Exhibit 99.1

LHC Group announces first quarter 2021 financial results



Raises full year 2021 guidance

LAFAYETTE, La., May 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LHC Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LHCG) announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Unless otherwise noted, all results are compared with the first quarter ended March 31, 2020.

First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Operational and Strategic Highlights

Commenting on the results, Keith G. Myers, LHC Group's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "This is a year of great opportunity for LHC Group. We have begun the year on a strong clinical, operational and financial footing, and we have brought to light the broad impact we are undertaking to provide the thousands of communities we serve with our enhanced ESG reporting. With our operational and clinical strategies stress tested throughout PDGM and the COVID-19 public health emergency, we are positioned to earn more market share with leading quality scores, increased physician referrals and a proven history of delivering value for our partners and improved outcomes for patients. Our M&A pipeline remains very robust with our activity expected to accelerate throughout the year with new opportunities in a number of our service lines as well as new and expanded joint ventures. We are also benefiting from an improved legislative and regulatory outlook as legislative initiatives from Congress, innovation from CMS and stated budget and stimulus priorities of the Biden Administration are all emphasizing the need for at home care."

COVID-19 Update
The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on our operations and financial results for the first quarter of 2021 with a continued impact expected throughout 2021, although to a lesser extent than what we have experienced to date. During the first quarter, we incurred $12.0 million ($8.9 million net of tax), or $0.28 per diluted share, in additional COVID-19 costs and expenses related to PPE, supplies, employee related costs and expenses, including, without limitation, bonuses, increased wages, and wage supplements for front line caregivers, and other categories of costs and expenses incurred in response to the pandemic.

LHC Group has also implemented a number of cost containment initiatives, including eliminating non-essential travel and expenses and other measures. We continue to have strong access to capital with approximately $555.7 million of available liquidity from cash and our revolving credit facility net of the $411.2 million liability associated with the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments and Provider Relief Funds.

Since April 2020, we received funds totaling $318.0 million under the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program as provided for by the CARES Act. The accelerated Medicare payments are interest free and the program currently requires that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recoup the accelerated payments beginning 12 months after receipt by the provider, by withholding 25% of future Medicare fee-for service payments for claims for 11 months and then withholding 50% of future Medicare fee-for service payments for claims for an additional six months. An interest rate of 4% will be assessed on any outstanding balances after 29 months from the date of the initial advance but we intend to repay the full amount before any interest will accrue. CMS began recouping these funds on April 13, 2021.

As of March 31, 2021, we have received funds totaling $93.3 million related to the Provider Relief Fund as provided for by the CARES Act. The full amount received was recorded as a short-term liability in government stimulus advance in our condensed consolidated balance sheet, but no funds were recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 or for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. It is our intent to return the funds to the government.

Operational Trends
Please refer to the supplemental information that can be found under Quarterly Results on the Company's Investor Relations page to access more detailed statistics on pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 trends.

Full Year 2021 Guidance
The Company raised its guidance for 2021 to account for the extension of the Public Health Emergency to July 20, 2021 and the suspension of Medicare sequestration to December 31, 2021. Full year 2021 net service revenue is now expected to be in a range of $2.215 billion to $2.265 billion (compared with $2.200 billion to $2.260 billion previously) adjusted earnings per diluted share is expected to be in a range of $6.20 to $6.40 (compared with $5.65 to $5.90 previously), and EBITDA, less non-controlling interest, is expected to be in a range of $290 million to $300 million (compared with $268 million to $280 million previously).

Joshua L. Proffitt, LHC Group's President, added, "The first quarter results continue to reflect the sequential acceleration in our business with revenue within our projected range and adjusted earnings and adjusted EBITDA ahead of our expectations. This performance and the positive sequential trends we have experienced provide us with even greater confidence in our outlook and in the number of new growth opportunities we can pursue. We are intently focused on driving organic growth, enhancing our position as the partner of choice for hospitals and health systems, delivering leading quality and patient satisfaction, deploying resources to new hospice opportunities and capitalizing on the consolidation opportunity in home health."

