for a period of time equal to the time period applicable to such employee based on the above chart, subject to the eligibility provisions of COBRA coverage. The difference in the COBRA premium paid and the active employee premium will be reimbursed to the terminated eligible executive employee upon receipt of payment confirmation for the full monthly COBRA premium.

Release.

As a condition of providing any payments and/or benefits described above, you will be required to execute a comprehensive full and final release agreement satisfactory to the Company and substantially in the form attached as Attachment 1, as amended from time to time.

Equity Awards.

The terms of vesting and (in the case of stock options) exercisability with respect to outstanding equity awards following the termination of employment will be governed by the applicable award agreements and the Company’s 2009 Stock Option and Award Plan, as such plan is amended, restated and/or superseded from time to time.

ADDENDUM

Severance Benefits – Benefits Categories

To follow are the job titles associated with the benefits categories as outlined on page 3 (Severance Benefits):

Benefits Category		Associated Job Title(s)

Executive Chairman		Executive Chairman

CEO		Chief Executive Officer

President		President & Chief Financial Officer
		President of Clinical Operations & Chief Medical Officer

Executive VP		Executive Vice President & General Counsel

Senior VP		All Senior Vice President positions

Regional President		All Regional Presidents

Vice President (Officer)		Vice President positions classified as Officer level (i.e., elected by the Company Board of Directors)

Vice President (Non-Officer)		All Vice President positions classified as Non-Officer level (i.e., not elected by the Company Board of Directors)

Group 1		Corporate Senior Director/Director level positions
		Facility Chief Executive Officer

Group 2		Corporate Senior Manager/Manager/Supervisor level positions
		Facility Key Hospital Management positions to include: Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Assistant Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, Administrator, Assistant Administrator

Attachment 1

Release AGREEMENT

In consideration for Severance Benefits in the Supplemental Executive Benefits, ___________(the “Employee”) enters into this Agreement. The Parties to this Agreement acknowledge that the Employer of the Employee is an indirect subsidiary of Community Health Systems, Inc. and that the benefits of this Agreement inure to it and the other Released Parties, as defined below in Section 4.

1.Cessation of Employment. The Employee’s employment with the Employer ceased on the date specified at the end of this Agreement; The Employee has no right to employment or to contract with the Released Parties in the future and if such an employ and/or contract is entered into it may be voided without any liability.

2.Consideration. The Employer agrees to pay the Employee a gross amount of $______, which is ___ months of the Employee’s current base salary, less applicable withholdings and deductions and in accordance with the Community Health Systems, Inc. Supplemental Benefits Plan (Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan consideration is guaranteed by CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.).

Provided the Employee elects continuation coverage pursuant to the federal COBRA law, the Employee and the Employee’s current dependents may continue to enroll in the Employer’s group health insurances (medical, dental and/or vision). The Employee will pay the COBRA premium(s) and the Employer will reimburse the Employee the difference between the COBRA premium(s) and the premium(s) that the Employee would have paid had the Employee continued to be employed. This premium support is available through the elected COBRA period up to the later of the date specified in this Agreement or the date the Employee becomes eligible under a subsequent employers group health plan.

No Consideration shall be provided unless the Employee returns a signed copy of this Agreement, without proposing any changes to the Agreement, to the Employer, and any applicable revocation period under Section 4 has expired.

3.No Admission of Liability. This Agreement is not an admission by the Released Parties of any liability or any legal violation.

4.Release. The Employee, and on behalf of the Employee’s heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, successors, assigns, agents, servants, and attorneys (the “Releasing Parties”) releases and forever discharges, to the greatest extent permitted by law, the Employer, and any associated entities and persons including parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, assigns, agents, management companies, servants, representatives, shareholders, lenders, members, directors, officers, staff members, and employees (the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, causes of action, liabilities, covenants, agreements, obligations, damages, and/or demands of every nature, character, and description, without limitation in law, equity, or otherwise, which the Employee had, has, or may have (except as provided in this Section ), whether known or unknown, including under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Equal Pay Act, Family and Medical Leave Act,

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (unless vested), Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act, or other federal, state or local laws and regulations, and any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, retaliation, infliction of emotional distress, or any other right or claim arising from or relating in any way to the Employee’s employment with the Company and/or the or cessation of that employment (collectively, the “Claims”), including all attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses in connection with the Claims but excluding Claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) (as defined below).

The Employee agrees to waive any rights under any progressive discipline, grievance, and open door policies. The Employee warrants that the Employee knows of no facts that would serve as the basis for any of the Claims or legal violations. The Employee agrees the intent of this Section is to waive and release any and all claims, causes of action, liabilities, covenants, agreements, obligations, damages and/or demands of every nature, character, and description, without limitation in law, equity, or otherwise, which the Employee had, has, or hereafter may have (except as provided in this Section), known or unknown, against any of the Released Parties for any liability, whether vicarious, derivative, direct, or indirect; including any claims for damages (actual or punitive), back wages, future wages, commission payments, bonuses (target or other bonuses), reinstatement, accrued vacation, stock options (unless vested), past and future employee benefits (except any vested entitlement) including contributions to the Company’s employee benefit plans, compensatory damages, penalties, equitable relief, attorneys’ fees, costs of court, interest, and any and all other loss, expense, or damage of any kind related in any way to the Employee’s employment or separation.

