Select Medical Holdings Corporation Receives Favorable IRS Private Letter Ruling on Tax-Free Nature of Its Previously Announced Potential Separation of Concentra

Rhea-AI Summary

Select Medical Holdings Corporation (NYSE: SEM) received a favorable tax ruling from the IRS for the potential separation of its occupational health services business, Concentra. This milestone aims to create two leading companies in their markets, as stated by Robert A. Ortenzio, Executive Chairman.

Tax Advisor

The favorable private letter ruling from the IRS is a critical step for Select Medical in its strategic decision to separate its occupational health services business, Concentra. From a tax perspective, this ruling ensures that the separation can be conducted on a tax-free basis, which is significant for the company's financial structuring. It implies potential savings of millions in tax liabilities, depending on the value of the assets involved. The tax-free status can also be appealing to investors, as it suggests a more efficient allocation of capital and could lead to a reevaluation of the company's stock.

By establishing two distinct entities, each focused on their core competencies, there is a possibility for improved operational efficiencies and a sharper strategic focus. However, this also means that each entity will have to bear its own operational costs and may face new market challenges independently. It's essential for stakeholders to consider the implications of these changes on the company's financial health and operational synergy.

Market Analyst

The announcement by Select Medical to pursue the separation of Concentra can be seen as a strategic move to unlock shareholder value. By creating two market-leading companies, Select Medical may be aiming to enhance the market perception and valuation of both businesses. This move can be particularly effective if the markets believe that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole.

Investors should monitor the reaction of the stock market to this news, as it can serve as an indicator of the market's confidence in the success of the separation. It's also important to analyze the competitive landscape of the healthcare services industry to understand how this separation might alter the dynamics and competitive advantages of both Select Medical and the newly independent Concentra.

Long-term benefits may include more focused business strategies and potentially higher growth rates as each company tailors its approach to its specific market. However, there could be short-term costs associated with the separation, such as administrative expenses, which could impact financial performance.

Healthcare Industry Analyst

The potential separation of Select Medical's business units points to a broader industry trend where healthcare companies are streamlining operations to focus on core services. For Concentra, operating independently could mean a more focused investment in occupational health services and potential market expansion. This separation can lead to more agile decision-making and specialized services, which is crucial in the competitive healthcare market.

For stakeholders, it's essential to assess how the separation will affect the service quality, client relationships and brand value of both entities. Any changes in these areas can have significant implications for the companies' market shares and revenue streams. Furthermore, the impact on employees and company culture should not be overlooked, as these are vital components of a company's success in the healthcare industry.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa., Feb. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Select Medical Holdings Corporation ("Select Medical," "we," "us," or "our") (NYSE: SEM)  announced today that it has received a favorable private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") with respect to the tax-free status of its previously announced plan to pursue a separation of its wholly-owned occupational health services business, Concentra Group Holdings Parent, LLC ("Concentra" and such business, the "Concentra business").  Details regarding the potential separation were included in a press release issued on January 3, 2024.

Robert A. Ortenzio, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Select Medical, stated, "This favorable tax ruling is an important milestone towards completing the potential separation. We are pleased to continue moving forward with this transaction which will enhance the success of each business by creating two companies that will be leaders in their respective markets."

About Select Medical

Select Medical is one of the largest operators of critical illness recovery hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and occupational health centers in the United States based on number of facilities. Select Medical's reportable segments include the critical illness recovery hospital segment, the rehabilitation hospital segment, the outpatient rehabilitation segment, and the Concentra segment. As of December 31, 2023, Select Medical operated 107 critical illness recovery hospitals in 28 states, 33 rehabilitation hospitals in 13 states, 1,933 outpatient rehabilitation clinics in 39 states and the District of Columbia, and 544 occupational health centers in 41 states. At December 31, 2023, Select Medical had operations in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Information about Select Medical is available at www.selectmedical.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein that are not descriptions of historical facts are "forward-looking" statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), including statements related to Select Medical's evaluation of various strategic alternatives such as a separation or divestiture of the Concentra business. The words "believe," "continue," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "intends," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "should," "may," "will," "would" or the negative thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements due to factors including the following:

• adverse economic conditions including an inflationary environment could cause us to continue to experience increases in the prices of labor and other costs of doing business resulting in a negative impact on our business, operating results, cash flows, and financial condition;
  
  
• shortages in qualified nurses, therapists, physicians, or other licensed providers, and/or the inability to attract or retain qualified healthcare professionals could limit our ability to staff our facilities;
  
  
• shortages in qualified health professionals could cause us to increase our dependence on contract labor, increase our efforts to recruit and train new employees, and expand upon our initiatives to retain existing staff, which could increase our operating costs significantly;
  
  
• the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic including, but not limited to, the prolonged disruption to the global financial markets, increased operational costs due to recessionary pressures and labor costs, additional measures taken by government authorities and the private sector to limit the spread of COVID-19, and further legislative and regulatory actions which impact healthcare providers, including actions that may impact the Medicare program;
  
  
• changes in government reimbursement for our services and/or new payment policies may result in a reduction in revenue, an increase in costs, and a reduction in profitability;
  
  
• the failure of our Medicare-certified long term care hospitals or inpatient rehabilitation facilities to maintain their Medicare certifications may cause our revenue and profitability to decline;
  
  
• the failure of our Medicare-certified long term care hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation facilities operated as "hospitals within hospitals" to qualify as hospitals separate from their host hospitals may cause our revenue and profitability to decline;
  
  
• a government investigation or assertion that we have violated applicable regulations may result in sanctions or reputational harm and increased costs;
  
  
• acquisitions or joint ventures may prove difficult or unsuccessful, use significant resources, or expose us to unforeseen liabilities;
  
  
• our plans and expectations related to our acquisitions and our ability to realize anticipated synergies;
  
  
• private third-party payors for our services may adopt payment policies that could limit our future revenue and profitability;
  
  
• the failure to maintain established relationships with the physicians in the areas we serve could reduce our revenue and profitability;
  
  
• competition may limit our ability to grow and result in a decrease in our revenue and profitability;
  
  
• the loss of key members of our management team could significantly disrupt our operations;
  
  
• the effect of claims asserted against us could subject us to substantial uninsured liabilities;
  
  
• a security breach of our or our third-party vendors' information technology systems may subject us to potential legal and reputational harm and may result in a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 or the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act;
  
  
• failure to complete or achieve some or all the expected benefits of the potential separation of Concentra; and
  
  
• other factors discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we are under no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of any new information, future events, or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results or performance.

Investor inquiries:

Joel T. Veit
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
717-972-1100
ir@selectmedical.com

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SOURCE - Select Medical Holdings Corporation

What is the ticker symbol for Select Medical Holdings Corporation?

The ticker symbol for Select Medical Holdings Corporation is SEM.

What milestone did Select Medical Holdings Corporation achieve recently?

Select Medical Holdings Corporation received a favorable tax ruling from the IRS for the potential separation of its occupational health services business, Concentra.

Who mentioned the importance of the tax ruling for Select Medical Holdings Corporation?

Robert A. Ortenzio, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Select Medical, highlighted the significance of the favorable tax ruling for the potential separation.

What was included in the press release issued on January 3, 2024, by Select Medical Holdings Corporation?

Details regarding the potential separation of Concentra Group Holdings Parent, LLC were included in the press release issued on January 3, 2024.

How does Select Medical Holdings Corporation plan to enhance the success of each business?

Select Medical Holdings Corporation aims to enhance the success of each business by creating two companies that will be leaders in their respective markets through the potential separation.