The Company's guidance ranges reflect a number of assumptions that are subject to change based on uncertainties related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company's guidance ranges do not take into account the impact of future COVID-19 related costs and expenses. The Company is estimating COVID-19 related costs and expenses in the range of $20 million to $25 million in the full year of 2021. The Company's guidance ranges also do not take into account reimbursement changes, if any, future acquisitions, if made, de novo locations, if opened, location closures, if any, or future legal expenses, if necessary. Please refer to the supplemental information that can be found under Financial Results on the Company's Investor Relations page to access more detailed guidance assumptions.

Conference Call
LHC Group will host a conference call on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss its first quarter 2021 results. The toll-free number to call for this interactive teleconference is (877) 870-4263 (international callers: (412) 317-0790). A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through midnight on Thursday, May 13, 2021, by dialing (877) 344-7529 (international callers: (412) 317-0088) and entering confirmation number 10154018.

The Company has posted supplemental financial information on the first quarter results that it will reference during the conference call. The supplemental information can be found under Quarterly Results on the Company's Investor Relations page. A live webcast of LHC Group's conference call will be available under the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, www.LHCGroup.com. A one-year online replay will be available approximately one hour following the conclusion of the live broadcast.

About LHC Group, Inc.
LHC Group, Inc. is a national provider of in-home healthcare services and innovations for communities around the nation, offering quality, value-based healthcare to patients primarily within the comfort and privacy of their home or place of residence. The company's 30,000 employees deliver home health, hospice, home and community based services, and facility-based care in 35 states and the District of Columbia – reaching 60 percent of the U.S. population aged 65 and older. As the preferred joint venture partner for approximately 400 leading U.S. hospitals and health systems, LHC Group works in cooperation with providers to customize each partnership and reach more patients and families with an effective and efficient model of care.

Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" (as defined in the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) regarding, among other things, future events or the future financial performance of the Company, or anticipated benefits of the transaction. Words such as "anticipate," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "will," "estimates," "may," "could," "should" and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions or events identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to: our 2021 revenue and earnings guidance, statements about the benefits of the acquisition, including anticipated earnings accretion, synergies and cost savings and the timing thereof; the Company's plans, objectives, expectations, projections and intentions; and other statements relating to the transaction that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and involve estimates, expectations and projections. Investors are cautioned that all such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and important factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. With respect to the acquisition, these risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings, synergies and growth from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the diversion of management time on integration-related issues; and the risk that costs associated with the integration of the businesses are higher than anticipated. With respect to the Company's businesses, these risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: changes in, or failure to comply with, existing government regulations that impact the Company's businesses; legislative proposals for healthcare reform; the impact of changes in future interpretations of fraud, anti-kickback, or other laws; changes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement levels; changes in laws and regulations with respect to Accountable Care Organizations; changes in the marketplace and regulatory environment for Health Risk Assessments; decrease in demand for the Company's services; the potential impact of the transaction on relationships with customers, joint venture and other partners, competitors, management and other employees, including the loss of significant contracts or reduction in revenues associated with major payor sources; ability of customers to pay for services; risks related to any current or future litigation proceedings; potential audits and investigations by government and regulatory agencies, including the impact of any negative publicity or litigation; the ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers in the manner anticipated; the ability to hire and retain key personnel; increased competition from other entities offering similar services as offered by the Company; reliance on and integration of information technology systems; ability to protect intellectual property rights; impact of security breaches, cyber-attacks or fraudulent activity on the Company's reputation; the risks associated with assumptions the parties make in connection with the parties' critical accounting estimates and legal proceedings; the risks associated with the Company's expansion strategy, the successful integration of recent acquisitions, and if necessary, the ability to relocate or restructure current facilities; and the potential impact of an economic downturn or effects of tax assessments or tax positions taken, risks related to goodwill and other intangible asset impairment, tax adjustments, anticipated tax rates, benefit or retirement plan costs, or other regulatory compliance costs.

Many of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Because of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Furthermore, forward-looking statements speak only as of the information currently available to the Company on the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release. The Company does not give any assurance (1) that the Company will achieve its guidance or expectations, or (2) concerning any result or the timing thereof. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the transaction or other matters and attributable to the Company or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above.

