Triple-S Management Corporation Reports First Quarter 2019 Results

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Triple-S Management Corporation GTS, a leading managed care company in Puerto Rico, today announced its first quarter 2019 results.

(PRNewsfoto/Triple-S Management Corporation)

Quarterly Consolidated and Other Highlights

  • Net income of $34.8 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, versus net income of $3.9 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, in the prior-year period;
  • Adjusted net income of $17.7 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, versus adjusted net income of $14.1 million, or $0.60 per diluted share;
  • Operating revenues of $787.6 million, a 2.3% increase from the prior-year period, primarily reflecting higher Managed Care premiums;
  • Consolidated loss ratio improved 120 basis points to 81.1%;
  • Medical loss ratio ("MLR") improved 140 basis points to 83.6%;
  • Consolidated operating income was $31.7 million, compared to consolidated operating income of $18.1 million in the prior-year period.

"We opened 2019 with a solid first quarter, driven by sustained improvement in our core Managed Care segment," said Roberto Garcia-Rodriguez, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "The strength of our brand, the breadth of our provider network and our competitive product offering led to double-digit sequential growth in both Medicare Advantage and Medicaid membership, while our clinical and network management initiatives continue to drive down the overall medical loss ratio.   Our Life and P&C segments are also performing quite well, and we remain adequately reserved against our P&C hurricane-related losses."

"These results reaffirm the soundness of our strategy and reflect disciplined execution by our associates," added Mr. Garcia-Rodriguez.  "Looking ahead, we will continue investing in our platforms to reduce the overall cost of care, enhance both member and provider engagement, expand our market share and build out an integrated delivery model.

Selected Consolidated Quarterly Details

  • Consolidated premiums earned were $768.0 million, up 2.1% from the prior-year period, primarily reflecting higher Medicare membership and premium rates within the Managed Care segment. The increase was partially offset by lower Medicaid membership as a result of the change in the program's model and a new entrant to the market in November 2018.



  • Consolidated claims incurred were $623.2 million, up 0.7% year-over-year. A consolidated loss ratio of 81.1% improved 120 basis points from the prior-year period, mostly due to favorable prior period reserve developments in the Managed Care segment, and offset in part by the higher target MLR of the current Medicaid contract and the suspension of the Health Insurance Providers Fee ("HIP Fee") pass-through.



  • Consolidated operating expenses of $132.7 million decreased by $0.4 million, or 0.3%, from the prior-year period, and the Company's operating expense ratio improved 40 basis points year-over-year to 17.2%. The decrease in operating expenses primarily results from the suspension in 2019 of the HIP Fee of $11.7 million, offset by higher personnel costs and commission expense, as well as an increase in the provision for doubtful accounts.



  • Consolidated income tax expense was $17.3 million, compared to $0.4 million in the prior-year period, primarily reflecting the increase in income before taxes in the Managed Care segment, which has a higher effective tax rate than the Company's other segments.

Selected Managed Care Segment Quarterly Details

  • Managed Care premiums earned were $705.5 million, up 2.7% year over year.



    • Medicare premiums earned of $332.7 million increased 15.6% from the prior-year period, largely reflecting an increase of approximately 45,000 member months and higher average premium rates.



    • Commercial premiums earned of $198.5 million declined 0.1% from the prior-year period, mainly reflecting lower enrollment during the quarter of approximately 8,000 member months and a $3.0 million reduction related to the suspension of the HIP Fee pass-through in 2019, offset by higher average premium rates.



    • Medicaid premiums earned decreased 13.0% from the prior-year period to $174.3 million, primarily reflecting lower enrollment of approximately 142,000 member months due to the commencement of the new Medicaid contract effective November 1, 2018, combined with a $3.6 million reduction associated with the suspension of the HIP Fee pass-through in 2019. As of March 31, 2019, the Company had approximately 356,000 Medicaid members enrolled in its Medicaid program, an increase of 75,000 members over the membership initially assigned to the Company under the new Medicaid contract.



      The decrease also reflects $3.8 million in premiums earned that the Company recorded in the prior-year quarter related to its achievement of the previous contract's quality incentive metrics.



  • Reported MLR of 83.6% improved 140 basis points from the prior-year period, primarily reflecting favorable prior period reserve developments. Adjusting for prior period reserve developments and moving risk-score revenue to its corresponding period, Managed Care MLR for this quarter would have been 84.5%, 60 basis points above the prior-year period largely due to the suspension of the HIP fee pass-through, which accounts for approximately 50 basis points of the increase.