As of the last payroll date prior to this Agreement, the Employee: (1) acknowledges having received all wages (including unpaid time and overtime) due under the Fair Labor Standards Act (as well as under any similar state or local laws referred to as the “FLSA”); and (2) does not claim that the Employer has violated or denied any of the Employee’s rights under the FLSA. The Employee and the Releasing Parties release and forever discharge, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the Employer and the other Released Parties from any FLSA claim(s), including attorneys’ fees, costs, liquidated damages and expenses incurred by the Releasing Parties in connection with such claim. If legally required, the Employee also agrees to enter into any waiver, settlement or other agreement related to the FLSA claim(s).

5.Employee Age 40 or Over at Time of Acceptance - Review and Revocation Period. The Employee is advised to consult an attorney before signing this Agreement. The Employee has up to 21 days to review this offer of Agreement, sign it, and return it. By signing below, the Employee acknowledges having had the opportunity to read and review this Agreement, seek legal advice, and to voluntarily, without coercion, agree to it with the understanding of its significance and the consequences of its terms. Regardless, the Employee does not waive any rights or Claims under the ADEA that may arise after the date the Agreement is effective. If the Employee signs this Agreement, the Employee has seven (7) days to revoke the Agreement; if revoked, the Agreement shall be null and void, and the Employee must return any payments and other consideration provided under this Agreement. If the Employee does not revoke this Agreement, it shall be in full force and effect, and each party shall be obligated to its terms. The parties agree any changes made to this offer of Agreement (material or immaterial) will not restart or require another 21-day period for consideration by the Employee.

6.Indemnification. The Employee agrees to not directly or indirectly initiate or fiscally benefit from any legally releasable Claim(s) against the Released Parties. And the Employee agrees to indemnify the Released Parties for all attorney’s fees and expenses incurred by the Released Parties in defending such Claim(s) and in enforcing this Agreement.

7.Nondisparagement. The Employee shall not engage in any conduct, verbal or otherwise, to disparage or harm the Released Parties’ reputations. Such conduct shall include, but not be limited to, any negative remarks made orally or in writing by the Employee about the Released Parties.

8.Confidentiality of the Agreement. The Employee agrees that all terms of this Agreement are confidential. The Employee shall not discuss or disclose the terms of this Agreement to any entity or individual, including present or former employees of the Released Parties, the only exceptions being the Employee’s attorney, spouse, or personal accountant/tax adviser (this does not waive the Employee’s right to file a charge or communicate with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other government agency).

9.Company Property and Confidential Information. The Employee has returned or will return within three (3) calendar days of the Separation Date all property and information, including originals and/or copies of documents relating to the business of the Released Parties. The Employee shall not directly or indirectly disclose to anyone, or use for the Employee’s own benefit or the benefit of anyone other than the Company, any “confidential information” received through the Employee’s employment. Company confidential information includes its business plans and files; management information; patient data; and any other related proprietary information. The Employee may use the Employee’s general knowledge of the industry for the Employee’s own benefit and occupation and may fully and fairly compete with the Company. If it appears the Employee will be compelled by law or judicial process to disclose any confidential information, the Employee shall immediately notify the Company in writing upon the Employee’s receipt of a subpoena or other legal process.

10.Compliance Disclosure. In connection with the separation of the Employee’s employment, and pursuant to the Compliance Program and Code of Conduct, the Employee represents and warrants to the Released Parties that the Employee has complied with the Compliance Program and the Code of Conduct at all times, and the Employee has disclosed in writing to the Corporate Compliance Officer any and all instances of known or suspected violations of laws, rules, regulations, or corporate policy by the Released Parties. The Employee agrees to actively cooperate with the Released Parties on any questions relating to the Employee’s employment and compliance. Further, the Employee represents and warrants that the Employee has not brought and has no intention to bring any whistleblower or similar suits or claims (which terms shall include, but not be limited to, a qui tam action under the Federal False Claims Act and similar federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations) or disclosures to any governmental agency that would subject the Released Parties to any liability. The Employee also represents and warrants that the Employee knows of no facts that would give rise to any such whistleblower or similar lawsuits, claims, or disclosures to any governmental agency; provided that the foregoing is not intended and shall not be construed as limiting the right of the Employee to bring whistleblower or similar lawsuits or claims or to make such disclosures to any governmental agency. In the event the representations and warranties contained herein become inaccurate or untrue, the Employee agrees to notify the Corporate Compliance Officer, in writing, of the

iii

necessary corrections to make the representations and warranties accurate and true, prior to initiating any whistleblower or similar lawsuits, claims, or disclosures to any governmental agency. The Employee also agrees to indemnify the Released Parties against and hold the Released Parties harmless from any loss, cost, damage, or penalty incurred by the Released Parties as a result of any inaccuracy in or breach of the representations, warranties, or agreements contained herein.