LHC GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands, except share data) (Unaudited)



March 31,
2021


December 31,
2020

ASSETS




Current assets:




Cash

$

292,317



$

286,569


Receivables:




Patient accounts receivable

331,715



301,209


Other receivables

9,821



11,522


Amounts due from governmental entities

223




Total receivables

341,759



312,731


Prepaid expenses

26,038



22,058


Other current assets

23,561



25,664


Total current assets

683,675



647,022


Property, building and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $86,521 and $82,721, respectively

139,663



138,366


Goodwill

1,259,127



1,259,147


Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $17,963 and $17,659, respectively

314,532



315,355


Assets held for sale

3,137



1,900


Operating lease right of use asset

101,193



100,046


Other assets

21,527



21,518


Total assets

$

2,522,854



$

2,483,354


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY




Current liabilities:




Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

$

63,975



$

64,864


Salaries, wages, and benefits payable

110,327



88,666


Self-insurance reserves

33,893



35,103


 Income tax payable

22,382



21,464


Government stimulus advance

93,257



93,257


Contract liabilities - deferred revenue

317,962



317,962


Current operating lease liabilities

32,627



32,676


Amounts due to governmental entities

1,164



1,516


Current liabilities - deferred employer payroll tax

25,928



25,928


Total current liabilities

701,515



681,436


Deferred income taxes

54,954



47,237


Income taxes payable

6,404



6,203


Revolving credit facility



20,000


Other long term liabilities

25,928



25,928


Long-term operating lease liabilities

71,431



70,275


                                   Total liabilities

860,232



851,079


Noncontrolling interest — redeemable

17,939



18,921


Commitments and contingencies




Stockholders' equity:




LHC Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:




Preferred stock – $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding




Common stock — $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 36,507,148 and 36,355,497 shares issued, and 31,240,270 and 31,139,840 shares outstanding, respectively

365



364


Treasury stock — 5,266,878 and 5,215,657 shares at cost, respectively

(78,552)



(69,011)


Additional paid-in capital

966,201



962,120


Retained earnings

669,956



635,297


Total LHC Group, Inc. stockholders' equity

1,557,970



1,528,770


Noncontrolling interest — non-redeemable

86,713



84,584


Total stockholders' equity

1,644,683



1,613,354


Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

2,522,854



$

2,483,354


LHC GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended

March 31,


2021


2020

Net service revenue

$

524,835



$

512,871


Cost of service revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)

310,272



321,202


Gross margin

214,563



191,669


General and administrative expenses

163,249



157,866


Impairment of intangibles and other

177




Operating income

51,137



33,803


Interest expense

(263)



(2,768)


Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest

50,874



31,035


Income tax expense

9,441



3,359


Net income

41,433



27,676


Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

6,774



5,652


Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders

$

34,659



$

22,024






Earnings per share:




Basic

$

1.11



$

0.71


Diluted

$

1.10



$

0.70


Weighted average shares outstanding:




Basic

31,165



31,020


Diluted

31,432



31,303


LHC GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands) (Unaudited)



Three Months Ended 

 March 31,


2021


2020

Operating activities:




Net income

$

41,433



$

27,676


Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:




Depreciation and amortization expense

4,999



5,133


Amortization of operating lease right of use asset

8,918



8,512


Stock-based compensation expense

3,513



3,680


Deferred income taxes

7,717



4,367


Amortization of operating leases



(13)


Loss on disposal of assets

31



47


    Impairment of intangibles and other

177




Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:




Receivables

(28,805)



(67,470)


Prepaid expenses

(3,980)



(11,728)


Other assets

1,627



2,268


Prepaid income taxes



(4,537)


Accounts payable and accrued expenses

(2,894)



(11,159)


Salaries, wages, and benefits payable

20,451



24,826


Operating lease liabilities

(8,925)



(8,415)


Income taxes payable

1,119



2,298


Net amounts due to/from governmental entities

(575)



51


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

44,806



(24,464)


Investing activities:




Purchases of property, building and equipment

(4,849)



(13,502)


Proceeds from sale of property, building and equipment

45



1,149


Cash received (paid) for acquisitions



3,125


Proceeds from sale of entities

200




Net cash used in investing activities

(4,604)



(9,228)


Financing activities:




Proceeds from line of credit



188,728


Payments on line of credit

(20,000)



(143,657)


Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan

649



610


Noncontrolling interest distributions

(5,704)



(4,874)


Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation

(9,541)



(7,064)


Purchase of additional controlling interest

(142)



(23,575)


Exercise of vested awards and stock options



160


Sale of noncontrolling interest

284




Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(34,454)



10,328


Change in cash

5,748



(23,364)


Cash at beginning of period

286,569



31,672


Cash at end of period

$

292,317



$

8,308


Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:




Interest paid

$

495



$

2,830


Income taxes paid

$

621



$

1,269


Non-Cash Operating Activity:




Operating right of use assets in exchange for lease obligations

$

11,748



$

9,041


Non-Cash Investing Activity:




Accrued capital expenditures

$

1,973



$

2,226


LHC GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SEGMENT INFORMATION

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended March 31, 2021


Home health
services


Hospice
services


Home and
community-
based
services


Facility-
based
services


HCI


Total

Net service revenue

$

373,828



$

62,734



$

49,125



$

33,369



$

5,779



$

524,835


Cost of service revenue

212,373



38,570



34,872



21,175



3,282



310,272


Gross margin

161,455



24,164



14,253



12,194



2,497



214,563


General and administrative expenses

119,397



18,127



11,529



11,257



2,939



163,249


Impairment of intangibles and other

177











177


Operating income (loss)

41,881



6,037



2,724



937



(442)



51,137


Interest expense

(182)



(36)



(24)



(14)



(7)



(263)


Income (loss) before income taxes and
noncontrolling interest

41,699



6,001



2,700



923



(449)



50,874


Income tax expense (benefit)

7,890



1,067



518



57



(91)



9,441


Net income (loss)

33,809



4,934



2,182



866



(358)



41,433


Less net income (loss) attributable to non
controlling interests

4,849



1,015



279



657



(26)



6,774


Net income (loss) attributable to LHC Group,
Inc.'s common stockholder

$

28,960



$

3,919



$

1,903



$

209



$

(332)



$

34,659


Total assets

$

1,785,486



$

308,009



$

262,538



$

97,692



$

69,129



$

2,522,854



































































































Three Months Ended March 31, 2020


Home health
services


Hospice
services


Home and
community-
based
services


Facility-
based
services


HCI


Total

Net service revenue

$

367,821



$

60,531



$

48,464



$

29,681



$

6,374



$

512,871


Cost of service revenue

220,440



38,034



38,453



20,342



3,933



321,202


Gross margin

147,381



22,497



10,011



9,339



2,441



191,669


General and administrative expenses

116,023



16,626



11,459



10,380



3,378



157,866


Operating income (loss)

31,358



5,871



(1,448)



(1,041)



(937)



33,803


Interest expense

(1,900)



(303)



(266)



(219)



(80)



(2,768)


Income (loss) before income taxes and
noncontrolling interest

29,458



5,568



(1,714)



(1,260)



(1,017)



31,035


Income tax expense (benefit)

3,289



608



(206)



(199)



(133)



3,359


Net income (loss)

26,169



4,960



(1,508)



(1,061)



(884)



27,676


Less net income (loss) attributable to non
controlling interests

4,606



967



(155)



243



(9)



5,652


Net income (loss) attributable to LHC Group,
Inc.'s common stockholder

$

21,563



$

3,993



$

(1,353)



$

(1,304)



$

(875)



$

22,024


Total assets

$

1,548,224



$

251,354



$

252,846



$

90,791



$

69,067



$

2,212,282


LHC GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SELECT CONSOLIDATED KEY STATIISTICAL AND FINANCIAL DATA

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended

March 31,

Key Data:

2021


2020

Home Health Services:




Locations

531



556


Acquired



6


De novo




Divested/consolidated

(3)



(3)


Total new admissions

107,922



108,182


Medicare new admissions

54,413



59,880


Average daily census

83,938



76,978


Average Medicare daily census

45,237



46,093


Medicare completed and billed episodes

84,610



90,227


Average Medicare case mix for completed and billed Medicare episodes

1.01



1.06


Average reimbursement per completed and billed Medicare episodes

$

2,862



$

2,797


Total visits

2,057,632



2,135,791


Total Medicare visits

1,061,978



1,236,711


Average visits per Medicare episodes

12.6



13.7


Organic growth: (1)(2)