2019 Outlook

The Company is raising its full year 2019 guidance for consolidated operating revenue, Managed Care premiums earned, and adjusted net income per diluted share.  It is maintaining its full year 2019 guidance for its consolidated claims incurred ratio, Managed Care MLR and consolidated operating expense ratio, and adjusting its effective tax rate guidance.  More specifically:

  • The Company raised consolidated operating revenue expectations for 2019 to be between $3.11 billion and $3.15 billion, which includes Managed Care premiums earned, net between $2.78 billion and $2.82 billion. The Company's previous outlook was for consolidated operating revenue between $3.04 billion and $3.08 billion, which included Managed Care premiums earned, net between $2.71 billion and $2.75 billion;



  • The Company continues to expect the consolidated claims incurred ratio for 2019 to be between 81.3% and 83.3%, and Managed Care MLR to be between 84.0% and 86.0%;



  • The Company continues to expect its consolidated operating expense ratio for 2019 to be between 17.6% and 18.6%;



  • The Company is adjusting expectations for its effective tax rate to be between 29.0% and 34.0% due to an expected increase in Managed Care operating income, which has a higher tax rate relative to the other segments. The Company's previous outlook was for effective tax rate to be between 25.0% and 30.0%; and



  • The Company raised adjusted net income per diluted share expectations for 2019 to be between $1.90 and $2.10, compared to its previous outlook for adjusted net income per diluted share between $1.85 and $2.05. Adjusted net income per diluted share guidance does not account for any share repurchase activity during 2019.

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2019. To participate, callers within the U.S. and Canada should dial 1-877-451-6152 and international callers should dial 1-201-389-0879 at least five minutes before the call.

To listen to the webcast, participants should visit the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at www.triplesmanagement.com several minutes before the event is broadcast and follow the instructions provided to ensure they have the necessary audio application downloaded and installed. This program is provided at no charge to the user. An archived version of the call, also located on the "Investor Relations" section of Triple-S Management's website, will be available about two hours after the call ends and for at least the following two weeks. This news release, along with other information relating to the call, will be available on the "Investor Relations" section of the website.

In addition, a replay will be available through May 23, 2019 by calling 1-844-512-2921 or 1-412-317-6671 and entering passcode 13689843. A replay will also be available at www.triplesmanagement.com for 30 days.

About Triple-S Management Corporation

Triple-S Management Corporation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. It is one of the leading players in the managed care industry in Puerto Rico.  Triple-S Management has the exclusive right to use the Blue Cross Blue Shield name and mark throughout Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Costa Rica.  With 60 years of experience in the industry, Triple-S Management offers a broad portfolio of managed care and related products in the Commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid markets under the Blue Cross Blue Shield marks.  It also provides non-Blue Cross Blue Shield branded life and property and casualty insurance in Puerto Rico. For more information about Triple-S Management, visit www.triplesmanagement.com or contact investorrelations@ssspr.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release presents information about the Company's adjusted net income, which is a non-GAAP financial metric provided as a complement to the results provided in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). A reconciliation of adjusted net income to net income, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, is provided in the accompanying tables found at the end of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future sales, results of operations, developments, regulatory approvals or other circumstances. Sentences that include "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "may", "will", "shall", "should" and similar expressions, whether in the positive or negative, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements in this news release reflect management's current views about future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed here as a result of various factors, including all the risks discussed and identified in public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In addition, the Company operates in a highly competitive, constantly changing environment, influenced by very large organizations that have resulted from business combinations, aggressive marketing and pricing practices of competitors, and regulatory oversight. The following factors, if markedly different from the Company's planning assumptions (either individually or in combination), could cause Triple-S Management's results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements shared here:

  • Trends in health care costs and utilization rates
  • Ability to secure sufficient premium rate increases
  • Competitor pricing below market trends of increasing costs
  • Re-estimates of policy and contract liabilities
  • Changes in government laws and regulations of managed care, life insurance or property and casualty insurance
  • Significant acquisitions or divestitures by major competitors
  • Introduction and use of new prescription drugs and technologies
  • A downgrade in the Company's financial strength ratings
  • Litigation or legislation targeted at managed care, life insurance or property and casualty insurance companies
  • Ability to contract with providers consistent with past practice
  • Ability to successfully implement the Company's disease management, utilization management and Star ratings programs
  • Ability to maintain Federal Employees, Medicare and Medicaid contracts
  • Volatility in the securities markets and investment losses and defaults
  • General economic downturns, major disasters, and epidemics

This list is not exhaustive. Management believes the forward-looking statements in this release are reasonable. However, there is no assurance that the actions, events or results anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if any of them do, what impact they will have on the Company's results of operations or financial condition. In view of these uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations. In addition, forward-looking statements are based on information available the day they are made, and (other than as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States) the Company does not intend to update or revise any of them in light of new information or future events.