11.Intellectual Property. Intellectual Property or “IP” means any invention, modification, discovery, design, development, improvement, process, software program, work of authorship, documentation, formula, data, design, graphic, user interface, workflow, technique, know-how, trade secret, trademark, logo, slogan, trade dress, idea, or other intellectual property right whatsoever or any interest therein, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright, trademark, or similar protections.

All IP the Employee solely or jointly conceived, created, discovered, developed, or reduced to practice during the Employee’s employment that (i) is or was related to the Company’s business, including any planned or reasonably anticipated future business, (ii) was developed, in whole or in part, using the Company’s time or its equipment, supplies, facilities, or confidential information, or (iii) resulted from any work the Employee performed for the Company, together with the related goodwill and benefits (collectively “Company IP”), are the Company’s exclusive proprietary and confidential information, and constitute works made for hire. The Employee hereby assigns to the Company all rights the Employee has, may have, or may acquire in the Company IP without additional compensation and warrants that the Employee has disclosed to the Company all Company IP and related information. The Employee agrees to perform all acts deemed necessary or desirable by the Company to permit and assist it in perfecting and enforcing the full benefits, enjoyment, rights, and title throughout the world in the Company IP, including, without limitation, execution of documents, assistance or cooperation in the registration and enforcement thereof. If the Company is unable to secure the Employee’s signature to any document required to apply for or execute any IP registration application or related documents (including improvements, renewals, extensions, continuations, divisions and continuations in part), the Employee permanently appoints the Company and its authorized representatives as the Employee’s agents and attorneys-in-fact to execute and file said documents and to do all other lawful acts to pursue IP or other rights with the same legal effect as if executed by the Employee.

12.Miscellaneous Provisions. This Agreement is executed and delivered in the state of the Company’s principal location. The laws of such state apply, except for any rule of construction under which a contract may be construed against the drafter. Venue for any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement is in the jurisdiction of the Company’s principal offices. This is the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter. It supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties; it may not be altered or amended except by mutual agreement evidenced by a writing signed by both parties and specifically identified as an amendment to this Agreement. No provisions of this Agreement are waived unless in writing and signed by both parties. This Agreement binds the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, representatives, successors, and assigns. Neither party has made representations that are not contained herein on which either party relied upon in entering into this Agreement. Both parties have read and fully understand this Agreement and voluntarily enter into it. If any part of this Agreement is deemed to be unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, except Section 6 in its entirety, then such part shall be severed from the Agreement and the rest of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. As to any unenforceable part, except Section 4 in

its entirety, such court shall have the power to add or delete in its discretion any language necessary to make such provision enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law, in which case such provision or part thereof shall not be severed, and the parties expressly agree to be bound by any such court reformed provision. Furthermore, if the release provided for in Section 4 of this Agreement is deemed to be void or otherwise unenforceable in its entirety by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Employee shall not be entitled to consideration under this Agreement and shall immediately return/rescind such consideration and the Company will have a right to cease consideration and seek restitution, recoupment, and setoff for the recovery of any such consideration. This Agreement’s headings and captions are for convenience only and are not to be used in construing or interpreting this Agreement. The term "including" is used to list items by way of example and does not limit any term or provision. References to the singular and plural tenses are interchangeable.

13.Date of Cessation of Employment: ________________________

[Signature page follows]

SIGNATURES:

EMPLOYEE SIGNATURE:

EMPLOYEE NAME:

DATE SIGNED:

WITNESS’ SIGNATURE:

Employer to sign after employee returns Accepted Unchanged Offer

EMPLOYER:

By:


Name:

Title:

DATE SIGNED:

For convenience, this Agreement may be signed and electronically transmitted between the Parties and be as effective as a signed, paper agreement.

BENEFIT GUARANTOR: CHS/COMMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.

By:

Name:


Title

DATE SIGNED:

cyh-ex311_10.htm

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Tim L. Hingtgen, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Community Health Systems, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal controls over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

		/s/ Tim L. Hingtgen
		Tim L. Hingtgen
		Chief Executive Officer

Date: April 29, 2021

cyh-ex312_6.htm

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Kevin J. Hammons, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Community Health Systems, Inc.;

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

		/s/ Kevin J. Hammons
		Kevin J. Hammons
		President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: April 29, 2021

cyh-ex321_8.htm

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT

TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Community Health Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Tim L. Hingtgen, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Tim L. Hingtgen

Tim L. Hingtgen

Chief Executive Officer

April 29, 2021

cyh-ex322_9.htm

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT

TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Community Health Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Kevin J. Hammons, President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Kevin J. Hammons

Kevin J. Hammons

President and Chief Financial Officer

April 29, 2021