Net revenue

3.1

%


(2.5)

%

Net Medicare revenue

(3.1)

%


(6.3)

%

Total new admissions

(0.4)

%


7.1

%

Medicare new admissions

(9.0)

%


(2.4)

%

Average daily census

10.1

%


(1.5)

%

Average Medicare daily census

(0.8)

%


(9.4)

%

Medicare completed and billed episodes

(4.7)

%


(3.3)

%





Hospice Services:




Locations

120



112


Acquired



3


De novo

1




Divested/Consolidated



(1)


Admissions

5,577



5,060


Average daily census

4,457



4,290


Patient days

401,119



390,369


Average revenue per patient day

$

160.21



$

154.13


Organic growth: (1)(2)




Total new admissions

7.6

%


0.2

%





Home and Community-Based Services:




Locations (3)

129



111


Acquired



4


De novo

4




Divested/Consolidated




Average daily census

13,711



14,384


Billable hours

1,901,281



1,985,600


Revenue per billable hour

$

26.04



$

25.34






Facility-Based Services:




Long-term Acute Care




Locations

12



13


Acquired




Divested/Consolidated




Patient days

21,160



20,161


Average revenue per patient day

$

1,518



$

1,355


Average Daily Census

235



222




(1)

Organic growth is calculated as the sum of same store plus de novo for the period divided by total from the same period in the prior year.

(2)

The number of locations for HCBS has been updated to not only include the physical standalone locations but also the locations that are part of a home health provider.

RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LHC GROUP, INC.

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)




Three Months Ended

 March 31,



2021


2020


Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders


$

34,659



$

22,024



Add (net of tax):






   Acquisition and de novo expenses (1)




1,106



   Closures/relocations/consolidations (2)


131



343



   COVID-19 impact:








      PPE, supplies and wages (3)


8,852



2,108



      CARES Act tax benefit (4)




(2,210)



Adjusted net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders


$

43,642



$

23,371



RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME

ATTRIBUTABLE TO LHC GROUP, INC. PER DILUTED SHARE

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)  




Three Months Ended

 March 31,



2021


2020


Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders


$

1.10



$

0.70



Add (net of tax):






   Acquisition and de novo expenses (1)




0.04



   Closures/relocations/consolidations (2)


0.01



0.01



   COVID-19 impact:








      PPE, supplies and wages (3)


0.28



0.07



      CARES Act tax benefit (4)





(0.07)



Adjusted net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders


$

1.39



$

0.75





1.

Expenses and other costs associated with recently announced or completed acquisitions and de novos. ($1.5 million pre-tax in the three months ended March 31, 2020).

2.

Expenses associated with the impairment on a closed home health location which occurred in the first quarter of 2021 and the closure or consolidation of 4 locations in the first quarter of 2020 along with residual costs and expenses in connection with the closures in the fourth quarter of 2019 ($0.2 million pre-tax in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and $0.5 million pre-tax in the three months ended March 31, 2020).

3.

COVID-19 related expenses for purchases of personal protective equipment (PPE), supplies and wage adjustments ($12.0 million pre-tax in the three months ended March 31, 2021; $2.9 million pre-tax in the three months ended March 31, 2020).

4.

Tax benefit related to new legislation in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") which lifts certain tax deduction limitations and eliminates 80% of taxable income limitations for Net Operating Losses ("NOL"), which we are now able to fully utilize NOLs associated with Almost Family prior to the merger.

RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)




Three Months Ended



2021


2020

Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders


$

34,659



$

22,024


Add:





   Income tax expense


9,441



3,359


   Interest expense, net


263



2,768


   Depreciation and amortization 


4,999



5,133


   Adjustment items (1) 


12,167



4,856


Adjusted EBITDA


$

61,529



$

38,140







1. EBITDA Adjustment items (pre-tax):





   Acquisition and de novo expenses (1)




1,510


   Closures/relocations/consolidations (2)


177



468


   COVID-19 PPE, supplies and wages (3)


11,990



2,878


Total adjustments


$

12,167



$

4,856











Contact:
Eric Elliott
Senior Vice President of Finance
(337) 233-1307
eric.elliott@lhcgroup.com