Readers are advised to carefully review and consider the various disclosures in the Company's SEC reports.

Earnings Release Schedules and Supplemental Information

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets..................................................................................Exhibit I

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings......................................................................Exhibit II

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.................................................................Exhibit III

Segment Performance Supplemental Information......................................................................Exhibit IV

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.......................................................................Exhibit V

Exhibit I

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollar amounts in thousands)

Unaudited































































March 31,

2019



December 31,

2018

Assets





































Investments



$

1,591,419



$

1,564,542

Cash and cash equivalents





95,816





117,544

Premium and other receivables, net





660,209





628,444

Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired



218,839





215,159

Property and equipment, net





81,514





81,923

Other assets





148,682





152,636

























Total assets



$

2,796,479



$

2,760,248













































Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity





































Policy liabilities and accruals



$

1,549,807



$

1,600,310

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities





347,428





309,747

Long-term borrowings





28,086





28,883

























Total liabilities





1,925,321





1,938,940





















Stockholders' equity:















Common stock





23,107





22,931



Other stockholders' equity





848,730





799,053

























Total Triple-S Management Corporation stockholders' equity



871,837





821,984

























Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary





(679)





(676)

























Total stockholders' equity





871,158





821,308

























Total liabilities and stockholders' equity



$

2,796,479



$

2,760,248

 

Exhibit II

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Unaudited















































For the Three Months Ended



















March 31,



















2019



2018



Revenues:























Premiums earned, net



$

768,002



$

752,034





Administrative service fees





2,632





3,348





Net investment income





15,376





13,755





Other operating revenues





1,577





1,071































Total operating revenues





787,587





770,208































Net realized investment gains on sale of securities





1,315





2,942































Net unrealized investment gains (losses) on equity investments





19,669





(16,199)

































Other income, net





1,169





1,163































Total revenues





809,740





758,114























































Benefits and expenses:

















Claims incurred







623,190





618,989





Operating expenses





132,663





133,134































Total operating costs





755,853





752,123

































Interest expense





1,788





1,690































Total benefits and expenses





757,641





753,813































Income before taxes





52,099





4,301



























Income tax expense





17,316





387



























Net income











34,783





3,914





























Less: Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interest





3





-



























Net income attributable to Triple-S Management Corporation



$

34,786



$

3,914































Earnings per share attributable to Triple-S Management Corporation:











































Basic net income per share



$

1.53



$

0.17





Diluted net income per share



$

1.52



$

0.17

































Weighted average of common shares





22,757,794





23,277,633





Diluted weighted average of common shares





22,840,274





23,394,997



 

Exhibit III

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(dollar amounts in thousands)

Unaudited









































 

For the three months ended















March 31,















2019



2018

























Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities



$

(69,900)



$

130,473





















Cash flows from investing activities:















Proceeds from investments sold or matured:

















Securities available for sale:



















Fixed maturities sold





164,997





443,419







Fixed maturities matured/called





12,267





5,368





Securities held to maturity - fixed maturities matured/called





1,154





1,048





Equity securities sold





23,123





113,863





Other invested assets sold





373





845



Acquisition of investments:

















Securities available for sale - fixed maturities





(166,626)





(575,694)





Securities held to maturity - fixed maturities





(539)





(1,212)





Equity securities





(9,139)





(49,591)





Other invested assets 





(8,546)





(9,683)



Increase in other investments





(535)





(4,136)



Net change in policy loans





(309)





(185)



Net capital expenditures





(2,968)





(4,861)

























Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities





13,252





(80,819)





















Cash flows from financing activities:















Change in outstanding checks in excess of bank balances





36,682





(19,992)



Repayments of long-term borrowings





(808)





(810)



Proceeds from revolving line of credit





-





-



Repurchase and retirement of common stock





(1)





(14,259)



Proceeds from policyholder deposits





3,607





6,237



Surrender of policyholder deposits





(4,560)





(7,161)

























Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities





34,920





(35,985)

























Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents





(21,728)





13,669

























Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period





117,544





198,941





















Cash and cash equivalents, end of period



$

95,816



$

212,610

Exhibit IV

Segment Performance Supplemental Information

(Unaudited)



Three months ended March 31,



(dollar amounts in millions)

2019

2018

Percentage

Change



Premiums earned, net:











Managed Care:













Commercial

$     198.5

$     198.7

(0.1%)







Medicare

332.7

287.9

15.6%







Medicaid

174.3

200.3

(13.0%)









Total Managed Care

705.5

686.9

2.7%





Life Insurance

44.2

41.5

6.5%





Property and Casualty

19.4

24.2

(19.8%)





Other





(1.1)

(0.6)

(83.3%)











Consolidated premiums earned, net

$     768.0

$     752.0

2.1%



Operating revenues (loss): 1











Managed Care

$     715.0

$     696.1

2.7%





Life Insurance

50.8

47.5

6.9%





Property and Casualty

21.9

26.6

(17.7%)





Other





(0.1)

-

0.0%











Consolidated operating revenues

$     787.6

$     770.2

2.3%



Operating income: 2











Managed Care

$       22.1

$       10.6

108.5%





Life Insurance

5.6

3.6

55.6%





Property and Casualty

3.6

3.1

16.1%





Other





0.4

0.8

(50.0%)











Consolidated operating income

$       31.7

$       18.1

75.1%



Operating margin: 3











Managed Care

3.1%

1.5%

160 bp





Life Insurance

11.0%

7.6%

340 bp





Property and Casualty

16.4%

11.7%

470 bp





Consolidated

4.0%

2.4%

160 bp



Depreciation and amortization expense

$         3.5

$         3.4

 

2.9%























1 

Operating revenues include premiums earned, net, administrative service fees and net investment income.

2 

Operating income or loss include operating revenues minus operating costs. Operating costs include claims incurred and operating expenses.

3 

Operating margin is defined as operating income or loss divided by operating revenues.

 

Managed Care Additional Data

Three months ended March 31,

(Unaudited)



2019

2018

Member months enrollment:







Commercial:









Fully-insured

953,052

961,290





Self-insured

362,490

449,778







Total Commercial

1,315,542

1,411,068



Medicare Advantage







383,608

338,340



Medicaid



1,029,736

1,171,345









Total member months

2,728,886

2,920,753

Claim liabilities (in millions)

$         397.3

$      402.4

Days claim payable

61

62

Premium PMPM:







Managed Care

$       298.13

$      277.99





Commercial

208.28

206.70





Medicare Advantage

867.29

850.92





Medicaid 

169.27

171.00

Medical loss ratio:

83.6%

85.0%



Commercial

82.9%

81.3%



Medicare Advantage

80.6%

84.6%



Medicaid 



90.3%

89.2%

Adjusted medical loss ratio: 1

84.5%

83.9%



Commercial

83.6%

82.7%



Medicare Advantage

82.0%

82.1%



Medicaid 



90.4%

87.5%

Operating expense ratio:







Consolidated

17.2%

17.6%



Managed Care

14.5%

14.7%

 

1 

The adjusted medical loss ratio and adjusted consolidated loss ratio accounts for subsequent adjustments to estimates, such as prior-period reserve developments and Medicare premium adjustments, and presents then in their corresponding period.

 

Managed Care Membership by Segment



As of March 31,





2019

2018

Members:









Commercial:









     Fully-insured



318,523

319,208



     Self-insured



118,677

148,688



          Total Commercial



437,200

467,896



Medicare Advantage











128,090

112,080



Medicaid





355,694

394,454



               Total members



920,984

974,430

 

Exhibit V

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures













Adjusted Net Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)



Three months ended

March 31,

(dollar amounts in millions)

2019

2018



Net income



$         34.8

$          3.9



Less adjustments:









Net realized investment gains, net of tax

1.1

2.3





Unrealized gains (losses) on equity investments

15.7

(13.0)





Private equity investment income, net of tax

0.3

0.5







Adjusted net income

$         17.7

$         14.1







Diluted adjusted net income per share

$         0.77

$         0.60





















Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial metric and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.  Management believes that the use of this adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share provides investors and management useful information about the earnings impact of realized and unrealized investment gains or losses, as well as other non-recurring items impacting the Company's results of operations.  This non-GAAP metric do not consider all of the items associated with the Company's operations as determined in accordance with GAAP.  As a result, one should not consider these measures in isolation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:



AT THE COMPANY:

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

Juan José Román-Jiménez 

Mr. Garrett Edson

EVP and Chief Financial Officer 

ICR

(787) 749-4949 

(787) 792-6488

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/triple-s-management-corporation-reports-first-quarter-2019-results-300846934.html

SOURCE Triple-S Management Corporation

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